Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip Stroller Review

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Recently, Mamas&Papas has created a big buzz with a little lightweight stroller called Armadillo. This year, they did it again with the Armadillo Flip which is a very similar model to the Armadillo but has a reversible seat. Right after the release, Armadillo Flip got sold out within a few days.

Wondering why? Well, because this is a great stroller for an urban lifestyle! Parents love how lightweight and compact it is. The one-hand fold makes it easy to fold the stroller while holding your baby.

This is perfect for busy parents who like to run errands around town or use public transit. Do you know how rude people on the bus can be if you take up too much room with your stroller? Not with Armadillo Flip! Mamas&Papas claim that this is the WORLD’S most compact stroller in its class.

The narrow frame (only 22″ wide) makes it very easy to navigate narrow and tight spaces like store aisles, between the cars in the parking lot, or in the small elevators. 

It also features a large basket, adjustable footrest, adjustable 5-point harness, and a huge canopy. Operating the stroller is very easy because all the function buttons and levers are colored yellow.

As I’ve mentioned before, the main feature of the Flip is the reversible seat with a very deep recline. The one-hand lever recline goes to an almost flat position suitable for a newborn.

The seat can accommodate a child from birth and up to 50 lbs. You can also convert it into a travel system by getting an infant car seat adapter. It weighs 20 lbs which is 3 lbs more than the Armadillo model. The extra weight comes from the frame of the reversible seat.

OVERALL

I gave this baby 5 out of 5 stars because I think this is one of the best strollers for an urban lifestyle. It’s light and super compact, has a deep one-hand recline, and one-hand fold, and has that reversible seat that everybody wants.

And don’t you love how stylish it is? Of course, as with any stroller, there are some drawbacks. I wish there was a mesh in the canopy to provide extra air circulation and I would like to see an adjustable handlebar.

To my surprise, there is no bumper bar or child’s tray available for the Armadillo model. On the bright side, there is also an Armadillo Flip XT model that has the mesh and the adjustable handlebar!

In case you are wondering, there are a total of five different models in the Armadillo series: ArmadilloArmadillo XTArmadillo CityArmadillo Flip, and Armadillo Flip XT. BTW, here is my full side-by-side comparison.

The Armadillo Flip retails for around $499 and is available in four beautiful colors. Comes with a rain cover only.

Buy Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip Stroller »

Features

CANOPY

The canopy on Flip is HUGE! It is one of the largest canopies on the market. It goes all the way down almost reaching the bottom of the seat. There are three panels and because Mamas&Papas thought it wasn’t enough, they’ve added a small pop-out sunvisor.

Unfortunately, there is no mesh panel, the canopy does not unzip and the peekaboo window is made out of plastic so there is nothing to improve the air circulation on a hot summer day.

I think that Mamas&Papas knows about this problem because their new Armadillo Flip XT model has a hidden mesh panel in the canopy. There is a clear plastic peekaboo window with magnetic closure.

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SEAT

The seat is very roomy with plenty of headroom for an older child. It is 12″ wide with a 20″ seat back and a measurement of 24″ from the back of the seat to the top of the canopy.

The seat is very well padded making it very comfortable for the child.  It can accommodate a child from birth and up to 50 lbs. BTW, my friend’s 4-year-old son who is 38″ tall was able to fit into the seat!

Once we reversed the seat, he did look a little funny because of his dangling feet since there is no footrest like in the front-facing mode. I mean I don’t know if 4-year-old kids really will want to sit in a stroller, but he was feeling pretty comfy.

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It has a very deep three-position recline in both modes that goes to an almost flat position suitable for a newborn. I really like that the seat is pretty upright in the most upright position.

While the Armadillo model has a one-hand strap recline system, the Flip has a one-hand lever recline. To be honest, I didn’t mind the strap system because you could bring it back up with one hand by just pulling the strap.

To bring the seat back in Flip, all you need to do is push the seat up. Not a big deal, but because of how easy it is, sometimes when you pull the canopy down, the seat goes up.  Of course, that’s not going to happen with an older passenger on board.

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LEGREST

There is an adjustable legrest that is part of the seat. To lift the leg rest up all you need to do is push it up with your hand. To bring it down, you need to squeeze a lever located underneath of leg rest. Super easy!

If you recline the back of the seat all the way and lift the leg rest, your child will be able to stretch in the bed-like environment. It’s great for long naps and quick diaper changes.

