Bugaboo Fox review

Bugaboo is a name that needs little or no introduction as one of the most popular brands out there. Positioned at the high end of the market, the Dutch brand is seen as the ultimate in urban strollers. And it’s got the A-list celebrity following to match. Sienna Miller, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Victoria Beckham, and even Kate Middleton are just a few of the famous Bugaboo fans.

Recognised by their animal-inspired names there’s the Cameleon, Donkey, Buffalo and Bee, the brand new Fox has already won a gold in our very own Made for Mums Awards.

As the next generation stroller for Bugaboo, the Fox promises the ‘best drive performance yet’ and great customisation offerings.

What is the difference between the Bugaboo Fox and the Bugaboo Cameleon?

This naturally the first question asked by many parents who've come across the new Fox buggy.

On looks you can see that the Fox has bigger front wheels, that's because it has been designed to fit more terrain, with Bugboo describing the buggy as equally good if you're "shopping, traveling" or "exploring the outdoors."

On price, the basic Fox package is at least £100 more than the Cameleon, but you’re getting more features with the Fox - customisation being one of them.

With the Fox you not only have the option of changing canopy, seat/bassinet and apron fabrics, you can also recreate your Fox with new handlebar grips and wheel caps. The fold on the Fox is more compact and it offers a one-piece standing fold.

The Cameleon has a hand-brake whereas the Fox uses a step brake. There’s extra suspension in the central joint on the Fox, the front wheels are 2” bigger and its air-filled tyres as opposed to the Cameleon’s foam filled ones all make for a better ride off-road.

The Fox seat is also 7cm higher up from the ground. Weight limit on the Fox is 0.5kg more than the 17kg Cameleon, and the Cameleon bucket-shaped basket is shorter and its weight capacity is nearly half that of The Fox.

Check out the Bugaboo Cameleon 3 Pushchair

How compact is the Fox?

Very. The Fox has a one-piece and two-piece fold. And it can stand on its own in every configuration making it cupboard-friendly for those short on space.

Is it easy to fold?

Yes. Bugaboo claim the Fox has a one-hand fold but I need two hands. The release buttons on the Fox are the same as all the other buggies in the family. The frame intuitively collapses when you press and pull the release tab either side of the handle. It ingeniously folds with the reversible seat in either position.

Is it easy to unfold?

The Fox has a lock system - two dials on the inside of the frame central joint. The dials are switched to unlock mode on both sides. Once you raise the handlebar, it intuitively opens and locks into place. Then, as you push down on the fixed handlebar, the front wheels open and lock out for a full unfold. Occasionally, I haven’t got it right and the lock reverts, so the process has to be restarted.

How easy is it to store?

Self-standing in any configuration makes the Fox a hit for storage. Even though it means assembly every time I put it in two pieces in my car boot.

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Is it suitable from birth?

Yes with the carrycot. The Bugaboo carrycot is one of the longer ones out there at 90cm long so you could get as much as 6-9 months out of it, providing your baby likes the carrycot full stop. Maxinmum weight for a child in the carrycot is 9kg. From 6 months you can put baby into the seat unit. The Baby Jogger City Mini, Mountain Buggy Urban Jungle also have seats with a near-vertical position so can be used from birth with a baby wedge.

It's worth noting that changing the carrycot to the seat unit is one of the most taxing things about this buggy. It takes ages! Be prepared to spend at least and hour doing it, as it is not easy by any standard.

What’s the shopping basket like?

The mesh shopping basket on the Fox spans the whole underside of the buggy. You can easily fit a good mid-week shop in there. The raised mesh lips either end keep everything well- contained for those moments when you’re tipping the buggy up, mounting kerbs and stairs. There two inner storage pockets are perfect for slotting in smaller items like your phone, or carrying spare clothes, wipes or a few nappies - great for putting the small things that easily get lost. And the elasticated hem doesn't slip out easily.

Is the Fox lightweight?

The Fox is a good weight and easy enough to carry holding the frame’s central joint. At 9.5kg it’s lighter than some of its counterparts but not all. The iCandy Peach and Joolz Geo2 are both a tad lighter. The Stokke Trailz, Silver Cross Wave and Uppababy Vista are heavier than the Fox.

How does it ride in the parks, over tree roots, up hills?

