Calling all Instep Safari owners! (egoldber, August Mom, sweet basil, et al?)

So, I just spent the past hour studying all the previous threads I could find on the Safari and I just couldn't find the answer to my question . . . I just saw the Safari today for the first time and I love it! I want to buy it! But can anyone tell me whether the leg rest can be adjusted to an upright position (90 degree angle, so that with the seat reclined it forms an enclosed little 'box' for an infant, as the Zooper Buddy does)? I wasn't able to get the store model to hold in that position. I suspect it may not be intended to. So my Q is, does the Safari do this? And, if not, is it a big deal? I have a 6-wk-old DD I'd like to take for walks (no running!) around the neighborhood, and I liked the idea of having her 'enclosed' on all sides. Also - if any of you have used your Safari with a young infant like DD, how did it work for you? Did you add a fleece cushion, head support, or other accessory to make her more snug and supported?

Thanks for your help with this! Can't wait to purchase! (Did I mention DD is 6 wks and I still haven't bought a stroller yet?! My powers of restraint are nearly exhausted.) :)

Rebecca

It's a girl!
5.14.03

[egoldber]

As far as I know the legrest is not adjustable in that way.

I didn't get mine until Sarah was much older, so I am not much use there. :)

I will say that I do NOT think it is the best stroller for an older infant. It is probably fine for a newborn. But an older infant may want to sit up, and the harness (at least on my Safari) is much too large to securely fasten a small infant.

HTH,

I just got my Safari as my off road stroller (mud and gravel) (I have a P3 so I didn't have the money to spend on this purchase - the Safari fit the price tag)so I am not an expert on it but here is my 2 cents.

My foot rest does work at a 90 degree setting and it also drops down (I will double check tomorrow but I have had it both ways). No problems there. The stroller works fine for my 12 month old (just purchased so I don't know about newborn) but the 5 point harnesss is terrible and the canopy is just ok. This is compared to my P3 which has a awesome canopy and 5 point harness so I am spoiled there. With the harness I cross the chest straps to make it a little tighter and make the waist as snug as I can get it. I am thinking about how I can alter the crouch strap to make it shorter for a better fit. However, overall given this is no Mountain Buggy, I do like the stroller. DS seems comfortable and I really like the swivel wheel. It makes a great compliment to my P3. Do make sure that you wipe off any mud or water since it is known to rust.

HTH, let me know if you have any other questions.

Wendy
Samuel 6/29/02
Hannah 10/6/96
Both redheads!

[egoldber]

That's a good idea about crossing the harness! Wish I'd thought of that a year ago, LOL!!!

[August Mom]

I also agree that the harness and canopy are not the best (but I don't think the canopy is any worse than the majority of canopies out there). The harness is big (although I thought that was because my DS is so small). The harness fits about the same on him as the Mac harnesses. That is a good idea about crossing the straps. I'll have to try it.

As far as forming a little box with the leg rest go up at a 90 degree angle, I don't think that InSTEP intended the leg rest to be used that way, but I went out and checked my Safari. I can put the leg rest up at 90 degrees, but it doesn't lock that way. It could fall back down with pressure, but for a newborn, I think it would work in the upright position if that's what you want to do. I don't think it's a big deal if the seat rest is out. I still have mine up, parallel with the ground because DS's legs are short. He seems to like it that way.

We didn't use the Safari when DS was 6 weeks. I bought it when he was about 7 months old. DS and I both love it. I would think for a 6-week old, you would want the stroller fully reclined and with a head support or possibly a body insert. I really wouldn't worry too much about the straps being loose. The straps are loose on my DS and he is a little squirmer. He has yet to escape, stand or do anything dangerous while in the stroller.

I really like the Safari for neighborhood walks and walks in the park.

HTH