If that’s sounds a little bit like the name of an aeroplane or fighter jet, it’s because Owen was formerly a test pilot and aeronautical designer. It had an aluminium frame, was lightweight (just 3kg!) and had a 3D folding mechanism.
At the time, this was pretty revolutionary – it meant that parents no longer had to push bulky prams.
Back to the present day, and Maclaren has buggies, baby carriers and all sorts of baby kit. Maclaren describes the Triumph as “the all-purpose go fast buggy” and over the years it has become the brand's best-seller.
It weighs just 5.2kg, and has a shopping basket, raincover and hood as well as adjustable straps and backrest. Maclaren also promotes the fact it features a “five second one-hand fold”.
What we love
The Triumph is so light it makes life simple if you’re going out alone with your baby. It’s easy to lift in and out of the car or to take onto public transport.
The best thing, though, is the fact it’s so easy to fold and unfold. Often when manufacturers claim you can do this it’s not that easy, but in this case it really is – you just flick the clip up, then collapse it down, and vice versa.
And because once it’s folded there’s a clip to hold it in place, it means you can lift it straight away without fear of it unfolding again. It’s also very compact when folded, so it will fit in the boot of even the smallest car.
When using it, it’s very easy to manoeuvre and the handles are easy and comfortable to hold. I often had to push it uphill and the fact it’s so light made it easier than many other buggies to push uphill.
The raincover is easy to clip on – much quicker when the rain’s starting to soak you than some of the zip-on ones, and perfectly adequate in terms of keeping your baby dry.
What to watch out for
Maclaren claims the Triumph is suitable from six months, though you’re unlikely to use it for a baby this young as it doesn’t offer the comfort of other sturdier buggies. Plus this would mean your baby is facing away from you, which isn’t ideal at such a young age.
The backrest is hard to adjust and also doesn’t go as upright as I’d have liked when Jack was old enough – he’s now 18 months and I always feel as though he’s far too reclined, but I just can’t seem to get the backrest any further up. Adjusting it isn’t easy either as you have to hold in some clips and then tug it at the same time.
The shopping basket underneath is hard to use – you have to sort of squash things to get them in and back out again, so not ideal if you’re buying bread!
Who is the Maclaren Triumph best for?
Mums who travel – whether it’s holidays abroad or just on public transport.
Lightweight with an easy, quick folding mechanism, the Maclaren Triumph is great for mums who need something compact and portable.
Useful if you don’t want to be pushing around a heavy travel system buggy once your child is a toddler, and also perfect for taking on holiday from about the age of 6 months.
Just don’t try to carry too many groceries home in it.
Updated 10/12/2014
