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Stroller system with a bucket seat - yes/no? Is it better to choose prettiness or practicality?

23 Apr 2020

I wish you a good day,

and with that, I have a question. What is your opinion about the bucket-type seat unit? I really really love the look of the Bugaboo Fox 2, but both my sisters own a Gesslein pram, and their children nap a lot in those lay-flat seat units, legs nicely stretched. That made me think of if I should go for the beauty of my choice, or the practicality of a lay-flat Gesslein.

My baby should be born in October and probably will be a bigger one since us parents are both tall (over 5′ 10″).

Thank you,
Misha

Eli • 23 Apr 2020

Hi there!

I must say, that in my opinion, the Bugaboo Fox 2 is certainly not only a beautiful pram, but a practical one as well. It's not jus a designer model by itself, it has a great driveability, it's made of high-wuality materials, features a spacious carrycot, size-adequate seat unit, and a great nice canopy...

Bucket-type seat-wise, I don't take that as a negative at all. I have three sons and many bucket- as well as non-bucket seats that we had, and with all those experience, I can say that a bucket seat is not less comfortable at all (compared to a conventional lay-flat seat). You know, it's not that much about the seat type as much as it is about the overall pram quality. A lay-flat seat can be shallow, cheaply made, reclined in the upright position even - with a worse, cheaper mode, and the same - shallow, uncomfortable, and so on, with a cheap bucket-type seat pram as well. Both brands you mention, however, are high-quality and good, so I would not worry there.

On the other hand, the first period of time after the carrycot is actually so much more comfortable in a bucket seat in my opinion, because the child doesn't slide down even in the laying position - it is in an ergonomic position, secure in its place, with a nice view even. An only problem can occur in the situation when a child is really used to lay on its belly or to move a lot, BUT this should not really be happening much as it is necessary to belt up your baby anyway. It', therefore, a matter of habit and your own approach - a baby feels the mommy being nervous, so if you're uncomfortable with a bucket-shaped seat, the baby might be as well (and vice versa, the baby will be happy feeling the mom is happy).

To conclude all that, I would say - if you're in love with the Fox, just go get it and don't overthink it much. To add to it, it has a very nice resale value after you're done with it, or if you, by any chance, later on, change your mind (you can also count on getting something smaller, front-facing only for a toddler around 2 years). I believe you'll be happy with the Fox; moms tend to love it (and their kids too) 🙂

Your -very berry- Eli.

Now, this is your place to ask. I'm listening.