Are travel systems really that bad?

[Deleted User] · June 2014

I'm just now starting to research bigger ticket items like strollers and car seats. My best friend who has two young children has used a travel system for both, and her only complaint is that they are heavy. However this complaint came with the 3-wheel jogging style stroller travel system, which I'm not looking at anyway (I don't jog), and those are apparently heavier. Anyway, in looking at strollers online, the travel system just seems like the easiest route to go, but when I came on the Bump looking at threads on the topic the consensus seems to be all-around negative. I'm just wondering if they're really all that bad? They seem so much more convenient to me because it's all in one, and also possibly more cost-effective because I don't have to buy a separate adapter if I want to click the car seat into the stroller. I'm a FTM by the way, so definitely new at this and feeling a little overwhelmed by all my options. Any and all opinions welcome!

MrsL2B · June 2014

We got the Britax system with the B-Agile stroller. It's lightweight, compact, easy to fold, and maneuvers easily.

ladybug0088 · June 2014

We plan on buying the Britax B-Agile stroller and the B-safe car seat. These have great ratings across the board and several of NY girlfriends have highly recommended the system to me too. I'm sold!

slsl509 · June 2014

I kept looking for these all-in-one solutions when I was a FTM and experienced moms talked me out of them. They told me it was better to have separate items you like for each stage rather than items that you sort of don't like for different reasons at different stages.

I ended buying a snap and go stroller for when DD was younger which was really nice and compact and lightweight. When she started getting too big to lug in the bucket seat and when she was no longer content to be in it, we went to a jogger - I don't really jog either but they handle better on most terrains. We also have an umbrella stroller for when we don't want to lug the jogger, but since we got a van, that's less of an issue than when we had a sedan.

So we ended up with 3 strollers vs 2 (would have bought a jogger and an umbrella regardless) for an extra $60. I have nothing to compare to but am happy with what we did because each stroller works the best for each of its specific uses. I think that is the rationale behind why people don't like the travel systems - the same stroller really isn't ideal at all stages.

BreandMikewedding · June 2014

I used a travel system with both my LOs and plan to with this one. Mine is pretty light weight. My ds was little and in a car seat I used to take his seat off the stroller and while holding his seat in one hand fold up the stroller with the other. I would then lift the stroller with one hand to put it in the car. I use two hands now that I'm pregnant just to make sure I don't strain myself (and ds isn't in a infant seat anymore so I have two hands). I wouldn't use a snap and go because there were plenty of times when my kids were babies that I would just have them in the stroller and not in their car seat but I like that you have both options with one stroller. We got a cheap (like $15) umbrella stroller when my ds was about 1 and we use it on occasion. I would say we still use the travel system stroller the majority of the time. Ds is 2 and the car is his cryptonite so he is asleep a lot when we get places. I just put him in the stroller and he continues to sleep. When he wakes up I just lift the seat. I had a graco both times and loved them. My Dh wanted a sturdy stroller, so we tested them all out and it was down to a Chico and the graco we got. I knew someone who got one of the lighter graco travel systems and the buckles were very hard to snap and unsnap. It may take a couple of hours, but go try each stroller and see what you like. We pretended we were putting a baby in and buckling, un-buckling, taking the seat off the stroller, everything.

LightBright515 · June 2014

I just don't like all components to travel systems enough from ONE brad enough to purchase one. Exception to that is the BReady Britax system.

I have found myself loving two completely different brands when it comes to a stroller and an infant seat. Thank goodness for adapter, and they don't seem like that much of a hassle to me. At least not for Britax.

lilmissfancy · June 2014

I did not want a huge travel system. I feel like they are too bulky and heavy for me. I decided to go with the convertible urbini.

SusieBW · June 2014

I wouldn't try and talk anyone out of a travel system - I've never owned one, so I don't know much about them, except that I never liked the look of those bulky travel system strollers. I just think they're fug. I'm not familiar with the Britax one, but it sounds like maybe that's different than the Graco/Chicco typical ones that I'm picturing.

We have a City Mini and it's the only stroller we've ever needed. It's super maneuverable with three wheels and light and easy to break down/set up with one hand. I seriously can't imagine having three different strollers for different stages, or even a snap&go and a stroller. It just seems excessive to me. But I guess everyone has different needs and maybe that works best for some people. I forget how much the adapter bar for the City Mini cost, but it was awesome and terribly convenient, and essentially made our City Mini work exactly the same way a snap&go works. We've barely used a stroller since around the time DD turned 2, or maybe a little before that, but we did use it a lot when she was smaller.

