Mutsy stroller?

[chloephoebecali]

Does anyone have any personal experience with a Mutsy stroller?

I am in the midst of deciding on a stroller and came across this one today. I was impressed, but still also torn between the Vista and Chameleon.

Thanks!

[stacik75]

Which Mutsy are you looking at? They all have differences.

[Nechums]

I have an older version of the the 4 Rider (the heavier one) that I got off Craigslist. I bought it to take walks with DS so that he can face me and interact with me. It may just be the older version, but I absolutely hate it. It's so heavy, difficult to manouver and difficult to fit in between aisles at stores and some doorways, and the basket is tiny. The canopy is pretty shabby as well. I end up just using my Zippy (if not using a carrier) and am much happier even though I can't face DS.

I can't compare the Mutsy to other similar strollers, nor can I really say much about the newer and lighter models, but I am not happy with mine. Luckily, I didn't may much for it.

Hope this helps.

[chloephoebecali]

I wish I knew! I have no idea which one I saw today (I wish I asked, didn't think it would be so hard to find out), and the website did not help at all. It is definitely one of the higher end ones, not the Spider. It had a bassinet. So I figure it was either the 4 Rider or the Slider?! The one I saw was $699 in the store. It had foam wheels (spokes I cannot remember), adjustable handlebar, and it was not one of the basic colors. It was like a somewhat metallic-coffee color (if that makes sense).

What I liked about it -
1. The seat went all the way back - flat, which you don't really get with the cameleon and vista (the butt still has the nook spot)
2. It seemed smaller, maybe not wide-wise, but length
3. They have a knob to adjust the back - pushing back further up to give a 90 degree angle on baby's legs
4. I like the fabric more than vista
5. One fabric (no switching stuff out - cam)
6. Most importantly - one step close - no taking seat off
7. Bassinet height was high, and nice; seat was not so bad, either
8. Price compared to cam
9. Bassinet was large and nice, looked nicer/of better quality than vista's
10. Foot rest setup is nice, seems like a taller kid could fit well

Disliked-
1. No suspension - at this price, I kind of expect
2. Storage compartment under seat was small, but apparently you can buy a better one (?!)
3. Maybe weight?! I have not had an opportunity to pick up each at same time to gauge, and website does not help

Maybe my likes/dislikes can help you figure out which one I saw. I really appreciate your help. I am so clueless. How important is suspension anyway? Should I make a big deal about quality/size of bassinet? How can I be sure my kid will not outgrow too early? Does it really matter that there is a "butt nook" and flatter is better? This is my first and I really want to get it right from the start. I want to make the most out of my investment, and I don't need to pay for a name, but quality. I expect to use it inside/outside, not necesarily hiking, but sidewalks, and grass, I guess, malls, home and the beach. Thanks again!
Jen
EDD Oct 16

[chloephoebecali]

I have an older version of the the 4 Rider (the heavier one) that I got off Craigslist. I bought it to take walks with DS so that he can face me and interact with me. It may just be the older version, but I absolutely hate it. It's so heavy, difficult to manouver and difficult to fit in between aisles at stores and some doorways, and the basket is tiny. The canopy is pretty shabby as well. I end up just using my Zippy (if not using a carrier) and am much happier even though I can't face DS.

I can't compare the Mutsy to other similar strollers, nor can I really say much about the newer and lighter models, but I am not happy with mine. Luckily, I didn't may much for it.

Hope this helps.


Thank you!! Yes it does! I might just have to bring a scale with me. I don't want too heavy!

