Out 'n' About Nipper Sport double buggy review

With the increasing popularity of exercising with little ones, the UK running buggy market has really taken off, with plenty of choices for both new and second-hand single-seat models including the award-winning Out ‘n’ About Nipper Sport.

However, there aren’t many double versions in the UK. From the parents of twins to those with a baby-and-toddler combination, the arrival of the Nipper Sport Double has been long awaited, be it by sporty types keen to continue an exercise programme to new runners seeking an endorphin-boosting break in the fresh air.

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• 10 best walks and bikes rides with children

It has all the unique features you’d want for an off-road adventure, including a handbrake, 16” tyres, and a large fixed front wheel – all important safety features for bumpier journeys.

However, an adjustable front wheel that can both be fixed or swivel freely for everyday use - such as the single Thule Urban Glide (£385) and the Mountain Buggy Terrain (£499) models - would have improved its appeal as a multi-tasking pushchair.

It’s not infant car seat compatible, unlike the Bob Ironman Duallie (approx. £410), which can be used to create a complete travel system. However, if you plan to only use the pushchair for exercise, this shouldn’t be much of a deterrent.

Looks-wise, you’re most likely to get a comment on the size of its wheels before anything else. It’s currently only available in steel grey, which looks smart enough and is fairly inoffensive.

But, if you prefer a more cheerful pop of colour, it would be nice to see the range of more high-vis hues such as red and purple carried across from the Nipper Double model.

The Out ‘n’ About Nipper Sport Double is available from Out ‘n’ About, Uber Kids, and Amazon.

How light is the Out ‘n’ About Nipper Sport Double?

It weighs approximately 11.5kg, comparing favourably to the Bob Ironman Duallie’s 15.3kg whether you’re pushing it, or lifting it. Being a double pushchair, it is unavoidably bulky, but I found I could carry easily from the house to the car without help. You can also remove the wheels if you wanted to carry it in sections.

How does it feel to push when loaded with two children on off-road surfaces, or when jogging?

Challenging but rewarding! I wouldn't say it was easy, but even running on grass and leaves is possible, and the pushchair provides a relatively smooth ride for the kids. With the extra weight and wider wheel base, it does take more effort to manoeuvre, yet even when rounding the corner at speed, it is not significantly harder to run with than a single sport model.

Of course, any extra efforts will be buoyed up by the fact you’re pretty much feeling like a superhero – running, while pushing two children along!

On a fussy excursion that included several stops to field toddler queries, administer snacks and fiddle with the rain cover, using the buggy added a minute or two per kilometre to my average pace – quite acceptable considering the alternative would probably have been sitting on the sofa at home.

The Out ‘n’ About Nipper Sport Double is sold as a dedicated all-terrain and jogging buggy, so just how does it ride on different surfaces?

For country walks, or running in the park, the pushchair’s large fixed wheels and rear suspension really comes into their own, taking on terrain that other pushchairs simply couldn’t handle. On a woodland walk, I traversed boggy paths with ease, manoeuvring across thick carpets of wet leaves and muddy ditches without breaking my stride.

Where smaller-wheeled pushchairs would have admitted defeat and trundled home, the Sport’s 16” tyres embraced each challenge like a trouper, happily crossing the lumpy landscape and even taking on a 6" concrete barrier.

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Even jogging was fine, and while I met a little resistance on the boggier patches of mud, I found I could push forth with no problems.

I was really impressed. If you make regular trips in the woods with babies (or toddlers who like to catch a ride halfway through the walk) this is perfect.

Admittedly, walking uphill on the smooth pavements to preschool took more effort than my usual swivel-wheeled Nipper Double.

The Sport’s fixed front wheel takes some getting used to, especially with a heavy load, as you have to raise the front wheel (by dipping the handlebar) in order to steer. If you are moving at walking pace, with several turns, it’s noticeable. However, when running, the effort to steer is not really noticeable.

What do you think of the tyres – do the 16 inch pneumatic tyres make a difference when jogging?

Absolutely. The type and number of tyres are crucial to a running buggy. The Nipper has three large pneumatic tyres, offering a streamlined design that absorbs impact from rougher terrain, and takes small jolts and shudders in its stride.

You’re not the only one who’ll feel the benefits – it makes for a much smoother ride for your little passengers, protecting them from the impact. Small obstacles, from kerbs to tree roots, melt away under the 16 inch tyres.

Does the fixed front wheel make a difference when jogging with this buggy?

Yes. It basically helps the pushchair continue in a straight line when confronted with bumpy terrain, making it a more stable ride for your little passengers.

