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TFK Buggster S
Trends for Kids (TFK) has been popular in Europe since it was founded in 1997. Sold in more than 15 countries, TFK made its way across the pond to make its US debut in November 2008. With its high quality German design, great features and sporty looks, the TFK stroller may soon be a major US favorite.
The Buggster S stroller may look familiar because Valco Baby distributed the basic Buggster in the US a few years back. Now that TFK is in the US, Valco Baby no longer distributes the stroller for TFK. The Buggster S is an upgraded version of the basic Buggster featuring a 3 wheel suspension system and a foot rest, two features that the basic Buggster did not have.
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The first thing we noticed about the Buggster S was how large and wide the seat was. The seat on the Buggster S is very wide and roomy, making for a comfortable ride for even an older child. The seat is one of the widest seats we have seen on a single stroller and our testers fit easily with plenty of room to spare! The Buggster S has a recommended weight capacity of 55 lbs, so even our older toddlers and kids can jump in for a ride. There is an adjustable, non-padded 5-point harness for safety that can be adjusted for our smaller riders as well as the larger ones. There is a flip-up footrest for the comfort of our older riders as well.
The seat is well padded with a removable AIRGO breathable seat insert to help with air circulation. The seat has a 2 position recline that reclines about half way back but still great for our riders to snooze. In order to recline the seat, there is a zipper system that requires mom or dad to unzip a zipper on each side. If we could make one change, it would be that they change the zipper feature to a one-handed bar recline that would be easier for parent to do with a child in the seat. Since the seat doesn't recline flat, it is only recommended for babies 6+ months. Fortunately, there is a carrycot sold separately for newborns as well as a car seat adapter for use with the Maxi Cosi Mico Infant Car Seat. A car seat adapter for use with Graco and Peg Perego Infant Car Seats will be available soon.
The seat fabric is durable and easily removable and washable. There is an adjustable (2 positions) and removable bumper bar but no cup holders or snack trays for either mom or baby. (Remember, Europeans don't eat and drink on the go.)
The Buggster S has a sun canopy that isn't the biggest on the market but not the smallest either. It provides adequate shade for your baby but we'd like it a more if it was larger and shaded our little rider's legs. TFK does offer a UV Sun Cover as an additional accessory which is great to add for more sun protection. There is a rather large basket (for a lightweight stroller) underneath that accommodates a medium to large size diaper bag and is easy to access from the sides or rear of the stroller.
The handles are high, and even though they not adjustable, we found that they are ergonomically designed and are plenty high for our taller husbands and mama friends.
There are three 6 1/2 inch, wide wheels that give the Buggster S great maneuverability. If you prefer four wheels, there is a double front wheel accessory sold separately. The stroller glides along effortlessly and the lightness of the frame allows us to easily push it with one hand, even with a larger toddler aboard. The stroller turns easily and even though it's not an all-terrain stroller, the spring loaded wheels giving the stroller great suspension, allows it to handle bumpy roads, brick streets and small rocks with ease. A great feature of the wheels is that the front swivel wheel can also lock straight with the turn of the large dial under the footrest to handle bumpy terrains even easier. There is also a one-step parking brake that securely locks both back wheels at once.
The Buggster S has a two-step, two-handed folding system (three steps if you include locking the stroller) that ends in a flat, rather compact fold. The folding process is easy and quick once you get the hang of it. There is a manual lock on the side of the stroller to keep the stroller closed while transporting. Unfolding the stroller also has a couple steps but is easy to do.
Weighing in at 15.4 lbs, the Buggster S is lightweight and easy to transport. This sporty stroller comes in blue, black, red, mandarine, pebble, mud, olive, and navy.
Retailing at an expensive $349, with its fabulously wide seat, great maneuverability, sturdy construction, and the ability to work with a carrycot or an infant car seat, we recommend you check out the TFK Buggster S.
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