Peg Perego TEAM review

Key features:

• Includes chassis + stroller seat + bassinet
• Converts into a double stroller with the Team Adapter
• Bassinet is approved for overnight use and has adjustable headrest
• Seat for second child is the same size as original seat
• From birth to 50 lbs

Since the arrival of our daughter back in December, my wife and I had tried all sorts of creative ways to avoid getting a double buggy. Our battered old Bugaboo Cameleon had already served 3 children (our son plus his 2 older cousins). It was overdue for retirement, but it was pressed into one last tour of duty, while our 3-year-old son was transported around either on his own 2 feet or on my shoulders. With the opportunity to try out the TEAM came a welcome reprieve for my aching shoulders and his aching feet.

What were your first impressions of the Team?

The TEAM seems too good to be true. It looks as stylish as you’d imagine an Italian stroller would, and the (sold-separately) TEAM adapter switches it from a single to a double with a few easy clicks. Unfortunately, most things that sound too good to be true turn out to be just that and the TEAM tries valiantly in a great many aspects, but falls short elsewhere.

How does it compare to other double pushchairs and travel systems you’ve tried?

Hauling the chassis out of the box, it’s immediately apparent that this is a much heavier beast than a Cameleon. In fact, beast is the right word. The TEAM feels like a monster, even in single mode. Most of the weight is in the chassis, which is far heavier than what we were used to and requires a bit of muscle power to get in and out of the car boot. However, once in, it fits incredibly neatly for its size.

Was it easy to assemble?

I’ve come across vague instructions in my life but the instructions for the Peg Perego TEAM are like a MENSA entrance exam crossed with a riddle. Thankfully, there are videos available online that circumvent the leaflets, otherwise it would still be a jumble of parts on my living room floor.

When assembled, it looks impressive, but taking it out and about presents numerous challenges, particularly the feeling that you’re bringing a Humvee to a Mini convention. If you’re sure you’ll use it as a double then the extra weight and real estate won’t be an issue, but there are far lighter and more compact options as a single buggy. That slightly begs the question: if its weight and size are geared towards it being a double, why sell the adapter separately?

What age is it suitable for, can it be used from newborn?

It’s suitable from birth, although putting a very small, very new baby in the infant seat wouldn’t feel entirely right to me. For that, I’d advise using the bassinet or buying a compatible car seat, such as the Primo Viaggio.

What did you think of the carrycot?

The bassinet is where the TEAM truly stands out. It’s approved for use for all night sleeping and has some clever features, such as the ability to adjust the headrest, a rocking function and the ability to collapse fully, meaning you can fold the TEAM with the bassinet still attached.

How comfortable does it seem for your baby? How is interaction when they’re in the cot?

The bassinet looks incredibly cosy, with a plush interior that can be removed for cleaning. The adjustable headrest means you can raise your baby’s head if they suffer from colic or have a cold, which is a clever touch. The only downside is that once everything is zipped up and fastened, you can’t really see your baby at all and you can only imagine that they feel slightly like they’ve been sealed into a cocoon.

What do you think of the seat unit?

It’s solidly built, like the chassis, but doesn’t quite lock closed when folded forwards, which can get a little irritating. More so than any other part of the TEAM, this is where a few refinements are needed.

How many recline positions are there?

The infant seat can be attached to face either forwards or backwards and has three positions: upright, a 45 degree angle recline and a full recline.

How comfortable does it feel for your baby and toddler?

We tried both our 3-year-old son and our 6-month-old daughter in the seat unit and neither seemed massively comfortable in it. My daughter was sliding around a bit, while my son was way too big for it, his head brushing against the top of the hood. It’s probably better for ages somewhere in between those two extremes.

What’s it like interacting with your children in the different set-up modes?

Not great. If your child is facing away from you with the hood down, they can’t see anything and you can’t see them. Put the carrycot on too and they might as well be in a different postcode, they feel so far away.

What do you think of the hood?

It’s well made, UV-protected and folds down and stows away easily. It doesn’t offer any way for you to be able to see your child when they’re facing forward, which feels like an oversight.

