need a stroller recommendation

[shanniesue2]

okay, so I have managed 2 years with just a cheap umbrella stroller.... but we don't use it THAT often (maybe 2-3 times/week). We do occasionally for walks when we don't want DS running off to the playground... for family outings such as the fair, the zoo, etc.

I have a weeklong trip to Chicago coming up this summer. And I just think I'm going to need something more than the umbrella stroller. Here's what I want (and I may not be able to find it all in one stroller): not very expensive, lightweight and doesn't take up a lot of space when collapsed, easily collapsable, all terrain (I want to be able to use it when we get back home, and we have gravel trails and grass that we go for walks on and it's a PITA to push the unbrella stroller on those), a moderate (not huge) sized basket that I can store a diaper backpack and maybe another small bag in. cup holders would be nice, but I can do without.

Also, I've never been to Chicago, but my brother and his partner do a lot of travel by train... we don't have good mass transit where we live, so if anyone can give me some tips for tooling around Chicago with a toddler.

P.S. I have an Ergo, but wearing him for extended periods of time is NOT an option. While he only weighs 24 pounds, I have some significant back problems that are exacerbated when I wear him longer than 20 minutes or so.

[shanniesue2]

anyone?

[allisonrose]

You might get more recommendations with a price range. What might be inexpensive to one person might be expensive to another.

The combo of lightweight and all terrain might also be tricky. Lightweight plus a basket makes me think of the Chicco Capri stroller which is commonly carried at BRU: link. But I really don't know if it will be able to manage grass and such. BRU has a stroller finder and the combo of all terrain and light weight brings up a $349 stroller.

I hope someone comes along with more experience.

[Drummer's Wife]

I love my Peg Perego P3. It has all the features you are looking for (the wheels are small, but it handles different terrain well, IMO), but I don't know what your price range is. You might find one on Craigslist, though.

[shanniesue2]

I'm thinking in the $150 on the highest end and that would be a bit of a stretch... and I will definitely look for a used one if I can get it. I guess that all terrain is less important to me than the other features. The main reason I put all terrain is that if I buy one, it'd be nice to use in place of our cheapie umbrella stroller... and one of our most common walking patterns has a gravel/chat walking trail. However, we've made the $20 umbrella stroller work for 2 years... so as long as the new stroller isn't any more difficult than what we have.

Our common stroller uses are neighborhood walks, zoo trips, mall shopping, community events (think fairs, home and garden shows, car shows, etc.). I don't jog, so I don't need a jogging stroller... and we live in strip mall suburbia ()...

BUT I do want this to be versatile and useful on our Chicago trips (and other locales) this summer and fall (and more in the future as that is where my brother and his partner live).

[sunfish21]

As I read what you were looking for I laughed, thinking that my stroller (Graco metrolite?) would be something you might hate! It doesn't collapse flat; is bulky and heavy; it cost enough. It does collapse easily, has a great sized basket underneath, with cupholders and a little closed storage area on top. I love it--it is sturdy and easy to push. When I was looking for a double I asked every parent I saw with a double stroller what they had, if they liked it, etc. Maybe you try some out somewhere?

[Katie T]

Check out the Britax Blink stroller. It is on sale at Diapers.com for 99$ (reg. 150$) and if you use the coupon code ten percent or 10percent ( can't remember lol) you get 10$ off

I ordered it today and it is being delivered tomorrow so I can give ya my opinion then. If you look at it at the Britax site they have a nice vidio about it and its features.

http://www.britaxusa.com/strollers/blink/videos

If it doesn't take you to the vidio you will see a tab about video at the top, click on that.

[Friday13th]

I got a Blink a month or two ago and I've been really happy with it. It folds easily and has a carry strap which is nice for public transit and a carry bag so you can gate-check it on the plane. It's not technically all-terrain but in my experience all-terrain and compact don't really go together and the Blink has bigger tires than a regular umbrella stroller.

[Katie T]

Originally Posted by Friday13th

I got a Blink a month or two ago and I've been really happy with it. It folds easily and has a carry strap which is nice for public transit and a carry bag so you can gate-check it on the plane. It's not technically all-terrain but in my experience all-terrain and compact don't really go together and the Blink has bigger tires than a regular umbrella stroller.

I'm glad you like it, I was wondering before I ordered it if the cover came off for washing, but I didn't get a response. It is getting delivered today and I am so excited! lol

[mama2soren]

Diapers.com has free return shipping, too, if you decide you don't like it.

If you could track down a Pliko Lite, you might like that. Peg Perego hasn't made them for a few years, but I found one on Albee Baby a year ago for about $110. It's lightweight, folds nicely, has decent wheels, and it stands upright when folded.

[mama2soren]

I just noticed that there's an Aria for $100 at Albee... http://www.albeebaby.com/peg-perego-...008-tango.html

I've had good luck with that site, though they have a terrible return policy. You could always push around an Aria at BRU to check it out before buying from Albee.

[Drummer's Wife]

The Blink looks pretty nice - and for a good price. I'd consider that if I needed another stroller.

[gbailey]

Originally Posted by Friday13th

I got a Blink a month or two ago and I've been really happy with it. It folds easily and has a carry strap which is nice for public transit and a carry bag so you can gate-check it on the plane. It's not technically all-terrain but in my experience all-terrain and compact don't really go together and the Blink has bigger tires than a regular umbrella stroller.

I might try this. I'm looking for an umbrella stroller for going up and down NYC subways. Thanks!

[Katie T]

O.K. So I got my Blink stroller today and had to take it for a test drive.
Things I like-
Folds/unfolds easily
strolls very nicely
narrow
Drives great over grass, pea gravel, wood chips
DD loves it!

Cons-
A little heavy for a umbrella stroller but not bad
seat cover doesn't easily come off for washing (although it looks like of you take off a few screws you could wash it)

Over all I am really pleased with it. The handles are nice and high so you aren't bending over and with how they have the handles angled it doesn't hurt my wrist (I have carpel tunnel)
When we pulled up at the park I asked DD if she wanted to play and she said "no walk" lol

Anything else you are wondering that I can answer let me know.

[Friday13th]

I should come back and add that my stroller-hating toddler LOVES the Blink, especially that the seat bottom comes up so he can cross his legs.

And I got the black one so I don't have to worry about cleaning it.

[ASusan]

I think ours is the Graco Metrolite - or similar. We just came back from a weekend in Chicago, and I'm really glad we had it for our zoo trip. (especially because we went for a several-block walk for lunch at Chipotle, because DS has allergies and can't do most of what was offered at the zoo.)

It is a bit big, and DH handled it when we got on the bus, but other than that, I like it.

Big plusses:

The handles have adjustable height.
Big basket below for all the stuff you want in a day
Front wheels swivel, and although it isn't all-terrain, it can handle the situations you say you're in most often
Recline seat for when/if DS falls asleep.

Also --
cupholders for both parent and child
tray removes for cleaning
removable sun shade

For the zoo trip, we also packed the Ergo, which got used at naptime (no sleeping, but DS rested for about 45 minutes).

The trip to the Children's Museum, I did without the stroller (and without DH or the Ergo), but DS (4 mos older than your DS) did just fine. He did fall asleep on the bus on the way back to the hotel, so that carrying him from the bus to the hotel room was bit of a challenge.

[shanniesue2]

thanks everyone! I'm eyeing that PP Aria on albee... and off to check out the others!