Joie Signature Tourist pushchair review

Tested By

Jen Thorne tested the Joie Signature Tourist pushchair with her 6-month-old son and 3-year-old daughter in Hertfordshire, tackling a variety of terrains including pebbles, pavements, grass and her local shopping centre.

What were your first impressions?

On first impressions, the Joie Signature Tourist looked stylish, giving it a more premium feel than the £200 price point might suggest. With its faux leather tan handle and matching detail on the seat, it is available in three colours: Oyster, Eclipse and Pine. Each colour is complemented with its own matching chassis, making it appear sleek and smart when teamed with its plush fabric. It also has a large, waterproof canopy with a UPF 50+ rating, making it ideal for both a summer holiday and a rainy walk in the park.

How easy was the Joie Signature Tourist to build?

The Joie Signature Tourist was really easy to put together and came complete with a clear instruction manual. However, this was not needed and it took less than five minutes to construct the pushchair without any hassle.

How does the latest version of the Joie Signature Tourist compare to older models?

The Joie Tourist first arrived on the pushchair scene in 2019, and it’s fair to say the pram has had a bit of a makeover since then. Curated as part of the brand’s Signature range, the Tourist now comes with more luxurious finishes such as magnetic buckles for securing even the wriggliest of toddlers and an adjustable calf support for added comfort. While some features remain the same such as its one-handed, compact fold and width of 47.1cm, the latest version is slightly heavier, with it now weighing 6.6kg compared to 5.92kg.

What is the Joie Signature Tourist like to push and steer?

My initial first impressions on pushing and steering my 6-month old in the Joie Signature Tourist were positive, with the pushchair handling our pebble driveway with ease. However with further use, the manoeuvring became more of an issue with the pram, especially when turning corners or steering with one hand. It felt very unsteady and less secure. This view was supported by MFM Awards judge Charlotte, who noted that while one hand pushing was possible, it was “not as easy or comfortable” and “two hands were needed a lot of the time”. When using the pushchair with my 3-year old, it felt more stable, a view supported by Maxine, one of our Home Testers who said the Tourist was “a dream” to manoeuvre and “easy to push” one-handed, so the weight of the child may influence its performance in this field.

How easy or difficult is it to fold the Joie Signature Tourist?

Like many online parent reviews suggest, a huge positive is how easy the Tourist is to either fold or unfold with one hand. As shown in this video, there is an easy slider button on the handle that makes it very easy to fold down. Once folded, it stays secure and easily props upright so can be stored in narrow spaces without issue.

When folded, how light and easy is it to carry the Joie Signature Tourist?

Described by Joie as “featherweight”, the Tourist is very light and easy to pick up one-handed. As well as a carry handle, the bumper bar doubles up as a handle for lifting when collapsed and while this is a clever feature, it did feel a little insecure. This was also spotted by MFM Awards judge Charlotte, who said that having to carry the pushchair using this bar felt “flimsy” and could be easily damaged. They also stated that when using the sturdier handle, the Tourist can unfold.

How compact is it when folded?

The pram folds easily and is relatively compact, measuring L:66.1xW47.1xH24.3cm wide, putting it alongside the likes of the Joolz Aer – L:53.5xW45xH21cm – for portability. The Tourist's dimensions mean it can easily fit into a car boot and depending on which airline, can be stowed as cabin baggage. Like other lightweight strollers in this field, the pushchair folds flat and self-stands, making it convenient to store around the house.

Does the Joie Signature Tourist seat lie comfortably flat?

The pushchair seat does offer a lie-flat option, however, there is still a slight angle. My 6-month-old still enjoyed a snooze when it was fully reclined, but for a newborn, the support to stay in position was very limited. The back and seat are both fairly firm, so for a younger baby, the carrycot may be a suitable alternative. However, for my baby and toddler, they were perfectly comfortable and as noted by our Home Tester Maxine during the MFM Awards, whether in the lie-flat or sit-up position, there is “ample space” for the child. MFM judge Catherine adds: “The seat is well padded and it can easily recline if they want to nap.”

