A striking buggy, available in bright turquoise (Latigo Bay) or red/orange (Grenadine), the Evo Mini is suitable from six months of age and will last until your child is around three years old or weighs 15kg.
What comes in the box?
- Chassis
- Seat cover and back rest
- Hood
- Raincover
- Instruction manual.
What we loved
The buggy boasts all the regular features of a three-wheeler – think swivel-lock wheels, five-point harness, fold-back hood and foot operated brake. But this buggy’s unique selling point has to be the one-handed fold: simply slide the catch on the handle to the left, grip and push down. There were no instructions needed and I succeeded on my first go. The automatic lock is handy but needed a nudge for it to engage and keep the frame from unfolding.
When it comes to comfort, it certainly offers a good ride. The seat is deep and surprisingly well padded for something so light: the space was generous for both my two-year-old and my three-year-old (although not at the same time!). Plus, the shoulder straps have great padding.
If you’re shopping with the Evo Mini you’re in luck: the basket under the chassis is deep and wide enough to carry a pack of nappies and a few other small items of shopping, as well as your bits and bobs.
What to watch out for
The Evo Mini is lightweight it isn’t as compact as it could be, largely because the anodised aluminium chassis is quite thick. So whilst it does fold down easily and with one hand, when it’s collapsed the buggy isn’t particularly flat.
The seat recline system is simple – just extend the elasticated drawstring on the back of the seat but I found that it required some fiddling to lie the backrest flat (less so if you’re returning the seat to upright, just pull the drawstrings apart but don’t do it with your little one on board).
What’s most noticeable about this buggy though is that it feels a bit flimsy, which may be due to the anodised aluminium chassis. It lacks the solid feel of other buggies I've tested and I’d be wary of taking it off road, even just in the park: when Poppy and I ventured onto a gravel track her ride got a little bumpy. What’s more, at £179.99 I’d really expect something a little more robust, even if its main selling point is that it's lightweight.
MadeForMum verdict
A lightweight buggy that handles well and is very easy to fold, the Graco Evo Mini has all the basic features that you’d expect from a mid-price stroller. A good choice if you value simplicity but lacking the innovative design and robustness of some of its rivals.
