What's your thoughts on travel systems??

georgia3 · June 2011

I found a good deal on the chicco cortina system and have read good reviews. Anyone else looking for/bought a travel system yet?

Hopefull11 · June 2011

I got a travel system for my ds, and love it! It's still the only stroller that we use. This time around I will be getting a double stroller that I can snap the car seat into also.

BandMsMom · June 2011

I just got the chicco cortina system as I got an awesome deal at Babies R Us. I had a Graco Metrolite that I used for the last 2 but after 2 kids and 5 years it has finally met its match. The chicco systems now seems to have all the same features that the Graco system used to have but no longer does. Most Graco systems now don't even have a full recline seat so be careful and make sure you test everything.

LMH1209 · June 2011

I thought I definitely didn't want a travel system, but we ended up getting the Chicco Cortina/Key Fit combo and really like it. The car seat was easy to install, and I've installed ours in multiple cars and on an airplane, with and without LATCH and with and without the base. I also really like the stroller for walking around our neighborhood.

The stroller is big, though, even when folded, and I rarely took it in our old compact car because I could barely squeeze it into the trunk. Even in our new Accord, the stroller takes up most of the trunk space.

Most of the time, I take our umbrella stroller (an UppaBaby G-Lite) if we're taking the stroller in the car. (In the early days, I took a frame stroller - a Maclaren Easy Traveller - in the car to use with the car seat. The Maclaren got kind of mangled after going through a second round of use with friends, so I think I'll get a Baby Trend Snap n Go to use early on for car trips with this baby.)

bergs720 · June 2011

I'm not sure why people hate travel systems. We got a Graco one on sale at Target for DD#1 and it's been great. Even though we now have like 6 strollers (mostly given to us) we use the one from the travel system most often. Mostly because it has a tray and DD likes to eat snacks out of it and I like that it keeps her from trying to escape a little better.

When we were shopping the Graco and Chicco ones were recommended the most for price and safety

GoldenPeaches · June 2011

I plan on getting a snap and go (used on a moms group), and a budget jogging stroller for later. I didn't like how the travel systems handled compared to the jogging strollers. DH also pointed out that anything a 4 wheel stroller can do, a jogger can do plus more. We plan on getting a jogging stroller with a swivel or lockable wheel to add to the versatility.

ETA: buying both of the above is cheaper than buying the Chicco travel system as well. We are still buying the Chicco car seat.

lageorgiapaperie · June 2011

I bought the Graco Alano Flipit travel system the other day, can't wait for it to get here!

I like the idea of the travel system, especially when LO is super small. The Alano also has a 50lb weight limit for the stroller, which is 10lb more than most I've seen.

MrsT624 · June 2011

We had the Chicco Cortina travel system for DD. I really liked it, especially the ease of folding and unfolding the stroller. This time we are getting a double stroller and reusing the car seat, but I have no complaints or regrets about getting it in the first place.

jordanebeaulieu · June 2011

We love having a travel system. It is very nice to move a baby from car to stroller without needing to wake the baby.

skleidon21 · June 2011

I dont hear good things about them.. Alot of people I have talked to said they are just wayyy to big.

getnmarried910 · June 2011

We got one with our first baby almost 5 years ago. We have used it so much we are hoping the stroller gets us through one more. We replaced the carseat only because the rubber on the handle started coming off because of our own carelessness, but otherwise, it was wonderful!!! We have three other strollers (and have had others that we didn't like), and depending on where we're going, we use them all pretty frequently.

Nichole06 · June 2011

Hopefull11:
I got a travel system for my ds, and love it! It's still the only stroller that we use. This time around I will be getting a double stroller that I can snap the car seat into also.

Yes This. Except I don't think we will get a double stroller since ds will be 4 when this lo arrives.

