Steelcraft Phoenix Layback

Great – Bought this secondhand, as a third stroller - I've got another expensive umbrella stroller, but wanted something I wouldn't cry over if it got stolen when I left it at day care. I cleaned it up easily, and it's stayed in good condition obviously through a couple of owners. It's just for keeping in the car so we have it handy. I originally got it… Read more

to take my bub to day care but we ended up using a better stroller because it's a long walk up hills and I needed something with better sun protection, foot muff etc. The hood on this isn't that great but I am fussy on hoods I need them to have big coverage. This stroller is nice and light, easy to use and has come in handy. It was a great secondhand buy, better than paying the same price for a cheap one that can't lay flat & doesn't have a decent foot rest. Can lay flat & nice footrest, nice quality Harness not low enough

Average – This is a very average stroller. It's heavy and very hard to manoeuvre with one hand so no good for coffee. You also have to bend forward slighty if you don't want your feet to hit the bottom of the pram. It's hard to clean as you can't easily remove any of the covers and has to be washed with a cloth. It doesn't go up or down stairs easily. Its… Read more

fairly hardy and folds ok but that's about it. Hardy, folds ok Hard to move esp with one hand. Gets very dirty and hard to wash.

This stroller has made my life so much easier – I originally bought a larger more expensive pram for my newborn son but now he is over 7 months old I switched to this lightweight stroller. It is so much easier to put in and out of the boot, is comfortable for my son, and is very easy to push. I was worried that the umbrella style strollers would be flimsy but I wish I got this sooner as it… Read more

makes me more inclined to run errands! The shade cover is quite adequate and it also has a basket which is unusable when seat is reclined, but offers enough space for a few small shopping bags. easy to fold/unfold, comforable, steers well, doesnt feel cheap and flimsy hard to access basket when seat reclined, but thats probably to be expected with this style stroller

Fantastic Stroller – We bought this stroller as a compact run-around for our 15 month old as we were travelling overseas. What can I say other than this stroller is brilliant! We travelled around the world with this stroller and it didnt miss a beat. We payed $115 as it was on special. We were prepared to throw any stroller we bought away, assuming it would be… Read more

pretty banged up after so many flights, in and out of cargo holds, along pretty rough cobbled streets, lawn, concrete and paved paths, so many security check ins, being folded and un-folded hundreds of times.

Nothing tore, nothing, bent, nothing broke. It is a brilliant stroller that was very comfortable for our boy. He slept in it so many times as it lays fairly flat. It steers very well and the handles are at a reasonable height. (I'm 6ft 2). I'm not sure what issues others say they experienced, but my Wife, toddler and I highly recommend this product. We are still using it and my son is almost three now and is very comfortable in it.

UPDATE: Still using this stroller 3 years later for my Daughter who is almost 3. Nothing has broken, bent or faded and we are always out and about. Still very clean. Just a simple wipe for any spills. Best value for money stroller. Durability, style, storage, foldability, weight.

Not the worst, but definitely not the best – We bought this stroller as a second, lightweight stroller to our bugaboo chameleon. I think the worst problem is the steering. Our daughter is only 1, and even with that weight it's very difficult to steer when not on smooth surfaces. It's particularly bad going up hill and aways tilts to one direction. Don't try it on anything BUT concrete… Read more

because it won't work. I have used cheaper strollers than this that do a better job. We ended up getting a 'combi well' for a bit more and it's lighter and steers better.

The basket is large enough but hard to get to even when the child is not laying down. I'd suggest looking for a better option, even cheaper.

We keep it in the garage in case for some horrid reason we have to use it. small fold, not too heavy, extra zip-storage on back Terrible steering, hard to access basket, handles a bit of a pain, bad on roads/uphill

Excellent Stroller for holidays – We bought our Phoenix stroller when we going on a overseas holiday since it folds a lot smaller than our other steelcraft pram we were able to keep bubs in it untill just before we got on the plane (didn't have to check it in with our luggage). I now use it all the time as it is more compact I have more boot space left when a go an do the… Read more

shopping, and it lies down so our bub can have a snooze in it if need be, I also like that it is light. It is a bit more expensive than some of the strollers on the market, but well worth the money. The only thing I find a little difficult with it, is lying the back down gently with bubs in it, can sometimes be a little hard to push the button in to lie the back flat Back lies flat so bub can sleep, and compact when folded down Can be a little difficult to push buttons in and gently lie the back down while bubs is in it.

