Ickle Bubba Aries Auto-Fold Stroller review

Despite its affordable price tag, the Aries delivers on style and offers excellent longevity of use, suitable from birth up to approximately 4 years old (22kg). It's pitched as a lightweight urban stroller, perfect for popping to the shops or travelling into town, but, as I discovered, it’s also sturdy enough to take to the beach or on a country stroll.

What were your first impressions of the Ickle Bubba Aries stroller?

When I pulled it out of the box, it didn’t feel "ultra light" as billed. In contrast, I thought it seemed rather heavy. However, once assembled, which took about five minutes, it was easy to push around with one or two hands. I have a Nuna at home, and this Ickle Bubba does seem more lightweight in comparison, but I felt "ultra lightweight" was pushing it.

How easy was the Ickle Bubba Aries stroller to assemble?

The instructions were straightforward, however, the instructions for the add-ons, including a bottle holder and a bag, were featured only as a very small circled picture, which made it difficult to figure out how to attach the bag. It would have been handy if the pictures were bigger or if there had been further instructions to make it clearer.

I like how easy it is to recline the seat, which is done with the tightening and loosening of a toggle at the back of the seat, and the hood, which gives ample coverage, is easy to extend. Everything about the stroller feels easy and straightforward – one of its strongest features, in my opinion.

How easy is the Ickle Bubba Aries stroller to push and steer?

This is where the stroller really impressed. The Aries is so easy to push and steer; it felt light and easy to push with just one hand, and I had no problems with it at all along pavements and in town. It was also easy to push up kerbs and navigate through narrow spaces, as well as over grass and even pebbles.

How lightweight is the Ickle Bubba Aries stroller to carry around?

This is undoubtedly a lightweight stroller, and as such, it was easy to carry around. However, it's billed as 'ultra lightweight' and I don't think they need to hype it up as much as that – it almost feels like Ickle Bubba are promising too much.

When I pulled it out of the box, I was expecting something very, very light and, of course, you’re never going to get that with a stroller. However, as far as strollers go, it really is one of the lightest available, weighing just 6.1kg. The only stroller I've found to weigh less is the GB Pockit+ All-Terrain at 5.6kg, which has a similar RRP to the Aries, but lacks the same plush, modern style.

I like how you can use the Aries' bumper bar as a handle for carrying the stroller when folded, which makes it even easier to lift.

How did the Ickle Bubba Aries stroller perform on tricky terrain?

It's always tricky getting strollers along rough terrain. In Hastings, the beaches are pebbly, but the Ickle Bubba Aries survived the test, and we managed to push it over the pebbles as well as through muddier spaces in the country park. Very impressive for such a lightweight stroller that's billed as an urban runaround!

How do you fold the Ickle Bubba Aries stroller?

Very easily. The Aries has, what Ickle Bubba calls, an 'auto-fold', meaning you simply push a button on the handle and the stroller folds into itself. It's so quick, takes no effort and couldn't be easier. This easy fold function really makes the Aries stand out against other similarly priced strollers.

How compact is the Ickle Bubba Aries stroller when folded?

When folded, the Aries measures a neatly compact W46cm x L22cm x H61cm. It folds into one part, but you have to remove and then reattach the bumper bar at the front. This compact size makes it easy to fit in your car boot or under the stairs at home.

It also makes it ideal for travelling, although Ickle Bubba says the Aries isn't officially cabin approved, so check with your airline first if you want to fly with it. While there isn't a travel bag included in the price, you can buy one separately from Ickle Bubba for £19 – potentially a good investment if you plan on travelling a lot with your family.

What are the straps like on the Ickle Bubba Aries stroller?

I did find the seat straps a little bit fiddly to tighten, but once tightened, they do work well. To fit my 4-month-old, I did have to tighten the straps a lot, so I'm not sure how a small baby would get on with them, but it worked well for my son, who is over a stone in weight now.

What is the seat unit like on the Ickle Bubba Aries stroller?

It feels quite wide and spacious compared to other strollers. My son is only four months old, so we won't be able to use the upright option for another couple of months, however, the flatter recline (which still has a tilt) is good, especially as he suffers from reflux. The only thing that lets it down is that the seat is world-facing only; I would want my newborn facing me at all times, and this stroller doesn’t allow for that.

How good are the brakes on the Ickle Bubba Aries?

There is one brake, and it is very simple to use. Simply flick it up or down and then you are off. I've got no complaints – it was easy to use with just one soft nudge.

What’s in the box?

I tested the Max package, which included:

• Auto-fold stroller
• Seat unit
• Hood
• Raincover
• Cup holder
• Footwarmer

How does the Ickle Bubba Aries stroller rate in terms of sustainability?

The product states that it can be used from birth to 4 years old, suggesting that it will last for that length of time, and it comes with an extra-large seat so that your child can grow into it. In terms of sustainable practices, Ickle Bubba states: "We are reviewing our processes to minimise waste, teaming up with Ecologi to offset our emissions and support global carbon reduction projects."

Is the Ickle Bubba Aries stroller worth the money?

I think strollers can be very expensive, so at £179 this seemed a very good price to me, especially as it comes with a raincover, footwarmer and cup holder. It offers longevity of use, a compact fold and stylish looks, at half the price of similar strollers.

Where can I buy the Ickle Bubba Aries stroller?

It is available from Ickle Bubba, Amazon and Baby Planet

MadeForMums verdict

The Ickle Bubba Aries is excellent value for money. An easy-to-use, hassle-free stroller that is lightweight, folds quickly and is compact enough for travelling. Compared to the rest of the strollers on the market, I think the Ickle Bubba Aries is a bargain, and with its stylish design, I think parents are on to a winner. The only downside to this product is that the child faces away from you. Some parents of newborns might not mind this, but for a very young baby, I would like to have them facing me.