The Bugaboo Donkey 2 is a luxury all-terrain stroller that converts from a single into a double side-by-side model with just a few clicks.
You can buy it as a single version and get a second kit later or you can buy it as a double if you are having twins.
The Donkey2 is the ONLY stroller on the market that adjusts from single to side-by-side double mode with the frame going from only 23.6″ wide to 29″ wide.
The coolest thing is that the seat is still 11″ wide which is a normal seat width. How did they do it? Well, they put the wheels under the seat instead of having them on the sides.
But that’s not all. The Donkey 2 is all about storage! It comes with a large side basket that together with the basket underneath the seat can haul a lot of stuff. Plus, you can hang your diaper bag off the handlebar giving you even more storage space. Great for grocery shopping!
This buggy is perfect for an active growing family that doesn’t want to slow down despite having multiple kids. The included bassinet option makes it ready for a newborn.
When buying Donkey 2 you can choose from three modes:
The MONO (single) version is used for one child and comes with a seat, bassinet, and a side basket (they also call it a ‘shopping bag’) that you see next to the seat.
The DUO version is designed for different ages kids and comes with two seats, one bassinet, and a side basket.
The TWIN version is designed for two kids the same age and comes with two bassinets, two seats, and a side basket although I don’t know where you would put it if you are using two seats all the time.
You can also convert it into a travel system with the addition of one or two infant car seats.
For this year, Donkey 2 has been completely updated and now has all-wheel suspension, a better side basket, foam-filled wheels, an anti-shimmy solution for the wheels, a more durable frame, and a lot of customization options. Here is my review of the previous model.
Now for the drawbacks… What I don’t like is that there is no adjustable legrest on the seat. There is no peekaboo window nor a mesh in the canopy so it can get pretty hot during the summer without additional air circulation.
The 10″ and 12″ foam-filled wheels can handle ANY terrain with ease. You can walk trails or tackle the snow with this one. The foam-filled wheels will never get flat. The maneuverability is outstanding! You can push it with a pinky.
There is even a two-wheel mode that helps you tackle snow and sand (personally, I think that two-wheel mode is pretty useless). It also features a one-hand deep recline, a large basket, a huge canopy, a flip-flop-friendly brake, no re-thread harness, automatic lock, standing fold, and adjustable handlebar.
OVERALL
I gave this model 4.5 out of 5 stars because I think this is a high-quality stroller that is very well made and will last you for years and multiple kids. I absolutely love that huge canopy that goes way past the bumper bar. It’s one of the best.
I love the amount of storage you get. The side basket together with the basket underneath the seat is great for grocery shopping. No re-thread harness is super easy to adjust. The adjustable handlebar provides ample leg room for taller parents. The included bassinet makes it a no-brainer on what to do with a newborn.
The seat can accommodate a child only up to 37.5 lbs (3.5 – 4 years old depending on the child) which is on the lower side.
The fold is the bulkiest ever! While you can fold it with both seats attached lifting it up won’t be easy. It weighs 34 lbs with both seats attached. It’s probably best to take the seats off first or never fold the stroller. LOL.
But, my biggest problem with this stroller is a ridiculous price of around $1,299 for a MONO version (single), around $1,649 for a DUO version, and around $1,779 for TWIN (free shipping). What!? How much for a stroller? Maybe a down payment on the car?
Anyways, it comes in seven beautiful colors and includes a side basket, bumper bar, bassinet, and a rain cover. I wish it included a cup holder instead of the rain cover.
Believe it or not, I’ve NEVER used a rain cover in all the years of strolling, but I do use my cup (coffee) holder on a regular basis.
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Features
CANOPY
The Donkey has one of the biggest canopies on the market. There are two large panels plus another zipped-in panel. This canopy goes all the way past the bumper bar providing full sun coverage even when the seat is fully reclined.
Now, there is still no peekaboo window. What’s up with that? The canopy attached to the back of the seat with NO mesh to improve air circulation so it might get hot on a hot summer day.
This is a little surprising since most of the modern strollers at a much lower price point have a mesh in a peekaboo window or as a separate zipped-in mesh panel. Now, you can buy a different type of Bugaboo canopy (sold separately) that comes with mesh side windows if you live in a hot climate.
This is how it looks in the front.
