Zooper Swing vs. Waltz?

Anyone own one of these Zooper strollers? If so, why did you choose one over the other? I have ordered the Swing but this is before I test drove the Waltz. The Waltz is less plush but seems to basically have all the same features (including a canopy that comes all the way down to the stroller bar), costs less and weighs 3lbs less.

I am thinking of returning the Swing to get the Waltz.

Any opinions? I can't seem to find many people who own Zoopers and the Waltz isn't reviewed on this site.

Thanks!

Just an update.

I got the Swing, put it together and tested it out. In the end , I am returning it to get the Waltz. Here are the main differences.

- Swing weighs 19lbs. Waltz weighs 17lbs
- Swing has double, height-adjustable handles. Waltz has single non-adjustable handle.
- Swing fabric has a strong chemical odor. Waltz has no odor.
- Swing is not all that easy to fold and folds down to the ground. Waltz is pretty easy to fold and folds UP to a standing position.
- Swing canopy pops on and off easily. Waltz canopy is fixed to the stroller more securely.
- Swing canopy does not extend down to the lap bar, Waltz canopy does.
- Swing basket is barely accessible. Waltz much easier to access even when seat is fully reclined.
- Swing has padding on the harness straps. Waltz does not.
- On the Swing, it is very cumbersome to enclose the seat into a bassinet. On the Waltz, it is very easy - you just zip up a piece of fabric over the lap bar.
- Swing has double wheels on front and back. Waltz has double on front, single on back which is great for me b/c i am tall and tend to kick the back inside wheel on double wheeled strollers.

That's about it. The Swing was just too much stroller for me. I am much more comfortable with the simpler, lighter Waltz. I wish they would review the Waltz on this site.

Hello dcgirl and thanks for the thorough break-down on the Zooper Swing vs. the Zooper Waltz. Your post will be much appreciated by other parents looking closely at a Zooper stroller!

We're listening here at Baby Gaga, and we do our best to expand our review section whenever we can. Zooper is one of those brands that not so many people have, so until we get a large enough body of reliable feedback for a statistically significant review (the real test is always how parents feel after they've owned the stroller for some time) we prefer to wait before giving our readers a concrete assessment. Unfortunately, that does mean it can take some time until we feel confident enough that what we write is the way it is...but that's why our forum is here to help fill in the gaps so thank you again for contributing

Thanks for the review, dcgirl. We currently have a Zooper Boogie and really love the brand and we're considering the Waltz as our lightweight stroller and trading in our Maclaren Quest.

I think you've sold me on the Waltz! Now off to see one in person...I like that they aren't that common yet...we still get tons of looks when we take our little one out for a walk in our Zooper Boogie!

one question...

doesn't the waltz only take the graco snugride, whereas the swing takes any infant carrier seat?

I believe the Waltz and the Swing both sport the universal carseat adaptor.

Okay, I think I have decided on the Zooper Waltz. I "test drove" one at USA Baby today and I really liked it. They didn't have a Zooper Swing for me to compare it to, so I wasn't able to rule that one out. But I have a question. If I get the Waltz in the red fabric, what pattern Graco sungfit car seat would I get? I kind of want the carseat to match somewhat to my stroller. Any suggestions? Thanks for any input.

The Swing material is very heavy, almost flannel like. They refer to it as demin material. It seems heavier than denim. I thought it would absorb a great deal of heat. It is a "better quality" material but very disappointing since this is considered the elite of the two strollers. I was looking for an umbrella stroller that had padding not only on the seat but also on the sides (where the baby leans her head against when sleeping). The padding on the side is nonexistent on the Swing and wonderful on the Waltz. Both strollers seemed to open/close with a small amount of effort. The Swing was more compact than the Waltz. The Swing handles are to expand to a height of 41 inches vs the Waltz at 39.5 - Not much of a difference in person. The basket on the Waltz is a little bigger and easier to access - but in general both baskets are not huge.

Thought I'd throw my two cents in for anyone else debating the Swing vs. Waltz decision. I own a 2003 Zooper Zstreet which is now called the Swing. I really like the double handles as opposed to the single handle that the Waltz has. The fold on the Waltz was a little difficult for me as well. Overall I prefer the Swing because it feels a little sturdier and steers like a dream!

I have been very pleased with the Zooper Waltz so far. The ride is a bit bumpy but baby didn't seem to bother, so we had 8 good months. Now that my son is wearing a snowsuit, he keeps sliding in the seat. he is always in a very bad position, which is not good for his back. I don't think it is just the material that is slippery, but also how the seat is designed, it is a bit short. Any one else experience this?

