Would like feedback on a good quality umbrella stroller. I have been looking at all price ranges but have eliminated down to 3- the Maclaren Volo, Uppa Baby G-lite, or Combi Helio. I am not set on these but from my research thus far they seem pretty solid.
I am traveling overseas for a couple weeks and need something that's easy to fold up and take out, light weight, sturdy (want it to last), and easy to maneuver. And of course, a bonus if it doesn't cost a fortune!
I appreciate your feedback!
I also have a 17 month old and I we both love the Maclaren Volo. It's super light for traveling, easy to push, and very comfortable for her to sit in. We also bought a "cheapy" for $20 just to keep in the car, but she wouldn't sit in it for 5 min, it was so uncomfortable. She evidently had been spoiled with her Maclaren, so we just put in the car when we need it, but normally leave it at home for walks.
Love my maclaren. folds up quickly, easily and is small. Has a good should strap for taking it places. Stand wear and tear.
I bought a brown lightweight Graco from Babies R Us. I don't think it's officially a Umbrella stroller but that's what it is. I think it falls under the "light weight catagory. It retails around $89 or $99.00. My daughter is 2.5 and 34 lbs and it fits her great. I'm 5' 7" and the handles are high enough I don't have to bend to push it.
Hope that helps.
C.
We have the Uppa Baby G-Lite the G-Luxe wasn't available when we were looking for one. But I LOVE the G-Lite, it's seriously light weight (8 lbs)! You can remove the padding - great when it's hot- so it's just the mesh seat. It doesn't recline but my 2.5 year old (at the time) had no problem falling asleep in it at Disney World. It's so easy to fold although you will need 2 hands to pull the triggers to fold it. Steers wonderfully! And the handles are at a decent height for both my husband 6' and myself 5'2". We just gate check it at the airport. I had to go back to my Graco Mosaic for my new son, which is light weight compared to other travel systems but it seems like a monster to me now.
We bought the Babies R Us brand one, Especially For Baby, for $30. We have traveled with it quite a bit and have been very pleased with it. We have several other fancy strollers but this one quickly became the stroller of choice because it is so light, compact, and easy to use.
I have three Maclaren strollers that I love (one snap & go, one single and one double). We used to live in New York City so we needed something ultra lightweight and durable for city streets. My single isn't the Volo but I've had friends with the Volo that loved it as much as I love my model (can't remember which one it is but it reclines all the way...I had a newborn with it). I think the Volo even has a carry strap which is handy. I would recommend looking on craigslist for a used model to save money. I bought my single new and found the snap & go and double on craigslist and saved at least 50% on each...both in excellent condition. And they all fold up easily and take up little space in the car (at the airport, etc...).
I took the Combi to Ireland when my daughter was 1 year old for 3 months. We did a lot of walking and since it reclined she was able to be comfortable and take naps in it. I also liked it because it has a large canopy. It folds up like other umbrella strollers but also has a small basket underneath and cup holder. I now use it with my second and have been pretty happy with it.
We have the Maclaren and I love it. It is easy to fold up, light and moves around really easy.
Look at this website. I seen one for like 89.00 and you could also look on craigslist for one
My family and I just took a weeks vacation to New York. We have three kids and took public transportation throughout the city everyday. We took a "Jeep" stroller and it was lightweight, sturdy and very easy to fold up and go when we needed to. It has survived all three of our children. The only downside- not much storage. It has two velcro pockets on the sides. Overall perfect for on the go travel and very inexpensive :) **Also easy to carry through the airport and check at the gate (for free:) )
Have a great trip!!
I have the Maclaren and I absolutely love it. It has been on 3 plane trips in the past year and used countless times around town and is still in excellent condition. Very easy to open, manuever and carry.
i've never tried the others, but have the basic maclaren (~$100). I LOVE IT. i splurged on it since my husband can't travel with my daughter and i usually causing me to utilize it a lot on plane trips etc. it's great. it's lightweight (has a handle and a rain cover), it's way easy to fold with one hand (think airport security) and i've been told it's tall for those that need that. i'm petite so can't say. i tell all my friends this was my post baby gift to myself and i don't regret buying it ever.
I love my Maclaren stroller. We bought the base model (~$100). It does not recline, but does have a strap and a basket. My daughter never naps in a stroller so we did not need the recline. I've used it for over a year and take her in walks around our neighborhood several times a week and it has held up well!
I just bought the MacLaren Volo a couple of week ago for a trip we are taking next week to California. So far I love the Volo. I don't have any complaint except that it will flip backward if anything is hanging from the handles. IE, a purse, diaper bag, etc. Other then that my 16 mo son sees to like it. It folds easily, it's super light and I love the strap so I can sling it over my shoulder to carry it.
I do recommend it.
I am due in December and we registered for the Chicco Liteway stroller. Obviously I haven't used it, but I like that it has a basket, cupholder and my favorite feature the seat reclines so the babe can nap. It's lightweight and comes in cool colors.
We have had a Maclaren Triumph and now a Maclaren Techno XT. Both have been great strollers. I went with the Techno the second time only b/c I was walking a great deal on uneven streets in London and the Triumph has small wheels. I think the Volo has the same wheels, which depending on where you are traveling to and what kind of walking you will be doing is something to consider. The smaller wheels have a harder time on older, uneven streets and sidewalks. The bigger the wheels the smoother ride.
Another thing to consider is the Volo is very lightweight and if you put anything on the back of the stroller (such as a bag or backpack) it will tip when you take your child out of the stroller. Just something to consider.
Our Techno has been all over Europe, it is easy to fold and lightweight, but costs more than the other Maclarens do.
One last thing, in our experience they will not normally put the stroller (or pushchair as they say in England and Europe) on the plane with you, it will go underneath. If you are one of the first on and ask they will try to put it on, but not always.
We got the Especially for Kids Deluxe Umbrella Stroller from Babies R Us to keep at the grandparents house so we wouldn't have to pack ours when we travel. So far it's been great and only $30 but they frequently have a sale with 10 - 15% off strollers.
I got a Maclaren when my oldest was three and now use it with my 2 year old. It is a good stroller and well worth the price tag. We chose it because most have a tray that fits over the lap of the child and didn't want that because my son's legs are really long, so it made it uncomfortable for him.
Our Chicco umbrella is fab! Comes in cute colors too.
I'm in the same situation. I just wanted to point out that I don't believe the Maclaren Volo and the G-Lite recline. Which maybe at 17 months isn't an issue for you, but it is something to keep in mind. The Uppa Baby G-Luxe is the same as the G-lite but it reclines. I was leaning to the Uppa Baby G-Luxe, but I'm going to keep an eye on future posts to see what others have to say. I've heard great things about Maclaren and Uppa Baby and not so much about Combi, but the Helio did get good reviews on Babies R Us.
