I have always thrown admiring glances in the way of iCandy pushchairs, their chic designs and luxe finishes make them particularly enviable - plus I am a sucker for a shiny chrome finish chassis. We've also reviewed the double/tandem version of the iCandy Peach here.
This is the review of the 2017 version single iCandy Peach, if you're after a review of the 2018 Peach, we have it here.
What are the stand-out features on the iCandy Peach?
With this newest version of the Peach, the brand has made little changes. It looks like it’s listened to from feedback from parents and reviewers about the older Peaches and tried to improve on them.
As such iCandy has introduced new EVA tyres, seat elevators that can be in both parent and world-facing mode and a new one-touch 5-point safety harness.
Other little extra touches include a leatherette handle and a leatherette bumper bar instead of foam ones.
When using seat elevators to create extra space between the bottom seat and the top one, the seat evelators used to only allow the seat to face forward, away from mum and dad. Now the seat can be lifted and face the parents too.
I liked the idea of the elevators, when used as a single pushchair. When used in parent facing mode, it made interaction with my son easier, when facing the world he loved having a better view of everything!
It was also ace when visiting our local café (which always lacks enough highchairs) as it becomes perfect table height.
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I did however find that when using the elevators, curbs/steps became a bit of an issue and I felt some strain due to the weight distribution (and it nearly tipped over when we hit a little pot hole! Eek!)
Another new feature on the Peach is the quick release one-touch 5-point harness. A great idea, that’s really easy to use and indeed time saver too.
Unfortunately it’s too simple! The big pink button soon caught the attention of my 22-month-old son who could soon undo it himself!
This is something that could definitely be improved on, as I can imagine there will be quite a few mini houdinis who will work this out - fast!
How does the iCandy Peach 2016 fold?
It is fantastically easy to fold and once the seat unit has been removed (it literally pops off) it can be pretty much done with one hand.
The chassis can be folded with a push of the button in the middle of the handle bar, locked and then carried by the handy shoulder strap that attaches to the shopping basket. To unfold is just as easy; just flick the latch on the chassis and pull up handle bar to click into place, it is a breeze!
Is it compact when folded?
Yes, it is very compact once folded (70cm x 60cm x 28cm) and easy to store, it is perfect for keeping in my tiny hallway without having to squeeze in the front door!
How does the iCandy Peach feel when pushing it?
It’s fantastic to push as the buggy as it has a very smooth ride on pavements , roads and in shops and it very easy to steer.
Even on grass I found it was doing most of the work, rather than me wearing myself out – I think a lot of that was down to the large rear wheels.
It actually felt nice to push and was able to handle tree roots, twigs and leaves I put in its way – all in the name if a thorough review.
The Peach travels well on public transport, it can just make its way down narrow bus gangways and fits snuggly in the pram bay along with another pushchair and just as easily fits on trains.
However, my first issue arose when pushing as the folding mechanism/handle bar adjusting button slap bang in the middle of the handle bars. If you have one child, then this won’t be much of a problem, but as a mum of three, a lot of the time I am steering the pushchair and holding a little hand.
I usually choose to hold the bar in the middle as it is easier to steer, but I couldn’t do that with the Peach, especially when it is carrying the extra weight of shopping or an extra child in double mode.
As a side note on buggy weight, you may have noticed that the weight of the Peach is advertised at 8.4kg on the iCandy and other retailer websites.
We weren't sure if that was a typo or if the buggy had seriously slimmed down from its former Peach 3 model, which was perviously advertised as weighing 14.2kgs. Either way we had to find out more. It turns out the advertised weight is only of the frame and the wheels. When used in complete single mode the Peach weighs 14.2kgs and 17.4kg in double mode - the same as before.
Does it work better as a single or double?
I personally feel the Peach works better as a single, although it has a maximum capacity for 25kg I feel it could be a struggle at times to maenouvre when in double mode. It can also be carried down stairs, solo, in single mode (minus shopping bags) but if it’s in double mode, then no chance.
The Peach’s all round suspension is smooth, although not as yielding as it could be at times, especially when it is taking on extra weight.
Saying that it is so easy to change between the single mode and the double mode I can see why many parents, including our last MFM mum found it easier to use in double mode.
It is obviously a lot heavier as a double – weighing 17.4kg compared to 14.2kg as a single, plus the weight of the children – and I definitely found it more difficult to push. It was a real workout going for long walks with both kids.
Saying that, the Peach is extremely manoeuvrable in double mode and it was a dream having the option to pop my older child in.
Tell us about the basket
It’s very big and the large spacious shopping basket becomes larger when used with the elevators, which is great.
I was a bit disappointed to find there were no storage pockets on the back of the seat unit, as I always find these incredibly useful to have essentials on hand, instead of stopping to rummage in my bag!
How easy is it to adjust the pushchair?
