Leclerc Baby Influencer XL pushchair review

The one-touch auto-fold function is truly impressive, and the stroller also comes with some fantastic additional features and accessories. These include an extendable hood, adjustable footrest, bumper bar, magnetic easy-close buckle and cup holder. You can buy a carrycot bundle if you want to use it from birth, as well as a changing bag and a footmuff.

With an RRP of £449, the Influencer XL stroller is available in 3 colours, Army Green, Sand Chocolate and Black Brown. It sits in the middle of the all-terrain pushchair market, in between the premium offerings of the Bugaboo Fox 5, £1,115, and the more budget-friendly Cosatto Woosh Trail, £269.95.

What were your first impressions?

The Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller was a joy to unbox and on first impressions it looks stylish and stands out from the crowd, yet it's clear quality is not compromised. The Army Green colour of the seat unit really complements the striking rose gold frame and accents.

The luxurious brown leatherette handlebar and bumper bar, as well as the detailing on the back and leg rest are particularly eye-catching. As an added bonus, the stroller comes with a shoulder strap travel bag, which would be perfect for transporting it on holiday.

How easy was the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller to build?

Building items normally fills me with dread, but the Influencer XL stroller was incredibly simple to assemble. It comes folded in the travel bag and you simply have to unfold the chassis, click the wheels into position and attach the bumper bar. My 3-year-old even helped attach the wheels into place.

There was an information sheet complete with a QR code for the full manual online but it was very intuitive to put together. It took my daughter and I a matter of seconds, which is a big positive if you’re a busy mum on-the-go.

It's also really easy to convert the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL into a double pushchair, as fellow tester Georgette explains: “The pushchair comes with 3 adapters which you attach to the 2 frames to link them together and off you go!”

If this is the latest version of a previous pushchair, how does the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller compare?

The Influencer XL stroller is a new version of Leclerc Baby’s Influencer model however, it boasts larger wheels and a larger, higher frame, making it ideal for walks off the beaten track and for taller parents and babies.

Weighing 8.1kg compared to the Influencer at 6.6kg, it does mean it is a little heavier but it still feels incredibly lightweight. The Influencer XL stroller is also slightly more expensive (£449) than the original model, which is priced at £399.

How easy is the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller to push and steer?

This stroller is honestly a dream to push and steer. The manoeuvrability with one hand is extremely impressive and it seems to want to take all the effort from you. My husband was taken aback at how light it was to push on his first trip out. It’s a smooth ride, nipping around narrow or crowded areas and mounting high kerbs with ease.

Leclerc Baby states the Influencer XL stroller is perfect for nature walks and I was extremely impressed with how it tackled tougher terrain due to its larger wheels, enabling us to enjoy family adventures off the beaten track. We live in the New Forest and it did incredibly well on the open forest, open heathland, gravel tracks and cobbled market town streets. It isn’t in the same league as some 3-wheel off-road buggies but I was impressed at how it even held its own over larger protruding tree roots and the frame felt sturdy. William loved the ride!

Fellow tester Georgette who also tested it in single mode agreed, saying "the Influencer XL is a dream to push as it's so narrow and lightweight — even with a baby on board! When I’m not using it as a double buggy, I can push it one-handed. The Influencer XL also has bigger wheels which mount pavements really smoothly, I've tested it in Weston Super Mare and the cobbled streets of North Norfolk and it fairs well on both smooth and rough pavements."

How easy is it to push and steer the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL when it’s in double mode?

When using the Influencer XL as a double pushchair with the Twin Connector, Georgette says that “it’s still easy to push and feels stable”. However, she does mention that its width could sometimes be an issue: "While it’s super lightweight, it’s certainly not the slimmest on the market. The My Child Easy Twin Double Stroller & x2 Carrycot is just 65cm so it can easily get through narrow doorways and weave through busy streets easier, but it doesn't have a one-handed automatic fold. Similarly, Joie’s Evalite Duo (where the eldest child sits at the front, and the youngest at the back) is lightweight and compact but can be very hard to push because it's front loaded."

