I was one of the first to try the new iCandy Pip – here’s why it’s the ultimate travel stroller for modern parents

If there’s one thing any parent craves, it’s products that make life easier - ideally without sacrificing style. Enter the iCandy Pip, the latest innovation from premium pushchair brand iCandy. Compact, lightweight, and bursting with thoughtful features, this travel stroller is a game-changer for families constantly on the move. Now available to pre-order, Reviews Editor Emily Gilbert was one of the first to get her hands on the new pushchair.

Testing the iCandy Pip

Build

There's no building as rush required when it comes to the iCandy Pip, simply open the box and unfold it with a simple one-hand mechanism, making it ideal for everything from city strolls to international travel. Speaking of which, it’s IATA cabin-approved, so it’s ready to fly when you are (just check with your airline first). The box comes with a few images to explain how to things like fold/unfold the pushchair and recline the seat, or you can use the QR code. We found we didn't need either of these things, it was pretty self-explanatory.

The Pip is available in five trend-forward colours: Limestone, Black, Sunset, Latte and Sage, so there should be one to suit every taste. We went for the very on-trend/Molly Mae-friendly Latte. The liner is reversible, so you can switch up the colour when you fancy (or if the one side gets bit mucky).

I love the look of the iCandy Pip on the whole. Known for being a stylish brand, this wasn't a surprise to me but sometimes you can lose that element ever so slightly when you have a compact pushchair but this isn't the case with the Pip. The handle feels so buttery soft - something I demanded my husband come feel immediately.

Usability

Weighing just 7kg, it sits as one of the lighter compact buggies on the market. For context, the Bugaboo Butterfly weighs 7.3 kg while the Stokke YoYo3 weighs 6.2kg.

But don’t let its slim profile fool you. The Pip features a surprisingly spacious seat - both tall and wide -ensuring comfort for growing toddlers without adding bulk. I like knowing that should he end up being bigger for his age as he grows, my son will have plenty of room regardless.

The handlebar is pretty high and while I would have loved to have seen this being adjustable, at 5ft1, I didn't struggle with it. It has a good-sized basket but yes, you probably wouldn't fit all your shopping in it if you were using it as an everyday pushchair.

The UPF50+ canopy has brilliant coverage and sun protection for sunny days - as you'd expect, considering those using the Pip are most likely using it while abroad as well as at home. There's also a mesh section at the back of the hood, which allowed me to keep an eye on my son, great if he'd fallen asleep.

A raincover, removable bumper bar and carry bag are included as standard, the latter of which is not with other compact pushchairs I've used such as the Bugaboo Butterfly.

The footrest has multiple positions while the seat unit can lie flat, making it suitable from birth or simply handy when you have a snoozing tot.

Performance

To unfold the iCandy Pip, you simply press in the two buttons on the handle at the same time. As you pull back the handlebar, it smoothly untucks, ready to go.

It's a similar process for folding it back up too. Again, push both buttons then push forward until the pushchair collapses. It clicks into place and is freestanding.

You can then pop it in the accompanying travel bag which also fits the bumper bar and raincover too and has a long handle to hang over your shoulder. This is very handy for when travelling by plane or other mode of transport, keeping everything neatly together. Being such a small pushchair, it fit easily into both our bigger car (Kia Sportage) and smaller one (Volkswagen Polo).

Squirming babies and harnesses don't tend to go hand in hand but the Pip makes the job a little easier with a large five-point harness of which the top two hook neatly onto the middle straps, meaning you only actually have to clip in two buckles rather than all of them. To release, simply press the large iCandy button. It's also a lot easier to adjust than other pushchairs I've used and I felt confident that my baby was safe and secure.

Being a travel pushchair, its wheels aren't multi-terrain, so you'll struggle tackling rocks and mud if that's your cup of tea, but it glided along pavements and had no problem with grass or curbs. I can push the Pip easily with one hand, which is ideal as I often like to walk our dog at the same time.

The 'flip flop friendly' brake is easy to use, whatever shoes your wearing, just press down to activate the brake and then flick it up to release it.

We've been using the Pip for a month now and my baby has never looked anything less than seriously comfortable in it. The padding and seat are plush and supportive, which is a must when baby is potentially in the pushchair for a little while.

Final verdict

At £429, there's no denying that the iCandy Pip is an expensive pushchair. However, iCandy is up there with the more expensive baby brands, so the price is no huge surprise, especially given the high-quality materials used and the thoughtful design.

If you want a pushchair just for use while on holidays, you could get something cheaper that does the job. But if you're in the market for a compact pushchair generally (with the bonus that you can take it on the plane) and style is important to you, then the Pip is worth spending the extra money. It's also built to last multiple adventures, something you can't guarantee with a cheaper mode.

Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine since 2015. First-time mum to Theodore, Emily writes about everything from the top baby products to pregnancy, fertility and maternal mental health. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.