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In a nutshell

Pricey, but robust. This buggy's longevity will only tempt 4x4 owners and keen all-terrain walkers.

What we tested

  • Fold/unfolding
    A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.
  • Manoeuvrability
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Comfort for child
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Style
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Durability
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Worth the money
    A star rating of 2.0 out of 5.
Overall Rating
A star rating of 4.1 out of 5.

Pros

  • Stylish, sturdy, padded, very smooth ride, easy to push up kerbs, handbrake with useful push-button release, reversible handlebar

Cons

  • Big, heavy, too big when folded to get body and chassis in most car boots, chassis doesn't lock together when folded, lie-flat mode doesn't keep position when baby tries to sit up – the back rest comes up, pricey

Sturdy and rugged, the F6 has an eye-watering price tag of £680. Unfortunately, the niggles could leave you wondering why it’s so expensive.

Most mums-to-be probably won't have heard of German buggy manufacturer Gesslein, as although it has been making prams and pushchairs for 45 years, it’s only available through Eric Snook's The Golden Cot. I was quite intrigued to be testing out one with my 22-month old son, Nathaniel. It was Gesslein’s F6, a buggy with interchangeable front wheels.

The Gesslein F6 is tagged as a buggy from birth to the age of 3 that’s so comfy it can be used as a daybed. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with English instructions and the Youtube video online demonstrating various things the F6 can do is shot at the wrong angle, so I had to work a lot of it out for myself. Having said this, if you go into the UK distributor’s store, the staff are highly trained. The F6 can be used with a car seat to turn into a travel system, and a raincover, insect net and carrycot that doubles up as a footmuff are included in the price. The interchangeable wheels also make it equally suitable for both urban and rural living.

What we love

The F6 is certainly well made and one of the sturdiest buggies I have ever pushed Nathaniel in. It was very padded and looked quite stylish in an old-fashioned kind of way.

If you’re looking for a ride that’s smooth, I don't think you'll find a better pushchair, thanks to the adjustable suspension.

If you live in a rural area and want to save money, the F6 is a great buy for its longevity, and its ability to cover all-terrain.

Riding in the city, I found the FB buggy easily moved up kerbs and, despite its cumbersome shape, it was still small enough to fit through a narrow hallway of my terraced house.

What to watch out for

The F6 is very easy to fold, although not one-handed, and there’s no lock or 'click' to hold the handle in place when the buggy is flat, so picking it up is very difficult, as it weighs 15kg.

While the buggy can be folded with the seat attached, it wouldn't fit into the boot of my saloon, even with nothing else in there, and the seat had to be detached and went on the back car seat. This would be a nightmare for taking on holiday, as it just uses up far too much space in your car.

At first I liked the idea of having 3 backrest positions, as well as a total lie-flat one, but I found when completely horizontal there was no 'click' to keep the backrest in position when I wanted Nathaniel to sleep - if he sat up, the back came up with him! Really annoying.

The F6 is very pricey at £680. Unless you live on a farm or walk across fields every day and need a heavy-duty pushchair all the time, I feel the buggy’s longevity wouldn't make up for the high price. If I bought the F6, I'd probably want to invest in a more lightweight option now that Nathaniel is walking, and one that could be transported more easily.

Who is the Gesslein F6 buggy best for?

Keen off-road walkers who have the vehicle space for a big buggy.

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MadeForMums verdict

A rock-solid, hard-wearing buggy, but if you’re a city dweller or need to transport your buggy in a car you won't get your money’s worth with this one.

Product Specifications

Product
BrandGesslein
ModelF6 buggy
Price£680.00
Suitable for
Child age (approx)Birth to 3 years
Dimensions & Weight
Weight15kg
DimensionsH:94cm W:46cm L:61cm
Dimensions (folded)H:80cm W:35cm L:55cm
Features
Travel system compatibleYes
Compatible car seatsMaxi-Cosi CabrioFix car seat
Seat facing directionForward facing and parent facing
Front wheelsLockable swivel
Recline positions4
Features
  • Handbrake
  • Changeable front wheels
  • Adjustable height handle
  • Reversible seat direction
  • Pivoting handlebar
  • Bumper bar
  • Adjustable footrest
  • Adjustable suspension
  • 5 Point harness
  • Anti-tip chassis
Accessories
Accessories includedCarrycot that turns into a footmuff, travel system adaptors, raincover, in-built canopy in hood,
Optional extras
  • Summer packet with UV protection sun canopy and mosquito net (£20)
  • Matching changing bag (£59)
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