You can purchase the stroller as part of a travel bundle or on its own for £699. Admittedly, it is at the higher price point within the market, and I was keen to test whether it was worth that figure.
About our parent tester
Bess Browning, a journalist usually found working on women’s magazines and product reviews, lives in Kent. She tested the Junior Jones Aylo with her newborn baby boy Stanley. They ventured along muddy coastal paths, through town centre pavements and chased their dog Freddie through the grass of the local park.
What were your first impressions of the Junior Jones Aylo?
Unwrapping the boxes of the Aylo, it was immediately obvious this was a sophisticated, stylish pram, aligning with Junior Jones’ luxury standards for their brand.
We had chosen the rich black hue, but the stroller is also available in dark slate, pebble grey and grey marl. As I pulled each component out of the box, everything felt unusually and refreshingly lightweight in comparison to some of the bulkier strollers we had tried out.
It was perfect for mums like me who’d had a cesarean and were limited to how much we can lift and carry.
How easy was the Junior Jones Aylo to build?
The instructions were easy to understand, with descriptions and diagrams on how to assemble and use everything.
Thankfully for my baby brain, there were not too many components to assemble and it felt reasonably easy to put together. After ripping off the plastic and cardboard, I just popped on the wheels.
If you were using the pushchair for a toddler, you would actually be good to go from this moment onwards as the seat was already attached to the chassis.
For us, however, we took the seat unit off and attached the adaptors and the carrycot. The adaptors also double up for a car seat — and can be used with various car seats from across the market, including Maxi-Cosi and Joie.
What did you think of the Junior Jones carrycot?
The carrycot seemed to be instantly comforting for Stanley when we placed him in there. The cot is very slimline so kept him feeling snug and the padded mattress was breathable, soft and cushioned but still firm, providing a safe sleep place for our baby boy.
Once we got moving, it was a bit of a bumpy ride but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing — the rhythmic bumps sent Stanley into a deep slumber on a number of our walks with the pram.
We could quickly attach and remove the carrycot cover, using the velcro fastening, but I did find the flap a little high and had to tuck it in so I had a better view of Stanley.
The hood extended to the vertical easily, with buttons on the outside of the pram, which made it a lot easier than other brands with buttons on the inside.
During the February showers, we got a lot of use out of the carrycot rain cover. It is easy to pull over the pram when the heavens open, and is secured by velcro tabs to stop it blowing away in high winds.
How easy was the carrycot to add to the pushchair?
The carrycot slides quite easily on and off the pushchair — even straight out of the box. Once the adaptors are installed, simply push down the memory buttons on the top of the surround near the handle (you can do this one at a time, so you can remove it with one hand).
Junior Jones also say the carrycot is also suitable for occasional overnight sleeping which is useful (not that Stanley is doing much overnight sleeping!).
How easy is it to fold the Junior Jones Aylo?
Folding the buggy is easy to do and is pretty intuitive. Although Junior Jones says it can be done with three movements, it took us a little while to master it, but we got there in the end.
Simply rotate the handle, push down and pull the handle in the basket and voila. It can’t be folded with the carrycot or a car seat attached, as to be expected.
How compact is the Junior Jones Aylo when folded?
It becomes self-standing and compact once folded but does seem a little wobbly. It was then easy to carry into the house and put away or pop into the boot of the car — it's quite lightweight and not too bulky.
How good is the Junior Jones Aylo to push and steer?
The Aylo has ‘Tru-Ride2 technology,’ with Junior Jones boasting of the pram’s superior suspension.
On our first outing with the Aylo, we navigated a busy town centre, but it was easy to weave through the crowds with the swivel front wheels — which can be locked for different terrains.
It felt light and sturdy and easy to take up and down kerbs. However, I found it more difficult to push and steer when we took the pram onto the countryside lanes.
The back wheels are rather small which makes muddier and rockier terrain more difficult to manoeuvre. Luckily, the pram is lightweight so that helped to guide it along uneven ground.
What’s the the Junior Jones Aylo chassis like?
The chassis is lightweight and easy to fold. It appears to be quite hard-wearing so far as it has taken a few bashes in and out of our high boot and it is yet to scratch! The black, shiny finish is useful for masking any muddy splashes.
How do you rate the buggy handle?
I really loved the adjustable handle which was great when I was out walking with my husband as there’s a big height difference between us.
You simply turn the handle at the top and adjust to your preferred height. The handle is quite foamy rather than leathery, which would’ve added to its sleek finish but it’s a minor style point.
How do you rate the brakes?
The rear brake is on the right hand side and appears to be quite strong. The ‘flip-flop’ style of the brake did get stuck a couple of times when I released it and needed a bit of a wiggle.
Once you engage the brake, the pedal returns to its original position rather than staying down which may be a positive for some parents but I didn’t like that you couldn’t visibly see if the brake was engaged or not.
How do you rate the basket?
The basket is on the small side but does keep your belongings safe from falling out and it is easy to get to the items inside when the carrycot is in place.
We also used the Essentials bag, available to buy as an accessory, which clips onto the front of the pram, perfect to keep your essential items easy to access.
What’s in the the Junior Jones Aylo box?
- 1 x Aylo Stroller
- 1 x Carrycot
- 1 x Pair of Adaptors
- 1 x Rain Cover for Carrycot
- 1 x Rain Cover for Stroller
- 1 x Instructions
What are the additional accessories that you can buy?
- Changing backpack (£169)
- Luxury footmuff (£89)
- Essentials bag (£79)
- Cupholder (£15)
- Seat liner (£39)
- Car seat adaptors (£29)
- Sun shade (£29)
How did you find the packaging of the Junior Jones Aylo?
There was cardboard and plastic protecting each element from damage. The boxes and protective cardboard were recyclable in household recycling but the plastic was not. There was only the necessary amount of plastic packaging, so still quite sustainable.
What are the sustainability and repair options like?
Junior Jones encourages you to regularly check the fastenings and bolts of the stroller. If any part of the product is damaged or in need of repairs, you can contact their customer service team.
There is a warranty valid for two years on the stroller and you will need your proof of purchase to make any claims.
Now you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the Junior Jones Aylo?
We live in quite a rural area so a lot of our walks cross bumpy and muddy terrain. Despite it being advertised as all-terrain, I think there are better strollers on the market for countryside walks. The Aylo is a lot more suited to city and town walks on even ground.
Who would this pushchair be most useful for?
This would be a perfect pushchair for parents living in a busy city or town. It is lightweight and slimline so great for storing if you haven’t got a lot of room, easy to pop into the car boot, and easy to manoeuvre on city streets.
Where can I buy the Junior Jones Aylo stroller?
Available from Junior Jones, Kiddies Kingdom and Boots
An ideal stroller for the fashion-conscious modern parent, the Junior Jones Aylo is an investment worth taking to carry your little love from newborn until four years old.