This is essential when you’re moving at a faster speed than usual as it helps keep them comfortable and safe from bumps and vibrations. It also helps if you hit an obstacle, such as a tree root, as it reduces the risk of the buggy juddering and overturning.

Tell us about the brakes.

The brake pedal is in the centre of the lowest bar behind the seats, making it easy to press with either foot. In addition, an extra brake has been applied to the front wheel, activated by a lever on the handlebar that you can squeeze to slow down (for example, when jogging downhill) or abruptly stop altogether. This is a useful added safety feature for joggers, and also helpful even if you’re walking and want to slow down on a downhill surface.

What do you think of the handlebar-mounted brake lever? How does it govern speed?

It’s really useful, particularly when running, as sometimes the pushchair could move faster than I could! To control speed, you simply squeeze the lever gently to slow down a little, and it’s reassuring to know that a hard squeeze would help you to stop abruptly if you needed to.

The lever is in the centre of the pushbar, but you can reposition it to the left or right if you want to by loosening and retightening the clamp screw.

Personally I prefer it in the middle so I can easily grab it with either hand if needed, especially if I am running, and holding the buggy with alternate hands so I can swing the other arm.

How compact is it when unfolded and when folded?

The Nipper isn’t small, but it’s reasonably narrow as double buggies go, and managed to fit through my narrow front door with a couple of inches to spare – do measure your front door before buying if you want to wheel it inside.

It survived a trip around a crowded shopping mall in mid-December, but I think it’s long chassis and double seated-frame relied on festive goodwill as most people moved out of our way, and I was restricted to the main aisles of major stores rather than narrow sections or smaller shops.

When folded, it is 72cm x 63cm x 98cm with the wheels on, and 70cm x 36cm x 90cm with the wheels removed. In comparison, the Bob Duallie’s folded length and height are about 1cm shorter without wheels. With wheels, it is 7cm longer when folded, but 13cm narrower than the Nipper.

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What do you think of the fold system?

Not bad! It’s definitely a two-handed task. To fold the buggy, you need push the hoods back, make the seats fully upright, pull out a large clip on each side of the frame, unhook a clip on the right-hand side and fold it in half.

Once folded, there’s another hook on the side of the frame to lock it into place so it doesn’t unfold. Unfolding is much simpler – unhook it, then pull the handlebar up and it returns to its upright form.

Once it’s upright, be sure to push in the clips on each side of the frame to lock it in place (it’s easy to forget this last stage – my husband was a repeat offender! – and although it won’t collapse it makes for a pretty unstable ride)

How easy is it to store?

That depends on how much space you have. I kept it unfolded in our porch during the test period, which kept it out of the way and was fine as I used it as our day-to-day pushchair. But when not in use, I would keep it folded in the dining room and it’s a pretty bulky addition to the room.

As running equipment goes, it’s far harder to tuck it out of sight than a GPS watch, but for me the inconvenience of it is massively outweighed by the opportunity to combine exercise and childcare.

How easy is it to clean this buggy and the tyres after an outing?

Although the manual advises light cleaning by hand only, I confess I put the seat liners in the washing machine on a hand-wash setting and they came out good as new. I also sponge-washed the seats and found the fabric dried quite quickly.

You can easily remove the back wheels – just pull back the red catches and slide them out – so if they got really muddy you can take them off for a thorough clean without too much trouble.

We actually encountered dog’s mess during one run in the park, and it was handy to be able to simply remove the offending wheel and clean it under the outside tap before bringing it into the house.

Is it affordable for what it is?

Tricky to judge, really. As the UK market for double versions of running pushchairs is so limited, prices are not as competitive or wide-ranging as single versions, and second-hand models are few and far between.

It’s a large sum of money to pay out for what could be deemed a non-essential item, but the benefits are pretty unique and to some, invaluable.

What do you think of the height of the buggy?

Very good. I’m 5’8” and my husband is over 6’, so a pushchair with an adjustable handlebar is important. This one spans 26cm and adjusting it is very easy – simultaneously press the button on either side of the bar, and lift it up or down to reach the desired height.

I found the handle’s maximum height was impressive, helping me to keep my back upright when running (rather than stooping forward over the handlebar). When walking, I changed it to a lower setting, which was more comfortable for lifting the front wheel when turning corners.

Is the frame strong, durable?

Absolutely. It feels quite solid and sturdy, so I’d expect to get a lot of wear out of it.

Do you think the buggy will last for a full four years if you are using it regularly for off-roading and jogging?

Yes, I do. But based on my experience of both the single version of this buggy, and the Nipper Double Out 'n' About, I’d say you should be prepared to maintain it.

