I was thinking about writing a Milk & Cookies article on different stroller brands, and it occurred to me that instead of all that tedious research, I could just ask some of my fellow parents what they thought about their own strollers. Using the highly scientific method of posting a call for help on Twitter, here’s some real-world feedback on strollers:

 

** WE LOVE OUR STROLLER! **

Baby Jogger.

So we have the Baby Jogger City Series (single) and, as far as a jogging stroller goes, I love it.  We live in the city so we wanted a jogger that wasn’t bulky or heavy but still had good tires (for snow) and was easy to push.  The Baby jogger is light, easy to fold, fits in narrow grocery store isles and is comfortable enough for my kid to fall asleep in it.  Things I don’t like include: very limited color selection and the weight distribution is such that if your diaper bag is heavy and clipped to the handle, the front wheel doesn’t get great traction. – Eleanor

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BOBgear.

We did a lot of research and couldn’t afford the crazy-priced strollers and so we got a BOB Revolution stroller in December of 2006. It was a novelty back then because it was before REI started selling them. :o) I have to say, even if I had $1000 free and clear to spend on a stroller, I’d just buy another BOB. It spins on a dime, is lightweight, has shocks and tires for off-road… which is perfect for life here in Bend, Oregon. I actually take our little guy (now almost 21 months) on walks and push it with my left hand while wrangling two over-excited 70 pounds dogs with my right hand, all with no problems. We have taken it camping, strolling, shopping, you name it. BOB is part of our family. 

The BOB has a front wheel that can be set to stay in position but I tried that once while running and I’ll never understand the purpose of it unless you plan on going in a completely straight line. I always use the free wheel. It has a strap so that the BOB can’t careen off in any direction; there is no handle brake but that has been fine with me. There is, however, a foot brake which we use for getting him in and out of the stroller and for storing upright in the garage because we use it so often. It easily closes up and stores for less space.

The storage underneath is big enough to hold some shopping bags and my purse as well as Aaron’s necessities like a couple diapers and snacks. It has a couple pockets on the inside for him to place his toys and a cup. The sunshade does a good job of sun-blocking and there is a clear see-through window on the top with a cover so that you can see the little one and still keep the sun out. My only complaint is that it doesn’t recline enough, but they fixed that with the 2007 version. Gah. Guess I’d better get another?!

We had to buy an attachment for holding a car seat when Aaron was first born because he was too small to fit in there. That was $40. And, we bought the drink handlebar attachment for another $20. They have diaper bags and some other serious gear (like a weather-proof covers) that you can also get. –  Leanne 

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Bugaboo. 

I know you have this, too, and my god, do I ever love this thing. I have the Cameleon (i.e., the one where you can switch the colors). Yes, it’s pricey, and yes, it’s a bitch to fold up, but really, it’s the best stroller out there. Sturdy, versatile, turns on a dime, and aesthetically pleasing. My only gripe is that it doesn’t come with a built-in cupholder, but that’s easily remedied. — Leyna

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Combi Flare.

We have a Combi Flare stroller and I love it. It’s incredibly lightweight, and it folds up and in to make a little tube of stroller that you can sling across your body like a slightly unwieldy quiver of arrows. (Is that too specific? Sorry.) But it’s got a quick fold and unfold, the straps seem comfortable and don’t tangle, there is an itty bitty basket on the bottom–large enough for a bottle of wine but not large enough for a six pack of beer–and there’s a cupholder/toyholder for Bonzo, and no cupholder for the parent. I strongly feel that this is how it should be. 

We put Bonzo in it at the store when he was ten or eleven months old but he loved the stroller immediately. We got a shade of green that was branded as “wasabi”, which made my husband happy. I didn’t really fall in love until we took it to the beach and came back with it covered in sand. I unsnapped a couple snaps that I hadn’t previously known were there and it took about 15 seconds to shake out and dust off. That was that. Keep your bugaboos, or whatever, but I love my little wasabi stroller. — Elizabeth

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Evenflo.

I love my umbrella stroller so much that I had to email you.  It’s an Evenflo Xsport Plus.  It’s very inexpensive, has a good basket, cup holders, and rolls and manuveurs very well.  The only drawback is that it doesn’t recline. — Dorrie

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Graco.

