Baby Gear: Strollers
When we looked for a stroller just after receiving our referral for GlitterGirl, I kept going for the mega-mondo strollers with everything but the kitchen sink, and RK kept going for the little wimpy looking strollers. After a pretty involved discussion in the middle of Babies R Us, I realized that we were going to get a wimpy stroller. I might choose to also get a huge mondo stroller with all of the bells and whistles, but RK was pretty set that the huge mondo stroller was ridiculous, and he wouldn’t be using one.
In the end, RK was right. Here is what I eventually discovered made a good stroller:
- Was easy to get in and out of the trunk of the car.
- Was easy to get the child in and out of.
- Was easy to fold and unfold.
- The smaller the better when going through boutique type stores and crowded places.
- Had a holder for a bottle of water.
- Had a nice big spot underneath to stow a diaper bag (and purchases, when used on a shopping trip)
For GG, we ended up with two strollers. The good one that RK picked out: lightweight, easy to fold and unfold, small footprint, cup holder, sun shield thing, and the seat-back could go up and down to allow her to sleep. That stroller is no longer available, but it is very close to the Graco LiteRider Stroller
With GlitterGirl, we also had one of the el-cheapo umbrella type strollers which worked fine as long as it wasn’t naptime since the seat-back only sat up. The other drawback was that there was no storage bin. I could hang the diaper bag and lightweight purchases over the handles, but if I got something heavy it threatened to tip the whole thing backwards (which would be bad, BTW). However, we needed a stroller in each vehicle, as there were times I found myself going shopping and remembering the stroller was in RK’s vehicle. When I remembered to do the swap that was great, but if I forgot then something was better than nothing.
When we arrived home with TwinkleToes we had the problem of GG complaining that she was tired. She wasn’t really tired, she was just jealous that TT was in a stroller and she had to walk. Even though GG was a bit old for it, we got a Sit-‘n-Stand Stroller 
We also bought a stroller for TT in Guangzhou, which we still use. It’s a very nice umbrella stroller that even has a storage compartment. But, no way to lay the baby back for a nap. This means we now have three strollers, the original one we used with GG, the Sit & Stand, and the umbrella stroller. The original one is in the trunk of my car, and the other two are in the back of RK’s vehicle. We rarely use a stroller at all anymore, I don’t think the one in my car has been used in at least six months and it will likely be sold soon. We will hold onto the Sit & Stand for a bit though, mainly for use on vacation type activities where we spend hours walking through something.
For those of you who want to contribute, tell us what stroller(s) you have and what you like and don’t like about it/them. If you disagree with what I think is important in a stroller then let’s talk about it.
June 23rd, 2009 at 4:15 pm
We bought a stroller in Guangzhou that I prefer to any. It’s was the “expensive” umbrella stroller at the House of Love right outside the White Swan. It had a shade and laid back nicely for naps. It is relatively light weight for its features but really sturdy for a decent ride. It has a carry basket underneath and those handles that turn so you can find your favorite position. We negotiated to $30 U.S. (we started at $40, we aren’t very good bargainers, but I was hot and tired and really wanted a stroller the first day we got back to the White Swan). We shopped, but never bought another one and still use it. It’s attractive, not fancy, but very easy to handle. Those were my criteria.
June 23rd, 2009 at 5:20 pm
I love strollers! Unfortunately, I’m on my last kid so no more upgrades for me :-P
My hubby & I are both tall so the Graco, Evenflo, Eddie Bauer’s were way too short to push comfortably. I did tons of research & ended up buying a Peg Perego Atlantico with an adjustable handle. The Atlantico has been a great stroller. It’s big & heavy, which is a drawback, but it has a huge basket, a full sun shade & in a pinch, we could put 2 kids in the seat. After 6 years & 3 kids, it was well worth the price. I’ve been trying to convince my hubby we need a Maclaren Volo. We walk the older kids to school & it would be nice to have a lightweight stroller, but no dice. The ‘baby’ is 2.5 & I see my stroller years ending shortly. *Sob*
June 23rd, 2009 at 6:40 pm
we ended up getting the peg perego p3. I like that its easy to fold, very comfortable for dd, well balanced and has a cup holder. It works for us!
susan
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Oh- I love strollers. Some people collect shoes, handbags, clothes… I collected strollers. Sadly, I do not have any child young enough for a stroller anymore. However- I always loved the Peg Perego strollers. With my first we got their elite stroller and it was really nice with all the attachments and such, but it was heavier and bulkier than what I think I would have actually preferred. When my second came along- I wanted a rolls royce double stroller. I wanted it mostly for all the attachments and functions… I had two kids that still needed to sit, sleep and rest comfortably in a stroller. We went for the Peg Perego Duette- which was different than the Twin Peg stroller. The duette had two seats front and back. The beauty of it- you could use one infant seat, one toddler seat, two infant seats, or two toddler seats. They can both face you, face away from you, or face one another. My kids loved to face one another. The down side- the seats had to be popped in and out of the stroller each time you used it- so it was not a great stroller for quick car trips. But then again- I do not think any double stroller is great for shopping. I would use the Baby Bjorn and put my oldest in an umbrella stroller to accomplish shopping with two efficiently.
