Out 'n' About GT pushchair review

Ticking even more boxes, the GT is both travel system and carrycot compatible. Available in 3 colours – Raven Black, Steel Grey and Purple Punch – it’s suitable for newborns up until 4 years old, ensuring parents get their money’s worth. Winner of our Silver MadeForMums Awards Best Newborn Pram/Pushchair under £650 the Out ’n’ About GT retails at £435.

Tested by

Journalist and first-time mum Nicola Agius is from Essex. She tested the Out ’n’ About GT with her 5-month-old son Louis, on shorter walks to playgroups and long strolls in country parks, as well as trips to shopping centres and the seaside.

First impressions?

Upon taking the GT out of its box, I was surprised at how light it was. In fact, I could lift the whole frame up with just one hand! Intrigued, I checked the buggy’s specifications and found that it only weighs 8.8kg. All I could think was how much easier it would be to get the GT in and out of my car in comparison to my other, more expensive pram – what a relief for my poor back!

However, this did make me wonder that it might be flimsy and not particularly durable. However, I’m pleased to report that it’s actually very solid and sturdy.

How easy is the Out ’n’ About GT pushchair to build and set up?

The Out ’n’ About GT is incredibly simple to build, and I managed to put it together in well under 10 minutes. I’m someone that panics at the sight of lengthy instruction manuals, but this was only one-page long, complete with clear pictures for every stage of the set-up.

How do you assemble the Out ’n’ About GT pushchair?

To build this buggy, you simply unfold the frame, which takes about 30 seconds, and then fit the 3 wheels. You then have the option to lock the front wheel, however, I opted not to do this as I liked how easy it is to steer the GT using the 360 degree swivel function.

Is it easy to fold the Out ’n’ About GT pushchair?

I can safely say that this is one of the easiest buggies to fold that I’ve ever come across. You simply unlock the latches on either side of the seat, before pulling the handle at the back – and the buggy automatically collapses.

Did you find any issues when folding the buggy at all?

To secure the folded position of the Out ’n’ About GT, a catch should automatically engage – however, this didn’t always work for me. When the buggy folded down, I sometimes had to gently nudge the handlebar with my foot to force the catch to properly engage. As it was a little stiff, it took me a couple of practices to get the hang of folding it.

How compact is the Out ’n’ About GT pushchair once folded?

When the wheels are kept on, the buggy, once folded, measures H36cmxW56.5cmxL95cm. Without the wheels, it measures H28cmxW43cmxL84cm. This means the GT is very compact, and is a great shout for anyone with a small car boot. What’s more, I like the fact that its safety catch locks the frame in a fixed position, making it easy to pick up. As it’s so lightweight, you can easily carry the folded pushchair with one hand, using the handle you pull to collapse the frame.

Did the Out ’n’ About GT pushchair fit easily in your car?

Yes. With my other pram, I have to remove my boot’s parcel shelf anytime I go out in the car, which I find inconvenient. However, the folded GT nestled into the back of my Mercedes A Class not only with the parcel shelf back in place, but with ample room for shopping bags.

Can the Out ’n’ About GT pushchair be used with a car seat to create a travel system?

Yes – and it’s incredibly easy to set up. You simply slot the travel system adaptors, which you have to buy separately, into sockets either side of the buggy, then attach it to your car seat. Our Maxi-Cosi Pebble felt very secure when I attached it to the GT, and it was also really easy to remove, whereas it can be a little stiff when I try to take it off our other pram.

What car seats are compatible with the Out ’n’ About GT?

• Maxi Cosi: Cabrio Fix, Pebble, Pebble +, Pebble 360, Tinca, Marble, Coral
• BeSafe izi Go Modular
• Cybex Cloud Z i-size

How easy is it to store the Out ’n’ About GT pushchair at home?

Very. As the pushchair is so compact once folded, it meant I was easily able to keep it in the cupboard underneath our stairs. The GT has the option to self-stand once folded, but it does so at an angle, so I found it took up more space doing this than when it was simply just collapsed.

