UPPAbaby Ridge pushchair review

User-friendly features, including a large basket, easy fold and good-sized hood, led to the judges naming it the gold winning all-terrain pushchair in the MFM Awards 2022.

Tested by

Hayley Coyle is a journalist of 13 years and has a 7-month-old baby boy, Bertie. She tested the UPPAbaby Ridge around her home in rural Yorkshire, including country lanes and steep hills, while out shopping in town and for days out at stately homes. Bertie used it from carrycot age through to pushchair.

MadeForMums Consumer & Reviews Editor and mum of 3 Christy McGhee also tested the Ridge off-road with her 21 month old, along with parent tester Aisling, who used the Ridge with her tested it with her 15 month old and 3 year old.

What were your first impressions of the buggy?

My first impression was how large the back wheels were and wondering if they would fit in my car. I live very rurally so I have to drive everywhere, and on busy days I could take the pram out two or three times. I also thought the pram was very unisex in colour, if a bit plain.

How easy is it to build?

One of the USPs of this buggy is the simple ‘one twist’ assembly. It took me a while to find out where this was (at the front under the footrest) and I had to google a video tutorial as I found the instructions a bit unclear, but the wheels were easy to clip on.

The carrycot element needs two clip-on adaptors then it just pops in - easy. Fellow tester Aisling agrees: “It is so easy to use and intuitive straight out of the box.”

UPPAbaby Ridge vs the Cruz and Vista – what’s the difference?

• The Ridge is UPPAbaby’s 3-wheel all-terrain offering, although it has many of the features you’d look for in an everyday stroller such as being travel system and carrycot compatible
• The Cruz V2 is the brand’s everyday single pushchair, with smaller wheels, a huge shopping basket and a detachable seat which is both forward and parent-facing (compared to the Ridge’s forward-facing only seat)
• The Vista V2 is similar to the Cruz, with the added bonus that you can add a second seat to turn it into a double pushchair if you wish. The brand also has a smaller, lightweight stroller, the Minu.

What do you think of the UPPAbaby carrycot?

It’s very minimalist with a grey mattress and fitted zip cover, very light to pick up, and can be squashed almost flat for storage. It also has a very user-friendly button at the top of the hood to disconnect it from the chassis, so you just press a button and lift in one easy movement.

Like most carrycots, it’s suitable from birth up to 9kg, or until infant can push up on hands and knees (whichever comes first). My son is now almost seven months and has hardly any room in it to move around.

Christy used the cot until her son started to sit up independently. She says: “We had used the Uppababy carrycot with the Cruz V2 pushchair, and were really impressed with the quality and how easy it is to use. Our son is tall but fitted comfortably so we used it until he started to sit up at 6 months.”

Is the carrycot suitable for overnight sleeping?

Yes, it’s suitable for overnight use. Christy says: “We used it instead of a travel cot on holiday to save car boot space, which was a real plus, and I love that you can also buy a stand so you can use it regularly at home.”

How easy is the carrycot to attach to the pushchair?

The carrycot requires two clips that are sold separately. They attach to it then you just insert the cot into the frame. The adaptors stay on the cot so you don’t have to remove them to put the pushchair element on, so it’s very easy and quick. There is also a nifty extra feature - there’s a button at the top of the hood that quickly detaches it from the frame so you can easily lift it off with one hand with your baby inside.

How do you fold the UPPAbaby Ridge pushchair?

Once you’ve got the hang of it, it’s very simple. The one twist device folds the buggy in one deft move. It can also be folded with the pushchair attached as the seat is made entirely from fabric.

· Lift the footrest to reveal the bar, which has a twistable section

· Press the button, and twist the handle

· The pushchair will then collapse down

As for lifting it with one hand, it’s fairly heavy and doesn’t have a bumper bar to grab onto, so I think you would struggle if you had a baby in the other arm.

How compact is the UPPAbaby Ridge when folded?

For an all-terrain buggy, it folds down quite flat, due to the pushchair not being made of any bulky metal. However, the 16-inch wheels mean it is a struggle to get into an average size boot. I tested on my Jeep, on a friend’s and in both it was a struggle to fit the pushchair in. However, in my husband's estate car, it was much easier so a big boot is definitely preferable.

