Omnio Backpack Stroller review

Have you ever wanted an easy-to-carry buggy that you can wear on your back when it’s folded?

If the answer is yes, then you need to have a look at the Omnio stroller. The pushchair was invented by parentpreneurs Samantha and Markus Warwick, who felt there wasn’t a stroller on the market that fitted their needs.

The idea was born when they decided not to take their stroller on a walk, and ended up having to carry their sleeping son across town back to their car.

They decided to design a buggy so light it could be taken with them “everywhere, every time”. So far, the Omnio stroller is their only product, and it has won several innovation awards.

Backpack strollers, or buggies you can fold up really compactly and carry around like luggage, are relatively new to the market, but they are becoming increasingly popular. There’s the Mountain Buggy Nano, £279, Babyzen Yoyo, £375, and even the well-reviewed, Quicksmart Backpack Stroller, £80. Price-wise the Omnio is at the upper end of the scale, costing £389

The Omnio is also known for its innovative ‘omni-wheels’. Omnio describes the stroller’s wheels as ‘wheels of wheels’. Unlike other wheels that are one continuous tyre, the wheels on the Omnio are made up of a series of small, curved rollers.

This means they can roll in any direction, sideways (i.e. like a crab) as well as backwards and forwards. It makes the pushchair extra agile. Omnio also claims the wheels are also puncture proof, which is handy.

You can buy the Omnio stroller at Hippy Chick or Toys R Us.

How does the Omnio feel when pushing it?

This buggy is the nicest buggy I’ve ever pushed (and it does well to beat a Bugaboo Bee). It’s incredibly smooth, light and satisfying to manoeuvre.

Overall, the wheels are one of the big selling points of this buggy. It rides very well on pavements, kerbs, roads and parks. It does well all these surfaces because of the high quality of its wheels. However, it’s not aiming to be an off-road buggy.

Compared to a Phil and Ted’s for example, the wheels are small and low to the ground, which means it’s more suited to city and park living. The suspension is extremely good, and this adds to the feeling of it being a high-quality stroller.

The biggest selling point is that unlike some foldable buggies, it is very easy to push one-handed without going off on a tangent – invaluable for me when I need a spare hand.

The Omnio is also fantastic on buses, trains, cramped shops and shopping aisles. If you needed to fold it up on a bus and train you easily could.

How compact is the Omnio buggy?

It’s the most compact stroller I’ve seen. It may not be quite as easy to fold as a Maclaren, but it folds to half the size. This could be useful if you were in a very cramped situation and needed to make room for a buggy. (It could also get you out of those angsty rush-hour bus situations!)

How does the Omnio fold?

To someone used to the very simple folding mechanism of a Maclaren, it initially seems rather elaborate as there are several stages to the fold.

However, once you’ve done it a few times it becomes very easy and quick, and goes down extremely smoothly with no bugs / hitches.

Is it a one-hand fold?

No. It definitely takes two hands to fold as it requires turning two levers simultaneously.

How easy is it to store?

Very easy indeed. Because it folds to a small, square shape, it’s quite easy to stash in a cupboard, under the stairs or in the hallway. I find it far easier to store than a folded Maclaren.

Is the Omnio buggy suitable from birth?

No. Omnio say it is suitable from 6 months up until the child weighs 22kg, around 4 years. It wouldn’t allow a newborn to lie flat enough to be suitable.

Is the Omnio travel system compatible?

No, it is not travel system compatible and can not be used with an infant car seat.

How much does the Omnio weigh?

It weighs a slender 7.5kg, making it light and easy to push. However, it still manages to feel extremely sturdy - an impressive feat given how small it is.

What do you think of the seat size?

The seat size is slim. Most buggies have a width of between 57cm and 63cm, but the Omnio is 42cm wide, making the seat smaller. Saying that, it is a tall seat and my small three-year-old fits very well into it.

The seat itself is quite low to the ground, meaning a child with long legs could appear slightly hunched. It’s unlikely this would affect their comfort, but it might give a slight ‘knees up to the chin’ sort of look.

What do you think of the height of the buggy?

It’s fine for me (a 5 foot 6 inch woman) to push. However, it is quite low to the ground so a tall parent might find it on the low side. The handle is extendable, and at its highest extension (103 cm), it’s perfect for an average-height parent.

For someone taller it might be slightly on the low side, but not especially problematic. It extends well and locks effectively. The foam handle is of a high quality, which makes it comfortable to push.

