First time mum Rebekah Maynard puts the iCandy Peach 7 through its paces with little baby Celeste.
[words by Rebekah Maynard]
Already a firm favourite with growing families thanks to its durability and functionality, the iCandy Peach was on my radar even before its revamp earlier this year.
We were looking for a great all-rounder that was both easy to fold and slip into the boot of our car, but also hardy enough for strolls around town, countryside walks and anything involving coffee!
Real Mum Review: iCandy Peach 7
This popular travel system is known for its longevity and ability to adapt to growing families, accommodating baby from birth, and holding up to 25kg.
It also oozes style, and as my bump grew and I delved deeper into a world of footmuffs, one-handed-folds and fashion-forward fabrics, I was pretty much sold.
The Look
With its soft, premium knitted jersey fabrics and choice of five colourways, the Peach 7 certainly delivers on style. We chose the Phantom/Truffle colourway – for me, this was the perfect ‘neutral’; it looks luxurious, and I love the way the grey offsets the black frame.
And though the material is beautiful and soft, it’s also pretty hardwearing, as we’ve discovered! Its durability and the fact it’s surprisingly easy to clean makes me certain it’ll last for another baby or two.
We opted for the fleece-lined carrycot, which is also (rather handily, if you frequently travel) suitable for overnight sleeping. The mattress cover and carrycot lining are machine washable (hooray!), and the snug apron offers a secure and cosy fit, giving ample protection if you’re out and about on a cold and windy day.
The basket underneath makes shopping a dream – it’s such a good size. The only drawback is it’s not so easy to access with the carrycot attached. Other smart finishes like the bendy parasol, generous sun visor and leatherette handlebar really complete the look.
Usability
So, it looks great – but could the Peach 7 cope with our daily adventures? Answer: Yes. The puncture-proof PU wheels are smooth rolling and make for a quiet ride over most terrain, and it handles well over kerbs and grass as well as pavements. I’d recommend locking the front wheels into the forward-facing position if you’re encountering rougher ground like gravel or cobbles though.
We trialled a few pushchairs before deciding on the Peach 7, and despite it not being the lightest out there (weighing in at 12.9 kg) this was without doubt one of the easiest to fold once you’ve got the knack.
It’s freestanding when folded for easy storage and the chassis fits neatly inside the boot of our car. We have to put the carrycot on the back seat because our car is quite small, but if you have a decent-sized vehicle, I wouldn’t foresee fitting in the Peach 7 an issue. The car-seat adapters are also a godsend for short into-town trips – thankfully the Peach 7 is compatible with several big-name car seats (we opted for the Maxi-Cosi Pebble 360).
When it came to setting up, the instruction manual was just pictures – no words – so I found the assembling part somewhat difficult (and if you get time, I highly recommend giving it a go before baby comes!). But I found a video on YouTube which really helped, and it is simple once you know how.
Comfort
The carrycot is both cosy and generous in size and though Celeste wasn’t a fan at first because she suffered a lot with colic, she now spends most of our wanders snoozing in there. She’s grown so much over the last few months and there is still plenty of space for her to move around while feeling fully supported.
The extendable canopy is both water-resistant and offers SPF50+ sun protection, so it’s great for protecting her from wind, rain, and light glare while still offering ventilation. This is particularly great when she’s napping – though we also found the parasol a helpful addition as she was born in the height of summer.
iCandy Peach 7: The Verdict
Overall, the Peach 7 was everything we wanted in a pushchair. This is a travel system that’s designed to fit in seamlessly with modern life and it certainly delivers.
Its beautiful design, comfort, versatility (it can easily be transformed into a double buggy), and durability are all big ticks. I’m excited for Celeste to use the plush-looking seat as she gets bigger and wants to see more of the world, and most importantly, she seems to love it as much as I do!
From £1,099, icandyworld.com.
