Red Kite Push Me DUBL pushchair review

As a parent of twins or children close in age, you may be aware that the double buggy market isn’t a crowded one, especially for side-by-side models. There are only a handful to choose from and with this at the cheaper end, we were intrigued to see what was on offer and, equally, to see if any features could ever be worth spending a small fortune on.

Please be aware of this safety notice

Tested by

Lizzy’s 3-month-old twins Iris and Bella were the perfect fit to try out this double pushchair with the help of daughter Alberta, 3. Testing was carried out on off-road terrain in rural Essex including fields, parks, wetlands and muddy footpaths in addition to pavements and bumpy country lanes.

First impressions?

When unboxing, the pushchair immediately seemed higher quality than I expected for the price. It has decent fabric, nice neon pop of colour and extremely light to lift out. There’s no getting away from the fact this is a double buggy – it’s wide if you’re only used to single models – however, so far so good!

Is the Red Kite Push Me DUBL pushchair easy to build?

It came pretty much fully assembled and, with just a couple of wheels to attach, you could be up and running within 5 minutes of opening. I appreciated the instructions which were more like a ‘lite’ leaflet – simple and informative, because who really needs a 100-page manual for a buggy?

MadeForMums parent testers, Pam and Francesca, also found the buggy easy to set up. Once it’s clicked into place it’s good to go.

Does the buggy come with a carrycot?

No. However, the pushchair’s design means the seats can be fully reclined to lie flat (almost 180 degree) and allow for safe carriage of a newborn. But this won’t work for everyone. If your baby likes to be cocooned in a self-contained bassinet facing you as you push them, then you might be disappointed.

However, Red Kite do a very good job of providing cosy footmuffs which zip up around the baby so it feels as ‘bassinet-like’ as possible with a peephole for the parent. My 3-month-old twins are never happier than when napping while being pushed, and we certainly had no complaints from them even on extended outings. But I personally would’ve preferred to have them rear facing while they’re so tiny.

Without a footmuff, the mattress, which isn’t overly padded, is a tad like lying on a plank of wood. The footmuff cosies it up nicely and the top of it zips off meaning in warmer months, the soft base part will allow for comfort all year round. The fabric is soft where baby lies and more robust on the outside but doesn’t seem particularly breathable, with just a mesh part at the very back of the chair where heads will be. The buckles on the straps are flimsy and I’d be worried there might be a snapping incident with heavy use.

Is the Red Kite Push Me DUBL pushchair comfy for a toddler?

We substituted one of my twins with my 3-and-a-half-year-old but, at 100cm, she was too big for it. The seat isn’t especially deep and is quite narrow so if you intend to use this pushchair with a baby and toddler, you’d be doing well if a 3-year-old is still using it comfortably. However, you can adjust both seats independently using a strap and clasp for multiple positions, and they look cute positioned next to each other!

The seat angle is adjusted via a spring-loaded clasp, and while this seemed fine, it’s possible that over time this could weaken and make keeping the seat at an incline difficult.

MFM parent tester Pam’s 6-month-old baby finds the buggy comfortable and cosy. Pam also found it had less room for her 2-year-old toddler. Even with the straps fully extended, they were a snug fit, particularly during the colder months when a thick coat was worn.

MFM parent tester Francesca used the buggy with her 21-month-old twins who liked that the leg rests can be adjusted. Her twins enjoyed the upright seated position, but Francesca felt the seats could perhaps be a bit deeper as her twins look close to the edge in this position.

Is the hood good quality?

It’s a good hood with matching grey fabric and looks high quality, but frustratingly was prone to riding up when we jiggled the pushchair around on rougher terrain. There is a large peephole window that gives great visibility to the child inside – you definitely need this as there’s no parent facing position of the seat. The peephole flap is secured firmly with a magnet.

Is it easy to fold the Red Kite Push Me DUBL pushchair?

It’s exceptionally easy to fold and unfold. It’s all-in-one (no removable seats, for example) and after a few goes I was doing it like something of a Ninja with one hand! MFM parent tester Francesca agrees it’s easy to put up and down with one hand.

Is the Red Kite Push Me DUBL pushchair compact when folded?

When folded into a neat little compact, it locks using a plastic clasp so no pop-out issues. We’re still rather blown away by the weight – particularly in comparison to the beastly Bugaboo Donkey we also own. I found it easy to lift into our car boot and it took up hardly any space at all, although MFM parent tester Pam found it more difficult to do this and thought the folded shape was awkward and made it difficult to lift into the boot.

Is the Red Kite Push Me DUBL pushchair easy to push and steer?

The steering is a major plus point. On all terrains – tarmac, grass, bumpy roads and even mud – it felt sturdy and not flimsy. Certainly nothing like a tank as some double pushchairs can feel. It slid up and down kerbs nicely and can be turned a full 360 degrees easily with one hand. It’s quiet even when accommodating a big toddler. Weight distribution with a bigger and smaller child isn’t a problem when steering.

