Ickle Bubba Stomp V3 Travel System review

Although it's now a little harder to get your hands on due to newer models, the Ickle Bubba Stomp V3 travel system has everything you'll need from infant to toddler, adapting easily from carrycot to use from birth to 6 months, to pushchair from 6 months to 3 years and a car seat to take you and your baby wherever you want to explore. This one-stop bundle has a choice of chassis colour, fabric colours, multiple accessories and an Isofix compatible Galaxy Group 0+ car seat that attaches to the same pram chassis and is the only purchase you'll need to take your baby around in style and comfort.

Ickle Bubba Stomp V3 Travel System Overview

An affordable travel system that is lightweight and easy to carry. Our panel of mum testers would recommend this to those looking for a travel system that is great value for money, however, some thought that the carrycot was a little small and shallow. We've rounded up some of the pros and cons of this travel system to show the various benefits of this product.

Ratings

Amazon: Across Amazon, the Stomp V3 received a 4.5 out of 5 star rating from 344 reviews. One reviewer said, "This is an absolutely stunning, clever, all-inclusive baby travel system. It comes with EVERYTHING you need to transport your baby - carry cot, car seat, adaptable chassis, carry bag, changing mat …. even car window shields. It feels like it's been lovingly designed with parents and babies in mind. It's easy to switch between all the different options and the pram and car seats are comfortable, safe and secure. Absolutely lovely."

Ickle Bubba: On the Ickle Bubba website, the Stomp V3 received a 4.7 out of 5 star rating from 270 reviews. One reviewer said, "Purchased for my daughter due in August. Carrycot, pushchair and car seat were all easy to set up and all looked great. Great that the handle has two heights. Seems easy to collapse and change from pram to carpet etc. Lovely matching changing bag too."

Boots: The reviews on Boots show that the Stomp V3 received a 4.7 out of 5 star rating from 210 reviews. One reviewer said, "I purchased this travel system as a gift for my daughter who is expecting her first child.
We could not have been happier with the purchasing and delivery, everything was included in this system, pram looks lovely, it was easy to set up, and the instructions were clear and easy to follow. I have been really impressed with this product and the value for money it offered; I would definitely recommend to others."

Price

In comparison to other travel systems that offer similar features, the Ickle Bubba Stomp V3 is within the affordable to medium range of the price bracket. Taking into consideration that some travel systems can cost anywhere up to £1,100, the Stomp V3 has a RRP price tag of £349.99, with savings of £250 from it's original £599.99 recommended retail price, which is nothing to be scoffed at.

Testing the Ickle Bubba Stomp V3 Travel System

At Mother & Baby, we were assisted with help from our Mother & Baby Testers to review the Ickle Bubba Stomp V3 Travel System. During the testing process, we were testing for its overall performance, usability and build. Here's what our testers had to say about the Stomp V3.

Mother & Baby Tester, Devon, said: "I would recommend the Stomp V3 to other mums, as not only is it good value for money with the ISOFIX base included, but the design is also lovely. I really liked the flexi hood on the car seat and pram and the seat can recline into three different positions, which is really handy. The pram also has a large netted shopping basket underneath, which is brilliant for carrying shopping and all the supplies you need when out with a little one.

I found the Stomp V3 to be extremely lightweight – it was very easy to move around and assemble. I also found that the added inclusion of the ISOFIX within the package very useful; it made getting my baby in and out of the car very easy, as I just had to clip the car seat in and unclip it get it out. No more stretching the belt around the car seat which is a relief as I own a small three-door car!"

Mother & Baby Tester, Jessica, said: "I would definitely recommend the Stomp V3 to my friends – it is incredibly good value for money, and you truly don't need to think about anything else (such as a foot muff in cold weather) as it comes with everything you need! I need to go up and down steps to get in and out of my house and was particularly pleased with the lightweight chassis and the fact I can fold down the pram without having to remove the seat. As I live in the centre of a city, the large shopping basket is great and holds my changing bag as well as other shopping. I think the pram looks stylish and can compete with the more expensive looking prams.

An all in one travel system is perfect for parents who need to use a car regularly as the car seat can just clip onto the pram chassis – this is especially convenient when heading to the supermarket, or for a quick trip into town. It is also great for when you have a sleeping baby and you don't want to disturb them. The additional benefit is that the product comes with a carrycot and a seat which both clip onto the chassis, meaning that the travel system is usable for many years."

Mother & Baby Tester, Samantha, said: "This pushchair made my life easier as the large hood pulls right over the baby, which is great in the hot weather or when it’s raining, but also if you have a baby that struggles to switch off and sleep when out and about. Being an active family, we also found that we could jog with the pushchair as it was so lightweight."

Mother & Baby Tester, Claire, said: "For the price, you can't fault the Stomp V3, as it really is value for money. If you are a mum on a budget – this is for you. Equally, this would be a great bundle for a regular caregiver, as they can have the system ready to use easily when they are looking after the child. Also, it is not bulky to store or transport, and for a busy mum, this would be ideal."

Mother & Baby Tester, Leanne, said: "I would as I loved the size and material of the hood – I found it really big and airy. On hot days, your baby is protected by the hood which is really reassuring. The pram is very light and bouncy to push, in fact, I was able to take my baby out for a run with the pram! I found being able to change the main seat into a carrycot just by changing over the material was a big plus, both in terms of ease and storage."

How does the Ickle Bubba Stomp V3 Travel System compare to previous versions?

Ickle Bubba Stomp V2

The Stomp V2 is the previous version from Ickle Bubba, launched in 2014. So, what has improved since the creation of the Stomp V3? Just take a look at this demonstrative video from Baby Security and Ickle Bubba to see the main differences between the Stomp V2 and Stomp V3.

