Travel System or Car Seat & Stroller?

amesmichelle

I've read Baby Bargains and the edition I have says go for car seat and stroller not a travel system.  Travel system seems a bit easier to pick out but I also know some are heavy.  What are you gals doing?  Suggestions?

WaitingForMyMiracle

SnugRide and Snap 'N Go!

If you're unsure- go to BRU or Baby Depot and pull out the travel system. Take it for a stroll around the store. Then, take the car seat out and snap it into the Snap 'N Go stroller. Now take that one around.

I'm all about the Snap 'N Go!

afg

I am doing a stroller and car seat seperate.  I don't like the travel systems in my price range, and they do seem to be a bulkier stroller.

Soon2BMrsN

We have the Graco SnugRide and plan to get the SnigRider frame for it as well as a jogging/walking stroller.  Travel systems are sooo bulky and unnecessary, IMO.

seaturtle19

I am so interested in finding this info out too.  I have been doing so much research and from what my girlfriends with kids have preferred is the stroller and car seat instead of the travel system due to bulk......but i need additional help as well!!!

Mrs.Carlybella

we picked the stroller we loved, and it has compatability with certain carseats, (many do- you can buy the adapters) so we are making a travel system out of it, without going under the name 'travel system' and having our choices restricted

lzybeanie

Travel System...I debated the merits of just using a car seat and a separate stroller, but in the end the convenience of just being able to lift the entire seat out of the car and plop it on the stroller won out. It seemed so cumbersome to have to take the baby out of her carseat every time I left the car (like on errands where I'd be getting in and out). I understand this will have to happen eventually, but it's just more convenient in the beginning. I understand the concept of saving money, though. So in order to do that I ended up going with a convertible car seat that goes all the way from rear facing to forward facing to booster seat. So I won't need to buy another car seat ever.

ETA: I thought of going with the snap n' go as well, but then it just seemed to me that you're spending more money. Because the snap n' go is only good for the infant car seat - so about a year at the most - and then you'll need a stroller anyway. At least when you're done with the car seat, the stroller in the travel system is still useable. I'm not criticizing those who went with the snap n' go...I can definitely see the benefits. If you're really worried about weight, definitely check out Graco's line of MetroLite travel systems (if you are leaning towards a travel system at all). They're generally less expensive, and they are super-light. My friend and SIL each bought one and they loved it.

ladymeg

I've been battling this for weeks. I think we've decided to do a stroller (the Jeep Liberty) and a car seat. I wasn't comfortable with the bulkiness of a travel system and knew I'd probably end up with a snap and go anyways when I'm out by myself. Then I knew we'd buy a 3 wheeled too b/c I need it for my walking/jogging and for park trips and such. So to me, the stroller of the travel system would pretty much be a waste when we'd be buying 2 others to make it all work.

zoieglow

Car seat and stroller - the Bumbleride Flyer with a Chicco Keyfit infant car seat.

I really don't like travel systems. They are heavy and harder to manuever.

buckswife08

we're doing the Chicco Discovery Travel System. i originally didtn want a big, bulky travel system but when we went to see it in the store, we realized that they make them so light now and they maneuver so well. we really like that it's very neutral and we've heard RAVE reviews from many people. most importantly, it's ratest one of the best/safest car seats out there.

nolebride

We're doing an separate car seat, snap and go and stroller. I like the idea of the snap and go when the baby is little and then moving up to the reg stroller when he's bigger.  The travel systems just seem so heavy and bulky. I also don't think BB gave the travel systems very good ratings.

mavilabride

We're doing car seat and stroller.  The travel systems are too bulky for my little car and even though we also have 2 SUVs, the baby will be mostly in my little car.

MidwestTexan

We got a car seat and stroller separately, but they are the same components you would get in a travel system (the price was just cheaper to buy them apart instead of together).

Mrs.Priester2b

buckswife08:

we're doing the Chicco Discovery Travel System. i originally didtn want a big, bulky travel system but when we went to see it in the store, we realized that they make them so light now and they maneuver so well. we really like that it's very neutral and we've heard RAVE reviews from many people. most importantly, it's ratest one of the best/safest car seats out there.

We picked out the same one.

Mrs.Carlybella

i should add, that the stroller we picked (quinny buzz), the whole seat comes out with the push of 2 buttons, and the car seat snaps in- so it is small and not the car seat on top of the seat seat bulky

alli&pat

MidwestTexan:

We got a car seat and stroller separately, but they are the same components you would get in a travel system (the price was just cheaper to buy them apart instead of together).

ditto this - we made our own travel system.  i highly recommend testing them out for yourself.  i did not find the stroller we picked to be big or bulky at all.  it maneuvers really easily.  plus, all of my friends use their "travel system" strollers frequently - even when baby has outgrown the infant carrier.  we've also registered for an umbrella stroller for quick trips when he's bigger but i can see us using our regular stroller quite a bit. 