Over the course of four years I’d expect to need to clean the brakes occasionally to prevent them from clogging up with dirt, and to almost certainly replace an inner tube or two due to inevitable punctures. I also found one of the fastenings on the shopping basket I purchased for the Out ‘n’ About Double tore after about 14 months.

But the frame and furnishings of the pushchair seem to be pretty sturdy and I would feel confident that I’d get plenty of use out of them.

What do you think of handle?

Good. It’s really flexible in terms of height (the handlebar height ranges from 83cm-109cm), and can easily be adjusted even as you’re walking along. It’s also really well padded with a slightly springy foam layer, so it’s comfortable to push, which is especially important when you’re gripping it tightly on a run.

What do you think of the size of the seat units?

They are a good compromise, being narrow enough to keep the buggy streamlined for running or nipping around the supermarket, while providing comfortable seats for your child. Both girls seemed very comfortable, although on a hot summer’s day I could see they might get quite warm in such a snug space (although there is an airvent you can open when the seats are reclined).

Does it recline? How many recline positions are there?

Both seats recline individually, which is handy if you have a napping baby and a wide-awake joyriding toddler. They adjust from pretty much upright to almost flat, ideal for a newborn.

You simply squeeze a clip at the back of the seat to release the supporting strap – move the clip up or down to raise or lower the seat.

This means you can control exactly how you want the seat to lie, which is great, but the system had two downfalls for me – while very easy to use when reclining the seat as the child’s weight helps push it down, you have to push against the child’s weight when you want to make it upright.

It can be quite tricky to hold the seat upright while trying to squeeze the clip and pull the straps through.

I tended to use my elbow to push the seat up leaving both hands free to adjust the straps, but if my youngest pushed back against me, it was tricky! I also found the strap became twisted in the clip, which meant I couldn’t adjust the position until it was untangled, which was a pain.

How comfortable does it feel for your little ones?

Very. The five-point harnesses are well padded along the shoulders and behind the release button, so nothing rubs against your little one’s skin.

Although the seats look fairly narrow, and proved to be a snug fit for my tall three-year-old, they are well padded with squishy seat liners and both children appeared to be very comfy.

The forward-facing seats give a great viewpoint for your passengers, and both girls looked delighted when I broke into an impromptu trot when we were late for preschool, with helpful cries of "faster, mummy!"

How does the rear suspension act to cushion any bumps when jogging?

It definitely helps to absorb the extra impact, which is crucial to protect growing bodies especially on bumpy ground. Having the rear suspension right below the seat units provides great peace of mind.

When running across leaves on muddy grass I think both girls felt some impact, as they called out to hear their own voices vibrating with each bump, but they were by no means uncomfortable, rather amused.

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

As both seats are forward-facing, you can’t easily make eye contact. However, with the seats upright and the hood back, the children could look up and make eye contact when they wanted my attention during the ride and I could see them giggling in surprise when I first started to run, which was a nice boost!

There’s also a clear peek-a-boo panel in each hood, so when the hoods are extended and the seats are lying back you can easily look down to check in on your little ones.

What do you think of the hood? Can it be used as a sun protection?

The hoods move back and forward easily, providing some shade on a hot day. However, they don’t provide an enormous amount of coverage compared to something like the Baby Jogger City Mini hoods, for example, so when the sun is low the light did bother my youngest a little.

If you are travelling a short distance and get caught in light rain they provide some overhead protection, but for most journeys it would be worth packing the rain cover (included) in case of a shower. As with the latest Nipper Double, each seat has a separate hood, so you can tailor its position to each child.

What are the basket and storage pockets like?

There is a net drawstring storage pocket behind the back of each seat. Realistically you’re going to fill one of those storing the raincover, but the second is handy to keep spare nappies, snacks, or a few groceries if you pass a shop on the way home from your run. There are also zipped pockets running along each side of the hoods.

Although you won’t want to overfill these (as it would make retracting the hoods difficult) they’re great for stuffing a bottle of water in to grab during a run without breaking your stride, or holding your mobile and keys if you want to travel light. For anything larger, you can purchase a shopping basket for £26.95, which could comfortably hold a couple of bags of shopping.

Does it fit in the boot of your car?

It does, but I had to remove both rear wheels and the boot shelf of our Volkswagen Golf. To be honest, I might have squeezed it in beneath the shelf if I’d removed the front wheel too, but I found leaving the shelf at home easier.

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You could pack in a shopping bag or two around it, but if you plan to take this on holiday then you’re probably going to want a bigger boot or a roofrack.

