BTDT moms: Graco Travel System vs Snap n Go

noelani42 · March 2013

Which is more practical and why?

chrystellerioux · March 2013

With my son I have been using the travel system, which have good points but also have bad ones. What I liked is that you just snap your car seat on the stroller, so you don't really need to get sleepy baby out of the seat. Also well they look good and match, but well that's not big deal. Another good point is once baby outgrow his car seat you have a stroller until he gets older. However, I did not like that it is pretty big, I would struggle when I go shopping because that's huge and it is heavy to put in and out the car.

For the snap and go, I was told that is pretty much the same idea of snap n go, you just put your car seat on it, contrarily to the travel system it is very light weight. Moreover, there are several model on the market that can adjust more than one child (any age) which I personally think is great. On the other hand, my friend that used the snap and go, end up spending more on it as she needed to upgrade it when baby outgrow his car seat. I personally would buy the snap n go, as i already have a baby car seat and have a under 1 baby. I think it will be more practical in my situation.

At the end, it is a snap and go frame versus a travel system of a stroller and car seat. Both do the job, it just depend on your needs and how much you are willing to invest. But keep in mind a baby can outgrow very their seat, my son stop using his by 8 months, but it could go to 1 year old as every baby develop differently.

noelani42 · March 2013

Thank you so much for your response- these points are pretty much what I was thinking

LnR70707 · March 2013

We have both and I used the travel system more because you couldn't access the storage area on the snap n go with the seat in place, and the whole damn thing falls over if you hang the diaper bag on the handle then move the seat. If I could do it again I'd get one single stroller that would work long term and an adapter for whatever car seat I wanted. I'm hoping to get a City Select double this time through...much more pricey, but covers all my needs and has great resale value.

kat81again2 · March 2013

SNAP N GO!!!!

Generally people think the travel system strollers are impractical, heavy, and kind of cheaply made (I've heard ok things about chicco maybe, but definitely not graco). The snap & go is super convenient. You can't use it anymore when the child outgrows his/her infant seat, but then you can graduate them to either an umbrella stroller and/or a jogger or whatever you want as your main stroller...or both if you want versatility. Yes that means getting more than one stroller but I think most people who get a travel system end up also getting the umbrella and/or jogger anyway because they hate the travel system stroller.

ETA: just to respond to other posters -- DS didn't outgrow his infant seat until he was about 18 months old. It goes to 30 lbs and he was in the 30th percentile for height (he eventually was too tall for it). So most will outgrow before he did, but I'd say you can count on about a year if you get the 30lb kind.

Also as for using the basket, you can sort of use it with the carrier in place but for some things yes you need to remove the carrier first. Also we had a macleran one so it's a bit different from the snap & go but same concept.

I was just so happy to have something light and small. We also used it for air travel, etc. Just so convenient overall. The only other stroller we have purchased is a macleran triumph = umbrella stroller so it didn't feel like a lot of purchases & expense. We bike more than jog and got a bike trailer that converts to a jogger if needed.

disneyfan0511 · March 2013

Snap and Go over a travel system. I actually recommend the City Mini, best stroller out there. I orginally had a travel system and hated that thing. It was so bulky and heavy. Impossible to get around. We traded in for the City Mini and it was the best decision ever. I also had a snap and go for quick trips to the grocery story and such, it is convenient but little to no storage, not great for long walks either.

luminousbluestar · March 2013

I had both but in the end I preferred the snap n go. Soon after the baby outgrew the snap no go I ended up using a nice brand folding stroller instead and the travel system stroller just gathered dust.

missbrightside10 · March 2013

MISnJER80:
Snap and Go over a travel system. I actually recommend the City Mini, best stroller out there. I orginally had a travel system and hated that thing. It was so bulky and heavy. Impossible to get around. We traded in for the City Mini and it was the best decision ever. I also had a snap and go for quick trips to the grocery story and such, it is convenient but little to no storage, not great for long walks either.

The City Mini is amazing!!! It is only 17 pounds and you can fold it up with one hand.

I hated my travel system. It was so bulky and heavy!

JocelynB0911 · March 2013

We got a travel system with our first and loved it. Once she started started sitting up on her own and we just went for walks around town or at the mall it was super easy. When DS came along we got a double stroller (DD was only 15 months) and did the same thing. I got an umbrella stroller only because we were out with the single and DD didnt want to walk anymore. it was sooo hard on my back. I am taller and unless the handles can extend or you're shorter they are dumb IMO.

Not everyone's child is going to stay in the infant car seat until they are 18 months. So money wise, I think its better to get a travel system and if you're a jogger they make jogging travel systems as well. Why take up room in your house or garage with a stash of strollers?

kje120 · March 2013

JocelynB0911:
We got a travel system with our first and loved it. Once she started started sitting up on her own and we just went for walks around town or at the mall it was super easy. When DS came along we got a double stroller DD was only 15 months and did the same thing. I got an umbrella stroller only because we were out with the single and DD didnt want to walk anymore. it was sooo hard on my back. I am taller and unless the handles can extend or you're shorter they are dumb IMO.Not everyone's child is going to stay in the infant car seat until they are 18 months. So money wise, I think its better to get a travel system and if you're a jogger they make jogging travel systems as well. Why take up room in your house or garage with a stash of strollers?

I agree with all of this. DS was out of his infant carrier at 6 months because he was too long. Our travel system stroller was perfect because the seat laid flat so it was great for naps while we were out, not possible with an umbrella stroller.

BillysGrl27 · March 2013

MISnJER80:
Snap and Go over a travel system. I actually recommend the City Mini, best stroller out there. I orginally had a travel system and hated that thing. It was so bulky and heavy. Impossible to get around. We traded in for the City Mini and it was the best decision ever. I also had a snap and go for quick trips to the grocery story and such, it is convenient but little to no storage, not great for long walks either.

This to a T! After "test driving" the travel system and the City Mini we went with the City Mini. I am still using it 2 years later! And the fact that it folds nearly flat with one hand, can't beat it!

We did have a Snap n Go and used that a ton when we has in the infant carrier.

ShoeFanatic614 · March 2013

I LOVED my snap 'n go. It was lightweight, I could do it with one hand, had enough storage. Seriously, one of my favorite purchases. I am 99% sure we'll be getting the sit 'n stand this time so I have a place for DD too.

I did not have a travel system but my friend did and I let her borrow my snap 'n go. She also raved about how much easier it was to use with her DD.

They aren't terribly expensive but I bet you could find one pretty cheap on craigslist if you looked.