I started off with a City Mini Single for my first DD. I LOVE this stroller- so light, easy to fold, easy to steer, seat lays all the way down. I also had a simple frame to put the car seat in. It had a huge basket and it was very nice to be able to keep DD in the car seat. The one I had was a generic one (I think Baby Trend) and the car seat did not actually connect to it. You were supposed to rest it on top and then use a little strap over the car seat to secure it. It made me nervous. If I get another one for DD3, I would get one that the car seat clips into, not just rests on top.
When we had DD2, we got a Britax B-Agile double. Again, light weight, easy to fold, easy to steer. Dh did not like the handle bar material or the tires, but I liked that DD2's britax car seat clipped in. We ended up getting rid of it and getting a City Mini GT Double. The tires are great or uneven terrain and ease of steering. The handle bar is adjustable. The material is much stronger than the B-Agile. The only things I don't love about it are the storage (it isn't huge underneath) and the windows on the canopies are plastic instead of mesh like the B-Agile.
I also have a Baby Trend Expedition Double Jogger. We used it for our trip to Mexico because I didn't care if it was damaged on the plane and I thought the bigger tires would be good to take it on the beach (we used it to carry stuff around the resort, between beach and pool, a lot). It was cheap and it is a decent stroller. It is bigger and heavier than the City Mini double.
I have an umbrella stroller (a $60 one that was a gift). We literally used it once with DD1 and have never used it again. Too small storage, canopy too small, difficult to steer especially on uneven ground.
I haven't really figured out what I will do for DD3. I am thinking about buying a frame used if I can find one for the first few months. DD1 and DD2 will be 5 and 3 when DD3 is born, so I don't expect to need to use a stroller for them on a regular basis. I may get a glider board for the CityMini GT Double to use for trips like Disney.
Married 08/18/07 BFP 02/15/11 EDD 10/27/11 Born at 35w3d on 09/25/11 BFP 10/13/12 EDD 06/25/13 Born at 37w0d on 06/04/13
I agree with everyone suggesting that you go to a BuyBuyBaby! They have so many options for you to see and try out. We got a Chicco Travel System Stroller with a KeyFit 30 for our DD. We loved it, especially in the newborn stage because you can just click in the carrier and tote that little lovebug anywhere.
We are currently looking at the Contours Options Elite. I would still like to have the option to both both kiddos in a stroller (DD will be 2.5 when LO is born). If you don't follow TheBabyGuyNYC on fb you should. He used to be a stroller expert at a BuyBuyBaby and he is a baby guru. You can also check out his website for a list of strollers that he highly recommends, but I'm pretty sure that they are redoing it right now, so it may be down.
I agree with everyone suggesting that you go to a BuyBuyBaby! They have so many options for you to see and try out. We got a Chicco Travel System Stroller with a KeyFit 30 for our DD. We loved it, especially in the newborn stage because you can just click in the carrier and tote that little lovebug anywhere.
We are currently looking at the Contours Options Elite. I would still like to have the option to both both kiddos in a stroller (DD will be 2.5 when LO is born). If you don't follow TheBabyGuyNYC on fb you should. He used to be a stroller expert at a BuyBuyBaby and he is a baby guru. You can also check out his website for a list of strollers that he highly recommends, but I'm pretty sure that they are redoing it right now, so it may be down.
I don't recall who I recommended the options elite to ( sorry if it was you and I'm repeating myself). We have the lt version and love it. My qualms with the Lt were fixed in the elite model. They even shortened the elite so it's not as long as the lt version which is great. I'm tempted to sell my lt and grab the elite.
Hubby and I went to Baby R Us to play with the strollers to see how we liked them, how they moved and how easy they were to collapse.
Note!! If you don't drive an SUV, truck or van, ask if you can test to see if the stroller fits in your trunk!! We fell in love with a stroller on sale and I over heard a woman saying it didn't fit, so I talked to the sales lady and she was the one to encourage us to take it to our car and test it out. We have a HUGE trunk, but nope didn't fit and it collapsed well, so we were very surprised to see it didn't.
We ended up getting the Greco FastAction Jogger Click Connect and we got it on clearance and my mom picked up the car seat on sale.
