Review: Mutsy 4Rider

Type: fullsize european non-jogging stroller


Best features: huge airfilled tires that give a comfy ride and a lovely pushing experience, amazing customizability (different seats, the bassinet, and plenty of accessories),  sleek modern look

Drawbacks: Tricky two piece, not-all-that-compact fold, plastic connections between seats and chassis that sometimes jam, canopy could be more generous

The Mutsy 4Rider Next with single spoke tires was our first stroller.  We chose the more expensive Next for the leather handles and the airfilled tires, and started out with a bassinet.  When Tabetha got a little older we got a seat and the neoprene undercarriage bag. Unfortunately for us, she had zero interest in lying flat on her back and being pushed around, so we really didn't use the stroller much until she was old enough to sit in the seat.  Once that happened, though, we started really using it.

I found it very frustrating in those early days because the fold isn't all that easy, and standing in a parking lot trying over and over again to fold it while the baby screamed in her car seat was a bit frustrating.  Eventually I got the hang of it, though even now (after owning it for about 10 months) I find that I don't always get it on the first try.  It's also heavy to lift in and out of the trunk.

On the plus side, putting it back together again is very easy, especially in the mama-facing configuration, and it's a joy to push.  It's very nimble for a full size stroller, and turns easily on trails or in malls.  We took it "offroad" and the ride was still smooth enough for Tabetha to sleep.  With the telescoping handle it's comfortable for even a tall person to push.

Currently in Canada this is strictly a one child stroller, but a double seat for it is available in europe and the US.   I haven't tried it though, so I can't say how functional it is.

Verdict:  This is a great stroller.  It's very sturdy, comfortable to push, and has a small enough footprint to make travelling by bus easy as long as you don't need to fold it down to make room for more people.  The seat is high, so you can push it up to the table as an ersatz high chair if necessary, and it reclines fully for nap time.  I'm not sure how it would do for folks who do a lot of outdoorsy activities, but it's certainly up for the limited amount we subjected it to.  Not a good purchase if you have a very small trunk or anticipate having to haul it up or down stairs very often.