Hello everyone!
I recently bought a Nika 7-6 emerald sled stroller with a fox design, which weighs 11 kg, for my youngest daughter. With my older kids, we used to just get by with a regular stroller during the winter. We live in Solnechnogorsk now, and it snows a lot here, and they don't even bother to clear it properly.
Last winter, I bought this stroller from Avito, but they were really hard to push through the snow. After just one trip, I switched to a regular stroller for the whole winter. Plus, they're not designed for really small kids. At the time, my daughter was still in a bassinet. Of course, a small child is way more comfortable in a bassinet than in a sled.
But this winter, I decided to give it another go. This model caught my eye with its affordable price and the fact that they're lightweight, weighing 8.8 kg.
WHERE I BOUGHT IT, PRICE
I bought it on Ozon for 5000 rubles on January 20, 2024. The price was around 5600 rubles, but there was a button that said 'get a discount'. The seller gave us that discount.
The sled stroller was delivered for free by a courier to my doorstep. They were packaged in two bags.
INSTRUCTIONS
FEATURES
34mm flat runnersLightweight folding frame on a circular metal tubeWheel-swapping mechanism (extendable wheelbase)Three-section folding canopy (one section for the rain cover)Transparent viewing window on the canopyThree-point safety harnessRemovable transparent rain cover for wind and rain protectionSmooth recline adjustment to a lying position using a new fixatorWide seating areaFootrest with a zipperReflective stripWheels on runners for easy transportationCarry handleMax. weight capacity: 25 kgStroller design: FoldingWidth: 41 cmLength: 100 cmWeight: 8.8 kgRunner type: FlatRecline adjustment: LyingBrand: NikaMinimum child age: 6 months
STROLLER DESCRIPTION
I was impressed by how easily these strollers fold and unfold. You can see the grey details on the handle, which secure the stroller in its extended position. The design is incredibly simple – not like some strollers where you'd need a video tutorial to figure it out.
Image of the strollerWhen folded, you can secure the stroller using the straps on the button.
I was able to adjust the handle to my liking, but I found that when my kid is facing me, it's a bit tricky to switch out the wheels and the handle is pretty weak, so you can't press down on it. To be honest, we don't use it that way - my kid rides facing forward. She's 18 months old, and the main thing is that she's not opposed to it.
The wheels and casters are a breeze to switch out! I practiced at home multiple times to get the hang of it, and the instructions are super clear. There's a lever you need to press, and then you just use your foot to secure it in place. Nothing complicated.
The width of the casters is 34mm, which has come in handy for us. We don't just stick to sidewalks - we also use the stroller on city streets. There was one time when I had to navigate a narrow path on the sidewalk that was covered in deep snow, and I had to get some help from some guys to get the stroller over it. So, the narrow width of the casters has been a lifesaver in situations like that.
The wheels do a pretty good job on lightly snow-covered roads or packed snow.
I managed to scratch the runners on my very first trip. They started to rust. I guess that's just part of the deal.
You've got to remember to use the little wheels that are attached to the back of the runners. It's a genius idea! It helps when you need to navigate a short stretch without snow. Like crossing the road. That way, you can put on the full wheels less often.
The fabric on this stroller is pretty soft. I mean, most strollers have a sturdier, more dense fabric. This one feels like the material from a jacket. So far, so good. Time will tell if it holds up. If anything changes, I'll update this review.
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The canopy isn't the sturdiest, but it does have an extra section that attaches with a zipper, which adds some extra depth. That's nice when the baby's sleeping.
Another plus is the clear plastic observation window.
Another huge plus is that the rain cover is attached to the hood with a magnetic snap! It's a total game-changer. It's super easy to use and doesn't get in the way when it's folded up. The edges are secured with little buttons, and it's a breeze to unfold and use. It's long enough to cover the entire stroller, even when my kid is lying down. The rain cover doesn't attach to the bottom, but it stays put just fine. That's genius! I hate having to carry a separate rain cover.
But the downside is that the hood doesn't stay in place when it's unfolded. It won't close, but it won't snap shut either.
The other downside is that the hood is a bit wonky. You can see it in the photo. But honestly, it doesn't affect anything.
The footmuff is attached with a magnetic snap, and I love that it's big! The only downside is that it's not insulated. But given that this stroller is in the budget range, I get it. The best part is that you can wrap your kid's legs and themselves in a big blanket, and the footmuff will still close over it. Our stroller even has a little blanket that gets in the way of attaching the footmuff.
You can also fold up the top part of the footmuff to cover your kid's face if you want.
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When I fold the backrest, it collapses softly onto the straps, and it's easy to get it into a lying position. I've even taken my toddler on strolls while she's still sleeping, so this is a big deal for me. It's easy to gently lower the backrest without waking her up.
The straps are three-point, which means they only hold the legs. They're positioned pretty low, which is a minus in my opinion. Five-point straps would be better.
The seat on these sleds is pretty wide, but my kid tends to slide off to the side. I need to add some padding to make it more secure.
Maneuverability is the most important thing to me. The wheels perform well on smooth surfaces, and they can handle cleared roads with ease. However, if there's snow, it's best to use the runners for a smoother ride. Even on lightly powdered roads, it's still possible to navigate without much trouble. But on a snow-covered mess, it's a different story – it's tough to get anywhere, whether you're using a sled or a stroller.
I had to pull hard, like the Volga boatmen. I thought it might be easier with a regular stroller on big wheels, but only if I was dragging it behind me.
These sleds aren't going to cut it, though. I couldn't drag them behind me, and if I tried to pull them with the handle in front, it would put too much strain on it. If I put the handle in back, the runners would be pointing forward, so they'd only move smoothly on a perfectly flat surface. My only option was to pull the sleds in front of me, pushing with all my might.
If you need to climb up onto the curb on a loose snowbank, and you're a weakling like me, you're out of luck. The whole process is a real workout!
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TAKENAWAY
I'm really happy with these sleds! I've completely switched from my stroller to them now. We'll be using them until spring.
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They glide beautifully on snow, but on loose snowbanks, you won't get very far. It's not the sleds' fault, though - any sled or stroller would get stuck in those conditions. The problem is the dirty roads, not the sleds. So, you need to choose your routes carefully.
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I'd give them a high rating, because you have to understand that any model is a combination of features that are important to some people, but not to others. There's no such thing as a perfect sled that suits everyone's needs.
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PLUSES
I love that it's a great value for money.It's also super lightweight.The design is really cute.I appreciate that it has a recline function.The backrest folds down really smoothly.It's got two positions for the armrest.The wheel change mechanism is super easy to use.It's got those rear wheels on the legs.The leg cover is really big.There's even a rain cover with a zipper.There's a nice little window for visibility.And there's an extra section under the canopy.It's a breeze to fold up and unfold.xa0
The downsides are a bit of a letdown though.
The canopy doesn't stay in place too well.The canopy itself is a bit wonky.The three-point harness is a bit of a concern - I wish it was five-point, but as it is, my little one tends to sit on the side.xa0
Still, I'd definitely recommend it!