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HARNESS

It has an adjustable padded 5-point harness with a center release buckle. Now, this is not my favorite buckle because it’s one of those puzzle buckles that falls apart into 5 pieces. Putting it together when your child is screaming and trying to get out of the stroller is a nightmare.

Screaming child happens very often in our family especially when we go to the mall or a restaurant. I don’t know how many times my daughter dropped on the floor in the middle of Macy’s and refused to get up.

People would be walking around her and she would be on the floor screaming at the top of her lungs. That’s when I put her into the stroller, strap her in, and wheel her out.

But it’s much worse at the restaurant, just when you think you can sit, relax, and have a nice meal, your child has a meltdown and starts throwing crayons at everybody. That’s when I quickly load my angel into the stroller, ask for a doggy bag, and run to the car. LOL.

You get the picture. So, an easy buckle helps a lot!  Anyway, what I do like about the harness is that it can be adjusted to fit nicely for a newborn. Since the waist straps start close together behind the child instead of being very far apart, you can easily adjust them to fit smaller babies.

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HANDLEBAR 

The non-adjustable handlebar is located 40″ from the ground and is covered with foam.

I am not a big fan of foam covering because it tends to get ruined after a while. There is a convenient grip in the middle for one-handed navigation and a short run-away strap for added safety.

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BASKET

The basket is large and since the sides are made from elastic mesh it is very easy to access from all sides. It can easily fit your large diaper bag plus some small essentials.

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BRAKE

The flip-flip-friendly parking brake is located on the right wheel. One step locks both of the rear wheels in place.

WHEELS

It rolls on four EVA tires with 6″ wheels in the front and 7.5″ wheels in the back. The front wheels are swivel but can be locked straight for rougher terrain.

The small wheels are designed for flat surfaces but can handle some mommy terrain like mulch, grass, or gravel. They are great for running errands around the town or going to the mall. This is not an all-terrain stroller, so don’t expect it to do well off-road.

Of course, font and back wheel suspension helps to smooth out the bumps.

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FOLD/UNFOLD

You can fold this buggy with one hand while holding a baby. It’s that easy! Mamas&Papas is saying that it has the world’s most compact fold in its class. And the best thing is that you can fold it with the seat facing any direction.

The folded dimensions are 30″L x 22″ W x 10”H which is super compact, especially for a stroller with a reversible seat. To make it more compact you can remove the wheels. The weight is also very light for a reversible seat stroller at 20 lbs.

You can easily fold the stroller and jump on the bus with your baby in hand. Of course, the Armadillo is only 17 lbs, but the extra weight comes from the frame of the reversible seat.

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TRAVEL SYSTEM

I usually don’t include car seat info in my review because all full size strollers have travel system capability, but since I’ve been getting a lot of emails asking me about travel system info, I decided to post it.

You can turn it into a travel system by replacing the seat with an infant car seat with the purchase of an adapter.  Since the stroller frame is very neutral, any car seat will look good on it. It’s compatible with: 

  • Cybex Aton/Aton2/Aton Q (good car seats, but very expensive)
  • Graco Snugride 35/Snugride Click Connect (top-rated car seats)
  • Chicco KeyFit 30 (my favorite car seat. I had it and absolutely love it!)
  • Nuna
  • Maxi Cosi Citi/Pebble/Cabriofix/Mico/Prezi
  • Besafe Izi Go

I am a little surprised not to see any of the Britax car seats because they are also one of the top-rated car seats. Here is a travel system with a Cybex car seat.

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BASSINET

You can even turn your stroller into a stylish pram! I really like the front release handle from the chassis that is simple and quick. It is suitable from birth and up to 20 lbs. You can get it for around $210 on Amazon.

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-Rain cover. INCLUDED!

Cons

-Non-adjustable handlebar. This is very typical for a lightweight stroller. But guess what?

-No mesh in the canopy. There is nothing to provide better air circulation during hot summer days.

-No bumper bar nor child’s tray available. I am very surprised that you can’t even purchase them separately.

-Small wheels. The small wheels on Flip are the same size that many umbrella strollers have.

-Additional storage. There is no storage aside from the large basket. It would be nice if the cup holder was included. I also would like a small zipper pocket for small essentials.

