Junior Jones J-SPIRIT Stroller review

Tested by

Rachel is mum to 9-month-old Alys and they tested the J-Spirit on many doorstep lockdown walks around the city of Cardiff – on and off road, and even in some snow.

What were your first impressions of the Junior Jones J-Spirit pushchair?

At first glance, I was really impressed with the quality of the J-Spirit. The cushions felt padded and comfortable. I prefer a bit of colour to a standard grey or black piece of equipment, so I particularly loved the Insignia Navy shade.

How easy is it to assemble?

Some picture diagrams were included with the stroller, but I watched the demo online to assist with the build (although this wasn’t absolutely necessary). The majority of the set-up was very simple – taking less than 15 minutes to put together. Most of the time was spent playing with the various settings and figuring out how to easily fold and unfold it so as not to look like a novice in the Tesco car park.

Can the seat face both directions?

The stroller can be adjusted so that it can be parent or world facing. You just need to fold down the seat, lift it out and switch it around.

My now 9-month-old baby wants to explore everything, so I like to have her facing out with a view of her surroundings, but the parent-facing option was great for when she was a little younger.

The stroller folds away easily, whichever way the seat is facing and the wheels click neatly into a special clip on each side (or the rear wheels can be removed for an extra compact storage).

Is it easy to fold and unfold the Junior Jones J-Spirit pushchair?

It took a little practice, but once I got the hang of the sequence to collapse and fold the buggy, it was quick and easy.

How compact is the pushchair when folded?

The stroller fits snugly in a small car boot and is not a bulky piece of equipment (H66cm x W54cm x L29cm). The stroller stands up when folded, which means it can be easily stored behind a door or in a smaller space, but it is best if you click the wheels into the clips for more stability.

The stroller is also fairly lightweight at only 9.3kg. My only criticism is that there is no carry handle for transporting it when folded, so it’s a bit awkward lifting it short distances, for example, from the house to the car and this makes it feel heavier than it is.

In fact this was one of the main criticisms from our home tester who felt that the J-Spirit was, “very heavy to carry – especially just after having a baby.”

How does the J-Spirit compare to other pushchairs in the Junior Jones range?

The J-Spirit is part of a range from Junior Jones that includes the J-Carbon (from £2,10o), J-Cub (£349) and J-Tourer (£299).

It is the J-Carbon that garners the most attention in the media as the ‘head turner,’ but just one model below, the J-Spirit is offered as a more affordable option, yet still boasts much of the same technology and sophistication.

Is the J-Spirit easy to steer?

Yes, one of the things that stands out most about the J-Spirit is how incredibly light it is to push and steer.

Having had a bulky travel system previously, this stroller initially felt less sturdy, but after a few walks I realised its lightweight steering and all-round suspension make it a dream to push and I had nothing to worry about.

It glides effortlessly (and silently) around corners and mounts kerbs with ease. It is better suited to city strolls than off-road, but with a simple twist the front wheels can be fixed to help with control on rougher terrain.

Our home tester felt the same way and noted that, “It is easy to push up kerbs and it doesn’t struggle on bumpy thick grass either. It feels very light and it is easy to control when steering one handed too.”

The stroller boasts something called TRU-RIDE 2 Technology, which Junior Jones says, “combines superior bearings, finely tuned suspension and PU puncture resistant tyres,” and it is this ease of handling that really makes the J-Spirit worth recommending to others.

Can you adjust the Junior Jones J-Spirit pushchair's handlebar?

Both the home tester and I were really impressed with the easy-to adjust handlebar. All it takes is a quick roll of the handle and it can be altered to suit different heights. They commented that, “the extendable handle is another feature that I have found more useful than I thought I would as it means both me and my partner can push one of my children on a long walk comfortably”

Is the seat comfortable for your baby?

Yes, the seat felt really luxurious and comfortable. Had Alys not been so fascinated by finally being world-facing on her journeys, I’m pretty sure she would have enjoyed a snooze or two in the stroller.

