Mamas and Papas Flip XT3 review

The 4-piece Starter Kit (RRP £799) contains a carrycot, pushchair (with rain cover), adapters and a cup holder, though you can just purchase the pushchair alone. A 6-piece Essentials Kit (RRP £899) has the addition of a foot muff and a changing bag, whilst the 8-piece Complete Kit (RRP £1,079) also includes a Cybex Aton 5 car seat and an Isofix base.

According to the brand, if you’re looking for a pushchair that can handle busy streets and public transport, the lightweight Flip XT3 is perfect. With features including a spacious shopping basket and compact one-hand fold, it makes city living with a baby a breeze.

Tested by:

Tara Russell is from Hampshire and is a first-time mum to 6-month-old daughter Elodie. She tested the Mamas & Papas Flip XT3 Signature Edition for 6 weeks, putting it through its paces everywhere from the weekly shop to coastal walks and special events.

What were your first impressions of the Mamas & Papas Signature Edition Flip XT3?

This pushchair oozes class and style and it’s a quality product with a premium finish. Its shimmering metallic pops of colour and leatherette detailing certainly give it the wow factor.

I was impressed at how compact it is and the fact you can recline the seat and fold it so easily with one hand.

How does it compare to other lightweight buggies?

I’m used to the 3-wheeled Quinny Buzz pushchair, which is extremely manoeuvrable and copes well on all terrain. However, it isn’t particularly stylish and you have to remove the seat to collapse it, so the Flip XT3 is a breath of fresh air.

How is it the Signature Edition different to the standard Flip XT3?

They both have the same features so it’s all about the looks! The glamorous Signature Edition (£699 compared to £649 for the standard Flip XT3 - currently £519.99 on Amazon) has a black satin frame with brushed copper and leatherette details.

What age is it suitable for?

The pushchair on its own lays flat and is suitable from birth to 15kg (around 3 years of age), but you can also buy a carrycot which is suitable for babies from birth to 9kg.

The pushchair is particularly spacious with a longer-than-average seat unit, and this meant that Elodie, who is tall for her age, was very comfortable.

How does the Mamas & Papas Signature Edition Flip XT3 fold?

It’s extremely easy to fold with just one hand and you can do so when the chair is both in the forward-facing and parent-facing positions. I love the fact it collapses with the seat still attached.

• To fold it down, you simply pull the copper lever at the back of the seat
• Then fold the unit back onto itself
• There’s a button you twist on the handlebar before folding the chassis towards the front wheels and you can then simply pick up the pushchair with the convenient handle to fully collapse it
• There’s also a sturdy clip that keeps everything in position while it’s folded

Although it’s easy to collapse, I do struggle a little to unfold it smoothly and I have found myself wrestling with it at times – which isn’t ideal when you have a crying baby desperate to get out of the car!

How compact is it when folded and unfolded?

It’s extremely compact at 100cm x 59cm x 96cm. When it’s folded it’s small and looks very neat at 36cm x 59cm x 73.5cm.

The carry handle makes it easy to move around.

Does it fit into an aeroplane overhead locker?

No.

Does it fit in the boot of your car?

I drive a Mazda CX-5 with a large boot so there is plenty of space. It’s a bonus that it collapses with the seat still attached as it means I have half the boot free for shopping!

The pushchair would easily fit into a small car, too.

How lightweight is the Mamas & Papas Signature Edition Flip XT3?

The pushchair is 11.3kg so you may find it a bit heavy if you have to negotiate a lot of stairs regularly.

How easy is it to push?

I find the Flip XT3 really easy to push and manoeuvre. Thanks to its narrow frame, you can nip around awkward fixtures and fittings in shops and make your way through crowded city streets.

How does the Flip XT3 ride on smooth surfaces?

The Flip XT3 performs at its absolute best when being pushed along well-paved streets. It feels very lightweight and you can push it effortlessly with one hand.

How does it feel on more challenging ground?

We tested the pushchair across grass at a country show, thick sandy pavements and even on gravel woodland tracks. Although it does cope on more challenging ground, it is a bumpier ride and it isn’t well suited for off-road adventures.

I also find it requires a bit of oomph to get it over high kerbs, but I am used to a 3-wheel pushchair with very large wheels so I do have high expectations.

How did you find the Flip XT3 on public transport?

I used the pushchair on the train and I was relieved its slim frame could navigate tight spaces easily.

Tell us about its wheels.

Its sleek black wheels certainly look beautiful! It’s great that they are made from solid rubber so they won’t puncture and you can adjust the front wheels from a swivel to a fixed position for more demanding terrain.

You might be mistaken for thinking the silver trim is a design feature, but as it’s reflective it offers extra safety on those dark winter mornings and evenings.

Is the frame strong and durable?

Yes, it is very sleek and strong and I have no doubts that it will last the test of time.

What do you think of the handlebar on the Flip XT3?