How does the pushchair fold?

Folding is one-handed, but in practice it requires a bit of both hands. Closing is nifty enough, although with the bassinet in place, you can’t see the catch you need to open in order to fold it. Opening – which involves opening two catches, one on each side of the frame – can be a bit trickier. More than once, I’d get one open, only for it to click shut again while I set about opening the other. I can imagine recurring stress dreams where I go through the process endlessly.

How compact is it when folded and unfolded? How easy is it to store?

The TEAM doesn’t exactly fold away into nothing, but it does stow away quite neatly and stands on its own when folded, which is convenient.

Does it fit in the boot of your car?

Despite its size, the TEAM is easier to fit into a car boot when folded than our old Cameleon, which is a huge plus for trips that require both a suitcase and a buggy.

How lightweight is the pushchair?

It doesn't feel light. Much is made of the lightweight aluminium chassis, but tell that to anyone who’s attempted to push it up a South East London hill in the sunshine.

How easy is it to push?

The website refers to the TEAM’s “one-hand drive”, which is possible in theory, thanks to the one-piece handlebar, but in practice, it’s too heavy to push one-handed for long and you need a second hand to negotiate kerbs and pavements. Otherwise it’s simple enough to push but once it becomes a double buggy, it’s just too overwhelmingly heavy. Going down steep hills feels positively life-threatening for everyone involved.

How does Peg Perego TEAM stroller ride on different surfaces?

Pavements are fine, but the weight of the TEAM means it feels incredibly bumpy across any uneven terrain. As mentioned earlier, it’s tricky to mount a kerb with it.

How easy is it to use on public transport?

We ventured out across London on public transport and found it reassuringly uneventful. It does take up a lot of room though, so I’d think twice about going anywhere near a bus at rush hour. Also, forget about stations without step-free access. I had to take the car-seat off the frame, fold the frame and take one in each hand to go up and down any steps (barring the kindness of strangers).

Is the frame strong, durable?

It’s hard to imagine it breaking anytime soon. It feels as sturdy and solid as a tank, although the catches to fold and unfold it feel a little flimsy.

What do you think of the handlebar?

It’s comfortable and soft to the touch but could use a wrist strap. With the buggy’s weight, not having it attached to me felt unsafe on steep hills.

Tell us about the brakes

The brake is a one-touch lever at your right foot. The brake failed on the initial chassis that we were sent but the second felt better instantly, so it’s entirely plausible that this was a rogue faulty one. Still, I’ve noticed that taking the brake off occasionally requires pulling the buggy back before the left wheel will unlock and move forward. All in all, it leaves me a little unimpressed by the TEAM’s brake system.

How easily can you access the basket and is it big enough to store everything you need?

The basket is something of a marvel. It’s easily accessed from both the front and back and is large enough to hold a couple of shopping bags and have a bit of space left, although the extra weight compounds some of the TEAM’s existing issues. The zip front is a nice addition, in case you’re transporting something a little longer. We even managed to fit my son’s scooter in there.

Tell us about the car seat

We were sent the stylish, comfortable Primo Viaggio car seat (not included as standard), which is suitable from day one and feels as sturdy and safe as any other car seat I’ve encountered. It connects easily to the frame without the need for any extra adaptors, but presents a couple of issues. Firstly, it’s too big for the seatbelts in our Ford Focus. Secondly, the buttons to lower and raise the handle have a nasty habit of trying to eat my fingers.

Did you like the look of the pushchair? What do you think of the colour choices?

Whatever the TEAM’s niggles, you can’t fault it for style. It comes in 4 colours: Atmosphere (grey), Onyx (black), Horizon (teal) and Terracotta (a kind of rusty coral). All look splendid and the quality of the fabric is unquestionable. We were sent Terracotta, which is very smart indeed, but the Horizon one wins my vote.

Where can I buy the Peg Perego TEAM?

It is currently available from Trendy Baby.

MadeForMums verdict

The TEAM is definitely placed at the higher end of the market. With the obvious quality of every element, it's not overpriced. That said, some refinements are needed to make the TEAM truly deserving of such a price tag.

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