What we love
Many an experienced mum or dad has told me that, no matter how much they shell out for a designer buggy, all parents eventually switch to an umbrella-fold buggy. And with the Mothercare Xoob2 Double Stroller it’s easy to see why. It’s very lightweight and yet the fabric and frame quality is good. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to put up and down, making it perfect for public transport, holidays, slinging in the back of the car, or just using for that stage when older children are constantly asking to get out and walk!
The Mothercare Xoob2 Double Stroller is easy to push, steer and tackles kerbs well. Although it’s always a bumpy ride in this type of pushchair (forget muddy parks), my twins seemed comfortable. The seats recline fully and independently, so if one fell asleep, I was able to lie him down without disturbing the other.
The brakes are easy to click on and off and the Xoob2 is sturdy enough to hang some bags from the handles, although the two baskets under the seats are a decent size, too.
I really like the look of the Mothercare Xoob2 Double Stroller – a brushed silver frame with smart black seats and a rainbow trim and interior, makes for a practical, stylish buggy that’ll work for boys or girls.
At £180, the Xoob2 is in the low- to mid-price range for a buggy of this type, and I think it represents good value for money. Although basic, it’s great that the raincover and cosytoes are included in the price.
What to watch out for
My main niggle with the Xoob2 is that the Mothercare website and literature cites its width when unfolded as 75cm. However this – for some unfathomable reason – doesn’t include the wheels! So its true width is actually 85cm and, annoyingly, this made it just that bit too wide to fit through several doorways I tried. And sometimes the last thing you want to do is wake your children, take them out, fold the buggy, go through the door, unfold it and then persuade them to get back in it… argh.
Another design blip is the clip that claims to hold the buggy in its compact fold position – it doesn’t! It constantly pinged off, plus there was only one clip on one side of the stroller, instead of both. Even without the clip, the Xoob2 stays folded and doesn’t take up too much room. But two functioning clips would make a good product even more practical. Mothercare, if you’re reading this, please sort it out!
Other minor points include the cosytoes are a little narrow in size and thin of fabric, and the hoods don’t really reach far enough forwards to offer any protection from sun or rain. And the toggles to recline the seats are a little awkward and often required me to get down on all fours and use both hands to adjust them.
Who is the Mothercare Xoob2 Double Stroller best for?
Parents or childminders in need of a good-value, lightweight and practical pushchair for two.
The Mothercare Xoob2 is a stylish and good value twin buggy. The umbrella-fold and light weight make it great for public transport and holidays, but watch out for that misleading width measurement.
