Baby Registry Basics: Strollers

Strollers

If you are only going to get one stroller:

I’d get either an All in one-to-double, travel stroller, or a jogging stroller. Dependent on your lifestyle. I also included wagons, bike strollers, and ride on cars because we considered those too.

We didn’t like our stroller that came with our car seat because it is difficult to maneuver. I wish we would have bought an all-in-one or a jogging stroller (despite the fact I don’t jog).

If you are buying an expensive stroller, I suggest you buy a stroller lock (we use a retractable cable lock, which is cheaper because it lacks baby branding). I see very expensive strollers when we would go to the zoo or aquarium and I never saw anyone get theirs stolen, but we never went on crowded days. It's just something to consider if you go somewhere like Disney.

All in one-to-double

I didn’t know these were affordable which is why I never put one on my registry. The best ones can hold a bassinet, become a double stroller, be a car seat carrier, have seats be front and parent facing, and have sibling accessories.

What I would love: Mockingbird Single-to-Double Stroller

I actually like this better than the Uppababy Vista stroller because it is compatible with Graco (the car seat we have), has more arrangements, the heavier child can be on the bottom, and it’s reasonably priced. What I don’t like is that it doesn’t have all the accessories available yet. But if they have what you need and in your budget, I'd go for it.

Other good ones: Baby Jogger, Evenflo Pivot Expand, Uppababy Vista, Nuna Demi, Graco Uno2Duo

Many stroller make single all-in-one too. I personally just said get a double because once you start with one, you might change your mind. What is also nice about the singles, if you have a large age gap, you can buy a piggy back board for the older one to stand on.

Jogging Stroller

Jogging strollers are at least easy to maneuver and good for long walks and maybe would have motivated me to jog. Most have infant car seat adapters. They tend to be a bit heavier than normal strollers, but I'd take that over maneuverability.

What I would love: Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight Jogging Stroller

It’s pretty light. I like that it is a good stroller for jogging and running and it accepts most infant car seats (with adapters). It also holds children up to 75 lbs, which flashes me back to when I would sit on my older brother’s lap in my little umbrella stroller. If you are planning on jogging, make sure your stroller has really good breaks, running leash, all-wheel suspension, and is easy to maneuver - which may seem like common sense, but you’d be surprised what is marketed as such and is super unrealistic.

Other Products: BOB (check for recall if buying used), Thule Urban Glide, Baby Jogger Summit, Graco

Travel stroller

I define a travel stroller as being lightweight, compact, and something easy to travel with. Some strollers have adapters so you can have your infant car seat, like ours. However, most are not suitable for newborns. Once we were out of the newborn phase, I just wanted something that wouldn’t take up a ton of space in my trunk and I would have loved the Yoyo (as a lot of friends told me they love it), but I wanted something less expensive.

What we have: gb Pockit+ AllCity

I absolutely love this thing. It folds up super easy and small - it can fit in my trunk with another stroller or in the house. It is easy to maneuver and lightweight. It does tip if you are not careful and has a very small basket. I wish it came in grey because the dark colors cause my daughter to get very sweaty fast. It was expensive but we use this as our only stroller so I don’t feel like it was wasted. We have friends with the original gb Pockit who did Europe with it! They said they didn’t have issues - my only issue is the canopy on the original is useless. I also liked the way it folded and stood up so I don’t have to lay it on the ground.

Other good products: Babyzen Yoyo+ Stroller, born free Liva Compact Fold Travel Stroller, Doona Car Seat & Travel Stroller, Joovy Caboose Ultralight (double), any umbrella stroller

Stroller Alternatives:

Wagons (great for doubles)

I tried to convince my husband we needed a Veer Cruiser. I love that they have stroller adapters. In the end we got a Radio Flyer wagon and my daughter loves it. I have read people have brought these to travel in airports citing it as a stroller and that sounds like a game changer - but I feel like that depends on your airport. I would also recommend getting one for small children, not like a Mac Sports wagon, because you want a wagon safety tested for transporting children.

Products with car seat attachments: Veer Cruiser Stroller Wagon, Evenflo Pivot Xplore All-Terrain Double Stroller Wagon, Jeep Wrangler Stroller Wagon

Bike Strollers

I got this because I thought it was more practical than a little car (see below for more on that). However, I realize my daughter's legs are too short to trike now that she's lost interest in her stroller. But that's just my independent daughter. I like the option of having a trike now too, but she chooses her balance bike (post on that later).

What We Have: Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll 'N Trike

Pro: Radio flyer name and classic design. It is also super light and foldable. I also like the pedal covers, so does my daughter, as she would yell "no pedals" when I decided to take it off to see what would happen. It's also super easy to convert into the different types of trike it offers. I love the little basket.

Con: It's super frustrating to steer. The handle is not for tall or average height men. It also doesn't stay tightened. Also, if your child is cheeky like mine, they can successfully override your steering with their own. The canopy doesn't actually do much.

Takeaway: There is also a cheaper option without the canopy, that'd I'd recommend because that is a deal!

What I Wanted: Smart Trike or Doona Liki Trike S3

I really wanted a Smart Trike but I saw an abundance of people with the Radio Flyer, so I assumed that was the one to get. Later, I met a mom who told me she loved her Smart Trike. They have a lot of options and are quite affordable, unless you add all the bells and whistles. Not to mention, they offer them in more colors than anyone else.

The Doona bike is what I'd love because it is so perfect for travel. It's expensive and I don't see people with it but it certainly is a good option if you view it as an investment because it can be used as a trike or first balance bike.

Other options: Little Tikes Pack 'n Go, Joovy Tricycooo Tricycle, Bentley 6-in-1 Trike

Cars

There are two options that are good for babies: Push Cars and Parent Control Remote Cars.

Push Car

My daughter would have loved a push car, I regret it but we ultimately did not have space for another thing like this.

What I Wanted: Step2 Push Around, they have so many different options ranging from cars with faces to exotic cars. They can be folded and put into a trunk.

Parent Control Remote Car or Ride On Remote Car

My husband loved the Parent Control Remote Cars, but I doubted if it was worth it because in a few years she'd want to be the driver and I didn't trust them for him to use it on a sidewalk and not crash it or it become unresponsive.

What He Wanted: Best Choice Products Car with Remote Control, they have a lot of cars from cars to trucks.

Deal I Found: Costco had a Lamborghini 12V Ride-on with parental Remote Control for $229.99 (including shipping) around Christmas 2019. I bought it and ended up cancelling the order because I decided I did not trust a little electric car with suicide doors being driven in the rain - since it was winter.

**Nothing is promoted. Nobody has paid me for my free advertising on any of these brands