Product Reviews / 26 October, 2022 / Ellie Thompson
Iconic British pushchair company iCandy has launched the iCandy Core, a world first on the pushchair scene. The Core is a multi-mode pushchair expertly engineered for every journey. Adaptable for every age and stage of a child’s development, the pushchair is sold with two wheel sets and an adjustable chassis, so you’ve got a pushchair that can handle country life and city living in one.
It’s not uncommon for parents to feel the need to invest in more than one pushchair. One beefier, all-terrain stroller that packs a bit more of a punch, and a lightweight option for travel or city trips. This concept has been completely challenged with the new iCandy Core.
Pushing the boundaries of sustainability and product design, iCandy’s new pushchair pays homage to the company’s roots and core principles: Quality, Heritage, Innovation, and Style. The iCandy Core offers modern parents multi-use functionality and longevity, while prioritising the ultimate comfort for baby and ease of use for you.
The iCandy Core’s design combines luxurious style with revolutionary features including the aforementioned Multi-Mode Wheelbase and the new pioneering LED Visibility Hub Light.
As you’d expect with a pushchair that promises to do it all, there’s quite a bit of unboxing to do. Aside from the multi-mode chassis, two wheel sets, carrycot and seat unit, there’s a whole host of accessories to unpack when you invest in the Complete Bundle.
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What’s in the box? The premium iCandy Core complete bundle comes with everything you need to get out and about with your baby from day one, and includes all the essentials to see you through those pushchair years, in one single purchase.
Assembling the iCandy Core is relatively easy – despite the long list of box contents – and first impressions are that this is a pushchair oozing both style and substance. Created with luxurious knitted jersey fabrics that feel super soft to touch, there’s no getting around it: on paper, the Core is a sophisticated pushchair you’ll feel proud to push.
The iCandy Core’s multi-mode chassis accommodates two wheel sets so you can change the pushchair mode depending on your adventure. Are you navigating shopping centres, busy streets and public transport? The ‘Urban’ set gives you a lightweight, compact urban stroller perfect for city dwellers. Are you planning off-road winter walks on trickier terrains? The ‘Rural’ set transforms the pushchair into a larger ride with a longer, more substantial wheelbase.
How easy is it to change pushchair modes? I hear you ask. In practice, it’s actually really simple. Want to change from country to city mode? Use the buttons on the side of the chassis to reduce the size of the wheelbase, and adjust the 10kg shopping basket by folding it up. The pushchair’s beautifully designed basket is extra spacious with a unique ‘fan’ design that allows you to alter the chassis without compromising the pushchair’s aesthetic appeal. And once that’s done, it’s time to swap wheels.
The back wheels pop off the chassis thanks to a quick press button in the middle, and the spindle comes out and has to be threaded through the new mode wheel, clicking back into place with complete ease. The front wheels pop off and are simply exchanged and slotted into place. There’s a nifty wheel bag so you can keep your spares with you, allowing you to switch modes on-the-go.
Another first for the pushchair world, iCandy’s innovative new LED Visibility Hub Light provides extra visibility to pushchairs out and about in dark and low-light conditions. The side positioning of this detachable and rechargeable USB light gives you extra peace of mind when crossing the road in the darker months. With 72 hours worth of charge, it’ll see you through winter and beyond.
The iCandy Core complete bundle comes with a seat unit and a carrycot, and can be used with a compatible car seat, making this a great option if you’re shopping for a travel system for your baby. And like all iCandy carrycots, the one’s suitable for permanent overnight sleeping and features a super soft, luxury fleece liner with stitched detail, so you can use the carrycot at home or when you’re out and about.
If you’re looking to save on cost and shop a little more sustainably, expectant parents can buy the iCandy Core with just the clamshell seat unit. The seat is lie-flat from birth and with high sides, a 5-point harness, footmuff and liner, it offers newborns a safe and cosy place to sleep. The seat unit offers both parent and world-facing modes, so you can keep your little ones close during those early days, and allow them a little more freedom when they’re ready. There are elevator adaptors that aid interaction so your baby can join in with meals, and sit up at the table, without the need for a highchair.
As you’d expect with any iCandy purchase, comfort is king, and this latest model is by no means an exception. In fact, the Core’s seat unit is the largest in the iCandy range, with a pop-up calf rest providing adjustable comfort for growing children. The ultra-padded seat looks super-slick with its beautiful stitched detailing and with an adjustable headrest, four recline positions and a length of 95cm even the tallest babies, toddlers and children can nap and travel peacefully on the go.
The Core was a great fit for my three-year-old son who travelled comfortably in both city and country modes. The handling of the pushchair felt light and easy to manoeuvre, and the height-adjustable ergonomic handlebar made switching between dad and mum mode a breeze!
Every little detail has been taken into consideration, so you have to hand all the essentials that every parent needs – front wheel swivel lock, bag hooks, on/off brake indicator, swivel bumper bar and cup holder!
I was surprised how easy the Core was to fold and collapse with just one hand– even with the seat unit in place – making it ideal for on the go adventure. It’s fairly compact, and with or without seat unit, it can be stored in your hallway or car boot without taking up too much space.
Customers will love the fully functional yet minimalist rucksack which has been embossed with the same stylish ultra-padded design to coordinate with the canopy of the pushchair, as well as the sumptuous cocoon-style footmuff and liner, perfect for newborns up.
Synonymous with all iCandy pushchairs, the integrated Ride-on Board is iCandy’s future-proofing innovation that offers a seamless solution for a family with a new baby and toddler. Perfect for tired little legs, the integrated Ride-on Board not only saves the need for future costs, but also eliminates the need for an additional cumbersome attachment, allowing a young child to stand securely and safely within the handlebar space.
The iCandy Core is available in Black, Dark Grey, Light Grey, Atlantis Blue and Light Moss. RRP: £1,280 (Core), RRP: £1,450.00 (Core bundle). https://www.icandyworld.com/pushchairs/c/core