What they say:
“Designed to beat the boredom suffered by travelling tots, Trunki is a hand luggage-sized ride-on suitcase. Tots can pack Trunki with all their favourite belongings whilst parents keep them in tow - perfect for holidays, weekend breaks, sleepovers and playing at home. Gerry the Giraffe joins our Safari animal line up, a popular tots character with its distinctive pattern. A £5 donation for every Gerry the Giraffe Trunki sold on line in 2016, will be given to support the building of a new Giraffe House at Bristol Zoo/Wild Place and the conservation work in Africa.”
Tested by mum Nina Fletcher for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I'm not sure when this product first launched but it's definitely a classic by now. I notice that design has been improved. It's easier to open and close for small children and I love that it now comes with a lock. This is a useful addition for me to avoid things getting lost and my daughter loves keys and locking things.
How did this product make your life easier?
Trunki is well designed, sturdy, kids love the different characters, it's easy to use and clean. It's the perfect height as a ride on for toddlers and they feel safe holding on to the ears or horns. But by far the best feature is its airport usability - who hasn't tried to get to a gate fast with a whining toddler who refuses to walk! The Trunki makes the airport experience fun.
Would you choose this product to win?
For a young toddler it's definitely the best - there is a reason why it's become a classic. Not only makes it parents life easier for airport travel, I have yet to meet a child that doesn't love it and wants one when they see it. Trunki do a great job constantly developing this product to keep fresh and relevant and improve features such as the added key and locks. My daughter especially loves the Gerry the Giraffe design.
What changes would you make to this product?
I would create a version for older children as my 6 year old son is very jealous of his sister’s Trunki but is too big to comfortably ride on one. Hence kids move on to other products when they get older and I feel that's a missed opportunity for Trunki. The fact that the case is made of hard plastic makes it hard to store but I don't think that is something that could be changed as it needs to be sturdy.
Tested by mum Danielle Reuby for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
This gorgeous little suitcase really has the WOW factor! It is very bright and vibrant so appeals to young children - my 3 year old declared it cool. I found it easy to open but not too easy that little hands could keep opening at inopportune moments. It is clearly of an excellent quality so will defiantly withstand plenty of travelling. I like the material of durable plastic as it is easily cleaned ideal for spillages or accidents. Although small it hold a fair amount of toys and other essentials, more than I expected. The 5 year guarantee is reassuring so makes that higher price seem better value, however unsure if an 8 year old would still want to use it?
How did this product make your life easier?
At first I thought, excellent, this will be so useful when we next go away. However, little old Gerry has been already been very well-loved addition to our family. My son, like many 3 year olds, has a fair amount of toys, when he wakes his chosen toys of choice are systematically transferred from his bedroom to downstairs, the garden or our summerhouse by various hats... However since Gerry made his appearance the toys can now travel in style, the wooly hats stay in the drawer and less MIA toys happen on the travels. Gerry has enjoyed visits to Grandma’s, the park, neighbour’s BBQ as well as his well-trodden path into the garden in a very short space of time. Thank you Gerry you have saved hundreds of toys being lost en route to their chosen destination.
Would you choose this product to win?
I really do like Gerry, I feel he has a lot to offer and has been very well thought out. The amount of space and durability alone make me rate this very highly. Add the additional features of it being bright and fun, a seat to travel on, the safety/security features, the tow strap (used by both us and our son!) and even the cute passport, this really does stand out. Airports or travelling can be a challenge and this could really help to ease some of the stress.
What changes would you make to this product?
It is hard to change a thing as this is such a well thought out product. However maybe a little pocket in side to protect items such as gadgets. I often see many children travelling and watching tablets. This could be an additional feature which may help to make it last into an older age range.
Tested by mum Beth Law for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
Trunki Gerry the Giraffe is an absolute godsend! My daughter absolutely loves Gerry as he's fun, bright and great to sit on. It's the perfect suitcase for your kids to travel with as it’s not too big but not too small that nothing fits in. A fun way to travel that kids will just love. It is lightweight and very hard wearing. You can pull your little one along in the airport too - genius!
How did this product make your life easier?
This item is faultless! It makes travelling so much easier as the Trunki not only is a suitcase but also provides respite for little legs as they can sit down on it and even be pulled along. The bright colours and fun design made packing easier as my daughter wanted to get involved and pack up her Gerry.
Would you choose this product to win?
I cannot fault any aspect of the Trunki Gerry the Giraffe. I love that it is small enough to use as hand luggage on an aeroplane and is hard wearing, waterproof and toddler proof. Perfect for little people to sit or ride on as travelling can get long and boring for young ones but Gerry makes it more fun.
What changes would you make to this product?
I genuinely cannot think of anything that would make this product better except perhaps doing an adult one?!? As I have twins I'd love if they did some special Trunki offers but for the product itself every aspect has been thought of and used. It is a brilliant product.
Tested by mum Sonia Heryet for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
As someone with 2 young children, it’s always a task getting them to play along when trying to pack things for a holiday or trip. With the Trunki I found that not only was it a great design, durable and fun, but I could fit loads in it, which meant all my daughters’ bits could go in it. It's also really easy to carry and can be pulled along instead of carried. The kids have had hours of fun using it indoors as a ride on toy, and stuffing their soft toys in it.
How did this product make your life easier?
It gives the children something to play with when it’s not for travelling. The Trunki is durable and compact, but with lots of space to take all their belongings when going away. I also like that It has a zippered section like a normal suitcase. It has just made it more fun for my children to participate in packing and travelling as they have their own suitcase friend.
Would you choose this product to win?
I think it is one of the most fun suitcases I have ever come across, if nothing else but for the great design and durability of it. I have seen it take numerous bumps in the home and it still looks pristine and new. I think for me it is simply that it makes travelling fun for the children, getting them involved and keeps them occupied.
What changes would you make to this product?
I don't think there is anything I would change, I would love to see more designs.
Tested by mum Rebecca Anderson for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would recommend Trunki Gerry the Giraffe to a friend as our son loved it! Great design in the pattern of his favourite animal and fab for tired legs when travelling. I think this would be ideal for train or plane journeys given the generous size and use as a pull along.
How did this product make your life easier?
Trunki Gerry the Giraffe is ideal for travelling, with ample space inside for spare clothes, toys, books and snacks can be used as a pull-along when the child gets tired, which as a mother of 2 is perfect as tired legs in a child that has outgrown the pushchair is the worst when you have another child to look after and potentially other bags and luggage.
Would you choose this product to win?
Trunki Gerry the Giraffe is perfectly designed to be exactly what you would imagine you need when faced with a 3 year old and a busy airport. It delivers sturdy yet lightweight storage for trips with the great added extra of being a ride on/pull along for kids who get tired of walking or so they can pull their own cases along easily.
What changes would you make to this product?
I would possibly add something to the handles to make it a bit easier to hold on, maybe something like a removable handle that clips on to the horns when the case is shut to make it easier to hold on to when sitting on the case.