As a single buggy, the Kobi can accommodate a newborn in the carrycot. When your baby can sit up unaided (around 6 months) you can change the carrycot for the buggy seat. The seat should last until your toddler is around 4 years old (17kg) and can be used rear facing or forward facing. When used with the carrycot, the Kobi is 13.5kg, as a buggy, it's 15.2kg.
If you choose to expand your family, an additional carrycot or buggy seat can be added. Head to our review of the Mima Kobi as a double buggy for more on how it performs as a tandem.
The Kobi can also be used as a travel system with the Maxi-Cosi CabrioFix car seat or the Cybex Aton car seat (the adaptors cost £28). When the car seat is attached, you can either use the Kobi as a single, or with a carrycot in the second spot.
Unlike many high-end buggies, most of the accessories you need come as part of the £950 package - you’ll get a clever changing pod (a bag that fits exactly into the shopping basket), a canopy and raincover. The footmuff costs £79.99.
All the useful standard features are all there: 5-point harness, bumper bar, sunshade, footbrake, shopping basket, 3-position recline and adjustable handle. But there are loads of clever ones too, like the two seat heights, the changing bag that sits perfectly in the shopping basket, the ability to fold with the seat attached (when the seat’s forward facing) and the wipe-clean EVA gloss plastic seat. The other noteworthy feature is the seat pod – it’s in here that the carrycot is stored.
What we love
Unlike some buggy brands, Mima has a very clear target audience. The Kobi shouts chic, urban cool. It doesn’t handle well off road but then it doesn’t claim to - it’s an about-town buggy.
Looks wise, the Mima Kobi is unique. Some may say that it gives half a nod to the Stokke – in the ‘viewing position’ the seat sits at parent eye height – but other than that, I find it hard to find make a real comparison.
Poppy, 8 months, loved being up high, especially when she was facing me and it definitely encourage interaction between us - something that I miss when I using my regular forward facing buggy.
The seat shell feels like soft leather (it’s actually moulded plastic) and the seat pad, available in Sangria Red or Black, is soft and spongy and easy to clean.
I particularly like the way the seat straps are adjusted. Instead of fiddling and cursing as you thread the straps into the back of the seat, they simply push into holes in the back of the seat cushion and are secured with a cap.
The ability to convert the Kobi into a buggy for two will be a plus for families considering having another child in the next few years.
What to watch out for
My major bugbear is the brake. Each time I tried to put it on, my foot slid off the pad. I had to try several times and be very purposeful to make sure it was on securely.
Storing the carrycot inside the seat unit is a truly innovative way to save space, but it only works one way – you still have to store the seat pod for those first few months until you need it. Also, once your baby starts to grow (both Poppy and her 2-year-old big sister Minnie were only in their carrycots for around 5 months) you’re carrying around a bit of redundant kit, albeit in a very neat package.
The ride is a little bouncy, particularly up and down pavements, but Poppy didn’t seem to mind.
With the three-leaf sunshade on the capacity of the seat is hugely reduced. Minnie, 2, is only 89cm but her head was nearly touching the top of the shade
Who is the Mima Kobi single buggy best for?
Urban parents after a style-savvy buggy that can grow.
The Mima Kobi is a cleverly designed, stylish buggy packed with clever features. It’s expensive, but the option to upgrade to a double makes it a potential long-term investment. The Kobi’s not without niggles but it certainly offers something new to the buggy market.