Brilliant stroller!! Highly recommended!!! – We bought this stroller as we were going on a holiday and wanted something reasonably compact but that was able to lay flat. Well what a pleasant surprise! This stroller is excellent. We are using it all the time. No its not quite as manuverable as some bigger fancier prams but it is an umbrella stroller not a pram! The convenience overrides any… Read more

deficits in manourverability - which we have found to be very good. Our bubs is no wee little thing either - he's 11kgs and with him in it and the stroller loaded with bags etc it still a breeze to move. The safety harness is one of the better ones around too. It's perfect for taking to the shops or for a walk. As mentioned in other reviews, access to the basket underneath is non-existent when in the reclined position, but I find this a minor problem only. We have used ours extensively and over rough terrain too, and its still looking good as new!!! Highly recommended!!!! Lays back, compact, light, wheels very well, good safety harness, good price. Access to basket non-existent when in reclined position.

Excellent – My new Phoenix layback stroller doesnt look like the one in the photo, so have a look online. They come in black and red and look really stylish, much nicer than older versions. I got mine for $139 but I have seen it for $105 online.. Best of all my little baby girl loves it and looks very comfortable in it. This review is for the NEW VERSION… Read more

Phoenix layback stroller (in the shops now March 2011), and looks different to the photo here.

I had a second hand Phoenix that I didnt like that much but when it was time to buy a new one I was talked into trying the NEW VERSION Phoenix layback stroller by the salesperson at Mother Care. And Im glad I did try it because it doesn't even look like/fell like the same stroller. I love it! After reading tons of reviews I thought i had to spend $500-600 for a Maclaren xlr or xt, but I thought they were both really big for just going to the shops with my newborn baby.

The NEW Phoenix ticks all the boxes for me, my baby is 4 months old and what makes this stroller perfect for us is:

-Fully reclinable

-Light weight (7.5kg)

-Lovely design! (black with grey white bubbles)

-Padded shoulder straps

-Soft padded seat (noticed how some strollers feel really hard?!)

-Pocket at the back of stroller great for nappies and wipes, your mobile and wallet (love this!)

-Large peek hole window on the canopy that closes with a magnet (so no noise from velcro and looks great!)

-Large basket underneath

-The canopy is quite large as well, but I've bought an additional sun cover to protect my little one

-Easy to collapse

-Easy to carry, even when carrying my baby on the other arm

-Easy to steer in shops with swivel wheels

-Fits in the boot of our small car

-Comes with rain cover (which I havent used yet) As always with umbrella strollers you can't really reach the basket underneath when the stroller is fully reclined. Not suitable for running etc but I have a Baby Jogger Classic for that anyway.

reliable – we bought this stroller for our 14 month old before leaving for our 5 week world trip. its recline all the way back when the baby is sleeping. collapses easily light weight. we took this in greece on cobbled roads and the wheels didnt give way. it has been in and out of airplanes, cars, taxis and taken everywhere you can imagine , and still its in… Read more

a great condition. nothing broke or torn.

we are so happy with this. we carried alot of weight like handbags and things at the back of the stroller and even then we could push it.

i am really impressed coz its not that expensive and its so durable. reliable, inexpensive and efficient wouldnt mind abit more space at the bottom to put things in .

