Out’n’About Nipper Sport running stroller review: cheaper than competitors with little compromise on performance

Out’n’About Nipper Sport: first impressions

The Out’n’About Nipper Sport is for you if you’re on a budget (and let’s face it, many new parent are on a budget when they return to running). It’s half the price of many of its competitors in our best running stroller buying guide. However, you have to pay an extra for the undercarriage storage basket, which is a bit annoying, because and who doesn’t need one an undercarriage storage basket? Just include one! Even with that added on, the combined price is still significantly lower than the rest. 

The buggy is very comfy for the child passenger, with lots of backrest angles and good suspension. It is also the lightest we tested, and it rolls well over bumpy ground. The handlebar brake works well to slow the 16-inch wheels on steep hills, too. 

There are some slight niggles, though: the five-point harness is fiddly to clip together and it loosens every time you collapse the buggy, which is frustrating. Also, the footbrake doesn’t always catch, so be careful with that, because you don’t want to have to run downhill after it. The sunshade could be larger for more shade for the little one when running into the sun, and the poppers to connect the rain cover are a weak point and wear after regular use.

So the message here is that you get what you pay for. If every cent counts and you don’t mind a bit of faff with a few features, this is a fantastic, great-value running buggy that your child will be very comfortable zooming along in.

Out’n’About Nipper Sport: on the trails

The Out’n’About Nipper Sport’s large front wheel and great suspension mean this buggy eats up the most testing terrain you can throw at it. It glided easily over rough, rocky Peak District bridleways in the New Mills area with no problems at all, and the handlebar brake was a definite plus on the steeper downhills here. 

It felt good and robust, but it’s also made in the UK, so for people based in Britain, getting spare parts should be very straightforward. 

One thing that did niggle while testing in the real world was that the footbrake sometimes catches, so you have to double check it is really on. 

It doesn’t automatically come with under-pram storage – you have to buy that in addition – but at least the smaller drawstring pocket stops you taking too much stuff out with you. 

We tested this during the winter months when the sun – if it’s even out – is very low in the sky, and the supplied sunshade didn’t offer much protection for any child in the stroller. It would have been nice to have the option of a sunshade extension.

The kid harness system was faffy and kept loosening every time we collapsed the buggy, which is annoying, but you get used to it.