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On Newsstands Now!
Check out the May 2012 issue: raw stories, shocking confessions, candid advice about motherhood—and more!
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Which Stroller Should I Choose? Help!
January 23rd, 2012
By Megan McChesney
Choosing a stroller feels a bit like choosing a tattoo design or a post-secondary institution. If I make the wrong choice, I may be DOOMED TO LIVE IN SHAME AND REGRET FOREVER. And that would be one expensive regret.
I’ve zeroed in on three strollers, and I need your help. Do you have one of these? Do you love it? Am I missing an important contender? Just tell me what you did, so I can just do that too and stop thinking about it.
The 3 Contenders: UppaBaby Vista, Mamas & Papas Urbo, Bumbleride Indie
Stroller Wish List:
• Compact and easy to maneuver for city use
• Reclines flat or includes a carrycot
• Can handle Canadian weather (snow, specifically)
• Looks good (please, I don’t want to be out there with an ugly-ass stroller)
• Somewhat light, folds up easily for transporting in a car
• Goes from newborn to toddler
• Seat is reversible
Contender #1: UppaBaby Vista (available at Moms to Be and More, $760)
I like it because: Every single one of my friends has this stroller. It’s not cheap, but it’s versatile, can handle weather of various kinds. Meets most of the criteria on the list and a carrycot is included.
I’m hesitating because: Did I mention that every one of my friends has it? Every one. Not kidding.
Contender #2: Mamas & Papas Urbo (available at Toys R Us, $580)
I like it because: This is one stylish compact stroller. I love how it looks. It’s light and I liked how it handled when I tried rolling it around at Toys R Us (the exclusive Canadian distributor). It doesn’t include a carrycot, but it does recline flat.
I’m hesitating because: Can it handle winter weather? (No treads!) Plus, limited car seat compatibility.
Contender #3: Bumbleride Indie (available at Baby on the Hip, $560)
I like it because: It’s a compact all-terrain stroller and it moves from infant to toddler. Great storage.
I’m hesitating because: The seat isn’t reversible, and a carrycot isn’t included.
Copyright © 2012 St. Joseph Media. All Rights Reserved.
I have the UppaBaby Vista, and LOVE it! We used the bassinet attachment as baby’s bassinet while we where in the living room or kitchen. Love the built-in sun shade on the bassinet and stroller attachment. I also LOVE that the stroller is reversible. Often times, when baby was fussy during a walk, it was as simple as switching her point of view to make her happy. Even though all of your friends have this stroller, you can change things up by getting a different colour! It comes in so many colours! I have the yellow, and love it. The only thing that I don’t like is that I find I have to take it apart to put it in the van (separate the stroller from the base) and while it does fold flat, it still takes up a lot of real estate in the van. And the other thing is that items like car seat attachment and drink holder are not included. They are pricey and separate additions.
Hate to add further complications but you are totally missing a contender… the City Select. It meets all your criteria and it is very similar to the Uppa Baby Vista but cheaper initially (stroller + carry cot is about $650) but is also so versatile that you can add a second seat (the two sit stadium style so the smaller kid sees over the top of the bigger kid), a glider board for a toddler, a car seat adaptor… and not all your friends have it! The stroller is fantastic as a single stroller so you don’t have to invest in all that stuff up front, but if you end up having any more kids, you have a stroller that grows with that. My daughter is 18 months and my son is almost 4 – and this is the only stroller we have – it rocks!
Stroller shopping was one of my favourite, and most daunting tasks before I had my babies. The first time, I went with one I thought was good, but really sucked. Two years later, the choices were much better, and I went with my gut. Just stopped using my blue camo Phil and Ted’s as my youngest is now 4, but I miss it already. It’s like losing a limb.
I have a guzzie and gus stroller (gugu 102) and I absolutely love it! The bassinet is built right into the seat so you don’t have to lug another piece around with you. The seat can face in either direction it is totally manoeuvrable in the city and all weather conditions. The car seat adaptor was inexpensive aand worked with all types of car seats. The wheels are great and I had no trouble in the snow. Plus this is a Canadian company. Good luck I remember how difficult it was to pick the right one but I’m 18 months in and still loving it!