Travel Systems, worth it?

jeanla4c · April 2011

At first we were going to get the Graco Quattro Tour Reverse, but now aren't so sure...and are questioning if the travel systems are worth it? What has been your experience? TIA.

SoonToBeMrsDTS · April 2011

If I could do it over again I would get a snap-n-go with an infant seat and then a smaller stroller like a Maclaren. The travel system is so big and bulky. I used my cheapy umbrella stroller more than I used the big one once DD could sit up. Before that she was in the bjorn more than the stroller.

JKM416 · April 2011

I agree with the PP (except the part about the Bjorn because DD wasn't a fan as an infant). I registered for a Chicco travel system for DD, and we've gotten plenty of use out of the stroller - like for day-long outings because it's more comfortable and has more storage, and I used it for walks before we got a jogger. So it's not as if it has gathered dust and was a waste of money. But I wised up and got a Baby Trend snap-n-go for DS and it was such a good decision. Fits in my car better, is lighter, and is much easier to maneuver. And we've used our Chicco Capri stroller so much more than our Cortina - it has survived 3+ years of daily use and is still going strong. So I say go with a snap-n-go and then invest in a quality lightweight stroller (with a few more bells and whistles than the Capri) a few months later...you can find good deals on both on Craigslist.

On the other hand, everyone loves their City Minis, which I think technically are travel systems because you use the same stroller the entire time (...maybe? I didn't research them much...). But I'm happy with our set-up, and it has served us well. I'm not changing anything for #3.

Kewliegirl · April 2011

SoonToBeMrsDTS:
If I could do it over again I would get a snap-n-go with an infant seat and then a smaller stroller like a Maclaren. The travel system is so big and bulky. I used my cheapy umbrella stroller more than I used the big one once DD could sit up. Before that she was in the bjorn more than the stroller.

Dear Jeanla,

I agree with DTS.Go with a SNG and a "fun" stroller.

The system was the biggest waste of our money. I had regretsies 95 percent of the time I used my system. Because I was somewhere at the right time and right place, I got it brand new for a really, really good price, and it was gender neutral (black/white with red trim). Those were the only things going for me. The nearly two years I used it (with an umbrella and babywearing), it disappointed me.

If you think two might be in your future, check the Phil&Ted line. I was given one recently and LOVE that I can put both the infant and carseat and the toddler in it.

Stroller holler,

kewliegirl

rnin02 · April 2011

We actually liked our travel system. But we only had room for one stroller, and only money for one as well, so the light weight graco travel system was best for us, he can still fit in in 2+ years later, the basket underneath and the cup holders came in extremely handy, and it was good for "all terrain" when walking the dog (we didn't have sidewalks for our entire walk routine). Sometimes we used the Ergo to walk the dog, go shopping, etc, but we didn't use that 100% of the time. I think if we had more room (to store more than one stroller) or the spare cash to buy smaller strollers as he got older it might not have been the best fit. It is a bit awkward to maneuver when folded, but it is light weight, just kind of long. It is easy to push and maneuver when he is in it, and overall I am happy with it.

vtkgirl77 · April 2011

I found the travel systems to be bulky. We also used the Snap-n-Go when DD was an infant. Once she was no longer in the infant carseat, we started keeping a Maclaren Volo in each of our cars. That stroller is super lightweight and easy to fold and unfold.

At home we have a jogger stroller that we keep in our garage for long walks in the neighborhood.

jeanla4c · April 2011

Thank you, really helpful!

WinesNotWhines · April 2011

Everyone told me not to get a travel system, so I didn't. We have a BOB Revolution jogging stroller with a carseat attachment and a Maclaren umbrella stroller. Those two strollers have fit all of our needs.

doggylovr · April 2011

we got one because I HAD to have everything match for some reason (car seat/PNP/swing etc) total first time parent mistake!!!...it is so bulky, DS was born in December so we didn't use the stroller much at the very beginning but as soon as we did, i ended up buying a snap and go off craiglist. Now we do use the travel system but thats only because we have it and don't really have room for an additional stroller in our house. If i had to do it all over again, i would NOT have gotten the travel system and just got a snap and go and a lightweight stroller...

