As you probably know, Mamas & Papas is one of my favorite companies. So, I was very exited to see a new model for 2017 called ‘Ocarro’. While it might be new to the US market, it has been out in UK since October 2016 so there has been some feedback from parents already. Everybody loves it!
It looks like Mamas & Papas took the best features from the Armadillo Flip XT and Urbo 2 models and put it all into Ocarro creating one of the BEST strollers on today’s market.
This buggy has a reversible seat with a one-hand recline that includes a flat position suitable for a newborn. I absolutely love flat reclines where the child can actually fully stretch and does not have to sleep in a half sitting position (it’s also great for diaper changes on the fly).
The large three-panel canopy will provide plenty of shade while a zipped in mesh panel will ensure great air circulation on a hot summer day. You not going to wake your baby up with the magnetic peekaboo window closure instead of noisy Velcro. Large basket can fit a lot of the groceries during your shopping trip. The compact fold will leave plenty of room in your trunk for other things.
One of the new special editions for 2016 that Mamas & Papas have presented at the ABC Kids Expo 2015 in Las Vegas was Donna Wilson 3 Bears.
This is another collaboration between Donna Wilson and Mamas & Papas. In their first collaboration in 2013, they’ve created strollers and accessories with distinctive Foxleaf design that made a splash.
As you know, I am a big fan of Donna Wilson’s magical characters and whimsical patterns, so I was very exited to see another collaboration. This year, they are doing a 3 Bear pattern for Armadillo Flip XT and Armadillo City models. You can also get a matching bassinet, reversible liner, diaper bag, and a footmuff.
A former British Designer of the year, Donna grow up in a farm in Aberdeenshire in North East Scotland. Her simple upbringing translates into her designs. That’s one of the reasons her handcrafting techniques like knitting, wrapping and felting feel so familiar. When I look at her designs, it feels like something my grandmother would make for me and my brother. It reminds me of my childhood and makes me smile.
This year I was lucky enough to be at the launch of an exclusive collaboration between Mamas & Papas and Liberty London. This was a big unavailing at the ABC Kids Expo 2015 at Las Vegas.
I knew it was something special when I saw a royal British guard guarding a large display with a bright red curtain.
After the curtain dropped, we saw a beautiful display of the new Liberty London collection. Liberty London have inspired shoppers with their unique style since 1875. This year Mamas & Papas decided to infuse their innovative designs with Liberty’s world-famous prints.
I personally love to see some interesting colors, patterns and fabrics. In a way I look at it as a fashion show. Who wants to see black in every collection? Boring! So I was very exited to see the iconic and distinctive patterns in this special addition.
If you see a stroller that make you want to have more kids, you know it will be a big hit with the parents. That’s exactly what happened when I saw Urbo2 Rose Gold model. All I could say was ‘WOW!”
I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was. It’s absolutely to die for! The quilted honeycomb black seat and rose gold frame create a stunning unique look.
The leatherette handle bar and bumper bar and metallic leather-style piping trim infuse the stroller with a luxury touches. The matching bassinet is a like a cherry on top. This is a truly luxuries stroller.
Of course it has all the features of the Urbo2 we love like huge canopy, reversible seat, all-wheel suspension, deep one-hand recline, adjustable leg rest, automatic lock, flip-flop-friendly brake, and adjustable handle bar. The fold is very easy and is compact. This model can be converted into a travel system or a stylish pram. Here is my full detailed review of the Urbo2 if you are interested. I was so impressed with the design, I couldn’t stop taking the pictures. LOL.
This model comes with a bumper bar and will be available in the beginning of 2016. Now, for the bad news, there will be ONLY 300 strollers sold in US. I just saw it selling on Amazon for $699. I am not sure how long will it last.
Recently Mamas & Papas have added a lot of new strollers to their stroller line. The Sola2 MTX is one of their newest models which is upgraded version of the Sola2.
It’s a luxury reversible seat stroller with all-terrain wheels that is design for indoors and outdoor activities. The air-filled rear tires together with all-wheel suspension provide amazing maneuverability and a very smooth ride. You can easily push it with one hand even fully loaded.