Despite it not being as slim as some other double pushchairs on the market, Georgette says that she "loves the fact that the Influencer XL can quickly adapt into a single buggy and vice versa, unlike the other double buggies available that aren't as flexible. Generally, I use it as a double pram for the nursery run. Once I’ve dropped my son off I quickly adapt it into a single buggy and as it's so compact when folded, the nursery staff kindly let me leave it there until I pick up Jude later."

How lightweight is the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller to carry around?

The Influencer XL stroller is extremely easy to pick up when folded and to carry with one hand while scooping your child up with the other. I found this super handy for navigating steps on your own or for travel. You can carry the Influencer XL stroller in 5 different ways once it’s folded; holding the bumper bar with your hand, tucking the bumper bar over your arm or even over your shoulder.

Alternatively, you can remove the bumper bar and carry it using the handle. Thanks to its aluminium frame, the stroller also feels pretty lightweight. It conveniently comes with a travel bag too, so it’s easy to pack away and transport on bigger adventures.

How comfortable is your baby when using the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller in the lie-flat position?

William slept very soundly in the lie-flat position (175°) and he didn’t move, so was very supported in the seat unit. My only comment would be due to its low sides, he was more exposed to the elements so it would be worth investing in the footmuff, which can be purchased separately for £104.95.

Does the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller come with a carrycot?

The Influencer XL stroller doesn’t initially come with a carrycot, but you can buy the bassinet, which is suitable from birth to 6-months-old, for £219.95. It comes in a variety of colours, which can be matched accordingly to your stroller. We didn’t test the carrycot but it can be attached to the chassis when the buggy is in the lie-flat position using the adapters supplied. The carrycot also folds down for storage and has small legs underneath, so that when it is on the floor, it can rock or stand still, which is a nice feature.

How easy is the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller to fold?

Leclerc Baby’s slogan is ‘making parenting easier’ and they truly deliver on that promise when it comes to the folding or unfolding of the Influencer XL stroller. The brand’s ingenious one-touch auto-fold mechanism in just 1.5 seconds takes this stroller into a different league. In fact, folding the stroller is like a party trick, and I can’t help but show it off to other envious mums and dads. You simply slide the thumb trigger on the handlebar to the left and squeeze the centre button while lifting the stroller slightly and then let go. The buggy folds by itself and closes fully.

While many pushchairs claim to only need one hand but can actually be very awkward and fiddly to fold, this genuinely delivers on its one-touch promise, leaving your other arm free to carry your little one. This would be great for anyone navigating steps in a city, a train station or even down to the beach on holiday. My mum suffers with painful arthritis and there’s no chance she would be able to fold or unfold any of the other pushchairs I’ve previously used, so it really is a breath of fresh air.

Unfolding the stroller is just as easy. You simply hold the handle up and lift the rear of the buggy to open it up, listening for the click sound on the chassis which indicates it has correctly unfolded. There were a couple of times I noticed one side of the chassis hadn’t quite clicked into place and felt a little loose, so it’s important to listen out for the click!

How easy is the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller to fold when it is in double mode?

When using the Leclerc Baby Twin Connectors, the Influencer XL can still be folded without the need to separate the pushchairs. Fellow tester Georgette explains that all you need to do is:

• "Slide the trigger on the handlebar and squeeze the central button
• Push forward on the handlebars and it will automatically collapse. You’ll hear a click when it’s folded down"

Even in double mode, the Influencer XL is freestanding and still folds in 1.5 seconds which Georgette loved: "As I often travel with my 6-month-old and a very lively toddler, speedy assembly and folding is a priority for me and this pram folds down easily as a single when it is in the double mode."

How compact is the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller when folded?

