Aimed at parents who want one system that will last from birth to around 3 years, the Trio Living has four different modes: carrycot or pram mode; forward facing pushchair mode; rearward facing pushchair mode and travel system with car seat. It offers flexibility and a straightforward set up.
The carrycot features soft padding, a rigid carry handle and adjustable backrest and when used with the Trio Car Kit (purchased separately), it converts into a Group 0 car carrycot.
In pushchair mode, the seat unit faces forward or rearward and has four recline positions. Other standard features are the removable bumper bar, lockable-swivel front wheels, 5-point harness and foot operated braking system.
The chassis folds, umbrella style (a two-handed operation), with the seat unit attached. If you’re using the Trio with the carrycot or car seat these must be removed before folding. The double twist handles have eight positions and can be joined with a removable handle section, so you can push one-handed.
What we love
Folding the Chicco Trio Living travel system is simple; although it does take two hands (and a foot) and you need to practice get the knack. Once folded the chassis is easy to store upright or lying flat. You don’t have to remove the seat unit to fold the Trio down – it folds as one. And unlike my current pushchair, the Trio was easy to transport and fitted easily in the back of the car.
Minnie, 12 months, was very snug and seemed really comfy in the seat, although whether is would last her until she is 3 years old is debateable.
The lockable swivel wheels mean that the Chicco Trio Living travel system is easy to manoeuvre and the seat unit hood, which converts into a sun canopy, is deep and offers good protection from the wind and rain. And all the accessories are included making this even better value for money.
What to watch out for
For £549.99 I was expecting much more from the Chicco Trio Living travel system. I have used a comparable system (Mother MyChoice) for over a year but sadly they just don’t compare.
The overall feel of this system is of something that is flimsy and twitchy. We felt every lump and bump of the pavement as Minnie was rattled around on our journey into town, despite the all round suspension.
Whilst there are some good basic features, there are some oddities too. The 5-point harness has two strap heights. For Minnie this meant that the straps came from either above her head or from waist height (the optimal position is shoulder height).
On looks alone, the Chicco Trio Living travel system doesn’t really cut it. The grey ‘cube’ pattern of the model I tested looked too 1980s for my taste. The carrycot is well padded but small, and mums of bigger babies have commented that it didn’t last to 6 months as claimed.
The Auto-Fix car seat required a fair bit of jiggling to fit to the seat unit but once installed in the car was easy to use. Some mums have complained that the head hugger doesn’t give sufficient support.
A last niggle is the raincover, which is one step away from a piece of cling film. It was difficult to fit (I really had to stretch the plastic to do up the poppers) and once fitted was close to Minnie’s face. There’s no raincover for the car sear included. Oh, and the cosytoes dangles a foot over the end of the pushchair.
Who is the Chicco Trio Living travel system best for?
Parents who want a quick fold, compact pushchair that they can sling in the back of the car.
The Chicco Trio Living travel system offers reasonable value for money but sadly doesn’t quite cut it. All the basics are covered and the Trio functions as expected but comparable travel systems offer greater style and handling.
