Kinderkraft 3in1 B-Tour travel system review

Thanks to all of these attributes, the Kinderkraft B-Tour was also shortlisted in the best travel system package under £800 category at this year’s MFM Awards.

Tested By

Kayleigh Dray tested the Kinderkraft 3-in-1 B-Tour travel system with her family, consisting of her partner, 4-month-old daughter and their endlessly energetic dog in their home county of Surrey, tackling town centres, woodland walks and everything in between.

What were your first impressions of the Kinderkraft B-Tour travel system?

The Kinderkraft B-Tour arrived in one single box, which left me doubtful about its contents; surely there couldn’t be an entire travel system inside? My scepticism proved misplaced, though, as everything a new parent could possibly need was neatly stowed away inside, from the convertible 2-in-1 carrycot/seat to the matching changing bag. Its simple design comes in three colours, black, light grey and dark grey, with a brown handle and bumper bar to complement its black chassis.

How easy was the Kinderkraft B-Tour travel system to build?

When I heard the word ‘convertible’, I assumed this system would take hours to build. However, after a short while spent puzzling over the instructions, which had no words and just pictures, we managed to piece the entire system together in just under half-an-hour.

A few very minor steps weren’t made clear in the instructions, such as where the straps for the seat unit should go when being used as a carrycot, but intuition - and a gentle steer from my engineer father-in-law - soon got things back on track!

Parent tester Christina Potter - who tested the Kinderkraft B-Tour out with her 4-month old and 2.5-year old - felt the instructions were “great” and “very easy to follow”. The manufacturer’s have also made this handy instruction video which details how to set up the travel system.

What did you think about the Kinderkraft B-Tour’s carrycot?

This travel system boasts of having one of the biggest carrycots on the market, measuring at 89cm long, which is ideal for taller babies. It is very big, and even though my little one has long legs and likes to kick about, she looked quite lost inside when I popped her in it for the first time. Due to its size, the carrycot will easily last any baby up until they’re 6 months old, possibly even longer, depending on when they begin to sit and pull themselves up. And, once it’s converted into a seat, it promises to take babies right up to 22kg or 30 months of age.

At 13kg, it’s not the lightest carrycot in the world to carry - and the length of it is almost as much of a hindrance as it is a burden, making it difficult to move and store away easily without collapsing. The materials aren’t quite as luxurious as our usual pram, so it took my daughter a while to get used to it. For example, it made a few scratchy noises as she moved about and startled her awake. However, she still managed to sleep quite peacefully and safely, thanks to the firm and breathable mattress, with its cover made of easy-to-clean polyester and natural bamboo fibre.

Is the carrycot suitable for overnight sleeping?

The Kinderkraft website doesn’t specify if the carrycot is suitable for overnight sleeping, but as it doesn't have a ventilated base, I would suggest this is not an option. However, the manufacturers do stress that the mattress is safe to use for supervised snoozing while out and about.

How easy is the carrycot to add on/take off the Kinderkraft B-Tour pushchair?

Thanks to its intuitive design, the Kinderkraft B-Tour carrycot is very easy to attach to the chassis and can also be removed with ease using the buttons on either side. It all just clicks into place with little effort. However, I found it tricky to remove the carrycot with my baby still sleeping inside, due to the weight and bulk of it.

What is the Kinderkraft 3-in-1 B-Tour travel system car seat like?

This travel system comes with the Kinderkraft MINK car seat for children up to 13kg, or aged around 12-15 months. The car seat is lightweight (3.3kg) and feels durable, has a 3-point safety harness and is lined with soft padded fabrics and includes an infant insert to keep your baby snug and safe.

My little one hates being put into any car seats with a passion, but she quietened more quickly than usual in this one, and slept happily in it during several drives. I expected, based on the rest of the travel system, for the car seat to be heavy; but it was easy to transport from house to car and back again.

It also attached easily onto the travel system chassis, if you prefer not to disturb your baby while on the move. It uses universal adapters that are suitable for most car seats, and has been tested and approved in accordance with the European safety regulation ECE R 44/04.

How do you fold the Kinderkraft B-Tour stroller?

It took a while for me to master folding the buggy, and even longer to realise that there was a way to position the frame so it stands up neatly once folded, but once I’d figured it out, I was doing so without thinking. You simply:

• Remove the carrycot (you cannot fold with this attached)
• Push the button located on the right of the handlebar and then pull on the two levers either side to fold the buggy
• The side lock will automatically engage to secure
• If you need the frame to take up even less room, you can unlock the wheels and collapse the chassis using another set of buttons.

Parent tester Christina found the B-Tour pushchair “easy to fold” but if in doubt, Kinderkraft also has this instruction video showing how it's done.

How compact is the Kinderkraft B-Tour stroller when folded?

Measuring at H38cm x W60cm x L68cm, once folded, the B-Tour pushchair is just as compact as any other travel system I’ve used. It stows away reasonably neatly and fits nicely under the stairs.

However, it is a tricky one to fit in the boot if you own a smaller car as it does not fold with the carrycot/seat attached so takes up quite a bit of room. Parent tester Christina stated that despite this factor it is still “quite compact and fits in my hatchback absolutely fine”, adding: “the frame when folded is lovely and light, I can easily pick it up one handed and move it around.”

I also found the B-Tour buggy easy to lift due to the fact it also has a shoulder strap attached for easy transportation.

What was the Kinderkraft B-Tour pushchair like to push and steer?

While I would love a bit more suspension, the Kinderkraft B-Tour stroller fared well during bumpy dog walks through the park and even better on smooth pavements. I found deep kerbs tricky to navigate, solely due to the length of the pram (it felt cumbersome and awkward), but it easily managed shallower pavements, coping well with the uneven paths of the Surrey Hills.