As the carrycot can be squashed flat, it can just go on top but there is little room left for shopping.

Christy adds: “It can fit in the boot of our Volvo XC90 when all seat rows are in use, but we have to remove the wheels. This is very easy to do, but not much fun when we’ve been on a muddy walk so I cover them in plastic bags on the way home.”

Aisling drives a Nissan Qashqai and says: “Sizewise, while it does take up the majority of the boot space when folded, it easy to collapse with the twist of a trigger at the front of the pram and light enough to carry and lift in to the boot.”

How easy is it to push and steer the UPPAbaby Ridge pushchair on smooth surfaces?

The incredibly light steering is one of the best things about the UPPAbaby Ridge – it’s a pleasure to push and feels really nippy and agile. In shops and more urban areas, it excelled - it’s very easy to manoeuvre around tight corners and also easy to go up and down kerbs.

How does the buggy handle on rough terrain?

On country lanes I felt it felt a bit unsteady and I felt the wheels are rather thin, but fellow tester Christy was impressed with its all-terrain handling, testing it out on bumpy woodland paths and long grass. “The large wheels and good suspension meant I felt confident putting the Ridge through its paces on rougher ground, and it coped well, even when going over large tree roots on a slope. It’s really easy to fix the front wheel by pressing 1 button, which gives it more stability over bumps.”

Aisling, who tested it in her local forest, agrees: “I have had experience with a couple of other 3 -wheeled running and off-road capable pushchairs and in my opinion this is the best. The suspension is fantastic at soaking up the bumps and only the really bigger ones causing any real jolts to the passenger.

How sturdy is the chassis?

It’s quite long but very simple and minimalistic, presumably to make it more streamlined for off-road trails. It’s black and has a matt finish but the front bit that attaches to the front wheel is a bit unsightly in my opinion - a wedge of plastic with the UPPAbaby logo. Unfortunately, it does scratch easily - there were scuffs on the side from the first time I put it in the car. However, it does feel strong and durable.

The chassis also features a fabric drinks holder that is buttoned on. Christy says: “The water bottle holder is a nice bonus, it’s slanted at an angle so not suitable for open-top drinks, but the angle makes pulling out a bottle easier when you’re moving at speed.”

Can you adjust the UPPAbaby Ridge pushbar height?

Yes. The pushbar feels very nice to hold and it can be adjusted to 4 different heights. It also comes with a wrist strap.

I’m 5 ft 1 and my husband is 6 ft, and we could both hold it comfortably and find it’s very simple to change heights. The handle is made from foam – it feels great but is unfortunately easily scratched.

How comfortable is the UPPAbaby Ridge pushchair seat unit?

The seat is forward-facing only, and buttoned onto the frame rather than clipping on like the Cruz V2 or Vista V2. There is a simple strap and clasp at the back to raise and lower the seat recline. It’s easily wipeable too and the three-point harness is easy to use.

“I used it with my 20 month old, and although he’s tall he fits very comfortably in the seat,” says Christy. “With a younger baby, I’d prefer having the option to switch to parent-facing, like the Cruz, but as a curious toddler he’s very happy looking out at the path ahead. I find the harness really easy to use as you can clip one side in at a time, making it much easier when he’s trying to escape as we leave the playground!”

Fellow tester Aisling adds: “The seat is very well padded and the harness is very secure. My little one seemed very content in the seat. He normally hates going over really rough terrain but I didn’t hear a peep out of him while traversing the bumps when heading into the forest across large rocks and fallen branches. My daughter also wanted to have a go at sitting in the seat. She even remarked how ‘nice and comfy’ the seat was, and we had to bribe her with a treat to get out again!”

Can you add a second seat to turn the Ridge into a double pushchair?

The Ridge is a single pushchair, however you can attach a separate buggyboard for your toddler to stand on.

What’s the hood like?

The hood attaches to the frame with plastic clips and is a pretty standard size, though the canopy does extend for extra shade. You press two buttons on the side to retract it and it comes with a few built-in zipped pockets as well as a viewing window.

Christy adds: “The zipped pocket is great for stashing my phone or debit card, especially for country walks when we’re travelling light and want to keep things securely stored on bumpy ground.”