Then I also had a double jogging stroller and a single jogger. The single was a Baby Jogger and I loved it. the double was a Dream stroller and it was also a good stroller, but the wheels were smaller than the baby Jogger. I would say both joggers are really meant for wallks/runs and not for shopping. The double jogger was a PIA to put in and out of the car. However- it was the only stroller that worked well on the boardwalk- so I had my weekly fight with it for the comfort of my kids.
We also had a double umbrella stroller and I loved it. It was side by side, very light weight and had reclining setas and canapies. I think it was an evenflo brand- some company that does not usually make strollers. Anyway- this was the cheapest of all my strollers- yet it got the most use… down to the beach house, Disney, around town, to shop, for walks… because it was light weight and easy!
I would have to say that one the features I liked the most about the Peg Strollers- the material was so easy to clean- AND Peg perego shipped me parts twice when things broke on my strollers- free of charge. So i think their customer service is good.
Okay- said my peace… :) I love strollers…
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:01 pm
For my daughter, I put a Maclaren stroller on my wish list because I thought it was ‘upscale’. A very generous friend did end up purchasing it for me, and it is fine. But if I would have spent my own money on it…I would be telling you all to save your money! I think on average the one I have is around $175 or more. The good: it is easy to fold up (once you’ve done it about 10 times) and it is lightweight and easy to store and if I were buying it as a primary source of transportation (like if I walked from home to stores, parks, etc.) then maybe. But I wanted it for amusement parks, shopping, etc. The biggest complaint I have with it is that it is hard to use the basket that is underneath for storage of stuff and you can’t hang your purse or a shopping bag on the back handles without risking it tipping over. So long as the child in the seat is heavy enough, no problem, but even on my first shopping trip out with it, I put an average bag of clothes I had purchased on the back handles, along with my purse…then let go to look at something else, and it tipped over with my daughter in it! Luckily she wasn’t hurt. Now that she is bigger that isn’t a problem, but even if I just have my purse or a camera bag on it and she gets out of the stroller (which is easy to do because she is four and she has mastered the belt), if I am not holding on…then back the stroller tumbles along with all the contents of my purse.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:23 pm
We have a Graco MetroLite stroller and really like it. It is inexpensive, easy to fold, lightweight, and Very manuverable. Our son likes it alot and seems comfortable. We also have an umbrella stroller for quick trips, and things like airports but our son does not tolerate it for too long. The sit and stand stoller sounds like a good idea.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:30 pm
I forgot to add that one thing I like best about the MetroLite is that the handle is adjustable, which is great since I am fairly short, but others in the family are tall. It was also important to me that when I walked normally I never came close to hitting the wheels.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:49 pm
we have the Joovy stroller. It’s similar to the Baby trend Sit-n-stand. I LOVE it! We have taken it everywhere for the past two year – including Disney World twice! I highly recommend it. When our youngest was still in a car seat there was an attachment we could use on the front for the car seat and my oldest daughter could still sit in the back. Now that they are both bigger, we like that they can each sit and I can still move around without having to ask people to please move over. It fold easily and I can get it in and out of my car with one hand.
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:25 pm
We have gone through a myriad of strollers in our time with kids and what I have found is that you really can’t plan on having one stroller for all purposes. It just isn’t practical. We have a baby jogger (both single and double) for when we want to go out running, a phil and ted’s sport for when we want to go out shopping or somewhere crowded, a hand me down Maclaren umbrella stroller that is very lightweight but reclines for when we are running quick errands and I can wear the baby and make the 3 year old ride and then a hand me down Bob double for when we are out for extended periods of time walking trails and such.
We are a very active family and I have found it is much easier to maintain that with 3 kids 5 and under if you splurge for the gear to make doing so practical and comfortable for the kids. If you treat your baby gear well most high end items can be resold for 75% of purchase price or so (we have gone through an additional 3 or 4 strollers that simply didn’t work for our family and were sold on craigslist, a great place to find bargain gear).
