Product Wednesday: Strollers

Having baby on the brain and going on walks with Jackson (almost) daily, has made me start to look around at the strollers that other people are pushing.  I am not in love with either of the two strollers that we own.  They do the job and the get us from one place to another when I need them, but there are down sides to both of them.  My hope is that we can have a little discussion here today and that all of you stroller pushing people out there will be willing to share what you love or don't love about your own strollers.  

We'll start with our Graco Travel System Stroller (it looks similar to the one above, just different colors/designs).  I'll be honest I am grateful for it, as it was a gift and a VERY generous gift from my brother and his wife. However, I am always envious of the smaller more compact traveling systems that I see.  I see people popping their infants in and out of these sleek simple strollers that make me wish ours was just a little less bulky and a little more travel friendly.  It takes up a lot of space when we have to take it some where and is super heavy for lifting in and out of a car.  Then again I might be considered a weakling, but I still get jealous as I see people fling their stroller over their shoulder and walk away. 

I am also not super impressed with its turning ability.  I have only pushed a few of the "fancy" strollers in my lifetime and only for a few seconds if that, but wow...who doesn't love how the BOB strollers turn on a dime and the Phil and Ted's Strollers you barely touch it and it goes the direction you want it to?!  Love that. 

I will say that I loved the coverage of the baby while in this stroller.  If Jackson fell asleep while in the stroller it was easy to pull both canopes and keep him covered.  Or if the weather was bad, it was nice to be able to keep him warm and cozy inside this stroller.  

It was easy to get the infant seat in and out of the stroller or onto the base in the car. And the stroller collapses super easy.  You barely touch it and it folded up.  I just wished it was a little less bulky, when finished being folded.

So it wasn't all bad, I just wish it was a little less bulky and a little more travel friendly. So as far as an infant stroller/carseat combo goes, what do you have or recommend?  What stroller can you simply not live without?

Oh, and as a bit of a side note, have you seen the Orbit?  Does it work the wonders that it promises it does, because it seems awesome to be able to turn the seat from side to side etc, while getting the baby in and out or converting it to a forward facing chair when the time comes.

Our second stroller is a Chicco Umbrella Stroller.  Love the color.  Love the design.  Hate the stroller.  This stroller, has got to be the worst baby purchase we ever made, and we made it twice.  Lame, I know.

Our first stroller of this same brand had its handles snapped off when we traveled on an airplane.  Thanks for being careful flight crew. And then we got another one because this happened.

This stroller has progressively gotten worse the longer we have used it.  It was fine the first while, but now it is hard to push and really doesn't turn well.  If I have to turn I have to plan WAY far in advance. Its front wheel has slowly lifted off the ground?!  Umm, pretty sure that shouldn't be happening....  And only touches the ground when Jackson is actually riding in it.

It was poorly designed when it comes to folding up.  It folds up great and nice and tight, but the wheels rub on the bright green part of the umbrella and within the first few uses your stroller looks old and ragged...this only gets worse, trust me.

I will say it is better than the cheap $20.00 stroller from Walmart...in some regurds.  The Umbrella part actually works and does give quite a bit of shade.  The other thing I like about it is that it does recline about 2 inches when you unzip and zipper in the back.  Plus it has a fair amount of storage space on the bottom.  I will also say that it stands a little higher so it is a little more comfortable to push (you don't have to hunch over so far to push it). So I'll give it those few positives, but it's just so hard to look past its pushing and turning ability, and see these sometimes.  :)

Okay, so there are many strollers out there to drool over, but which ones are 

actually worth it?  I love the look to the McClaren Strollers and the

Bugaboo Strollers, what's not to like about their trendy sleek frames and designs, 

but are they worth it?  What about the BOB's, the Phil and Ted's, Stokke, Micralite, Peg Prego. Or can all the important features be found on some of the lower price range strollers like the, Chicco, Combi, Graco... 

What is it with these high end strollers and why do I just droll over them when they pass me on the sidewalks?  My baby will probably never know the difference, but would I notice it?  I read this in an article a few days ago and it has made me think... 

"High-end has become synonymous with 'what's best for the kids,when people have kids, they want them to fit into their idea of who they are, of the identity they've carved out for themselves. 'If I drive a BMW, my child has to have a Bugaboo stroller, etc.' " 

Interesting huh?  So I will admit to loving the designs and colors of these high end 

strollers, but what I really want to know from you is what do you have?  What is 

really worth it?  What would you recommend buying?  Also with two kids is a double 

stroller a necessity?  How about those little buggy boards things that attach to the 

back of some of the strollers for the older rider...is it worth it?  

Comments

[McKenna]

I'm all about cheap. So as much as I'd LOVE one of those fancy gold strollers, I'm more into savings. But for us, we got a double stroller. And the one I LOVE is the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand. My toddler LOVES to be able to get in and out on her own. And the front seat is shaded, has a tray, reclines, attaches to the car seat, etc. There's a lot of storage underneath. There's a tray up top for my keys, water bottle, etc. It pushes and folds with one hand. It may seem bulky, but for a DOUBLE stroller with all of those features, it isn't. I fold and lift it into the trunk with one hand. So it's light weight. It does take up some space in the car, but to ME it's worth it. And when I need the extra space, I just opt for my little umbrella stroller instead. So there's my two-bits. :)

[Beckie]

I have the McClaren Volo umbrella stroller. I got it 3 1/2 years ago for my then 6month old. It was a little big for her at first, but the straps went over her shoulders and held her in nicely. She grew into it quickly. It looks similar to the Chicco umbrella model shown. I think I paid around $100 for it. I really think it was worth the cost. It is still in perfect condition. It has always been easy to use (we still use it), is very light, and is not bulky when folded. I would highly recommend it!! :)

[Randi A.]

I LOVE our McClaren stroller. It is sturdy, it is tall, it is nice to look at. I love it! I hate the big bulky stroller systems!

[Clare]

I too third the McClaren stroller. I love mine. It rides very smoothy, is ultra light and fits perfectly in the back of my tiny Jeep wrangler. It also has the look I assume you desire. I get comments on it all the time and paid around $200 for it about 2 years ago.

the flip side is that it isn't very cozy for newborns and I wouldn't recommend it until baby is about 6 months or so. I have a baby and toddler so my toddler rides in the stroller and baby rides in my Beco carrier (which is my #1 recommended baby product, sepecially with a second child). I also wish my McClaren had a cup holder for when I pick up a cup of coffee while strolling through town. Other than that I highly recommend the McClaren, and it is fairly resonably priced for a trendy stroller.

[Hannah C.]

I almost bought a bugaboo because they are way cute, but so wide! We have a Phil and Teds and love it. It feels like you are pushing a single stroller