Mountain Buggy MB Mini Travel System review

The comparisons aren't surprising considering they are all 3-wheeled, compact buggies and are roughly around the same price. But where this new version MB Mini differs is that it is a complete travel system - meaning you get the Mountain Buggy Protect infant car seat as standard with the pushchair.

You can buy the MB Mini on the Mountain Buggy website or on Amazon.

So what’s different on the new MB Mini pushchair?

Renovation-wise Mountain Buggy has really taken the ‘Mini’ literally. It’s given the MB Mini a smaller footprint, smaller fold, new harness, bigger seat unit, adjustable handlebar and included the car seat in the bundle.

In this snap you can see the difference in size of the new Mountain Buggy MB Mini (left) and the older version (right) when folded

Is smaller better when it comes to the MB Mini?

Yes, it is. Though it's supposed to be designed only for urban parents, the MB Mini is honestly so great it makes you wonder why anyone would need something heftier. This ultra light model feels like the future for buggies.

This is the ideal product for a family living in the city, as it's really compact and light. Despite our flat being typically tiny for central London, we can store the pram in our living room without even having to collapse it.

It's light enough to carry up the stairs at the Tube stations without lifts and is so small that it even fits into the tiny lift in our block of flats with room for another adult to squeeze in too - something none of my friends' prams can do.

Its petite size and great maneuverability make it perfect for dodging people on the crowded streets: we live just off Parliament Square, which can be a nightmare to get across during tourist season.

It's also ideal for city dwellers who like to go off road sometimes - the wheels are suited to rougher terrains so traversing Hampstead Heath on a muddy day is no problem at all.

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How does it steer?

The 3-wheel model means that the MB mini's manoeuvrability is second to none - it could turn on a dime.

This makes it ideal for steering around the narrow aisles of the central city branches of supermarkets, or for fitting in the queue at Starbucks when other buggies need to be left by the door.

The one drawback to having such a compact buggy is that it's not great for taller people. Although the handlebar adjusts, it can't be extended, and if you're really tall, like my partner, it can mean you lean in a bit when pushing.

The smaller size of the new MB Mini (left) means it's ideal for steering around narrow aisles of supermarkets and can easily fit on all forms of London public transport

What about pushing on different terrain?

It's very easy to push - if you're still suffering from any pelvic girdle pain after birth you'll know that pushing anything heavy is pretty painful, so the lightweight nature of this model is perfect for the first tentative walks. The breaks can easily be flicked on with your foot and are just as easy to release.

It really comes into its own when you take it off road too, which is perfect in a city like London where there are so many great, green spaces to explore.

Any other pram this light might struggle in Richmond Park or on the sandy banks of the Thames, but the MB mini is in its element. In fact, we are actually moving to California later this year and I'm sure this pram will do just as well in the national parks and on the beaches as it does on the streets of San Francisco.

The basic Carrycot Plus hood and cot cover work perfectly well in light rain. The only part of the pram I wouldn't recommend is the storm cover which you can buy separately - we took it out in very heavy rain and Amina got quite wet - it seemed that the water was coming in through one of the zips.

I really like the canopy hood feature on the carseat - perfect for both when you're using it on the stroller frame, and to keep the sun out of baby's eyes when you're in the car.

Is it durable?

Yes, the pram is surprisingly sturdy for something so light. There was only one area I thought felt a little unfinished; the holes you thread the straps through in the third, forward-facing option for the Carrycot Plus don't seem to be stitched very securely - there's some minor fraying of the material.

This is only an aesthetic issue though; it's not serious enough to effect the safety or efficiency.

Would you recommend the Mountain Buggy MB Mini for use from birth?

Yes, particularly as it can be used with the Carrycot Plus. The car seat is also great for newborns and the forward-facing seat unit is actually fine for little ones when used in the lie-flat mode.

The only part of the pram I wouldn't recommend is the storm cover, as it lets water in

Tell us more about the MB Mini Carrycot Plus

A great addition to the MB Mini travel system, and one that's pretty unique, is the Carrycot Plus. It comprises a lie-flat mode, which can be adapted to an incline mode, offering a perfect angle for babies who suffer from reflux.

It also changes into a third, parent-facing unit for slightly older babies. I found this the perfect stop-gap for babies as they're growing out of the first two carrycot options but are still too small for the forward-facing seat.

How comfortable does it feel?

My newborn seemed very comfortable in both the car seat and the Carrycot Plus. They're nicely padded and small enough to be snug. When she was very little I think she appreciated feeling so secure in the carrycot without having to be strapped into anything.

Tell us about the folding system

The fact that you can fold the base of the pram with one hand makes it perfect for using on public transport.However, that’s only when using the buggy with the seat unit: the one-hand fold doesn’t apply when using one of the first two Carrycot Plus options, and you’ll have to take the carrycot off first before collapsing.

Thankfully, I've taken the pram on both buses and the Tube with the carrycot attachments and I've not needed to collapse it at all. It's so compact you don't take up too much space; I didn't get any glares from other buggy owners or fellow passengers.

And when in travel system mode the car seat was really easy to install in an Uber, and the buggy fitted perfectly when we needed to drive anywhere.

What are the basket and storage pockets like?

The storage under the pram is pretty limited, but I think that's a reasonable sacrifice given how convenient the size of the MB mini is.

Is the product good value for money?

Yes, the whole system feels very high end: everything is really well made. I'd definitely recommend double-checking the size specifications against the size of your child as the Carrycot Plus feature is quite snug.

It's probably not worth investing in if you have a big baby as they'll grow out of it quite soon.

It is, however, perfect for small babies and newborns. So if you're planning on using it lots in the early months then go for it. The infant insert in the car seat also means newborns don't get lost in it; perfect for that all-important ride home from the hospital!

Is it easy to put together?

It's incredibly quick and easy to put the pram together. You barely need to look at the instructions as it's all so self-explanatory.

But if you do refer to them you'll find they are compiled from images rather than words; they're that simple, and particularly helpful if English isn't your first language.

The MB Mini is small that it even fits in the tiny lift in our block of flats with room for another adult to squeeze in too

What’s in the box?

• New Mountain Buggy Mini chassis
• Three wheels
• Hood/canopy
• Protect infant car seat
• Car seat adaptor clip 25 (v2)
• Instruction manuals

Optional extras?

• Carrycot plus £139
• MB mini storm cover £29.00
• carrycot plus storm cover £20.00
• Baby car seat covers set £25
• Carrycot plus sun cover £25
• Carrycot plus storm cover £25
• MB mini storm cover £29
• MB mini sun cover £29
• Freerider stroller board £79
• Mountain buggy food tray £10
• Universal travel bag £79

MadeForMums verdict:

The new MB mini travel system is a great update on the old model - smaller and lighter than before, it's maneuverability and lightweight build make it the perfect buggy for city dwellers. It's great value for money, especially if you invest in the Carrycot Plus feature while your baby is still very small. The prices are mid-range while the product itself actually feels high-end; well made and cleverly thought out.

Read more...

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• Mountain Buggy Protect infant care seat review
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