If you want to have ONLY one stroller, Sola2 MTX would be a great choice. It will last your from birth and up to 50 lbs. You can turn it into a travel system by replacing the seat with an infant car seat or a stylish pram by replacing it with a bassinet.
I like when strollers have a bassinet option because you don’t want you child to spend too much time in the car seat. It also offers another place to sleep at home.
This buggy also features adjustable leg rest, adjustable 5-point harness, adjustable handle bar, large easy-to-access basket, huge canopy, deep one-hand recline suitable for a newborn, mesh panel for better air flow, automatic lock, standing fold, and flip-flop-friendly brake. I was pleasantly surprised that despite all the great features and large all-terrain wheels it still weighs ONLY 22 lbs. This is probably the LIGHTEST all-terrain reversible seat stroller on the market!
I also want to mention how compact it is when folded. It even wins when compared to it’s main competitor Nuna Mixx which is one of the most compact strollers on the market. Another big competitor that is probably feeling the pressure is Bugaboo Cameleon 3 because while it does have large 12″ rear all-terrain wheels, the fold is bulkier, the canopy has no peekaboo and no mesh, the seat is one molded piece and doesn’t offer space to stretch, and the price is much higher ($880-$990). For the price of one Cameleon 3 you can get two Sola2 MTX :)
I have Sola2 MTX 5 out of 5 stars because this is an amazing stroller full of luxury features that could be your ONLY stroller. The large rear wheels make it great for indoors and outdoors adventures. I also like the low price of only $479 on Amazon (free shipping/free return).
-Huge canopy. Like all other Mamas&Papas models, Sola2 MTX has a very generous two-panel canopy with a large sunvisor that will provide your child with full sun protection. There is a large peekaboo window made out of clear plastic with a magnetic closure. No noisy Velcro! There is also a mesh zipped in panel for better air flow on a hot summer day. You can use that mesh panel as a second peekaboo window to look at your sweet pea.
-Adjustable handle bar. The handle bar goes from 38″ all the way up to 41″ from the ground. The handle bar is covered with nice foam. There is a run-away strap attached to the middle of the bumper bar for extra safety.
-Reversible seat. I like how roomy the seat is comparing to other reversible seats. It is 13″ wide with 21″ seat back and a measurement of 24″ from the back of the seat to the top of the canopy. This is a tall seat back with plenty of headroom for a tall child. Your four year old should have no problem fitting in.
The seat has a very deep recline that goes to almost flat position suitable for a newborn. It is one-hand lever recline that is much more convenient than strap system. It has the same recline positions in parent-facing mode. The seat can accommodate a child from birth and up to 50 lbs.
-Bumper bar. INCLUDED! The bumper bar is swing away and can be quickly removed for easy cleaning. I like that it’s covered with fabric instead of foam. The first thing those little cuties will do when you put them into the stroller is go for the bumper bar with their little teeth. They have to taste it at least once to make sure they are not missing out on anything. And if it’s foam they will be chewing on it all the time. LOL.
-Adjustable 5 point harness. It has padded adjustable 5 point harness with center release buckle that is not too hard to undo.
-Adjustable leg rest. The leg rest can be easily adjusted with a push of a finger. Just push it up with your hand and stop when you like the position.Smaller babies will be able to stretch their little legs. If you fully recline the seat and bring the leg rest up, your child will have plenty of room to stretch and take a long nap. Also great for quick diaper changes on the fly!
-Large basket. While the basket is not very deep, it is large and easy to access. I had no problem fitting in my large diaper bag. The unique shaped basket helps to save some space allowing for more compact fold.
-All-wheel suspension. Helps to absorb the bumps providing your child with a smooth ride.
-Wheels. It rolls on four wheels with two 10″ air-filled tires in the back and 7.5″ hard rubber tires in the front. The front wheels are swivel, but can be locked straight for rougher terrain. Because rear wheels are air-filled this buggy can handle all kind of terrain.
