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In a nutshell

This buggy has some great features but is let down by the over-complicated seat reversal

What we tested

  • Fold/unfolding
    A star rating of 4.0 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 3.5 out of 5.
Overall Rating
A star rating of 4.4 out of 5.

Pros

  • Looks great, manoeuvrable, light, compact fold (without seat unit)

Cons

  • Reversing seat unit is fiddly, bulky when folded with seat unit attached

The Jané Solo Reverse Pushchair looks great, feels light and has some innovative features, but it’s also overcomplicated.

Specifically designed for greater flexibility and manoeuvrability, the Jané Solo Reverse Pushchair features a reversible seat unit, which means your baby can be rear (parent) or forward facing. The seat has three recline positions including lie flat, making it suitable for a newborn.

The 100% aluminium chassis is strong yet lightweight. The pushchair locks closed automatically and is free standing when folded. It can also be folded up with the reversible seat unit still installed in either of the two positions (theoretically, at least). There’s adjustable suspension on the rear wheels and the front swivel wheels can be locked in position, plus the twin link cable brake means there’s no brake bar between the rear wheels.

What we love

Unfolding the Jané Solo Reverse Pushchair is easy. Simply pull up the buttons on the handlebars and then fix the cross at the back with your foot. At first it was a bit stiff and I had to push the cross down, but once it had been used a few times it dropped open by itself. Folding is simple too - just raise the pedal and pull the buttons up. It’s also quite compact when folded.

The backrest is easy to adjust and it can be done one-handed. You need to lift the lever to lower the seat, but can simply pull it up to raise it.

The raincover is one of the best I’ve used. It’s quite structured so it’s easy to fit and it also features a window in the middle that can be opened and secured (with Velcro), giving your child some fresh air and allowing him have a good look around.

The hood is soft with a plastic window and a “peak” on the front for a bit of extra shade. It’s also possible to pull it down quite far forward, which I made good use of on very bright days.

What to watch out for

The Pro-fix system was my main bugbear with the Jané Solo Reverse Pushchair. The seat attaches at four points. To lift it off, you have to press two buttons simultaneously, which was quite awkward in itself since the handle was in the way. There are four points for reattaching the seat unit and I found them very fiddly. In fact, I had to unclip the seat cover on the sides to see where I was supposed to be attaching. I also had to do this on my hands and knees on the floor so it’s not something to attempt when out and about.

The thing that I find annoying about this hassle of reversing the seat is that I’ve used other reversible buggies that simply click in and out of place and can be done one-handed. Why is the Solo Reverse so complicated in comparison? If it were the first reversible buggy ever designed, it would probably be forgivable. However, it isn’t and so it’s simply irritating.

While the Jané Solo Reverse Pushchair is compact when folded without the seat unit, it’s actually quite bulky when the seat unit is attached. It can be folded with the seat unit either forward or rear facing, but folding with a rear facing seat “is not optimal” - I couldn’t get the seat to recline when folded, so couldn’t fit it in the boot that way anyway. The seat unit is compact and folds widthways, so it wouldn’t take up too much room even when stored separately, it’s just the extra time involved in taking it apart before folding that’s an annoyance.

The ability to alter the suspension – it can be softer or harder – is useful, but it’s tricky to do, since the suspension adjuster is situated between the two wheels of each double back wheel. I struggled to squeeze my hand in and then turn the adjuster (and I have child-sized hands).

Who is Jané Solo Reverse Pushchair best for?

Urban mums who want manoeuvrability and flexibility and don’t mind a bit of inconvenience.

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MadeForMums verdict

The Jané Solo Reverse Pushchair is a stylish buggy. It has many useful features, including a noteworthy raincover, and it can be used from birth. It’s just a shame its main selling point – the seat reversal – is complicated.

Product Specifications

Product
BrandJané
ModelSolo Reverse Pushchair
Price£349.00
Suitable for
Child age (approx)From Birth
Dimensions & Weight
Weight8.6kg
DimensionsH:97cm W:55cm L:101cm
Dimensions (folded)H:90cm W:36cm L:39cm
Features
Travel system compatibleYes
Compatible car seatsJané Strata car seat, Jané Capazo carrycot/car seat, Jané Matrix Cup carrycot/car seat
Seat facing directionForward facing and parent facing
Front wheelsLockable swivel
Recline positions3
Features
  • Raincover
Accessories
Accessories includedPram bag, footmuff, Jané Strata car seat, Jané Capazo carrycot/car seat, Jané Matrix Cup carrycot/car seat
Optional extras
  • Jané Strata car seat
  • Jané Capazo carrycot/car seat
  • Jané Matrix Cup carrycot/car seat
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