The heatwave has arrived, and so has the chaos of keeping everyone cool, entertained, and comfortable. From scorching playgrounds to sticky car journeys, we asked our team of London Mums testers to put this summer’s essential buys through their paces. Here is what they really thought.
Stay Cool Without Breaking the Bank
When the mercury rises, a good fan is non?negotiable. Our testers tried two budget?friendly options from B&M and were genuinely impressed.
The Blaupunkt Mini Handheld Fan (was £5, now £4) became an instant favourite. “I popped this in my changing bag and it was a lifesaver during the school run,” said one mum. “It’s tiny, surprisingly powerful, and the kids kept stealing it.” Another tester loved that it runs on batteries, meaning no hunting for a charging cable when you are already melting.
For hands?free cooling, the Blaupunkt Cordless Neck Fan (£10) was a game-changer. “I’ve been wearing this while gardening and prepping dinner during the hot days: it blows air right up towards your face and neck, and it’s so quiet I forgot I had it on,” our reviewer Carolina told us. “It looks a bit daft, but honestly, I do not care when I am this cool.”
Both fans are excellent value and a solid reminder that you do not need to spend a fortune to beat the heat.
Laundry Day Just Got Easier
The Daisy Peg Airer (£3) might be small, but our testers were united in their praise. “I use this for drying delicates, swimsuits, and all those tiny socks that seem to multiply in the wash,” said one mum. “It folds flat, stores anywhere, and saves me hunting for pegs in the garden.” Another tester added: “It is flimsy if you overload it, but for lightweight items, it is brilliant. And at three quid, I bought two.”
Summer Style for the Whole Family
Our fashion testers put several pieces through their paces, from beachwear to city strolls.
The Shark Slide in Red divided opinions. “They are bold, unapologetically bright, and my teenager absolutely loves them,” said one mum. “Comfortable (although not the lightest) and perfect for poolside or beach.” Another tester was less convinced: “They are a statement piece, not for everyone. But if you like a bit of fun on your feet, go for it.”
For the dads and lads, the Big Jumper Swim Shorts were a hit. “My husband wore these on our Cornwall trip and they dried in minutes,” one reviewer reported. “The fit is true to size, the material feels quality, and they have proper pockets, which is apparently a big deal.”
Carry?On Luggage – Gold Floral Remix with fabulous matching backpack – our testers fell for the cheerful print. “It is lightweight, zips smoothly, and the floral design makes it easy to spot on the carousel,” said one travelling mum. “Perfect for a weekend away.” The matching handbag was equally popular: “It fits my phone, purse, and a small water bottle and it looks so much more expensive than it was.”
The Shoe Edit: What our London Mums will wear all summer
We tested various summer shoe styles and the verdict is in.
Elastic Ankle Strap Espadrille Wedge Sandals (£41.83) from DREAM PAIRS – “These are my new favourites,” said one tester. “The wedge gives me height without killing my feet, and the memory foam insole means I can wear them all day. I wore them to a garden party and danced for hours.”
Raffia Espadrille Wedges with Crisscross Straps from DREAM PAIRS (£35.60) – “Holiday in a shoe,” another mum declared. “The raffia detailing is so on?trend, and they are genuinely comfortable. I walked along the beach, then straight to lunch, and my feet did not complain once.” “Effortless summer style,” one tester summed up. “The 2.25?inch heel is just right, and the anti?slip soles are a godsend on cobbled streets. I wore these to a wedding and got so many compliments.”
Also tested: Linzi Carolina Ivory shoes (£39.99). “These are so pretty and versatile,” said our reviewer. “I wore them with a black dress at a function and got stopped twice by strangers asking where they were from. Comfortable enough for a full day out. I want them to lat forever as they can be paired with any clothes both smart and casual”.
The Sherpa Edit: Adventure Gear with Heart
Our testers fell hard for Sherpa Adventure Gear – not just for the quality, but for the brand’s mission to fund education in Nepal.
The Neha Skort in Evergreen Indreni was a universal favourite. “I was sceptical about a skort, but this is amazing,” one mum admitted. “The fabric is so soft, the pockets are actually useful, and the print is gorgeous. I wore it hiking, then to the pub, and felt comfortable and stylish the whole time.
The matching Neha VNeck Tank Top completed the look. “This top is ridiculously soft and drapes beautifully,” said a tester. “The little ‘endless knot’ coin on the back is a lovely touch. It washes well, dries fast, and packs down to nothing.”
The Tarcho Roll Top Backpack (Cream) became the go-to for family outings. “I can fit everything in here – snacks, layers, a picnic blanket – and the roll-top means I can adjust the size,” one mum explained. “It is tough, comfortable, and looks great.” I am also using to do the grocery shopping as it has a good back support.