[edurnemk]

How important is suspension anyway? Should I make a big deal about quality/size of bassinet? How can I be sure my kid will not outgrow too early? Does it really matter that there is a "butt nook" and flatter is better? This is my first and I really want to get it right from the start. I want to make the most out of my investment, and I don't need to pay for a name, but quality. I expect to use it inside/outside, not necesarily hiking, but sidewalks, and grass, I guess, malls, home and the beach. Thanks again!
Jen
EDD Oct 16

I've had 3 strollers, and my final purchase, the Vista is fabulous. I was a little hesitant about the shape of the seat, but to my surprise, my son is way more comfortable in this one. I guess it kind of cradles him. He couldn't sleep more than 20 or 30 minutes in the stroller that lays flat (Graco), but in the Vista he'll take 2 hour naps. So don't let that stop you.
I tried the Mutsys also, when I was looking at the Vista and the Cam, and although online they seemed perfect, I didn't like them when I tried them, I tried the 4 Rider and my son seemed uncomfortable in the seat, and it was super heavy, over 30 pounds, vs. the 24 of the Vista and the Cam. And after pushing the Vista and the Cam, it felt harder to steer and push (I can steer my Vista with my pinky).

If you're walking outside, you definitely need suspension IMO, it's easier on you and most of all on the baby.

FWIW, I'm very happy with the quality of my Vista, as well as the customer service. I think the Cam is a very good choice too, I was going to purchase it, but decided on the Vista at the end because of the potential second seat and no fabric swapping for the bassinet. Oh, and in teh Vista, the seat and bassinet also sit at a higher than normal height, so baby is very close to you and you don't have to bend over as much.

[chloephoebecali]

I've had 3 strollers, and my final purchase, the Vista is fabulous. I was a little hesitant about the shape of the seat, but to my surprise, my son is way more comfortable in this one. I guess it kind of cradles him. He couldn't sleep more than 20 or 30 minutes in the stroller that lays flat (Graco), but in the Vista he'll take 2 hour naps. So don't let that stop you.
I tried the Mutsys also, when I was looking at the Vista and the Cam, and although online they seemed perfect, I didn't like them when I tried them, I tried the 4 Rider and my son seemed uncomfortable in the seat, and it was super heavy, over 30 pounds, vs. the 24 of the Vista and the Cam. And after pushing the Vista and the Cam, it felt harder to steer and push (I can steer my Vista with my pinky).

If you're walking outside, you definitely need suspension IMO, it's easier on you and most of all on the baby.

FWIW, I'm very happy with the quality of my Vista, as well as the customer service. I think the Cam is a very good choice too, I was going to purchase it, but decided on the Vista at the end because of the potential second seat and no fabric swapping for the bassinet. Oh, and in teh Vista, the seat and bassinet also sit at a higher than normal height, so baby is very close to you and you don't have to bend over as much.


Thank you so much for your help! I'm leaning towards the Vista, definitely off the Mutsy! :)

[purpelina]

Thank you so much for your help! I'm leaning towards the Vista, definitely off the Mutsy! :)

I also would say that you might be happier with a stroller other than mutsy. Well, it's a good quality stroller, that's for sure, it looks cool, and since the seat reclines al the way and faces you, you don't need the bassinet, and that might help to bring down the cost. Also, even though basket is tiny, you can buy an accessory basket, that clips to the frame, and that you can unclip and bring / carry in it all the stuff you bought :) (or load it at home for an outing, then clip to the stroller) I also liked how the fabric looks, very bright colors. But that's where all the positives ended - for me.

3 major negative things: heavy, wide and not easy to steer. 30 lbs is quite a lot, but the weight was already discussed here :) Now, the wheel base is 26 inches wide. It's the width of some double strollers! It's hard to go through a check out line with that stroller, you have to use the one where wheelchairs can go through. And steering is really so-so only. It's not hard, but not a one-hand steering of bugaboo, baby jogger or bob.
The seat itself is quite roomy, certainly bigger than uppa baby's, but I never see anyone with a child over 1 y/o who uses the mutsy. Probably, by that time ppl get so tired of this stroller, that they sell it and get something else. Yet I see all the time almost preschool aged children in cameleons and frogs. It should tell you something :)

Vista is a nice stroller. When I first saw it in a store, I loved it. eventually I decided against it, but it's just me. Keep in mind, that older uppa models (2007) have wider wheel base, and newer ones - 2008 and 2009 are 1 inch narrower, but still were rather wide for my taste. Uppas have foam tires, but newer bugaboos (2009) have foam tires as well. Bug seems to have better suspension than uppa, I mean, it's more "springy", but baby is comfy in either one.

HTH