How to choose a pram: types and what to consider

Choosing a pram is often one of the first major decisions parenthood presents. There are dozens of models on the market and even more opinions on which is "the right one". In reality, it's not about finding the objectively best pram, but the one that suits your home, car and lifestyle. This overview shows three basic types and four practical questions worth answering before making a decision.

Three basic types of prams

Combination pram

A combination pram (often referred to as 2-in-1 or 3-in-1) features a single chassis with multiple attachments: a deep carrycot for newborns, a sports seat for older children, and optionally an adapter for a car seat. It is the most versatile option, lasting from birth until three to four years of age. The price of this versatility is higher weight and larger folded dimensions, with models such as Cybex Priam or Bugaboo Fox, expect the chassis alone to weigh over ten kilograms.

Golfky

Buggies are lightweight, easy-to-fold strollers without a deep carrycot: the child sits in them from the moment they can hold their head up and sit independently, i.e., roughly from six months. They fold quickly, often with one hand, and take up little space in the boot or hallway when folded. They are ideal as a second, travel stroller, or as the main choice for parents who do a lot of walking and use public transport and do not need a carrycot.

Sports and jogging prams

Sporting prams feature larger wheels, more pronounced suspension and a sturdier frame. They are built for uneven terrain, forest paths or regular jogging. Models such as the Thule Urban Glide are designed specifically for running, including a fixed front fork and a wrist safety strap. Comfort on rough ground comes at the cost of higher weight and a larger turning radius. This is noticeable in narrow shops or lifts.

Four questions that matter more than the brand

Will the pram fit in your car's boot?

This is the most frequently underestimated parameter. You can find the folded chassis dimensions in the manufacturer's technical specifications: compare them with the boot capacity of your specific car, not just the "average" boot shown in advertisements. With smaller hatchbacks, a combined pram and shopping may not both fit in the boot at the same time.

Do you have a lift or stairs at home?

If you live on an upper floor without a lift, you will feel the pram's weight every time you go up, even with a child in your arms and a shopping bag over your shoulder. In such a situation, a lighter golf buggy or a combination stroller with simple one-hand folding makes sense, not the heaviest model available.

What type of surface will you be moving on?

Prague paving stones, forest paths outside the city or smooth sidewalks in housing estates place completely different demands on a pram. Small plastic wheels of golf buggies rattle over cobblestones and wear out quickly, while large suspended wheels of a sports pram are unnecessarily bulky in a narrow lift.

How many children will the pram likely carry?

If you plan to have a second child soon, it is worth considering a system that can be converted into a double pushchair (for example Bugaboo Donkey), buying an expansion kit is usually cheaper than purchasing a completely new double pushchair from scratch.

You can find branded prams of all three types significantly cheaper second-hand: a quality frame will last for a second or even third child, provided you know what to check on a used item. This article covers that. Second-hand pram from a marketplace: what to watch out for.

Once you have decided on a model, check the current listings. pram listings by brand: filtering Cybex, Thule, Bugaboo, Joolz and Stokke in one place.