@jillianpardo glad to hear a good review on the contours options! I'm eyeing the Options Elite, since it is so much more affordable than the baby jogger city select. It is really heavy, but it also looks like it has more legroom for the kids than the city select, and I like that it doesn't put one kid above the other. Have you tried putting a glider board on it?
@kmvisioli I hate strollers with kids stacked on top of each other. Who would want to sit on the bottom. If I want to recline the back seat fully I flip the front seat rear facing. That is with the Lt model. I'm going to pop my girls in the elite floor model next time I go to buy buy baby and see what it's like. I haven't tried a glider board yet but I was planning on getting one for my 4 year old. I will let you know how it works when we pick it up (before 3rd baby gets here)
I have zero regrets about our stroller. We got a BOB jogging stroller for DS. We started using it with the carseat adapter the day we came home from the hospital and continue to use it- he's almost 3. Ive taken it on airplanes, it's been trail running, hiking, road running and out for errands. There is no place it cant go, the tires are like bike tires and easily fixed if you get a flat. It was spendy but worth every penny and it's the only stroller we own. Im glad I didnt get a travel system, because the BOB acted like a travel system but can go everywhere because it's designed for active people and uneven terrain. Love my BOB!
I really like strollers.. I have a graco something or other click connect that came with out travel system- great stroller love the convenience of clicking the seat into it when baby is smallmouth. We also have a Chicco umbrella stroller that I got for $5 at a garage sale.. I added one of the little storage bags you can buy and now it has cupholders. It's a great stroller for quick little day things as there is some storage underneath. We have a contours options deluxe double stroller that I adore. Huge storage ubderneath, can adjust the seating configuration to your liking and my above average sized 4 year old can fit in there when we go walking at the park with friends. Cons to this model would be that it's bulky and heavy. And the cup holders snapped off and I'm not sure what happened to them, but that's more my husband's fault than the strollers fault. Finally we have a safety first (I think) double jogger and I like that stroller too.. it's bulky and the front wheel has fallen off which is a pain, but it has a nice storage compartment ubderneath and good cupholders space. The sunshade is really large but the foot rest area is not, so my kids tended to just let their feet dangle which drove me nuts.
I had the Chicco Travel System with my son, loved the carseat, not so much the stroller. Or maybe I am just older and have become a stroller snob
Right now we are looking at the City Mini GT, or perhaps the CS. We will most likely have a third child is less than two years, so it may be the wiser decision.
@kmvisioli I hate strollers with kids stacked on top of each other. Who would want to sit on the bottom. If I want to recline the back seat fully I flip the front seat rear facing. That is with the Lt model. I'm going to pop my girls in the elite floor model next time I go to buy buy baby and see what it's like. I haven't tried a glider board yet but I was planning on getting one for my 4 year old. I will let you know how it works when we pick it up (before 3rd baby gets here)
Thanks @jillianpardo! Yes, the stacked kids thing bugged me. I will say the most highly suggested "triple" stroller solution I've gotten is the Valco twin trimode with Joey seat, which is definitely a stacked baby situation! But in some ways it would be a lot more compact than most other options. Please do let me know if/how a glider board works with the Options Elite! The stroller guy at Buy Buy Baby said a generic brand one would work, but it looked to me like it would run into the brake thing...
Late to the party, but with DS we got the Chicco Keyfit 30 infant car seat (SO EASY to install) and the Chicco Activ3 stroller, after reading a recommendation for it on Lucie's List.
I can't say enough about the stroller -- its rugged (it has two settings for the shock absorbers and so its a ridiculously smooth ride no matter where we are) and incredibly sturdy. We do A LOT of pavement and trail walking with that stroller, and it's the best. The infant seat snaps right in, and when DS outgrew that, the stroller itself is super comfy and will last him years. Can't say enough about it!
One drawback: it's relatively bulky so if you don't plan on getting a car seat caddy to bring with you on trips (which I highly, highly recommend), it could be tough lugging this stroller around without a big trunk.
I love my City Mini GT! It is lightweight and super easy to fold. I had a Chicco Keyfit 30 car seat and it snapped right in with an adapter. I was able to use this stroller from when DD was a newborn to now at almost two and I'm sure for many years to come. You buy all the attachments separately, which is expensive, but totally worth it. The GT had slightly bigger wheels than the regular city mini which works great on all surfaces. And, important for us, the folded stroller fit perfectly in the boot of my Mini Cooper!