I see that it was last year when this was started, but perhaps the verdict is still out for some folks. I purchased the Swing on closeout at USA baby without having a test drive of the Waltz. I love it. I was looking for something more sturdy than our chicco umbrella and smaller/lighter than our trek jogger. It took a little figuring out, but I am so glad I bought it. Here is a little list of the pros and cons as far as I am concerned.

Pros:
- super comfortable for my 12 month old
- reclines fully so she can nap as long as she would in her crib
- drives like a dream, even one - handed
- lots of accessories included in the price - cold weather boot, sun screen, rain cover, universal carseat attachment. All easy to install.
- Easy to open and fold
- Not heavy. I think this contributes to the sturdy feel
- wheels are big enough to handle rough sidewalk, grass, etc.
- pocket for keys/phone within quick reach
- window in the canopy is handy
- canopy fully removable
- will handle a carseat for the next one
- price. I got last year's model for $149. No way Maclaren, Inglesina, Peg would have anything that could compare.
- perfect size. substantial without being over-the-top. Fits easily in tight spaces.

Cons (and my ways around them):
- not light. I really wanted a super light stroller. Then I realized that a super light one would not be this sturdy.
- storage not easily accessible when seat is reclined (as with all umbrella strollers) The canopy pocket makes packing a little easier.
- I am 6' tall and wish the handles were a little longer. I stopped kicking the stroller when I removed the "single action brake" bar - giving me another 3-4 inches of clearance.
- needs two hands to fold. I just have to put baby in the car first.
- fabric isn't the most beautiful and a little "puffy" but it is comfy and washable.
- canopy doesn't go all the way to the bar. sun shade is quick to attach.

Whenever we need another stroller, I am definitely checking Zooper first.

We have had a Zooper Swing (now known as a Hula it appears) since our son was born in Nov 2004. It has been our only stroller, used in Chicago. This stroller has traveled around the US by bus, car and plane, and made a two month trip to Europe this summer (2006). We love it. It flew on numerous airplanes, trains and buses within Europe, in Poland, Germany, Italy and England. It spent seven days in Rome, including about a full day on the forum, days in German and Polish towns on cobblestones. The only damage it suffered was a rear wheel bent slightly askew by an airline. That, and a rivet snapped by my wife when she forced it closed in the reclined position. We repaired that with a SS clevis pin and a cotter pin.

This is a wonderful stroller, we cannot have asked more from it. Our son loves it, and sleeps soundly in it. As I write this he has been climbing in and out of it with the rain cover on. We are now looking to get a lighter weight, simpler stroller now that our son is 2+ years old, and Zooper is at the top of our list.

We bought a Zooper Waltz in 2005 (the stroller was a 2004 model, I think). Absolutely loved it at first. Had a lot going for it. I particularly liked the full sun canopy, the zip-off ventilation cover, full reclining seat, leg extenders, and the full under-carriage basket. It also is extremely light, and folds UP off the ground into a standing position -- as many people have posted already.

However, after about 18 months of use, the front wheels have become unresponsive; in order to turn the stroller when I'm in motion, sometimes I have to lean all my weight into it. And, to make a turn from a complete standstill, the front swiveling wheels get stuck and I have to pop a wheelie and pivot the stroller on its rear wheels to turn it around. Additionally, when the stroller is folded, the locking mechanism has worn out and most of the time, I struggle to keep it together when I'm lifting the stroller out of my car trunk -- the locking mechanism is a plastic tab that snaps over a peg when the stroller is folded, but the tab has lost its stiffness and spring, and doesn't grasp the peg securly anymore, and simply slips off. Last, the folding mechanism is a button I push in with my right hand while pulling up with my left. The button doesn't spring back into place anymore, so when I fold the stroller, I have to push the button several times to get it to unlock - it's lost its responsiveness as well.

I love the features and style of this stroller, and the fabric has held up extremely well -- We'd done international traveling with the stroller, but I was expecting the stroller to hold up better, considering we've used it only a year and a half. I'm increasingly disappointed with it because it's always a fight to get the stroller to turn, fold, and stay locked. I wrote to Zooper a couple of weeks ago, but no response yet. If/when I receive a response, and if I'm able to get the stroller back to an acceptable condition, I'll post again.

devinsmom wrote: However, after about 18 months of use, the front wheels have become unresponsive; in order to turn the stroller when I'm in motion, sometimes I have to lean all my weight into it. And, to make a turn from a complete standstill, the front swiveling wheels get stuck and I have to pop a wheelie and pivot the stroller on its rear wheels to turn it around.

We had the same issue. I removed the front wheels and cleaned the sockets and the posts, and then applied a thick grease to the posts before reassembling. They've been fine ever since. I don't fault the Zooper for having the problem to begin with, considering that it has been through winters, dusty dirty environments and so on. I do credit it for being able to remove the wheels and perform what I think is some reasonable maintenance. No replacement parts needed.

Larry