In a nutshell

Value-for-money, good on public transport, very compact with a flat recline option

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 4.0 out of 5.
  • Style
    A star rating of 3.0 out of 5.
  • Durability
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Worth the money
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
Overall Rating
A star rating of 4.2 out of 5.

Pros

  • Easy to steer - I could push it one handed. Reclines flat, perfect for comfortable long naps, very compact for small cars

Cons

  • No option for a rear-facing seat, handle doesn’t extend for taller drivers

The Armadillo from nursery manufacturing giants Mamas & Papas has been billed as its new lightweight, inexpensive and compact pushchair. This easy-to-use pram certainly seems to hit targets. It folds down to a slim-line size, is nippy around town and holds its own on grass. Unlike Mamas & Papas 2011 ‘marmite’ likened Mylo buggy, which was sported by celebrities such as Gwen Stefani and Holly Willoughby, the Armadillo has a much more conventional design.

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What’s in the box?

  • Chassis frame
  • Seat unit
  • Wheels
  • Raincover
  • Hood
  • Padded liner

What are the optional extras?

  • Mamas&Papas Aton car seat -£135
  • Adaptors for the Aton car seat - £29.95
  • Maxi-Cosi car seat adaptors - £29.95
  • Sun parasol - £34.95
  • Foot muff - £39.95
  • Cup holder and toddler handle - £20
  • Changing bag - £44.99
  • Sunshield – £35.10
  • Knitted blanket - £40.00

How does the Armadillo steer?

For the price it does a good job. If you are used to more expensive buggies with large wheels you might find it a bit bumpy, but it is easy to steer and my little boy managed to sleep through a variety of hills, wonky pavements and bus rides - so it was a smooth enough ride for him.

What about the assembly?

Putting it together is quick and painless. The wheels need fitting but they clip on – no tools required – and there is a break cord that links the back wheels, which just needs tucking inside a Velcro pocket. Then it is ready to go.

Is it travel system compatible?

Yes. There are adapters available so it can fit a Mamas & papas Aton car seat or a Maxi-Cosy pebble car seat.

How does the buggy fare against the rain?

It comes with a rain cover that attaches to the hood and clips onto the side of the chassis. The hood itself it large and waterproof so don’t be concerned that it isn’t covered. It certainly worked well under a bit of light rain, though I found that it was best to leave it out and unfolded to dry. I would have preferred the rain cover to fit over the hood – just because it would be much easier to dry.

How about comfort?

The seat is easy to raise up and down with a pull cord and the footrest is adjustable so it is a good buggy for comfy napping. It can also lie completely flat, for long naps. There is also plenty of room (my little one is quite chunky) and the straps felt sturdy and safe.

I had the striped Armadillo, which came with a padded liner for my baby to sit on. I would recommend having this as it added a little bit of warmth on a very cold day. The plain – and slightly less conspicuous version of this buggy is cheaper but it does not come with a padded liner. However, this is available to buy separately for £19.95.

Any extra features?

Yes, it comes with a shopping basket – which is large and a huge plus point for me. Still, it took a bit of wrestling to get the bigger shopping bags into it as it is very close to the underside of the seat.

I also liked the peekaboo window, which meant I could see my son even though the seat is front facing. The flap that covers it closes with a magnet, which is also a nice touch. The large hood would be good for shade against the sun and it also gave my son a real sense of space. He also enjoyed the stripey pattern much more than I did and would gaze up at it peacefully.

Can you take the Armadillo on public transport?

Certainly- I found the Armadillo easy to get on and off busses. It manoeuvred well in small spaces; it also isn’t too long when folded, so the handle didn’t stick out much, which I know can annoy other passengers.

How easy is it to fold?

It’s easy to fold with a simple twist of the handle – and importantly I could manage it one handed. There’s also a handle to carry it. It folds down very neatly so I was able to lift it upstairs and into our flat without scratching the walls. This has been really difficult with larger buggies in the past. The only downside to the handle is that it doesn’t extend to cater for different heights.

What to watch out for

The Armadillo is only forward facing; the seat lies flat so it's suitable from birth, but your baby won’t be facing you.

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MadeForMums verdict?

In all, the Armadillo is really good for the price. There are smoother rides and better-looking buggies, but they can be three times more expensive. I think it would be a good buy for city mums, and anyone who mostly pushes on pavements. But if you plan on taking it on rougher terrain then it can be on the bumpy side.

Product Specifications

Product
BrandMamas & Papas
ModelArmadillo
Price£199.00
Suitable for
Child age (approx)Birth to 3 years
Child weightUp to 15kg
Dimensions & Weight
Weight8kg
DimensionsH:100cm W:55cm L:92cm
Dimensions (folded)H:30cm W:55cm L:72cm
Features
Travel system compatibleYes
Compatible car seatsAdapters available for Maxi-Cosi and Aton
Seat facing directionForward facing
Front wheelsLockable swivel
Recline positionsMulti-position
Features
  • The seat reclines so baby can sleep
  • Easy one handed fold mechanism
  • Large and extendable hood for sun shade and a useful peekaboo window to check on baby
  • Which would help anyone with worries about a front facing seat
Accessories
Accessories includedAll models come with a rain cover, and the striped version, which is £30 more expensive than the plain, comes with a padded seat (really useful for chilly days)
Optional extras
  • Car seat adapters for Aton and Maxi-Cosi are £29.95
  • Cup holder and toddler handle cost £20
  • There is a sun parasol for £34.95
  • A reversible liner for £19.95
  • A variety of footmuffs, ranging from £39.95 to £64.94
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