The Mamas & Papas brand has become a well-known name in the baby industry and its extensive pushchair collection provides an impressive range to choose from. The Mamas & Papas Trek lightweight buggy is the mid-range option for the company’s series of lightweight buggies and I was suitably impressed with its durability and ride.
What we love
The Mamas & Papas Trek comes in two vibrant colourways - Raspberry and Blueberry – that allow you to stand out from the crowd yet not appear too garish. The chassis is an understated silver-grey and the padding on the handles is more than sufficient in grey foam. The handles are placed in a comfortable position and even allow for one-handed steering if necessary.
While there’s no leg rest, the seat of the Mamas & Papas Trek is comfortable and deep enough. The shoulder harnesses don’t have padding but the straps are smooth and non-irritating and are easy and quick to adjust for any size child. The straps have a funky design as well, which is unique. You can easily place a buggy liner or footmuff in the seat, as the straps are removable and adjustable for the height of your child.
The seat is has a multi-position recline, though it doesn’t go to a completely lie-flat position. The recline strap is smooth and quiet, which is great when you’ve got a sleeping child onboard.
The canopy snaps into place with a catch and also extends down from the hood to cover the back of the seat when the seat is reclined.
There’s a handy carry strap attached to the side of the chassis, which allows you to easy transport the Mamas & Papas Trek once it’s folded. Weighing 5.9kg, very little effort is required to carry the Trek and there’s a latch to keep the folded buggy locked securely. Another plus is that the Mamas & Papas Trek is not too long to fit into most car boots.
My daughter Ella was very comfortable riding in the Mamas & Papas Trek. This was very reassuring to me as I’ve concerns about the comfort level of most lightweight buggies! The ride the Trek offered was surprisingly smooth and quiet - a plus when your child’s sleeping!
What to watch out for
When the Mamas & Papas Trek is reclined you won’t be able to properly access the storage basket, however this is the case with many lightweight buggies.
The seat doesn’t fully recline and doesn’t come to a full and upright position when sat up.
There’s no adjustable leg rest and I found that Ella’s feet touched the rubber strap between the wheels.
The canopy is initially stiff to open and close and I became a bit wary of the catch; I worried about it pinching my fingers. The canopy is only effective if the sun is behind you or directly above you as it doesn’t come down very far in front.
While the Mamas & Papas Trek does collapse down easily and smoothly, if you have a buggy liner or footmuff attached, it won’t fold as much as it can, which may affect the latch that holds the buggy closed when folded.
Who is the Mamas & Papas Trek lightweight buggy best for?
City dwelling families after an affordable and reliable lightweight buggy.
The Mamas & Papas Trek lightweight buggy is a surprisingly durable and comfortable option for families who are looking for affordability and style in a small package. The Mamas & Papas Trek doesn’t fully recline and has a relatively ineffective storage basket but it’s a worthwhile option for families on the go.
