The Rubix is a brand new design from Mamas & Papas, but it has lots of similarities to its Ziko Herbie travel system, which is no longer available. Although the Ziko Herbie had lots of good points, I came across some negative reviews, with complaints that the chassis felt unstable, particularly when going up kerbs, the front wheels often locked, and some mums saying it actually folded spontaneously while their babies were inside. Mamas & Papas says it’s taken these problems into consideration in the design of the Rubix, so I was interested to see how it performed. And I was pleasantly surprised. Lots of the plus points of the Herbie are still there, but the Rubix feels very sturdy and durable over rough terrain and up kerbs, and the steering is very smooth.
You can also use the carrycot overnight if you want to, as it will fit a Mamas & Papas Moses basket stand, which you can buy separately. I’d buy an extra mattress too, if you want to do this, as although the carrycot is comfy enough for daytime use, I don’t feel it’s sufficiently padded to use as a bed.
While I tested the Rubix with Mamas & Papas Cybex Aton car seat, it is also compatible with the Maxi-Cosi Cabrio.Fix car seat, which is a great selling point as loads of parents opt for this very popular model.
The Cybex Aton is Mamas & Papas lightest car seat, with a weight of just 3.5kg. As well as working with the Rubix, it can be paired with Mamas & Papas Mylo, Urbo, Sola, Skate, Joolz, LunaMix, Callisto, Topaz, Onyx and Nuna buggies. It’s a Group 0+, so will last from birth to 13kg, or about 12-15 months. It’s installed in your car with the car’s own seatbelts.
What we love
The Rubix is very easy to assemble, and changing from the carrycot to the buggy seat is quick and easy. You just use the poppers to attach either piece of fabric onto a main frame that’s part of the chassis.
The shopping basket is pleasingly spacious – a big bonus, as I can’t count the number of buggies I’ve tried that have stingy, useless baskets. As a busy mum with three boys, and a baby girl that I look after two days a week, I’m just not interested in a buggy that can’t accommodate schoolbags, shopping, snacks and toys!
I love that the seat unit can be forward or rear facing. My son is almost 2, but he still loves being able to chat to me when we’re out and about, and to his brothers if they’re walking alongside me. It’s straightforward to change the direction of the seat, too. The padded seat liner and cosytoes are lovely, cosy extras for a smaller baby.
One complaint about the ZIko Herbie was that the car seat that fitted it was heavy and cumbersome, so I was impressed with the Cybex Aton. It is a great car seat that’s really light and very user-friendly, with its clever sliding sunshade and sleek design. It’s spacious enough to be roomy for babies right up to the 13kg weight limit, but cosy for a newborn with the addition of the head hugger and seat support. It clicks easily onto the chassis once you fit the car seat adaptors.
What to watch out for
The Mamas & Papas Rubix travel system is a bit bulky, so not the best choice if you’re looking for something light and compact. I had to pop off the wheels to get it into my car boot, but they do pop off easily.
While the shape of the seat is great for my toddler, it’s not so good for the 8-month-old baby I childmind - her legs aren’t long enough to reach over the bend of the legrest. I also found it quite fiddly to adjust the recline of the seat while my son Jamie was in it.
One minor niggle is the extra £20 you have to spend on car seat adaptors to make it into a travel system – I really feel that these should be included in the price of the car seat or the buggy.
Who is the Mamas & Papas Rubix travel system best for?
Mums who want the luxury of a traditional carrycot pram, but are short on storage space.
The Mamas & Papas Rubix travel system has all the pluses of the traditional 3-in-1 pram, without the bulk and expense. The price is really reasonable when you consider the quality, durability and versatility of this product. The lightweight car seat is a worthy addition, and it’s reassuring to see it has won various awards. Just be prepared to take the wheels off to get it in the boot.
