Comments on: Baby Gear: Strollers

By: calgarymom2b

calgarymom2b — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:44:08 +0000

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.

By: ruizhousmom

ruizhousmom — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:02:25 +0000

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.

By: beenheredonethat

beenheredonethat — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:42:48 +0000

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!

By: ldw4mlo

ldw4mlo — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:57:15 +0000

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.

By: christelann

christelann — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:23:39 +0000

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!

By: SalomesMom

SalomesMom — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:20:47 +0000

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.

By: Miramar

Miramar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:00:15 +0000

I forgot: I also have one that has the broad rubber tyres to use in rough terrain and on snow.

By: Miramar

Miramar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:59:15 +0000

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.

By: ratgirl

ratgirl — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:58:06 +0000

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

By: ratgirl

ratgirl — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:56:29 +0000

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).