Let's talk strollers...too soon?

Prncesta

I'm stroller obsessed...I currently have 1 baby and 3 strollers ( a bugaboo cam, a BMW Maclaren, and a City Mini jogger) I already want 3 new ones for baby #2 but I need to be practical here...I'm debating between the vista and the bugaboo donkey...we live in the city so the donkey might be hard to get in and out of stores but it's such a gorgeous stroller!  And then I definetly want the new Iglesina Pram in blue (since it's a boy) which is so impractical since it doesn't fold...

what to do?  Is anyone else stroller obsessed or has anyone thought about which stroller they'll be getting and why?  I need ideas for a double! 

ajn092

I'm stroller obsessed too!  I'm not (too) ashamed to admit that I started researching before I got pregnant.  The Vista seems like a great choice.  We were looking at Vista but decided against it since we only need a single stroller and the Vista is pretty heavy.  If we go with Uppababy we'll probably end up getting the Cruz.  One of my concerns with the Uppababy is that it won't fold if you have the toddler seat facing parent.  So you may have to take child out, turn the seat, then fold it.

Have you looked at Mamas & Papas (not sure if they can do double) or at the Muv strollers?

I'd be curious to see what everyone's must have features are...bassinet options? Full recline? Reversible?

kcl219

I would love to hear stroller opinions too.  My son has refused to be pushed in a stroller since he was like 18months.  Of course now I'll need one, I'm wondering if there are any good ones out there for an older child (he's 4 now) and a baby.  I bet once he sees his younger sibling getting pushed he will want a ride lol, and I'll want a space for him.  

ajn092

@kcl219 a kickboard might be a good option for your son.  It probably wouldn't be a good solution if he needed to be on there a long time but might be good for the shorter trips...

LeahKnits

Currently I also have 3 strollers. I have three kids right now, 4 yr old, 2 yr old, and 10 month old. I've never bought a brand new stroller, all of mine were second hand. I have an older Peg-Perego single that I love. It converts to a bassinet, and is very handy when we go to the lake for the day. Really easy for baby to nap in it. It fits in the back of my van when it's folded up, but it takes up most of the space. I also have a cheap umbrella stroller that was $5, but I barely every use it. I also have a double jogging stroller. I don't love it, but it does the job and it was only $15 at a yard sale. There are a few things I don't like about it. It doesn't turn very easily, the kids can reach each other so the 10 month old pulls the 2 year old's hair, and it doesn't through normal doors. So if I walk somewhere like the library, I can't bring it inside. 
I am planning to get a new double stroller soon. I'm getting the Joovy Ultralight Caboose Graphite. It comes in red! This one - https://www.amazon.com/JOOVY-Caboose-Ultralight-Graphite-Stroller/dp/B01BMAW0M2/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1457990466&sr=8-1&keywords=joovy+caboose+ultralight+graphite
It's a sit and stand, but there is an additional seat you can buy to put on top of the sitting platform. So it's 2 forward facing seats, one behind the other. I knew I could only buy one stroller and this one fits all our needs. I wanted something that was compatible with our infant carseat, and with space for two babies. Our youngest will only be 16 months so she needs to have a seat in the stroller. I'm really excited to get this stroller. It's going to be so great for us. 

Prncesta

@ajn092 we originally had a vista with our first and sold it for the simple fact that the rumble seat didn't recline, which they now fixed with the new models.  We love uppababy.  They're great for the money and very appealing to the eye too.  Have you checked
out the bugaboo bee?  I love that one too and would love to eventually add it to my collection.  

@kcl219 I agree, you should probably look into a glider board to attach for your older son.  I think it's a good option for older kids who hate to ride in strollers although I do also agree that I'm sure once he sees the new baby in a stroller, he'll want to go in also.  

Prncesta

@LeahKnits that one looks great!  You're probably a stroller pro with 3 little ones!  Do your two older children still like to be stroller or they prefer to walk? 

KimmySchmidt

I'm also getting a Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. They just updated the line this month. It's like 22 lbs! I'm sold! I'm planning on putting my now 18 month old in a seat in back until she's really ready to use the sit n' stand part. 

I never had the money for a uppbaby or a bugaboo, but I LOVED our city mini and will be saving it for when we're ready to go back down to a single stroller.  I used one of those car seat frame strollers at first, which was super convenient.

We started with a peg perego vela stroller which I do not recommend. It was light, easy to fold and unfold, comfortable for the baby and everything but MY GOD it did not handle well. I felt like such a fool in public, the stroller would just not go in the appropriate direction.

Prncesta

@KimmySchmidt lol you literally just had me dying with your peg prego story!  I just got the city mini over the weekend, some how I scored it for $119 at target and I couldn't let it go for that price, even though I totally did NOT need another single stroller. I convinced myself it's good for exercising now since the bugaboo isn't a jogging stroller and neither is the Maclaren...if I do get the Vista, I will either wait for 2016 models to come out and go to buybuy baby and try to score one from 2015 on clearance or get a second hand one on Craigslist in pristine condition.  I paid full price for my original vista and decided I will never do that again lol there's so many great stroller deals out there, you just have to be patient and look! 

