Inglesina Aptica travel system review

Tested by

Paul Drury-Bradey tested the Inglesina Aptica travel system with his 4-month-old-son, Otis, around Scarborough, on the Yorkshire Coast.

What were your first impressions of the Aptica?

After opening the massive box, the size and quality of the product immediately stood out. It was bigger than we expected, which initially threw us. Way bigger than any buggy or pram we’d used in the past, we initially weren’t sure whether the Aptica was going to be too big, but going through the kit and feeling the premium leather and high-quality build, we started to understand its appeal.

What’s included in the box?

• Carrycot
• Welcome Pad and Mattress
• Darwin Infant i-Size R129 car seat with i-Size car base
• Stand-up support for carrycot and Darwin Infant i-Size
• Stroller seat
• Chassis
• Half raincover for stroller
• Footmuff for stroller
• Storage basket
• Cup holder

Is the Aptica easy to assemble?

Very easy. It took about an hour and a half to build, and that was while I was being distracted by our 3-year-old running around!

Everything seemed straightforward, the parts were supplied in different boxes and it was all clearly labelled, to make the process as easy as it could be. I particularly enjoyed snapping the wheels into place – very satisfying!

Our MFM Awards 2021 Home Tester, Matthew, agreed, adding: “Where some buggies can be a bit fiddly to assemble, everything on the Aptica slides together and clicks into place without much trouble. If anything, assembling the Aptica was so simple it almost felt too easy!”

How comfortable is the carrycot for your baby?

It is super-comfortable, spacious and soft. The first thing to really underline is the size; the internal dimensions are 79cmx37cm which means there’s plenty of room for your little one to stretch out and wriggle around. We loved the fact that there was room for a thick outdoor sleepsuit and blankets – perfect for the cold Yorkshire winters – and you won’t need to worry about your baby growing out of this carrycot before they reach 6 months in age.

We also really rated the lever to elevate your baby up from a flat position to slightly raised. This different angle, not quite upright but not laid-back, is so useful to soothe your little one and is a huge benefit for babies with reflux or colic. It’s not something that I’ve come across before, but we found it really valuable.

Our MFM Awards 2021 Home Tester, Matthew also praised the carrycot for its comfort: “It’s extremely well padded, with safe, flat cushioning for extra head support, and even a removable extra cushion that fits under your baby’s legs to keep them from sliding around.”

Is the Aptica carrycot safe for overnight sleeping?

Yes. There’s a vented base – you just open the vents with a flick of the lever – which makes the carrycot suitable for overnight sleeping.

How compact is the Inglesina Aptica when folded?

Not very. With the seat on, the Aptica folds down to L:90cmxW:50cmxH:42cm, or without the seat, a slightly smaller L:90cmxW:50cmxH:34cm. Compared to other travel systems like the Mamas & Papas Occaro at L:76cmxW:58cmxH:37cm or Cybex Balios S Lux at L:75cmxW:60cmxH:41cm, it’s much larger and therefore trickier to store. We’re lucky that we live in a house with a porch, and it slotted in here easily when folded, but we often parked it inside our living room instead of folding it up, as our baby fell asleep in it so much.

Although the Aptica doesn’t boast a compact fold, its size and comfort meant we felt reassured our little one was comfy and this was something we really valued. If an easy to store travel system is essential for you, it’s worth checking out the Cosatto Wowee, £699.95, or the Infababy PRIMO, £739.99, instead.

What’s the Aptica like to push and steer?

The Inglesina Aptica is really easy to push and get started; it never felt ‘heavy’. But its size means it’s not the most manoeuverable of prams, and we always kept two hands on the handlebar when out and about.

Our MFM Awards 2021 Home Tester, Matthew, really rated the manoeuverability and performance of the Aptica, in particular the “large, sturdy wheels, with a good amount of suspension” which he felt made it “relatively easy to push through rough terrain, snow and mud – although this will take two hands”.

Is it suitable for use on public transport?

Due to the pandemic restrictions when testing, we didn’t use the pram on public transport, but due to its size I’m not sure it would be the best choice for jumping on and off the bus or train.

How sturdy is the chassis on the Inglesina Aptica?

It is super sturdy and feels really durable and well put-together. After a few months of use, we’ve got no scuffs or scratches – it still looks like new!

Is the Aptica’s handlebar adjustable?

Yes’ it’s really easy with just a quick thumb push. The adjusters are straightforward enough to find, and a cinch to use – even on a cold and windy day. We rated the classy thick handlebar grip too, it feels safe to hold onto.

Do you rate the hood?