Specs

Stroller weight: 20 lbs
Weight limit: 50 lbs
Folded dimensions: 30″L x 22″ W x 10”H
Handlebar height: 40″
Seat to canopy height: 24″
Front wheels: 6″
Rear wheels: 7.5″
Overall length: 36″
Overall width: 22″

Warranty

Mamas & Papas gives a 2-year warranty from the date of purchase.

Available colors

The Armadillo Flip model is available in four colors: black, teal, coral, and sand dune. All of the strollers come with a sleek dark grey frame.

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Where to buy it

You can get Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip in one of the four beautiful colors for around $499. Since this is a new luxury stroller, I didn’t see any good sales on it. But, I think for what you get, the price is very reasonable.

Buy Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip Stroller »

30 thoughts on “Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip Stroller Review”

  1. Hi Katrin,

    My 1st baby girl will be arriving in early May :) Currently I’m comparing the Armadillo Flip with UppaBaby Cruz 2015 and Stokke Scoot V2. When can we get your review on Cruz?
    Personally I would prefer lightweight, easy to fold and large basket, mostly for urban lifestyle. Flip seem to be the perfect match but my wife doesn’t like its design. Both Cruz and Scoot are heavier. I have tried out the Cruz and it’s bulky after fold.
    I would love to hear your opinion. By the way, I’m from Australia.

    Thanks.

  2. Hi Kenny. Between the three, I would probably pick Flip or Scoot V2. Cruz is very bulky. I noticed that when fold is compact, you don’t feel the weight as much. So even a lighter stroller feels heavy if it’s bulky. Both Flip and Scoot V2 have one hand fold which is great for urban lifestyle. You can hold your child in one hand while folding the stroller. Now, how much do you care about the wheel size? For long walks I would recommend Scoot V2. For quick ins and outs Flip. Scoot V2 also has a seat that is positioned higher on the frame promoting better bonding with the child. Another great thing is that Scoot V2 has an adjustable handle bar while Flip does not. Both have great maneuverability and are very compact. I will be posting my Cruz review soon, but I can tell you right now that it’s very bulky for public transit.

  3. Hi Katrin,
    I don’t have the chance to try out the Scoot V2 as it’s not available in store yet. From the video, it’s definitely look easy to fold&unfold. Although Flip is one hand folding, it does require more steps. My wife found that there’s no side cushion on the Flip’s seat. But I don’t see anyone concerns about this point. Just worry not enough “side protection” for baby.
    Wheel size isn’t an issue, hardly use on public transport, mainly for shopping and park (flat pavement).
    How do you judge the importance of bumper bar? Is it a must have accessories? By the way, how’s the two compared to Nuna Mixx?

  4. Hi Kenny. The Nuna Mixx is another fabulous stroller. I get the most emails and comments about these three: V2, Flip and Mixx. It’s hard to choose between them because all of them are really the best strollers on the market right now. Flip is the most compact out of three of them. Mixx has the largest basket and comes with a bumper bar. Mixx and V2 have adjustable handle bar while Flip does not. Mixx also has the adjustable leg rest that I like more than the one on V2.

    The lack of accessories on Flip is very frustrating. I do like to have bumper bar because I feel it’s an extra safety feature. Now that my daughter is older, I put her in the stroller without using a harness at all. I can do that because there is a bumper bar. Otherwise I would always have to use the harness. She walks most of the time anyways.
    V2 has that strap recline that I think is annoying. LOL. Flip has no mesh in the canopy that bothers me. But that one-hand recline in Flip and V2 is pretty cool. Mixx is just not as compact, but has one-hand lever recline and mesh in the canopy.

  5. I couldn’t agree with you more. I love the compactness of the Flip but with no bumper bar and adjustable handle bar have let it down. With the same price tag as Mixx, I might lean towards the Mixx. I’m not a big fan of strap recline on V2, it looks less “premium” to me ;)

    The only issue now is both Mixx and V2 are yet to reach Australia. Although Mixx is available through Nordstrom, hand-on experience before buying would be excellent. I also notice that there is limited reviews and promotion on the internet about Mixx.