And here is how the canopy is attached to the back of the seat. So, the peekaboo window would really help because it’s not like you can lift up the back of the canopy.
HANDLEBAR
The handlebar telescopes out from 32″ to 42″ from the ground. Just like the bumper bar the handle has an elegant vegan leather cover that is very easy to clean.
SEAT
The seat is 11″ wide with a 19″ seat back and a measurement of 22″ from the bottom of the seat to the top of the canopy. The canopy height is a little lower than on other strollers, but your three-year-old should fit fine. You can easily reverse the seat by pulling two white levers on the side to unlock the seat and swinging it around.
It has a one-hand lever recline with 3 recline positions facing both ways. Since the seat is one molded piece, the whole seat will recline keeping its ‘V’ shape. The seat can be used for a child from 6 months and up to 37.5 lbs.
If you want to use it from birth you will need to use it with an infant car seat or an included bassinet. All the seat and canopy fabrics are machine washable. BTW, the seat is very upright in the most upright seat position.
HARNESS
It has an adjustable padded 5-point harness with a center release buckle that you need to push on both sides to unlock. No puzzles! The harness on Buffalo is very easy to adjust, no re-threading is needed.
All you need to do is just move the clip on the strap up and down to the desired height. You can do it on the fly without removing your child from the seat. Love it!
BUMPER BAR
INCLUDED! The bumper bar is swing-away for easy ins and outs. It also acts as a carry handle for the included bassinet. Just like the handlebar it is covered with vegan leather.
BASKET
The basket can hold up to 22 lbs and is easily accessible. You can definitely fit your large diaper bag in it.
It has three elastic storage pockets inside of the basket for small items like cell phone, wallet, or toys.
SIDE BASKET
In the MONO mode, the stroller comes with a seat and a luggage basket on the side. This is a very convenient feature, especially for grocery shopping. The basket can be easily removed and carried over the shoulder.
For Donkey2 they’ve added a side basket cover because I think a lot of parents complained that kids reach into the basket and take stuff out. The conveniently placed zipper on the top allows you to reach into the basket without removing the cover. The cover nicely matches the canopy adding even more color to the design.
BRAKE
There is a white pedal on the left side that locks and unlocks both rear wheels. You can unlock it by flicking it up from underneath or by stepping on the pedal from on top which is great if you are wearing flip-flops.
WHEELS
It rolls on large all-terrain tires with 10″ wheels in the front and 12″ in the back. The wheels have been upgraded from air-filled to foam-filled so you don’t need to carry that air pump with you anymore.
Bugaboo finally found a foam material that imitates air-filled wheels and provides almost the same smoothness when going over rough terrain.
This means you will never get a flat. The front wheels are swivel but can be locked straight for rougher terrain. Donkey2 can handle any kind of terrain with ease.
TWO-WHEEL OPTION
Just like the Cameleon 3 model, Donkey has a two-wheel mode that you can use to get over rough terrain like snow or sand. First, make sure the seat is in a rear-facing position and the front wheels are locked straight.
Next, pull the levers located on the frame and push the rear wheels forward. Now, you have a two-wheel mode! The stroller is not that stable in this mode because most of the weight will fall on you so I recommend using it only for short distances.
FOLD/UNFOLD
This is a one-piece fold, meaning you don’t need to remove the seat before folding, but this is probably one of the bulkiest strollers on the market. You won’t have any room in your trunk especially if it’s in double mode.
Since the seat is one molded piece with non adjustable leg rest, the seat does not fold at all. It just lays on top of the folded frame adding to already a large package. And it’s not that light either! In single mode with the seat attached, it weighs almost 30 lbs! Heavy!
There is an automatic lock and a standing fold. The folded dimensions of the seat are 37″L x 24″W x 21″H (according to the Bugaboo site). Here is the fold with the seat attached.
Here is how it folds with the bassinet attached.
You could take it completely apart like in the picture below, but who has the time?
BASSINET
Just like with Cameleon 3, the Donkey model comes with a separate set of fabric for the bassinet that you put on the seat frame after removing the seat fabric. Both, the seat and the bassinet use the same frame, the same canopy, and the same handlebar.
The bassinet can be used independently from the stroller, meaning you can use it as an extra sleeping place for your newborn. When your baby is little, you can use the stroller with the bassinet, but after 6 months you can switch the fabrics and use it with the seat instead.
