Travel system - WWYD?

guilletskichuk · January 2013

I'm having a hard time deciding which travel system to purchase. Please help!

Also, we are only considering one of these three systems. I know some of you will comment on other brands etc. but it sincerely won't help us as these are the only three we are looking at.

The travel system I've been looking at from the start is the Graco 'Kinsey' Literider. I like it but it's a bit too much "boy" for me. I kind of wanted something more gender neutral. Although, I think it's more teal/turquoise than blue...so that's kind of neutral. The price is good. I like the brand. The car seat holds up to 22lbs or 29".

https://www.sears.ca/product/graco8482-kinsey-literider-travel-system/3266006000

Then there is the Evenflo Journey 300 in "Pinwheel". Not a fan of the pattern/colour (AT ALL)...BUT...I like that the carseat holds up to 35lbs or 30". It seems like it could be used quite a bit longer. The price is good. I like the brand.

https://www.sears.ca/product/evenflo-journey-300-travel-system-pinwheel/632-000111740-49411235C

Lastly, there is the Safety 1st 'Stratosphere'. I like this pattern the best. I think it's the most neutral. I really like the colours. Like the Graco, it also only holds to 22lbs or 29". Not sure how I feel about the brand though. It's not that I've heard anything bad about Safety 1st. I just feel like Graco & Evenflo have a better reputation maybe? I don't know.

https://www.sears.ca/product/safety-1st8482-stratosphere-travel-system/3266567000

So the cost of each doesn't matter. They're all very similar in price right now (two of the systems are on sale at the moment). They have all of the same features. The only differences are the patterns and the fact that one system could be used longer (although, I'm wondering if I will truly be carting a 30-some lb kid around in a car seat. Is it pointless to get a system that will hold that much weight and height?) What do you think? Please post your opinion below! Thank you!

tilsonc · January 2013

You won't be carrying a 30lb child around in a car seat so don't worry about that part. We bought the Uppababy stroller for its versatility so I don't have much to comment regarding travel systems as I did not do any research on them.

mommysangels · January 2013

First the weight doesn't really matter that much, unless you want to carry a 30lb baby and a 10lb car seat. I'm sure you'll want a convertible by then. Second why does canada have better stuff, lol. Third if I had to chose for myself it would be the Graco. I had an Evenflo aura with my son, it was very nice looking and had all the features I wanted (looks like the one you picked but different pattern) but it was squeaky, hard to push, and just a hassle. I had a graco with my daughter and noticed a huge difference. Never went back. That's my opinion though. If you like the others get them!!!!! I would choose the graco for the features, pattern and safety. I think the pattern is cute and neutral. I would put my daughter or son in it.

KYmama9286 · January 2013

I think any of the 3 are good options- as you said I wouldn't be as worried about having a higher weight limit b/c chances are your baby will outgrow the length far before the 35lb weight max. To give you an idea on baby sizes, DD was around the 50th percentile and weighed 20lbs at 1 year. 22lbs will definitely last you until the baby is 6 months old and possibly all the way to a year or longer depending on how big your child is. Also like you said, once a kid gets to that weight you won't be carrying them in the seat anymore because it is SO heavy. We still have DD in her infant seat but that is mainly for the convenience that an infant seat is easier to transfer between cars than a convertible and its nice to have the option to carry the whole seat inside on the rare occasion she is asleep. It stays in the car 99% of the time though- she has been riding in a convertible seat since about 6 months though in my DH's truck.

We actually have a Safety 1st travel system (this one which is DEFINITELY gender neutral- I've used it with both DD and DS- https://safety1st.djgusa.com/en/djgusa/safety1st/travel-systems/s1-aerolite-lx-premier-travel-system) We had originally registered for a Graco Metrolite travel system but DS was incredibly small at birth (3lbs 6oz) and we needed a car seat with a lower weight minimum and this was the seat with the lowest minimum and lowest strap/harness options. The biggest thing I've noticed between graco seats and my safety 1st seat is that the seat itself seems a little bigger and heavier but it also has a larger size range (at least the seat that comes with the travel system we have). Our stroller is super light also- I would definitely say it compares or is lighter than the graco metrolite.

If I were in your shoes after pushing both a safety 1st system and a metrolite system (my bff has the metrolite system so I have pushed and used the car seat quite a bit). I would choose between one of those. I don't know much about evenflo seats b/c no one I know has one. HTH!

happy_un-bride · January 2013

The big bulky travel systems are NMS, but I would vote for the second purely on appearance.

ebp913 · January 2013

None of these. Find a car seat you like then buy a stroller that can accept that car seat. You don't have to buy them together. Sorry to be a total B but all those strollers are crappy.