Can you remove any elements of the buggy to make it even more compact?

You cannot fold the Out ’n’ About GT pushchair without the seat as it is attached to the frame. However, should you wish, you can collapse it without the wheels as they are easy to remove, with others who’ve tested the same model preferring to do so to make it even more compact.

How did you find pushing and steering the Out ’n’ About GT pushchair?

It’s got to be the easiest and smoothest pram I’ve ever pushed and steered! It glides seamlessly across every surface, from cobbled streets and uneven pavements to bumpy grass. I was also able to easily manoeuvre it with one hand, which is ideal as we usually take our dog, Charlie, with us on walks. Steering a buggy while trying to control an excitable dog on their lead is not easy, however, as this pushchair is so lightweight, I was able to push it safely without sacrificing control. I cannot do that with my other buggy without it steering off course.

What other advantages does the Out ’n’ About GT have when on walks?

When I’ve taken Louis to our local park, the drop kerbs along certain roads can be deceivingly high, meaning I’ve struggled to push my other buggy up them. With the GT it seems that no drop kerb is too challenging, as it travels across uneven terrains flawlessly.

How do you rate the Out ’n’ About GT pushchair’s suspension?

This is another huge positive to the GT. The suspension is fantastic – with my other buggy, when I’m pushing it across grassy fields, it can be a little bumpy, which can wake my son if he’s napping. This isn’t a problem with the GT – pushing this buggy on grass is just as smooth as when you’re pushing it along indoor flooring.

How would you describe the buggy’s chassis?

Despite it being so lightweight, the chassis of the Out ’n’ About GT is sturdy, strong and durable, making it very practical for parents-on-the go. Having said that, with any buggy, scratches are inevitable – and unfortunately, we managed to pick up a mark on the chassis pretty quickly. However, thanks to its black matte finish, the scratch is hardly noticeable at all.

What are the wheels like on the Out ’n’ About GT pushchair?

The GT comes with 3 lightweight, quick release, 10in EVA pneumatic tyres, which is why it is so unbelievably smooth to manoeuvre. Whether we were walking through grassy fields, cobbled streets or uneven pavements, the buggy was effortless to push.

However, there is a teeny downside to the pneumatic tyres. Punctures are a possibility and so a degree of maintenance is required. In order to prevent punctures, Out ’n’ About recommends carrying a pump with you at all times as well as making sure that the tyres are never inflated above 25 PSI. A pump can be bought from the brand’s website for £11, so that is an additional expense.

How good are the brakes on the Out ’n’ About GT?

The brakes on this buggy appear very strong and sturdy. They are in a good position, too, as I didn’t find my feet knocking into them while pushing the pram. If I had to be fussy, my only issue would be that the brake could be a little stiff when applying, which is fine if you’re wearing trainers, but may be tricky if it’s summer and you’re in flip flops.

How do you rate the Out ’n’ About GT pushchair’s handle?

The handle can be easily adjusted to a variety of heights (from 79cm to 106cm), simply by holding a button on either side of the bar. The handle can also be fixed so that it is completely horizontal or vertical, along with every position in between, making it comfortable for parents of all different sizes.

I particularly liked the textured foam finish on the handle, because I found it easy to grip, which made me feel like I had better control. This material is also very soft on your hands, and is never particularly cold to touch on a freezing day – or too hot when the weather is warm.

What is the hood like on the Out ’n’ About GT pushchair?

I found the hood of the GT to be very large, which provided fantastic coverage. When out in the sun, I always ensure Louis has a hat on, but the rays can still irritate his eyes. Fortunately, the GT sun canopy was able to give him an extra layer of protection, as it came down far enough to ensure his entire face was always kept in the shade, making it an ideal choice for the summer. I also like how the buggy comes with a ‘peekaboo’ window, meaning I could keep an eye on Louis during our walks.

The only niggle I had with the hood is that it can be noisy when pulling down, which would almost certainly wake or startle a sleeping little one.