Now, because the bassinet and the seat use the same frame the Bugaboo couldn’t add an adjustable legrest. While I love the included bassinet option, not having an adjustable leg rest is a minus for me.
DOUBLE MODE OPTION
As I’ve already mentioned above, the Donkey comes in three configurations: Mono (one child), DUO (two children of different ages), and TWIN (two children the same age). While confusing at first, it makes a lot of sense:
1) So the MONO (single) version comes with one seat and one bassinet. You use the bassinet for the first 6 months and then switch to the seat.
2) The DUO (double) version comes with two seats and one bassinet.
3) With the TWIN (double) version you get two seats and two bassinets. You can use two bassinets for the first 6 months and then switch to two full seats.
Keep in mind, that the bassinet and the seat use the SAME frame, but different sets of fabrics. You would need to switch the fabrics if you want to convert the bassinet into the seat but use the same bumper bar and the same canopy. The full width of the stroller in double mode is 29″ which will easily get through a regular doorway.
The Bugaboo Donkey is the ONLY stroller on the market that adjusts from single to side-by-side double mode with the frame going from only 23.6″ wide to 29″ wide. The coolest thing is that the seat is still 11″ wide which is a normal seat width.
BOARD OPTION
Have an older child? Not a problem! You can purchase a stroller sit-or-stand board. Sold separately.
Cons
-No adjustable leg rest. Most luxury strollers have an adjustable leg rest so that small babies can stretch their little legs.
-Bulky. To make it more compact when folded, you can take off the seat and all the wheels. But, because the seat is one piece, it will still take up a lot of space. Also, who has the time to take it all apart?
-Very expensive. How many of us have paid over $1,000 for one stroller? Definitely not me. I was able to test this stroller only because one of my friends has it. Housewives of Beverly Hills are probably standing in line. LOL.
-Low weight limit. It can only accommodate a child up to 37.5 lbs which is 3.5 – 4 years old. The average weight limit in the US is around 50 lbs. Now, at 4 years old I think kids should walk, but then again when you pay that much money …
-No peekaboo window. I am not sure why Bugaboo can’t add a peekaboo window and mesh to the canopy. You can purchase another canopy with the mesh but why would you spend even more money?
Bugaboo Donkey 2 vs Bugaboo Donkey
To recap the updates:
-New all-wheel suspension system. Always helps with the bumps.
-Anti-shimmy solution. Basically to avoid front wheels jamming Bugaboo has replaced plastic-bearing swivel wheels with metal-bearing swivel wheels. Bugaboo has discovered that placing durable metal wave washers on your chassis will prevent the effect of shimmying. That’s the best I can describe it. LOL.
–Foam-filled tires. The tires used to be air-filled before so you had to have an air pump with you in case you got a flat. Not anymore! The new foam material is designed to mimic the air and provides a very smooth ride.
–No air pump included anymore because the tires are filled with foam.
-Upgraded side basket. The basket size stayed the same, but its weight capacity has increased to 22 lbs from 11 lbs in the previous model. They’ve also included a small inside pocket for small items.
-Side basket cover. For Donkey 2 they’ve added a cover (with a zipper) that attaches to the basket with Velcro.
-More customization options. Now you can choose not only the canopy color but also the seat, frame, and bassinet colors.
Video Review
I found two great overview videos of the Bugaboo Donkey2.
Specs
Stroller weight: 29 (single) lbs and 34 lbs (double)
Weight limit: 37.5 lbs
Folded dimensions: 37″L x 23.6″W x 20.5″H
Handlebar height: 32″ – 42″
Seat to canopy height: 22″
Front wheels: 10″
Rear wheels: 12″
Overall length: 34″
Overall width: 23.6″
Warranty
Bugaboo provides a 3-year warranty from the original date of purchase and you have to be the original owner.
Available colors
The Bugaboo Donkey2 has plenty of customization options to choose from.
Where to buy it
You can get Bugaboo Donkey2 in one of the eleven beautiful colors for around $1,299 for the MONO version, around $1,649 for the DUO version, and around $1,779 for TWIN (free shipping). It comes with a shopping bag, a bumper bar, a bassinet, and a rain cover.