Redsbaby Jive² review

The Jive² is its super user-friendly travel system that can also be converted into a compact tandem as your family grows. It sits in the market somewhere close to the Babystyle Hybrid Edge or the UPPAbaby Vista but definitely stands out with its easy and compact fold, clever design details and accessible price from £480 (currently available at under £320).

The best convertible pushchairs

You can buy the Jive² directly from Redsbaby.co.uk

First impressions?

On unboxing, the Jive² looked very sleek and stylish. The navy-blue seat of the Indigo design (there is also a Black option) was elegant, the chassis light and smooth, the accessories looked plush, I was instantly impressed with the design and quality.

How does it compare to other buggies you’ve used?

Our everyday buggy is an iCandy and in comparison, the Jive² felt lightweight and compact. Although it felt nimble, it also felt very sturdy and well made. It was easy to assemble, I barely looked at the instruction booklet. Putting the wheels on was simple, and unfolding, adding the seat and hood took a matter of minutes.

Is it compact when folded and unfolded?

The Jive² is very compact, and when folded it measures 38x58x73cm with the seat still attached. The fact the wheels are easily removeable makes it even more compact and space-saving if you have a small car boot or need to store it in a tight space in your house.

How easy is it to push?

Due to the fact the chassis is so lightweight the Jive² is very easy to push and manoeuvre around tight spaces. The front wheels can either be locked into place or left to swivel. I much preferred them in the swivel mode as they roll very smoothly in all directions and are easy to rotate.

How does it ride on different surfaces?

The puncture-proof wheels, which are very hardwearing and sturdy, make it easy to push the buggy over different surfaces, even soggy winter parks and grass. The pushchair felt really sturdy going up kerbs and over uneven surfaces like cobbles and pebbly pathways. The multi-use wheels which can be locked into place or left to swivel make it easy to go where you want. They are a dream to whiz around shopping centres or supermarkets.

What do you think of the wheels and suspension?

I was really impressed with the quality and sturdiness of the wheels. The pushchair is very user friendly, light and easy to push.

How easy is it to store?

Once you have removed the seat unit and the canopy the buggy’s chassis is very compact and easy to close, lift, carry and store. It fit into our car boot with plenty of room left over, it was very light to carry and we could also store it after walks underneath our stairs with no worries about space. You can also fold it with the seat on, which I thought made little difference to the size, so that’s a great feature.

Is the frame strong, durable?

Although the frame is lightweight and sleek, it is robust and definitely feels like it is built to last. It feels substantial and sturdy.

What do you think of the fold system?

The pushchair was very easy to fold and close. I didn’t need to consult the instruction booklet, it was self-explanatory and obvious how it closes.

• You detach the seat unit and pull back on the fold latches either side of the frame
• It gently folds forward, in half and automatically locks itself

You can also fold it without removing the seat from the frame, which makes it even easier. It was just as compact with the seat on as it was in the fold position with the seat off.

What do you think of handle bar?

The handle is definitely a highlight of the design for me and adds to the style and luxury feel. The quilted, brown leather style bar is a very nice finishing touch. It was very easy to adjust the handle to a height that suits by simply pulling the tabs simultaneously on either size.

There was a good variety of heights to suit a range of users.

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

Despite being a slimline and compact pushchair, the seat unit was a good size, my two-year-old (28 months) looked really comfortable in it. He’s quite tall for a toddler but the height and width gave him lots of room. In fact, the seat is tested up to 20kg, which is more than many pushchairs that specify 15kg.

How many recline positions are there?

There are three recline positions whether the seat unit is forward facing or rear facing.

How comfortable does it feel for your little one?

The seat size is generous, well-padded with lots of leg room. I think you would get a lot of use out of it as your baby/child grows. If you add the extra seat liner it feels even more luxurious and comfortable. The winter cocoon, which is super soft velvet fabric would give ultimate warmth and comfort on colder days.

Is it suitable for newborns?