Kinderkraft also recommends locking the wheels when driving straight and tackling cobbles. Parent tester Christina also found the B-Tour buggy “easy to move one handed” and felt “surprised by how light and easy to move it was given the price”, adding that it “easily handles up and down kerbs”. A review on the Kinderkraft website also complimented how it “steers very smooth”. I’d also like to note that I tested this buggy in several different weather conditions (honestly, the deep waterproof hood is a lifesaver!), and it did very well in all. However, it isn’t easy to steer in strong winds due to the length and bulk of it.

How well does the Kinderkraft B-Tour buggy work on public transport?

I attempted to take the Kinderkraft on the train, but there was nobody around to help me navigate the gap between platform and train, and I chickened out. That’s definitely not the system’s fault, though; I’m a nervy traveller and tend to favour using a carrier on public transport anyway!

What is the chassis like on the Kinderkraft B-Tour buggy?

The frame is made from steel so feels strong and durable, while the matte black design of the chassis doesn’t scratch easily - even after a particularly spirited ride down a gravelled path! Parent tester Christina also noted how the chassis felt “very light and easy to move”, adding that it “looks very good quality”.

What is the Kinderkraft B-Tour pushchair handle bar like?

The handle is easy to adjust to a comfortable height (85 cm to 108 cm), even for my shorter mother-in-law. It is crafted from eco-leather, with parent tester Christina stating that she loved the leather handle as it “adds to it looking expensive and good quality”.

However, I found that while it looks great, the handle did feel a bit too flimsy at times; a little too thin, almost, so you have to grip a little tighter than you usually would.

What is the Kinderkraft B-Tour pushchair hood like?

The B-Tour pushchair easily has one of the best hoods of any pram I’ve used so far. Its large integrated canopy is made of waterproof, UPF 50+ fabric and is extendable, boasting of both an air vent panel and weatherproof peek-a-boo window with magnet closure. It kept my baby snug and dry in wet and windy conditions, despite me forgetfully trundling out without the rain cover.

Does the Kinderkraft B-Tour buggy seat recline and is it easily adjusted?

Yes, you can adjust the stroller backrest with just one hand and you have three recline positions to choose from. Teamed with the two-step adjustment of the footrest, the B-Tour pushchair also features an adjustable five-point safety harness and swivel guard rail to ensure your child remains safe when sleeping or taking in his or her surroundings.

What are the wheels like?

The air-filled rubber wheels are incredibly easy to manoeuvre - as well as sturdy, which meant that they coped well on most terrains. While I’d have loved a bit more suspension, I did appreciate the locking mechanism and shock absorption on all 4 wheels, as it made it very easy to push the pram in a straight line with very little effort.

How good are the Kinderkraft B-Tour buggy’s brakes?

The B-Tour pushchair uses a STOP & RIDE brake, which is operated from the top as you push it down with your foot. The brake is positioned well out of the way of your feet, so you don’t ever accidentally kick it - but this did mean I had to reach around to find it quite often! Once clicked, though, the brakes hold the pram very well (even in strong winds), and I only ever saw them lose grip for the slightest second on a sideways grassy slope.

How big is the B-Tour pushchair’s shopping basket?

The B-Tour storage basket has a capacity of 5kg and thanks to the hook-and-loop closures on one of the sides, the capacity can be increased - providing convenient access to your shopping. It is big and roomy, and is great for stowing lots of bits and bobs. While the rain cover did consume some space, nothing fell out during our walks and I even managed a little shop at the local supermarket with it.

How does the Kinderkraft 3-in-1 B-Tour compare to similar travel systems?

What’s in the box?

• 2-in-1 convertible carrycot/seat
• Wheels
• Handlebar
• Bumper bar
• Hood
• Mattress
• MINK car seat
• Universal car seat adapters
• Changing bag
• Changing mat
• Mosquito net
• Rain cover
• Foot muff
• Cup holder

Now you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the B-Tour pushchair?

I wish I’d known more about the Kinderkraft B-Tour travel system before buying my current pram, if only to guide me a little more in terms of price; considering how much you get for your money here, it’s a very competitive model! I’d also like to have been made aware of the fact that the carrycot converts into a seat and grows with your child (up to 22kg), meaning you do not have to buy another seat once the carrycot is outgrown.

Who would the Kinderkraft 3-in-1 B-Tour travel system be most useful for?

This travel system is ideal for anyone on a budget who wants a ‘one and done’ model. It comes with all the accessories and gadgets you need, so you’ll save money there, and the convertible carrycot-to-seat option offers both longevity and extra space as you won’t need to store another seat unit for those who may have limited space at home.

Is the Kinderkraft 3-in-1 B-Tour travel system worth the money?

It might be bulky and a little less attractive than some of the mid-to-higher-end models, but the Kinderkraft B-Tour travel system is absolutely worth its £379 price tag. Plus, thanks to features such as the machine washable materials, enlargeable storage basket and the waterproof hood, it tick boxes where other more expensive prams on the market do not.

Where can I buy the Kinderkraft 3-in-1 B-Tour travel system?

It is available from Kinderkraft, UK Baby Centre and Kiddies Kingdom

MadeForMums Verdict:

If you are looking for a travel system that has everything included but want to save money, then the Kinderkraft 3-in-1 B-Tour travel system is a great option. With its 2-in-1 convertible carrycot and seat, impressive design features and car seat compatibility, you get a lot for your money - especially considering the fact that it will last you from the newborn days, right through to when your child hits the toddler years.

However, there are some drawbacks, mainly the oversized nature of its carrycot and that it isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing pushchair on the eye.

However, I would highly recommend this travel system to any new mum who is on a budget, wants a practical pushchair that will last and save you money in the process.