Bugaboo say the Fox provides the best drive performance yet. With a new all-wheel suspension and a new central joint suspension your child is in for a smooth, bump-free ride. The Fox is really smooth, and a comfortable ride for Isabella, my 11-month old. By rights I should take the wheels off swivel when I’m out on muddy pitches, riverside peeble-stone paths and in the park doing outdoor fitness classes but there’s little or no resistance. For the serious jogger you can convert your Fox by buying the Bugaboo Runner frame and using your Fox seat.

You can buy the Bugaboo Fox from John Lewis, Mothercare, Mamas & Papas and Natural Baby Shower

How does it work as a city buggy?

Beautifully. You can’t fault the way the Fox manoeuvres and glides effortlessly in shopping aisles, on pavements and roads, and generally in a city setting. Where some buggies might jut or ruck on lowered kerbs, the Fox easily mounts lowered kerbs without having to use any muscle.

On higher kerbs you have to put some weight behind it, but what buggy don’t you do that with? On the bus, parked in the bay, it can stick out a bit but that’s helped by lowering the handlebar as far down as possible. Narrow spaces aren’t too much of a challenge but if you’re a bumper and scraper, you might want to consider the slimmer Bugaboos – the Cameleon or Bee.

Is the Fox good value for money?

The Fox is at the high end of the market. Some whole travel system buggies cost similar to the price of just the aluminium frame, which costs £636.48. My favourite, the sleek, black frame, costs another £160 on top. There are packages available – the cheapest being £979 which includes the Fox pushchair and carrycot, Aluminium with black fabric and sun canopy.

Is it worth customising the Fox?

No, unless absolutely necessary. Like the purchase of a car, you pay for all the cosmetic extras.

Say I wanted the full makeover, the denim-like melange seat fabric with bumble yellow canopy, and the glorious wood grain-effect wheel caps - that would set me back over £200.

The Bugaboo Fox Track is available from March 2019 - what is it like and how is it different from the standard Fox?

Bugaboo is a bit of a pro when it comes to making its products even more desirable through the release of limited editions. What we particularly like about the brand’s special launches is that they usually combine style with clever function tweaks.

The latest, the Track Collection, is a case in point. It offers a light petrol colour fabric, close to baby blue but with a hue of teal - eye-catching but subtle. In addition, the fabric is made of recycled PET bottles, a fantastic option for the environmentally conscious.

But best of all, the Track edition comes with a Peekaboo window in the hood. This is a fantastic functional upgrade, as it allows parents better interaction with their little ones when the seat is world-facing.

It is a mystery to me why this is not yet offered as standard by Bugaboo, but it’s nice to know that the brand is toying with this feature.

Celebrating Bugaboo’s 20 year anniversary, the Track Collection also features some lovely soft jersey lining to the hood with groovy stitching.

The Track Collection is available in the UK for a limited time from 1st March 2019 for the Fox (from birth) and for the Bee5 (from 6 months). Check out retailers and more info directly at Bugaboo. Priced from £1,059, it is only a tad more expensive than the standard Fox (which starts from £979), but might be worth your money, if the lovely colour and peekaboo window convince.

What other special editions are currently available?

Bugaboo’s Stellar edition of the Fox launched last October. It eye-catchingly featured glow-in-the-dark accents - another fantastic marriage of style and function. Its chassis, wheel caps, and zippers use Scotchlite reflective technology to provide visibility from up to 150m away. As well as providing a novel look, the Stellar is great for safety when you're about at dusk or dawn.

This edition also includes a weather-proof underseat basket with cover and a high-performance rain cover with reflective strips. You can find out more about it here.

Is it travel system compatible?

Yes. Adapters for Maxi-Cosi, Peg-Perego, Britax and Chicco means you can buy those brands, the Cybex suite of car seats and the Nuna PIPA for the Fox.

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Is the seat size good?

Yes. Bugaboo seat units are always palatial and the same goes for the Fox. It’s comfortable, well-padded and sizeable. So much so my daughter Izzy often looks like she’s sitting in her throne looking down on her subjects.

Is the Fox good if you’re tall?

