Stroller shopping is killing my will to live! (not really, but close)

[justgonnadoulait]

Jeepers!  This is an awful process.  I'm frustrated because as usual I feel like I have tons of options, but no choices.  In other words, there are lots of extra little features, but none of the distinctions seem to matter and I don't have the choice of many original designs.  Even the baby bargain book left me frustrated.

I don't think I'll be using the stroller much initially (plan on wearing baby mostly), which is why I'm posting in the toddler forum.  I suspect toddler moms have more experience with strollers.  I want to figure it out now for it now because people are probably not going to be offering to pay for things once baby is 9 months old.  

I'm looking for a stroller that have a flip handle so baby can face me or away from me.  Ideally the handle height is adjustable too.  I do NOT like the the bugaboo or chameleon handles as they hurt my wrists.  And I don't like the overall feel of them either.  The BOB handles beautifully, but it's quite expensive and I don't like that baby can't face me.  

The best option I've seen online (not in person) is the Peg Perego Uno (last years model to save on cost).  I like that it is pram like for a younger baby, and has the reversible handle that also has height adjustments.  But there have been negative reviews, which include: wheel placement when baby faces out causes user to step on wheels (I HATE that), narrow in seat so may only last a year or a bit more, and that it feels cheaply made (it's really expensive) and perhaps most damning of all, that while it has made in Italy written all over it, it was actually made in China.  I don't want to support that crap.  But are there ethical stroller companies?  Do they have somewhat affordable strollers?

And the last factor that needs to be considered is that we live in a very hilly city, so a brake is a bit important if I want to save my already achy knees.

Anyone know if a stroller exists that meets all of my ridiculous requirements?

[prescottchels]

Your post got my curious, b/c I too would like to only purchase items made in the US or other country that doesn't force horrible conditions onto their laborers...This is what I've found so far from this blog from '08 http://madeinusaoreuro.blogspot.com/2008/01/speaking-of-sell-outs-baby-jogger.html

"Uppababy does a small amount of manufacturing in MA and is trying to bring back all manufacturing to the US. The have started with some of their accessories and hope to have enough capital to change over soon... but right now... made in China.. but at least they are trying?!
Ingelsina-made in Italy
Stokke- made in Norway
Mutsy- made in the Netherlands
Mountain Buggy-made in New Zealand
Finally Bugaboo is made in Taiwan in a wholly owned (and tour-able) factory. Not great but better than the thought of the Chinese sweatshops that could be putting toxic dye or paint on my child's things."

I have to run, but maybe this is a new jumping off point for you...?

Good Luck!

[Nicole730]

Didn't want to read and not post, but have you looked into the Kolcraft ones?  I have no idea if they meet all your requirements, but they do have seats that can face you and away from you.

[Anna Phor]

I've owned two Peg Peregos, both made in Italy afaik (and that was important to us, too). 

We started with the Pliko Switch, which unlike the uno moves the seat, not the handle, to face either way. It drives like a mac truck. We barely used it.

Once my son was just over a year old, we got the 3-wheeled vela. I LOVE this stroller. It steers beautifully, folds with one hand, has one-hand drive, and weighs about 12lbs. The vela and the aria are the same stroller but the aria is a 4-wheel version.

Here's what I want in a stroller after owning 2:

ONE-HAND DRIVE!! This is critical. Sometimes you need to hold the baby and drive the stroller. Or hold your umbrella or your groceries or a door. 

One-hand fold is also really important. You can't put a baby down on the pavement while you use both hands to fold the stroller.

Light--I live in a city and don't drive, so I need to be able to get the toddler, the stroller and the groceries up a set of stairs when the elevator is busted in the subway. And I need to get kid + stroller on and off a bus.

While I really love the vela, it doesn't have the option to have baby facing you--but it is compatible with peg's car seat, so you can clip the seat in and have the baby face you.  We didn't do that--we found we didn't really use the stroller much at all until late in the first year, and by that time my son was happier looking out.

[ThreeTwoFive]

My solution to the stroller dilemma was to buy more than one.

I got a basic umbrella stroller for $5 at a garage sale that was eventually destroyed by baggage handlers.

I got a Peg Perego that reverses the handle for walks to the park on craigslist for $75 (I overpaid, in retrospect.)

I got the umbrella stroller that we use now regularly as a gift.  It was $45.

I got a Snap`N'Go on craigslist for $15 (and sold for $10).

So I would vote for multiple strollers instead of one amazing one.  That being said I really like my sister's Maclaren.

[akind1]

Especially for toddlers, I love my Maclaren - by the time you'd be using it, I don't know if the baby facing you is as important - they want to face out and see the world. There are Maclarens with adjustable handles (mine doesn't, I think I have the Quest sport) - but the handles are a great height for both DH (who is 6 foot 6) and me (4 foot 11). It does recline enough to be comfortable for napping. Folds easily - using mostly foot power, so really one handed I guess, compact and lightweight. Also now that DS is old enough (20 months) it is nice he can climb in it on his own, since there is no snack tray and it is low enough to the ground. Since we've never had a snack tray, I don't miss it. (and the strollers that do, don't fold up as compactly).

The only negative thing I can say about it is that it doesn't have a lot of storage (but that's not a big thing on my wish list) and it doesn't have cup holders (more for me than DS) - but you can buy ones that snap on, if that's important to you. I don't know where it's made though. Given that the info is hard to find, it may not be US/EU

[chel]

I love my first years wave stroller.
You rotate the handle to change from forward facing to back. So you don't remove the kid. You can also recline to a full flat position super easy. It don't have a bar at your feet so no toe tapping. Large back wheels to handle all surfaces.

The only thing that I hate is folding. You can't fold one handed and to carry you have to carry it in two pieces

[Comtessa]

We never owned a stroller until DD was 13 months old.  We bought a stroller/infant carseat "travel system" at a garage sale for $20.  It was a great deal, and we use the stroller all the time (and, once DS was born a year later, were glad to have a second carseat). 

In retrospect, I'm really glad we didn't have a stroller that first year.  I loved carrying DD in a sling everywhere, and it was good for all of us to be unencumbered with wheels.  Getting one secondhand at the point at which we needed it worked great for us.  Have your friends/family buy you something else you need (Maybe a cloth diaper stash?  Those are pricey!!)  and worry about a stroller later.  There are a million gently-used strollers in the world.  And if you get something secondhand, you don't have to worry as much about supporting a non-ethical company, because your money isn't going to the company, after all...

[JanineRivera]

We used the Maxi Cosi stroller system that can be used with the infant seat or a toddler seat.  You can switch the toddler seat to face in or out.  This is the only stroller we owned for a long time and loved it.  Now that my dd is 3 and I am pregnant with twins we hardly use it but I imagine I will use it once the babies arrive.

[Katc8910]

I love our UppaBaby Vista.  I think it would meet all of your requirements, except where it is manufactured.