Okay, I have no idea really who or how many people stumble across this blog, but I have a really important issue I need some advice on. I need a new stroller. I know, so what if I have three in the garage already? I may use that carseat/stroller combo again someday (okay, that's a lie), I do use the double stroller sometimes still, and the umbrella stroller is broken. I'm looking for something to use this summer, and although I love my double we really won't have room for it. Besides, Izzie's 4 now and doesn't want to sit for long anymore anyway. So it's just for Audrey.Today I looked a little at a Maclaren Quest and a Combi Helio that both seemed nice. They each weigh something like 12 lbs, fold up little and have a carrying strap for convenience on buses and elevators.
I'd like to know, though, do you have a stroller you love, and why do you love it? Or, I guess equally important, have you had one you just couldn't stand? (Okay lurkers, I need to hear some input here.)
Would you want a larger basket underneath? how important are trays and cupholders to you? what about weight? reclining positions? shade canopies? are there things about certain brands you like? do your feet hit your stroller when you walk normally? thanks for your input!
11 comments:
I don't really have a favorite. But I saw on amazon.com this one. It seems like a GREAT deal. I just can't find much about it online. Good luck with the search.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000H84SNK/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance
I have no children...I no experience buying anything for children (outside of gifts), I have no idea about necessity of doo-hickies and add-ons...all of this obviously makes me qualified to offer my opinion: I like the three wheeled types that look like they are made for off-roading. They look tough. Isn't image everything?
Wow, I feel like I could write a novel about strollers. Not that I've had a ton or tried a ton, but I've looked up everything.
Here are my thoughts on the subject. I have a Graco double and I think it's pretty good, but since you're not looking for a double that doesn't help.
Here are some of the things that are most important to me with a stroller. 1)It has to have a cup holder. I don't even drink DP anymore, but for some reason the cup holder is a big deal to me. Especially if you take it for a walk and need a place to put water.
2)I like some storage area underneath. It doesn't have to be a ton, but at least a small area. 3)Easy to fold and not too heavy. This is the one thing about my double that I don't like. It's a beast. It's not hard to fold, but it's big and bulky.
So here's what I'd suggest. First decide how much money you want to spend. I usually have expensicve taste, but I think it's worth it when it comes to strollers. When I first had Kimball I had the Peg Perego Aria stroller, and I absolutely loved it. It was super light weight, very easy to maneuver, had a small storage area underneath, and one tiny cup holder. I would have like to have two cup holders, but I've decided there's no perfect stroller. The only thing about this stroller is that it's really expensive. I think it was around $200. Again, I thought it was worth it.
On stroller that I really want to buy, but is super expensive is the Phil and Ted stroller. My friend has one and really likes it. Here are some of the features. It has three wheels that you pump up (don't love that feature). The nice thing about this stroller is that it can be changed into a single or double stroller by adding or taking away the extra seat. I think that is great. There are times when I need my double, but there are times when I need a single. The Phil and Teds comes in quite a few different (fun) colors. It does not have a cup holder or hardly any space underneath. You can buy a little pack attachment that hooks on to the handles. So this sounds like a good choice, but it's about $500. I know, bite your tongue.
My sister has the Maclaren double and she really likes it. I've heard good things about Maclaren. If I had to buy just a single stroller, I would probably go for the Peg Perego. I really liked mine.
Is that too much information? Let me know if you have any questions. I hope that helped. Good luck. I love looking at strollers, but then again, I love to shop and buy almost anything.
Thanks for the input so far!
I do want to add Amanda, I think the phil and ted's strollers are neat, too (I tried to talk Shelly into one when her baby was born), and they certainly look tough (they're three-wheeled) but I've had thoughts that make me think maybe they're not great. (And that's not just the price!) Just the fact that they have no storage or drinkholders and are rather big and bulky makes me wonder. One reviewer said it was hard to take shopping because it's built like a jogger, so it's best outside and not at the mall. When I talk to people who own them they love them, but if I spent $500 on a stroller I'd probably make myself love it, too. ;-) It's REALLY cute, though. It just seems like it should have everything for the money, and that it's not that different from a regular jogger - if you can only use it outside anyway you might as well get a BOB or something. Anyway, I might be wrong, I'm just rambling my thoughts, and may be just convincing myself it's not great so I don't want to spend $500 on a stroller (although you can find them on EBay for a smoking $350 from time to time). I love shopping, too and appreciate the input!