The Tarcho Side Bag (Peetho/Cream) was equally popular. “This little bag is surprisingly spacious,” said a reviewer. “Secure pockets for my phone and cards, and it keeps my hands free for holding a toddler. Perfect for festivals and city days.”
Bling2o Rose Quartz Vibrancy Swim Goggles
Reviewed by Monica. Verdict: “Finally, goggles that match my ‘I haven’t slept but I still look fabulous’ energy.”
“Swimming as a mum is less ‘elegant dolphin’ and more ‘desperate attempt to exercise while the kids are at nursery before the school run.’ But these goggles? They make me feel like an Olympic athlete who also happens to own a yacht. The Rose Quartz colour is gorgeous. Like, actually too pretty to shove in a sweaty gym bag. Luckily, they come with a hard carry case and a microfibre bag – fancy! – so my fancy pink goggles stay fancy. No more digging them out from under Leo’s soggy towel. The lenses offer maximum UV protection and anti-fog coating, which means I can actually see where I’m going. Revolutionary. And the 100% silicone straps are adjustable and comfortable – no more raccoon eyes or that ‘my face is being squeezed by a angry octopus’ feeling. At £23, they’re a proper treat. The 12+ age recommendation is spot on – these are proper adult goggles, not flimsy kiddie stuff. All mine.”
Hackerlily HipSurfer & accessories: The stylish, back-saving kit every London parent needs this summer
If there is one thing London parents master during a heatwave, it is the art of carrying a child who has suddenly announced they cannot possibly walk another step. The Tube is stifling, the pavement is radiating heat, and your toddler has transformed into a lovingly stubborn koala. You need a solution that does not require an engineering degree to put on, does not look like hiking equipment, and most importantly does not wreck your back. Enter Hackerlily, the award-winning Australian brand that has just made its UK debut with the HipSurfer Hip Carrier and a small collection of brilliantly thought-out accessories. We tested three key pieces over several weeks, and here is our honest, sweaty-parent verdict.
Hackerlily HipSurfer Hip Carrier (Tan Vegan Leather, RRP £126)
Let us start with the hero product. The HipSurfer is essentially a hip seat crossed with a bum bag, and I mean that as the highest compliment. It is designed to take the strain off your body when carrying a child on your hip, a position every parent naturally falls into but which, over time, can cause muscle strain, postural imbalance and a permanently wonky pelvis. The seat is structured and ergonomic, supporting your baby in the healthy “M” position that hip experts recommend. It absorbs their weight so you are not popping your own hip out like a human shelf.
Putting it on is laughably easy. There are no complicated straps, no wrapping, no threading buckles behind your shoulder blades while a toddler stage-dives off the sofa. One wide padded waistband wraps around you, a single buckle clicks, and you are done. It fits sizes 8 to 18 (and a waistband extender is available), so different family members can share it without fuss. Mum of 3 Lottie wore it around the house, to the park, on the school run and through a sweltering Saturday market. Every time, it made carrying her heavy two-year-old feel significantly lighter and more balanced. Her lower back, which usually stages a protest by 4pm, remained remarkably serene.
The HipSurfer offers five carrying positions: a newborn hold and breastfeeding support from birth, facing in, facing out, side carry from six months, and tummy time or burping support. I mostly used the side carry, and my little one loved being up high, close to me, with a good view of the world. The built-in storage is a game-changer. The zipped pocket under the seat fits a couple of nappies, wipes, a snack bar and your phone. There are side pockets for keys, dummies and lip balm, a hidden mesh bottle holder behind the seat, and a toy loop to keep teethers off the ground. Lottie left the house multiple times without a changing bag, which felt scandalously liberating.
The Tan Vegan Leather finish is genuinely beautiful. It looks and feels premium, not like parenting kit at all, more like a well-designed fashion accessory. Her husband, who is suspicious of anything that might look “mumsy”, happily wore it in the Black Vegan Leather option without a flicker of embarrassment. The covers are removable and interchangeable, so you can switch up the look or wash off the inevitable yoghurt smears without buying a whole new carrier. At £126, it is an investment, but one that spans from birth to three years and beyond, supporting up to 25 kilograms (though the sweet spot for comfort is around 15 kilograms). Compared to the cost of multiple carriers, or a physio appointment for your back, it feels like money well spent.
Honest quibble: The seat is quite structured, so when you are not carrying a child it does not lie completely flat against your body. You can unclip the seat pad if you want to wear the waistband purely as a bum bag, but that is a small extra step. Also, the price point may feel steep, though the quality and versatility genuinely justify it.