MFM parent tester Pam also tested the buggy on different terrains and found even on bumpy paths, it still felt smooth, sturdy and balanced.

As double buggies go, this is about as narrow as it gets (75x31x61.5cm) meaning it fits into tight gaps very easily. Okay, so you wouldn’t be able to push it up and down a train carriage but it proved no problem navigating tighter doorways. Our MFM parent tester Pam was able to get it easily through the front door, but struggled to get it through her internal doors.

I found it a breeze to lift up and down steps and onto a train platform, although with lots of steps you’d definitely need a helping hand. When folded it takes up such a small space that I wouldn’t be concerned taking it on a long train journey where storage space is at a premium.

Is the chassis sturdy?

The aluminium frame is slimline, shiny – but not cheap looking – with a fun slick of lime green which provides a stylish pop of colour in the otherwise rather dull world of pushchairs. I liked the design a lot and thought for the cost it could stand up against the more pricey and elegant models on the market.

How comfortable is the Red Kite Push Me DUBL pushchair handle?

The handle is not adjustable in height which could pose a problem for some. My husband is 6 foot and I’m 5 foot 9 and we found it comfortable as a couple on the taller side. This was MFM parent tester Francesca’s conclusion too, as she found the height great for taller people.

The faux-leather finish on the handle is standard these days and non-descript – we’re not talking any sexy top-stitching – but I do wonder if it would last sustained use without peeling. I couldn’t help feeling the handle lets down the overall aesthetic a little. Especially the obvious central part with the folding switch which is made from a basic plastic.

Are the wheels sturdy?

As you’d expect from a pushchair in this price range, the wheels are small and made of thin rubber and it’s likely that over time, they’d start to wear down causing steering and traction issues. Sadly, Red Kite don’t sell parts so once gone, it’s fully out of use. The wheels do little to dampen any bumps or jolts on rough terrain and there is no suspension or springs to keep the ride smooth.

There’s no tread on the wheels and while any tread on buggies is often for aesthetic reasons rather than to be able to wheel over ice, on certain surfaces it might have an effect of sliding rather than rolling. Front wheels can be locked as with most pushchairs.

The most frustrating point about the wheels is the clearance between the top of the wheels and the frame is very tight, meaning that mud accumulates easily if used off-road. We had to stop and remove gummed-up mud on a number of occasions as the wheels were sticking. This wasn’t just on particularly muddy walks, but on grass on dryer days too. With this in mind, I’d say it’s more of a city and town buggy. It can handle park use, but anything more rough and rural and it would struggle.

Do the Red Kite Push Me DUBL pushchair brakes work well?

The pushchair utilises a foot-powered bar brake which is very no-frills. Just press down with your foot to lock the brakes either fully on or fully off. Job done. It’s solid and won’t move once the brake is applied.

How big is the Red Kite Push Me DUBL pushchair’s storage basket?

It’s a spacious basket as you’d imagine on a double buggy, with easy access. But it’s an odd design as the front of the basket is completely open. We had bits and pieces fall out when bumping up and down steps. Advice is to avoid chucking small things in but to put them inside a bigger bag first.

On the plus side, the sides are mesh but bottom is solid fabric to avoid road dirt spraying your belongings. It also boasts two sizeable zipped pockets on the back of each seat.

What’s in the box?

• Pushchair
• 2 x footmuffs
• 2 x removable bumper bars
• Instruction booklet
• Raincover

Are there any additional accessories that you can buy?

Red Kite aren’t a major player in the add-on accessories, but you can pick up a parasol and a change mat at extra cost.

Can the Red Kite Push Me DUBL be used with a car seat to create a travel system?

No.

Now you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the Red Kite Push Me DUBL pushchair?

It would be useful to know upper ages limits if you were buying it specifically for children of different ages. The closer in age, the better so you get as much use as possible.

Who would the Red Kite Push Me DUBL pushchair be best for?

It’s a great pushchair for city or town dwellers who will use it for shorter periods or need a pushchair that can endure lots of folding and unfolding. I couldn’t imagine pounding the pavements all day as I used to in London, nor is it right for lots of rough-terrain walks.

Is the Red Kite Push Me DUBL pushchair value for money?

This is one of cheapest lie-flat, side-by-side, double pushchairs out there and for the price it’s exceptional. It’s not an all-singing, all-dancing offering but my girls were cosy and it will grow with them until they’re aged 2 and beyond if we look after it.

How does it compare to other double pushchairs on the market?

Where can I buy the Red Kite Push Me DUBL pushchair?

Available at Kiddies Kingdom, Samuel Johnston and Kidstore.

MadeForMums verdict:

The Red Kite Push Me DUBL is a brilliant, cheap-end pushchair which has made me question whether it’s really worth spending hundreds – or even upwards of £1000 – on double pushchairs. It’s perfect for grandparents as a second pushchair but even as the main family model, if the wheels or a major part failed you could almost justify buying two as it would still come in cheaper than most other double pushchairs!