Me (35) & DH (35)
Married: August 2009 DD #1 born 6/12/14 DD #2 born 10/31/16
@jillianpardo Their website shows it can do one car seat adaptor, or two bassinet seat things. Mainly it peeves me that every single attachment has an extra cost, so getting what I need from it would cost a small fortune.
I am a STM, DS is 3 years old. With him, what worked best for us was a bob with a click-connect attachment for his car seat when he was little that we used for long walks, and a cheap umbrella stroller that we used when he was older (1+) to throw in the back of the car for quick walks and errands. I love bob, very smooth ride and handles gravel/off road beautifully, but it can be unwieldy in tight spaces (not great for shopping trips, in my experience). Otherwise, what was easiest for us was to keep him in a baby carrier (Moby or ergo) for shorter trips and walks. So, in choosing, think very specifically about how, where, and for what purpose you think you'll use the stroller and what your subsequent needs are. For long, off-road hikes or runs? Or for mall trips? Hth, have fun shopping!
Our "Love Child" is due Valentine's Day 2013! Our Fur Babies: Karma and Abbey
@jillianpardo glad to hear a good review on the contours options! I'm eyeing the Options Elite, since it is so much more affordable than the baby jogger city select. It is really heavy, but it also looks like it has more legroom for the kids than the city select, and I like that it doesn't put one kid above the other. Have you tried putting a glider board on it?
I know that on the Contours website one of their questions was in regards to a glider board. They said that their current model does not accommodate a glider board. If you had to have it though, maybe you could figure out how to attach one? My husband would be all over a project like that, ha!
@jillianpardo glad to hear a good review on the contours options! I'm eyeing the Options Elite, since it is so much more affordable than the baby jogger city select. It is really heavy, but it also looks like it has more legroom for the kids than the city select, and I like that it doesn't put one kid above the other. Have you tried putting a glider board on it?
I know that on the Contours website one of their questions was in regards to a glider board. They said that their current model does not accommodate a glider board. If you had to have it though, maybe you could figure out how to attach one? My husband would be all over a project like that, ha!
Thanks! The guy at BBB seemed to think a generic one would work, but I was skeptical. I may just have to try it and see for myself
I got a McLaren for DS when he was 3 months. It's compact, has a good recline for naps and little babies, holds kids up to 50 lb,and had held up really well. We used it regularly up until less than a year ago.
I love love love Lucie's List! Definitely recommend checking there. I don't do infant car seats so no need for travel systems, but even so I have three strollers - and this is not uncommon, because every mom I know has multiple strollers. I got a Chariot with my first babe and I love it and have used the heck out of it as a stroller and jogger, and as a bike trailer. (I use it more for my cello than for my kids in bike trailer format.) I wish we had a double Chariot because the weather cover keeps toys contained when children try to throw them and I really like the low center of gravity. We also got a double Bob off Craigs when we had our second, and it's a marvel of engineering, like the Chariot, and very comfy for the kids. Space-wise, I can easily get it in the trunk of a Prius with the front wheel off. (The Chariot folds so nicely you can put the chassis between the back seat and the back of the front seat in the Prius and then throw the wheels and handle elsewhere.) So I was super spoiled by stroller that basically push themselves and we ended up with a Joovy Groove Ultralight as our umbrella stroller. It's fine, but I don't love umbrella strollers, except I do love that they fold down so small and light, but I hate having to push with two hands, lol. My 3-year-old seems to like riding in it better than my 1-year-old and even with the giant sun canopy it doesn't provide a lot of shade for my short 1-year-old. I kind of like the drink holder on the Joovy just for keeping a water bottle in easy reach. I don't agree that you need a lot of storage capacity because you really don't need to drag a ton of stuff out with you every time you go anywhere.
