TFK Buggster S Review

Quick Summary: The TFK aesthetics will not be to everyone's taste but the functionality of the Buggster S is good although for nearly £250 without any extras included I would want it to be!

The Buggster S is the stroller that can perform as a full 3-in-1, offering car seat attachments and a carrycot. It is a compact folding system that will take you from birth through to walking without having to ditch your bulky initial purchase in favour of something smaller.

Lightweight, nippy and spacious it offers your passenger comfort whilst giving you the advantage of flexibility not afforded by regular strollers.

First impressions of the Buggster S are just how wide it is. The oval frame makes it the widest stroller I've seen at 52cms wide. The seat depth is comparatively shallow at 19cms and it has a tall back height of 50cms. It allows plenty of room for the larger child but conversely it wouldn't drown a 6 month old.

Chassis

The TFK Buggster S is incredibly responsive, light and easy-to-push. With punch grip handles, steering can be controlled with one hand but with two it feels nippy and swift. Nearly all of the frame's structure has a built in curve; the uprights, the wheel base and of course the wide oval seat support. It makes it look stocky and strong, like the beefy stance of a British bulldog.

The three foam filled wheels are all the same size at 16.5cms (6.5 inches) The front can be locked off using the large control knob above it or quickly removed by pressing the red button in the centre of the knob. The back wheels are equally easy to remove via the red buttons, just beside them. Initially, I mistook these red buttons as the brakes – don't do that, you don't want your child on board when your wheels drop off!

The brake is located at the point on most umbrella strollers where you push down with your foot to open – around mid calf height. This peddle controls the effective brakes effortlessly, regardless of what you are or are not wearing on your feet.

Fold

Although the TFK Buggster S is an umbrella fold stroller, it doesn't quite fold in the conventional manner in which you may be accustomed. As with all TFKs we've seen so far, you must fold down the bumper bar and the foot plate before you begin to collapse your pushchair.

So to fold, firstly you need to release the tension in the frame by unhooking the clasp at the back, then pull up on the red handle, this contracts the frame horizontally. Breaking the oval frame to fold it vertically is achieved by pulling the triggers below the handles, they then drop forwards to complete the fold. A manual strap at the top of the frame clasps onto to a D-ring on the front axle, ensuring  the Buggster stays closed. The wheels are a doddle to remove if you are stuck for space.

Opening the frame is simply the above in reverse, the last procedure being the tensioning of the frame.

The basket is naturally wide, given the width of the frame and is quite deep (16cms) at the back getting progressively shallower towards the front (9cms).

Seat

The fabric of the seat is soft with quite a pronounced grain and an attractive lustre. As with the Joggster Twist reviewed earlier this month, it has some areas of the trademark reflective stitching however not in quite such liberal abundance. Another TFK trademark is the flip-up footplate that gives older children a step to aid them to climb into the pushchair independently.

The bumper bar is covered in coordinating fabric and can be set in three positions using the large red buttons on the interior; fully upright, fully flat and a position in-between. It can be detached from either side or removed altogether but the release mechanism is not quite as obvious. To keep your passenger secure and comfortable, the five point harness can be set at one of two shoulder heights by conveniently unclipping and resetting their position.

Lining the seat is a removable ‘Airgo' seat liner that allows the child to sit comfortably, keeping them ventilated in summer and cosy in winter. The seat can be unzipped from the frame to clean or install a car seat or the Quick-fix carrycot.

Reclining is controlled by the two zips that run down the back of the chair and although it isn't the most effective reclining mechanism, it does give a relaxed angle to the back of the seat. For smaller children in need of more leg support, the fabric calf rest can be inverted to allow it to protrude slightly giving shorter legs something to rest upon.

The broad arched canopy offers good protection from the elements however it doesn't have a peephole to allow you to spy on your passenger.

Conclusion

The TFK Buggster S is a reassuringly stocky, stable three wheeler. It is so light and a breeze to push plus I love the fact that it can carry your child all the way through to the point when they no longer need wheels. Its width is another positive point; there is so much room for your child to be comfortable. The recline, although a zipping procedure, makes the cavity a relaxed but airy cocoon and upright they can hold onto the bumper bar and enjoy the ride.

The fold is not conventional but works well however I don't like the amount of steps to achieve it...fold footplate, fold bumper bar, fold canopy, unclip and pull up the red handle, squeeze release triggers and collapse – not you!

The TFK aesthetics will not be to everyone's taste but the functionality of the Buggster S is good although for nearly £250 without any extras included I would want it to be!