Sign up for our free newsletter
Tuesday
19
July
The best lightweight city strollers? - Reader Q&A
I've been a huge fan of my Maclaren Techno XT. It's a 2003. Sadly, it's reaching the end of its usable years and I'm in the market for a new stroller. It must be subway friendly, lightweight and comfortable. Before I just purchase another Maclaren, I'm wondering if there is anything new out there I should try first. -Michelle
I'm a subway-riding, stroller-pushing, big-city-dweller, too, Michelle, so I think I have an idea of what you're looking for. My intial thought is that another Maclaren will probably be your best bet again. They're excellent, hardy strollers that are lightweight, easy to push & fold and pretty darn nice looking, too. Take, for example, our recent review of the gorgeous Denim Quest.
But, like you, I never want to miss out on something great just by assuming that I should get another of what I already have. So I've got a few other suggestions for strollers you might want to take for a test spin:
We reviewed the Cybex Onyx a little while ago and I really love it. It's definitely an easy stroller to push and fold. The sun canopy is amazing for those city walks when you need to be on the sunny side of the street. And there's a built-in shoulder strap, so it's easy to carry up and down subway stairs.
Though I've never tried it, the UPPABaby G-Luxe is another stroller that's comparable to the Techno. It's really light (only 11 lb) and has hand-activated folding, which means no fancy shoes ruined when you have to fold in a hurry. It, too, has a handy shoulder strap.
One last stroller you might want to take for a spin is the Maxi Cosi Mila. It's more of a do-everything type of umbrella, so you might find it a little too heavy (it's 16 lb), but you might also find you like the sturdiness of it for big city adventures. It's available in lots of fun colors, too.
I think it's most important that you test drive as many strollers as possible before deciding on one. You'll know as soon as you push your child around for a few minutes, fold and unfold the stroller, and try to carry it with a kid in your other hand if it's the right one for you.
An hour in a stroller store ought to leave you confident in your decision and happily pushing your child out in an awesome new ride. -Stephanie P.
Find More: Ask Cool Mom Picks, Strollers and Stroller-y Things
Leave a comment
Comment Policy: In an attempt to maintain a positive, productive, supportive community at Cool Mom Picks, we have the right to reject comments that are off-topic, self-promotional, inflammatory, or that bum us out for any reason. But you wouldn't do that anyway - you're too cool.
sponsors
Editor's Pick of the Week
The best age-appropriate bikini swimsuits for little girls. As in, no, they don't need to dress like teenagers.
New on Pinterest
13 creative uses for paint cans
DIY Summer Beach Bag tutorial
Great roundup of vintage kids finds on Etsy at Modern Kiddo.
Striped Ice Cube recipe for colorblock cocktails. Whoa!
Here's Something Cool
Last year we bought a Guzzie + Guss G104 as our travel stroller. We've used it on all modes of transportation (streetcar, subway, planes, boats - you name it!) and absolutely love it. It also has a "no-scuff" folding mechanism, as well as a shoulder strap, which is perfect for crowded places. What really sold us though, was that it fully reclines and has an extra-deep sun shade to protect that delicate skin! Good luck in your search!
id say stick with the maclaren if you like it. I was really into the city mini but ended up not getting it because it was almost as heavy as my uppa baby vista. for travel, subway and quick trips up the street the maclaren is great. if its your main stroller and you walk as much as i do (2-3miles a day) Id say look at the city mini for its 1 handed steering, easy fold, larger basket and lack of propensity to fall over every time your kid gets out. i thought the uppa baby gluxe and some of the others wanted to be the maclaren but were flimsier versions. Definitely spend some time in a store, it'll help you make a decision quickly.
I have a Maclaren Quest Sport (2007) which is great but not so special.
My SIL has the UPPABaby G-Luxe which for all intents and purposes looks & acts like the Maclaren BUT the awning on that thing kicks the butt of my Maclaren's awning from the Bronx to the Bowery.
I ? me a good awning.
We just purchased the Uppababy GLuxe and I can't say enough about it! We have a Mutsy that we use as our everyday stroller, but wanted/needed a lighter umbrella stroller for travel. The Uppababy GLuxe is brilliant. It has a multi position recline, hard to find on an umbrella stroller, which is wonderful for trips when naps often have to happen on the go. Also, it has a UV sun shade that can be pulled out to extend the sun coverage when necessary. At 11 lbs the stroller was highly portable and we loved that it had a small flat stand on the bottom so you can stand it upright while folded and not have it roll flat. I went to purchase the Maclaren and after testing them both left with the Uppababy and have no regrets. After a week in Southern California, airports, Disney, Legoland, etc. I'm loving its versatility and will be using it often, not just as a travel stroller.
Kamala
Love, LOVE the UPPA G-LUXE! Way more bang for your buck vs Maclaren with it almost as light weight but with a very nice recline, shoulder strap and nice sun shade.
I love my City Mini. I don't live in a subway town, but do carry the folded stroller thru the neighborhood woods with my daughter in the other arm to get to our walk route. Easy to carry, easy to open and close with one arm. Works great on our rough city sidewalks.
I have the UPPA Baby G-Lite (even lighter than the G-luxe, but no recline) and LOVE. IT. I've used it over grass at the park, on a dirt road on vacation and on a city bus, and its awesome. So light weight, so easy to fold... Love it.
We recently purchased an Aprica Presto as our 2nd stroller; we have a fabulous Bumbleride Flyer, but it doesn't fit in the trunk of my car nor is it very travel friendly!!
The Aprica is great for getting on and off the trains and maneuvering through the city, and at about $119 retail is relatively inexpensive compared to many other lightweight strollers. We're taking it to NYC tomorrow on Amtrak--- just me and the little guy! :)
It has a 5 point harness, good recline for napping (though not completely flat), a huge sunshade, and comes with a raincover. What I liked most was that it rides much higher than an umbrella stroller, so my little guy can see the world much more easily, and at 20 months, he wants to see EVERYTHING.
It has a carry strap (great for the airport, too) and weighs about 9 pounds. The 1-handed fold takes a bit of practice, but I've got it down to a science now-- a quick close, lock, and flip right into the trunk or over my shoulder. It also stands freely if you need to leave it at a restaurant in a tight space.
Another vote for the UppaBaby. It is SO light and easy to set up/breakdown.
The Bugaboo is the only way to go...