Excellent lightweight stroller – I purchased this pram to save space in my boot after having a large 3-wheeler, but wanted something with comfort, support, style and easy to steer. This stroller ticked all the boxes for me. My 13month old loves it. Style, Comfort, easy to steer

Great lightweight stroller – I purchased this for when I wanted to have more space in the boot of the car but still needed to have a pram for my daughter. I love this pram, its easy to use, steers well, and is lightweight too. The only downside for me was the small storage under the pram. Lightweight and very functional Small storage under pram

Occasional use only – We bought this as a convenient stroller to keep in the boot of the car. It's good for quick trips to the shops but once you have any real weight in it, it becomes difficult and heavy to steer. Access to the basket is limited as soon as the seat is reclined at all, and impossible if it is laid flat. I think there are probably better umbrella… Read more

strollers out there for the price. Quick and easy to fold and unfold. Good basic stroller for the price. Difficult to steer. Rear wheels are wider than front wheels which can make it more difficult to navigate narrow aisles.

good second stroller – we bought this as a stroller for the grandparents to have. This pram is a great second pram and my daughter likes riding in it. Easy for the grandparents to use and uncomplicated to fold. Good to push on walks ans long as you are on pavement, worth the money. light weight and easy to fold front wheels became wobbly after 6 months of light once a week use. The canopy could be abit larger and would be good if it was a one handed fold

Good – This is an excellent travel/constant use option. We looked at the Quicksmart and the Chicco lite and although they seemed great their prices were much higher. The Quicksmart looked brilliant when we saw it being folded but then I pushed the seat and found it quite hard, which made me wonder about comfort. My 3 month son is comfortable sitting in… Read more

this and I can recline the seat quite a bit if he is asleep. It folds easily and does not take much space in the boot of most cars. Light

Easy to fold

Sturdy

Reclines

Small carry area underneath

Comes with rain cover

It is comfortable (compared to others with not much padding) No suspension

Hood a little rickety but ok.

Cheap good for travel – Is a cheap stroller and you get what you pay for. It pushes well, but not the same a high end unbrella stroller. Fabrics were easy to clean and did not make the child to hot. Good fold, light weight easy to put in and out of the boot.Good travel stroller lays back for sleeping with good hood coverage. didn't kick the wheels when pushing as the back wheels are pushed out a bit

we keep it in the car and love it! – We bought this stroller for everyday use and a 3-wheeler pram for walking. We love this stroller, it is super easy to fold and unfold, lays down for newborn (we have just put a head support insert in for extra supports), steers well, looks great, has an excellent sunshade, was inexpensive and folds fairly compact. Our baby is only 7 weeks old and… Read more

is very comfortable in the stroller. easy to use, inexpensive, large sunshade bit awkward to recline seat

Excellent – Great little pram for those wanting to downsize once their bub is older. Easy to fold down and up. Great for children still wanting to have a nap while out and about, easy to move around the shops. Light and easy to carry. I would recommend this pram to anyone. After moving from my big Bertini Bidwell Steerable to this little stroller, I am in… Read more

heaven. I saw this pram at the Baby Expo and decided to get one as it is compact to fold, lays right back for sleeping, and is lightweight. I didn't want to get a stroller as I still wanted my son to be able to sleep so this was perfect. It still folds up like an umbrella stroller and has all the functions of a normal pusher. I've only had it for two months, but I love it.

Great for keeping in the car boot – Purchased this stroller as a light weight alternative to our 3 wheeler to keep in the back of our car. It is light weight, easy to put up and down and reclines for sleeps. The sun shade is not very big compared to our 3 wheeler Adventure Buggy New Zealand pram, however I really only use it inside shops etc so it doesn't really matter. Its easy… Read more

to clean, I have scrubbed it and hosed it a few times and am now using it for my second child. Its ok for a newborn too as it does recline quite flat. Lightweight and compact Sun shade not very big

Good – It does the job I need it to do - was the better of the strollers when I was originally looking lightweight - doesnt take up much room in the car. basket is hard to get to - impossible to use basket when child is laying down. Need to use two hands to get in the layback position

