With half a nod to the Bugaboo Cameleon and a bigger nod to the Quinny Buzz - with its forward and rear-facing travel, easy fold and adjustable handle length - the Nurse Run4 is a good-looking stroller. Sold on its own it retails for £219.99. Add the Piccola car seat and the price is £274.99, which includes rain cover, seat apron and rucksack-style changing bag.
The ergonomically designed Piccola car seat shouts safety first. Side impact protection, a polypropylene shell and expanded polystyrene headrests absorb energy in the event of an accident. In fact, Nurse’s Spanish manufacturer, Jané, takes safety so seriously that it has own crash-test research facility.
What we love
When I bought a travel system for my daughter Minnie, now 6 months, I was determined to buy a 3-wheeler; I wanted something that would turn on a six pence and would handle the off-road paths of my local park. The Run4 is a 4-wheeler but handles more like a 3-wheeler buggy.
When you have the knack, the Run4 folds easily (via central sliding axis mechanism) and takes up very little space in the back of the car. With rear or forward facing seat position, height adjustable handle, shopping basket and adjustable footrest it gives you all the basics that you need.
As a result of the ergonomic design, when strapped in to the Piccola car seat Minnie, who is petite, was really snug and secure. As a result she fell promptly to sleep. The removable hood really does keep out the sun both in and out of the car. And, it really is incredibly light to carry, even with baby on board (albeit a small one). The Piccola attaches easily to the chassis and because it is so light it’s a doddle lift off the chassis into the car.
What to watch out for
Overall, this travel system tries hard but doesn’t make the grade. On its own, the Run4 pushchair is suitable for babies over 6 months. With the Piccola car seat it can be used from birth. There is no pram option making it a poor choice for newborns, however Nurse does make other car seats that fold flat into a cot.
The Run4 does not handle well unless you’re going in a straight line, over newly laid tarmac. The swivel wheels frequently lock out particularly when pulling the pushchair backwards. At one point they jammed nearly tipping the pushchair over. If you hit an adverse camber on the pavement the pushchair veers off to one side; it felt so unsecure that I found myself gripping the handle with white knuckles.
Nurse claims that this pushchair suitable for babies 6 months and over. Minnie, being the smaller model of baby, was snug in the chair. Her mate Jack, 14 months, looked squashed. And it certainly wasn’t a comfortable ride - the solid wheels make for a bumpy ride, despite the front and rear suspension. The height adjustable handle actually has little adjustment and at a very-semi-petite 5ft 6in even my feet kept hitting the brake.
The Run4 comes in two colours: Capuccino (sic) and Can Can, which both feature a London Underground inspired design. This headache-inducing pattern adorns the hood and the inside of the car seat and foot muff (mercifully it is reversible).
Fitting the Piccola car seat into the car took the level of stress to a crescendo that made my boyfriend scarper and made me pang for my easy-to-fit Maxi-Cosi. In fact after three attempts at trying to shove seat belts into small gaps, I gave up and put Minnie in the old faithful. Carrying her back into the house was also a bit hairy as the car seat tipped up and I had to hold it with two hands.
Who is the Nurse Run4 Piccola travel system best for?
Parents who want a basic travel system at a reduced price tag.
With a super lightweight, slim-line chassis the Run4 Piccola travel system looks great and makes your money go further but unfortunately doesn’t deliver. The ergonomically designed car seat gives a snug fit but the pushchair doesn’t handle well at all.
