Do you know that the travel industry has opened its arms to travelers with baby, now more than ever? The travel industry was one of the most impacted sectors of Covid-19 and they’re ready to reclaim popularity with a new audience – YOU, the new parent who’s a passionate traveler! If you still have your doubts, head to my blog where I address the burning question – Is traveling with a baby a good idea.
To aid in your journey, they say strollers are your best friends. But let’s face it… the options, the features, the price – it gets overwhelming to select the best travel stroller for your baby.
But let’s begin from the very beginning. What is in it for you?
Do you Really Need a Travel Stroller?
If you travel in the ‘out-and-about’ style, with a packed itinerary of sightseeing and exploration, a stroller will be God-sent for you and your baby – keeping comfort, safety, and commutation in mind.
If you are exhausted with the mundane routine of parenting, and need a break, where you would just be sitting by the pool, sipping your favorite cocktail, not really venture out of the hotel premises… you need to still place your baby somewhere safe and accessible. The baby stroller is your best bet in this scenario too!
Honestly, it will depend on your style of travelling. But, a baby stroller for a traveling family does make sense in every way. Moreover, long gone are the days when strollers just meant a basket with handles and wheels. The best travel stroller of today offers so much more.
If you buy the wrong stroller, you’ll end up with a cranky baby, a tired parent, and an unusable heavy luggage during your travels. Now that you know what’s at stake, better do your due diligence and R&D, right?
Whether you already own a baby stroller and are looking for a travel-friendly refresh, an upgrade; or you are ready to embrace parenthood soon and researching your way through, trust this article as your friend, philosopher, and guide. In this piece, we will shed light on every kind of stroller there is, for you to make an informed decision, when the time is right.
What are the Different Types of Strollers?
While the strollers are a bulky luggage, know what you exactly need. Indeed, there are smart ways to travel with a baby, and with the best travel stroller, half the battle is won!
Note: I have referred to amazon.com for the relevant images of the different types of strollers.
Full-sized Strollers
These generate the highest ROI. You can use them from Day 1 till your child is a toddler. They have 4 sturdy wheels, ample room in the storage bin, a sun-shade umbrella, and padding in the basket/bassinet. They can also be fully reclined, ideal for newborns who cannot support their head upright. The best part about full-sized strollers is how they grow with your baby, transforming from a bassinet to a seated stroller as needed.
However, the biggest limitation of these strollers is their bulky nature, making them not really travel-friendly. Also, they’re not compact when folded, which makes it difficult when on the road.
Source: Amazon.com
Source: Amazon.com
Mid-sized Strollers
These are almost the same as full-sized, except that the basket, storage bin, and overall size is smaller. This is helpful for families travelling with a newborn, since most mid-sized strollers can be fully reclined. They can also be much better stored when folded, which makes it better for travel and commute. Maybe that’s why this category is arguably the best travel stroller. Additionally, they offer the strength and durability like a full-sized stroller.
The main disadvantage of a mid-size stroller is its lack of room.
Compact/Lightweight/Umbrella Strollers
The next size that is available in the market is the smaller and more compact Lightweight Stroller. It’s also called an Umbrella Stroller since it folds into a small compact piece of luggage, much like an umbrella.
It’s important to note that these strollers are handy, much lighter than the full-sized or mid-sized stroller, and also much more economical. These factors perhaps make them the best travel stroller.
However, the truth is you cannot use these strollers for a newborn, as they don’t recline fully. Additionally, the lighter seat and smaller wheels can be uncomfortable to sit and maneuver at the same time.
Source: Amazon.com
Source: Amazon.com
Double/Triple Strollers
This is a great investment for families with twins or two or three kids close in age. Since the strollers come with four or six large wheels, there is good support at the base. Also, since the seats face forward, placed next to each other, there is an even distribution of weight, making it easier to push.
However, owing to their greater width, such strollers are difficult to move through busy streets, tight aisles, and even the sidewalk. Additionally, such strollers are hardly suitable for newborns, as most models don’t fully recline.
Jogging Strollers
This is perhaps one of the best inventions in baby mobility. You can now make your baby part of your fitness journey with these strollers. They have modern features like strong and durable tires that are air-filled and also a front wheel that swivels and can be locked for enhanced stability when the parent runs in speed. Also, the shock-absorbing suspension of the seats create easier movement on all terrains. Finally, the best part is an adjustable handle, which helps in making your run ergonomic.
However, the key disadvantages of these strollers are their expensive nature and wheels that can be flat.
Source: Amazon.com
Source: Amazon.com
Convertible Strollers
A convertible stroller is another great investment for families with more than one kid. There is an adjustment that lets you add an additional seat, and sometimes, even hold 3 kids, where a skate-board-like attachment at the back for the oldest child to stand on when using the stroller. This can be a great replacement to a double/triple stroller, and be much more pocket-friendly. They often come with reversible seats, letting you to face your kids forward or towards each other. Great for bonding, isn’t it!
However, with these strollers, the weight can be unevenly distributed, causing difficulty in mobility and maneuvering. Moreover, the back seat might have limited leg space.
Modular Travel System
Well, I saved the best for last. According to me, this is perhaps the best investment that you can make in the stroller department. If I were to declare, I’d call this as the best travel stroller.
It comes with a modular setting which marries the best features of the mid-sized stroller with the advantages of a reversible stroller. It has a detachable car seat which makes it so much easier to carry your baby when on the road. It’s great for newborns as well as toddlers, it’s durable and with good brakes and suspension.
However, the key limitation such systems come with is their technology. With a wrong click here or a bumpy ride there, these systems can lose their alignments and become difficult to carry.
Source: Amazon.com
Now that you’re armed with the education on the different types of strollers, here’s a list of real suggestions that stood out in the market in 2024.
Graco Ready2Grow LX 2.0 Double Stroller Features Bench Seat and Standing Platform Options
BBB Says: #1 Best Seller for families with two kids
Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Easy Fold Compact Toddler Stroller and Baby Stroller for Travel, Large Storage Basket, Multi-Position Recline, Convenient One-hand Fold, 13 lbs
BBB Says: Great for travel, as it has a one-hand fold
Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System with LiteMax Infant Car Seat with Anti-Rebound Bar
BBB Says: Best option for Infant Car Seat and Stroller Combo
UPPAbaby Vista V2 Stroller – Convertible Single-To-Double Stroller System
BBB Says: Good investment for travel, as it comes with Bassinet, Toddler Seat, Bug Shield, Rain Shield, and Storage Bag
Summer Infant, 3D Mini Convenience Stroller – Lightweight Stroller with Compact Fold MultiPosition Recline Canopy with Pop Out Sun Visor and More – Umbrella Stroller for Travel and More
BBB Says: Travel-friendly and compact with different reclining positions
Okay, I’ll be honest with you.
There’s not really anything called the BEST or PERFECT Baby Stroller, but more about what is BEST or PERFECT FOR YOU. However, these suggestions come from a parent who loves traveling and knows a great stroller, when I see one. I know the game; I love the game. I work round the clock to ensure that my baby gets the best in the budget that I have.
Now that you’ve reached till here, I thank you for the partnership, and wish you the best in your quest for the Best Travel Stroller FOR YOU!
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