Are the UPPAbaby Ridge wheels puncture-proof?

Yes, they’re not inflatable so no risk of a puncture.

The UPPAbaby Ridge is a three-wheeler - two 16-inch wheels at the back and a 12-inch at the front, all pretty light and narrow with a fairly deep tread.

The front wheel is lockable so really handy if you're using it on bumpier ground. The wheels also clip on and off the frame easily so if you’re really struggling for space in your car, they can come off to fit in more easily.

Tester Aisling adds: “The tires aren’t air filled and so won’t go flat. I was initially concerned that this would affect the ride and that the tyres wouldn’t be able to soak up the bumps as much, but I had need not have worried because the suspension is fantastic and can cope with pretty much everything we have thrown at it.”

How effective are the brakes?

The brakes are excellent and there’s also a handbrake on the handle for when you're running. There’s a red pedal for braking and a green pedal for releasing… it takes a few goes to remember! I tested the brakes on some fairly steep country hills and it held well. Christy agrees, adding: “The brakes feel really strong and effective even on a slope.”

Aisling adds: “The brakes are superb and feel very reliable and reassuring when going down steep hills.”

How do you rate the basket?

The basket is fairly deep and roomy and has a flap cover, so it’s easy to pop things in and get them out again.

Aisling says: “The undercarriage basket is the best I have used. With zip compartments it’s possible to store everything you could need, but the thing I like best about it is the flap at the back meaning quick access to my essentials.”

Christy adds: “While most pushchair baskets are open, I love the fact this is covered so nothing is going to fly out when you go over bumpy ground.”

What are the additional accessories that you can buy?

● Car seat/carrycot adaptors

● Carrycot

● PiggyBack accessory for a second child

● Bumper bar

● Changing backpack

● Reversible seat liner

● Carrycot rain cover

● CozyGanoush

Now you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the pushchair?

As a first-time mum with little experience with pushchairs, I would have liked to know that there was no parent-facing option.

Who would this pushchair be most useful for?

Style-wise, the UPPAbaby Ridge would be ideal for a chic parent who doesn’t want a pram that’s too showy but cares about performance and innovation - the wheels are pretty spectacular.

While it’s marketed as an all-terrain buggy, I personally found it better for town environments, so would recommend to a city or town dweller who wouldn't have to put it in and take out of a car a lot. However, our suburban and countryside testers also found it performed well with woodland walks and bumpier ground.

Does the UPPAbaby Ridge pushchair offer good value for money?

Compared to some of the other all-terrain options out there, such as the Out n About Nipper 360 or the Thule Urban Glide 2, the Ridge is at the upper end of the market. However, it’s a great quality product, and comes with some of the parent-friendly, premium features that you’d hope for from a luxury brand.

Personally, for this price I’d expect a pushchair to be faultless, so I was disappointed that it scratched after just one use, and the fact it’s world-facing only.

However, fellow tester Aisling feels the quality and durability of the Ridge justifies the cost, especially if you plan to use it with more than 1 child. She says: “It is on the expensive side for this type of pushchair, but the quality does show. The materials used are sturdy and withstanding and the build is really solid – it’s easy to see that the UPPAbaby Ridge will last for years with first, second and third children and cope with most things that can be thrown at it.”

How does the UPPAbaby Ridge compare to other similar pushchairs?

Where can I buy the UPPAbaby Ridge?

It is available from UPPAbaby, John Lewis and Natural Baby Shower.

MadeForMums Verdict:

The UPPAbaby Ridge is a statement pram for active parents in the suburbs and countryside. If you have a fairly high budget and want a pushchair that can cope with all terrains without sacrificing style and handy features, the Ridge is a great shout. Nimble enough to push round the shops, and with great newborn options, it really comes into its own as a sturdy all-terrain pushchair that’s built to last.

If you’re looking for a good all-rounder, everyday pushchair with a more compact fold and an parent-facing seat option, it’s worth taking a look at other options such as the UPPAbaby Cruz V2 or Bugaboo Fox 3. But for parents who are seeking a pushchair that will fit into an active, outdoors lifestyle, the Ridge is a sleek addition to the UPPAbaby portfolio.