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3rd Trimester
Travel system vs. Snap n go stroller?
So we can't decide between a travel system or a carseat with a snap n go and then a nice light-weight stroller when the baby outgrows the carseat.
I've done a TON of research, as far as reading reviews on products. But I flip flop every second - there are pros and cons to both.
We feel like the travel system strollers are all heavy and bulky, but would be convenient to take to stores and on walks, have the nice extras, and really aren't THAT heavy - we could live with it. But some people have said that by the time the baby is out of the carseat, they opt for the light weight stroller anyway, so it's almost like they never use the heavy one again. We're considering the Chicco travel system.
With the snap n go, you get the light weight, compact benefits, maybe lose out on a smoother ride and obviously the life of the stroller is shorter but then you switch to the light weight stroller and you're set.
I'm pregnant with my first, but we plan on having 4 or 5 children, so I want to get something that will last and be most beneficial in the long run. Also, any opinions on 22lb. vs. 30-35lb weight limits on carseats? Is it better to just switch to convertible when they get too heavy to want to carry around anyway?
Thank you! 
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Travel system vs. Snap n go stroller?
If you are going to have 4 or 5 kids one negative to think about with the travel system is that the carseat might expire before you can use it with all of your kids anyway, so you would have to replace the entire thing. With a snap and go you could always just replace the carseat with something new that will still fit in the frame.
Skip the travel system! I hate it! LOVE the snap n go!
If you are planning to have kids close together in age, my #1 recommendation is to get the City jogging stroller. It is very expensive, but it converts to a double stroller very easily! You can also purchase a car seat adapter for it as well.
Right now we want a stroller that we can snap the infant seat into AND have DS ride in, and that's the best one out there. I wish we had just spent the money on the single stroller when I was pg with DS1; then we'd just have to buy the second seat!
I didn't even think of that! Good point!
If you plan on having more children and particularly close in age, I'd go with the snap n go based on thinking you're probably going to end up buying a double stroller anyway.
I prefer the bigger weight limit for the infant car seat. Although your kiddo will get too heavy to be carried around for outings, there are many times that they fall asleep on the way home. Having the option to muscle the carrier inside to let them finish napping is awesome and we did it a lot.
I had a snap 'n go with my DD and never once wished for a travel system. For long walks we had a BOB Revolution (with carseat adapter when she was little). The combo was perfect. Once DD was out of her infant seat we purchased a MacLaren Triumph for her lightweight "everyday" stroller.
Most of my friend's travel systems become carseat storage units. IMO, if you are going to have a heavy, bulky stroller then it should actually be rugged (eg: I can take my BOB running, on the beach, out in snow, etc) or a double.
I love the Chicco Cortina travel system. LOVE it. DS is 4 and I used it all the time. (I still occasionally use it for trips to the amusement park). I will use it again with this next LO.
Yes I needed a new car seat, but MIL bought it.
I had the travel system with my first and I sold the stroller in a garage sale. Way too bulky.
When we had #2, I got a Phil n Ted's because its a single AND a double, a jogger and can be used as a travel system. Best money I ever spent on baby gear. I absolutely love it - granted, its also big, but when you have two stroller-age kids, everything is and it was the more compact of the options.
Now that my older two kids are not really into the stroller anymore, I will be using a Snap n Go for the baby and then will go back to the Phil n Ted's or our umbrella stroller when she outgrows the infant seat.
That is what works best for me... if you are planning on having your kids close in age (mine are 19 months apart), I would consider the Phil n Ted's or the Baby Jogger City Select so that you won't have to purchase a double stroller later - just do it now and use it as a single, since those two stroller offer that option. Those two strollers are the most compact doubles I've ever seen and both can be used with infant seats.
As far as the weight limit on the carseats, I would go with the lighter weight Snugride (22 lb)... First, it gets better safety ratings, and honestly, a baby that is bigger than 22 pounds would be really uncomfortable in an infant carseat that goes up past 30 pounds. (For example, DS is 2 and just now weighs 32 pounds and he's in the 87%. He would hate life more than anything if I made him lay down in a carseat.) Plus, you would never want to carry around a 25 pound baby, plus a 15+ pound carseat - that's about 40 pounds to carry in addition to your purse or baby bag, etc.
We are going with the snap n go.
I originally bought a 35 lb rated car seat but it was too big so we returned it and bougt the 22lb seat. The 35 lb car seat didn't fit in our car and was really heavy--let alone with a baby in it. I figured I won't be carrying the seat once the baby reaches 20 lbs anyways. I've also heard that alot of babies grow to tall for the 35 lb rated seats making it pointless.
You can replace just the car seat with a travel system too. The pattern may not be the same, but it'll still fit. All of Graco's car seats fit their strollers so you can mix and match.