Which brings me to another lesson, if at all possible test it out before you buy. Borrow from a friend, spend 20 minutes pushing the floor model around a baby store, etc. We got rid of one stroller that had handles which were very uncomfortable to grip, one that my tall husband always kicked the wheels on (even though the handles were adjustable) and one that the kids found uncomfortable to sit in.
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:28 pm
the Maclaren is the best stroller I have ever had. Adjustable handles for tall moms or dads, comfy for your kiddo, easy fold and store in the trunk. I can close it and throw it in the trunk with one hand. Love it!
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Still waiting for baby so no personal experience here…just a thought. I ordered a Peg Perego Venezia a few years back and will be using it later this year! Yay!!
One thing that was VERY important to me was to have a handle that flipped so that I can push Hannah with her facing me rather than away. I believe this will be really important in the beginning both for bonding and also cut some of the over stimulation.
Catherine
LID 03/23/06
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Best stroller we have is by far the little Bao Bao Hao umbrella stroller we purchased in Guangzhou for roughly $10. We’ve tossed it around and manhandled it – took it to Vietnam when we adopted #2 – brought it back and continue to toss it around and manhandle it and the thing is still going strong. It’s been everywhere. I’m going to frame a piece of it someday I’m so attached to it.
Our other stroller when our daughter was little was a hideous looking Graco that I bought for $2 in a yard sale. It was the Saturday after we were DTC for #1 and I was on cloud nine. I stopped by a yard sale full of baby stuff and when I passed the stroller I pushed it back and forth a few times. As I was leaving the man shouted after me and told me I could have it for free – he just wanted to get rid of it. I gave him $2 for karma sake. It was a pretty wretched stroller (heavy, impossible to fold and just plain ugly – circle 1985 maybe) but it was solid and comfy with good storage and cup holders. It was actually great for walking the dogs around and going places where the Bao Bao Hao couldn’t take the terrain. Occassionally I was embarrassed walking around with it but then I would laugh, remind myself not to be judged by my stroller and I will never forget the feeling I had when I pushed my first stroller into the house having conquered the paperchase. We’d had a long haul to get to that moment and that purchase had a lot of memories.
When we brought home our son from Vietnam, we did pick up a Sit-N-Stand off Craig’s List for $30. It helped with our daughter’s transition to big sisterhood but I always felt it was a pain to push around. If anyone is in the Northern VA area – it’s looking for a good home. Our big girl (5) is walking full time and the little guy (2) just runs.
Joanie
Mom to Shaeleigh Mary Haiyan (5, Foshan Nanhai) &
Chance Augustus Hieu (2, Ho Chi Minh City)
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:37 pm
We have two strollers and we’re very happy with both of them. We like to walk a lot, so we got the Mountain Buggy all-terrain stroller, which does MUCH better than a regular stroller or an umbrella stroller if you’re not on pavement. (I will say that these are pretty expensive and we probably wouldn’t have gotten it if my aunt hadn’t made a hefty contribution toward it. We did get it on Ebay, though, and saved quite a bit.) The Mountain Buggy is pretty easy to fold up, but it’s a bit cumbersome and heavy if you need to put it in and out of a car often. It mostly lives in our garage. For out and about, we have a Maclaren Volo, which we really like because it folds so easily (you do it with one hand and a foot, so you can fold if with the baby on your hip) and is so light that you can sling it over your shoulder when it’s folded. I got this one on Ebay, too.
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:38 pm
We got a peg perego Aria which was fairly liteweight and easy to get and out of the trunk. I also like that you could fold it one-handed and it stayed standing when folded. DD was just under 10 months and a 20 lbs when we brought her home and she found this to be very comfy. We picked up a cheapo umbrella stroller for a trip to the ballpark–total waste as the wheels caught on every rut in the sidewalk and the handles had me hunching over and very uncomfortable (I am 5′8″–so not hugely tall). Eventually got a MacLaren Volo to use for trips to the city on the T (subway) and Disney….it is wicked lite and very easy for travelling. The handles are high enough for me to walk with ease. You do have to be careful not to hang anything heavy on the handles but I find my LL Bean liteweight backpack fits in the little basket and we do lots of travelling!
June 24th, 2009 at 12:00 am
We’ve had several strollers, including -
(1) Umbrella type. Best I can say is it is better than nothing in a pinch.
(2) A more substantial Combi bought at the White Swan. Not bad, but hard to get a squirmy child in and out sometimes.
(3) A heavy duty stroller with terrain wheels. The seat reversed, which is nice because you can be face to face with your child. I forget the brand. This one is great for walks around the neighborhood, especially given we have steep hills.