I have the Chicco Keyfit 30 and an Uppababy Vista. Tons of strollers work with the Graco or Chicco car seats. What's your budget and what do you want to use the stroller for?

KYmama9286 · January 2013

I know everyone hates on travel system strollers but the metrolite and the safety 1st strollers are not big and bulky. They worked great for everything we needed a stroller for (daily walks, going to the zoo/museum, shopping at the mall, etc.) I'm glad we didn't waste money getting a fancy single stroller since we ended up needing a double faster than we thought we would.

JJ3813 · January 2013

I would pick the 2nd one...on the other 2, it doesn't look like you can adjust the straps from the front (that strap sticking out of the front between the legs). I'm a FTM but my understanding is that is very important, because having to readjust the straps from the back every time you buckle them in would be a pain. Maybe the other 2 have that pull strap and it's not shown in the picture (some graco snugrides have them, some don't)...but it's definitely worth looking into IMO.

macilittle · January 2013

Just wanted to share what I decided. After looking at a ton of strollers "knowing" I wanted a travel system, I decided it wasn't practical since you won't necessarily be removing your carseat with the child inside after infancy. I found the best investment to be what I call a "convertible" stroller. Personally, I chose a Bumbleride. But there are tons of brands that do similar stuff (like the previously mentioned Uppababy).

The stroller I chose has the following settings:

1) there is an attachment to use with our carseat, so it works like a travel system.

2) the stroller bed can lie flat, almost like a bassinet or old fashioned pram. I like this feature for walks around our neighborhood with a small baby without the added weight of the carseat.

3) it can be adjusted to face me (for smaller babies) or face outward (for toddlers who want to explore). There is also a recline for sitting up straight or laying down for a toddler.

4) it will work for up to 50 pounds, making it the only (non umbrella) stroller we will need from birth to small child.

5) inflatable all-terrain tires allow for walking through grassy parks, rocky terrain or just a smooth ride in the neighborhood.

Obviously, a stroller is a very personal choice based on your needs. So, this might not be the very best fit for you...but if you haven't explored these types of strollers, I would recommend looking at them :-). I feel that you get the benefits of a travel system with additional perks that last longer as the child grows.

Good luck!

mcooper014 · January 2013

ebp913:

None of these. Find a car seat you like then buy a stroller that can accept that car seat. You don't have to buy them together. Sorry to be a total B but all those strollers are crappy.

I have the Chicco Keyfit 30 and an Uppababy Vista. Tons of strollers work with the Graco or Chicco car seats. What's your budget and what do you want to use the stroller for?

This. Those travel systems are ugly IMO. I bought the uppababy vista and I can buy an adapter if I want to use the car seat with it.

suzie831 · January 2013

If you aren't on a budget, look into I'coo. Theyre fantastic strollers ans only about 500. Imported from Germany and probably the best 500 I spent so far. Hope this helps!

MrsRCP · January 2013

I got the saftey 1st. Fire department showed me how to properly install the carseat and said they see a lot of these.

guilletskichuk · January 2013

mommysangels:
First the weight doesn't really matter that much, unless you want to carry a 30lb baby and a 10lb car seat. I'm sure you'll want a convertible by then. Second why does canada have better stuff, lol. Third if I had to chose for myself it would be the Graco. I had an Evenflo aura with my son, it was very nice looking and had all the features I wanted (looks like the one you picked but different pattern) but it was squeaky, hard to push, and just a hassle. I had a graco with my daughter and noticed a huge difference. Never went back. That's my opinion though. If you like the others get them!!!!! I would choose the graco for the features, pattern and safety. I think the pattern is cute and neutral. I would put my daughter or son in it.

Ha ha! Just yesterday I was thinking the same about the US! There are far better options at better prices down there. Trust me, I've been looking. Unfortunately, I cannot buy a car seat in the US as it won't necessarily meet Canadian standards. Although, really, I'm sure they're pretty much the same! Blargh! lol

guilletskichuk · January 2013

ebp913:
None of these. Find a car seat you like then buy a stroller that can accept that car seat. You don't have to buy them together. Sorry to be a total B but all those strollers are crappy.
I have the Chicco Keyfit 30 and an Uppababy Vista. Tons of strollers work with the Graco or Chicco car seats. What's your budget and what do you want to use the stroller for?

I already considered doing this and almost ordered the car seat last week (and was going to purchase a separate stroller attachment once the snow melts up here as I doubt I'd use it much before then)...but then the car seat and stroller I had my heart set on went up in price by a huge amount.

Our budget is $200 - $220 which is why we're considering these particular travel systems. I found a lot of really nice ones in the US for much less than that price. Unfortunately, I can't order a car seat from the US. Also, we live in a small town with very little for shopping options nearby. We have been doing this shopping online as it's all we can do right now. These are the systems I like that's in our budget.

guilletskichuk · January 2013

suzie831:
If you aren't on a budget, look into I'coo. Theyre fantastic strollers ans only about 500. Imported from Germany and probably the best 500 I spent so far. Hope this helps!

