How did you decide what stroller to buy?

Slobina

Hey ladies.  So, Ruby is almost able to sit up on her own now.  The nanny texted me this morning to say she sat on her own for 10 seconds without falling over.  Wow!  Anyhoo, since she is getting closer to sitting up, I was thinking of getting an outward-facing stroller for her.  Up until now, we have rarely used her stroller.  We have one of those snap-n-go ones from Graco where you can put the car seat right in it.  I used it once a walk, and once in the airport, and the nanny used it all of 2 or 3 times.  I mostly just carry her in the bjorn.

I've started looking around at different options, and it is really overwhelming.  So how did you decide?  Note: I am not a runner, so I don't feel like I need a BOB.

Thanks,

Amy

ali-1411

Go to the store and try them out.  My idea of a perfect stroller is 1) easy to collapse and set up.  Lightweight so I can easily throw it in the trunk 2) cupholders 3) basket underneath.

I had a Graco Metrolite with Jakob and I adored that thing.  Layna has some cheap Graco piece of crap and I hate it because its not as easy to set up.  

MrsMillerTime

ali-1411:

Go to the store and try them out.

Ditto.  BuyBuyBaby has a great selection and the employees are very helpful.  It is also important to think about what you want to use the stroller for - walks around the neighborhood, going shopping, travelling, etc.

Our first non-infant stroller was the umbrella stroller.  We initially planned on it being our "one & only" stroller so we splurged a little and got the Maclaren Triumph (instead of one of the less expensive umbrella strollers).  I will say that we rarely use it now that we have the BOB, but I like having a small/compact/lightweight stroller that is easy for my parents to use when they take DD to the mall, etc.

flymansWife

ditto... not sure about the use yet but we tested them including making sure to collapse them. anything that took too long to figure out/was just way too heavy for me we nixed. being in the store and being able to maneuver them helped immensely in at least narrowing it down (then i did some online research/read reviews/etc)

mrs.wildman

MrsMillerTime:

ali-1411:

Go to the store and try them out.

Ditto.  BuyBuyBaby has a great selection and the employees are very helpful.  It is also important to think about what you want to use the stroller for - walks around the neighborhood, going shopping, travelling, etc.

I have the Babyjogger City Mini and LOOOVE it. I don't think I'll ever need another stroller unless I want to have a stroller in each car. It's definitely heavier than a lightweight umbrella stroller, yet really light for what it is. I can pull it out of my trunk and unfold it all while holding DD in my arms. It maneuvers great and does well on the sidewalk and at the park. Bonus was that it comes in all kinds of fun colors.

labbielover07

We have a BOB and love it... and I'm not a runner!  It is really easy to collapse down, lift in and out of the truck, very smooth ride, you can use it on all different kinds of terrain, gives plenty of shade for DD while out and about, it leans back so she can lay if she wants to, the cover has a little window so I can be looking down at her while we walk.  I love my stroller and it is the only one we have, and the only one we'll ever have.  It will grow with her until she is no longer in a stroller.  

SaraLouiseBride08

I received a Baby Trend Expedition as a gift and am so in love with it! I'm not a jogger, but it manuvers and handles so well, plus I feel like it fits in more places  (restaraunts, shops) than my larger 4 wheel stroller. The basket underneath is big enough even for my diaper bag. My complaint is that the cup holders are too shallow.

If you want a nicer one, I really wanted the Citi Mini jogger, but I like my Baby Trend enough that it's not worth spending the money.

I got the Chicco travel system that came with an infant seat and stroller mostly because it was my favorite fabric. In hindsite, I should have just gone with a solo carseat and a jogger that I could have attached the infant seat to. I did not like and hardly use my Chicco Cortina stroller. It's too big and too heavy.

We also have an umbrella stroller, but haven't used it yet. I'm sure I will, but Olivia isn't really big enough for it yet since we are using blankets to assist her propping up in the jogger. Once she is able to sit up, I think the umbrella stroller will be nice since it's even smaller and quicker to use.

Jogging strollers aren't just for joggers. I think they are great strollers.

ALL THAT said .... you may just be okay with an umbrella stroller. I don't wear Olivia that much, she and I both get too hot. I use my stroller all the freaking time. Shopping, walks through the neighborhood, events around town .... I guess we do a lot of walking! I use my stroller almost everytime we go somewhere. If I wore her more, I'd think an umbrella stroller would be perfect. In any event, it may be the right place for you to start, and then later if you decide you need another stroller, you won't have wasted money (since I hear everyone uses umbrella strollers frequently).

bobcatsteph

We went with the Chicco Cortina travel system to start out with, but didn't use it much at first. I will say that as DD has grown, we've fallen back in love with it. It's easier to maneuver than the BOB we have and it has a snack tray, drink holders, and lots of cargo space underneath.

We have a BOB (that my parents got an awesome deal on via CL) and it's a pain because the front wheel is stationary..it's so hard to maneuver (especially with a 31 lb kid in it).

We also have a Maclaren umbrella stroller and I really like it but we can't even fit our diaper bag in the compartment underneath, it doesn't have cup holders, etc.

fjaril

I puffy heart the quinny line. babies r us has fairly equivalent maxi cosi line.

Really, you need to go play with them. Buybuybaby and Baby earth (round rock) have lots of options to try. 

I just got a bob and am so not even close to a runner and it's super awesome, but it's not as compact at my quinny zapp, it's comparable to the buzz (it folds long). 

the buzz pops up with just a little pressure under the handle bar which is why i went for it. Also, you can take the seat off and turn it to face you or face out. H still fits in it and still loves it. 

the zapp is closer to an umbrella stroller, but folds down very very small. 

both take a baby seat (i think just the maxi cosi or at least when I bought them 3 years ago that was the case), but sounds like little one could easily be in the buzz w/out her seat

anyway, go try em out, and have fun!

Persa

Bobcatsteph, which Bob do you have? Because if it's the revolution, the front wheel can alternate between fixed and swivel.