LeahKnits

@Prncesta I would not call myself a stroller pro. I just know what I want, because I've had what I don't like before. My 4 year old does not like to ride in a stroller. Which is good, because there's not room for her.  The 2 year old usually wants to ride in the stroller but then sometimes wants to go running with her big sister. And since we usually use the single stroller, there isn't room for her either. I'm hoping to get my Joovy soon, because the sit/stand option with be perfect for her. She can sit if she wants, or she can jump off and walk. 

KimmySchmidt

@prncesta Just imagine some idiot running into every damn clothing rack at target, walking 20 feet forcing stroller even though the front wheel is totally perpendicular to the direction the stroller is moving, and then saying "fuck it", tilting it back on the rear wheels and letting baby wheelie out of the store in shame.

ajn092

@Prncesta I have looked at a couple Bugaboo models and they're not quite what I want - plus they're a little pricey for our budget.  I have a very specific list of "must haves" and it's hard finding them all in one model.   

anneb644

We also have the Uppababy Vista and love it. It's sturdy and versatile and I really liked that DD can face both directions.  DD always sat/slept well in it and we used the bassinet that came with it extensively for the first four months or so. I've briefly looked into the options for adding a second seat and they look good to me. So, no new stroller for us.

estellegetty

OMG I have literally spent entire nights up looking at strollers since I'm about a minute pregnant! As soon as I got sold on one (city mini FOUR wheel) they went and DISCOUNTINUED IT!!! Ugh the audacity! 

Since we we live in the city our "must have list" is some what different than all of my friends. I guess we will go with the Uppa vista although I am NOT a fan of how heavy it is -- geez I'm totally going to have guns lugging not that up to our walk up apartment!  

fiorip

Does anyone have other recommendations besides the pricey models that have been mentioned? I'm not looking to spend so much...

618mom22boys

I just got (won actually) a Quinny Yezz.   I'm not so sure how I like it though as it doesn't recline.  I had a mclaren liteway with DS3 that I loved but I sold it. 

CRich15

I think we are going with the Chicco Bravo LE. We have the Britax B-Ready with our youngest with the second seat and loved it but it was majorly beaten throughout its 4 years of use and I have since gotten rid of it. 

LeahKnits

@fiorip what are you looking to spend? Have you checked craigslist? There are often strollers listed in my area for quite a big cheaper than the new price. 

izzetoot

I have a Quinny Buzz stroller and LOVE it.  I was stoller crazed before I had my first and am happy I spent the extra dough on it.  Its also the only stroller thats compatible with Maxi Cosi, which is the car seat we will reuse for baby #2. Its the smallest most compact stroller I found (its about the same size as a mini shopping cart) is super light and folds down and pops open super easy.  It flips around both rear and forward facing and completly reclines. Its also very light and fits perfectly into the back of my small SUV with lots of room to spare!  

PSUBecky23

@fiorip love my city mini. You can get older models for under $200. 

Will likely just get a glider board to attach for when number two arrives. I'll be wearing mostly, early on, and my daughter rarely uses the stroller anymore. 

kosmo86

so far all I know is I want a jogger. I don't need the 'best' and I don't think I will be actually jogging a lot but I do enjoy walking and really want something I can use a lot outdoors. 

camichael84

We have a BOB stroller, which we will keep for when we want to use a single stroller, and plan to get the Chico Cortina Together as our double stroller. It seems like a nice tandem stroller that isn't outrageously expensive.

PSUBecky23

It's going to be hard to find a running stroller that also works for an everyday stroller because the running strollers don't fold up easily. Have to take the front wheel off our running stroller to fold it up and even then it's big and bulky. 

KimmySchmidt

PSUBecky23 said:

@fiorip love my city mini. You can get older models for under $200. 

Will likely just get a glider board to attach for when number two arrives. I'll be wearing mostly, early on, and my daughter rarely uses the stroller anymore. 

It looks like you can buy brand new 2015 models on amazon for $200. I guess they just came out with a couple new colors, it doesn't look like the features are any different. 

I got mine on random sale on amazon for $175!

KimmySchmidt

kosmo86 said:

so far all I know is I want a jogger. I don't need the 'best' and I don't think I will be actually jogging a lot but I do enjoy walking and really want something I can use a lot outdoors. 

Don't get a graco fast action jogger. Mine sucks and I hate it. 

Get one with tires that don't need air!

fiorip

@LeahKnits I want to keep it under 200 since I don't think I'll use the stroller a lot. I want somethin portable and light. 

@PSUBecky23 i'll look into the city mini. Thanks 

frogdog06

DH and I went baby gear shopping and he really liked the Uppababy Cruz. I am petite, so the Vista was out of the question.