The main thing you'll notice between the two is the appearance, with the Stomp V3 looking much more premium than it's predecessor. Made with more muted colours on offer and better quality materials, the Stomp V3 is a more streamlined, sleek and sturdy product.

Another thing is the addition of accessories, with the Stomp V3 also including a changing bag and mat, sun visors and more. However, it's main similarity is convenience, with the two products offering versatility that is sure to come in handy when transporting baby.

How does the Ickle Bubba Stomp V3 Travel System compare to newer versions?

Ickle Bubba Stomp V4

The Ickle Bubba Stomp V4 brings a series of notable improvements over the Stomp V3. One of the most significant upgrades is in the wheels and suspension. While the Stomp V3 comes with deluxe foam wheels and built-in suspension suited for urban use, the Stomp V4 features puncture-proof tyres and improved front and rear suspension, making it better equipped for tackling a variety of terrains, including grassy or uneven paths.

Comfort-wise, both models offer a two-in-one carrycot and seat frame, but the V4 provides a more spacious and luxurious carrycot with a true lie-flat position ideal for newborns. The seat unit on the V4 also boasts four reclining positions, including a fully upright option, and can even double as a highchair when dining out—something not available on the V3. Users of the V3 have noted that its carrycot can feel a bit small and shallow in comparison.

In terms of design, the Stomp V3 comes with a standard black carrycot base, a stretchy Lycra-type hood, and EVA handle covers. In contrast, the Stomp V4 steps things up with a choice of bronze or chrome chassis, leatherette handle and bumper bar, a quilted carrycot liner, and fabric packs that match the carrycot base, giving it a more cohesive and upscale appearance.

Both models are competitively priced, considering what they offer. The Stomp V3 is generally more budget-friendly and includes useful accessories like a rain cover, changing bag, seat liner, and ISOFIX base. The Stomp V4 justifies the higher price point with premium extras such as a footmuff, sun visors, and a more stylish, coordinated changing bag and mat.

In summary, if you're looking for a more refined, comfortable, and all-terrain-capable travel system, the Stomp V4 is a clear upgrade. However, if you're working within a tighter budget and mainly plan to use the pram in urban environments, the Stomp V3 still offers excellent value.

Stomp Urban and Stomp Luxe

While there are other models like the Stomp Urban and Stomp Luxe, these are variations of the Stomp V3 and V4, respectively, rather than successors. The Stomp Urban is a budget-friendly version of the Stomp V3, designed primarily for city use, whereas the Stomp Luxe builds upon the V4 with additional luxury features

How does the Ickle Bubba Stomp V3 Travel System compare to rival products?

Finally, our testers helped us to weigh up the comparisons between the Ickle Bubba Stomp V3 Travel System and other competitors on the market. Here's what our testers had to say about whether the Stomp V3 stood up to other rival products.

Mother & Baby Tester, Devon, said: "Personally, I would not buy this product for myself as it lacked character – I prefer the vibrant, bold designs of the Cosatto travel system. The newborn cot part of the pram was not sturdy – the base of the cot was very flimsy and came away easily. The quality of the finish was also a sign of the price, as the plastic was thin and frayed in areas. The pram was very light, which can be a bonus, but it also felt like it could fall over easily. In general, I felt that the overall quality of the travel system was not what I would usually go for; however, I would recommend it to parents who are looking for a more affordable travel system."

Mother & Baby Tester, Samantha, said: "Yes, I would recommend this product as a cost-effective travel system. I don't feel that the quality is as good as some alternatives on the market, however there are some good features. I use an iCandy and you can feel the difference in the quality of the product. There are certain features that I would like to have, in particular, the large hood and lightweight design, but I found the Stomp V3 quite flimsy. That said, for the price, I do think it is good for value."

Mother & Baby Tester, Claire, said: "I would recommend the Stomp V3 to a mum on a budget – it has everything you need to get from A to B and Ickle Bubba have done all the thinking for you here. The pram and buggy pieces fit on the same frame (similar to the Bugaboo setup) and this makes storing the travel system easier when not in use. You get a lot of bang for your buck and it is practical, functional and actually fairly stylish.

This is a one stop shop for all your transport needs – pram, buggy, car seat and ISOFIX base. It even comes with a changing bag and all the rain covers as standard. It's easy to transfer the car seat to the buggy frame and you don't have to purchase separate car adapters as you do with many other higher priced buggies.

The car seat is much lighter than others on the market which is a definite plus, and the system to adjust the height of the straps was great. However, when it comes to car seat, this seems much less supportive if you were in an accident – it seemed less robust than other brands on the market, which would make me pause before purchasing."

Mother & Baby Tester, Jessica, said: "Unfortunately, I wouldn't choose this product above others on the market. I couldn't use the car seat in my car as I do not have ISOFIX settings. I also found my son sliding to the top end of the carry cot, which made me worry that it was not secure enough."

Final verdict

In summary, the Ickle Bubba Stomp V3 Travel System stood out as being a fairly affordable travel system to most, and some of our Mother & Baby testers were amazed with the amount of accessories that it came with. A lot of our testers praised this model as making their life easier due to convenience and practicality. Not to mention, the incredibly lightweight chassis making it easier to transport.

However, some of the testers preferred their own travel systems due to the fact they felt the Stomp V3 was a little flimsy, lacking in support and of a lower quality than their own. Despite this, the Ickle Bubba Stomp V3 travel system remains a contender in the list of affordable travel systems.

Stephanie Spencer is the Hub Editor at Mother&Baby and first-time mum to a little boy. She is also a proud auntie to four nieces and nephews. With a particular interest in health, she loves discovering products that make parent’s lives easier.