Umbrella stroller recommendation?

[limabean]

I wear my 11mo DD a lot -- she loves the ring sling -- but I also find a stroller to be useful sometimes. However, I'm so sick of our giant travel-system stroller -- I'd love a sleek umbrella stroller that can be left in the car without taking up too much room.

We have a cheapo (like $15) umbrella stroller, and I just can't use it for more than 5 minutes -- the handles are too low, so I have to bend over a little the whole time I push, I kick the wheels constantly, and there's nowhere to put my bag or any purchases. So, I'm thinking of getting something like a Maclaren, but I want some recommendations on which model would be best. Our criteria are:

Taller handles than a cheap umbrella stroller
Folds down small
Has a basket under the seat
Wheels are set farther apart than a cheap umbrella stroller
Will be able to be used until DD is 2 or 3

I appreciate any input!

[Peony]

A Maclaren would definitely fit your needs. DD1 is 6 and still can fit into our Qwest, and I can still easily push it! I'm not up on all the models, we have two different Maclarens and I couldn't tell you the difference between the models.

[lemurik]

We have Graco Ipo and it seems to fit your needs.

[riverscout]

I have a Maclaren Quest Mod and love it. I keep it in the car and it doesn't take up much room at all.

It's lightweight and compact but still feels like a real stroller if you know what I mean. The Volo just seemed too lightweight to me and the Triumph was missing some of the comfort features.

[soxthecatrules]

I don't own one but I always thought the Maclaren Volo would be nice.

I purchased a used Peg Perego Pliko when DS was born and I consider that our umbrella stroller. Absolutely love it. Very compact. Very well constructed. I consider those $10-$20 umbrella stroller "throwaways" and worthless. We bought one for $5 at BigLots. I used it once. Not sure how people stand to use them.

[NYCVeg]

We love the Maclaren Volo. Dh (5'10") can use it w/o bending, it has a basket underneath, it's very light weight, folds easily, and has a strap so you can carry it when it's folded. We live in a city and take the bus a lot, and I've had no trouble folding it up and getting it/dd onto and off of the bus.

[AndrewsMother]

We also own and love the Maclaren Quest Mod.

[Katie063008]

We own a McLarent Triumph. My husband can reach no problem, there's a basket underneath and it reclines if Rowan falls asleep. The wheels are really smooth and turn quite tightly. It also folds with one hand! I liked it the best out of all the umbrella types we tried. McLaren's are a bit expensive, but I think, good quality. So if you're planning on useing it for more than one kid it's a good investment. The only problem is that it's not great for snow/mud, but no stroller really is other than a huge jogging stroller so we use the wrap all winter and on hikes.

[LittleBlessings]

:

[GuildJenn]

We have/had the Maclaren Triumph and it was great - totally different from the cheap umbrella stroller we'd had as a hand me down. I don't know a lot about the Quest, which I know is even spiffier, but the reason we went for the Triumph over the Volo was that the seat reclined a bit - enough for a light stroller nap. The Triumph we got had the strap for the bus/subway trip scenario too. The Volo was a few lbs lighter though.

[AmandaClare]

We also have the Maclaren Volo. It's very lightweight, can be steered with one hand, and has a pretty good sized basket for an umbrella stroller. My 4 year old rides in it still on occasion, so it's definitely been worth the money.

[Shaki]

Another Mclaren Volo user here. We are very happy with it. One of the best things about it is that it's very light and so relatively easy to use in conjunction with public transportation. Easy to take on bus and subway.

[soso-lynn]

Maclaren Volo here too. I love the shoulder strap to carry it when folded. It survived many winters being stored outside and all and still looks brand new. According to my daughter, it is also very comfortable. Another huge plus compared to a cheap one is the 5point harness instead of the little one around the waist. It can be so dangerous if a child can lean over to pick up something on the ground. The Maclaren also has much better balance than the cheap ones.

[Mama2Bug]

We have the Baby Planet Endangered Species Stroller and we really love it. We've had it for almost a year and a half now and it has held up very well, under some tough use. It comes in other styles as well, like the Snow Leopard and the Leaf Frog.

Part of the profits go to the Wildlife Conservation Society, which is nice. The company also has a recycling program for their products after you're done with them. :

[A Mom's Love]

Another for Maclaren! I have a Maclaren Techno XT that was a hand-me-down from another mother & it's got to be the best! I love how compact it gets, yet it's a little more than a bare bones umbrella. The handles are nice & high. I'm 5'10" and other umbrella strollers would just be a backache!

[Kayaking Mama]

We love our Maclaren Volo and plan to take it with us on our upcoming vacation for our now-3 year old DS.

[alexsam]

I have a britax preview... Its a nice "hybrid" type stroller. MUCH smaller and lighter than a travel system, folds umbrella style, but also does some good things (like reclines flat for naps, 5 pt safety belts, has a nice storage bag on the back that zips on and off, under basket, has the nice seat that extends the footrest so baby feet don't hang over funny). It really has all the features of a "regular stroller" but in a souped up umbrella . I like it a lot, but some reviews say some people kick the back... (though it has not been a problem for me).