EasyWalker Mini review

The Dutch buggy manufacturer originally collaborated with the quintessentially British carmaker Mini on a high-end travel system - the Easywalker Mini Stroller (£609.99). And now the Amsterdam-based company has launched the just-as-cute but much less pricey Easywalker Mini Buggy.

It sits in the market alongside other premium buggies such as the SilverCross Reflex (£250), The Cybex Onyx (£160), Chicco Liteway Plus (£148.99) and Graco Mosaic (£ 229.99). And with so much on offer if you are browsing in the stroller showroom, it’s hard to know which to choose.

But I was looking for a lightweight umbrella-fold buggy that was right for city living – something to grow into after baby Roo’s early months in a chunkier travel system was key.

What's in the box?

• Chassis
• Seat unit
• Harness
• Sun canopy
• Raincover
• Manual

Any additional extras?

• Parasol - £34.99
• Bumper bar - £8.99
• Car seat adaptors - £30
• Mosquito net - £10

First impressions?

The most obvious standout feature is the design. I have the mod-tastic Union Jack model, which features an iconic British flag on the seat plus an off-centre flag on the hood.

It’s great for babies wearing Britpop parkas, less good for my OCD! It also comes in more understated versions featuring a self-colour flag design on cream or on black – it’s all in the stitching, I believe!

I was due to receive the buggy just before I went to visit relatives in Scotland and I remember thinking, “maybe I should have one of the plain colour schemes, can't have the baby getting egged by the yes Scotland camp!”

Sadly, it didn’t arrive on time, so I (and as it turns out David Cameron) didn’t need to worry.

How is assembling the Easywalker Mini?

The instructions included here are not the worlds clearest. In fact, they’re pretty rubbish - but luckily there’s not much to assemble with this little beauty.

It’s more a case of taking a half hour to find out what the buttons and levers do, and how to adjust the safety straps etc. You do have to fit the hood, but it’s really a piece of cake to do.

Is the buggy lightweight?

Yes, at 6.8lbs, it weighs in at the lower end of the stroller spectrum - although there are certainly more pared-back, lighter strollers out there including the 4kg Maclaren Volo.

As with anything, however, it’s all about trading off weight for the features you most need with the Easywalker Mini stroller, you get the strength to remain durable and keep your little one safe.

How does it fold?

A little clumsily, I was adamant I wanted an umbrella fold buggy so it would take up the least space. But if I’m honest, it kept falling over on its folded footprint (grr) and taken alongside a length of 102cm, it is not as small as I thought it would be.

That well-padded seat might be comfy for little bums to sit on but even when cinched together by a handy holding clip that upholstery spills over; fanning out further when carried by the shoulder strap (supplied).

Meanwhile, the umbrella fold means there’s nothing horizontal to hold onto to carry it up or downstairs. I didn’t feel safe enough to pick the whole buggy up to get on tube trains etc as I have done with, for example, the cheap as chips Hauck Sport.

So have a think about whether you most need to a) pop it in the car boot or b) run up and down stairs.

Is the Easywalker Mini comfy

Well, as I’ve said already, the seat is well-padded luxurious to the touch. And the rear-wheel suspension takes every bump on the pavement and country path tree root in its stride.

The safety harness, although secured by a super-cool mini badge, is quite basic. It seems safe but the utilitarian nylon strapping has rough edges. That’s alleviated by the twin face pads, fixed at the top of the straps to keep soft against baby’s face – well done. I reckon that as far as baby’s needs go, the Easywalker Mini has it covered

How does it handle when out and about?

I was initially skeptical about the fixed handlebars, but height-wise it seemed ideal for me, I just pity the poor 6ft 4in daddies!

When pushing was delighted to discover I could manage the holy grail of buggy tasks - texting while steering one-handed. And the leather handlebar covers also ensured a good grip.

Is the buggy really suitable from birth to age 4?

Yes! I love the fact it has a lie-flat option as one of four recline positions. Young babies are well strapped in, are comfy, and can lounge perfectly happily here.

It’s also fab for older babies who want to lie flat just to nap, as you can easily adjust the seat recline with one hand.

And it’s worth noting that many similarly priced buggies are only recommended up until a 15kg weight (approx age 3), while the Mini Easywalker buggy provides a ride for toddlers up to 20kg (approx age 4).

What about the seat positions?

Many mums will prefer a buggy that faces toward them in the early months and to be fair, this one doesn’t do that.

However I am a huge fan of the transparent window at the back of the hood, allowing a clear view of baby at all times.

The hood, in general, is also a big plus; it’s detachable with good coverage as standard and an extra zip-out section to ensure little eyes are screened from the sun or sleep-stealing distractions.

Is the Easywalker Mini stroller travel system compatible?

Yes it is. Popping a car seat onto a lightweight buggy solves an age-old holiday problem; how on earth do I get on the train carrying a baby, buggy, and a car seat for use during our stay at our destination?

Sadly, I didn’t get the chance to use it, but the option of adding a car seat using adaptors (not supplied) gives another option for transporting the youngest kids, and that’s great in a buggy of this style and price.

Is it value for money?

As a stand-alone buggy it does seem a bit pricey compared to the rest of the market, but if you intend to use the car seat add-on (group 0+ car seats are recommended to approx 12-15 months) it’s definitely worth a good look.

Especially as the hood and the rain cover are included with the purchase, and other accessories. But what’s not included is a bumper bar, parasol, mosquito net and car seat adaptors - all available separately.

For me, I reckon the bumper bar, at least, should be part of the original package, but it’s only £8.99 to add it if you so wish. One big miss for me however is a footmuff/cosytoes. With such a distinctively patterned pram, I think a mismatched one would spoil the look.

Is it a suitable shopper?

I’m not sure that any buggy is brilliant at coping with a week’s worth of supermarket shopping in one go, so I’ll say this: it’s as good as any other.

With a 5kg max load, the basket size is smallish and when the baby is fully reclined it’s tricky to load it.

However when he’s sitting up its capacity rises. The recline also meant that baby’s changing bag wouldn’t hang flat against the buggy’s back and it got in the way of my knees while walking.

Luckily my faithful shopping bag mummy clips did attach, but I was careful not to overload them. However I reckon it’d be a rare lightweight buggy that that didn’t also encounter all of that. Probably need a tank.

Made For Mums Verdict

It’s not the lightest, or the smallest buggy in the world, but it’s a stylish, strong all-rounder. The car seat option plus full recline seat are still quite a rare combination, offering superb versatility at this price point. Just the right wheels for adventures of the Mini kind.