(4) Maclaren Volo – If I had only one stroller, I’d pick this one hands down. Lightweight, easy to fold, easy to maneuver, some space for shopping bags. Super easy to get my daughter in and out of, because there is no front bar.
Be careful about hanging things from the handles – Too much weight and then when your child gets out of the stroller, it can tip over backwards.
No matter which type of stroller you buy, pay attention to the height of the handles. Too-low handles make you hunch over (as mentioned by soxfan) and are quite fatiguing. You probably will not realize that while making your purchase, only after you start using the stroller. The higher handles on the Maclaren are preferable even for me, and I’m only 5 ft 6 in.
June 24th, 2009 at 12:55 am
MACLAREN! i have had three of these. incredibly lightweight (our travel stroller is 11 pounds, and we’ve taken it to asia several times)…and also the uber model which i use at home, which weighs closer to 17 pounds and does the full recline.
June 24th, 2009 at 2:54 am
With our #1 ds, we went through 5 different strollers! We just couldn’t find one that had all the qualities that we needed. We never got the perfect one, but we narrowed it down to two. One was a basic umbrella stroller that I modified to have a cloth storage shelf underneath. This was great for quick trips or for travel. I don’t remember the name of the other one.
I agree with all RQ’s comments about strollers. I would like to add some characteristics of a good stroller to RQ’s list for consideration.
1) The wheels-we lived in a snowy area, so we needed the big thick tires like on a jogging stroller to handle the snow; we also lived in Europe where we came in contact with cobblestone streets and the thin hard plastic wheels often got stuck in between the stones and the stones made it very bumpy. Therefore we are now choosing something with somewhat larger rubber tires
2) Sun shade-we want one that fully extends to cover a good portion of the child, not for fear of sunburn but to help our child be able to fall asleep without all the light & distractions
3) A snack tray in front-this came in very handy on our last stroller
I hope this helps in your shopping!
June 24th, 2009 at 4:39 am
Our daughter was 14months when we came home and did well in the jogging stroller I purchased. I liked that we weren’t having to lift her in and out through a bar but that she could just glide in and out. It had two cup pouches one on each side and a cup tray thing for me on the top and storage underneath. I knew I’d be doing a lot of walking with her so I wanted something that could handle the daily wear. It was perfect and I even took it shopping and no real problems. Later, I wanted something light weight as she was getting older and not always wanting/needing to be in a stroller, so I bought a cute ladybug umbrella stroller that only cost $15 on sale. It was horrible and I only used it once! Unfortunately, that once was on a long day excursion and we were exhausted by the end from trying to push and maneuver the thing. Family we were with had a more sophisticated umbrella type stroller that I believe they said they paid around $80 for and they had no problems with at all. It was a “you get what you pay for” sort of lesson, but I liked the ladybugs…
I’m always hearing people say that they purchased an expensive stroller at home and ended up using the stroller they purchased in China more. We just rented in China, so we may have to purchase one there next time. Also, I’ll have to look into the Sit ‘n Stand. That sounds perfect for our future needs. Places like zoos and parks, a wagon works really well too for several children of varying ages. We have the Radio Flyer with the two seats and purchased separately the canopy that clamps on which I think you may now be able to purchase with the wagon.
June 24th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Since we live in the NYC area, we actually use our stroller on a regular basis to do things like go get groceries or go to the playground. So an umbrella stroller doesn’t cut it for me – not enough padding in the handles to absorb road shock, and no storage basket underneath. But I am kind of a cheapster when it comes to kid-gear. I would never buy one of those $700 strollers I see all over Manhattan. So I buy the midrange Combi stroller. I am on my third one now (over 9 years of heavy use). They cost around $100, have a big basket underneath, and good colors (current one is black and purple).
June 24th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Also, we did not buy or use a stroller in China. I had a sling, and a a Mei Tai carrier, and that was enough. Our baby was 10.5 mos though – if she had been 2, it might have been different
June 24th, 2009 at 8:59 am
I have two lightweight umbrella strollers, one comfortable (for DS) and cool-looking, and one really cheap one. With both of them i regret not having another kind with a handle bar instead of two handles. I would like to be able to push with one hand while doing something else with the other – t. ex holding DS1s hand while we are out walking, or eating an ice cream or whatever.
The cool one also happens to be awkward to push if you try to walk fast. The rear wheels are quite close together so you have to “steer” your feet between them. My DH is very tall (with big feet) so it is even worse for him. The cheap one have the handles farter back, so it is actually much more comfortable to push. They both seemed fine when we tried them in the store, so make sure to take long steps when you try them out… ;)
Both are fine if you take leasurely walks.
