Babble Best Picks:
Strollers
One of the biggest purchases for your baby is the stroller, riddled with safety, style, and status issues - as well as affordability, of course, considering some strollers climb above the $1,000 mark. The choices and questions are seemingly endless: How do you accommodate your newborn without wasting money on a short-lived purchase? What are the features you absolutely need? Are luxury strollers really worth it? Can you find a good stroller in the $100 range?
To make your search easier, Babble assembled and test-drove over 30 of the newest strollers - from lightweight umbrella strollers to all-terrain joggers - to find the best of the best for every budget, geographic location, and age group. Did we miss one? Nominate your
favorite stroller here.
BEST OVERALL | Bugaboo Cameleon
Shocking, right? Bugaboo landed at the top of yet another "Best Of" round up. We know the Bugaboo Cameleon seems a bit expensive for many people, but it's truly the only stroller you'll ever need to buy.
Included in the hefty price tag is a stroller that accommodates newborns through toddlers, saving you from buying multiple strollers. The Bugaboo Cameleon (appropriately named for its variety of color choices and customizable features) comes with a newborn bassinet and a seat with various levels of recline, literally accommodating any age.
It's more lightweight than the typical full-service stroller and has infinitely more features than the typical lightweight stroller, pretty much making it the stroller to end all strollers. In fact, the Cameleon was the single most maneuverable stroller we tested - ideal for city sidewalks as well as bumpier paths. It includes everything you'd possibly need in one design: The handlebar reverses so the larger wheels can be in front to handle all-terrain paths, or the smaller wheels can be in front to maneuver around sharp corners and tight spaces. Also, an infant bassinet comes with the stroller (not sold separately as an accessory), which adds to the longevity.
The only downside? You have to remove the stroller's seat before folding it, so it isn't a one-handed process. However, to be fair, the seat can be removed with the slightest push of a button, and the frame and seat fit more compactly than most all-terrain strollers.
Runners Up:
BEST UMBRELLA | Bumbleride 2010 Flite Stroller
Aren’t umbrella strollers the same thing as lightweight strollers? Yes, in fact they’re the lightest strollers you can possibly buy, weighing less than 15 pounds. What sets umbrella strollers apart is their unique extra-compact fold, perfect for running errands and traveling. And while they can also be the most inexpensive strollers around, today’s umbrella strollers aren’t the traditional thin, plasticky strollers that provide no support or storage whatsoever.
Out of all the umbrella strollers we tested, the Bumbleride Flite had the best balance between minimalist style and functional features. It was one of the most maneuverable umbrella strollers we tested – riding smoothly, feeling sturdy, and being quite supportive for our little ones. We also like that the Bumbleride reclines (almost fully), the footrest is adjustable, the sun canopy has decent coverage, and the interior feels cushioned and plush. The storage could be better – you can’t expect much with an umbrella stroller – but we like that the storage basket is designed to be accessible from the front, which means you can still have access when the seat is reclined. Weighing in at 13 pounds, the Bumbleride Flite is compatible with 8 different car seats as well as the Bumbleride carrycot – giving you serious longevity. And while it’s by no means an all-terrain stroller, you can lock the front wheels for bumpier pavement or grass. More features we love: a cupholder comes with (which most umbrella strollers don’t have) and a child’s snack tray can be bought separately. We especially love that the stroller has an automatic lock and carry handle, making it perfect for travel.
Runners Up:
4 Responses to “Best Strollers: Bumbleride 2010 Flite Stroller”
Features
I disagree here; I have a joovey, and the sunshade is much larger (very important in a sunny place), and the shopping basket is very large for an umbrella stroller. It, too, reclines almost fully, and has a nice storage pocket on the back, as well as 2 mesh pockets inside for the child to stash a water bottle and toys. It is cheaper than the Bumble and comes in a lovely apple green!
Does anyone know how the Flite compares to the Uppababy G-Luxe?
I disagree. The stroller does not recline enough and the canopy is way too small. Per the owner of a store carrying Bumbleride, McClaren & BOB, customers looking at the Flite usually opt for the McClaren. After lots of looking – there are better stollers out there.
So what are your poachsophilil views on slings? They allow you to have both hands free, and you don’t have to worry about crushing other peoples ankles. Apparently there is some bad news out there about a particular brand of baby slings that has been erroneously spread to all types of slings ever used in the course of human history. So if you are doing research, keep your guard up.