Hamax Outback Review

The Norwegian company, Hamax AS, started in 1958, becoming a leader in gear for active families. Hamax offers a variety of products for the outdoorsy family, including bike seats for kids, trailers, and toboggans.

Performance Comparison

The Hamax is relatively easy to use for what it is.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use

While the Outback is easy to use for what it is, it isn't the easiest to use stroller compared to traditional stroller choices. The ease of use performance metric total score is based on smaller sub-metric testing and we include some of those details in chart form in this review.

The Hamax is also somewhat more challenging to use than the competing trailers we've reviewed in the past. However, we suspect many parents will find it an acceptable trade-off given the price difference.

Fold and Unfold

The folding process is 25% of the total score for ease of use. The fold on the Hamax requires two hands and around five steps.

Unfortunately, folding this stroller doesn't make it much smaller than when it is open. If you need to stow it somewhere, you are better off removing the wheels to reduce the size in a significant manner.

The Hamax brake is large and easy to set and release with a central location.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Brakes

Brake performance score is 5% of the overall metric score.

The Hamax has single-action brakes with a significant amount of play in them, with the trailer moving up to an inch and a half when set. The pedal is plastic and foot-friendly, no matter what footwear you sport.

The Hamax storage pocket has a zippered closure.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Storage

Storage analysis is 20% of the overall ease of use score as being able to keep supplies for two on hand is critical.

The Hamax storage bin is located on the back of the trailer and somewhat under the seat. The bin closes with a sipper and is fairly good-sized. It is deep, making it less accessible than competitors, and there are no internal organization features. The passengers each have side mesh pockets, and retrained children can easily reach the pockets.

Sunshade

Sunshade size and performance is 15% of the ease of use total score. The Outback doesn't have a traditional canopy.

It sports a full cover with a front windscreen and top peek-a-boo window. It includes a small roll-up shade at the top for additional sun protection.

The Hamax has a 5-point harness and nesting buckle that requires to hands to assemble.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Harness

Harness comparison testing is 10% of the total metric score. Each seat on the Outback has an easy-to-use 5-point harness.

The buckle is a nesting style option that is convoluted and involved compared to the competition. The harness has an adjustable crotch strap, and the shoulder straps have infinite positions for a custom fit.

The Hamax has 2 seats but they recline as one, so both will be at the same angle.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Seat

The Hamax seats tilt slightly back and are deep inside the pod. The new version introduced in 2020 has reclining seatbacks with two different levels that sort of roll down using a mechanism from the top of the trailer, but it still isn't as good as the seats on the Thule Chariot Cross 2.

The Hamax seats recline as one with a rolling mechanism near the top window.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Both seats must be on the same angle, but we think the recline is an improvement over the stationary seats it used to have. The seats have light padding with open space in the front for little legs.

Car Seat Compatibility

Children need to be at least six months to ride in the Outback. We recommend passengers be closer to 12-18 months, and you should consult with your child's pediatrician before embarking on your outdoor adventures. There are no compatible car seats for the Hamax Outback.

Ease of Setup

This stroller is one of the most challenging strollers to assemble, taking us over 14 minutes to complete. The manual is confusing, and the directions for each step are not next to their related pictures, which increases the confusion and seems unnecessary. You need a screwdriver to complete the final setup.

The Outback 2020 offers impressive maneuverability with the single front wheel in swivel mode.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Maneuverability

If you think the Hamax will be a bear to push, you'd be wrong. Surprisingly for its size, it is relatively nimble and turns tightly, making small spaces bend to its will if the room allows.

The single front swivel wheel works well on flat surfaces, and the larger rear rubber tires keep the pod moving smoothly without much effort from the pusher.

The Outback 202 isn't as wide as some of the other trailers we've seen in the past.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

With a smaller footprint than some larger trailers, this option navigates indoors better than some of the more expensive trailers and cheaper side-by-side strollers. On uneven surfaces and moving off-road, the Outback continues to impress once again thanks to the trike design and larger pneumatic rubber tires. While heavier than the competition, the design and wider set rear wheels prevent the Outback from feeling like a burden when pushing, even for longer distances. The good suspension and seating features keep passengers comfy, even if the suspension could be somewhat stiffer overall.

The Hamax doesn't reduce in size much even when folded. You'll need to remove the wheels if your space is limited to make it smaller.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Weight and Folded Size

Compared to traditional double strollers, the Outback is a beast. Given its multi-purpose design, we can hardly hold this against it, but if your car is small or your living quarters are limited, it could be a poor fit for your life.

The new Outback weighs 40.4 lbs, which might be prohibitive for petite parents if you need to lift it to stow in an SUV. When folded with wheels attached, it measures 33,667 cubic inches, which is over 3,000 cubic inches larger than the old version! You might consider buying it from a location like Amazon, where you can return it if it doesn't fit in your ride.

The Outback 2020 offers impressive quality for the price compared to similar options.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Quality

The Outback offers nice quality for the price, and the design and materials feel durable and constructed with longevity in mind.

The frame is sturdy and stable, with no visible flaws from the manufacturing process. The pod is wrapped in thick canvas, with a vinyl screen and side windows. It mesh covered padded seats that feel solid. The design includes plastic connectors, spoke wheels with ball bearing hubs, and bike-style rear, rubber tires. Overall, the Outback has a nice fit and finish and doesn't flex or vibrate.

Should You Buy the Outback?

If you like being outside and hope to share the great outdoors with your little one, then the Hamax is definitely a stroller to consider. We love this little sleek-looking trailer that does more than most families need. If you don't enjoy the outdoors or have more narrow hobbies like jogging or strolling only, then this trailer might be more stroller than you really need. Also, if finding a lightweight stroller is your goal, you want to avoid this option and other tailer-style strollers.

What Other Double Strollers Should You Consider?

If your budget is somewhat larger than the price of the Hamax, the Thule Chariot Cross 2 earned similar scores for maneuverability, but it is lighter by almost 9 lbs and smaller when folded too. These factors alone might make the Thule a better choice depending on your lifting abilities or storage space.

Accessories

Hamax has some accessories available for purchase to upgrade or customize your Outback.

• 
  Hamax Outback Raincover — The Hamax rain cover fits well and protects from most elements you'll encounter roadside without blocking the passenger's view. The cover is easy to put on, and it fits in the backside bin for storage.

Manufacturer Video