Garden product review: the Realbarrow - a better wheelbarrow?

Hubris and humility. Isn't gardening the perfect combination? We proudly think we'll grow the most unsuitable plants in the most inhospitable places, and our failures make us humble.

In the design world, it's been thought reasonable to improve the wheelbarrow, the basic conformation of which has remained steady, yea, even since Medieval times.

A fascinating article on the development of The Medieval Wheelbarrow by Dr Andrea L Matthies dates the wheeled barrow's arrival in England to the early 13th century (or, at least, the desire to draw one).  Needless to say, though, the Chinese probably got there first.

So, can you improve a design that’s been around hundreds, if not thousands, of years?  Realbarrow from Keter set out to do just that and, in 2011, won a Red Dot Design Award in the prestigious international competition that recognises excellent design quality in new products.  But does it work in the garden?

Compared with a standard wheelbarrow, the Realbarrow’s main difference is its tipping ability. Designed to combine the conventional design with a sack trolley, it can be stood on its end, allowing sacks and compost bags to be dragged into it without lifting. Holes placed along the edges let you tie loads in with bungee cords, if necessary. You can also use it as a giant dustpan, brushing debris over its metal-reinforced lip, which sits flush with the ground.

I was really sceptical when the barrow arrived. I mean, if the wheelbarrow's design weren't so good, it wouldn't have been pretty much static for so long.

However, the Realbarrow can be loaded without lifting, which is a real bonus when you've got a bad back. I've dragged compost bags into it five times in succession and never felt a twinge. It is also very stable and incredibly light (6kg, 13.2lbs), making it easily lifted and manoeuvred when empty.

Its deep shape lets it double as a water carrier with a 100 litre (22 gallon) capacity, and it will carry 100kg (220lbs) although, understandably, as it's made of polypropylene, there was slight flexing of its sides when tipping it back into the wheeling position under such a very heavy load. If you need to subject it to really heavy loads on a regular basis, I'd be looking at something more heavy duty, like Henchman's barrows, but those are far, far more expensive.

The widely placed, ergonomically designed handles made it unexpectedly comfortable to drive and, with the wheels, are in line with the edges, which makes it easier to avoid snagging on corners.

Bad points? Well, all the advantages are made possible by its two small wheels, and these are also its weakness. Pushing it over very rough terrain, gravel or, heavily loaded, over soft soil, can take considerable effort. In negotiating steps, I found it necessary to go up backwards, to prevent the base catching. In these circumstances you are never going to replace the manoeuvrability of a single, pneumatic tyre.

Nevertheless, sceptical as I was when it arrived, it won me over. The Realbarrow shows a real advantage in its lightness and the combination of wheelbarrow and “bulldozer” shovel. I think that the long-performing medieval design is safe to stay, but this is certainly worth considering as a second, versatile piece of kit.

 

The Realbarrow was supplied for impartial review by Keter. NB I received this barrow last year. Since that time, Keter has withdrawn it for sale in the UK, although it's still available elsewhere - Canada, Australia etc. Read the Canadian reviews if you're likely to subject the barrow to really heavy work. There's another positive report from Miranda Bell at JardinMiranda.  Satisfaction seems to depend on the sort of loads you want to put in it.

For UK purchasers, Keter suggests contacting Amazon Germany. 
UPDATE: April 2014. Kris Gardener has kindly left a comment to say that it's now available in Costco, £29.99 +VAT.

Comments

[AnneWareham]

Warning - I don't think it's available in the uk?

[Helen]

That'll "larn" me, Anne. Thank you for the warning. I should obviously have double-checked. When I wrote a review on it for Smallholder magazine last year, it was easily available. I'm waiting for a response from Keter to see whether it's still possible to get it in the UK and will update the post accordingly.

[Kris Gardener]

Costco are currently stocking them, bought one today for £29.99 ex vat

[Helen]

Many thanks, Kris. That's useful to know.