Unfortunately, we are on a budget. I know there are amazing products out there that cost a lot more than we're able to afford. :S

guilletskichuk · January 2013

MrsRCP:
I got the saftey 1st. Fire department showed me how to properly install the carseat and said they see a lot of these.

Awesome! I think I'm leaning more toward that one now.

Today I received a phone call from an organization in town that is putting on a car seat course and installation workshop at the ambulance base in a few weeks. I will definitely be attending it!

guilletskichuk · January 2013

Thank you to everyone who gave their advice! It's very much appreciated!

DH and I have been considering our options for quite some time now. We weren't sure if we would get a travel system for various reasons.

First, I have plantar fasciitis in both feet and cannot walk for long distances or lengths of time. Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to take a stroller out a whole lot so we were thinking of going without a travel system and eventually getting a stroller that would work with a good car seat.

Next, we live on the Canadian prairies where there is snow on the ground for almost 6 months of the year. I was thinking that we might not be able to make much use of the stroller that comes with the travel system anyways so we were considering going with a stroller attachment that we can get when the snow melts (which would save us some money right now. Instead of buying a whole travel system now, we could just buy a car seat...and get a stroller later on).

Lastly, the town in which we live is quite small and is not stroller-friendly. I know we would just be ducking in and out of businesses and not using a stroller to take inside (no ramps, narrow aisles, etc)...so I thought there might be no use for a stroller (right now, that is).

In the end, DH and I decided that getting a travel system is probably the best bang for our buck so we're going to get one of the three that I listed.

Thanks again for all of your feedback! It gave me a few things to think about!

watermellens · January 2013

If you're just going with those 3 choices, i would pick the first (Graco) because their car seats seem to be the best.

And no you won't be carrying around a 30 lb kiddo in a bucket seat!

mrsmcdonald · January 2013

guilletskichuk:
Thank you to everyone who gave their advice! It's very much appreciated!DH and I have been considering our options for quite some time now. We weren't sure if we would get a travel system for various reasons. First, I have plantar fasciitis in both feet and cannot walk for long distances or lengths of time. Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to take a stroller out a whole lot so we were thinking of going without a travel system and eventually getting a stroller that would work with a good car seat.Next, we live on the Canadian prairies where there is snow on the ground for almost 6 months of the year. I was thinking that we might not be able to make much use of the stroller that comes with the travel system anyways so we were considering going with a stroller attachment that we can get when the snow melts which would save us some money right now. Instead of buying a whole travel system now, we could just buy a car seat...and get a stroller later on.Lastly, the town in which we live is quite small and is not strollerfriendly. I know we would just be ducking in and out of businesses and not using a stroller to take inside no ramps, narrow aisles, etc...so I thought there might be no use for a stroller right now, that is.In the end, DH and I decided that getting a travel system is probably the best bang for our buck so we're going to get one of the three that I listed.Thanks again for all of your feedback! It gave me a few things to think about! :

If you're on a tight budget, consider getting the car seat and a Snap 'N Go stroller. Super light, maneuverable, and inexpensive. I hated the travel system.

guilletskichuk · January 2013

mrsmcdonald:
guilletskichuk:
Thank you to everyone who gave their advice! It's very much appreciated!DH and I have been considering our options for quite some time now. We weren't sure if we would get a travel system for various reasons. First, I have plantar fasciitis in both feet and cannot walk for long distances or lengths of time. Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to take a stroller out a whole lot so we were thinking of going without a travel system and eventually getting a stroller that would work with a good car seat.Next, we live on the Canadian prairies where there is snow on the ground for almost 6 months of the year. I was thinking that we might not be able to make much use of the stroller that comes with the travel system anyways so we were considering going with a stroller attachment that we can get when the snow melts which would save us some money right now. Instead of buying a whole travel system now, we could just buy a car seat...and get a stroller later on.Lastly, the town in which we live is quite small and is not strollerfriendly. I know we would just be ducking in and out of businesses and not using a stroller to take inside no ramps, narrow aisles, etc...so I thought there might be no use for a stroller right now, that is.In the end, DH and I decided that getting a travel system is probably the best bang for our buck so we're going to get one of the three that I listed.Thanks again for all of your feedback! It gave me a few things to think about! :
If you're on a tight budget, consider getting the car seat and a Snap 'N Go stroller. Super light, maneuverable, and inexpensive. I hated the travel system.

We were seriously considering this but the car seat and stroller we were looking at a week ago went waaaay up in price so it's out of the question now.

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