Maclaren Quest Sport Review

All stroller reviews
Review by: Annabel

Introduction



The Maclaren Quest Sport aims to provide good looks and comfortable features in a stroller that weighs under 6kg (13.2lbs). Features such as a 4 position seat recline and extendible leg rest make this stroller suitable for babies (the recommended age is over 3 months), whilst the great handling means that children up to 17kg (37.4lbs) can still be pushed with ease.

Seat design and function


Seat in most upright position



Second recline position



Third recline position



Lowest recline position



The Quest has four recline positions which are all very close to each other. The lowest recline provides a very comfortable sleeping position for an older baby, although I think it is fairly steep for a 3 month old (the recommended age from which the stroller can be used).

The seat reclines by lifting levers either side of the back of the seat and at the same time pulling them towards you. You really need to move both sides at the same time for the recline to work properly which makes it next to impossible to do with one hand, and quite difficult to do when holding anything at the same time. It is also much easier to do with a baby in the stroller as the weight of the baby helps to push the seat back. Trying to recline the seat with a sleeping baby in your arms is therefore very tricky. This is however a fairly typical recline mechanism on an umbrella stroller. The seat can simply be pushed to a more upright position.

The seat on the Quest is angled back so that a child cannot sit up independently in it but has to lean back against the backrest. This is quite a common stroller design, however there is a problem with the Quest that causes young children to slouch down in the chair so that their bottoms end up almost where their knees should be. My daughter is 15 months old and of average weight and height, and I have to stop periodically and hoist her back up the seat. In contrast my 4 year old is very comfortable in the seat.

The seat has an extendible leg rest to make the seat more comfortable for younger children. It works by pulling out a metal bar on either side of the seat. This works well in theory but on my Quest the leg rest supports constantly receeded and I would have to stop periodically and pull them back out.

The seat dimensions of the Quest are:
24cm or 9.4ins deep (with legrest down), 34cm or 13.3ins wide and 47cm or 18.3ins high.

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Child safety harness


Harness



There is a fairly standard harness on the Quest. If anything it is too large -I am using the smallest possible setting on my 1 year old and it is still quite loose.

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Hood or Canopy






Viewing window at rear of hood



The hood on the Quest provides quite decent coverage for such a lightweight stroller. It folds back nicely and is easily removed. The viewing window is at the back of the hood rather than on the top which stops the sun coming through onto a child's head. However it is not quite as easy to see a child through this kind of window.

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Handle design and function


Back view of handles



Front view of handles



The handles on the Quest are very comfortable to use. They are quite high and angled in to improve steering, and the soft foam grip is pleasant to hold onto.

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Storage


Basket with seat in most upright position



Top view of basket with seat in most upright position



Basket with seat in most reclined position.



Mesh pocket on back of hood



The mesh basket on the Quest is small and fairly hard to access even with the seat fully upright. With the seat reclined there is next to no access.

This is a fairly typical setup on an umbrella stroller and in some respects is a necessary trade off for having a lightweight and compact stroller.

There is a mesh pocket on the back of the hood which is convenient for holding a drink bottle or purse.

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Wheels and Brakes

Rear wheel


Front wheels


The wheels on the Quest work well for indoor use which is really what they're intended for. They're perfectly functional outside as well, just don't expect to go anywhere on gravel or sand!

The front wheels can be locked by pushing on a plastic button at the front, however I found that they would easily unlock as I walked.

The wheels on my Quest started to squeak after only 2 months use. They just needed some lubrication but I was a little annoyed that wheels on such a high end stroller would squeak at all, let alone after such little use.




Wheel brake on


Wheel brake off


The brakes on the 2005 Quest are small and a little fiddly to use. Instead of pushing down on the brake button you flip it with your foot from left to right.

Once on however the brake is quite effective at keeping the stroller stationary.

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Fold mechanism


Fold mechanism



Clip to hold stroller closed


The Quest is quick and simple to fold using one hand. You just kick up the back metal supports to unlock the stroller frame, and then push down on the lever on the right of the frame with your foot.

A plastic clip on the side of the stroller automatically locks the Quest in the folded position and there is a handle on the side with which to carry it.

The fold is narrow and long.

The only thing to watch out for with the fold is that you cannot leave anything bulky in the basket. In fact you need to get anything you might need out of the basket before you fold the stroller as you have no access to it once folded.

To unfold the stroller you simply unclip the lock then raise the handles toward you. Push down with your foot on the metal supports to lock the stroller frame open.

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Manoeuvrability

The Quest is a lovely stroller to push. It is light and comfortable to use, and easy to steer. I find that I can steer one handed when I am inside on a smooth surface, but that outside this is more difficult.

The Quest is not designed to go off-road and it certainly doesn't handle broken paths particularly well. It is manageable enough though to get you short distances.

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Size

The Quest is a narrow stroller that easily squeezes through small spaces. The dimensions are approximately 48cm or 18.7 ins wide, 103 or 40.2 ins to top of handles and 83cm or 32.4ins long

The Quest folds long and narrow: 104cm or 40.6 ins long, 26cm or 10.1 ins wide, and 25cm or 9.8ins high.

It weighs 5.7kg or 12.5lbs.

Unlike those given by many other manufacturers these measurements are almost exactly the same as those given by Maclaren.




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Accessories


The Quest comes with a partial rain cover included. The rain cover is attached to the front of the hood and to the bottom of the frame. A child therefore stays dry although the stroller hood does not. The advantage is that the cover is compact to store.

Toddler Seat


The Quest Sport is only designed to accomodate one child.



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Summary and Rating

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Steers easily
  • Comfortable tall handles
  • Good hood for this sized stroller
  • Extendible leg rest
  • Good recline for children 6 months plus

Cons

  • Young children slump down in the seat
  • Basket is small and hard to access
  • Harness is too large
  • Seat adjust requires two hands
  • Leg rest does not stay extended
  • Wheels keep unlocking from fixed mode by themselves
  • Brake is fiddly to apply

Conclusion

The Quest Sport is in most respects a quality stroller that is comfortable and easy to use. It is compact and lightweight which makes it brilliant for frequently loading into and out of the car and its easy steering makes it great for around the shops.

The Quest has a few shortcomings such as a small, hard to access basket and a seat recline mechanism that requires two hands. These features however are fairly typical of lightweight umbrella strollers.

Of more concern is the way younger children slump down in the seat, and a few minor quality issues. On a cheaper stroller these may not rate as significant problems, however Maclaren market their goods as a premium range and for the price I have high expectations.

Overall though the Maclaren Quest Sport is an excellent stroller.


Rating

star star star star



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