Babble Best: Lightweight Strollers


BEST OVERALL: UPPA BABY G-LITE
The G-Luxe won top honors earlier this year, and we are once again doling out praise to this brand. Staring with storage: the G-Lite actually stores STANDING UP--giving our front closet some semblance of order.

The G-lite is solidly built and our tester stayed cool and comfortable in the seat on a 90 degree day. Plus, there was a drink holder for our iced tea or baby's sippy cup. On bumpy terrain the 8-pound G-Lite can't compare to the plush ride of the 17-pound Bee, but you can fold this trim ride it in a matter of seconds and toss it over your should with the carry strap.

Gripes: Wimpy wheels and where's the rain shield?

 $129

DATE:
April 2009/May 2009

TESTER:
Nicole Feliciano

TESTING METHODS:
24 strollers unpacked and put through their paces. The main tester was a 16 month-old with a penchant for trendy wheels. Factors we took into consideration were portability, handling, safety, passenger comfort and ease of use.

NOTES:
The JPMA is the best source for recalls and safety tips for all baby gear including strollers. It's always a good idea to label your stroller and store in a dry, protected environment.

MOST DEPENDABLE: MACLAREN VOLO

Lightest of the light, this workhorse will carry up to 55 pounds of kid (beating out most other competitors) and weighs under 9. Nice work on the updated looks and improvements to the seat's comfort and looks.

$125

BEST UNDER $100: GRACO IPO

The IPO is snappy to fold and unfold and delivers a sturdy ride well beyond it's price category. Did we mention the excellent brakes? The one feature we quibble with is the fabric on the reclinable seat. While it may be easy to clean, it left our baby tester sweaty.

$99

MOST STYLISH: TEUTONIA

Personalize just about everything on your stroller--from the wheels to the color of the canopy for a truly custom ride. With 22 color and print options and accessories, such as the handmuff for mom, this is a fashionista dream come true.

Drawbacks: Finger pinched (required a bandage) on assembly, bulky to store (it doesn’t fold flat with seat attached). Frames start at $425; seats and accessories are additional.


Runners Up

INGLESINA ZIPPY
The 2009 fully restyled Zippy is chic, user-friendly and fully loaded (foot muff, storage bag, etc). Wish it would fold with the canopy in place.

$349

MIA MODA FACILE
Long, ergonomic handles are a dream for tall parents. Sadly a stiff ride, testy harness buckles and low seat back height made passenger tester crabby. Also seemed heavy (15 lbs) for the lack of frills.

$75

PEG PERGO SI
A handsome, brand new model that folds into a compact parcel complete with a toting handle. The rickety ride and frustrating unfold operation left us cold. Plus, we needed pliers for assembly.

$309

MAXI COSI
A slim stroller that accommodates the Maxi Cosi infant car seat. Dislikes: Requires two hands to open, a bear to get up curbs and instructions say not to use recline feature with baby in carriage.

$199

DELTA ONYX
A full feature stroller (looks a lot like the Zapp) with a recline feature and decent storage. Uncomfortable handles and very stiff fabric keep this from rating higher.

$149

JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT BY KOLCRAFT
Applause for the free-standing storage and one-hand fold. Didn't care for the "crunchy" stiff seat fabric, but it is hard to argue with the price.

$59

ZOOPER TWIST
Canopy a tad bulky, but on the whole extremely well-designed (fabrics were quite luxurious)--a nice place for a kid to chill. Drawback the basket was hard to reach and this was tricky to fold.

$148

JOOVY KOOPER
Smart storage solutions, roomy seat and responsive brakes caught our attention. Recline mechanism is on the fussy side and it has a messy fold

$199

CHICCO LITEWAY
Just missed being best value--a great stroll for the money. If you are willing to spend more for the Chicco, you'll get a boot cover, nifty storage features and sharp style.

$129

MUTSY 4RIDER
Bulky (19 lbs and 45" long) for a light-weight category. The huge wheels deliver a smooth ride and could even tackle the beach sand. One of the only strollers we tested that works with a bassinet.

$595

VALCO LATITUDE
Tripod design is stable and easy to push. Slightly heavy (19 pounds) gave us some trouble on stairs and we found the styling dark and drab.

$299

COMBI COSMO
Skinny tires and testy brakes made us wary. The seat sits low to the ground; our tester could kick the wheels. We did like one-hand steering and the folding mechanism.

$129

Second Opinions*

*All "Second Opinions" data is taken from online sales.

TOP 5 AMAZON RANKED

GRACO SNUG
RIDE FRAME

$59

CHICCO C6
 

$69

JEEP ALL
WEATHER

$65

COMBI HELIO
 

$149

EVENFLO XSPORT
Discontinued Model

$62

TOP 5 BESTSELLERS ON BABIES R US

CHICCO CAPRI
STROLLER

$69

GRACO
METROLITE

$139

MACLAREN
QUEST

$219

COMBI COSMO
 

$129

MACLAREN
TRIUMPH

$169

TOP 4 ON GIGGLE

MACLAREN
VOLO

$145

BUGABOO
BEE

$529

MACLAREN
QUEST

$245

MACLAREN
TECHO XT

$315

 

TOP 5 ON TARGET.COM

GRACO
LITERIDER

$59

GRACO IPO
 

$89

CHICCO C6
 

$69

COMBI HELIO
 

$149

EVENFLO
JOURNEY

$79

TOP 5 ON WALMART.COM

JEEP CHEROKEE
SPORT

$58

GRACO IPO
TWIN

$169

GRACO IPO
 

$89

CHICCO C6
 

$69

COSCO SORIA
 

$39

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MEET OUR TESTERS


Nicole Feliciano is a freelance writer based in Brooklyn, New York. By her estimates, she's walked more than 50 miles this year road-testing strollers. When she's not unboxing baby gear for Babble guides, she writes about parenting style on her blogs: Momtrends and Momtrendsnyc.com.


Kate Bayless is a freelance writer, manuscript editor and sole source of estrogen in her house of two toddlers boys, husband and dog. Visit her at katebayless.com.