Also, the downside of those magnificent wheels is there’s a larger surface area of muddy tyres to rub against your upholstery, so you might want to put plastic bags over them, or put a sheet down after a muddy walk.

What age child is it best for?

The pushchair is suitable from newborn to approximately four years (that’s 22kg or 50lb per seat), although it is only suitable for babies aged six months and upwards when you are jogging.

My 3 and a half-year-old found the seat to be a snug fit (I extended the straps to the maximum length to accommodate her bulky winter coat) but she’s been wearing age 4-5 clothing for a few months so I did not expect there to be much extra room.

Although the top of her head was very close to the hood when it was extended, she was very comfortable in the seat and seemed perfectly happy.

Would you recommend it for use from birth?

Yes, I would, as the seat reclines to a comfortable flat position ideal for a sleeping baby. You can buy a newborn support pad (£26.95) to attach to the harness straps to give extra support to babies in the first couple of months.

However, you can’t run with it until your passengers are at least six months old, the seats are forward- rather than parent-facing, and you can’t convert it to a travel system. For these reasons, it wouldn’t be my first choice as a day-to-day pushchair for a newborn.

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What comes in the Out ‘n’ About Nipper Sport Double pushchair box?

• Out ‘n’ About Nipper Sport Double
• Instruction manual
• Raincover
• Bumper bar

Is it easy/hard to build the buggy?

It’s really easy to build! The instruction manual is short and sweet, with step-by-step pictures. Some of the instructions could have been clearer, referring to named parts I was unfamiliar with (looking at you, ‘cone nut’), but it’s pretty intuitive. I simply pushed the rear wheels onto the holes in the chassis until they clicked into place.

The front wheel takes a little more effort, but the whole process took less than 15 minutes. Likewise, the bumper bar also clicked into place very easily, and the raincover is very simple to figure out.

Who would the Nipper Sport Double be most useful for?

As an everyday pushchair, this would work best for parents mainly using the buggy on rough terrain such as for woodland walks and country lanes, who will appreciate the stabilising benefits of the fixed front wheel and the independent rear suspension.

However, if you’re looking for an all-rounder that pushes comfortably on smooth pavements and malls, or whizzes nimbly around narrow store aisles or buses, then you may find it a little too much work as your primary pushchair and prefer something with a swivelling front wheel, or even a narrower tandem model.

For me, it really comes into its own as a second pushchair, used for jogging and the occasional woodland walk.

I use the Nipper Double V4 as my everyday pushchair, but I absolutely love the freedom to exercise offered by the Double Sport. Being able to get out for a run while looking after two children is fantastic.

What is the price? Do you have to buy a lot of additional extras, which all add up or is everything included?

The Nipper Sport Double has an RRP of £494.95, although I found it for sale £449.95 at several online retailers. It’s a lot of money, but it offers the huge benefit of running with your kids, and if you use it regularly I’d say it is good value.

As there aren’t many alternatives on the market, you can probably hope to fetch a decent price if you later choose to sell it on, as well.

By comparison, the Britax Bob Revolution Sport Duallie has an RRP of £785.95, but was on sale for £189.95 at www.online4baby.com at the time of writing and £279.99 on Amazon.

A raincover, which I would class as an essential item, is included. You can purchase a shopping basket at an additional cost (£26.95) and while I would usually also view this as an essential that should be included, you could argue that it’s not so important in a pushchair designed more for exercise than day-to-day use. Additional accessories include a foot muff (£54.95), hand muffs (£24.95), newborn support (£26.95) and a changing bag (£49.95), plus tyre-care tools.

Is the product value for money?

It depends on your priorities (and your budget!). It’s not cheap, and personally the lack of a swivelling front wheel means I wouldn’t want to use it as an everyday pushchair, making it an expensive second buggy I’d really only use for running.

For some this would be an unnecessary luxury, but for others it offers a priceless way to exercise while looking after your children, with the added bonus of an on-board cheer squad. If you compare it to the cost of a gym membership, plus additional childcare while you worked out, you can probably justify the buggy’s expense if you run with it regularly!

MadeForMums verdict:

In its natural environment of rough, muddy woodland terrain, or on a fast-paced run, the Nipper Sport Double is fantastic. A product that allows parents to enjoy time in the countryside without fear of getting stuck in the mud, or to combine exercise with childcare, gets a big thumbs up from me.

I can’t see how you could adjust its annoying points (bulky wheels, narrow seats) without compromising on its performance, so overall I’d wholeheartedly recommend this as a pushchair for running or off-road. However, it wouldn’t be my first choice for a trip to the shops on the bus, so think twice if you’re considering this as your only pushchair.

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