What To Focus On When Enhancing Strollers
The Lightest, Most compact travel stroller and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers
This stroller is one of the lightest and compact. It's also the easiest to fold. Despite its size, it offers an excellent ride, excellent sun canopy and multi-position recline.
This stroller is a great value at less than $100. It's small and easy to fold, making it ideal for public transport or slinging over your shoulder.
1. Lightweight
When it comes to travel strollers, lightweight and easy-to-fold are the most important factors. The top models we tested can fold with just one hand and sometimes with two and fit in overhead luggage compartments. They are also compact and roll well making them easy to maneuver into tight spaces. Some models come with a telescoping hand for parents of varying heights. Find a lightweight, easy to pack stroller for your family, regardless of whether you're planning an excursion with a baby or an extended trip with an infant.
To determine the top strollers for traveling, we compared nine that were able to meet our weight and size requirements. Each model was tested on city streets, country roads, and at the airport terminal for maneuverability, stroller Travel ease of folding and carrying, and overall comfort for your child.
Our most popular choice is the Babyzen YoYo2 (320) It folds the simplest of the strollers we tested, and can fit in the overhead bins of planes. The seat reclines nearly flat and is compatible with car seats and is suitable for babies from birth. The car also has an undercarriage that is deep with a bag hook on the handle, and a UPF50+ canopy to ensure the safety of your child.
The Cybex Orfeo (320) is another option. It has the ability to fold in concertina that can be done using just one hand, and is extremely light. Its padded, five-point harness and crotch straps keep your child safe, and the reversible seat and a massive undercarriage basket make sure there's enough space for all their items. It's also compatible with the brand's infant car seat which makes it an ideal option for families who start from the time of birth.
The Coya TRVL ($320) is another one-handed, one-step fold that comes with car seat compatibility and a far-reaching canopy. It's a bit pricier than other models in this category however, it comes with additional features like a large parent pocket and cupholder as well as an adjustable handlebar for parents of all sizes and a comfortable carry strap. The simple design isn't without its drawbacks, when contrasted with other models in this category.
2. Easy to fold
A travel stroller is one that is easy to open and shut when you're on-the-go. If you're carrying a bag of groceries or children in your arms, you don't want to struggle with a cumbersome stroller to close it. The best travel strollers fold up easily and compactly, even with just one hand. Many have a padded strap that you can put comfortably over your shoulders.
In our tests, we awarded the Libelle stroller top marks for its compactness and easy folding. However, it also has some excellent features: It glides smoothly over all surfaces and has a generous canopy that provides ample coverage. It's also surprisingly light and stands in its own right when folded. This makes it easier to keep in storage.
We suggest that parents who wish to have their stroller fit into the overhead bin of a plane, look for models that promise to fit. The Munchkin Sparrow is a good prams example. It fits into the smallest of foldings and comes with an enclosed travel cover. However, it does not have an adjustable seat, and its cargo area is too small to accommodate anything other than a small diaper bag or a tote.
Another alternative is the Babyzen Yoyo 2, which folds down into a concertina design but also features the option of a reversible seat to allow face-to-face or back-to-back riding. The handle is hidden behind the seat, but our managing editor didn't like the fold.
The tri-fold is the most recent travel stroller. It folds into three parts and offers the perfect combination of compactness and features. The UPPAbaby Miniu for example, comes with a reversible chair and a storage compartment that is unstructured on the rear, and a lockable latch to keep it folded. It's slightly larger than the umbrellas from the brand but is smaller than their G-Luxe and G-Link counterparts. It also has a padded shoulder strap.
3. Easy to store
The best travel stroller travel strollers can fold down to a compact size that can be easily stored. They can be easily stowed in the trunk of a vehicle or the overhead bin of a plane. Some even have a carrying strap that makes it simple to sling over your shoulder, so you don't need to worry about your hands getting tired. They also tend to be lighter than regular strollers, which could make them easy to lift and carry when it's time for a stroll around the neighborhood or to the airport.
This stroller did exceptionally excellently in our durability tests and was easy to maneuver on all kinds of surfaces. From smooth hardwoods to shag flooring, this stroller is a great choice. Some of our testers found it a bit flimsy, and the handlebar wasn't padding to keep your hands at ease. The size of the basket should also be considered. It's quite small and some parents have reported that it was difficult to fit a large diaper bag inside it.
In general, we suggest calling your airline prior to time to confirm their specific guidelines regarding the use of strollers on planes, as they can vary. This is important in case you intend to gate-check your stroller. You can then use it on the plane and travel the airport without the stroller.
The Contours Itsy travel stroller is an excellent option if you need a light, compact stroller. It's almost fully assembled straight out of the box and the only thing you have to do is to snap the bumper bar in the appropriate spot. It comes with a parent facing pushchair cup holder and a back pocket however, there is no basket that is large which might make it difficult to carry essentials for a long-distance trip.
If you're a frequent traveler we suggest a more robust stroller that has better features and is able to hold more cargo. The UPPAbaby Minu, as an instance, comes with many of the same features similar to its G-Luxe and G-Link cousins but is smaller and folds more quickly. It is also slightly more durable than an umbrella stroller, and comes with a cushioned strap to lift some of the burden off your shoulders.
4. Comfortable
It is important to be comfortable when using strollers for long periods of time. Seats that have plenty of padding and a recline system that can be adjusted to different angles are the best. Take note of whether the canopy extends for sun protection and if mesh windows encourage airflow. If you need to carry items with you, consider a model with cups and organizers for parents as well as an enormous storage basket beneath the seat. When you are looking for a travel jogger for older children, make sure to check the age range. Also, consider if your child is at ease in the seat without a car seat.
The way a stroller is rolled is also important. It should be able to move effortlessly across various surfaces that include smooth carpets, hardwoods and shag carpets cobblestones and gravel. It must be able to navigate steps, curbs and other obstacles easily. Pick a stroller that is lightweight when you intend to do a lot of walking during your trip. This will prevent back and leg pain.
A high-quality travel stroller should be easy to use, as well. It should be simple to assemble and snap back together when placed in the correct position. It should also fold flat and fit into the trunk of your car, or the overhead compartments on a plane. It should also be upright when folded, so that you can grab it up with one hand while holding your child in the other.
For parents seeking a top-quality lightweight foldable stroller for travel The Joie Tourist is a great alternative. It features multiple recline positions so that your child can rest comfortably. The canopy that extends can provide plenty of sun protection with UPF protection. It also includes a rain cover as well as a coffee cup holder and footmuff. Charlotte loves that the car seat is suitable for newborns to four years old and does not require a separate adapter.
