Lightweight, great to push even up hills, and is narrow enough to be practical, the Mamas & Papas Pulse+ Twin Buggy ticks lots of double boxes.
Mums with a baby and toddler or with twins have a lot of questions that need answering about their buggy. Is it skinny enough to make it, not just through your hall, but also shop doorways? Will it accommodate siblings of different ages as well as twins? And will you grind to a halt, or break out in a sweat, at the mere suggestion of a hill? The lightweight Pulse+ Twin Buggy, by Mamas & Papas makes the grade on all counts and is great for errands or doing the grocery run. Granted you probably won't be taking it on a grueling circuit round the common – but that’s not really what it’s designed for.
What we love
The Pulse range of buggies are past award-winners and it's easy to see why. The Pulse + has some upgraded details that distinguish it from its sister, the original Pulse twin buggy, and is slightly cheaper at £245. Despite the side-by-side design, at 75cm it's narrow enough to get you out of most tight spots, but not so mean on space that chubbier babies won't be able to squeeze in. It felt easy to steer even loaded up with two infants - my son Elliot and his little chum Alexander - and turning sharp corners was fine thanks to front swivel wheels. The curved foam handlebars were a pleasure to grip, too. As the seats recline flat, you can potentially use the Pulse+ from birth; the toggle pull that lowers them is fairly instinctive to use. Featuring a classic umbrella mechanism, it folds up in a jiffy, and would slip into the average family boot, no problem. Its modest weight and size means mums could also tackle the bus or trains.
Recent improvements on the old design include removable head cushions and nicely quilted seats and chest pads – Elliot and pal certainly looked very comfy. Another extra, viewing panels on the hoods, mean that even though you aren't facing your little ones, you can peek in to see how they're getting on. Compact buggies never have huge baskets, but the two here will accommodate a few essentials. Be wary of hooking grocery bags over the handles though, as lightweight buggies do have a habit of tipping over, even with terrible twosomes inside.
Life's hard enough lugging round all the paraphernalia two small children require, but, at 11kg, the Pulse+ is lightweight but not flimsy (though not quite the lightest around). The red mesh detailing cheers up the work-a-day grey design while pockets on either side at the back provide handy places to stash emergency wipes or rice crackers. I also liked the adjustable leg-rest which you can angle it flat if baby wants to stretch his legs out. Twins always look extra cute positioned side by side, plus they can actually see each other!
What to watch out for
The clips that hold the folded buggy in place stopped engaging on one side, which could be annoying. The release buttons on the safety harness felt stiff, though this will stop juniors doing a Houdini. You can lock the front wheels to tackle bumpier terrain, but the Pulse + is designed for city pavements and shopping malls; go for a tougher, heavier three-wheeler if you fancy venturing onto field or track.
Who is the Pulse+ best for?
Busy mums with twins who prefer side-by-side to a stacked buggy and want something simple to steer.
MadeForMums verdict
Mamas & Papas are experts at knowing what modern parents want and they've got it right again. Compact and light, the Pulse+ is nippy for a double and while not the cheapest option, it's far from the priciest too. It may not be super-sturdy, but for day-to-day town outings, or as a second pushchair, it's a practical choice.
the Mamas & Papas Pulse+ Twin Buggy - DISCONTINUED!
