Reviewed by Brenda McGuinness, “work-at-home Mom with a compulsion to multi-task”

Maclaren Techno XLR in Black/Champagne

If you’re a busy Mom like myself who needs a no-nonsense, super easy to push, lightweight but reliable pushchair that’s easy to adjust with one hand, I’d definitely recommend giving the Maclaren Techno XLR a shot.

Maclaren Techno XLR: I love it because…

Well I’ll have you know now that one of the most compelling reasons that convinced me to buy it was because every review I read about it on the internet was favourable. Everybody seemed to love their XLR, and so I went ahead and bought it for our Chloe (a week before she was due to arrive, I might add!). It’s been 3 months now and I’m happy to report the XLR didn’t fail my expectations.

Apparently the XLR is Maclaren’s version of a luxurious XT (which is one of the bestselling pushchair in the Maclaren range), so I liked the sound of it straight away. The XT in itself sounded perfect to me but Chloe was our first daughter so we wanted the best in both functionality and comfort.

We live in the city and I hate driving so I wanted a pushchair buggy that is going to last even if I used it rigorously everyday. Because of Maclaren’s reputation as a maker of reliable pushchairs, we looked at their models.

One of its strongest feature I think is that it’s such a dream to push. I’ve gone to long walks with this travel system and so I’ve pushed it up kerbs, around corners, carried it up and down stairs, used the public transportation with it, and even used it on escalators!

Maclaren Techno XLR in Pink (all images courtesy of Kiddicare)

Yet another crucial point is that compared to other travel systems, the Techno XLR is quite light, weighing only 8 kg (with the hood and shopping basket)!

Something that the reviews I’ve read before didn’t mention is the handles of the XLR are very high. Because I’m 5′11″ and my partner is 6′4″, the XLR is perfect because both of us are tall but we have 5 inches height difference. My partner find most pushchairs too low for him but the XLR’s handles goes from 110 to 130 cm so it’s perfect for tall people like us.

I really like the massive hood with viewing window and sun visor because if the shade is not enough, you can unzip the hood from the back and extend the entire hood forward, giving even more protection from the sun. Another thing I love about it is the pockets and net bag at the hood’s back. I’m always doing several things at once so having somewhere to stash random things into is a big plus for me!

The seat reclines to 4 positions, including an angle suitable for newborns (more than 150 degrees), so again it was perfect for us. We have the 2009 model which Maclaren recently improved by changing the recline adjustment to a simple lever that you can operate with one hand. Again, this tickles my fancy because I rarely have both hands free hehehe…

The buggy itself folds in umbrella style It’s easy to fold with one hand. We bought the XLR with the Recaro first stage baby car seat, which we found easy enough to attach and remove from the pushchair, and easy to use in the car, too.

Other Pros worthy to note:

• Front lockable swivel wheels
• Sturdy, aeronautical quality aluminium frames
• Carrying handle makes it easier to carry when folded
• Adjustable foot rest
• 5 point harness – press on both sides to release
• Easy to use rain cover with good coverage
• The XLR can accommodate a child with weight of up to 15 kg

Maclaren Techno XLR: The Cons

Now for the not-so-good points.

Maclaren Techno XLR is compact when folded

The only thing I can genuinely complain about is the 2 kg shopping basket. I’m a work-at-home Mom and I tend to work even when I’m out pushing the pushchair so I tend to bring my entire office with me wherever I go. Sadly the shopping basket doesn’t help, so either I take extra storage bags with me or I limit myself to a few essential items.

Personally, the shopping basket is the only thing I want to complain about, but based on experience I can imagine the following to be potential pitfalls for parents with needs different to mine:

The XLR is not for short people. Even the lowest setting of the handles will come up to about chest to armpit level for a person who is 5′1″ to 5′3″ tall. I know because my best friend is about this height and she had always complained to me about it!

Also, although it can be described as hardly taking up any space when folded (112 x 35 x 33 cm), it’s fairly long so in that respect some people might still find it awkward to store. It fits OK in our car boot though.

The seat is not reversible, but I didn’t mind. I just thought I’d mention it here because I know some parents who want a travel system to use from birth likes to face their baby during the first few months.

Lastly, because it’s not an all terrain pushchair, I would only recommend the XLR for city dwellers like myself. I’m not saying it won’t cope well for off road use, but I haven’t used it heavily on country roads or off the beaten track, and judging by its specifications I don’t think it was made for this purpose either, but don’t take my work for it OK!

Conclusion

If you are a tall city dweller looking for a great, easy to use, reliable pushchair suitable for use from birth and great for public transport, the Maclaren Techno XLR baby travel system could be the perfect pushchair for you if you don’t mind a small shopping basket and non-reversible seat.

Maclaren Techno XLR Travel System Specifications:

The Maclaren Techno XLR is Available in Colours:

• Black/Champagne
• Coffee Brown/Sky Blue
• Coffee Brown / Powder Pink

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Accessories

Accessories Included in Price (Could depend on the package deal you buy)

• Recaro 1st stage car seat
• car seat adaptors
• Shopping basket
• Hood with sun visor
• Raincover
• Maclaren footmuff

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Pushchair Accessories Compatible with Maclaren Techno XLR:

Alternatives

If you like the Maclaren Techno XLR but you’re not that tall and you prefer a good all terrain travel system instead, check out our review of the Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe TSB.

If you want a travel system cheaper than the XLR, check out the following budget travel systems: Graco Mosaic One, Graco Mirage and Mutsy Spider.