posted 16th Mar
I just purchased the Zooper Hula and love it. It's lightweight, very easy to open/close and has so many extras over some of the other comparable brands: one handed reclining seat that forms a bassinet, locking/swivel wheels, adjustable handles, zip off hood for ventilation, rain/UV cover and fleece sleeping bag included, and it's cute as well (have had many compliments on the street). It also is infant seat compatible, my Primo Viaggio fits perfectly. Plus it doesn't have that "plastic" look to it, that I find on Graco and Peg strollers. The only downside I've found so far is that the basket is small and hard to reach when the seat is fully reclined. But with a Maclaren organizer & Skip Hop bag, I don't seem to run out of room (yet). Hope this helps!
quoteposted 22nd Mar
I looked very carefully at all the similar strollers in this price range. The 3 that are most similar are the Peg P3, the Zooper Hula, and the Inglesina Zippy for $300. The Zooper Waltz is almost the same except for a few features and it is $100 less. Note there are changes in the 2006 models, which I am comparing. I test drove ALL of these strollers at the stores. The information is from looking at the models they had in-store.
First, a comparison of similarities of all 4:
weight
dimensions
recline
one hand fold
harness
washable
infant car seat adaptable
The P3, Hula, and Zippy also have:
adjustable handles ~39-41" (waltz has a bar at 40")
umbrella fold (Waltz has "telescope" fold)
flexible front footrest
Differences:
1. Toddler footrest: The P3 is the only one with a toddler footrest, although my child did not like it as it was hard to stand on. Also it cannot be used if the backrest is reclined. You can get little footboards for ~$60-80 ifyou have a second, older child.
2. Folding/unfolding: The Zippy takes one step to fold, although they ALL have "one hand" folds this year. For example, for the P3, takes 3 steps to fold: you have to first release one handle, then the other, then release a lower handle. Note, last years P3 model needed two hands to simultaneously release the upper handles. The Waltz has a "telescopic" fold and takes two steps to fold, but I still did it one-handed. To unfold, they are all about the same except for the Waltz again. I personally found the Waltz easiest to work: with the umbrella folds you have to kind-of throw them around and put your weight into it more--but this is more just a personal taste thing.
3. Adjustable legrests: The Zoopers and the P3 footrests adjust to 90 degrees upright, but the Inglesina does NOT. This was a big deal for me as it was a major feature I was looking for. The Zoopers have zippers on the sides to keep the footrest from lowering which they call a safety zip.
4. Front bumper/tray: The P3 comes with BOTH a tray and a bumper, the others just have a bumper. Snack trays by other manufacturers can be purchased separately
5. Backrest: the Waltz, P3, and Zippy all have about hte same cushioning, but the Hula doesn't have the side cushions, and when you bring the backrest up from a recline position, the netting kind of bunches up in front on the sides. I didn't like that at all. Altough I think it is expected to use the "sleeping bag" in it and then the sides don't get in the way.
6. Baskets: the undercarriage basket is notoriously hard to use with umbrella folding strollers. The Waltz is much easier to access.
7. Rear brakes and stair use: the only one I test drove on stairs is the Zooper, and I didnt think about it when I bought it, but I know alot of strollers can't be pulled up stairs because their brakes get in the way. I am looking at pictures of the Zippy and it looks liike those won't go on stairs but the P3 will. If this is important to you, be sure before you buy.
8. Front footrest: the umbrella strollers all have the flexible footrests in front. Now I'm not sure about high end models, but I have had other strollers that these break and also didn't really work so well for climbing in and out as the baby gets older and they like to climb by themselves. The Waltz has a hard plastic front footrest, which my toddler can use, and it also seems alot sturdier.
9. Accessories: The P3 does NOT come with a boot, another feature I really wanted. As far as other accessories I'm not really sure except for the Waltz (and I think the Hula too), which came with a boot and rain and sun shades which I think is awesome. I know the Zippy also comes with a boot but I'm not sure about any other accessories. Check these out as they add to the total price if you buy covers from another manufacturer (they also dont look as nice). I didn't like the Hula's sleeping bag as it seemed too warm for year-round use.
10. Price: the Waltz is $100 less and comes with a boot, and rain and sun shades
11. Colors close to black: The P3 comes in this sorta dark brown sorta gray blackish color, the Zippy comes in Navy, and the Zoopers come in Blackish, but the Waltz has this funky orange trim. They all come in other colors too, but I wasn't considering those.
12. Handling: I test drove all of these and there is a difference in how they handle. I think the Zoopers have a lower center of gravity so they handle better. Also, when I test drove both the Inglesina and the P3, they seemed to get wobbly. I first test drove the P3 and it was fine, then I went back to the store two weeks later and it seemed like the nuts had "loosened up" or something with time spent on the floor. I only drove the Inglesina once, and it seemed that way. So far, my Waltz is fine.
13. Cupholder: the P3 is the only one with a cupholder but I've heard it is a "joke" and those with P3s ended up getting other ones.
Pluses of the Waltz: PRICE! basket, fold, bar handle, boot. I really love my Waltz. My favorite features are the fold, the handle and the boot. I found out I prefer a bar handle, and the 1" adjustment didn't really make a diference to my taller husband. I LOVE the fold-it is much easier for me than an umbrella fold. And I am glad I was able to get a boot with this model cuz secondary manufacturer covers don't work as well or look as nice (the Hula has a sleeping bag but looks too warm and cumbersome). I managed to forego my desire for a toddler footrest too since they aren't really usable and will get a back board for my older child.
Why I chose the Waltz by process of elimination:
P3--wobbly, no boot, (+toddler footrest, +snack tray). The wobbliness of the P3 is what made me ultimately reject the P3, which I had thought I was going to get before the second test drive since I was really hoping to get adjustable handles and the toddler footrest (even tho it didn't have a boot). This one has both a tray and bar too don't forget and looks like it goes upstairs
Inglesina Zippy--inferior legrest adjustment, wobbly. Rejected because of the limited adjustment footrest and then also after the wobbly test drive.
Hula- "bunching" backrest. It was a close race between the Hula and P3, and they're very similar. I almost bought the Hula after driving the P3, but I didn't like the backrest. Like I said, without side cushions, the sides bunched up and looked awful.
Each of these maufacturers has a website and can be shipped. There are also other websites that sell these that give shipping discounts etc so find the one that suits you best. If you can though, I would buy locally in case something goes wrong with the stroller you don't have to ship it. Also, keep your box cuz some won't take them back without them.
A plug here: if you are going to buy a stroller, I like this website: letsgostrolling.com. They have many high-end strollers (no Pegs tho) and they are very nice. They also have a store in Oakland CA and it is a small,women-owned business. That is where I bought my Zooper.
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