Zoom tandem stroller in Beige/Dark Brown
Finding out we were expecting twins was a happy surprise for me and my husband. After the shock had subsided, we started looking at the long list of things we would need to buy, with a pram one of the most important, and costliest items. We really wanted to try a tandem pram, where one baby sits in front of the other, rather than the wide side-by-sides, but there aren't many on the market. So we were thrilled when Essential Baby asked us to review the ABC Zoom tandem pram.
First impressions are yes, it's long. But I put it next to my friend's Baby Jogger City Select and it's only slightly longer. I like that the twins won't be able to kick each other when they are bigger, unlike some of the other tandems available.
As our twins get older, we can turn the seats so they can face each other, they can both face out, or they can face the person pushing.
It was easy enough to put together straight out of the box, but it became apparent my husband had missed his calling as an engineer when he put the hoods of the seats on backwards. Everything slots together easily, with big push buttons to pull the pieces apart for easy adjustment or fold down and storage. They were a little tight to start with, but after assembling and disassembling a few times, they loosened up.
The pram comes ready to go with two seats, and our model had two carry cots suitable for newborns. They are super easy to attach, and are perfect to just unclip and carry sleeping babies inside.
While the pram looks big, it's amazingly compact once folded. Like some other tandems, the seats need to be removed, and the frame folds up smaller than many single prams. We can easily fit the pram and both seats into the boot of a Volkswagen Golf. The carry cots however, are quite large, and we can only fit one cot and the pram in the boot, while the other needs to sit on the back seat. A larger car would easily fit both carry cots.
Another great feature is how many positions the seats can be moved into – 32 different seating combinations! For families with an older child and a newborn, the pram can be customised with a seat and a carry cot. As our twins get older, we can turn the seats so they can face each other, they can both face out, or they can face the person pushing. The standard seats can be reclined flat for newborns, and raised up to a sitting position as the child gets older. The pram also fits “group 0+” car capsules, including the Maxi Cosi, making it perfect to go from car to outside without disturbing sleepers.
And there is plenty of under-seat storage room for groceries, nappies, toys and all the other paraphenalia a day out incurs. Our pram came with two rain covers which were perfect for the “summer” weather Sydney has been experiencing. Clear plastic at the front, they completely cover and protect the seats, but still let your baby or toddler look out at the world.
As for pushability, with two small babies, it's super easy. The front wheels can be either locked or left loose to swivel for easy maneuverability. We also borrowed a couple of older children and I am happy to report the pram was still easy to push. The recommended maximum weight is 30kg, so it will take two small people for quite a long time. The handle extends easily with the push of a button and is more than adequate for my 6ft plus husband to push comfortably. I also liked that I wasn't kicking the undercarriage as I walked like I did with some other prams.
There are cons, of course. The most obvious being that this is a pram designed to carry two. You can use it with only one seat attached, but it looks odd, and isn't very practical. You can't take it on escalators like single prams (not that you can take side-by-sides on escalators either) and in small tight spaces like inner Sydney cafes, it does take up a fair bit of room.
But despite its length, the pram is nice and narrow, doesn't crowd out other people in the supermarket aisle and it's designer styling certainly gets lots of looks and comments! Ours came in black, but in Australia, it also comes in beige/brown and a limited edition, head-turning shade of tangerine.
If you are in the market for a double pram and the side-by-sides are a little wide for your liking, the ABC Zoom is your ride. It looks fab, pushes like a dream and is practical, clever and unique!
The bottom line:
Pram including two seats - RRP $1595
Carry Cot - RRP $345 each
4-seasons rain cover - RRP $99.95 each
Carry Cot adaptor for secont cot - RRP $49.95
For more information and to find stockists visit Westernbloc.
See more pram reviews in our baby products section.