Graco Duoglide double strollers are wonderful.  I have a 3 yr old and a 7 mo old.  I recently had to take them to an appointment during nap time.  He slept in the front seat and she in the back - both seats fold back for sleeping.  Plenty of storage underneath.  Snap-on capability for Gracco infant carriers/car seats.  The only downside - sometimes the “fold down” dimensions are too long to fit into the trunks of smaller cars. –Paula

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I have a Graco DuoGlider, which I really like.  It is huge, but most double strollers are huge.  And what I really liked about it is that I could snap two infant car seats into it when the twins were little, and then after Henry was born, I could put his car seat in one seat and put a toddler in the other, or I could put two toddlers in it. — Swistle

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I LOVE my Graco Metrolite.  I have the travel system one, in purple.  I’ve had it since Cooper was born and he just turned 4.  I love it because it’s lightweight, but sturdy.  It has a snack tray for him and cup holders for me, large underbasket to carry LOTS of stuff,  the seat reclines (which was handy when he napped, almost a traveling bed), it folds up pretty flat  — flat enough to fit on the parking lot tram at Disney, the handlebar is adjustable, the seat is padded and comfortable for him. I’ve taken that thing all over this country and it takes a licking, makes a great luggage cart, and handles pretty well, even on cobblestone streets. — Steph

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We have three strollers - the Graco Metrolite, Maclaren Volo and Baby Jogger City Series Single. As much as I hate to say it, the Metrolite is the best of the three. I vowed to not have one of those combo car seat/strollers when I was pregnant, but after much research (armed with the knowledge that I wanted to be able to walk to places, shop, and walk home) the Metrolite was the best option because it’s pretty light for one of those types, it comes with the Graco babyseat, which is excellent, and it has a huge basket. HUGE. I would walk with the baby to Trader Joe’s and be able to fit practically a week’s worth of groceries in that sucker. Hell, I could have stored Molly in that basket. It’s huge.

The Volo’s awesome too, though, because it weighs 8 pounds. That’s the one we take traveling because hello? 8 pounds! Totally awesome. The BJCSS is a good jogging stroller. Adjustable front wheel, one handed fold, adjustable handle, comfortable seat for the kid. Ridiculous small basket, but hey, nothing’s perfect. — Melissa

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Graco Snap and Go- I don’t know if this counts as a stroller, but I use it all the time as one, so whatever. It’s the wheel/base thing into which you can click an infant carrier.  I didn’t have this for my son (and instead used the adapter piece so I could click the carrier into the Bugaboo base), but since I have two kids now, it’s easier just to keep the Bugaboo dedicated to general stroller purposes, and so I borrowed the Snap and Go from a friend. I have the one by Graco, and I like it a lot. (It has a cupholder! I was SOLD!)  This type of thing (or the aforementioned adapter for the Bugaboo, if one owns it) is INVALUABLE with a newborn, as it keeps you from: (a) waking the kid and taking him/her out of the carseat; and (b) lugging the infant carrier by hand. — Leyna

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 Inglesina.

We have the Inglesina Zippy 2008 and I LOVE IT.  It’s compatible with our Graco Snugride infant seat (essentially the same as a travel system) which was a major point with me.  It also CAME with a rain cover and cup holder which some are a la carte.  I love all the different seat positions and the visor positions–I can pretty much adjust it with a full rotation so if we’re walking into the sun, I move it down and it covers Theo’s face.  I had to use my SIL’s Graco stroller in a pinch one day and her visor didn’t do that so it was really annoying.  The shocks are great which is a huge bonus as we go over railroad tracks all the time and Theo doesn’t get shaken baby syndrome because of it.  It’s not that heavy.  Folds easily.  The back visor part rolls up for added ventilation on hot days.  AND!  It has a separate feature where we can add the little ride-along flat bed on the back when we have a second baby for Theo when he’s a toddler.  TOTALLY worth the investment.  The only thing I’d love to see changed is adjustable handles.  My husband is 6′3″ and they are a smidge too short — his arms are stick straight when walking with it.  Other than that?  No complaints.  I get asked on the street by strangers what kind it is and how I like it — lots of compliments. — Samantha

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Maclaren. 

I’m a 5′10″ tall mom, so my #1 requirement was a stroller that I wouldn’t constantly be kicking and swearing at. I am in love with my Maclaren MX3. It’s not light or tiny, but it’s got a nice, tight pivot and is tall, comfortable to push and easy to steer, even one-handed. — Brenna

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We also have a Maclaren Quest (for travelling and when I take the bus etc.) which I have a special place in my heart for.  The “ride” isn’t nearly as smooth as the jogger but it reclines enough, it’s easy to carry (comes with a handle!) and can fit in the handicapped space on the bus without sticking out.  The sun shade is a little skimpy but under different circumstances I could see only having the Maclaren. — Eleanor

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Mia Mode.

I just ditched my Chicco Cortina (which I was very fond of when my daughter was an infant) for a Mia Moda Veloce!  I cannot say enough about that stroller.  It’s the best lightweight stoller on the market that is reasonably priced! — Katrina

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Peg Perego.

Love love love my Peg Perego Pilko 3….I have dragged 2 kids through Europe and all over the east coast of the US with this and it is still kicking…..It is still in good condition after many a flight, train ride, car ride etc….through 2 kids.  I just sold it on craigslist because it was still in good condition.  My 3 year and 2 year are now in a double Maclaren and I have not decided how I feel about it…..it is just a pain to push. — Christie

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Phil & Teds.

