If you love your stroller....tell me, does anything like this exist?

[justKate]

I was thinking that you ladies would be in the best position to give me an opinion on strollers, since if you use one, you've probably looked at what's available recently!  Any thoughts are appreciated.

Here's what I have: a Kolcraft Contours Options 4-wheeler and a Britax Blink.

I love the Britax, and don't want to get rid of it, BUT my full-size stroller was meeting two needs that the Britax doesn't: first, the Britax basket is too small for a day at the zoo with a little one still in diapers, for example.  Of course it also isn't reversible like the full size Kolcraft. 

The Kolcraft is great, but it's getting worn and with a new one on the way, I'm thinking about replacing it if I can find something slightly better.  Other than a car seat, this would be the only big item new baby will get.

So here's what I'm looking for in my fantasy stroller:

--Full-size so that its heavy enough to be stable, but hopefully under 35 lbs. or so

--Reversible!

--Accommodate small babe up to 40ish lbs. (DD is 28 lbs. at 3 years old)

--BIG heavy duty basket underneath for storing stuff for baby and 3 year old on trips to theme parks, the zoo, etc

--27'' wide or less

--hopefully under $200

--no need to hold a bucket seat, as we won't have one

--available in black, if possible

Any thoughts are welcome! 

[mama2soren]

I do love my stroller (Baby Jogger City Mini), but it doesn't meet your reversible-with-lots-of-storage criteria...

Most "flipable" strollers are pricey.  The one I know of that isn't too expensive that is reversible, has a large basket, etc. is the Graco Flip-it.  The First Year's Indigo is also inexpensive and reversible, but I don't know about the basket.  The pictures make it look decent, at least.

Good luck!  Finding the perfect stroller is tough!

[rubyjune]

I'm looking for the same sort of things..I really want it to be reversible, decent sized basket, and with a mommy cup holder, and stable enough to walk the big dog and push...red if possible. My big thing is I'm not all that tall 5'7 and most handles are too darn short...how do you taller mamas manage?

[gumshoegirl007]

We have an Uppababy Vista and it meets all your requirements, except price (and maybe the 27 inch one).  I love this stroller.  And, you can buy an attachment to make it a double.

[AnnieA]

My Peg Perego Uno fits almost all of your requirements except price and large storage basket. The basket isn't terrible but I wouldn't call it large. But I LOVE the reversible handle and the fact that the seat reclines completely flat. In those early days when DD would sleep anywhere, I called it her portable bed!

[onetwoten]

Originally Posted by mama2soren 

I do love my stroller (Baby Jogger City Mini), but it doesn't meet your reversible-with-lots-of-storage criteria...

Most "flipable" strollers are pricey.  The one I know of that isn't too expensive that is reversible, has a large basket, etc. is the Graco Flip-it.  The First Year's Indigo is also inexpensive and reversible, but I don't know about the basket.  The pictures make it look decent, at least.

Good luck!  Finding the perfect stroller is tough!

^^Everything she said. I own a City Elite, which is bigger and pricier, but I love the brand,. and had a hard time choosing between the mini or the Elite. If you're willing to compromise on the reversible I would definitely look at a Baby Jogger. 
 

[nia82]

I love our Teutonia. Granted, it's heavy, but we have horrible winds here. 

[Justmee]

We have the venezia by perego (which looks just like the uno, so i'm guessing it was renamed?)

I think it fits your requirements except price. I got mine for $200, but it was end of season last year's color.

Maybe look on craigslist for a used one?

[Youngfrankenstein]

I bought a used Peg Perego from Ebay about 11 years ago and I just passed it on to another mother.  It was great!  Compact yet roomy, had a basket, reversable handles, bunting, etc.

I don't even know if they make it anymore but I'd head in that direction.  You may want to look at amazon.com reviews to see what people are saying before they buy.  Sometimes you can find a super deal there but like I said, mine was from Ebay.

[~Adorkable~]

i have the baby jogger city select and it does everything you need, but it cost more. i love mine to the end of the earth!

i can't see you getting that wish list for that price.  now that it has been out for almost 2 years, i bet a few are going to start turning up used.  as a bonus you could get the second seat for it and lose it with both kids when needed and then turn it back to a single when you dont. and they have a stand and ride board for it now too.

[Jennyanydots]

We have a bugaboo frog that we're really happy with.  They're quite pricey, but we lucked out and found one secondhand on craigslist.  It meets a lot of your requirements, but the storage basket is not very large.  It works for a couple of bags of groceries, but it's not the most easily accessible.  I love that it's reversible, and that it works well for little ones or bigger toddlers.

[justKate]

Thanks for all of the ideas ladies!  I always forget about ebay for larger items.  Off to google now....

[Ola_]

Originally Posted by mama2soren 

I do love my stroller (Baby Jogger City Mini), but it doesn't meet your reversible-with-lots-of-storage criteria...

This is the one I have too and love it, although it sounds like it doesn't meet your criteria.  But for me being light was paramount, being able to fold the stroller and put it in the trunk with one hand while holding baby in the other = priceless. LOL

[Mommel]

Love my Kolcraft Contours three-wheeler... it fits all those points.

Edited for link: http://www.kolcraft.com/brands/contours/strollers/contours-options-3-wheeler-stroller.html

Edited by Mommel - 4/9/12 at 7:35pm

[Kaydove]

I have the City Mini Gt by Baby Jogger! Just came out last month and my gawd I love it! You can get a bassinet that clips right in, so baby faces you until 25 lbs, but I'm considering not getting it because the back lies flat. It weighs only 20 lbs and folds with one hand. Has a 65 lb weight limit! The shocks are amazing! Adjustable handle bar if your partner is taller. I could go on but gotta go.

[Lisa85]

I have a Britax B-Ready and really like it.  I don't know that it's less than 27" and it's definitely not under $200 but I was able to find mine on sale and got the matching bucket for free.  I think it was $400 IIRC.  But, if you aren't going to be using a bucket, then I guess that's not much of an incentive for you.  The basket is bigger than most and I find it holds everything I need it to.  It is VERY easy to steer and navigate, that was definitely the selling point for me as well as being reversible.

[MrMom1]

Originally Posted by gumshoegirl007 

We have an Uppababy Vista and it meets all your requirements, except price (and maybe the 27 inch one).  I love this stroller.  And, you can buy an attachment to make it a double.

I agree totally with Uppababy Vista.....we bought this when she was about 2 months and could not stand her infant carrier. It comes with a bassinet as well, which she loved, and both it and the stroller have sun shades that pull down in the front. It is pricey but we decided that the money saved from cloth diapering would more than cover it......it is well worth the investment.

It is also made in the USA if that matters to you at all.

[lcchrt]

I agree with pp... we LOVE our city mini. It isn't reversible though. The new gt version is AMAZING!!!! This is by far the best stroller on the market right now. Nothing is comparable! The britax b-ready is a lose second, but just feels cheap compared to it. I'd try to find one in store to try out if I were you :)

[Kaydove]

I did end up getting the compact pram for my city mini gt and its awesome! Clips right in to the stroller, has carrying handles, and is really well padded. Glides effortlessly over the sand, which important living in San Diego!