Mountain Buggy Nano Duo Review

In 1992, a dad was inspired to start Mountain Buggy when he couldn't find a great all-terrain option for exploring the backwoods of New Zealand. With a clear goal, he created the Moutain Buggy's all-terrain platform and launched his first stroller. The company continues to improve its designs, creating products for newborns to toddlers for city life and mountain trails.

Performance Comparison

The Duo folds smaller than any other option in the review making it a good choice for those with smaller vehicles.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Weight and Folded Size

The Nano is one of the smallest folded strollers in the group at 7,484 cubic inches, helping it earn an eye-catching high score in this metric. It weighs 20.3 lbs, which is relatively lightweight for the group. These measurements make the Nano a good choice if your space is limited or you have difficulty lifting heavier things.

The Nano isn't the easiest to use with strange design features like a low bar that inhibits access to the storage bin.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use

The Nano isn't as easy to use in comparison to some of the competition, earning it a mediocre score in this metric. However, only a handful of strollers scored higher as much of the group lacks features parents will be looking for.

Fold and Unfold

Folding the Nano is somewhat complicated to fold with an automatic lock (above left) and self-stand. It requires two hands to fold and unfold. You need to really compress the stroller to engage the lock, and you need to secure the wrist strap to prevent the handlebar form unfolding on its own. It has a carry strap for easier carrying (above right).

Brakes

The Nano has single action brakes with a color-coded pedal (above left) that is easy to operate. The brakes are press to set and release (above right), making them foot-friendly no matter your footwear.

The storage bin on the Nano has an impressive weight limit of 17.6 lbs, but the bars on the back make it difficult to get larger bags inside.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Storage

The Nano storage bin is medium in size and holds our large diaper bag. It has a large maximum weight limit of over 17 lbs, but the bars make it difficult to fit larger bags inside. There is no other storage on the stroller.

The Nano sunshades are medium in size and while they don't cover as much as some of the competition, they cover enough and more than some of the competition.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Sunshade

While the sunshades on the Nano are not particularly large and did not necessarily impress, they do offer more coverage than some lightweight double strollers.

The Nano canopies lack peek-a-boo windows and are only medium in size.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

However, it is easy to operate and has a flip-out visor. It does not have a peek-a-boo window, and it doesn't rotate forward to offer protection from wind or low setting sun.

The individual straps on the Duo need to be put in the buckle separately making it somewhat convoluted.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Harness

The Nano harnesses are 5-point and have shoulder padding. The harness is easy to adjust and can be made small enough for petite passengers. The buckle works well, but you have to put in each strap on its own, so it is involved and takes extra time. The crotch strap is not adjustable.

Seat

The Nano seatbacks do not recline very far, and heads will be lolling during nap time. The seatback adjustment toggle (above left) is easy to use and has infinite angles within the range. The adjustable leg rests (above right) are padded, but they have a bar right at the bend in the edge of the seat that could cause some discomfort on longer rides.

Ease of Setup

The Nano Duo is easy enough to set up with a time of about 3 minutes and 30 seconds, and no tools are required. The manual is average, but at least it isn't confusing.

Despite having the single wheel per leg that we prefer, the Nano is not very easy to push and turn.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Maneuverability

The Nano earned a below-average score for maneuverability, despite having the higher-performing single front wheeled design. This score is one of the highest in a group that generally disappointed when it came to ease of pushing or turning.

The swivel front wheels on the Duo can be locked in place for easier pushing over uneven terrain.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

The front swivel wheels can lock into place for easier pushing over uneven terrain; however, it really only moves well over flat surfaces.

While the Nano has the single front wheel design we prefer it still isn't the easiest to push and turn if the surface is anything other than flat.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

The front wheels are narrow set, and we didn't have any difficulty getting them through our testing course or doorways. The wheels are foam filled plastic and smaller than we'd like for best maneuverability.

The Nano is a quality stroller with a sturdy frame and sleek design.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Quality

The Nano Duo is a nicer quality stroller than most umbrella options, earning it a relatively high score in this metric. The stroller frame has better than average flex, and the fabric fits the frame nicely. The connection points are solid, and the overall fit and finish are simple but well-executed. The Duo has canvas fabric that feels durable but not as comfortable as we'd like.

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