Good – Would reccomend this pram to new mums who are looking for a shopping pram thats light, compact and easy looks great! I originally owned a massive Bertini pram thinking thats the best pram for my newborn. But I was sick of the bulky frame and how its folds into a square and takes up my entire boot! I was looking for a lightweight pram suitable for… Read more

a newborn just to take to westfields or to friend's houses and folds FLAT. My bub is now 8 weeks and i'm glad I didn't waste anytime in buying the phoenix! She loves being in it. Its so easy to steer and fold. Lightweight and folds really compact and flat which fits in the boot of our sedan with lots of space let to put the shopping! Looks modern and stylish and has a MASSIVE peekaboo window which I love! You can basically hang 8kgs of whatever you want on the handles without the pram falling backwards! Even without bub in there I could hang my groceries on the handle and it still feels steady thanks to the wider wheel base. Since having a newborn baby, she has to be in the lying flat position. This makes it impossible to access the shopping basket. Which is small and probably can't hold heavy things. the ride can get quite bumpy for bub as wheels are best made for indoor surfaces like the shops and not the park or grass. The canopy is quite small and it doesn't offer a boot cover which would be useful during windy winter.

Terrible – would not advise for anyone to buy this stroller. as you relie on it everyday it does not do the job that you require and you will end up just be fustrated by it as i am. make sure that you also take it for a good walk with child in before you buy it. as it really makes a difference it layed right back for sleeping the turning circle is very poor and to push is very heavy. after 6mt mine started to fall apart. and the wheel snapped off.

Excellent – This stroller is great value for money and an excellent buy. I only with that i had bought one sooner and not wasted my money on a big 3 wheeler!!! LOVE IT!!!!!! Very easy to use and to fold. Folds Really small! I just love it and with that i hadn't wasted my money on a big three wheeler, this stroller would have been very suitable from birth! My baby tends to slouch a bit in it ( however she tends to slouch in everything ) :)

Excellent – I could have used this from birth and not wasted money on a P&T pram - this is fantastic and very affordable. I've gone from a Phil n Teds to this pram and I love it! It's so easy to fold and unfold and baby can still lay flat to sleep. Easy to adjust the recline, my 4 month old is very comfortable in this pram. I love the clip that locks it… Read more

all together so you can carry it with the handle and it won't come apart - perfect if you use public transport.

Excellent – Is a great pram and I only wish that I had purchased this rather than a huge 3 wheeler before my son was born! Light weight, easy to fold and unfold, storage back in back of pram (which I use as a mini nappy bag), my toddler is now nearly 3 and still sleeps in it. I purchased my first 2nd hand on ebay and traveled overseas extensively with it… Read more

(airline handling finally damaged it too much) and I got a new one late last year as I liked it so much. Would be better if it had a single break - and not a break on the the back of each rear wheel, is hard to steer with one hand (but newer model much easier than older version).

Bad – Not worth it! I gave up using it after a dozen times. I'm not happy with steelcraft either - poorly made prams that break easy! Looks good. Good storage in the hood flap. Lays flat for sleeping bub. Terrible to steer! Cannot get to basket when seat is laying down. The front wheel squeeked really bad when I first used it and was told "just oil it with olive oil" - I shouldn't have to oil a new pram!

Good – I love this stroller, It looks great, baby likes being in it, he can sit up and look about, but also enjoys to sleep in it. For the price, I think its value for money. The shopping basket is very annoying, but theres a great pocket behind the seat for things you need often, and the handles allow you to hang shopping from them. looks good, very… Read more

lightweight and compact so easy to get in and out of the car. Its very hard to access the shopping basket below. you need two hands to recline the seat and its awkward from behind. Very difficult to steer one handed, but so are most strollers.

Bad – We purchased this to get a smaller pram to replace the three wheeler. Have taken this shopping twice(we are 100km from stores) and have gone back to the three wheeler. We found that you could not put enough stuff in/on it and we were doing too many trips gave to the car to unload. After breaking strap we are also reluctant to use it too far from… Read more

home. It is now the spare if we split the kids up and need to travel with two cars. Wouldn't buy again. Folds easily and compact. Manuverable for around stores & slow people in shopping centres. Spare parts were quickly delivered and available in Aus. Small basket underneath. Hand grips have slipped down the handles and you now grip the top 3 cm of steel.. Need two hands to lay it down Cannot push it with one hand, hard to steer with a toddler in the other. Squeaky wheels (have oiled, CRC'd and still comes back). 17 mth old daughter strained on straps and broke clips on lower strap. Hard to keep a toddler in it for the rest of the day.