That said, my six-foot husband doesn’t seem to have a problem with it.

Is the frame strong?

Yes. As with all other parts of the stroller, it seems extremely good quality, and very strong and robust. It manages to be lightweight without seeming flimsy. It has been safety tested to mange 27kg in weight in total 22kg for the seat plus 3kg for the shopping basket and an 2kg in the rear pockets. This means it should last longer than most pushchairs on the market.

How comfortable does it feel for your little ones?

It looks pretty comfortable. The seat is nice and deep, and reclines well.

How is interacting with your little ones when in the buggy?

It’s as good as any buggy for interacting with my children. However, I would say the hood doesn’t fold back particularly smoothly, so it’s not the easiest to keep changing with the weather/situation. It has a little clear PVC hole in the middle which is useful for checking your child is asleep without stopping and walking right round.

What do you think of the hood?

The hood is probably the least successful part of the buggy, for three reasons.

Firstly, when you’re folding it, it needs to be detached and placed in the back pocket. For me this is an unnecessary and frustrating additional step, especially when used to other foldable buggies where the hood stays attached. It also means the hood is more likely to get lost.

Secondly, folding the hood forward and back is not particularly smooth, and nor is attaching it. It feels a bit flimsy compared to the rest of the buggy.

Thirdly, because the hood attaches quite high, and is relatively small, it doesn’t do much to cover a child from the rain or sun. When compared to a Bugaboo where the cover is almost able to cover the child, this seems rather ineffectual. All-in-all it does let down the buggy.

What are the basket and storage pockets like?

They’re not great. The undercarriage basket in particular is pretty small and hard to get to, because the buggy seat is so low to the ground. The storage pocket is better because the mesh is so stretchy, but it’s still not enormous. However, given the compact nature of the buggy, this isn’t really surprising.

Tell us about the brakes on the Omnio stroller.

The brakes are good, if slightly stiff. The instruction video on the Omnio website spends a bit of time showing you how to put the brakes on properly, so as not to damage them, which is useful.

Does it fit in the boot of your car?

Very easily. It’s extremely compact and would fit in any car.

What age child is it best for?

Given the compact nature of the buggy, it claims to be suitable for children from 6 months to 4 years – a far wider age range than some other buggies.

Is it easy to build the Omnio stroller?

The buggy comes ready-made – always appreciated! The instruction manual is helpful. There is also an exceptionally helpful how-to video on their website.

This saves so much time as it shows you how to do each thing, which is far easier than going through the manual step by step. I think every brand of buggy should have a similar video!

What’s in the box?

• The buggy
• Rain cover
• Hood
• Storage bag
• Instruction manual

Who would the Omnio stroller be most useful for?

People who travel a lot and need a buggy that can be put on their back, in their car, under a restaurant table or in an overhead locker on a plane/train. It would also suit families who like hiking/walking, and want to take the buggy but not use it for the whole day.

It could be useful for parents who need to travel by tube, whose journeys are not all step-free. It can be put onto your back so you can carry your child – still quite a palaver but better than being at the mercy of kind passers-by to help you get down the stairs.

It’s also good for parents in the ‘should we take the buggy’ dilemma – it’s compact enough to bring, just in case. In a nutshell, it could prove invaluable for parents who want to bring a buggy but also want to be able to be ‘hands-free’.

Is the Omnio stroller value for money?

Yes, in that it is extremely high quality and looks like it has been built to last. However, there are certainly cheaper options for those on a budget.

What footmuffs can you use with the Omnio?

There is no footmuff included, but a separate company (Buddy Jet) seems to have designed one specifically for the Omnio Stroller (£11.95).

MadeForMums verdict:

The Omnio is a versatile, high-quality stroller. It really does do what is says on the tin, and the folding mechanism is smooth and satisfying to use.

The freedom it gives a parent is invaluable. If you’re happy to look like someone with a buggy on your back (perhaps not for the fashion-conscious?) then you’ll be amazed by the versatility it gives you. It’s a nice bonus being able to let your child explore their surroundings, safe in the knowledge you have a buggy in hand for when they get tired.

The harness and hood are slightly fiddly which can be frustrating, but every other function works very smoothly. For me the only real drawback is the price. You’d really need to know you were going to use the rucksack capability to make it worth the money. But for those happy to pay, it won’t disappoint. It’s a joy to use.

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