The new Stokke Xplory of 2010 promises the same features parents loved about the original, but some additions that make the whole experience for your baby even better. However, it’s not the easiest buggy to fold and that price tag certainly puts it out of reach for many parents.
The Xplory is made by Stokke, a Scandinavian company with the philosophy that its products grow with your child and that they are centred on strengthening the bond between parent and child. The Xplory is touted as being the “only stroller you’ll ever need.” Depending on your personal tastes, you’ll either think the Stokke Xplory is one of the most stylish buggies on the market, or find its striking shape doesn’t appeal at all.
The Stokke Xplory first hit the market in 2003, but in 2010, it’s been tweak and re-released. The New Stokke Xplory proudly boasts that it has new fabrics that enclose the seat for a more protected feel, a quick-fold visor for more shade, a new hood that’s got greater ventilation, a bigger shopping basket that can be removed, a padded baby insert for snug newborn comfort and a easy-click footrest for toddler comfort.
The Xplory is expensive, selling for around £769 for the buggy alone. With the carrycot, which you need to have to use it from birth (suitable up to 9kg), it's £829. Stokke also has an infant carrier for around £250, which transforms the Xplory into a travel system. Yes, that’s a very expensive investment!
What we love
The Stokke Xplory grows as your child grows, so the claim that it’s the only stroller you’ll need is reasonably accurate. It has an adjustable, reversible seat that allows your baby to either face you with three reclining positions (sleep, rest and active) or face forwards, where there are two reclining positions (rest and active). The Stokke Xplory is easily put together and the seat clicks into whichever position in a matter of seconds. To give you reassurance that the seat is in its correct position, there’s a little traffic light system at the sides that turns from red to green - a great little touch.
Other noteworthy features of the Stokke include an adjustable handle, adjustable footrest (to accommodate your baby’s growing legs), large chunky rear wheels and easy swivel front wheels that make steering super simple and easy. There’s also that brilliant oversized hood with a foldable visor, which cocoons your baby from the front and allows ventilation from the back.
My favourite feature is the adjustable seat depth cushion, which makes it shallower for tiny babies. It gives a flatter lying position so your baby can sleep better and you have piece of mind that their spine is in the correct position. When your baby gets bigger, you simply remove the wedge and your child uses the seat in the normal way.
The other great design feature that sets the Stokke Xplory apart from the rest is the adjustable seat height on the chassis. The seat can be easily taken up and down to give your child a different perspective whilst out and about. And as everything is built around one central bar, it’s really easy to pull the Xplory close up to tables whilst lunching!
What to watch out for
The Stokke Xplory philosophy is to keep you and baby close and for you to both feel safe and secure. Whilst the height adjustable seat manages to keep your baby ‘up’ close, I felt that my little one, Oscar, seemed very far away. When he was using the sleep position, he was more than an arm’s length away from me. This, along with the fact that he was high up and the Xplory rocks slightly when pushed, meant I did feel a little uneasy and not so safe.
Although the Xplory is assembled within a matter of minutes, I had trouble trying to fold it. On one occasion, both my husband and I where taking turns trying to fold it and pop it in the car and neither of us could manage. Luckily we have a big car and in the end just put it in the boot fully assembled, but this would have been impossible with a smaller car. With it being so easy to assemble I would have expected the same when it comes to putting it away.
Who is the Stokke Xplory buggy best for?
Parents after an iconic pushchair, who don’t mind paying the premium price.
MadeForMums verdict
The Stokke Xplory is a stylish, design-led buggy that’s centred on the comfort of your baby whilst out and about. It has a number of brilliant design features to make your life easier, and being able to use it as a travel system from birth will help make the price tag a little more manageable for some. However, it’s not the easiest system to fold up and being a high-end brand, you’d expect it to offer a manageable fold.
the Stokke Xplory (2010 model)!
