Obaby prides itself on the quality and durability of its fabrics, although the colour options are rather limited. The Apex Tandem is currently available in black or brown, but the latter will be discontinued in 2010 – leaving a choice of black, black or black.
The rear seat is described as ‘multi position’ and is altered by tightening or slackening a strap held by a sliding toggle-style device. It is suitable from birth, while the front seat is fixed and will accommodate a child from 6 months of age.
What we love
Deluxe models with all the bells and whistles are great, but sometimes you just want a simple pushchair that can be slung into the car boot for a trip to the shops. The Obaby Apex Tandem ticks two of the more important boxes for a ‘simple pushchair’: compact and (relatively) lightweight. Don’t expect to be able to lift it effortlessly, but given that it can tote two children, the Obaby Apex Tandem is certainly manageable. The addition of a carry handle is a smart idea too.
The tiered seating arrangement allows Harry, 8 months, riding in the rear, to see something other than the back of his brother’s head. Fynn, 3, can climb easily in and out of the front seat himself, so the 5-point harness is a good safety aspect.
The Obaby Apex Tandem is easy to push and is narrow enough to cope with shop doorways.
It comes with two detachable hoods and Fynn can peer at Harry through the plastic window of the front-seat one. The back hood is long enough to enclose the rear seat in the fully reclined position and it has a handy pocket for tissues or other odds and ends.
The shopping basket is a decent size and has a zip to allow easy access, although the X stretcher that supports the frame runs across the top. At the supermarket, I couldn’t squeeze a pack of nappies below the two crossed bars.
What to watch out for
The Obaby Apex Tandem is more like a two-person stroller than a heavy-duty pushchair, which is not necessarily a bad thing. For this reason, it feels less sturdy than other tandems I’ve used. I have been unable to find any other mums who have used this model over a long period so I’m unsure how successfully it will wear.
The main issue I have with the Obaby Apex Tandem is its manoeuvrability. It’s easy to push, but difficult to control on sloping pavements and can feel heavy on uneven ground. It’s also hard to bump up steps with two children on board.
Fynn said that the front seat is small. Both seats are wide enough but a little short in depth, though this helps to keep the pushchair compact. Harry is happy enough in his rear seat – until the hood is attached. It blocks his view and he cries, so it’s easier to take it off unless it rains. And while the raincover does its job, it lacks peep-holes.
Who is the Obaby Apex Tandem best for?
Mums-of-two after a lightweight tandem pushchair that won’t rule you out of using public transport.
This lightweight, compact pushchair serves as a simple stroller for two. Though it can be hard to manoeuvre on rougher ground, it copes well with city pavements, won’t break the bank, and leaves space in the car boot for the shopping. If you use public transport, it’s worth a look in because it is compact when folded.