  6. Hi Kenny and Katrin,
    I am having the same dilemma!! I am leaning toward the Armadillo Flip it looks like a great design. The XL does have the ventilation and adjustable handle bar (it is $100 extra). My only concern is the bumper bar but some parents find it is not necessary.. It’s a hard one! As they say there is no perfect stroller but as first time parent you want to tick as many boxes as possible! Good luck in your decision Kenny. I need to make mine this week :S Are there any other good options out there Katrin? I have already bought the infant car seat Maxi Cosi Mico 30 so that also narrows down my selection somewhat but both the Stokke and Mamas and Papas are compatible.
    Thanks in Advanced, Julianne.

  7. Hi Julianne,
    Have you made up your mind which stroller to get? I really like the Mixx but unfortunately it’ll only come to my local store few months later! The only option left is to order online from oversea, kind of risky here ;)
    Thanks.
    Kenny.

  8. Katrin,

    Thanks for your in-depth reviews, I’ve been reading a lot of them and really appreciating your efforts! We are expecting in early June in an urban/suburban environment (lots of old sidewalks that will see a lot of us, urban playgrounds, some shopping/eating out, but also a decent amount of driving expected without a lot of public transit). I think we’ve narrowed it down to the Cruz, the Mixx, and the baby jogger Versa with the GT wheels. On all three we really liked the reversible seat, good canopy, bumper bar, travel system option and seemingly decent wheels. We were looking at the britax b-agile too, but after reading a lot of comments about how reclined the seat is in its most upright position, we hesitated. Is the Versa similar? It’s hard to tell from pictures and we haven’t seen that one in the store yet. The city mini GT looked a bit reclined to us too.

    Do you have any comments or suggestions to help us out? We are firsttime parents, so we aren’t sure whether to value weight vs. bulk vs. 1-hand fold vs. seat position. Thanks!

  9. Hi Pam. It’s hard to prioritize features because it depends on the parents. I have a bad back for example and for me compactness and weight are important. Other moms might have more muscles and don’t care about it as much. Mixx has probably the best seat out all of them (very upright) and the best basket. The Curz has the easiest fold and probably most compact. I also really like the wheels on Cruz. But recline on the Curz is a pain on the behind and there is NO bumper bar. Versa has only 8″ wheels (smaller than others). The biggest problem with Mixx is that it only works with Pipa cars seat. This is a really tough one. Mixx is the winner? What do you think?

  10. Thanks for the quick reply!

    I think we were starting to lean towards the Mixx as well (though we haven’t seen it in person yet, that won’t happen until next weekend, unfortunately). I will have to see how heavy it feels, since I am not a big person. The car seat issue would be a deal breaker if the Pipa didn’t look like such a nice, safe seat. We would be looking at the Mesa if we went with the Cruz, which is almost as expensive as the Pipa. And even if we went with the Versa, once we added the car seat adapters, the GT wheels, and a rain shield as accessories, the cost with a cheaper car seat (like the Chicco Keyfit) would also be nearly the same for the package deal. (As a side note, I though the new Cruz model did come with a bumper bar?). I like the idea of being able to “graduate” to a kid tray in the future, so I hope Nuna will make the “coming soon” accessories they have listed on the website and not leave those ideas to wither on the vine…. thanks again for your input, I was especially glad to hear the Mixx seat can be very upright. I’ll let you know what we decide next weekend once we heft them all side by side. :) Pam

  11. Hi, thank you so much for your reviews, they are amazing! I am also torn between the V2 and the Armadillo Flip XT, though I’m also wondering how the Flip XT compares to the Urbo2. I like that all three have a one handed close. I’d like for the stroller to sit up when folded, and I think all do. I like that the Urbo2 has a bar, though the XT I think also should have that. While I don’t like the recline as much on the V2, I wondered how much lower the Flip and Urbo2 sit than the V2 as I do like the Stokke connection aspect. Lastly, I’d like the ability to have some kind of footmuff/winter kit for any stroller that we buy.

    Appreciate your thoughts between the three – V2, Flip XT, and the Urbo2. We are first time parents and this is all a very tough decision! Thank you!

  12. Hi Courtney. I live in US and XT is not out here yet. I know it has been released in UK in February, but are still waiting. I will let you know as soon as it comes out and I am able to test it.

