Stroller Research OVERLOAD!! Seeking advice..

Hello-

After reading countless reviews here and elsewhere, my husband and I went stroller shopping yesterday only to return more frustrated, confused and overwhelmed!

Here's our situation and perhaps someone can help shed light.

We have come to the realization that we are not going to be able to find just one stroller that fulfills all our needs - a great first step - but thats where the insanity begins!

We decided that we think the Mountain Buggy Urban Single will be our long walk, all terrain vehicle. Light the weight, the full recline, the manueverability etc.

Now the dilemma is our "every-day" stroller. It will be in and out of the car a great deal as well as in and our of airports since my husband works in sports and I travel for work and the baby will be joining us! I am 5'2 and my husband is 6'3 so it needs to be a comfortable push for both of us (thus eliminating the Zippy). I want something compatible with an infant seat as well as with full recline for when the baby is not in the seat such that it is suitable from birth. Willing to compromise here but since the travel will begin at 6-8 weeks with a big trip at approx. 10 weeks old, really prefer something with the versatility, though we can check the MBUS through if necessary for use at our destination for the longer trips. [Any thoughts on how well this stoller will do through the airlines if we check it through with luggage? should we put it in a box?]

I would even consider the Bugaboo, but did not love the two-piece fold since it seems difficult for the in and out of the car. Is it really that daunting or just a learning curve?

Really liked the Zoopers, though the weight of the Swing is a bit worrisome since it is only a pound less than the MBUS and didnt know if the waltz would be sufficient (and its not reviewed here). Also considering the Maclaren Techno XT but I don't think its compatable with an infant carrier.

Again, we have gone to a store and wheeled strollers around but really cant make a decision. Any advice would be appreciated!

Research overload is right! It sounds like you're pretty well informed on all fronts...

As per the MBUS, I'll just affirm you have made an excellent decision for your outdoor stroller-- it also handles very respectably at the mall and whatnot. Unfortunately, I haven't heard anything about airport transport, but it IS pretty bulky when folded down, so you'd be checking it in at the gate. Also there are some negative reports about how badly strollers get treated if you check them at the gate, so perhaps it's best to avoid that scenario if possible-- either by not taking it or putting it in a box (bit more work). I think it's a great outdoors walking stroller, but a bit of a pain to do air travel with.

I could recommend the Bugaboo as an everyday stroller, but it just isn't quite the same level of functional ease (folding and bulk) as more standard lightweight strollers and for the price, you should be able to fold it up and take it on the plane, but you can't, so if you're going for the MBUS already, you're looking at about the same amount of functionality from the Bugaboo (in general)... it's just not the compact piece of machinery that the classical umbrella design is.

The everyday stroller that might be the answer answer would be the Maclaren XT for overall functionality combined w/ a lightweight build, but if you must have the infant carrier compatability, the Maclaren Global Buggy or the Zooper Swing are your best bets (they weigh the same at 19 lbs although the 2004 Global Buggies are 17 lbs).

Although they're not much lighter than the MBUS, they are certainly more compact when folded down (mostly b/c of the differences in frame and wheel size). From my overly-researched perspective, the 19 lbs is only heavy to a very small percentage of owners, so I'm comfortable saying that I don't think you'll find either of these strollers too heavy for everyday use, although both strollers' folding processes have a learning curve.

The one main negative for the Maclaren Global Buggy is the same problem Maclaren has with all their strollers-- the canopy design is less than stellar and has to be treated w/ care when folding it down, otherwise the canopy frame is compromised and will start flopping about.

In terms of preferences between the Global Buggy and The Swing, I think you get more performance for your money with the Swing (and loads of accessories as well). So my advice, is to go for the Swing as your everyday stroller, but be prepared to use up a bit of patience learning how to fold it down.

Also, I think you're pretty close to having all the information you'll ever want and if you do purchase any of the strollers that you mentioned i think you'll be quite happy w/ them despite the fact that none of them are the perfect stroller. (I love the designs and consideration that went into both the MBUS and Swing and have heard more positive things about these two strollers from a wider range of parents than any other strollers on the market (even beating the Bugaboo for raves).

There is one other stroller in the lightweight sector which has loads of potential but I lack the consumer info for: the Quinny Zapp-- it is currently claiming to be the smallest fold on the market (fits in the overhead compartment for flying), and accomodates infant carriers. You can check out the website at: Quinny-Zapp (and click on the UK link). Unfortunately, they don't have any distributors over here in the US, so I think it would only be possible if you have friends in England who might ship it over for you. Like I said, I don't have enough consumer info, but Quinny is a great stroller manufacturer coming out of the Netherlands, so it's probably pretty much what it claims to be.

Good Luck w/ your search! Let me know if you have any more questions.
Mara

Thanks for the info!

Could you give me some insight on the Zooper Waltz v. Swing? I would love to save the 2 lbs. since I am only 5'2 and though I am strong its a bulk issue!

I so appreciate all your insight!

Courtney

The Swing is part of Zooper's "Elite" line of strollers-- which I guess means that they flesh it out w/ every possible trick in the book and are therefore guilt-free about passing the $200 mark, whereas the Waltz is part of their "Everyday" line and the price drops a few notches as do a few of the luxury features.

The one key difference betw. the Waltz and the Swing (besides the 2 lbs), is that the Swing features a height-adjustable handle. As you mentioned that your husband is tall, this is the one thing that might redirect you back to the Swing. There are a few parents who report occasionally kicking the back of their Waltz as a result of the height of the handle bar effecting their stride. Otherwise, I haven't heard any major complaints against the Waltz anywhere-- mostly just the same amount of raving as for the Swing, w/ even more parents commenting on the compact fold.

As to the cons: the folding learning curve that the Waltz has is nearly identical to the the curve reported for the Swing, although more parents report difficulty keeping the Waltz closed (as opposed to difficulty learning how to use the collapsing device on the Swing).

You can check out variation in their features and specs and get some great pictures from these Zooper site links: Waltz, Swing.

Good Luck!
Mara