I LOVE my Stroller - it’s the Phil & Ted’s Sport. It doesn’t come with a carseat, so you have to get that separately. It is very important however to get the adapter ($25) that allows you to move the baby to the stroller while asleep in the carseat. I got the Phil & Ted because it is the only one I found that also converts to a DOUBLE stroller. So it works with the carseat, is an all-terrain & jogging stroller, and a double stroller all in one. Every single one of my friends is on their second kid, and they all had to buy a second stroller (that they didn’t have the luxury of registering for) that fits both kids. I do tend to have a bit of stroller-envy when I see the new Bugaboos and Orbits, but the Phil & Ted was $400 compared to their $950+, so I think it’s a good value, especially if you don’t have to buy a double later! Plus I get compliments on it everywhere I go, random guys that you would never think would have any interest in strollers saying things like “sweet ride”. — Emily

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I absolutely love my Phil & Ted.  It jogs, folds flat, turns easily, and fits 2 where 1 can be an infant carrier.  The common question I get from people is, “What about the kid in the back?  Isn’t that like riding the hump?”  Nope.  They both love it. Mine is 3 years old now and I’m tempted only by the newer models with snack trays and tilt steering. – Susan

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We bought the Phil and Ted’s Sport Buggy when I found out I was expecting baby #2.  I had visions of me gallavanting all over town with my two girls, walking in the fall sunshine and getting fresh air.  My baby is now 6 weeks old and I have only used the stroller twice.  I don’t think the stroller is to blame, rather my FAT ASS and its innate will to not move.  The stroller is great, though.  I used it a lot before I got too overly pregnant, with my toddler in tow.  It’s really easy to steer, it folds down compactly, and it’s nice and light.  I have found that the configuration for wrangling a newborn and a toddler into it is a tad awkward…the toddler sits above in the double seat and you have to slide the infant in underneath them.  Kind of hard.  Other than that, it’s been great.  I do plan to use it more…I kind of gave myself 6 weeks to just recover and get used to life with two kids.  Now that I’ve kind of got the hang of it, it’s time to get moving and step away from the Halloween candy.  — Amanda

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Stokke. 

Husband and I bought a Stokke and adore it.  Okay, so it’s a bit flashy in that it’s not the standard snap-car-seat-into-wheely-base stroller most Midwestern people have, but we bought it for the following reasons: it came with a bassinet which was way handy for Ezra to sleep in even while not strolling; once transistioned from the bassinette, the seat can face forwards and back and be in a loungey or upright position; the seat sits way up high so baby (seemingly) gets a better view of things; it came in red.  And orange.  And green.  And turquoise. 

There are only a few things I don’t like about it: it’s kind of tricky to collapse, but we live in town so we don’t wrestle with it much. I had to Google “Stokke” so that I knew how to pronounce it. The instructions were ri.dic.u.lous on how to put it together.  You’d think because the manual was 40 pages long that the instructions would be fairly thorough.  Uhhh, no, not really.  It’s 40 pages long because they’ve typed the 10 jenky, incomplete steps in 15 different languages.  — Kori

 

** I AM KIND OF AMBIVALENT ABOUT MY STROLLER **

Chicco. 

The Chicco stroller that came with my Chicco car seat travel system does a reasonable job provided you’re on totally smooth, glassy mall tile. Take it outdoors and you’re risking shaken baby syndrome.  — Brenna

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We have the Chicco Cortina. Bad points: the straps in the stroller are awkward and don’t adjust very easily around the waist. Especially since our baby is more on the plump side. When filling the lower storage compartment with anything heavy, like beer, it tends to add a slight resistance to the back wheels making it a bit harder to push.

Good Points: the car seat that snaps into the stroller is considered one of the safest car seats available. My Aunt who works at a local hospital in the nursery says it’s the only one she recommends. It passes all the safety tests they do to car seats for premature or low-birth weight babies with flying colors. The materials used are all well made. Anything that requires durability on this stroller is made with the right material. Plus the fabric is easy to clean too. 

Also, it’s zombie proof. Zombies are afraid of it. Not only does it scare them away, it sucks what ever life they had left completely out of them. — Dan

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We got the Chicco Mac Daddy King Kong stroller from BRUS, because we didn’t know better and - GIFTS! YAY! It’s the huge stroller that weighs 2,000 lbs that the car seat “snaps” into. Except when it doesn’t - about half of the time it refuses to latch. The stroller is great for walking/trails/etc. But for the more mundane things like groceries, it sucks. Or when you are going to Home Goods for their Grand Opening. Much Too Big. — Ginny

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Maclaren.