How easy is it to recline the Joie Signature Tourist seat?

The recline function is controlled by a string and took a bit of practice (and an extra pair of hands) to get right. Once the cord is pulled to loosen, it can suddenly fall from sitting up right to lying flat, which could be a bit of a shock for the baby. Similarly, pushing back the seat upright also required some help in holding it in position, which was the most frustrating feature on the pushchair overall.

Does the Joie Signature Tourist come with a cocoon?

There is no cocoon or any extra comfort features for a newborn, and as mentioned previously, the carrycot addition may be more suitable for this age. Due to the angle of the pushchair seat, even when fully reclined, it is definitely more suitable as the baby gets a bit more sturdy, around 6-months plus.

What's the chassis like?

The chassis is a matte, dark grey shade which compliments the fabric of the seat and it feels strong and durable. After testing the Tourist over different terrains, I noticed no scratching or damage to the chassis.

Do you like the design of the Tourist?

Some of the details, such as the tan leather handle and piping on the grey toned seat fabric, were nice touches, but I felt the pushchair has a slightly less modern feel compared to other compact or lightweight pram options.

Is the Joie Signature Tourist handle adjustable?

It was a massive plus for my husband and I that the handlebar height was adjustable, as it made the pushchair comfortable for us to push along with ease. For that added bit of luxury, the handle is also padded, which makes it feel nice to grip and hold onto.

What did you think about the wheels?

The Joie Signature Tourist wheels are detachable, yet still feel sturdy, with brakes connected to the back two wheels. The wheels coped well on a variety of terrains, including a pebble driveway, path, grass and shopping centre floors. In fact, it was on the smoother surfaces where the Tourist felt its most unsteady, especially around corners. The brake is easy to operate both on and off and when applied, the pushchair feels secure.

What’s the storage basket like on the Joie Signature Tourist?

For a lightweight pram, the basket is a great size which is a big positive. It’s ideal for popping to the shops and filling with essentials rather than needing to precariously balance your shopping on the handle. Our MFM Awards Home Tester Maxine was also a massive fan of the basket, stating that it was a “useful” element and that the basket was “really spacious”.

Can the Joie Signature Tourist be used with a car seat to create a travel system?

With Joie boasting that the Signature Tourist is “3 in 1 multitasker” to see a child “roll smoothly from a baby to a big kid”, you can also purchase a carrycot for £120 and car seat adaptors, which turns the pram from a compact option into a fully fledged travel system for those parents on a budget.

What’s in the box?

• Joie Signature Tourist pushchair and storage basket
• Raincover
• Adapters
• Carry bag
• Carry strap

What should parents know before purchasing the Joie Signature Tourist?

After testing the pram and knowing more about the ability to turn it into a travel system, the Tourist is a great option for anyone looking for a compact buggy for everyday use, that can also easily be taken on holiday. It can be folded into a small space for easy storage and, while it might not be the most modern of pushchairs out there, for £200 it’s fantastic value for that level of flexibility (although travel system add-ons are additional) and offers a pram to see you through from early months into toddler life and beyond.

Who would the Joie Signature Tourist be most useful for?

This pushchair is ideal for someone who is on a budget but wants to get a one-pram option that is lightweight but also offers a travel system functionality. Also, because of its compact fold and featherweight frame, it could also be a great choice for families who want a second stroller for travel.

How does the Joie Signature Tourist compare to similar travel pushchairs?

Where can I buy the Joie Signature Tourist?

It is available at John Lewis, Pramworld and Mamas & Papas.

MadeForMums verdict:

The Joie Signature Tourist is a pushchair that ticks almost all of the boxes. It’s great value, lightweight, folds easily and offers a travel system function. Whilst it might not be the most fashionable of options out there, it does offer a lot of practicality. It is perfect for those families who are struggling to decide between a big travel system pram or a lightweight holiday friendly option, with the Tourist offering a happy medium for both, at a reasonable price.