Mountain Buggy Terrain review

The 2015 version of the Mountain Buggy Terrain is here. 

The Mountain Buggy Terrain is your best bet for an active lifestyle. It performs as a jogger buggy, but won’t prevent you from hitting the town either.

Mountain Buggy has been a leader in rugged go-anywhere buggies for almost two decades. The original model (1992) set the standard to which all 3-wheelers have to aspire – simple, durable, manoeuverable and adaptable.

The Mountain Buggy designers have re-engineered their bulletproof Urban Jungle platform, and enhanced its

features for this model, the Terrain. It’s been given optimum sport performance technologies and a premium design so you can really enjoy that jog.

As the name suggests, this buggy can handle all terrains. The shock absorbing suspension absorbs impact, improving handling and surface grip. The quick release tyres are air-filled – the front one is 12 inches and the rear ones are 16 inches. The tread on the tyres gives absolute traction.

There’s also a hand-operated active brake, and the 3-mode front wheel can be locked forward or back or be on a full swivel mode. That front wheel also has adjustable tracking for precision steering and stability when it’s locked forward.

Of course, all this smart, sporty, rugged stuff wouldn’t be of any use without the standard features you’d expect from a buggy.

Thankfully, the Terrain has plenty, such as an adjustable seat position from upright to fully reclined for a newborn, the option to add a carrycot, and soon there’ll be car seat adapters to make it travel system compatible.

The Mountain Buggy Terrain features an adjustable canopy with flick-out sun visor, a viewing window under a flap and a detachable bumper bar. The seat fabric is wipe clean and easy to remove, too.

Storage wise, the Terrain does well, with a large shopping basket under the seat that has a mesh zipped cover to stop stuff falling out as you go over bumps. There are multiple pockets and two bottle holders, one of which I’ve used to hold that other mummy accessory – sunglasses!

For all the runners out there, the Terrain has an uncompromised running position and hand control – I have to run with one hand on and one hand off or else I don’t feel relaxed, so a multi-adjust handle, strap and hand break are vital to me.

What we love

The Mountain Buggy Terrain was as at home in town as when I was out running with it. Previously, I’ve had to use two different buggies, one for town shopping and visiting friends and one for running. My current running buggy has great suspension and 20-inch tyres, so it was great to find that the Terrain performed as well when at speed over rough terrain.

The Terrain also gets points for comfort. Often all-terrain and running buggies tend to be little more than a sling on big wheels. The Terrain has a proper seat that I really could see a newborn in. The well-padded 5-point harness and generous seat width will accommodate all sizes of child, right up to 5 years. Mind you, I wouldn’t fancy running up hill pushing my 5-year-old – too heavy!

This buggy has great storage. The covered shopping basket stopped my things falling out as I ran but was also big enough to hold a reasonable amount of shopping in town. 

The Terrain is a very sturdy buggy, weighing in at 13kg, however you’d never know. It manoeuvres brilliantly, has a tiny turning circle and is effortless over bumpy ground.

The straps on the 5-point harness are movable to three different settings, without fiddling. In addition to this nifty piece of kit is a red button that you need to press in order to unfasten the harness, rendering it impossible to escape from, by even the most cunning of 2-year-olds!

What to watch out for

When you alter the recline from fully flat to upright, the resulting excess fabric gets bunched up around the seat. This is fine for 10-month-old Freya because there’s still plenty of room for her. However, with a larger child you need to stuff the fabric down behind the seat. This isn’t difficult but less than perfect.

As I run with only one hand on the buggy, changing over as I go along, a strap is very important and while the Terrain has one, it is pretty short and I found it restricted my arm swing if attached to my free arm.

Who is the Mountain Buggy Terrain best for?

All outdoor-loving or active types who want a jogger that can also negotiate a trip to town.

MadeForMums verdict

The Mountain Buggy Terrain is a fantastic buggy well worth its slightly high price (the accessories mount up). This value is especially clear when you consider that most parents who run end up having to buy at least two buggies. The Terrain is a true crossover product, as at home in the countryside as the city centre.