We bought the Maclaren Techno and like it but don’t think it was worth the high price– we decided to pay more for better “shocks”, but I can’t really tell much difference when I am “off-road” or anything, which was the whole point.  I like the Maclaren’s look but I don’t like that you can’t really steer it with one hand and that you have to buy lots of accessories in order to hold a cup or other stuff like that.   Also, I don’t like not having a tray in front of my daughter to hold snacks or toys!  Think we should’ve just gotten the Graco that fits both the car seat and is a stroller all on its own, with a front snack tray (instead we go the Graco car seat frame stroller which was good, but then of course we had to buy a real stroller when the time came). — Ashley

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I have the Maclaren Triumph, and I use this as my travel stroller, keeping it in the car and taking it on trips. It’s lightweight and folds easily, and has a carrying handle on the side. I wouldn’t use it as my regular stroller, though, because I don’t know about you (or most people), but I always leave the house with a ton of baby gear, and I consequently like to stick my diaper bag on my stroller. I’ve found that even the most carefully pared down diaper bag will weigh the stroller down, and cause it to fall backwards if there’s no kid sitting in there. Not cool, Maclaren. They have to work on some sort of weight distribution…thingie. I also think the seat is pretty low to the ground, whereas the Bugaboo is higher up so the kids can see more of what’s going on, as opposed to…adult’s knees. — Leyna

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I have a Maclaren Techno XLR, and I don’t love it or hate it.  Pros: it looks good; it’s lightweight, folds compactly, works as a travel system with included attachment, reclines, and has flat extendable handles — great for tall people like myself.

Cons: no tray or cupholder, for mom or baby; the storage basket is difficult to access, even when seat is fully upright; it’s got a slightly confusing fold mechansim (at first); and it’s difficult-to-impossible to open one-handed.

I give it a solid 7/10 rating. – Brenna

 

** I FREAKING HATE MY STROLLER **

Counters Options.

Since I have two kids close in age to your kids I tried out the Contours Options Tandem.  GARBAGE.  First, if you simply pop off one seat you can’t just use it as a single stroller like they show on the page.  You would look like a moron with this big 5 foot long stroller.  Next, it is not as easy as they say and you can’t do it one handed.  If you face the seats towards each other there is no way in hell a 3 year old could fit there.  Let alone two three year olds (if you had twins).  You could not put two car seats in, and if you recline the front seat you smash the baby in the back seat.  Every manufacturer detail about this stroller is a LIE LIE LIE!  — Shannon 

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Graco.

A few months ago I was shopping for a sturdy stroller that also folded up nicely in my trunk.  I picked out the Graco Ipo.  I liked it because it reclined, the handles were nice and there was tons of basket room. I HATE THIS STROLLER!!  HATE!  While it reclines nicely the stroller doesn’t sit up all the way.  It has some kind of rope, pulley lever thing that you are supposed to use to tighten it.  Only the tightest setting is similar to a recline on an airplane.  My kid spends the whole trip struggling to sit up in it.  I spent all that money and I am now garage saleing that SOB! — Shannon

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I hate my Graco travel system.  I rarely use it except for outside on pavement.  It’s hard to get through doorways and takes up the entire trunk of my midsized car.  If I could do it over again, I’d just get a snap & go for the infant car seat. — Dorrie

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Mountain Buggy. 

We have a Mountain Buggy Double Stroller, and Jesus Tapdancing Christ. I couldn’t hate a stroller more if I tried. For starters, as a family, we love to walk. Unfortunately, we live right outside NYC, and the sidewalks are incredibly narrow. This does not bode well for a stroller the width of an average trailer. All I know is that I want to kick my own ass when I push this thing, and I’m sure all the people trying to walk around me feel the same way. The wheels lock at random and inconvenient times, and as an added bonus, need to be filled ON A BI-WEEKLY BASIS. (At least ours do.) In addition, we live in an apartment, and it’s like a  damn Navy SEAL mission trying to maneuver the thing through our front door. The sun canopy barely covers the kids’ faces to begin with, and flops back at the slightest provocation–say, a stiff breeze, or a bump in the sidewalk. (I’m not kidding.)  Plus it’s still enormous when it folds up; even in our massive SUV, it takes up most of the storage area — AND THERE’S NO CUPHOLDER. Needless to say, we rarely use this stroller (and instead use the Bugaboo with the footboard thing). Also needless to say, IT WAS CRAZY EXPENSIVE. — Leyna

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Peg Perego.

I’ve tried the Peg Perego, but I nearly lost a finger folding that one up. — Steph

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WHEW. So there you have it: some love, meh, and ARRRGH for a few stroller brands.

I don’t know what the deal is, because I already have a stroller (a Bugaboo, which I am greatly fond of, and by the way, purchased before 1) I worked part time, 2) we had two 529 plans and 3) our investment portfolio went straight down the old Diaper Genie) and have no desire for another one, but I LOVE reading stroller reviews. Thank you to those who participated, and if you’d like to share your own stroller woes/accolades, please do so in the comments!

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