Bugaboo

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Bugaboo is a luxury stroller brand founded in 1999 in Holland. The company was one of the first to introduce a modular stroller that includes both a seat and bassinet—this allows parents to use the bassinet for a baby and then swap it out for a stroller seat for older kids.

1994 prototype of the Bugaboo stroller

The company was co-founded by designer Max Barenbrug, who conceived of the stroller as part of a college design project. Unlike other strollers on the market at the time, the Bugaboo was aimed as a luxury purchase for urban parents, including dads frustrated with too-short stroller handles (the Bugaboo had a height-adjustable handle).

The name "Bugaboo" for the stroller brand is said to have been inspired by the Bugaboos Mountains in British Columbia, Canada. In the early 1990s, co-founder Barenbrug was on a hiking trip to the Bugaboos and was struck by the name's memorable sound and the mountain's rugged terrain. He thought that the name Bugaboo would be a great fit for his new stroller brand, which he envisioned as a durable and versatile product for active parents.

The name Bugaboo also sounds similar to "buggy," which is used in the UK interchangeably for stroller.

The first Bugaboo model to reach the US was the Frog in 2003, named for its frog-like profile that paired small wheels up front and larger ones in back. In an age before social media, Bugaboo's biggest marketing coup was placing a Frog on the "Sex and the City" HBO series.

The company's sales boomed in the 2000's, fed by more celebrity sitings. Reported DutchNews.nl, "Kate Middleton evoked the wrath of the British scandal sheets when young Prince George was seen in a Bugaboo instead of a ‘proper British-made baby carriage’."

The company continued the animal-theme naming schema for its strollers, launching the lightweight Bee in 2007, the Donkey in 2011 as well as the Cameleon (sic) and Buffalo in the 2010's.

In 2018, Bugaboo was acquired by private equity firm Bain Capital.

Flagship Model: Bugaboo Fox

Bugaboo Fox 5 All-Terrain Stroller

Bugaboo's flagship model is currently the Fox 5 (22.9 to 26.9 lbs. depending on whether the stroller is used with the seat or bassinet). It continues the same basic modular designs as its predecessors (the Frog and Cameleon) that includes a bassinet and seat that work with the same stroller frame.

(FYI: The number after the model, such as Fox 5, refers to the number of revisions the stroller has seen since introduction).

Key features for the Fox include a ventilated canopy, large storage basket. seat with multiple recline positions, adjustable leg support and compact fold.

Unlike earlier Bugaboo models, the Fox can be folded with either the seat or bassinet attached.

As with most luxury stroller, there are a series of accessories (35 at last count) for the Fox 5. The most popular ones are: For the Bassinet:

• Bugaboo Fox 5 Bassinet Stand: allows you to use the bassinet as a portable sleep solution at home or on-the-go.
• Bugaboo Footmuff: keeps baby warm in cold weather.
• Bugaboo Parasol: offers protection from the sun and UV rays.

For the Seat:

• Bugaboo Cup Holder: provides a place to hold your drink while strolling.
• Bugaboo Snack Tray: lets your child enjoy snacks on-the-go.
• Bugaboo Organizer: keeps your essentials within easy reach.
• Bugaboo Transport Bag: protects your stroller during travel.
• Bugaboo Comfort Wheeled Board: allows an older child to ride along with the stroller.

Other Bugaboo models: Lynx, Donkey, Butterfly

Bugaboo Lynx

The Lynx (20.7 lbs., see on Amazon) is a less-expensive, paired down version of the Bugaboo Fox. It omits the bassinet (which can be purchased separately). The Lynx also has only front wheel suspension (the Fox has all four wheels).

Besides these two key differences, the Lynx is similar in form and function to the Fox—both have reversible seats and can add a infant car seat (either hte Bugaboo Turtle One by Nuna) or other brands with adapters sold as accessories.

The Lynx has a somewhat more complex fold than the Fox.

With a price about $300 less than the Fox, the Lynx is aimed at parents who don't need the bassinet (which is designed for newborns).

Bugaboo Donkey

The Donkey 5 (27-32 lbs., see on Amazon) is Bugaboo's double stroller than can be used with two seats or with one seat and a shopping basket that rides next to baby. The stroller is sold a variety of configurations (Mono for one child, Duo for two children close in age and Twin for twins).

Bugaboo Butterfly

The Butterfly (16.1 lbs., see on Amazon). is Bugaboo's ligthweight, ultracompact stroller—it replaced earlier models such as the Bee and Ant.

The Butterfly is aimed at travelers with a one-hand, quick compact fold that is designed to be stored in an overhead compartment of an airplane. The fold is 17.72 x 9.06 x 21.26 inches.

Unlike the earlier model (the Bee), the Butterfly can't be used from birth and is aimed at babies six months to four years. (The Bee had an optional pram body or baby cocoon). The Butterfly's seat can only face out (the Bee allowed baby to face in or out). And the Butterfly lacks the Bee's height adjustable handle.

That said, the Butterfly is lower in price (about $250 less than the Bee).

Safety Recalls

In 2009, Bugaboo recalled 22,500 Bee strollers for brakes that could fail. "Bugaboo has received 121 reports of the stroller's brakes failing. No injuries have been reported," said the CPSC.

In 2011, another recall on the Bee flagged front swivel wheels that could lock while the stroller was in motion "causing the stroller to tip and posing a fall hazard." This recall was for 7000 strollers. "Four incidents have been reported where the stroller's swivel wheels locked and the stroller tipped over. In two of these incidents, a baby and a toddler suffered minor injuries," said the CPSC.

In 2011, Bugaboo recalled 64,00 car seat adapters due to fall hazard. The CPSC reported "Bugaboo received one report of the car seat disconnecting from the adapter and stroller frame, causing a minor injury."

In 2013, Bugaboo recalled 46,300 Cameleon and Donkey strollers for fall and choking hazards. "A button on the stroller's carrycot/seat carry handle can become disengaged and cause the handle to detach, posing fall and choking hazards to young children," said the CPSC. Bugaboo has received 58 reports of carry handles detaching. No injuries have been reported. Later that same year, another recall on the Cameleon cited a different fall hazard. "The stroller's carrying handle can break and detach posing a fall hazard," warned the CPSC. This recall involved 9200 strollers. "Bugaboo has received 16 reports of carry handles breaking. No injuries have been reported."