HTH

mssaint · April 2011

Take this with a grain of salt as LO is only 3 months old, but based on feedback on this board and the nurseries and gear board, we got a City Mini with the carseat attachment, and have been very happy with it for walks and errands. The one-handed fold is awesome and it fits in the trunk of my very small car even with a few bags of groceries (and the dry cleaning that has been in my trunk for almost a year). We just store it in the trunk rather than the house--we have a few pretty steep steps to get into our house, so we can't put LO in the stroller in the house anyway.

victoria1212 · April 2011

we avoided the travel systems too. The snap and go was great- we also have a City Mini and BOB Ironman but they are both collecting dust because DD has refused to be in a stroller since she could walk.

We could have survived with the snap and go and the $20 umbrella stroller from Babies R Us just fine.

vtkgirl77 · April 2011

One other thing to think about is trunk space in your cars. That's the other reason we like the Maclaran Volos for when the baby is older is because they don't take up much room in the trunk.

Artslvr · April 2011

I don't know - I actually really like our Graco travel system. It's really held up through three kids. I don't find the stroller particularly bulky or heavy. We do have an umbrella stroller as a back up (and also have a double stroller - talk about bulky/heavy).

One big advantage for me is the stroller we have from the travel system is one handle going across, which umbrella strollers don't have, and it's easier to maneuver one handed. I took an umbrella stroller on a plane trip one time with just me and DD #2 and I said never again. Having to lug stuff in one hand and trying to push/steer the umbrella stroller one-handed with the other hand was aggravating. The Graco stroller is sturdier, and to me the "steering" is better than our umbrella stroller. Though I think the Snap and Go thingy probably has one handle all the way across.

My question about the Snap and Go though is you only use it with a carseat, right? So you end up having to buy a stroller anyway?

In conclusion, I wouldn't go so far as to say "OMG YOU MUST HAVE A TRAVEL SYSTEM!" Sounds like you could go either way and make it work.

tracy042206 · April 2011

SoonToBeMrsDTS:
If I could do it over again I would get a snap-n-go with an infant seat and then a smaller stroller like a Maclaren. The travel system is so big and bulky. I used my cheapy umbrella stroller more than I used the big one once DD could sit up. Before that she was in the bjorn more than the stroller.

100% this. I did really like my travel system but it was just not necessary and I would have appreciated a MacLaren so much more once she was sitting up on her own.

Hey Jellisy · April 2011

gtown_bride:
Everyone told me not to get a travel system, so I didn't. We have a BOB Revolution jogging stroller with a carseat attachment and a Maclaren umbrella stroller. Those two strollers have fit all of our needs.

We too went with a BOB with infant attachment and LOVE it. With 2, we know have a city mini double. DH was a little annoyed at me for getting 2 expensive strollers (I maintain they are middle of the range price wise) but the ease of navigation, ease of folding, and fitting in my Prius was really important to me.

Beijaflorju · April 2011

mssaint:
Take this with a grain of salt as LO is only 3 months old, but based on feedback on this board and the nurseries and gear board, we got a City Mini with the carseat attachment, and have been very happy with it for walks and errands. The one-handed fold is awesome and it fits in the trunk of my very small car even with a few bags of groceries (and the dry cleaning that has been in my trunk for almost a year). We just store it in the trunk rather than the house--we have a few pretty steep steps to get into our house, so we can't put LO in the stroller in the house anyway.

We basically did this. I found that the Citi Mini with the carseat attachment was a great buy. I hated that I would only use a snap-and-go for as long as DD was in the certain carseat. We have very little storage in our house, so I didn't want something that would take up space after a year or so.

We ended up doing the Citi Mini with carseat attachment (it's so easy with the one-hand fold, very light, and easy to store and go in and out of the car), and then later got a BOB for jogging/everyday long walks.

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