I will also add that my mom friends who have done research based on their lifestyles and put $$$ into their strollers are generally happy with their purchases. My friend who knew she wanted at least two kids got a Phil and Ted's to start and just added seats and glider boards as the babies arrived. My friend who knew she only wanted one and who really prized being able to go out to eat got a Stokke with an adjustable-height seat so she could use the stroller as a high chair at all the brunches out. I am pretty active and outdoorsy, hence the rugged strollers that can go hiking, biking, or half-marathon training.
Can anyone help me compare the Britax B Agile 3 and the Baby Jogger City Mini? And also the City Mini GT? I haven't had a chance to go to BuyBuyBaby and test them yet (okay, I'm scared and avoiding it lol), but after lots of online research, those seem to be in our price range and have most of what we want. We're not runners, but we walk outdoor trails a lot (mostly paved, but can be kind of rough). I'm very petite, so it's important to me that the stroller I get is fairly lightweight and maneuverable. One thing I'm a little worried about is lack of adjustable handlebar, since I'm 5' and DH is 6'. Is this feature truly helpful? The GT has it, as well as more all-terrain tires, not sure if it's worth the additional $$ though. Any thoughts?
I'm getting the Graco Modes click travel system. I saw my friends and she showed me how easy it was to convert and it's not heavy like my old one was. From experience, I definitely have to have a stroller with a parent organizer on the handle, as well as a snack/cup tray for the kiddo. Comes in handy when they are a little older and can eat Cheerios on their own! I also like that the car seat can snap into the stroller without the rest of the stroller seat, making it more lightweight.
I've went through a lot of strollers. It depends what your needs are and what conditions you'll be using it in. For expample if your a jogger and plan to use it on gravel roads and stuff a BOB would be your best bet. If you don't jog and plan to use it for walks on sidewalks and shopping I would recckmebd the city select, you can also buy a second seat and have a million options. You just buy a car seat adapter and have whatever car seat you want on it.
I have both strollers and love them equally.
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We braved BuyBuyBaby on Sunday and picked our stroller! We decided on the Baby Jogger City Mini GT travel system. It folds super easily, has an adjustable handlebar, steers really well, has tires that work on rougher terrain, and the car seat snaps right in! Now we just need a baby to push around in it
I have a jogger stroller from my last daughter and her car seat still which has not expired so we are using it for the most part. Today though I found an awesome Quinny Buzz with Dreami at a yard sale which usually I am not a yard sale girl but I wanted a stroller with bassinet. I have 6 other kids who will all be in school in two different schools in September, I drop one off at bus at 8 am and other 5 at district school for 845. I then have to do it again at 315 and 4pm. I would rather transfer a baby from crib to bassinet than carseat I've read a lot of negative things about babies sleeping in carseats. My choice was easy 100.00 and for 800.00 stroller lol
I had the Chicco Travel System with my son, loved the carseat, not so much the stroller. Or maybe I am just older and have become a stroller snob
Right now we are looking at the City Mini GT, or perhaps the CS. We will most likely have a third child is less than two years, so it may be the wiser decision.
Same here. I had the Chicco keyfit 30 and loved the car seat! Hated the stroller. It took up my whole trunk, and the seat back did not go straight up so DD was leaning back some which made her mad. I am getting ain't her keyfit for this babe. No idea on the stroller yet.
After lots of research and going back and forth, I just ordered the City Select from BRU. I was planning on the Contours Options (largely for price and the leg room) but it is just so heavy and big, and it doesn't have a glider board option for DS1. I'm excited now! Plus it was on sale AND the guy let me use my 20% off coupon from BBB on the whole purchase!
After lots of research and going back and forth, I just ordered the City Select from BRU. I was planning on the Contours Options (largely for price and the leg room) but it is just so heavy and big, and it doesn't have a glider board option for DS1. I'm excited now! Plus it was on sale AND the guy let me use my 20% off coupon from BBB on the whole purchase!
You'll love it! It's one of the best child related thing I have purchased and have no regret on how much it cost.
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I ended up getting the GB Lyfe travel system. I like it because it's easy to go between a seat and a basinet and is front and rear facing. The only thing I don't like about it is that is't difficult, at least for me, to get the carseat to snap in. other than that I love it. The GB Evoq travel system is a little more expensive and has a glider bar too.