Of course it’s not as all-terrain as a jogger would be, but it does very well off road and on bumpy streets. If you are planning on taking long walks in the park with a newborn, this would be a perfect stroller for you. It has great maneuverability and is easy to push with one hand even when fully loaded.
-Pump. INCLUDED! Since the rear wheels are air-filled they will need occasional maintenance. It’s really a not a big deal. Use included pump to add some air when needed.
-Flip-flop-friendly brakes. No more shoe scratches! Simply step on the red part of the brake to lock both rear wheels or step on black part to unlock it.
-Compact fold. The fold is very easy, but you will need both hands. You can even fold it with the seat attached as long as it’s facing forward. It fold to a very compact package for an all-terrain stroller. There is a an automatic lock and if you put the handle bar in the right position, you can get a standing fold.
The only thing I don’t like is that the handle bar might get dirty from touching the ground. It has folding dimensions of 13″H x 24″ W x 33″L which is even more compact than’t it’s biggest competitor Nuna Mixx that has folding dimensions of 18.6″H x 23.2″W x 35.5″L. This buggy should fit in any trunk with no problem.
-Travel system option. You can easily turn it into a travel system by replacing the seat with an infant car seat. Using only the frame of the stroller makes it much lighter and easier to get it in and out of the car. And since you will be removing the stroller seat, the car seat don’t need to match. Because Mamas&Papas don’t make their own car seat, you can pair it with one of the popular car seats like:
Cybex Aton/Aton2/Aton Q
Graco Snugride 35
Primo Viaggio IP & SL
Maxi Cosi Citi/Pebble/Cabriofix/Mico/Prezi
Nuna Pipa
-Bassinet option. You can turn Sola2 MTX into a beautiful pram by replacing the seat of the stroller with a bassinet. The bassinet option is always a big plus because you can take a long walk or go visit your friends without concerns of your child spending too much time in the car seat. BTW, doctor’s don’t recommend for the newborn to be in the car seat for more than 2 hours in the row.
I am absolutely in love with this bassinet! It’s high quality, stylish and full of great features. The built-in recline will ensure your baby is comfortable in the lie flat position and is great for babies with acid reflex that need a little elevation. You can lift the recline up a little putting your baby on an ergonomic position for better spine development.
Just like the stroller canopy, there is a hidden ventilation panel in the bassinet canopy that will provide your child with a better air flow. The central handle bar makes is it easy to transport in and out of the house. There is even a toy loop to keep your baby entertained.
I also like the way it’s build. Istead of being saggy and wrinkly like many other bassinets on the market, it keeps it’s nice shape. It can accommodate a child from birth and up to 20 lbs. You can get it on Amazon for only $220.
Cons
-Seat position for the fold. If you want to fold the stroller with the seat attached, it has to be in forward facing position. It is a pain in the behind to flip the seat every time.
-Puzzle piece buckle. The buckle is a little annoying, but not a big deal after you get used to it. I’ve stopped shoulder pads once my daughter started to walk and now that she is 2.5 years old I don’t use harness at all. That’s where the bumper bar gets very handy :)
Video Review
Here is a great video overview.
Here is a video of a happy dad with a happy baby taking a long walk at the park.
Specs
Stroller weight: 22 lbs
Weight limit: 50 lbs
Folded dimensions: 13″H x 24″ W x 33″L
Handle bar height: 38″-41″
Seat to canopy height: 24″
Front wheels: 7.5″
Rear wheels: 10″
Overall length: 33″
Overall width: 23″
My favorite place to buy strollers and a lot of other baby items is Amazon. It usually has the lowest prices, free shipping, free returns and no sales tax. How great is that? You can get Sola2 MTX in one of the three beautiful colors for around $479 on Amazon (free shipping/free returns). Comes with a rain cover, bumper bar and pump.
Mamas & Papas have been on the roll lately with their strollers. The Armadillo Flip XT became a big hit right after the release. The Urbo2 got over 20 updates and is a totally different stroller now. The Sola2 MTX is now rolling on new all-terrain wheels that can handle a lot of different terrain.
When designing these strollers Mamas & Papas wanted them to be very versatile and last you from the first days and till your child is a toddler and does’t need a stroller anymore.
