Strollers: A Simple Definition

The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers This stroller is one of the lightest, most compact and easiest to fold. It has a great ride with a great sun canopy, and a multi-position recline. This stroller is a great value for less than $100. It's small and easy to fold away, making it ideal for public transport, or even slinging over your shoulder. 1. Lightweight When it comes to travel strollers lightweight and easy to fold are key. The most popular models we tested could be folded with one hand, and sometimes two and fit in overhead luggage compartments. They are also compact and easily roll, making them easy to maneuver into tight spaces. Some models come with a telescoping hand for parents of varying heights. Find a lightweight, easy-to pack stroller for your family, no matter if you're planning to go on an excursion with a newborn or a long-haul trip with a toddler. To determine the top strollers for traveling, we compared nine strollers that met our minimum weight and size requirements. Each model was tested on city streets, country sidewalks and in the terminal at the airport for maneuverability as well as ease of folding and carrying, and overall comfort for your child. Our top picks include the Babyzen YoYo2 ($320), which has the simplest fold of the strollers we tried and fits into overhead bins on airplanes. The seat reclines to a flat position and is car seat-compatible, so it's suitable for babies up to age 2. The car also has an undercarriage with a deep design, a bag-hook on the handle and UPF50+ canopy to offer plenty of protection to your child. The Cybex Orfeo (320) is another great option. It features a concertina folding that can be done using just one hand, and is extremely light. Its five-point harness, padded and crotch strap will keep your child secure, while the reversible seat and a hefty undercarriage basket ensure there's plenty of space for their possessions. It's also compatible with the brand's infant car seat, making it a viable option for families starting from birth. The Coya TRVL ($320) is another one-handed, one-step fold with car seat compatibility and a far-reaching canopy. It's more expensive than other models in this category, but it offers extra features, including a larger cupholder for the parent as well as an adjustable handlebar for parents of all heights, and a comfortable carry strap. Its simplicity does sacrifice a bit of durability compared to the other models in this category, however. 2. Folding is simple A stroller that is designed for travel should be simple to close and open when you're on the move. You don't want a stroller that is difficult to close when you have children or groceries in your arms. The best travel strollers fold up easily and compactly, even when you only have one hand. Many come with a comfortable carrying strap that fits comfortably over your shoulder. In our tests, we awarded the Libelle stroller high marks for its compactness and ease of folding. But it also has other excellent features: It glides effortlessly over all surfaces and comes with a huge canopy that offers ample coverage. Plus, it's surprisingly lightweight and self-standing when folded, making it easy to store. Parents who want to roll straight to the plane gate and put their stroller into an overhead bin, we suggest looking for a model that promises to fit into. The Munchkin Sparrow, for example is a great fit in the smallest fold, and comes with a handy protective travel cover, but it comes with no recliner and a narrow cargo area that can hold a small tote bag or diaper bag (no backpacks). Another alternative is the Babyzen Yoyo 2, which folds down into a concertina design but also features an reversible seat that can be used for face-to-face or back-to-back riding. Our managing editor found it easy to open and close, though she was not thrilled with the way the handle folds up behind the seat when folded. The tri-fold is a new stroller that travels. It folds down into three pieces and provides the perfect combination of compactness and features. The UPPAbaby Miniu, for example, has a reversible seat, an unstructured rear storage pouch, and a locking clasp to keep it folded. It's slightly larger than the umbrella models made by the brand however, it folds more compactly than G-Luxe and G-Link counterparts and has an adjustable carry strap that fits over your shoulder. 3. Easy to store The most effective strollers for travel can be folded down to a small size that can be easily stored. They can easily be tucked away in the trunk of a vehicle or the overhead bin of the plane. Some come with a strap can be used to carry the stroller on your shoulder, so that your hands won't get exhausted. They're also lighter than normal strollers. This makes them easier to lift or carry around for a quick stroll in the neighborhood or at the airport. This stroller performed exceptionally excellently in our durability tests and was easy to maneuver across all kinds of surfaces. From smooth hardwoods to shag flooring this stroller is an excellent choice. However some of our testers noticed that it was a bit flimsy and the handlebar doesn't include any padding to keep your hands in a comfortable position. Another thing to consider is the size of the storage basket is: It's on the smaller side, and some parents found it difficult to squeeze the large diaper bag inside it. In general, we suggest calling your airline ahead of time to check their specific guidelines for bringing on board strollers, as they can vary. This is particularly important if you wish to gate-check your stroller and allow you to navigate the airport without it and still be able to use it once you're on the plane (though that option won't work for families who need an infant car seat or booster). The Contours Itsy travel stroller is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a compact, lightweight stroller. It's almost fully assembled out of the box and the only thing you need to do is to snap the bumper bar in the appropriate spot. It comes with cups holder for the parent as well as an additional back pocket. However it doesn't have an extra-large basket. This could limit your ability pack essentials for long trips. If you're a frequent traveler we suggest a more robust stroller that offers more features and can carry more cargo. The UPPAbaby Minu, for example, has many of the same features similar to its G-Luxe and G-Link cousins however, it's smaller and folds faster. It's also slightly more robust than an umbrella stroller and comes with a cushioned strap to help lift some of the burden off your shoulders. 4. Comfortable Comfort is key when using strollers over long durations of time. Choose a seat with ample padding and a recline feature that allows you to set it at different angles. Note if the canopy extends to provide sun protection and if mesh windows encourage airflow. You should consider a model that comes with an organizer for the parents or a cupholder, as well as an ample basket under the seat if you need to carry things around. If you're looking for a stroller for older children, check the age range and determine whether your child is comfortable in the seat without a car seat for infants. The way a stroller is rolled is also crucial. It must be able to roll effortlessly across various surfaces such as smooth carpets, hardwoods, cobblestones, and gravel. It must be able to navigate steps, curbs and other obstacles with ease. Consider a stroller with a light weight if you intend to do a lot of walking throughout your trip. This will help to prevent leg and back pain. A quality stroller for travel should also be easy to use. It should assemble in under 30 seconds and snap together securely when you put it into the correct position. It should also fold flat enough to fit in the boot of your car or in the overhead compartments on a plane. It should also be upright when folded, so that you can grab it up with one hand, while holding your baby in the opposite. For parents looking for a premium lightweight stroller for travel, the Joie Tourist is a great alternative. It has numerous recline positions so your child can rest comfortably. Its extendable canopy provides ample sun coverage and UPF protection. It also includes a rain cover, coffee cup holder, and a footmuff. Charlotte is thrilled that the car seat is suitable for newborns to four years old and does not require an adapter separately.