TTC #1 since August 2015 BFP #1 January 28, 2016
EDD October 3, 2016 Felicity Joy, born September 2, 2016 My Chart
TTC #2 Since August 2020 BFP #2 September 11, 2020 EDD May 23, 2021
@Blonde1817, I LOVE my city mini but that is my only complaint: I am 5'1, DH is 6'2 and the handle isn't adjustable. I've been drooling over the city mini GT but can't justify buying it when ours is still in great condition. As far as trail walking, I suggest getting a great quality soft-structured baby carrier, such as a Lillebaby Airflow. It is made of all mesh so you stay really cool and has lumbar support for your back. Beco has also started making a mesh carrier that I have heard is better for more petite moms. I am still considering both and don't know which one I want yet.
@LizaKate1213 We ended up getting the city min GT travel system and I love it! It's definitely super helpful to have the adjustsble handle, it's much more comfortable for both of us. I'll definitely look into those carriers! I'm excited about the stroller, but I think a lot of the time it'll be easier to just wear him.
@LizaKate1213 You may be able to sell your current one for a good price on one of the many local fb tag sale sites and use that money to apply toward the GT. Just a thought.
I love love love my city mini and we just inherited a city select from my cousin. I'll probably primarily use my city mini because by the time this baby comes our son will be almost 4, but the city select will definitely come in handy for long walking trips (like the zoo). I was also going to look into getting the kickboard for our son to use. I'm not super strong so pushing our almost 40 lb son in addition to the baby and the weight of the stroller will be a bit much for me when i am with the kids alone.
I went to BRU yesterday and played with strollers. I want the Chicco keyfit 30 car seat but had the chicco cortina travel system and HATED it! But now Chicco has the Bravo travel system and I love it! It's smaller than the Cortina, sit up straighter in toddler mode and is lighter but still has the cup holder and bar across the seat unlike the Liteway. I'm hooked!!
My awesome friends got together and bought the BOB Revolution for us. Love them! I think they've also gotten me the car seat adapter for the Britax car seat we are getting from our best friends since their little boy has outgrown it. I've been registered for the Britax B-35 stroller that the infant car seat will snap right into, but it now says it's been discontinued on my registry. I may just stick with one stroller for now (the BOB) and find a lightweight umbrella type stroller for later on when baby boy is a bit bigger.
Me:33 DH: 34 Married: May 2011 TTC #1: May 2015 DS: 10/20/2016 TTC #2: June 2019 #2 EDD: 2/20/2020
Re: Let's Talk Strollers
I started off with a City Mini Single for my first DD. I LOVE this stroller- so light, easy to fold, easy to steer, seat lays all the way down. I also had a simple frame to put the car seat in. It had a huge basket and it was very nice to be able to keep DD in the car seat. The one I had was a generic one (I think Baby Trend) and the car seat did not actually connect to it. You were supposed to rest it on top and then use a little strap over the car seat to secure it. It made me nervous. If I get another one for DD3, I would get one that the car seat clips into, not just rests on top.
When we had DD2, we got a Britax B-Agile double. Again, light weight, easy to fold, easy to steer. Dh did not like the handle bar material or the tires, but I liked that DD2's britax car seat clipped in. We ended up getting rid of it and getting a City Mini GT Double. The tires are great or uneven terrain and ease of steering. The handle bar is adjustable. The material is much stronger than the B-Agile. The only things I don't love about it are the storage (it isn't huge underneath) and the windows on the canopies are plastic instead of mesh like the B-Agile.
I also have a Baby Trend Expedition Double Jogger. We used it for our trip to Mexico because I didn't care if it was damaged on the plane and I thought the bigger tires would be good to take it on the beach (we used it to carry stuff around the resort, between beach and pool, a lot). It was cheap and it is a decent stroller. It is bigger and heavier than the City Mini double.
I have an umbrella stroller (a $60 one that was a gift). We literally used it once with DD1 and have never used it again. Too small storage, canopy too small, difficult to steer especially on uneven ground.
I haven't really figured out what I will do for DD3. I am thinking about buying a frame used if I can find one for the first few months. DD1 and DD2 will be 5 and 3 when DD3 is born, so I don't expect to need to use a stroller for them on a regular basis. I may get a glider board for the CityMini GT Double to use for trips like Disney.
