Being a QuinnyCaster is a great honour. Also very flattering when you find you are one of 25 to be chosen out of over 3,000 applicants. For the past 3 months the QuinnyCasters have been putting their pushchairs through vigorous road tests.
Whether a QC with a baby who can attach a Maxi Cosi infant carrier to the Zapp Xtra chassis. Or a QC with an older child who could easily sit in the Zapp Xtra seat. Read on for my Quinny Zapp Xtra review.
Trying the pushchair for the first time
I chose the Quinny Zapp Xtra Rebel Red. Simply as we had a red Quinny Buzz 3 when Liv was a baby and wanted to continue this tradition.
Our pushchair arrived several days after the announcement of the QuinnyCasters. Just in time for us to take it on holiday to Disneyland Paris. Immediately we were able to give the pram a good road test and that is exactly what we did! We pounded the pavement for miles!!
Upon receiving the Quinny Zapp Xtra, I took my time opening to complete the 1st assignment by QuinnyCasters HQ. To record the grand task of unpacking our Quinny. I had the privilege of putting the Quinny Zapp Xtra together and actually found it very easy to assemble. After using the Quinny Buzz 3 when Liv was a baby, I was aware of how easy Quinny products are to assemble.
Juggling with a separate chassis and seat
I was a little disheartened that the Zapp Xtra has a separate chassis and seat. Being so used to a pram that you can easily fold in half with one finger, I knew this would take some getting used to!
I was very lucky to have a large car, which we travelled to Disneyland Paris in. For this I had no problem storing the pushchair in the car and did not have to fight for space. Since the trip I have actually stored the Zapp Xtra in the boot of a smaller car. Still able to easily fit my shopping (and my friend’s) alongside the pram.
My initial predictions of the pushchair taking up valuable boot space were proved incorrect. Along with my prediction of the pushchair being hard to use due to having to separate to fold down.
Visiting Disneyland Paris with a pushchair
I found Liv slept well when wheeling her around Disneyland Paris even with all the hustle and bustle. I put this down to the fact the Quinny Zapp Xtra can fully recline. In all there are 3 seating positions.
I preferred the inbetween recline position as Liv was very comfortable and was able to stretch out. The seat material is very comfy and allows your child to sit/sleep happily.
Three months into the Quinny Zapp Xtra review and I can put the pram together and take apart with ease. I am sure I get quicker each time! When I had to use my old pushchair, it took me a while to remember how to put it down! The Zapp Xtra really has grown on me!
What others think of the pushchair
Several family members have used the pushchair and have all commented on how easy the Zapp Xtra is to push. The Xtra has the option of a fixed position front wheel or a free wheel. A great feature especially when required to use this on different terrains.
At 5 ft 9′ I have no problem with the height of the handles. However the option to extend the handles further would be a great function especially for taller people.
Shopping with a toddler
Shopping… now what woman does not love shopping? Although we are advised not to hang bags from the handles as it could possibly contribute to the pushchair tipping, I was extremely naughty and used the separate handles to hang (a lot) of Christmas shopping!
As I had no intention of letting go of the pushchair I managed to get away with this. Fortunately I did not feel any hint of tipping.
I had to hang my bags on the handles due to the fact the shopping basket is not very big. It certainly can not cope with more than 2 large bags. Though this is a negative, it is bearable. There really is no scope for how large the basket could be. The size is perfect for the pram, any larger and the pushchair dimensions would have to change.
A pushchair for all seasons
Dealing with the weather… well we have used the Quinny Zapp Xtra in sunshine, rain, snow and ice. This pushchair is fully equip to deal with all climates with great ease. The hood really amazed me with how far it folded out. It completely covered the top half of the pram and Liv’s face. Fantastic for when she is asleep and also meant I did not have to purchase a separate parasol.
The Zapp Xtra comes complete with a raincover, unfortunately this is my ultimate negative. Caught in a huge downpour I struggled for at least 5 minutes to keep the cover in place. It just did not seem to fit around both handles and appeared slightly too small. I had to run back to the car whilst holding the raincover in place on the handles.
10/10 to Quinny for listening to feedback on the original Quinny Zapp and taking on board parental feedback. Features most people look for in a pushchair such as reclining, parent facing and lightweight have been combined with the original Zapp. I hope the feedback in this review will help Quinny with any future pushchairs.
Key Features Of the Quinny Zapp Xtra…
- Can be used forward facing or parent facing.
- Is adaptable. The chassis can be used with the Maxi Cosi Infant Carrier. Which is great if you do not want to spend a lot of money on a full travel system. The Quinny Zapp is suitable to age 4 years of age.
- The hood is the best I have ever seen on a pram
- The pushchair reclines, which enables your child to sleep when out and about.
- It is very easy to manoeuvre, almost spinning on the spot.
- The pushchair is very easy to assemble.
- Quinny pushchairs are very well made and stand the test of time.
- Very easy to store – it isn’t big and bulky.
- You can use thr Quinny Buzz 3 footmuff with the Quinny Zapp Xtra.
The unfortunate Down Sides to the Quinny Zapp Xtra…
- The raincover doesn’t seem to fit properly, it is slightly too small. Though this is something that could have been adapated on newer models.
- There is a lot of packaging which is not very environmentally friendly.
At the 3 month stage of the Quinny Zapp Xtra review, I have only managed to find 2 negatives. They they really are only very trivial matters. I have found the Quinny Zapp Xtra a dream to use as a parent. It is easy to use and comfy for children to travel round in. The price fully justifies why this is a great pushchair to invest in.
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