We just started looking at strollers, and decided easily on the Graco snugrider stroller to attach the car seat too. It was the first time I've seen a really small infant carrier stroller and was thrilled I can totally see myself taking it to the mall and the museums. But, when it came to a good walking stroller I'm stumped. I really like the Quinny because of the bassinet feature and then it converts to a toddler stroller. Does anyone have one or did anyone research this stroller and know if there is something better. I'm due first week of November, so I want something that will go through the snow, plus I love that it has a mosquitto net and those extra accessories. My concerns are how easily it might tip over, and there is no harness or anything to keep baby safe in the bassinet. It seems easy to stear and was so easy to set up and take down. It seems like a nice one to take to the arboretum or to a forest preserve for a long walk or just around the neighborhood. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Hi-
I bought and love the Valco Baby tri-mode. It rides beautifully it is a jogger and also can convert. If you have another baby you can attach a toddler seat to it. It is worth looking into.
Hope that helps - good luck!!
We have the Graco Metrolite stroller. You can snap in the Snugride and then it becomes a toddler stroller when your baby is older. I walk at least 2-3 miles almost each day around Evanston and you can seriously hold about 4 grocery bags and a gallon of milk in that basket underneath. It has been great, and I am very happy with it. My daughter is 15 months old, so it has gotten a lot of miles on it! We looked at more expensive models, but thought, why not spend that money on the college fund? The Metrolite has been great in all types of weather and snowy sidewalks. We also have a MacLaren Volo as an umbrella stroller (when our baby hit about 6 months old) for shorter trips or trips with the car. It is a great umbrella stroller if you want to walk long distances.
For long walks in the city I think having a large-wheeled pneumatic tire stroller is essential - especially if you want to use it in the winter or over rough sidewalks! We narrowed our choices down to: Zooper Boogie, and Valco i can't remember the model name - but it looks almost just like the Zooper.
We also considered a Bumbleride Rocket, Mountain Buggy Urban Single, and I've seen one now (since doing all my research) from the Right Start store (store brand?) that looks similar.
We chose the Zooper b/c of the great sun shade/canopy, comes with ALL the accessories (mosquito, rain cover, and winter "boot") and also b/c you can flip the seat around to face towards you.
None of these are particularly small or light weight, but they are all great for long walks. IMHO there does not exist a single stroller that will do everything you want. We have the Zooper for long walks and also have an Inglesina Swift for in/out of the car/bus/train - we love this stroller too.
NOTE: We actually used our stroller VERY LITTLE for the better part of the first year. If you really want to walk in the woods - or even in the city - it's actually a lot simpler and less hassle to just sling your baby. Plus, in the winter you can just tie your baby onto you and then zip your coat around the two of you - no bundling up necessary for the baby! You might consider investing $50-100 in a great sling (see www.thebabywearer.com for product reviews) and saving the $300 you'll spend on a stroller until you really decide what your needs are. We did and do use both our strollers now that our son is a little older, but until he was 7-9 months or so, we rarely used it.
Mine is older - but from experience, go with something that converts easily, can store your diaper bag even when it is exploding at the seams, one with "cushie" hand grips, and make sure the arms are comfortable for both yo & your husband (you or he might find himself "slumping" to hold on & this is painful!!). Good luck! Check out the new BOB stroller - awesome!
If you are a jogger or speed walker, the Bob stroller is awesome! You can't use it until your baby can hold up his/her head on his own. I have had mine for three years and the cost was well worth it. It is lightweight and easy to maneuver. They are sold at REI, running stores, online, and other specialty stores. Bobs are expensive but well worth the money!
I own a Stroller Fitness company and do stroller consultations and speak to groups on how to pick out the right stroller.
The Quinny is definitely not the right stroller for fitness type walking. It is designed to be a lightweight urban stroller (great for city-dwellers), not for any sort of terrain.
You want a stroller that has a three-wheel base with the front wheel option of being fixed or free. This will give you more maneuverability (when the wheel is free) or control (when the wheel is fixed - running, rollerblading). They handle incredibly on all surfaces (cinder, grass, snow, etc.) The best are the BOB Revolution, Valco Runabout, and the Phil and Ted's. I have had all of them and the Valco is my favorite. You will never need another stroller...ever! It does have an attachment to put the car seat carrier and also has a bassinet option, however, when you put the seat down, you can safely put an infant in - like a bassinet. The Valco also has the option of a jumpseat (if you have another later you can put two children in the stroller without it being any larger) and a hitchhiker (an older child can stand off the back). I am expecting my third and I will be able to get my 4-year old, my 18 month old and the baby all in one stroller if necesssary.
The Valco is available at Unique Bowtique in downtown Naperville. They also carry the Mountain Buggy which is another great stroller.
If you want to check all of these out in action and see what the moms who have them think, we have moms in our program that have all of them and you're more than welcome to contact me to check them all out.
You may just want to stick to your one stroller for now. Once the baby comes, your needs might change for a stroller. The baby really isn't really ready for a walking/jogging stroller until they can hold up their head anyway. By that time you will have met other mom's and know what you are really looking for in a stroller based on how you like the one you have. Save the money for now, shop later.
Have you looked at the Bob Revolution strollers? We're preparing for our 2nd child and just bought one. We had a Graco travel system with our first child and found it huge & cumbersome on the city sidewalks-- we used it for about the 1st year and then bought a fabulous Inglesina Trip umbrella stoller, which we love. But it too isn't great on city sidewalks for long treks around the neighborhood or to the park... it's great for throwing in the car and using while shopping or on trips. But we LOVE this Bob stroller. I researched strollers for months trying to figure out what to get this time. You can attach your infant carrier to it too with an attachment. And it glides over bumpy old sidewalks and will be fabulous in winter weather. I highly recommend it! I read lots of reviews and many people who also own Bubaboos said that they prefer their Bob stroller. That sold me.