The Inglesina Aptica has a hood that covers against all weathers and offers solid shelter.

We absolutely love the extra little sun shade you can quickly and easily pull down; the last thing you want is those laser-beam sunrays in your little one’s eyes, waking them up just after they’ve drifted off. Some sunshades can be fiddly and time consuming to clip on and often flop off. Not with this buggy though! Nearly every sunny day, we just thought how lucky we were to have this.

In general, the hood provides plenty of shelter from the wind and the sun. Even though we live really close to the sea and we tested the buggy over the winter months, I can’t think of any occasions that the wind woke Otis up, which is evidence of what a warm and safe cocoon this buggy must feel like. Perhaps the hood could’ve pulled down lower – we would’ve liked to cocoon our little one a little bit more still ­– but overall, the protection was great.

What are the Aptica’s chassis and wheels like?

Made of premium aluminium, the chassis features a leatherette solid handle and large shock-absorbent wheels. The Aptica has big wheels with "easy-push" ball bearings. The front wheels have a diameter of 190mm and the rear wheels have a diameter of 260mm. Although not the smallest of travel systems, it’s pretty agile all in all.

Do you rate the brakes?

Absolutely. The brake pad is super easy to find and use. We found it offered good stability at the kerb and on hills, but as with any parent, you never check these things too closely!

Is it easy to switch between the car seat, carrycot and pushchair?

Fellow parent tester, Matthew, found it really straightforward to switch between the different modes on the Aptica, explaining, “the car sear, carrycot and pushchair seat all click into place with ease and there’s a convenient marker to show when the seats are connected properly. Lifting them off again is as simple as pressing a button.” Although he did encounter one issue when trying to release the carrycot from the chassis: “The release button is hidden below a layer of padding at the back, and therefore nearly impossible to spot if you don’t know it’s there. Once you’ve figured this out, you won’t have any problems switching modes again.”

Are there any extra features you liked about the Aptica travel system?

The Apitica comes with a unique ‘Welcome Pad’, essentially a special mattress designed in collaboration with Neonatal medical professionals. Intended for use in the carrycot, this gives your baby the optimal surroundings and protection needed, especially in the first 7 to 9 weeks of life. It helps with the alignment of the spine, as well as the airways, and also mitigates the risk of flat head syndrome.

I was impressed that both the Welcome Pad and carrycot mattress were covered with bamboo fibre, which is highly breathable, hypo-allergenic and anti-bacterial. The use of quality sustainable materials got the thumbs up from us.

The fact the travel system also comes with a stand you can safely place the carrycot or car seat on, is another big plus. It’s handy to have that set up at home, so you can transfer the carrycot or car seat with your sleeping baby onto it while you pack the chassis away.

Who would this pushchair be most useful for?

We live in a seaside town and it was great for us, but it feels more like an urban city dweller travel system – we can imagine this working beautifully in a large cosmopolitan city; walking down a tree-lined avenue, heading to a cafe for a fresh coffee, that kind of thing. That’s not to say we didn’t enjoy using it walking down our blustery seafront to grab a hot cup of tea though!

The roomy carrycot also makes this a good choice for parents with babies on the higher percentile, and its suitability for overnight sleeping means it’s a handy buy for families who plan on travelling regularly during their baby’s first 6 months.

What would you have liked to have known about the Aptica before purchasing it?

Definitely the size. It’s very large and, as our Home Tester, Matthew, says, “all the disparate parts take up a lot of space when not in use.”

Also, it would have been handy to know that only a half raincover is included – if you want one that covers the whole of the stroller’s hood you need to buy an additional full cover, which is a bit annoying.

Is the Aptica travel system worth the money?

I’d say it is! We wouldn’t have bought a product at this price range, but the quality shines through. It’s not for everyone, but if you’ve got the space to store it, the Aptica offers a premium feel and is definitely worth the money.

Our MFM Awards 2021 Home Tester, Matthew, adds: “While the price tag may be intimidating, the sheer amount of equipment included makes the Aptica well worth the money. The only piece of equipment that lets it down is the raincover, but otherwise, considering how much is included in the package, the price tag is justified.”

How does it compare to similar travel systems?

Where can I buy the Inglesina Aptica travel system?

Trendy Baby, Pramstores and Oliver’s Babycare.

MadeForMums verdict:

Its size and price tag might put some people off, but the Inglesina Aptica will make sense for so many people. It’s luxurious, roomy and surprisingly adaptable and practical. Although it won’t work for someone with a tiny car or very little space at home, it’s a wonderful choice if you can afford it – you’ll be proud to be seen in town with this one.