When you're planning to grow your family it's not just important to choose a travel system that you love and can use for years with your little one's, but also have the convenience to convert the travel system into a tandem system is a huge bonus, which is where Ickle Bubba's brand new Libra Travel System can really make your life easier.
Here at Mother&Baby we got to test the Libra Travel System before it launched online, so we could give an honest review of this new travel system. Our tester and mum-of-two, Nicole, gave us her honest thoughts.
Ickle Bubbaicklebubba.com
Pros
- Easy to convert the travel system
- It's a practical and stylish design
- It comes with all the essentials you need as a parent
Cons
- The organiser can't always be used with all the seat attachments
- 1 x Pushchair Chassis
- 2 x Pushchair Seat Units
- 1 x Carrycot with mattress and apron
- 2 x Footmuffs
- 1 x Changing rucksack & mat
- 2 x Raincovers
- 1 x Cupholder
- 1 x Buggy organiser
- 1 x Car seat adapters
- 1 x Cirrus i-Size Car Seat
- 1 x Cirrus ISOFIX base
Testing the Libra Travel System
Upon receiving the new Ickle Bubba Libra Travel System, I was immediately impressed by its sleek and tidy appearance, as well as the comprehensive range of accessories included.
The system provides all the essentials I expected: a frame, carrycot, infant seat, car seat, adapters, and liners. Additionally, it includes items that are often sold separately by other companies, such as a changing bag, a buggy organiser, a cup holder, two rain covers, and an infant seat footmuff.
For first-time parents, having all these extras - particularly the generously sized buggy organiser and cup holder - makes this system both convenient and cost-effective.
Build
I found assembling the travel system straightforward, with clear and easy-to-follow instructions. The frame folds and unfolds effortlessly and attaching or removing the carrycot and infant seat is a breeze. In fact, this is the easiest attachment system I’ve ever encountered for removal. You simply press buttons on both sides, which then remain depressed, allowing you to lift the attachment off with both hands. This genius manufacturing is so much easier than trying to hold in buttons and lift off attachments at the same time!
However, one downside is that the attachments need to be removed before folding the frame. If the removal of the attachments wasn't so easy then this would be an inconvenience. The car seat requires additional adapters to attach to the frame, which I did find trickier to remove, and I had to remember to take these out with me as well, which isn't a major issue if you do just keep them in the car.
Usability
The pram's frame and wheels offer a smooth, stable ride, making it easy to steer. The height-adjustable handlebar is a welcome feature, accommodating users of varying heights; it adjusts to a considerable height, making it particularly useful for taller users - which is really helpful.
I'm especially fond of the large wheels and additional suspension lever, which ensures hassle-free navigation over different terrains, which is always convenient. The front wheels can easily switch between swivel and lock mode with just the push of a button too, which helps to control the travel system easier.
Moreover, all four wheels can be removed with a single button press, which is ideal for storage or transport, especially if you have muddy wheels and want to take them off before going in the house. The foot pedal brake is simple to engage, reliable, and effective.
Size, Accessibility and Design
While the pram frame isn't the lightest, especially if you're primarily using it for a single child, the sturdiness of the frame and its ability to convert between a single and double pram more than compensate for this.
The adjustable elevated seat position provided excellent visibility of my child, particularly when using the parent-facing carry options. The storage basket is spacious too, making it perfect for shopping trips and carrying essentials for family outings.
I have the all-black version of this travel system and not only does this look sleek, but it's also practical in terms of maintaining cleanliness. I felt like the tan-coloured handle and bumper bar added a stylish touch too, and as they are wipeable, it made it easier to clean sticky fingerprints.
Performance
Carrycot
The carrycot is suitable from birth to 9kg, and is a standout feature despite its smaller size. Its lightweight and small design prevents a newborn from appearing lost in it, which I really dislike in the bigger carrycots on the market, while the luxurious material adds to its appeal.
The mattress feels far more padded and comfortable than any other carrycots I’ve used before. However, I was slightly disappointed that the buggy organiser cannot be used when the carrycot is in place, as the organiser is such a practical addition.
Infant Seat
The infant seat is lightweight and can be used for children weighing between 9kg and 22kg (or up to 4 years old). I love that the seat can be parent or forward-facing on either the upper or lower attachment points.
It is well-padded, particularly with the fleece-lined footmuff seat liner, which adds to the comfort and ideal for the colder weather.
I did think the harness didn't seem as advanced as others as it uses a standard clip-in lock, it is easy to operate and feels safe and secure. The large hood provides excellent coverage from both sun and wind and the peephole allows you to check on your child while pushing the pram, which is handy when checking they've fallen asleep!
The adjustable calf rest and one-hand reclining function, with three recline options (including a fully flat position), add to its usability. Similar to when using the carrycot though, using the buggy organiser is not possible when the seat is fully reclined.
Car Seat
The included Cirrus I-SIZE car seat is lightweight really lightweight which I found impressive. However, I was somewhat disappointed with its lack of padding, I feel like it could have more or be bulkier. While it may be convenient for short trips, I would be concerned about the comfort of this seat on longer journeys due to its thin material.
It is however tested to the most recent safety standards, so although not the comfiest, it did give peace of mind that my little one was safe.
I thought the Isofix car seat base was a fantastic feature too, as it clicks in and out with ease, eliminating the need to wrestle with seatbelts. There is also the option to use a seatbelt if traveling in a different vehicle, which is convenient. One thing that would make this better though is having a swivel-base, but this isn't a major issue.
Single to Double
The travel system offers four configurations in single mode, including both parent- and forward-facing options for the infant seat (the carrycot and car seat being parent-facing only).
I love the height-adjustable top adapters as they ensure ample space between seats when used in double mode and by being able to lower these in single mode, it avoids the awkward appearance common in some single-to-double prams.
The second set of adapters, which fold out of the way when using the pram in single mode, can be easily deployed within seconds to convert the system to a double. This smart design makes for a single-to-double conversion that could not be easier and showcases the well-thought-out engineering of this travel system. This is such a handy feature with two kids as well!
In double mode, there are 13 different configurations, but I do think it's important to keep in mind that when using as a double, the maximum weight per child is 15kg rather than the 22kg max weight for the infant seat in single mode. For parents with two young children close in age (but not the same age), this system is ideal as it allows for everything you need in one purchase. However, parents of twins would need to purchase an additional car seat, carrycot, and infant seat to fully utilise all configurations - but there is that option when purchasing!
Final Verdict
Overall, the Ickle Bubba Libra Travel System offers an excellent combination of style, functionality, and convenience. Its smooth manoeuvrability, user-friendly assembly, and ability to transition between single and double modes make it a standout choice. I do think a small improvement in the car seat's padding could elevate it further, but despite this I would confidently recommend this travel system.
Samantha Ball is a Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby, having written for the brand since 2018. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best and current trending products for little ones and for cute seasonal outfits.