lets talk strollers, i can't decide

jeannaqueena

I have the snap and go for the infant stage, but I need one for once he starts sitting up.  I want a stroller that has cup holders for me, adjustable handle height, a good size basket on the bottom, DH wants it to be able to fold up small (I can't see this happening they all seem huge!) of course we want one that is lightweight....am I asking too much?

Which stroller are you using and why?

Karen1998

I don't know yet (I'm afraid to look this early), but after seeing the ones all over Italy, I plan to get a smaller one like those.  The American ones are HUGE.  I've seen way too many moms struggling to get those monstrosities through doorways.   It seems to me that less is more on those things, especially if you're traveling with the kiddo alone, though I can understand wanting a cup holder.  Handle height is also huge for me, as I'm considerably taller than most women.  Maybe look at Peg Perego?  That was a popular brand over there.  If I remember right, it's Italian and has good ratings, though the last time I looked at the ratings was when one of my girlfriends registered for it for her first child - that child is now 7. 

I also saw a lot of older kids (4-6 year olds) riding in strollers, which we don't see here often.  They usually rode in an umbrella style stroller, though it seemed more sturdy than the cheap umbrella ones you find here.  I'll probably get a big stroller for when the baby is so little and then a smaller one for more versatility when I need to haul less stuff.    

kateisgreat

After going out with my sister and her baby a few times with her stroller, I completely agree with the things you want.  However my sister did say she wished she also had a little stroller with no frills that folded up small for when she didn't need to cup holders and basket at the bottom.  

eminbmore

If money isn't a huge concern, you should check out the Uppa Baby Vista, it's an amazing stroller and does/has all the things you're looking for.  It's hard to find a great stroller with an extendable handle (DH is 6'4", we had the same problem).

olivia_eve

Hmmm, that's hard.  A lot of those bells and whistles aren't available on lightweight strollers that fold small.

We have two strollers- a Maclaren Volo, our light umbrella stroller that has a pretty good size basket, and a BOB Revolution, which is massively large but is my favorite stroller with a lot of bells and whistles.  I don't know many people who have just one stroller, because it is hard to find one with all the features you want.  

I will say that personally, I never found a travel system stroller that I liked, they were all really heavy and hard to maneuver.

Brady1*

We got a Chicco travel system. It has everything you're looking for and you can use the car seat in the snap and go (we got one too). It's small enough to fit into my 2 door civic and I can open and close it with one hand. Also it stands upright which is nice. 

DH is 6 foot 2 and I'm 5 foot 1 so something that worked for both of us was important, this was it. It has cup holders and a nice sized basket.  

Clerk9

While I don't actually have a stroller yet (& haven't even "test driven" any), I did a bunch of research during my previous pregnancy.  And this is the stroller I decided I wanted:

https://us.maclarenbaby.com/toddler-buggies/quest-sport?lang=en

(Sorry, but I can't make it clicky on my Mac!)

I don't think it has cup holders.  Or adjustable handles.  So maybe it's not the one for you.    But it's lightweight & adjustable &, I believe, had high safety ratings.  And it has a basket.     

GL with your search!!! 

Ernie52408

After much debate and research I think we're going to use this one:

It's the Kolcraft Contours Options 3.

I like that the seat reverses so it can face you. It also comes with a car seat attachment so you can use it like a Snap and Go. The basket is huge. It is the only one that works for both me (5'3") and DH (6'4"). DH loves it because the wheels are set far back enough that he doesn't kick the basket while walking.

GL! I think we've spent more time and research on the stroller than in buying our car!

celestej619

After a lot of research through Baby Bargains we decided to go with the Graco Metrolite (we also have a snap and go for when LO is really teeny). The main reason we went with it was the fact that it's lightweight and something I can handle on my own. I've heard that travel systems can be a hassle and too bulky so that scared us away from those. It also has a nice sized basket and cup holders.

I'd definitely suggest going to BRU or somewhere where you can check them all out in person and play around with them a bit. Also if you have Baby Bargains it has some good reccomendations based on your lifestyle and how you'll be using your stroller. For us we live in the suburbs and drive everywhere so this one also fit our lifestyle well.

magdalina.h

We have the Chicco Cortina travel system. Honestly, the best thing to do is go to the store and play around with them. 

catngar77

The citi mini or citi elite if you trail walk are awesome!

MrsManning10

Clerk9:

While I don't actually have a stroller yet (& haven't even "test driven" any), I did a bunch of research during my previous pregnancy.  And this is the stroller I decided I wanted:

https://us.maclarenbaby.com/toddler-buggies/quest-sport?lang=en

(Sorry, but I can't make it clicky on my Mac!)

I don't think it has cup holders.  Or adjustable handles.  So maybe it's not the one for you.    But it's lightweight & adjustable &, I believe, had high safety ratings.  And it has a basket.     

GL with your search!!! 

This is the one that we are going with too!  I got the last years model at BRU (which is the *exact* same) and it was on clearance for an additional 30% off, so it ended up only being $147.  (Here's a clicky https://www.amazon.com/Maclaren-Quest-Sport-Stroller-Champagne/dp/B003JQLFWE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1293747635&sr=8-1)

I think that Clerk is right... It doesn't have cup holders or adjustable handles, but it is a pretty good size and folds up small.  It got great reviews in Baby Bargains, which is one of the main reasons that we went with it.  They said that it is very durable and will last through more than one child (which they say many other travel system strollers won't), and that a lot of times you can get value out of them when you are done through a consignment sale or something.  

If this helps at all, we are getting this cupholder/organizer thing, too.  We tested it out at the store, and it fits it perfectly.  You wouldn't want to put cups in there without a lid, but it seems like as long as you have a lid (or a waterbottle of some sort) you will be fine.  Plus, I like that it had the extra storage right there for your cell phone/keys/wallet/etc.   https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3515238&fromRegistryNumber=46201707&product_skn=603867   

Good luck with it!  I thought that the stroller search and selection was the most overwhelming part of all the baby shopping!  More than car seats and everything...  

jeannaqueena

Thanks everyone!! This really does help.  We did go to BRU and we looked at some but I got overwhelmed and we weren't purchasing yet anyway (MIL has promised a stroller). I am going to have to take a longer look at these strollers, but I feel like these are closer to what we want (the uppa is amazing, but prob out of the budget)!

Abby~LOVE that cup n cargo thingy!!  That really does open the door for other options.