The back of the seat can also be raised as your baby grows to give extra head room and the seat can carry children up to 22kg (so, potentially up to 6 years old!). It felt like there was a lot of room for growth but that it could be fitted snugly and securely for a 9-month-old, with different reclining options for the seat.

How practical is the Junior Jones J-Spirit pushchair's hood?

Sometimes pram and stroller hoods seem more for show than functionality (i.e. actually keeping the sun off baby’s face), but I was pleased to find that the hood on the J-Spirit was large and stayed in place.

It has different settings and if the weather allowed, my little girl preferred it pulled back so she could see everything.

Our home tester was also really impressed with the hood commenting that, “the unzippable mesh section is a very useful feature as I can see what my toddler is doing while she is facing outwards. The ability to be able to raise and lower the seat’s headroom is another stand out feature as it means I can adjust the height depending on which of my children is using the stroller and as they grow.”

How do the wheels perform on the J-Spirit?

Comparing the stroller to a previous travel system, the wheels are very small and thin. However, having had TWO punctures in the past, I was relieved to note that they were PU puncture resistant (phew!).

The back wheels can easily be removed to clean if you end up getting them muddy.

If you do end up venturing off road the wheels can be fixed for rougher terrain, but the stroller glides best when the front wheels are not locked.

How easy are the brakes to use?

The brakes work effortlessly with a simple tap of the pedal. They were obvious (so you were unlikely to forget to use them), but not in the way, so there’s no danger that you would kick them when walking.

You don’t need to press down hard on the brake pedal, so it can be operated with any footwear but still feels reliable. However I occasionally felt it ‘stick’ a bit if I didn’t press off the brake properly.

How big is the basket on the J-Spirit and is it practical to use?

The basket was quite small but a useful addition to collect a few items from the supermarket or take some small things from the house on a trip out.

Having previously had a pram that easily fitted a large changing bag underneath and safe in the knowledge that items wouldn’t fall out of the basket, this was on the smaller side and took some getting used to.

What’s in the box?

• Pushchair
• Raincover

What accessories can you buy for the Junior Jones J-Spirit pushchair?

The J-Spirit comes complete with a raincover, and this has been used several times already thanks to our changeable Welsh weather!

Other extras need to be bought, including the carrycot which would enable this to be used from birth, car seat adaptors, thermal shopping basket and a cup holder. The stroller is compatible with a range of Group 0+ car seats.

• Carrycot (£200)
• Car seat adaptors (£30)
• Thermal shopping basket (£85)
• Stroller apron (£50)
• J-SPIRIT J-Board and adaptors (£80 and £15)
• Cup holder (£18)
• Sun canopy (£20)
• Stroller visor (£29.99)

Is the Junior Jones J-Spirit worth the money?

When you consider this pushchair’s enviable style and functionality, the J-Spirit is worth the price, especially with the adjustable hood height combined with the ability to carry up to 22kg, which gives this stroller plenty of longevity. However, it is not a budget option and there are cheaper versions in the range, as well as from competitors.

Where can I buy the Junior Jones J-Spirit?

It is available from Junior Jones and Little Angels.

MadeForMums verdict:

Stylish and safe, the Junior Jones J-Spirit is not only easy to use – it’s a pleasure too. With the versatility of being both parent and world-facing this pushchair suited being my baby’s first ‘independent’ vehicle.

It is an everyday stroller, particularly suited for those quick and easy strolls around the shops or popping to nursery. It is also compact enough for those who travel a lot, especially when packing a car full for trips away.

Its sophisticated design makes it a great option for parents who like their equipment to look good, as well as offer excellent functionality.

I was proud to push the J-SPIRIT around the streets of Cardiff. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, it is enjoyable to handle for me and safe and comfortable for my baby.

It looks and feels slick and I would happily recommend it to others who are looking for a non-budget stroller.