MissBHaven1024 · June 2011

I loved having a travel system with DD, and I intend to buy one with this baby also. I have a friend who also purchased the Chicco Cortina system, and she loves it!

kissthenkill · June 2011

We got a travel system and will get also get a jogging stroller down the line. I really liked the travel system because it seemed like the best option for outings to the zoo, fairs, etc. There is a tray for the baby, cup holders for mom and dad, and plenty of storage space. All of the more compact strollers either didn't offer all of that, or if they did they were way out price range for what we wanted to spend.

Cherryblossoms07 · June 2011

We bought a travel system for DD and love it. I love the stroller and the fact that the car seat snaps into a base in the car and the stroller. We plan on using the system for the next LO also.

capulet · June 2011

I've mainly used two strollers with DD: a Graco stroller frame for her carseat when she was little, and a Maclaren Volo (the lightest Maclaren, about 10 lb.) since she was six months old. The travel systems are a good all-in-one solution for some people, but weight and bulk are really issues for us, so they're not an option I considered. I have been able to carry DD in the Maclaren up and down the front steps of the house we used to live in before she could walk herself (no way I was doing this with a 25 lb. stroller!), fit it in our compact car with all our other stuff when we go on road trips, and sling it over my shoulder when I take DD up and down subway stairs, as we visit NYC occasionally. It doesn't have all the features of a travel system stroller, but I'm willing to compromise for flexibility.

Becky&Barrett · June 2011

I had a travel system with DH and the stroller took up too much room in my car, I didn't have enough room for groceries, shopping trips, luggage if on vacation, etc. I didn't really use it that much. With DS2 I used the snap n go (pictured in pp) and loved it!!!!!! I then switched to a fancy umbrella stroller as I call it (Combi brand) and DS2 loved it....he's walking now and hates being in a stroller...lol. I an contemplating a sit and stand this time around but will most likely use the snap and go again.

Becky&Barrett · June 2011

lol...I just noticed I said I had a travel system with DH instead of DH1....prregnant brain is the worst...lol.

MrsKatieK · June 2011

georgia3:
I found a good deal on the chicco cortina system and have read good reviews. Anyone else looking for/bought a travel system yet?

After doing a lot of research, I am planning to get the Chicco Cortina system. I really fell in love with the car seat/base and how easy it is. And then some nice guy at BRU gave me a quick demo of the stroller and pointed out a number of features that I hadn't discovered on my own.

Where did you find the good deal? The best price I've found so far is at Burlington Coat Factory. The color selection is limited, but the whole system with car seat and one base is $270 (compared to $329 at BRU), plus you can get a 20% off coupon if you sign up for their emails online, bringing it down to $216.

MrsT2008 · June 2011

We won't be getting one. Most people I know who have one wish they didn't. I will get a snap-n-go and then get a jogger type stroller for when the baby is out of the infant seat.

Kelly1109 · June 2011

With DD we looked at the travel systems and they just seemed so big and bulky. We have a snap and go stroller that I used more for shopping - it was easy to manuever in and out of things and you just snap the carseat carrier into the stroller, so its really easy. Then we also got the BOB with the carseat adaptor for longer walks, traveling, etc. Now that she's older we also have a Maclaren umbrella stroller. So far they've all worked out really well. We'll just reuse those for this baby. Although might look into the BOB duallie.

06hoky · June 2011

If I didn't already have a stroller as a gift than I'd be seriously looking into a travel system. I do however want the snap'n'go as well because I think it will get a lot of use.

indomesticbliss · June 2011

I bought a Chicco travel system at first, and while it has its upsides, we are a really on-the-go family, and the stroller just didn't cut it. I upgraded to a BJ City Select when we found out #2 was on the way (can add a 2nd seat) and I wish I had just gotten that first. It handles SO much better than the travel system. Personally, I would suggest a BJCS, Uppa, or Phil and Teds and buy a car seat and adapter. You can find ALL of these for great prices for "last years model" on sites like Zulilly, Glit, etc... or in store, or even on eBay. I bought my BJCS on eBay, brand new in box 2011, for less than my chicco travel system....

just my suggestion.

FWIW, I loved the chicco car seat and will be using it still. We also own a jogger and are buying a BOB Duallie for the 2.