The height of the Fox is good overall. My husband at 6ft 4 comfortably uses the buggy. Believe me, if there was a problem, he would make it known. That said, the Fox’s set height isn't as tall as the Uppababy VISTA or Stokke Xplory, but higher than the Cameleon and the ultra-low down Bumblebee models.

Is it easy to keep clean and wash?

The Bugaboo Fox seat fabric, canopy, carrycot fabrics, matress cover and inlay are all detachable and machine washable at 30 degrees. Just don’t forget to take out the foam inside the seat fabric before washing, as that won’t survive the machine - and no tumble. The foam should be cleaned with a damp cloth like the frame/chassis, shopping basket, wheels, raincover, mattress and grips.

Who would the product be most useful for?

Suburban parents or city dwellers whose lifestyle combines using a car and walking. The Fox isn’t your lightweight, micro mini so wouldn’t be good on a daily commute.

It may also appeal to eco-conscious parents. Bugaboo claim the Fox’s replaceable parts are made from recycled materials, or materials that can be recycled after use. Also, the core colour range of Bugaboo Fox fabrics is made from 92 recycled plastic bottles.

How comfortable does it feel for your little one?

Very. My 11 month old, Isabella would surely pipe up if she was uncomfortable. Seat size is ample, and you have the convenience of switching your little one parent or forward-facing. There are 3 recline positions but lie-flat is great for her naps on-the-move and upright useful for feeding.

And while there’s plenty of room to grow in the seat – from 0-36 months or 17.5 kg - I do wish there was a more prominent footrest, or at least one that’s adjustable to grow with child rather than the potential of being a bit hunched up.

Can the hood be used as a sun protection?

Yes. The hood is water repellent, offers UPF50+ protection and is fully extendable thanks to the secret zip opening at the back of the hood. Large is good enough cover but extended is brilliant at blocking out sunlight at nap times. I’m not sure about the lightweight canvas fabric. I find that with the hood open the excess fabric tends to sag down, which blocks my view of Isabella but this is a real minor.

What do you think of the tyres?

The tyres are great for dry off-road exploits but sometimes on a rainy, muddy day in the park, it’s more of a challenge to push. The tryes basically get a bit clogged with mud. Simply, there’s not enough clearance between the tyre and the small mud guard. I think this is because you don’t have as much tread on the Fox tryes as your typical all-terrain buggy. That said, most tyres get cloggy in those conditions and overall it doesn’t affect the performance.

Are the brakes easy to use?

Yes. It’s effortless. They are clear, obvious, and simple to use – you always hear a solid click. It can momentarily roll forward and click into place, but you always have the reassuring red indicator.

Does it fit in the boot of your car?

It certainly fits in the boot of my 4x4 with ease and leaves enough room left for my older kids’ scooters, bags and any other rubbish. While the Fox didn’t make it into the back of my friend’s Smart car, it will fit into your average size hatchback or saloon, probably as a two-piece fold.

What’s in the box?

• base box including the chassis
• seat frame
• carrycot
• carry handle
• rain cover

What accessories are available?

• Universal Footmuff £84.95
• High performance footmuff £154
• Changing bag £99.95
• Wool seat liner £89.95
• Phone holder £24.99
• Bugaboo tray £34.95
• Breezy Sun Canopy £64.95
• Wheel Caps £16.95-52.95
• Canopy £69.95-79.95
• Grips £24.95
• Seat £59.95-69.95
• Cup holder £16.95
• Wheelboard £89.99
• Maxi-Cosi £34.95
• Seat liner £34.36-42.95

Where can I buy the Bugaboo Fox?

The Bugaboo Fox has now been replaced with the Bugaboo Fox 3.

You can read our Bugaboo Fox 3 review here, or purchase it from Bugaboo, Mamas & Papas and John Lewis.

MadeForMums Verdict:

I’ve heard so many people hail the virtues of their Bugaboo and I see what they mean with the Fox. If you want style and quality, don’t mind paying for it and being part of the yummy mummy set, then the Fox is ideal. It’s a slick looking buggy with the grit of off-road ride. The self-standing design and one-handed features like the brake system, harness release and handlebar adjustment will save you from eternal frustration and keep baby happy at the same time. While the customisation options will keep your Fox from looking tired as your family grows, it will further improve its re-sale value. After all, as one friend said you are paying the equivalent value of some people’s car. But the Fox is worth it.

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