I really love the leather finish of the handlebar and there’s a beautiful copper mechanism to extend it to different positions. I’m 5ft 9in and I find it very comfortable to push with the handlebar fully extended.

Can it be used with a carrycot?

Yes – the carrycot is simple to attach and detach and is suitable for babies who cannot sit up unaided, roll over or push up on their hands and knees.

I tried Elodie in the carrycot but as she’s a big baby, who is fascinated by everything going on, I found she was more comfortable in the pushchair.

The mattress is nicely cushioned but I’d say the carrycot would benefit from a little more padding for delicate newborns. I loved the magnetic apron which makes it very quick to tuck your little one away and the air vent is a great addition, too.

Is the seat unit adjustable?

The seat can either face you or the world, but I do find it a little stiff to switch between the two. The seat is larger and longer than average so Elodie has plenty of space. The material is beautifully soft with generous padding everywhere and there’s a quality 5-point harness which is easy to secure.

There are 3 different heights for the shoulder straps depending on how big your baby is, although they are quite fiddly to adjust. There's also a 360-degree spin bumper bar which you can attach and detach from either side.

The adjustable leg rest has 3 positions too, ensuring your little one is totally supported.

How many recline positions are there?

There are 3 different positions, including a lie-flat option for naps on the go. You can adjust the seat effortlessly with one hand using the copper lever on the back of the unit.

How comfortable does the Flip XT3 feel for your little one?

Everything is extremely padded and comfortable. Elodie is always content and never resists getting strapped in the pushchair. There is a supportive head cushion and the chest and crotch pads are very soft.

How is interacting with your baby when in the buggy?

I love interacting with Elodie when we go out for walks and the parent-facing seat position makes that easy.

The magnetic peek-a-boo window is a brilliant addition as it allows you to quietly check on your baby when you have the seat in the forward-facing position.

How effective is the hood?

This is amazing and one of my favourite features. The huge hood covers at least half of the seat unit and this latest model features a reinforced visor shielding babies from harmful rays, wind and rain.

It really does give you peace of mind knowing your little one is protected from the elements at every angle and saves the stress of having to fiddle with a parasol every time you turn a corner.

I found it useful for creating a dark and quiet space for Elodie at nap times too, particularly when we were somewhere busy.

How effective are the brakes on the Flip XT3?

The brake is very simple to use. It’s just one small red clip to tap down with your foot on the right-hand side.

What do you think of the basket?

The basket is really huge and easy to access once it is fitted correctly. Just bear in mind that it can only hold 3kg, so you have to watch that you don’t put anything too heavy inside.

Is it car seat compatible?

Yes. You need to remove the chair, then insert the adapters. It is compatible with a range of car seats including Cybex and Maxi-Cosi.

How did you like the look of the Flip XT3?

I love it – it’s so beautiful and definitely has that extra-special kerb appeal! I’ve had a lot of comments from envious mum friends.

What’s in the box?

• Chassis
• Seat unit
• Chest and crotch pads
• Bumper bar
• Shopping basket
• Rain cover
• The 4-piece Starter Kit comes with the pushchair, carrycot, cup holder and travel seat adapters

Are there any additional extras that you need to or can buy?

Mamas & Papas sells a variety of bundles to save money if you are looking for different accessories. Additional extras include a carrycot, cold weather foot muff, changing bag and cup holder.

Is the Flip XT3 easy to build?

It’s very intuitive and takes about 5 minutes to build the pushchair.

What would you have wanted to know before you purchased the Flip XT3?

I’d have told myself to read the instructions on how to fit the shopping basket... then reread them! I fitted the shopping basket incorrectly and on its first use, it dragged against the pavement when it was filled, causing it to rip within minutes.

It took a few weeks for me to realise that it wasn’t a design fault but instead user error. You need to make sure it is fitted around the brake cable!

Who would the product be most useful for?

This pushchair is clearly designed for city living so it would suit urban parents who are looking for something which is practical yet super-stylish.

What was your favourite feature of the pushchair?

Aside from the look of it (it really is a stunning design), I loved how spacious the seat is for my tall baby. She looks so comfortable stretched out when she’s asleep and I’m confident it will last us for plenty of adventures to come.

The generous hood was also really handy to protect her from the elements and keep her cosy.

Is the Flip XT3 worth its price tag?

It is pricey for the pushchair alone but I’d highly recommend it. The quality is exceptional and you can't help but feel proud pushing it around – I’ve been using it non-stop since I got it.

Where can I buy it?

It's available from Amazon, Very and Precious Little One.

MadeForMums verdict:

This is a really beautiful pushchair. It is very compact and manoeuvrable, and designed to see your little one through from birth to toddler years. It is ideally suited for city living and wouldn’t be the best option for more rural families but, that said, it does cope on other terrain.

The quality of the product is impressive, even down to its tiny zips and I love all the carefully thought-out features which ensure both mama and baby are well looked after.

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