Hackerlily Harley Crossbody Bag (part of the accessories range)
The Harley Crossbody Bag is the clever companion piece for days when you need the essentials but not the full HipSurfer. It is compact, stylish and designed with the same attention to detail. The strap adjusts easily, the compartments are thoughtfully laid out, and it sits comfortably across the body without swinging around when you bend down to retrieve a dropped dummy. I used it for a child-free outing and it held my phone, keys, purse, sunglasses and a small packet of emergency biscuits without looking overstuffed. The vegan leather finish is wipe-clean, which I appreciated after a rogue ice cream incident. It is one of those accessories that does its job so quietly and efficiently that you forget you are wearing it, which is the highest praise I can give any bag. Check hackerlily.com for the latest colour-ways and prices.
Hackerlily Travel Bag for HipSurfer (Pink + Red)
If you are taking the HipSurfer on holiday or simply want to keep it clean and contained in the boot of the car, this travel bag is a worthwhile add-on. It is sized perfectly to hold the HipSurfer, spare covers, and a few extras. The Pink and Red colourway is cheerful and easy to spot in a pile of luggage. The material is lightweight but durable, with a drawstring closure and a sturdy handle. It also doubles as a general packing cube for children’s clothes or beach bits. I found it particularly handy for keeping the HipSurfer sand-free after a day at the park, when it would otherwise have deposited a small beach worth of grit in the hallway.
Hackerlily has arrived in the UK with products that genuinely understand how modern parents live. The HipSurfer is the standout: a back-saving, style-conscious, brilliantly practical piece of kit that makes carrying a heavy toddler feel manageable, even in a heatwave. The accessories are not afterthoughts; they are properly designed and add real convenience. I recommend the HipSurfer to any parent who regularly hears the words “uppy” and feels their spine wince. It is the carrier you will actually want to use, not hide in the cupboard under the stairs.
All products are available at hackerlily.com.
Beauty and Wellness: Summer Skin Saviours
Saltyface Road Trip Set (£88, value £120) – Our testers were impressed. “This set has everything for a summer getaway,” one reviewer said. “The Everywhere Bag is huge and stylish, the Tanning Moisturiser keeps my glow going, and the Freckle Paint is so fun, I have been adding freckles all summer. The coconut air freshener and playing cards are such cute extras.”
Puressentiel – London Mums tested the full range and were unanimous. “The Bite & Sting Repellent Spray works – we did not get a single bite on our camping trip,” one mum reported. “The Soothing Roll?On is a lifesaver for when they do get through, and the Baby Spray is gentle enough for my toddler. The Purifying Air Spray freshened up our stuffy car, and the Fabric Spray kept our soft furnishings feeling clean. This is the only brand I trust now.”
Football World Cup 2026 essentials (for the little ones)
FIFA World Cup 26 6-Inch Colourful Football Bear Plush, £9.99, John LewisMum of 3 Lottie: “This little chap arrived in our house and immediately disappeared into my toddler’s clutches, which tells you everything about his cuddle rating. At six inches he is a perfect pocket-money collectible rather than a full-on bedtime snuggle companion, but what he lacks in stature he makes up for in personality. The pattern is gloriously bright, a riot of colours that nods to world unity, and the teal jersey with “26” on the back is a lovely authentic detail. The plush is soft, well stitched and officially licensed, so it feels like a proper keepsake rather than a cheap bit of merchandise. I will say six inches is small, small enough to get lost down the side of the car seat on a trip to the park, but for the price it is a brilliant little gift. Perfect for popping in a party bag, tucking into a “well done for sitting through that match” treat or starting a World Cup collection that will not take over the entire shelf. Even my football-agnostic daughter declared him “cute” and that is the highest accolade available.”
Available at John Lewis.
FIFA 9-Inch Purple Plush Football, around £12, The Toy Shop
Caroline: “If you have ever winced as a hard football sailed perilously close to your television, allow me to introduce your new best friend. This nine-inch plush football is squidgy, soft and gloriously harmless, meaning my son can practice his volleying indoors and I can drink a cup of tea without flinching. The purple colourway with official World Cup patterns is eye-catching and it is properly lightweight, so even the smallest family members can hurl it around with confidence. It is, of course, a soft toy first and a football second; it will not bounce on grass and it will not teach them the offside rule, but it is perfect for living room kickabouts, garden tossing, and using as a pillow during half time. The stitching feels durable and the material wipes clean after an encounter with a dropped ice cream. At around twelve pounds it is a smashing summer buy, whether you are building World Cup excitement or just want a toy that stops the dog from hiding behind the sofa every time the football comes out. I have already ordered a second one because sharing is not a strong suit in this household.”
Available at The Toy Shop.
Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