LightBright515 · June 2014

SusieBW said:
I wouldn't try and talk anyone out of a travel system - I've never owned one, so I don't know much about them, except that I never liked the look of those bulky travel system strollers. I just think they're fug. I'm not familiar with the Britax one, but it sounds like maybe that's different than the Graco/Chicco typical ones that I'm picturing.

We have a City Mini and it's the only stroller we've ever needed. It's super maneuverable with three wheels and light and easy to break down/set up with one hand. I seriously can't imagine having three different strollers for different stages, or even a snap&go and a stroller. It just seems excessive to me. But I guess everyone has different needs and maybe that works best for some people. I forget how much the adapter bar for the City Mini cost, but it was awesome and terribly convenient, and essentially made our City Mini work exactly the same way a snap&go works. We've barely used a stroller since around the time DD turned 2, or maybe a little before that, but we did use it a lot when she was smaller.

That's why I love the BReady. You can just use the frame and snap the seat in. I don't need all the other crap attached til later. Why lug it around now? However, I have recently fallen in love with the city mini select 4 wheel. I can't wait to play with it in person.

CNJ4EVA · June 2014

It's all personal preference, pro travel system here.

We have the Evenflo Embrace and I love it. I don't find it to be too heavy, it wasn't very expensive, and being able to switch DD from car to stroller so easily was worth the strollers weight in gold, IMO.

MrMrsandBaby · June 2014

Didn't read all the responses but I love my travel system. We used it all the time, still use the stroller for DD occasionally. She did not tolerate being worn so strollers were a life saver and I loved having the stroller/carseat in one. Ours was about $200 or so and I haven't had any issues with the quality of either one.

The biggest thing for me was how easy the stroller was to fold, and mine can be done with one hand so that was a big win for me! I used a Britax on vacation (borrowed from a friend) and to be honest, wasn't all that impressed. To me the price jump wasn't worth the perceived quality increase (as in I didn't see it as any higher quality than my Aprica).

We also have a snap and go stroller that was really handy when traveling via plane. Much easier to use than the full stroller.

Lapooh · June 2014

MrsL2B said:

We got the Britax system with the B-Agile stroller. It's lightweight, compact, easy to fold, and maneuvers easily.

ladybug0088 said:

We plan on buying the Britax B-Agile stroller and the B-safe car seat. These have great ratings across the board and several of NY girlfriends have highly recommended the system to me too. I'm sold!

For folks who have or are planning to get the B-Agile and B-safe combo, did you use the Britax stroller from the beginning or did you use a snap-n-go for the B-safe car seat in the beginning?

Also how much space is there in the storage basket underneath ? Enough for a moderate grocery store trip?

Have been ogling at B-agile online but havent had a chance to test it out in a store.

hippohat · June 2014

I loved my travel system. I had a Graco Quattro (think it's a different name now) and it was great. Very sturdy, lots of room, tons of storage, huge sun shade, easy to drive, and still looks new after lots of use. I really liked that baby is completely covered with the infant seat shade plus the stroller shade - very helpful for napping on the go and keeping germy hands out! Yes it's big and not light, but I have a small SUV and it's not that much heavier than my Chicco Liteway stroller. I still use this stroller to go to the zoo or on other long days out because of the above reasons.

My Graco is much better built than the Chicco, and not nearly as expensive as all the trendy 'lightweight' strollers out there now. There are some crappy Graco's, but this frame is a great model, which is why it's been around for a while IMO.

Test drive them, test the seat's ease of use and other features, and decide from there - brand names and pricey tags don't always mean they're the best!

MrMrsandBaby · June 2014

hippohat said:

I loved my travel system. I had a Graco Quattro (think it's a different name now) and it was great. Very sturdy, lots of room, tons of storage, huge sun shade, easy to drive, and still looks new after lots of use. I really liked that baby is completely covered with the infant seat shade plus the stroller shade - very helpful for napping on the go and keeping germy hands out! Yes it's big and not light, but I have a small SUV and it's not that much heavier than my Chicco Liteway stroller. I still use this stroller to go to the zoo or on other long days out because of the above reasons.

My Graco is much better built than the Chicco, and not nearly as expensive as all the trendy 'lightweight' strollers out there now. There are some crappy Graco's, but this frame is a great model, which is why it's been around for a while IMO.

