Bugaboo is among the most eminent leaders in the world of luxury strollers. Other than the long-lasting functionality, most Bugaboo strollers come with beautiful modern designs and cutting-edge technology.
Why Trust Us?
Because my full-time job is being mom to 2 precious daughters, and I know a thing or two about strollers. Besides personal experience, I get feedback from other moms who use these strollers every day and put all that research into our unbiased stroller buying guides
- Kyli
The stroller we’re going to look at today is Bugaboo’s Buffalo. The Buffalo boasts high reviews, with many users claiming that this stroller is the perfect all-terrain buggy for parents who love exploring the great outdoors with their baby. But is it really all that it’s cracked up to be? Read on to find out.
Table of Contents
Things to Consider Before Buying an All-Terrain Stroller
All-terrain strollers and jogging strollers are often used interchangeably, primarily because they’re both equipped with three wheels and used by outdoorsy parents.
However, there are several significant differences between the two. For one, jogging strollers aren’t intended to be used on hills, dirt roads, mulch, and other “off-road” terrains.
All-terrain strollers are also generally heavier and bulkier than the latter, which doesn’t make them the best choice for jogging. This is why, unless stated explicitly by the manufacturers, all-terrain strollers shouldn’t be used for running.
Before we get to our Bugaboo Buffalo review, here’s a quick breakdown of what to look for when buying an all-terrain stroller.
Ease of Use
It’s challenging to deal with a crying baby while trying to adjust the recline configuration of the stroller. This is why a stroller’s ease of use and foldability is essential.
How long does it take to fold and unfold? How smoothly do the harness and backrest adjust? Can you easily access the basket, or do you have to bend over to reach it? Ask yourself these questions first before buying the stroller outright.
Maneuverability
The main selling point of an all-terrain stroller is its maneuverability. The stroller should be flexible and durable enough to handle even the most challenging terrains without having to put too much force into it, whether it be uphill, downhill, grass, mulch, sand, or dirt.
Safety and Comfort
How secure is the stroller’s seat? What about the wheels? Do they wobble at specifically high speeds, or do they feel stiff and difficult to push? The stability of the stroller is vital in all-terrain use.
You’ll also want to check the stroller’s rank in ASTM standard testing. Both safety and comfort are of the utmost importance.
Bugaboo Buffalo: A Quick Product Overview
- Includes Bugaboo 2016 Buffalo Frame in Aluminium (with Basket and Rain Cover), Bassinet Fabric in Black, Toddler Seat Fabric in Black, Extendable Sun Canopy in Red and Bassinet Apron in Red
- One hand operation to recline, reverse and release the seat, All fabrics machine washable
- 10” swivel wheels & 12” rear wheels with foam filled tyres, All-terrain suitability
The Bugaboo Buffalo looks quite similar to the Bugaboo Donkey, which was designed two years prior.
This all-terrain pushchair is said to be the first stroller that comes with a handlebar weight safety certification of just over 13 pounds, plus an extra 22 pounds underneath. It’s available in multiple colors, with blue and black being the most popular.
One of the best things about this stroller is that it’s exceptionally spacious and comfortable, and it maneuvers like a dream. The four large tires are filled with foam instead of air, and while heavier than the latter, you won’t ever have to deal with leakage due to accidental punctures.
As a result, the wheels require little maintenance and last longer than any other type of stroller tire. Moreover, they tackle uneven, bumpy surfaces with ease due to the consistent tire pressure and added weight stability.
The Buffalo’s handle is height-adjustable, and the seat is high enough to comfortably fit taller or bigger toddlers of up to three years or 50 pounds. It also comes with an extendable seat canopy to protect your little one from the elements while you’re braving the outdoors.
Things We Like
- Extremely easy to assemble
- Huge canopy with an extra expandable extension
- The seat can be reclined in three different positions (parent facing, world facing, and full recline)
- Foam no-puncture wheels, making them easy to maneuver around
- Impressive build and attractive design
- All-wheel suspension allows you to go off-road when necessary
Room For Improvement
- Space under the stroller seat isn’t the biggest
- Quite heavy
- Not the most affordable
Features and Benefits
The Buffalo is among Bugaboo’s luxury all-terrain strollers. Compared to all the newly-released Bugaboo strollers in 2020, how does the Buffalo measure up? Let’s find out.
Seat
The Bugaboo Buffalo stroller seat is approximately four inches higher than those of the Buffalo Donkey and Cameleon. Although it’s designed for babies aging six to 24 months, this stroller is large enough to comfortably house toddlers of up to three years old (or 50 pounds) due to its extra-wide seat.
The reversible seat has a 5-point harness that is highly adjustable and can easily be altered from the shoulder straps. Although it doesn’t include a crotch strap pad, we’ve found that the Buffalo is secure enough without.
