Red Kite Push Me Pace Travel System review

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First-time mum Jessica Rach tested the Red Kite Push Me Pace with her 4-month-old son Marley. She tested it on streets and parkland, and in supermarkets and cafes, near her home in London.

What were your first impressions of the Push Me Pace and was it easy to set up?

I was impressed that the pram arrived in one large box, which included the frame, carrycot and car seat. The Isofix base came in a separate box, as you can choose whether or not to include it when you purchase the bundle.

I was able to put together the pram in 10 minutes with my 4-month-old baby Marley watching patiently. I hardly referred to the manual and actually found it easier to figure out myself, as some of the instructions’ drawings are slightly confusing. The wheels attach/detach easily to the frame, and I was impressed that the carrycot converts to a sit-up seat for older babies at the touch of a button.

Overall, I was very pleased with how easy the set-up process was, although I was disappointed with the general style of the Push Me Pace once assembled as it’s not particularly chic.

How does the Red Kite Push Me Pace compare to other pushchairs you have tried?

I’ve been using the Pod Stroller - an £800 stroller with separate newborn and sit-up attachments and a car seat - which I love. It has a sleek black leather look, and it’s amazingly sturdy on very rough terrain. The only drawback is its weight - and it’s quite bulky to store. I’ve also borrowed a friend’s Babyzen Yoyo travel buggy and loved its lightness, however I did find it slightly rickety on uneven surfaces.

In comparison, the Push Me Pace lacks in style, but is lighter than the Pod and sturdier than the Yoyo.

What age is the Push Me Pace suitable for?

The pram goes from newborn to 22kg (around 6 years old) without needing a separate attachment, as the carrycot moves into the sit-up position.

Marley was born weighing 7lbs 8oz and is a large baby for his age so I’m not sure how long it will last as he already seems quite long for the seat unit.

How comfortable is the Red Kite Push Me Pace carrycot?

The Push Me Pace carrycot seems comfortable for Marley and I like how the cover zips closed to stop any wind getting in. The hood is generous and stable, too. It stayed in place in every position and shielded my baby from light rain. The carrycot mattress is padded, though I didn’t like the fact that you can’t hide the seatbelts, which are used when it is in sit-up mode for older babies.

I took Marley out on many walks in the pram and he found it cosy and easy to sleep in. He actually spent most of his time asleep but it was easy to see and talk to him when he was awake. You can easily remove the carrycot from the frame by clicking the buttons on the sides and lifting it to detach it.

How easy is it to transform the carrycot into a seat?

The Push Me Pace carrycot can be moved to an upright position at the click of a button, which is great. Once transformed into a seat, you can recline it to three different angles, which is helpful for when your child falls asleep. In sit-up mode, the leg rest is adjustable to two positions, too.

The fact that the carrycot transforms into the seat was a downside for MFM tester Rosie, though. “This, to me, made the carrycot part less effective,” she says. “However, the stroller seat is of really good quality for older babies.”

How do you fold the Red Kite Push Me Pace?

The Push Me Pace can be folded as one piece, and I really like that you don’t need to remove the carrycot to do so. It’s pretty easy to fold down and pull up. To fold:

• First push and squeeze the buttons on the sides of the handlebar and point it downwards
• Then press the button behind the hood on the carrycot and fold it all the way down, in line with the handlebar
• Finally, lift the pram up, move the wheels together and secure it by fastening the hook above the wheels

A big drawback for me, however, is that I wasn’t able to fold it with one hand, so had to put my baby down. It also doesn’t stand up by itself so can be a bit awkward to store.

How compact is the Red Kite Push Me Pace pushchair when folded?

The Red Kite Push Me Pace folds up to an average size (H83 x D35 x 60cm) and in one piece, but it doesn’t stand up once folded and can feel clunky to deal with. It fits in the corner of my small nursery – propped up against a table - and takes up about half of the car boot in my BMW X1.

MFM tester Rosie didn’t seem to have any problems with the clunkiness, though, and describes the pram as “lightweight and compact when folded”.

How easy is it to manoeuvre the Push Me Pace?

This pushchair handles large kerbs well, although it took a little while to adapt to the longer shape of it and the wheels are further apart than I’m used to, affecting the balance when you tilt it up a pavement.

I was impressed with how sturdy it is on cobbles, uneven surfaces and mud - which many travel prams don’t appear to be. It’s good on smooth surfaces and in tight spaces, too.

I was able to manoeuvre it through small cafes and supermarket aisles with one hand and the brake felt sturdy and safe.

Does the Red Kite Push Me Pace Travel System come with a car seat?

Yes. The car seat is cosy and fits easily onto the frame with the adaptors, and onto the Isofix base, which is simple to install in the car.

MFM tester Rosie describes it as “lightweight and comfortable for your baby”, too. However, I found it quite tricky to remove it from the car, as you have to push the release button and pull the car seat out - complete with baby - at the same time.

Would you use the Push Me Pace on public transport?

I couldn’t test the Push Me Pace on public transport due to lockdown restrictions but I think it would be too heavy to use comfortably. As it weighs 12kg, I didn’t find the pram particularly easy to pick up or carry. I wouldn’t even carry it down the stairs in my flat, so it’s not the best option if you live in a city and need to negotiate public transport.

Is the Red Kite Push Me Pace a stylish pushchair?

The design of the Push Me Pace chassis and carrycot is attractive and I think the fabric is good quality and doesn’t stain easily. However, MFM tester Rosie comments, “The system is stylish to look at but the material quality is quite low, which is to be expected for the price.”

There are three colourways to choose from - grey, branded ‘Icon’, patterned, branded ‘Shadow’, and black with a rose gold frame, branded ‘Amber’. The frame feels sturdy and the brake feels secure.

I also like how the leather handlebar is adjusted just by squeezing it - giving it a luxurious touch and feel. However, although the handlebar adjusts easily, my partner (who is 6ft2) found it a little low.

Is the shopping basket spacious enough?

The basket on the Push Me Pace is nice and large and easy to access. However, I would have preferred it to be covered to keep things contained inside.

What’s in the box?

• Chassis
• Wheels
• Carrycot (suitable for newborn babies up to 22kg toddlers)
• Car seat and adaptors (suitable from birth to 13kg)
• Rain cover
• Isofix base (separate box)

There are additional accessories for the Push Me Pace that you can buy separately, including a parasol (£12.99), cup holder (£5.99) and changing bag (£19.99).

Is the Push Me Pace good value?

The bundle includes the Isofix base, and you get a lot of kit for your money. It’s great for parents who want the whole package for an affordable price, especially if you’ll mainly use the buggy for walks and shopping.

However, it’s less ideal if you’re looking for a lightweight, one-hand fold stroller to use on public transport and holidays. For me, I think I’d rather pay more for one of the niftier pushchairs on the market, which are super compact and light and would suit my needs better.

How does the Red Kite Push Me Pace compare to other similar pushchairs?

Where can I buy the Push Me Pace?

It is available from Baby & Child Store, Matalan and Kiddies Kingdom.

MadeForMums verdict:

I found the Red Kite Push Me Pace to be a good quality, sturdy pushchair that offers a lot of bang for your buck. Its best feature is the one-piece fold, but its worst is its cumbersome 12kg weight.

Overall, it’s a decent all-rounder but doesn’t quite cut it as either a substantial travel system or as a lightweight stroller.