@smallinetta they're coming out with a new baby jogger at the end of this month, the City Premier! It's four wheels with a bigger basket. If it weighs less than the Cruz, I will consider it.

EmilyandMike08

I have a Donkey and LOVE it. We live in a major city and walk quite a bit.  We rarely put it in the car or fold it, I imagine if you were doing that daily it would be really unwieldy.  It easily fits through standard doors. I will really miss my side basket when #2 arrives though! 

estellegetty

@frogdog06 you just made my day! I will have to look into it.  

estellegetty

Never mind the city premiere is also 28 lbs the reason I loved the city mini four wheel is because it was so light. I need to quit my day job and make my own damn stroller! 

kosmo86

KimmySchmidt said:

kosmo86 said:

so far all I know is I want a jogger. I don't need the 'best' and I don't think I will be actually jogging a lot but I do enjoy walking and really want something I can use a lot outdoors. 

Don't get a graco fast action jogger. Mine sucks and I hate it. 

Get one with tires that don't need air!

Thanks! It was in my list but I have heard bad things. I am thinking about the city mini about the same price as the graco on amazon but its supposed to be much much better. I guess the big difference is the graco comes with a lot of things that the city mini does not like a car seat adapter, a child tray and a parent tray. 

SLou24

I'm gonna be totally honest here-- all of this talk about stroller brands, diaper bags, etc makes me realize that I know absolutely nothing about any of this!! I'm over here just trying to figure out how to get dressed every day with my changing bod, and I feel like everyone else has everything for baby figured out already! Anyone else feel lost like me? 

Not trying to whine, just being honest about how little I know and it's kind of terrifying! 

618mom22boys

Ladies tell me if this is a good trade.  I am talking to someone about trading my Quinny Yezz for this Pram 

PSUBecky23

@SLou24 with my first pregnancy, I knew nothing and was totally lost. Highly recommend Lucie's List. Great reviews and she breaks everything down in a really usable, understandable way.

marajay6

@SLou24 - you are not alone.  With my first, I was completely overwhelmed with all the stroller options.  It was worse than buying a car! Maybe start your research on something a bit easier before graduating into stroller shopping...

Sbrown721

I'm thinking a stroller with a cup holder is a must? How about one to hang a purse or is it still necessary to put your purse in the basket? (I nannied for years and just had to use whatever strollers the families had).

vampirina

@SLou24 - I'm with you! I'm over here like stroller? I'll probably just grab whatever one goes with my car seat at Target. But now I'm rethinking that idea, but still feel so lost!

SaraJuul

Strollers are an item that I've found you get what you pay for! Granted I use them a lot but we've been through 4.

First we got a regular travel system stroller--Just get a jogger, even if you don't run it's a much smoother ride. We replaced it with a Graco Jogger the following year, because it would still work as a travel system with the infant car seat (also Graco). I should mention we bought a Baby Trend jogger before the Graco and returned it the next day. I went on one run and it shook uncontrollably. The Graco Jogger lasted about a year and a half then I went for a run with it and the ball bearings in the front tire spilled out everywhere on my Run. I called Graco and they actually sent a replacement--Great customer service!

When we had our second son I started looking at double joggers...and they are pricey. I did a lot of research and saw that Schwinn's actually got great reviews...a new one will run you ~$300-~400, but I looked on Craigslist and found one for $150. I've had it a year and love it! After the first I've really realized gently used is just as good as new.

ajn092

@SLou24 I agree...it's very confusing.  I find it helpful to watch videos on the strollers.  Both the marketing types from the manufacturer and the review videos from baby conventions and independent stores.  For example, if you Google Uppababy Cruz vs. Mamas & Papas Flip review, there is a 13+ minute video from a baby store (I think somewhere in NJ) where a salesperson demonstrates every single feature.  It was helpful to see that the Flip had a handle so it could be carried easily with 1 hand when it was folded.  Or you can see that with the Flip there is a truly lay-flat option (not just an almost flat - which is helpful for changing poopy diapers in an emergency and for sleeping).

jackiel1987

I'm lucky and got one from my sister. She's pretty crazy when it comes to getting the right thing and is willing to spend more than I am. She gave me a Chicco Keyfit car seat with two bases and it just pops right into the stroller. The less things I have cluttering up the space, the better. She has a boy and it's green. I don't know what I am having yet, but I think a girl would be ok in a green and grey stroller. It's like this, but without the jogger and a different color. LINK. 

jackiel1987

@SLou24 I hear ya! This is my first. All of my friends already had kids so I know I can go to them if I ever feel completely clueless. I've never been the type of person to be baby crazy and I'm not super into baby stuff.  ( kind of surprised to find myself on baby forums to be honest!).That's why I'm glad my sister gave me a car seat/ stroller combo. It makes so much sense but I probably wouldn't have thought to do that. I'm not poor, but I am definitely frugal and plan on spending as little as possible. I'll gladly take hand me downs.