Thule Chariot Cougar 1

Babies don't come cheap, and forking out £600 on a bike trailer may not be your number one priority, but the Thule Chariot Cougar 1 is a wise investment. Suitable for children up to 22kg (roughly 6 months to around 5 years), and even younger with the Infant Sling (around £70) designed for babies 1 to 10 months, this trailer is robust and nimble enough for both town and track, making it ideal for keeping the family mobile when there is a little one in tow.

Like the wares of a certain Swedish furniture manufacturer, the trailer comes flat packed, but the relatively clear instructions mean after an hour of snapping things into place and tightening straps, you'll be ready to roll. It needs to be noted that specific instructions for your variant of the Chariot Cougar range are sometimes not clearly labelled to be on the next page, something a bleary eyed parent might not spot, resulting in 15 minutes of frustration.

> Find your nearest dealer here

> Buy this online here

A bar extending from the trailer's front attaches to the bike, using the modified quick release axle provided with the kit. With a robust pin and rubber clasp locking everything in place, plus safety straps, I felt reassured that my little one was secure. It only took a couple of minutes to connect bike and trailer, and I was soon trundling the streets with the smart looking Cougar in tow.

I suggest taking it for a spin with a stuffed toy fastened in the solid five-point safety harness, to test that all the straps are correctly in place while allowing you to practise cycling with a trailer, but quickly you'll be cruising around, able to negotiate the majority of obstacles with ease. Be warned, though, its 69cm width might leave you unstuck at the occasional narrow gate, so plan your route with care or be prepared for lengthy detours.

Adjustable suspension, frequently not found on cheaper trailers, allows for a smoother ride for little passengers, especially if you're planning off-road use. The ride must be at least reasonably smooth as my daughter happily fell asleep while being carried around, and even bumping over the occasional tree root on a woodland track failed to raise her from her slumber.

When awake, there are large windows that provide a good view of the world, with the front panel opening up to keep her cool on hot, sunny days. Although the mesh front keeps insects out, it doesn't stop splashback from your back wheel. Partial window venting gives some relief from steaming up when the cover is in use.

The cabin is spacious, with plenty of legroom for growing children. They're kept safe with, as I've said, a five-point safety harness, and the padding is deep and comfortable, though I would have liked to see specific points to anchor soft toys and teething rings to.

When out and about you'll either need a lengthy bike lock to make sure it's secure, or you can use the stroller kit to transform the trailer into a pushchair – with either three wheels or four. Attaching the single front wheel is an awkward process, managed best by two people. When the front wheel is finally attached properly it works perfectly fine, but lacks manoeuvrability so is more suitable for open, non-urban settings and is great for jogging.

The four-wheeled configuration turns the trailer into a high-tech version of a classic pushchair, and is an easier conversion process. The two small front wheels snap into place smoothly and can be removed with ease. Size is an issue, though. We struggled to get it into shops or cafes, but it's more manoeuvrable than with just three wheels, able to navigate an urban setting well.

When using the Cougar as a trailer, you stow one of the wheels on the trailer's frame while the other takes up a little space within the luggage compartment, making it highly practical for, say, cycling to a country park for outdoor events. The luggage compartment is surprisingly spacious, able to store locks, tools, a nappy-changing kit, jumpers and snacks. 

The main downside is the size: 107 x 80 x 27cm collapsed, with wheels and tow bar removed. If you're planning on transporting this by car check it fits in your boot – it's 'snug' in my C3 Picasso, which has spacious cargo capacity for its size; anything smaller you're having to fold down seats to fit it in. On the plus side, if it fits your car it's straightforward to release the catches and push down to collapse, reversing the process to put back up. An obvious click to let you know everything's in place would be useful, but a little pressure on the frame checks the trailer is safe to use.

> Balance bikes buyer's guide & six of the best

The Cougar is actually due to be replaced soon by the Chariot Cross, but babies don't wait for new product release dates, and if your need is pressing, this is a high quality product that feels safe and secure without being too burdensome to pull. There are a plethora of additional accessories available, from storage covers to a kit to convert the trailer to use skis, should you be inclined to go fat biking in the snow! It also comes in a two-child option, the Cougar 2, for £699.99.

Verdict

High quality, not arduous to pull even after a few hours, and a smooth enough ride for plenty of nap time