Another great thing about this stroller is that it can be reclined in three positions. Whether your toddler is a curious little adventurer or is satisfied to look at you while you’re navigating, this stroller has you covered. Plus, it can be reclined fully flat to accept a carrycot (or bassinet), which is included free-of-charge in the package.
And if you purchase a car seat adapter, the Bugaboo Buffalo can easily be used as a travel system.
Maneuverability
If you’re a family who loves spending time outdoors, you’ll love how easy the Bugaboo Buffalo is to maneuver around.
This stroller has a robust and reliable design, and while it’s quite heavy compared to regular strollers, you won’t find any issues with it while steering. In fact, this stroller can easily be pushed one-handed, so you can carry a diaper bag in the other, without worrying about it snagging in the grass or bumpy roads!
Because of this, the Bugaboo Buffalo stroller makes a great all-terrain pram and works just like it’s advertised. However, it’s important to note that it isn’t the best choice for parents who have to use public transport to stroll around. Folding isn’t an issue, but because it’s especially large, it might prevent you from accessing tight spaces (such as inside a bus or even an elevator).
Credit for the Buffalo’s smooth ride can be given to its two foam-filled 10-inch swivel front wheels and two 12-inch rear wheels. When tested against particular rough terrains, including the seaside, grassy paths, small hills, and cobbled roads, we barely experienced any problems, especially when taking advantage of the Buffalo’s two-wheel mode.
Plus, the handlebar is adjustable, making it ideal for parents of all heights.
The brake isn’t overly large or small, but we found that it sits a bit too close to the wheel. Not a great disadvantage, but still inconvenient as someone might accidentally brush against the tire when trying to push the break in a hurry.
Foldability
One of the best things about the Bugaboo Buffalo is how easy it is to fold and store away. This stroller boasts a one-piece fold, and with just a little practice, you can fold and unfold this stroller in a little under 30 seconds. You can do it with one hand, and it can also be folded into a freestanding position if you desire.
Compared to the Bugaboo Donkey, the Buffalo folds flatter, even with the wheels included. While it isn’t the “flattest” stroller around, it’s still guaranteed to fit under the roof of a convertible car.
Despite that, we wouldn’t recommend taking the Buffalo on long trips or holidays due to its size and weight. However, if you own a large car with a spacious trunk space and don’t mind having to haul around approximately 35 pounds of extra weight, then it shouldn’t be much of an issue.
Unfortunately, we didn’t find a chassis lock on the Buffalo. Regardless, the stroller stands by itself quite nicely even without it and doesn’t randomly push open or fall when left alone.
The carrycot that the Buffalo comes with can be easily attached to the frame using simple Velcro tabs. Connecting it does take a bit of elbow grease, but nothing anyone can’t handle. It merely needs to be fastened tightly to ensure it’s safely held together.
Worthy Alternatives
Unfortunately, Bugaboo decided to discontinue the Buffalo model and instead replaced it with the Bugaboo Fox. So, if you’re planning to buy the Buffalo, you might not be able to purchase it directly from the manufacturers and will need to instead look for it with a third-party retailer.
If you’re searching for a cheaper alternative that’s light in weight, you might like the Joovy Zoom 360. Compared to the Buffalo, which weighs 35 pounds, the Joovy Zoom 360 only weighs 25.7 pounds. Plus, it costs a fraction of the price.
The Bugaboo Fox is also a great alternative, as Bugaboo has improved many of Buffalo’s “faults.” They have nearly the same weight limit, but the Fox has slightly smaller wheels to reduce the stroller’s overall weight and bulkiness.
- Includes Bugaboo 2016 Buffalo Frame in Aluminium (with Basket and Rain Cover), Bassinet Fabric in Black, Toddler Seat Fabric in Black, Extendable Sun Canopy in Red and Bassinet Apron in Red
- One hand operation to recline, reverse and release the seat, All fabrics machine washable
- 10” swivel wheels & 12” rear wheels with foam filled tyres, All-terrain suitability
Conclusion
The Bugaboo Buffalo is a beautiful all-terrain stroller. It’s solid, comfortable, maneuvers quite nicely, and looks astonishing. Furthermore, it’s extremely easy to use. We also love that it has foam tires rather than air-filled ones, as it saves parents the hassle of having to fill it up with air now and again.
So, who is this stroller for? If you’re a city dweller who loves going out for walks and the occasional off-road stroll, such as parks, beaches, and playgrounds, this stroller might be for you.
The only major downside we’ve found in this stroller is the fact that it’s quite heavy. This is primarily due to the tires, which are approximately 5.5 pounds each. We also didn’t like how bulky it is.
Bugaboo Buffalo Stroller Review: A Modern Powerhouse
This stroller has solid, comfortable, astonishing looks, and nice maneuvers. Learn more about it in this Bugaboo buffalo stroller review.
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.5
