iCandy Strawberry 2 review

Initially, I was unsure of the amber colour, thinking it may be too bold, but once assembled, the colour has a striking golden hue that certainly stands out in the world of affordable high-end pushchairs.

What is new about this version of the iCandy Strawberry?

This time round they have made the buggy a little more purse-friendly, as it includes the carrycot for newborns and car seat adaptors, which would previously have been sold separately.

They have also tweaked the design ever so slightly and introduced the innovative 'memory fold' system that allows the seat to return to its original position when unfolded.

How easy or hard was it to build this product?

It is very easy to put together as the pushchair comes part-assembled.

The front wheels are attached to the chassis and all you have to do is add the back wheels, which connect directly to the chassis too. The hood is clipped into the slots and the basket is already in place. All in all it took less than 10 minutes!

How does it compare to other buggies you’ve used?

From the outset the difference was quite considerable; the quality leatherette feel of the handle bar to the plush material on the hood and seat liner, it's clear iCandy have worked hard on the design.

And the swivel wheels really do make life that much simpler when you are trying to navigate corners or cut across uneven terrain. It doesn't feel bulky either. Along with the simple set-up of the pushchair, it fares very well compared to other buggies I've used.

You can buy the iCandy Strawberry 2 at John Lewis

How easy is it to push?

It is very lightweight and easy to push for a full size pushchair. It almost has the feel and comfort of a lightweight stroller.

iCandy have pulled out all the stops and designed a pushchair that uses aeronautical technology and master engineering, thus making the ride extremely safe and comfortable for a baby.

They have placed a lot of emphasis on style and design creating a pushchair that is luxurious, modern and stylish.

How does it ride on different surfaces?

In one word: smoothly. It’s a luxurious drive that glides seamlessly over the bumpy terrain of London’s uneven roads and pavements. Park paths are good too. It seems the Strawberry 2 can take on any terrain with ease.

The suspension is great, giving my grandson the chance to drive in comfort as well as style; the springs and levers absorb everything.

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What do you think of the wheels?

Aside from the fact that the large rear wheels look good, they do a great job navigating London’s bumpy roads. Boasting solid EVA tyres to avoid punctures, it's obvious that no expense has been spared to ensure these wheels last. They are colour coded to match the pushchairs chassis giving it an overall stylish look, and they compliment the smaller front wheels well.

Is the frame strong, durable?

Very strong, very durable, iCandy have successfully managed to create a sturdy and safe looking pushchair without compromising on style and design

What do you think of the fold system - is it really one handed?

To be honest I found it difficult to close the pushchair with my grandson in my arms. I tried numerous times but to no avail. I had to use two hands each time I closed the pushchair but this wasn’t a major problem as I could do it quickly and without too much fuss.

Is it compact when folded?

Yes it's great, because firstly, unlike other pushchair folds, you don’t have to take it apart to get it in the boot of the car, and secondly, it folds down to an impressive 98 x 60 x 32.5cms.

What did you think of the handle?

The tubular bar has a luxurious feel and a leatherette finish. The handle has a very comfortable grip and is colour coded black, which compliments the rest of the stroller. The handle adjusts to three different settings, extending up to 106cm, which is great for taller parents or grandparents. Me? I was happy to use it at its lowest setting of 95cm as I am only 5’2”.

What do you think of the seat unit?

The height and width of the seat is where I have some reservations. iCandy claim that the Strawberry will be able to hold a child weighing up to 25kg, which is the equivalent of a 5 year old. But once assembled it does look a tad small, even for an average sized 15-month toddler, which my grandson is.

Was it easy or difficult to fasten and adjust the harness?

The adjustable 5-point harness is easy to use - a simple slot and click procedure that gives you the added security that your little one is safe. And the padded harness covers are extra comfortable. What is really good about these extras is that they are colour coded as part of the flavour pack; the harness pads and seat liner gives it that extra zest, and the fabric is has a soft luxurious feel. The best news? They're machine washable too...

How many recline positions are there?

The Strawberry 2 offers 3 positions: upright, resting and horizontal. The plus is that these positions can be used whatever way the chair is facing. If your baby falls asleep and you'd like to change position, it's a smooth transition. Using two hands you definitely won't disrupt a sleeping baby. It’s easy to locate the levers that rotate the seat into position, the down side is that the upright position doesn’t sit fully upright, leaving baby at an angle.

How comfortable is it for baby/toddler?

My grandson always enjoys his time out in the pushchair, he doesn’t cry and falls asleep very easily. I decided to use the pushchair without the bumper bar. I found that once my grandson was padded up with the footmuff and his coat, he felt very restricted and didn't need any extras.

How is interacting with your little one when in the buggy?

Interaction is fine when it is parent-facing but now my grandson is getting bigger he prefers to be world-facing, interacting more with the people he can see.

What did you think of the hood?

The hood looks good and seems pretty sturdy, keeping the elements out quite well. This is because it folds over quite far, although this could become a problem as my grandson gets bigger. His head is already nearly touching the top of the hood.

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Tell us about the brakes...

The brake is at the base of the basket. It’s certainly big enough to find, and very simple to manoeuvre with a simple flick of the toe. They're also very sharp for any emergency stops!

Does it fit in the boot of your car?

Yes, with relative ease, leaving plenty of room for shopping and, in my case, my son's football boots and kit!

What age child is it best for?

Depending on the size of your child, it's probably best from birth to two years old. After that, it may become a bit of a struggle due to the size of the seat and the limited upright position.

How easily can you access the basket and what do you think of the size?

The iCandy Strawberry has a very generous sized basket which can carry up to 5kg of shopping. You can access the basket from all sides with little disruption and the rear of the basket can be flattened and raised depending on what you are carrying. It's very well incorporated into the design.

What’s in the box?

• Chassis
• Wheels
• Seat unit
• Flavour pack
• Carrycot
• Bumper bar
• Car seat adaptors

What’s in the Flavour Pack?

• Hood
• Liner,
• Carrycot apron
• Harness pads

Made for Mums Verdict:

All in all, the iCandy Strawberry 2 pushchair is an excellent all-round product. It’s a pretty buggy and looks high end.

The company did well to include the carrycot and car seat adaptors into the package, meaning you only pay one price for what seems to be quite a lot of essential extras. The innovative memory fold, and the fact that it can be closed without needing to be dismantled is definitely a bonus, and something I have come to appreciate. There really is little fuss opening it.

The only qualm I have is that the seating is slightly too small for larger toddlers, but it will definitely see you from birth to at least 2 and half years. I would certainly recommend the Strawberry 2 to any new parents/carers or grandparents. It's very good value for money in my opinion.

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