The Influencer XL stroller neatly folds in one to H60cm x W45cm x L24cm making it compact and easy to store away for those parents lacking space. It received quite a few comments from friends who noticed how small it was when it was folded up in our hallway.

Like other compact fold buggies, such as the Babyzen YOYO2, the Influencer XL stroller can be transported as hand luggage on most airlines and fits nicely in the provided travel bag. It also stores easily in the boot of a car as it takes up little space.

Fellow tester Georgette also appreciated how compact the pushchair is once its folded — even in double mode: “I can fit both folded pushchairs into the boot of our Audi A3 2011 — which makes trips out so much easier as before we could only take one pushchair.

What's more, my partner — who really isn't interested in pushchairs or baby products — is always commenting about how easy it is to fold down, carry and store. He's usually the packhorse in our house so he's enjoying not having to cart the 2 Influencer XL strollers around when they're folded as I can easily do it."

What’s the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller chassis like?

At 5ft 9ins, I particularly liked the Influencer XL stroller’s higher frame, making it a very comfortable push for taller parents. The rose gold chassis is made from lightweight aluminium, which is very easy to push and steer.

How do you rate the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller handle?

The leatherette detailed handle of the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller is very luxurious and feels comfortable to hold. Unfortunately you can’t adjust the handle to different heights but this wasn’t an issue for us as thanks to the higher chassis, the handle was the perfect height. However, some more petite parents may find it a bit tall for their liking.

What do you think of the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller seat unit?

The Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller seat unit is suitable from 6 months to 5 years old (22kg) and it was a breath of fresh air to use a stroller with an extra large seat. William was 7 months old at the time of testing and I love how spacious the seat is for him. It will definitely see him comfortably through his toddler years.

The 5-point magnetic harness is easy to adjust and fasten, and there is extra padding around any adjuster buckles. You can raise the leg rest up, so there is plenty of space for long legs to stretch out when the seat is reclined and William slept very soundly.

The padding on the seat is a little on the thin side but more than sufficient for a stroller. I would personally prefer to see slightly deeper sides to the seat, which would protect against the colder elements and keep your little one a little more snug.

The stroller seat reclines to three different positions by using a lever on the backrest from upright, so your baby can watch the world go by, to 175° so little ones can stretch out for naps on the go. William slept very soundly in the buggy and seemed very comfortable.

Fellow tester Georgette, who tested the stroller with her 6-month-old daughter Eva and 3-year-old son Jude, also said that her children found the seat unit very comfortable. She said that "thanks to the lie-flat backrest, Eva sleeps really well in it" and "due to the seat's soft padding and supportive backrest — which can be adjusted into three positions — Jude slept comfortably in the pushchair."

How do you rate the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller hood?

The SPF 50+ extendable hood is very sturdy and holds its shape well, even in the fully reclined position. The sun canopy provides really excellent coverage, especially as you can extend it even further by unzipping a mesh panel. I particularly love the large mesh windows positioned both on the sun canopy with a magnetic flap over and the back of the seat closed up with zips. They offer real peace of mind that there is maximum airflow around your baby or toddler in hot weather, perfect for the UK’s hotter summers or holidays abroad.

Fellow tester Georgette, however, felt that the hood didn't offer as much protection for her 6-month-old daughter as she would have liked: "Although the hood can be extended, it doesn’t cover her very well when she is sat upright in the seat because she’s still quite small. This isn’t a problem for my 3-year-old son because he’s taller, but because my daughter is lower down in the seat, the hood doesn’t cover her so well so she does get the sun in her eyes."

What are the wheels like?

I love the large durable polyurethane wheels on the Influencer XL stroller, which thanks to the suspension made light work of our countryside walks and other more tricky terrains. They look stylish too with a striking rose gold trim, which matches the chassis perfectly.

How good are the brakes on the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller?

The brakes, which are positioned centrally, are large and effective, but the plastic brake pedal does seem a tad flimsy. This is similar to its predecessor, the Influencer stroller, with a previous MFM review stating that the pedal is quite lightweight and that it could be broken if you were too heavy-footed.