The package I tested only has one seat unit and is suitable from 6 months upwards. However, you can purchase a carrycot or another seat unit to turn it into a compact tandem pushchair which is great for those with plans to expand their family.

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

The seat unit can be attached rear facing or forward facing. In rear facing mode it is very easy to interact with your child as they are right in front of you, looking at you. However, the hood canopy has a mesh panel on the back which you can unzip and also a window panel which you can open, so communicating with your little one would be easy when they are facing forwards. These windows would be particularly useful if they have fallen to sleep facing the other way and you want to check on them.

What do you think of the hood?

The hood was one of the things I was really impressed with. It is huge, extra-large and gives brilliant coverage in the sunshine, but also protection against the elements on colder, rainy days. It can be extended by unzipping the built-in sunshade which when fully open comes almost down to the bumper bar.

The ventilation panels are great to allow air circulation but also to allow interaction with your child. There are a few design details which really impressed me, like having magnets to secure the ventilation panels once they have been opened. This small design extra just made it all very neat, tidy and stylish. During nap time the extra-large hood offered my son comfort of being darker and more concealed.

Tell us about the brakes

The brake is foot operated, and pushing down the pedal is quick and easy. The pedal is in a good spot and I found releasing it really comfortable and easy too. Once the lock was on the pushchair felt incredibly safe.

Does it fit in the boot of your car?

The pushchair easily fit into the boot of our car. Once folded (with or without the seat still on) the chassis is very compact and neat. It’s one of the most compact pushchairs I have used.

Is it travel system compatible?

You can buy for the Maxi-Cosi brand (£20), so it's great if you want to use it with an infant car seat.

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

The basket was very easy to access and holds a massive amount, up to 12kg. It also folds down (to make way for the extra tandem seat if need), but this also makes it very practical. It was big enough to hold my changing bag, a couple of shopping bags and my son’s rucksack. There are two pockets in the basket which are perfect to store nappies and wipes or your wallet and keys if you decide to leave your handbag at home.

What’s in the box?

• Frame
• Wheels
• Seat unit
• Basket
• Hood
• Bumper bar

Are there any accessories you might want/need?

• Pushchair organiser (£25)
• Seat liner (£25)
• Cocoon (£50)
• Cup holder (£15)
• Rain cover (£20)

Is it easy/hard to build the product?

The wheels just slot on, the seat unit is simple to attach and the hood is easy to fit too. It took about 5 minutes.

Who would the product be most useful for?

I think this buggy would be perfect for any parent who wants a lightweight, compact but super stylish pushchair. Unless you purchase the bassinet at an additional cost it is not suitable for children under the age of 6 months. However, it is suitable for a family who plans to grow with the first few years, as you can add a second seat.

Is there anything unique about this product?

I think the design is unique and stylish. The brown faux leather trim on the handle bar and the babies bumper bar is an attractive touch. Having a space to store a water bottle or coffee on the back of the seat as well as a pocket for all your personal items – wallet, keys, mobile was a really nice extra.

What is the price? Is it worth the price tag?

The Redsbaby Jive² has an RRP of £530, but you can currently get it for under £350. It is a very reasonable price for such a stylish, compact and sturdy buggy. You have to buy extras including seat liner, foot muff, rain cover and carry cot. I think it would be useful if the rain cover was included and not an additional extra.

MadeForMums verdict:

I thoroughly enjoyed using this pushchair and my son said it was extremely comfortable, particularly when using the seat liner and plush velvet foot muff on cold winter days.

I really like the design, it looks sleek and stylish. The colours are classic and elegant, including the brown leather trim on the handle bar and children safety bar. It’s very lightweight and I received a lot of compliments from other mums. It’s easy to manoeuvre and open/ close, making it hassle free and enjoyable. I would 100% recommend to other parents.

How we tested the Jive²:

Jessica is a mum-of-2 who tested the Jive² with her 2-year-old son Barnaby. She took it to local parks, the farm over cobbles and grass, in shopping centres and super markets.

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