Test drive them, test the seat's ease of use and other features, and decide from there - brand names and pricey tags don't always mean they're the best!

Amen!

AppleGrapeMSTK · June 2014

I got a cheap travel system for DS1 and the wheels sucked, so it was hard to turn. That was my own complaint.

ariel06 · June 2014

I honestly think it depends on your lifestyle. I had the Chicco Cortina system with DS1. It's fine. A little bulky, but worked fine for a stroll around the block or a trip to the mall. I later bought a jogger and a lightweight stroller (and a double). There really isn't a magic stroller out there that can do everything.

JJsMum · June 2014

I have to say, I hated my travel system. I had the Chicco Cortina travel system with DS#1, sold it before we had #2. It was way too bulky for my tastes, took up the entire trunk in our Prius not even leaving room for groceries. Plus it was really heavy, and I found it awkward to manuver. Don't get me wrong, it did the job, but left me really unimpressed with how much we paid for it.

With DS#2 I got the Baby Jogger City Select. We still used the stroller for DS#1, and knew that we wanted more after DS#2, so we figured it would get used enough to justify the price. I love that the CS can be used as a snap n go, single, or double stroller. When DS#2 was still in his bucket seat, I left the carseat attachment on and it was essentially a SnG. Add the 2nd seat to the front and it was a double stroller. The CS also handles different terrain really well. Not as well as a jogging stroller, but still miles better than the Cortina stroller ever did.

I felt that the travel system was a bit too specific use for my tastes. Some people love theirs, but some find they out grow it way too quickly. I would definitely say to consider what you want to do in the future (more kids, running, trail walks, etc) and try to find a stroller that won't leave you buying multiple strollers.

nightowl1989 · June 2014

FTM here but being a runner, I knew I wanted a jogger, and since I only have 6 months to get ready for my PT test after I give birth, there may be no other option than to bring LO along with me. I want to be prepared for that and DH knows he'll use it. I figure, register for it. If I get it, great. If I don't use it, I can return it.

persephonerose · June 2014

We have the Chicco Cortina travel system. It is bulky, but I love that stroller. We have horrible cracked roads here in Texas and some times they just fill them with tar. The Chicco stroller has handled all of the bumps and off road through parks and gravel with no issues. I never felt like I had to go easy on it.

trisharenee0316 · June 2014

Lapooh said:
For folks who have or are planning to get the B-Agile and B-safe combo, did you use the Britax stroller from the beginning or did you use a snap-n-go for the B-safe car seat in the beginning?

Also how much space is there in the storage basket underneath ? Enough for a moderate grocery store trip?

Have been ogling at B-agile online but havent had a chance to test it out in a store.

I got the B-Agile and B-Safe combination when I was pregnant with my DD. I used the stroller from the very beginning with the infant seat snapped into it. I personally love the travel system and would use it again. The basket underneath is definitely not big enough for a grocery store trip beyond maybe a bag or two of stuff. It's probably the one downfall of the stroller, but it doesn't bother me because I don't ever need to store that much in the stroller.

bsschroeder · June 2014

With ds1 I got the baby trend system with jogging stroller-not a Jogger just prefer the bigger wheels and better maneuverability. every time we use the stroller, no matter where we go I always see someone else with the exact same stroller. The stroller was only sold as part of the set. It is a pain to take somewhere quick but ive made it work just fine for 2 years now.

AthenaNabi · June 2014

I got the Graco Modes Click Connect Travel System and it is very light! I played with it extensively in the store before buying. The best part is that the Toddler seat pops out of the stroller so you can just have the stroller frame and the car seat making it extremely light! If you watch the video on the babies r us sight it shows you all about it.

pinkshades05 · June 2014

I don't hate travel systems, but I didn't go for it when I was pregnant the first time. We have limited room in our condo and so what we bought needed to meet a lot of needs (not just a jogger, but also an around-town kind of stroller, light weight to get down stairs, etc). So we went with the City Mini and bought an adapter (which we never used). This was a good solution for our situation. If a travel system works for your situation, then go for it! There is nothing wrong with that

2goingon3 · June 2014

I have a graco quatro travel system too and I also loved it! Used it through 2 kids already and it's in perfect condition for this next one. I use my stroller a lot, I like the big basket, and that that the seat reclines all the way.
I also have a baby trend sit and stand deluxe double that I was happy with.

yella726 · June 2014

MrsL2B said:

We got the Britax system with the B-Agile stroller. It's lightweight, compact, easy to fold, and maneuvers easily.