Kori, I wasn't able to make that link work, though - if you think about it will you email it to me?
And Zach, Justin will thank you for the reminder that he probably will be a little less inclined to push something pink... :-) Although it's kind of like a purse... if it looks too masculine he REALLY won't hold it for me ever, because it could be mistaken for his!
Boy, if you get a really brilliant idea, let me know! For some reason, this is the one area of "child equipment" that absolutely gives me fits. I hate the travel combos. And let's be honest, I don't jog, so I don't want a jogger stroller. In the end, I primarily use an umbrella stroller (with the handle attachments for those over 5'3"). But I can't do that with a new baby....Ug! I've been avoiding getting a new one, just because I don't have a CLUE what to buy. (Sorry, I'm no help.)
My friend in Tucson had one of those Sit & Stand strollers. (I'm not sure what brand it is, actually.) I'd heard from a few people that they didn't like them, but I thought the thing was freakin' sweet! I actually borrowed it from her a few times. Maybe it is because I'm ultimately impatient, and when I just want to hurry up, the bigger kid can just hop on. Maybe it is because I get annoyed with the "I'm tired of walking" whine, too. I might look into one of those again and just get another fold-up one to hold a baby carrier.
Do you have a subscription to consumer reports? I usually log in online and read up on their ratings. I do that with carseats. Guess I should do it with strollers, too.
I'm not much help here since I have had to use a double for years. I LOVE my Graco Duo Glider. I bought from Toys-R-Us when the girl were babies. My number one concern with strollers is weight. I don't want to lug, let alone push a thing that weighs 50 pounds. My stroller is very light, it folds up quite small and it's easy to open and close. But you don't need a double.
I really never minded an umbrella stroller. We have two from Wal-mart and use them when we go places like Thunder Over Louisville and can't manage the double in the crowd. Sure I wish there was a basket, but I just wrap my bag across the handles. And I don't ever use the cup holder. Again, I'm not much help.
Just make sure it's lightweight and small enough to get through tight space aisles. That's what I think is important.
GOOD LUCK! Keep us posted on what you decide to buy!
This might be late in the game...but here are my thoughts. I don't like to buy expensive, even though they look like they could be worth it because between myself, my kids or the airlines we go through them too fast! I actually accidently ran over just one of the tires on my favorite stroller so far in the garage - so now I need a new one, but unfortunately didn't find one at the GOTHE. I LOVE and must have big storage baskets underneath - for bags whether they be what we are taking on day trips, or for when we are out shopping. I have now discovered a tray is essential as my youngest son is not throwing himself over in our borrowed stroller trying to grab the moving wheels! And, I love water holders as well, however it bothers me that they are usually too small for the water bottles that I have - they seem to just fit a "small" size of water bottle. I think canpopies are great, although they don't solve all the sunshine issues, but then sunhats and sunglasses as well can be added! I look for strollers that are super light-weight, and the two that I have had were just "regular" brands - one was the Graco and the other I can't remember. Audrey is still small,and all your children seem to be of slender build, so something like a Combi might fit your needs, although I remember looking at them when our 2nd needed a new stroller, and realized he was just too bulky to sit in it and be comfortable (or so I thought). Good luck - let me know...we will need something for this summer, so let me know your findings...well maybe, if you go for something expensive just don't tell me at all...because then I would be scared I'd love it and think I would need it!
It seems there are MANY typos in my response...I didn't proof-read it as well as I thought I had...and my mind is a bit tired. Sorry!
Hi! Since we are expecting a baby girl in May, I have been trying to decide on strollers too. I have a couple of friends that love the Chicco strollers and they don't seem to be too badly priced.
Serena - a baby girl!!! I'm so excited for you - girls really are a lot of fun! I hope we get some kind of notice when she arrives, I'd love to meet her. :-)
Laura,
Don't know if you are still in the market, but albeebaby.com had some incredible steals on strollers. Some Peg Perego Arias under $100. There was also one in the closeouts that is a 2006 model Pliko for $129 I think. Anyhow, good prices. I bought my first stroller and infant seat there. Fast FREE shipping for orders over $100. Just a tip.
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