How do you rate the Out ’n’ About GT pushchair’s shopping basket?

The basket is one of the buggy’s negative points, as it is fairly small. There’s enough room to store one small shopping bag, but it would still be a squeeze. It’s also worth pointing out that the basket is on a slight angle, and the netting to keep items secure is quite low at the back. While we were out and about I put a cardigan on top of a shopping bag in the basket, which fell out. However, on a plus point, the basket is easily accessible, regardless of whether the chair is upright or completely flat.

What do you think of the seat unit on Out ’n’ About GT?

The Out ’n’ About GT seat is padded, fairly soft, spacious and reclines in multiple positions, from completely flat to upright, using a drawstring strap. It was very easy to change the recline position when the pushchair was empty, however, if Louis was in the buggy, it was trickier – especially if I was changing from a lie-flat to upright position, as I was pushing against his weight.

Did your son appear happy in the buggy?

At 5 months, Louis loved being in a front-facing seat, as he’s becoming increasingly more curious about his surroundings. It was a little nerve-wracking at first to put him in a front-facing seat, however, the 5-point safety harness reassured me that he was very secure.

How comfortable is the Out ’n’ About GT pushchair?

When the seat was upright, I noticed Louis would slide down slightly into a slouched position, so I kept having to adjust how he was sitting. Saying that, he didn’t have any difficulty dozing off during our walks.

Would you have used this pushchair for your son when he was a newborn?

According to Out ’n’ About, this buggy can be used for newborns in the lie-flat position. I personally wouldn’t have put Louis in this pushchair at that age, as the seat unit is front-facing and I would prefer to have my baby in full view when they are just a few weeks old. Also, during the winter months, there’s no protection from that angle, so I feel he would have felt the cold.

What’s in the box?

• Frame with seat, canopy, footplate and wrist strap
• 1 x front wheel with Q/R axle
• 2 x rear wheels
• Bumper bar
• Seat liner
• Shopping basket
• Raincover

Are there any additional accessories you can buy for the Out ’n’ About GT?

• Foot muff
• UV cover
• Carrycot
• Newborn support
• Changing bag
• Universal travel system adaptor
• Tyre pump
• Hand muffs
• Bottle holder

Are there any other benefits to the Out ’n’ About GT pushchair?

I love that the pushchair comes with a large and sturdy footplate. Although Louis is too small to make use of it now, the GT lasts until children are approximately 4 years old, which definitely seems realistic to me. When Louis is bigger, I think the footplate will make this pushchair more comfortable for him.

Now that you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the Out ’n’ About GT?

That the travel system adaptors have to be purchased separately. They can be bought from the Out ’n’ About website for £29.95. However, in the grand scheme of things – and considering its affordability – this isn’t really an issue.

Who would the Out ’n’ About GT pushchair be most useful for?

This is a great purchase for any parent who may struggle with a heavier pram; who has a small car boot – or who simply wants a pushchair that’s suitable for different terrains.

Is the Out ’n’ About GT worth the money?

Most definitely! Parents will love how seamlessly it glides across all terrains, along with the fact it’s extremely lightweight and easy to steer. As far as baby is concerned, their journeys are less bumpy, thanks to the pushchair’s fantastic suspension. The seat is also front-facing – which makes walks more interesting – and the generous hood offers great protection from the sun.

How does it compare to similar pushchairs?

Where can I buy the Out ’n’ About GT pushchair?

Available from Out’n’About, Samuel Johnston and Amazon.

MadeForMums verdict:

I love this pram and have already been recommending it to friends and family. I’m so impressed with how lightweight it is, which is great for anyone like myself who suffers from back pain. I also love how easily it folds and can be stored away easily. As far as Louis is concerned, we’ve been for long days out at the seaside, and he has seemed perfectly content in the GT – even falling asleep at times. With all this in mind, I think that the Out ’n’ About GT is going to become my main go-to pushchair, because the convenience is unbeatable.