2BWEDN2007

With DS, I registered for a Snap and Go and Chicco Key Fit 30 car seat and I am thrilled that I did. It was so much easier. The snap and go is incredibly lightweight and folds up much easier than a travel system.

We were originally going to go with the Chicco travel system, but after "test driving" all of them through BRU I found they were incredibly heavy, bulky and not very easy to fold and store.

We ended up going with the other option and were extremely happy with our decision. I was actually so happy with it that I am considering the Sit N Stand for the new baby and DS.

EmmaRain

We're doing a 3-wheeled stroller that I can use from birth - 50 pounds, plus the infant carrier bar to hold the carseat in.

I was a nanny for awhile, and I found travel systems to me a big pain. They were always too bulky and had plastic wheels that don't do well on bumpy surfaces. If you drive a car (not an SUV or van) they take up the entire trunk. All of the bulk is just unnecessary imo.

I prefer a jogging type stroller with wheels that are more like tires. Those strollers work well anywhere, and you won't need to buy an extra umbrella stroller or jogging stroller later on.

CubsGirlNYC

We are either doing the Uppa Baby Vista or the peg perego switch. Both have the infant seat that can be removed, so we'll just store it until we need it, and then it's not so bulky. I really want the Uppa Baby but it's a few hundred $ more. DH and I are both tall though and it's great for that.

ChiShanona

We spent at least 2 hours looking at strollers, car seats, and travel systems and this is what we decided. 

Graco Travel System ($269) vs. Graco Seperate Stroller and Car Seat ($308)

Graco Deco Travel System ($269) -- The car seat that comes w/the travel system will last you until the baby is 30 lbs.  You probably won't want to lug around the carrier at that weight, but at least it can be used in the car for that long.  We guessed that would be at least a year of usage.  The stroller part of it holds up to 50 lbs, so that will last you at least till the child is 3 yrs (again, we guessed on this).  We messed with it for a long time to see how we felt collapsing it and adjusting all the straps and features and once we got the hang of it, it was fairly easy.  The stroller is a pretty manageable weight.  I felt I could lift it in and out of the car easily (and I'm a wuss).

Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe Stroller ($179) -- Has basically the same features as the travel system except it doesn't come with the carrier/car seat.  Holds child up to 50 lbs.

Graco CozyCline Toddler Car Seat ($129) -- Weight Minimum is 20 lbs, so what are you going to use before that?  Weight Maximum is 40 lbs, so you're really only getting 10 lbs more usage than with the travel system and then you still have to buy a bigger one.

We looked at a lot of brands and also really liked the Chicco system ($299), which was recommended by 2 other sets of parents in store while we were shopping.  It was a little bit lighter weight and less bulky.  But in the end we opted for the Graco b/c the features were all comparable to the Chicco and we liked the style of it, which had so many other items that matched.

Sorry that was so long.  Hope it helps!

sept9thbride

We are going with the Graco stroller frame and the snugride car seat and then getting the Graco Metolite for later on. The reason is that the stroller frame only weighs 7 lbs as opposed to 23 lbs for the travel system stroller. Since she is due in June and we'll be out and about a lot during the summer, I wanted something that was easier for me to get in and out of the car while I'm home from work for 2 months. We'll use that system until she grows out of the infant seat or gets too heavy to carry in and out of the car with the infant seat. Then we'll move onto the regular stroller which is still only 17 lbs.

slhall730

zoieglow:

Car seat and stroller - the Bumbleride Flyer with a Chicco Keyfit infant car seat.

I really don't like travel systems. They are heavy and harder to manuever.

My two picks!!!

Elena&Dylan2008

We went for Combi stroller which weighs 13lbs and has a carrying strap, and the infant seat that clicks into it. Its so awesome! I'm very petite so it was #1 on my list to get something I could actually left daily without killing myself. Some of the travel systems I couldnt even lift, thats absurd in my opinion. But I love my Combi, eventhough I havent gotten to use it yet. I highly recommend!

sherthebear

we are doing a car seat and stroller. We are getting the BOB revolution, I wanted an all-terrain stroller and getting the car seat adapter to make it a travel system with a Graco snugride 32. Along the line we will get an umbrella stroller as well. My friend is giving usher snap and go, so that will be or lightweight option for the mean time.