Very. Pretty much every feature on the Peach can be adjusted effortlessly with the simple press of a button, the handle height, foot rest and seat position, which is a joy!
The hood although not silent when adjusting, is not overly loud, it makes a rhythmic clicking sound that is quiet enough not to wake a sleeping child.
With everything being so well engineered, I found the bumper bar to be a bit jarring in comparison. It is a two handed job to remove and the release can be a bit sticky. A hinged bar (like on Joolz pushchairs) would be more fitting.
What about the rain cover?
I absolutely loved the rain cover for the Peach! It is one of the best I have come across so far, and I find a rain cover can be a deal breaker at times!
It fitted like a glove, and the plastic, although seemingly thin, is tough enough to withstand little fingers being poked through the air holes and kicking feet! I also liked how the pushchair hood was protected by a Teflon fabric, to stop it getting soaked through. A must have for the rainy days in the UK.
Is it comfy for babies?
Very! My little boy loved sitting in it and one to fight a nap when out and about, kipped frequently in it!
The seat unit is soft (even more so with the additional seat pad or luxury foot muff) and the harness pads nice and cushiony!
I also love a good cup holder, and the iCandy one is great! It fits easily (using the clamp that is also sold separately) and can be swiftly removed when not in use, or when needing to get through a narrow doorway!
What do you think of the style?
It is and always has been a stylish pushchair. The iCandy Peach is available in a variety of traditional & on-trend colour ways to suit all tastes, I reviewed it in ‘Bubble Gum’ a bright pink and cool lilac combo, that creates a bold look that is great for turning heads, and not just for girls (as my son proved, he loved the colour and looked very at home sat in it)!
There was a part of me that was expecting the chrome chassis to suffer a few scratches as I had heard previous models had scratched easily. To my surprise it hasn’t suffered any (even after being in my husbands possession for a day) and still looks great.
I would definitely recommend investing in a seat liner, not only does it provide extra comfort but helps to keep the pushchair in tip top condition, if your little one is anything like mine, once they have a snack in their hand, its crumbarama!
Tell us about the iCandy MiPeach toy pushchair
For the mini me’s in your life you can buy the MiPeach, iCandy’s perfectly formed toy pram that replicates the functional details of the Peach, down to having the seat unit parent or forward facing (the seat also converts to a carry cot), adjustable handles and the spacious basket.
My little ones adored it, especially my little boy who carted around his favourite doll and a dozen cars in it, as well as attempting to climb into it as his sisters pushed him!
And they loved how realistic it seemed.
It is an exact miniature of the peach (with the same EVA tyres) and again very well made (with wipe clean fabric) and sturdy.
It is available in two colour ways Bubblegum (pink) and Royal (navy blue) and costs around £170.
What about assembling the adult Peach?
I found the Peach to be super easy to build and so straightforward that the majority of it can be done without the instructions.
The instructions, however, are concise and helpful when needed. Once built I found it not only athetically pleasing but robust in design. The wheels are tough, chassis sturdy and brakes firm.
It is also compatible with many Maxi Cosi, Cybex, Nuna & Kiddy Evo carseat models (these vary from single to double mode and a comprehensive list can be found on the iCandy website)
Is the iCandy Peach value for money?
The Peach itself is a fantastically stylish, luxe pushchair that also carries a luxe price tag. It costs £780 for single and the carrycot is an extra £199, taking the total to £979
If you compare it to similar single buggies such as the UppaBaby Vista (£849.99) , Babystyle Egg (£769) or Silver Cross Surf 3 (£700) and the Bugaboo Chameleon 3 (£933.95) it is a pricier option, as rivals do include the carrycot in the bundle.
Saying that, there are other single pushchairs that are much more expensive, like the Stokke Xplory (£1039).
If comparing to other doubles such as the Phil & Ted's Voyager, which is £758 including both seats, it is a lot more expensive. But it is a good few pounds cheaper than the Bugaboo Donkey Duo (£1,099).
But as far as high-end buggies go, it’s still comparable and as it’s very well made and if you have the cash to splash, it is worth it.
What’s in the box?
- Chassis
- Seat Unit
- Rain Cover
- Elevators
- Shopping Basket
- Leatherette Bumper Bar
- Non-Puncture Foam filled wheels
- Carrycot- £199
- Converter/second seat unit- £140
- Luxury Foot muff- £69
- Universal Seat Liner- £30
- Cup holder- £15 (clamp costs additional £5)
- Convertor Adaptors (for double buggy mode) - £40
- Lower Car Seat adaptors- £30
The Peach is a chic, functional, easy-to-use pushchair that feels safe and comfortable. It is not without its flaws, yet still a great example of style, quality and design.
It could be a great investment for new parents with one child looking for a pushchair that will grow as the family does or urbanites looking for a slick compact double, that looks the part.
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