And make sure to get a cup holder.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:00 am
I forgot: I also have one that has the broad rubber tyres to use in rough terrain and on snow.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:20 am
I have a jogging stroller which I love but I did not take it to China, it was just not practical. In China I bought an umbrella stroller and it worked out great.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:23 am
We have brought home two boys since waiting on our Chinese daughter… goodness! We bought the Britax Vigour stroller after we brought our first home. LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I have to admit though, it is not a good choice for someone with a car! It is big and a little bulky and doesn’t have a cup holder, but I still love it! we have a couple different small types… one umbrella type and the other type lays flat… found it at a flee market in desperation… the one that lays flat does recline and has a good basket underneath even though it is ugly! haha! The Britax is awesome though… you can turn the seat around to face you if you want you baby to look at you… kind of good for some of our adopted kiddos. The push handle is adjustable for your height. You can lock the front wheels for rougher terrain or they swivel for dime-turning. the seat also leans back for sleeping… apparently it also works with the Britax infant carseat thing… i don’t have that though… Just another option… a little more money though. But i would definitely buy it again!
June 24th, 2009 at 9:57 am
I think you need to think about what you will use it for and where. Who is using it.
Then you need to test drive it both Mom and Dad. Is it easy for you both to mess with, open and close. Comfortable ride.
We ended up with the Metrolite and an umbrella stroller. For a long day we do the Metrolite, since it has storage, place for drinks for parent and child, cover and tray. Short hops and tight quarters the umbrella. My girl can sleep anywhere so reclining doesn’t matter.
The last thing we ever consider is color and cuteness. It is about safety, function and how easy it is to clean.
June 24th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
4 kids here, Maclaren Techno is my #1 choice, hands down! My 5 yr old likes to walk a lot, but my 65 lb 10 yr old is the whinner when it comes to walking. the 5 yr old jumps out and the 10 yr old climbs in. It has saved my bacon so many times I can’t begin to tell you! It is really nice to have a stroller that is light, easy to fold, has handles that raise to allow my DH to push it easily, has a large storage compartment and accomodates a big kid without any hassle. We also got one in China (blew my shoulder out on our 1st china trip carrying my daughter so had to have one). I still really like that stroller too, very light and comfy. The Maclaren has been all over the world without ANY complaints, I love it!
June 24th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
We have three strollers. The one we took to China was a very basic, inexpensive umbrella stroller which we were able to pack in a long duffel bag surrounded by diapers. Being new parents, we had never used a “real” stroller before and didn’t know what we were missing. The interesting thing was that our daughter would only take naps in this stroller, never in her crib. The back didn’t recline and she would just conk out with her head bent to one side. Poor baby must have had some stiff necks. I guess she didn’t know what she was missing either. If we had to go back to China for another baby, I think I’d probably try to find something a bit nicer, but I still wouldn’t take one of our “real” strollers.
The two other ones are a Graco MetroLite and a Peg Perego Aria. The MetroLite we bought new and we’ve been basically satisfied with it. My only real complaint is that it’s a bit heavy, but it rides and maneuvers really well and has a huge storage basket. There were times when my daughter fell asleep in the car on the way to the supermarket, and I was able to do my whole shopping by putting groceries in the storage basket instead of a cart. Unfortunately, the MetroLite hasn’t held up well, probably because of all the hard use it’s seen. We’ve really beaten the heck out of it (I even once pushed it up a steep hiking path at the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, NY.) One of the support struts across the bottom has broken, and it also sometimes locks up when we’re trying to close it; a few times I’ve had to shove it into the back of my car open and unfolded.
The Aria we bought secondhand, because I wanted a lightweight “subway stroller” for trips into the city that was more substantial than the umbrella stroller. We’ve been very happy with it, although it lacks a “parent tray” and seems to be losing its maneuverability the older it gets. Also, the storage basket is showing a lot of wear and I’m not sure how much longer it will hold up. I still really like the Aria in general. It’s great for situations where you have to “portage,” such as on public transportation, and is well sized for maneuvering around in smaller stores and other tight spaces.
Our girl is now almost four, and I’ve promised myself that the strollers will be retired for good after her birthday. I don’t know if anyone would want to buy them, however, in their current beat-up condition.
June 27th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
I was planning on purchasing a Graco Quattro Tour stroller but have read some comments that some found it to be bulky and heavy. I tried folding one up and down with one hand and that seems not too hard. I have no experience with buying strollers since our upcoming referral will be our first child. Any comments or experience with a Graco stroller?
Thanks.