What makes these models stand out from the crowd is the compact fold, lightweight, and the ability to transform into a travel system, or a pram.
You can use them for everyday life like running errands, going to the park, mall, doctor’s office, or just a stroller around town. Any of them can be your ONLY stroller.
Because all these models have so many great features like, it could be very hard to choose the right one. Hope this side-by-side stroller comparison chart will help you to make a decision.
I got tons of emails over the last few weeks asking me to review Mamas&Papas Urbo2. Sorry it took me so long, I have been crazy busy lately. I’ve also promised you to do a comparison between Urbo2 and Armadillo Flip XT which will be out soon.
The Urbo2 has received a complete face lift and now is one of the hottest strollers on the market. Wondering what’s so great about it? One of the best features of this stroller is the reversible seat with deep one-hand recline that is suitable for a newborn.
The seat if very roomy and has super plush padding. It also has ability to become a travel system or you can turn it into a bassinet by replacing the seat with a matching bassinet. Perfect for a newborn!
Mamas&Papas have also raised the frame of the stroller a little and added front-wheel suspension making the ride super smooth. Despite the small wheels, it handled bumps very well. The narrow frame and small foot print make it very easy to maneuver in tight and crowded places even with one hand. The fold is even more compact than on Nuna Mixx, so you should be able to fit it even in the smallest trunk. The canopy now is really big and has a mesh panel for better ventilation.
Mamas & Papas Armadillo strollers are taking over the world! LOL. Everytime I turn around, there is another Armadillo model out. With so many different models it’s very easy to get confused. I get a lot of emails from parents asking what the differences are. Well, today I will give you a full comparison of all five Armadillo models so you can choose the right one for you.
It all started in 2014 with an Armadillo model which is a lightweight stroller (only 17 lbs) that has super compact one-hand fold, small footprint, very roomy seat, deep one-hand recline, huge canopy, and large basket.
The great thing about it is that you can create a bed like environment for your child by lifting up the leg rest and fully reclining the seat. Also, since it has a travel system option you can use it from birth.
The Armadillo was designed for everyday life like running errands, public transit, grocery shopping and traveling. I fell in love with it the minute I saw it.
And have you seen how stylish it is?! So dang cute! Needless to say, this buggy became insanely popular among the parents right away. This created a huge competition for beloved Britax B-Agile and Baby Jogger City Mini.
After seeing such a great results, Mamas & Papas release another model called Armadillo City. The City model has a lot of the same features as Armadillo like huge canopy, all-wheel suspension, deep one-hand recline, easy one-hand fold, but has smaller foot print, narrower frame, smaller wheels and therefore lighter weight of 15 lbs.
As you probably know, Mamas & Papas is one of my favorite companies. So, I was very exited to see a new model for 2017 called ‘Ocarro’. While it might be new to the US market, it has been out in UK since October 2016 so there has been some feedback from parents already. Everybody loves it!
One of the new special editions for 2016 that Mamas & Papas have presented at the ABC Kids Expo 2015 in Las Vegas was Donna Wilson 3 Bears.
This year I was lucky enough to be at the launch of an exclusive collaboration between Mamas & Papas and 
If you see a stroller that make you want to have more kids, you know it will be a big hit with the parents. That’s exactly what happened when I saw Urbo2 Rose Gold model. All I could say was ‘WOW!”
Recently Mamas & Papas have added a lot of new strollers to their stroller line. The Sola2 MTX is one of their newest models which is upgraded version of the Sola2.
Mamas & Papas have been on the roll lately with their strollers. The 
I got tons of emails over the last few weeks asking me to review Mamas&Papas Urbo2. Sorry it took me so long, I have been crazy busy lately. I’ve also promised you to do a comparison between Urbo2 and Armadillo Flip XT which will be out soon.
Mamas & Papas Armadillo strollers are taking over the world! LOL. Everytime I turn around, there is another Armadillo model out. With so many different models it’s very easy to get confused. I get a lot of emails from parents asking what the differences are. Well, today I will give you a full comparison of all five Armadillo models so you can choose the right one for you.