Married 08/18/07
BFP 02/15/11 EDD 10/27/11 Born at 35w3d on 09/25/11
BFP 10/13/12 EDD 06/25/13 Born at 37w0d on 06/04/13
BFP 12/11/15 EDD 08/23/16 Early miscarriage
BFP 02/02/16 EDD 10/16/16
We are currently looking at the Contours Options Elite. I would still like to have the option to both both kiddos in a stroller (DD will be 2.5 when LO is born). If you don't follow TheBabyGuyNYC on fb you should. He used to be a stroller expert at a BuyBuyBaby and he is a baby guru. You can also check out his website for a list of strollers that he highly recommends, but I'm pretty sure that they are redoing it right now, so it may be down.
Oct 16 March Siggy Challenge
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O16 April Siggy
Note!! If you don't drive an SUV, truck or van, ask if you can test to see if the stroller fits in your trunk!! We fell in love with a stroller on sale and I over heard a woman saying it didn't fit, so I talked to the sales lady and she was the one to encourage us to take it to our car and test it out. We have a HUGE trunk, but nope didn't fit and it collapsed well, so we were very surprised to see it didn't.
We ended up getting the Greco FastAction Jogger Click Connect and we got it on clearance and my mom picked up the car seat on sale.
O16 April Siggy
New Bundle of Joy- EDD 10/27/16
We also have a Chicco umbrella stroller that I got for $5 at a garage sale.. I added one of the little storage bags you can buy and now it has cupholders. It's a great stroller for quick little day things as there is some storage underneath.
We have a contours options deluxe double stroller that I adore. Huge storage ubderneath, can adjust the seating configuration to your liking and my above average sized 4 year old can fit in there when we go walking at the park with friends. Cons to this model would be that it's bulky and heavy. And the cup holders snapped off and I'm not sure what happened to them, but that's more my husband's fault than the strollers fault.
Finally we have a safety first (I think) double jogger and I like that stroller too.. it's bulky and the front wheel has fallen off which is a pain, but it has a nice storage compartment ubderneath and good cupholders space. The sunshade is really large but the foot rest area is not, so my kids tended to just let their feet dangle which drove me nuts.
Right now we are looking at the City Mini GT, or perhaps the CS. We will most likely have a third child is less than two years, so it may be the wiser decision.
DS #1 11/08/10
DS #2 due 10/20/16
O16 April Siggy
I can't say enough about the stroller -- its rugged (it has two settings for the shock absorbers and so its a ridiculously smooth ride no matter where we are) and incredibly sturdy. We do A LOT of pavement and trail walking with that stroller, and it's the best. The infant seat snaps right in, and when DS outgrew that, the stroller itself is super comfy and will last him years. Can't say enough about it!
One drawback: it's relatively bulky so if you don't plan on getting a car seat caddy to bring with you on trips (which I highly, highly recommend), it could be tough lugging this stroller around without a big trunk.
DD #1 born 6/12/14
DD #2 born 10/31/16
Our Fur Babies: Karma and Abbey
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So many options
It's a boy!
I have both strollers and love them equally.
It's a boy!
BRU. I was planning on the Contours Options (largely for price and the leg room) but it is just so heavy and big, and it doesn't have a glider board option for DS1. I'm excited now! Plus it was on sale AND the guy let me use my 20% off coupon from BBB on the whole purchase!
BFP #1 January 28, 2016
Felicity Joy, born September 2, 2016
My Chart
BFP #2 September 11, 2020
EDD May 23, 2021
BFP #1: 7/15/15, SB: 11/14/15
Rainbow baby DS born 9/29/16!!
BFP #3 3/26/18 | Due 12/3/18
It's a boy!
I love love love my city mini and we just inherited a city select from my cousin. I'll probably primarily use my city mini because by the time this baby comes our son will be almost 4, but the city select will definitely come in handy for long walking trips (like the zoo). I was also going to look into getting the kickboard for our son to use. I'm not super strong so pushing our almost 40 lb son in addition to the baby and the weight of the stroller will be a bit much for me when i am with the kids alone.
DH: 34
Married: May 2011
TTC #1: May 2015
DS: 10/20/2016
TTC #2: June 2019
#2 EDD: 2/20/2020