We got this too. The stroller is just a stroller on its own and the car seat is just a car seat. Travel system just means that they snap together. I love the stroller by itself so I didn't feel like I was settling at all. Down the road I will probably get a jogging stroller as a second stroller (specifically for the purpose of, you know, jogging). Good jogging strollers are much more heavy duty so that probably explains why your friend felt that way. If you're going to get a travel system, just make sure that you love both the car seat and stroller on their own.

HappyCianci · June 2014

My way is, for some reason, unpopular: convertible car seat from birth, and baby-wear when out and about. Benefits: only one car seat to buy for your child ever, no lugging parts from here to there or maneuvering big strollers in parking lots and stores, and baby is always snug on my chest. Win win win win.

[Deleted User] · June 2014

HappyCianci said:
My way is, for some reason, unpopular: convertible car seat from birth, and baby-wear when out and about. Benefits: only one car seat to buy for your child ever, no lugging parts from here to there or maneuvering big strollers in parking lots and stores, and baby is always snug on my chest. Win win win win.

This is an attractive idea and would work when DH is around, but I'm a definite weakling lol. That's why I think I need one of the lightweight travel systems. I'll probably go with a Graco. I looked at the Britax models and they are a little pricey for me

jusmale · June 2014

I just got the Britax B-Agile travel system last week and I love it. The stroller took no more than 5 minutes to put together and I put it together myself. This is saying a lot because I am not very good at that kind of stuff. The reason I wanted a travel system is so we don't have to take the baby out of the carseat and move her to the stroller and vice versa each time. Plus, I got such a great deal on the stroller/travel system that it was much less expensive than buying the carseat and stroller separately. And, we have one stroller from beginning to end.

Eastie156 · June 2014

I personally don't like them. I liked a different stroller that seemed to have better function for toddler years and beyond, plus was good for multiples (Uppababy Vista). It folded pretty much flat and was lightweight. My co-worker bought a Graco and loved her system, her complaint was that it was big and bulky in the trunk of her car.

AmandaJean12 · June 2014

noonandj04 said:

HappyCianci said:
My way is, for some reason, unpopular: convertible car seat from birth, and baby-wear when out and about. Benefits: only one car seat to buy for your child ever, no lugging parts from here to there or maneuvering big strollers in parking lots and stores, and baby is always snug on my chest. Win win win win.
This is an attractive idea and would work when DH is around, but I'm a definite weakling lol. That's why I think I need one of the lightweight travel systems. I'll probably go with a Graco. I looked at the Britax models and they are a little pricey for me

Just to throw it out there, you can use a 20% off coupon for buy buy baby or I hear bed bath and behind at buy buy baby in the britax B-agile system. A lot of other brand strollers are excluded but britax isn't. It helped knock the price down on ours.

[Deleted User] · June 2014

I'm a FTM and we bought the Cortina Travel System because we got a good deal. It was only $189 brand new. I'm hoping we won't have any issues with it. FI would like a jogging stroller as well, so I have given him that task to research.

[Deleted User] · June 2014

Nicb13 said:

apk4 said:

I'm a FTM and we bought the Cortina Travel System because we got a good deal. It was only $189 brand new. I'm hoping we won't have any issues with it. FI would like a jogging stroller as well, so I have given him that task to research.

Whoa. Where?

We are looking at the Chicco Nuevo because the stroller is a little smaller. I like this one though.

Crazy enough, it was on zulily! I think I was maybe 7 weeks and wasn't sure about getting it so early but it was such a great deal, we just went for it.

TheBenzMom · June 2014

Britax is doing their program where you buy the stroller get the infant seat free. In September I believe.. Pushing it close to ETA but worth it. I like the britax b-ready since you can make it a double stroller.

DaddysHeart · June 2014

I never really liked the strollers that came with travel systems. Also, for the first few months we carried DD in the sling or baby carrier. My daughter is 3 years old now and we have purchased 3 car seats for various stages of growth. We have the same stroller from when she was an infant (which we never used until she was about 6 months). If possible I would hold off until you determine what fits best with your lifestyle. Who knows... you may possibly be a mom that enjoys carrying her baby (that was me), or a mom who prefers strollers. It's a tough decision, but choose what works best for you.

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