What’s the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller's basket like?

The storage basket really lets the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller down. It is on the small side with a maximum weight of 3kg and I struggled to get much more than essentials inside, particularly with 2 children. You can buy a nappy bag, which hangs from the attachment points, but it’s a real shame the basket doesn’t have much storage to save the added expense.

What’s in the box?

• Influencer XL stroller seat unit
• Chassis
• 4 x Wheels
• Bumper bar
• Cup holder
• Travel bag
• Instruction sheet

Are there any additional accessories you can buy?

There are a number of add-ons you can purchase, including a carrycot, car seat adapters, twin connector, footmuff and changing bag.

Can the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller be used with a car seat to create a travel system?

It wasn’t immediately clear if you can use a car seat with the Influencer XL stroller but Leclerc Baby have a handy 24/7 chat service on their website. They promptly confirmed that all Leclerc Baby strollers are car seat compatible, with the car seat adapters sold separately. The Influencer XL is compatible with Maxi Cosi Pebble 360, CabrioFix, Marble, Cybex, Nuna, BeSafe, Kiddy, Joie, Bugaboo and Avionaut.

Now that you've used it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller?

I mistakenly presumed this type of lightweight stroller would only really be suitable as a second buggy once your baby is over 6 months old, but the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL buggy can be used from birth with the carrycot available at an extra cost. It is also car seat compatible, making it a great option for those who want something lighter than a traditional, more bulky travel system. The 5-point magnetic buckle was also a bonus as it made fastening William securely into his seat quick and simple.

Who would the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller be most useful for?

The Influencer XL stroller would be perfect for parents who need something easy to fold and lightweight to manoeuvre. It folds so compactly and is small enough to be used as cabin baggage on most flights, and it would be ideal if you are tight on space, live in an apartment, have a small car boot, or planning to travel, yet want a buggy that can handle bumpier terrain than most.

Is the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller worth the money?

At just under £450 the Influencer XL stroller isn’t a budget buy, however it’s worth every penny for its impressive one-touch fold! Most baby gear is so heavy, so it really is a breath of fresh air not to have to wrestle with a stubborn buggy. I love the larger wheels and chassis too as living in the New Forest, I need a stroller to cope well with tougher terrains. I’m confident the larger seat suitable from 6 months to 5 years old (22kg) will also enable William to use it for a good few years. It's also worth shopping around as I've spotted the Influence XL on sale for way below the RRP online.

Where can I buy the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller?

It is available from Leclerc Baby, The Younger Years and Mee-Go.

MadeforMums verdict

The Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller is an impressive piece of kit designed for the style conscious. It is extremely compact and simple to operate with its clever one-touch fold, putting it in a different league to other strollers on the market. It’s so lightweight and easy to push, it practically steers itself and I love the large seat and wheels so it makes light work of rougher terrain, making it easier to enjoy family adventures together both in town and off the beaten track.

I love my iCandy Core pushchair but I did find myself reaching for the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller instead. With the physical demands parenting brings, it’s a joy to push something so lightweight and simple to fold and unfold. I’d highly recommend the Leclerc Baby Influencer XL stroller, especially for holidays abroad. Not only is it small enough to be cabin approved for most airlines, the extendable sun canopy and large mesh windows also provide excellent protection from the heat. Overall, the buggy’s simplicity, style and functionality outweigh any small niggles, such as its small storage basket and non-adjustable handle.

Georgette was also impressed, saying: "The Leclerc Baby Influencer XL is very adaptable, especially considering its clever design that allows it to adapt to a double buggy. While it is more expensive than other regular double pushchairs, it's definitely a good investment due to its high quality and flexibility. It's rare I give anything 10/10 as with most things in life there's usually room for improvement but this buggy really is the biggest parenting hack."