Bugaboo Cameleon 3 Review
B Loves:
Yummy Mummy pushchair of choice, great range of limited edition covers
One of the most desirable pushchairs around, if you are into labels, this is one for you, especially as Bugaboo regularly teams up with designers and artists to produce uber-cool fabrics. Recent collaborations have included Missoni, Viktor and Rolfe and the Andy Warhol Foundation and the latest collaboration is with denim brand Diesel.
This pushchair will be suitable on any surface and is a safe and comfortable transport system for your little one from birth to around two or three years of age. Choose your base model in a plain fabric and add a hood and apron in a bright or subtle colour or a special edition fabric . The base includes the chassis, seat, shopping basket, raincover and an insect net. All items, that is the carrycot, the seat unit and a car seat (which you will need to buy separately, with adaptors) can be popped directly onto the chassis.
Another great feature is that you can push in one of three ways; with the small wheels at the front for shopping and city use; with the large wheels at the front (simply unlock and flip the handle right over to the other side); or you can partially fold the chassis and pull it along on just the two large wheels, which makes it easier to negotiate over sandy beaches or in the snow.
Seat: The carrycot, suitable for overnight sleeping, comes with a ventilated mattress and base and can be used from birth. The seat unit, which faces the front or the rear, can be used up to three years and is in a fixed position which reclines through three positions (using the white buttons at each side) and is suitable from six months. It has a five point adjustable harness that is very easy to lengthen or shorten and a foot rest and can face the front or the rear. A generous hood keeps your little one from the elements. The bumper bar can be opened and swung out of the way from wither side to allow for easy access to your child, or you can remove it altogether.
Chassis: The chassis has an adjustable suspension system and very generous rear wheels. There is an adjustable handle to suit either parent. To fold, remove the seat first, then push the two white buttons on the handlebars (anything white has a function), then the handle drops down. Then grab and lift the bar above the basket and the frame folds down. Unfolding is even easier; pull up on the handle, shake it and it clicks right back into place. The best thing about this pushchair (perhaps) is the location of the brake; no fiddling around under the seat with a toe trying to locate the brake lever; on a Cameleon, it is positioned right on the handle. Push the white lever forwards to engage the brakes, depress the button on the side and bring the lever back to unlock. The handlebar can be adjusted through many positions by opening the levers on either side, adjusting to suit, the locking them again. It will be suitable even for tall parents. The basket is the iconic semi-circular shape of Bugaboos and it features an internal bag with a pull-cord to close the top of the basket; no more objects rolling out when you fold it! It also makes items a little more secure if you put something you don’t want to lose in it.
Wheels: The front wheels are six inches wide, small and neat, able to be locked or swivel to negotiate tight corners, while the rear ones are a huge 12 inches. There is an amazing adjustable suspension system on the front wheels, giving you a tighter or smoother ride depending on the road surface. Tyres are foam filled rubber and the wheels can be easily removed by pushing – yes, you guessed it, the white buttons.
Extras: You can buy lots of accessories to go with any of the Bugaboo range which includes: a ride-on toddler board, any of the tailored fabric sets, a wool blanket, wool mattress cover for the carrycot, a wool seat liner, a transport bag if you need to ship it somewhere or for in the airplane hold, a cup holder, Breezy sun canopy, mosquito net, parasol, seat liner for the seat unit, a changing bag to match your colour choice, two different footmuffs, a snack tray for your child.
The Small Print:
- Weight: 9.6kg
- Used from: birth to 15 kg
- Seat reclines: three
- Size when folded: H31 x W90 x D50 cm
Car seat: Maxi Cosi Cabriofix, Maxi Cosi Pebble, Recaro Young Profi Plus with adaptors
You can use your seat unit on the Bugaboo Runner chassis too