  13. Hello Katrin,

    I was wondering if you could help me with this since you have made some really amazing points here. I already own the complete Orbit Baby system and absolutely LOVE it but my problem is that it is HUGE for running around type errands. I will continue to use it at places like the zoo or anywhere like that because of the rotating seat I have come to love so much. However, it is way too bulky to use day to day when I am just running around. I do not necessarily want to get an umbrella stroller because of the lack of features and lack of storage. I was looking at the Vue, and the other new Baby Jogger similiar to an umbrella stroller. Then I found the Armadillo City. The reason I wanted the Vue was for the forward facing. Then I came across the Flip. What are your thoughts of this when compared to the other compact strollers? I know it is in a different league but I what I do not want is to get it and for it to continue to be a bulky pram instead of a compact full stroller. Please help me!

  14. Hi Veronica. Armadillo is a great super compact stroller. The reversible seat on Flip of course increases the weight and the bulkiness of the stroller. If you want something very compact go with the Armadillo or Armadillo City. If you can’t live without reversible seat than Flip might be the best choice.

  15. Hi my baby is due in late May. I was wondering if you know when the Armadillo Flip XT will be available in either Australia or Turkey. I love the original flip (which both countries have) but am just concerned that the wheels are a bit small for someone who loves to walk a lot. Thanks

  16. Hi Katrin, thanks for your reply. Could you tell me when the original flip came out in the US so then I can work out how long it’ll take to get to Australia because I think the original flip just came out in there last month. Thanks :)

  17. Hi Katrin,

    Just wanted to let you know we went with the Mixx! It had a better fold to fit in the back of our car (Prius) than the Cruz, which was long when folded. The Mixx also had better wheels and overall a much sturdier feel than the Cruz. The recline was also both flatter and easier to use on the Mixx. The store we bought it from told us it is THE hot selling stroller for them right now (they told us that after we’d already decided, which was nice). I don’t think we’ll be disappointed with our decision. Guess we’ll know more in about 7 weeks! :)

    Thanks again for your reviews and advice.

    Pam

  18. Hi. Katrin. Your posting is very helpful of me. :-)

    I’m comparing between armadillo flip vs sola2.

    Actually previous candidates for stroller were armadillo, sola2, baby jogger GT and versa. After seeing in the fresh those strollers, I just love in armadillo !

    I haven’t seen the armadillo flip yet. But I want reversible chair, so I contemplate armadillo flip instead of armadillo.

    I’m living in big city having beautiful park near, and I’m placing emphasis on reversible chair and ride comfort to baby. And also I want to have just one stroller from birth to 3,4 years old, if possible.

    Design wise, I really like armadillo and armadillo flip. However, its handful size seems to be uncomfy to the baby who has immature spine and bone.

    Sola2 also looked pretty but a little bulky, so apparently I prefer armadillo flip to sola2.
    But Sola2 has rear air-filled wheels so it seems to be more sturdy and comfortable.

    Katrin, which stroller is more safe and comfortable to the baby ??
    I would like to hear your advice. Thank you.

  19. I have had the MIXX since it was first released and love it. The baby loves it too. I was a little worried about the weight, but have not had any problems lifting it in and out of the car trunk. The footprint is relatively narrow and I have never struggled to get in and out of doors or walk through tight aisles. Steering is super smooth and the wheels, in my view, look of higher quality than the Uppababy Vista.

  20. Hi Katrin,

    I travel a lot with my son and would like a “full feature” lightweight stroller that is good for airports and planes. This would be my second stroller, as I already have and love the MIXX. It does not need to be the lightest, just a compact fold and potentially a protective case. Other features that are most important to me are good wheels for bumpy rides (think gravel and European stone or sidewalks), a large canopy to protect baby from the sun, a pickaboo window in the canopy, reclining seat, and adjustable handle bar with one handed steering.

    It looks like the Armadillo Flip XT meets most of my requirements, but would like to know if you think this is too much stroller for travel. I would also love to know what other options you might recommend. Many thanks.

  21. Hi Kristy. I think that Flip XT is probably the best, because it has the most compact fold and good size wheels. Other strollers maybe have a compact fold but the wheels are much smaller. Take a look at Mountain Buggy Nano and City Mini Zip, both have very compact fold but the wheels are smaller.

  22. Hi Rami. The seat on both models is very similar. If you want to put a newborn into the seat, you will need to get an infant insert for support. Since both of them have a deep recline, your baby will be safe. Now when it comes to the wheels, the larger the wheels the smoother the ride. That being said, I would pick between Flip XT and Sola2 MTX. Wheels on Flip are a little too small for a lot of walking. Since your live in the city and need a compact fold, Flip XT is probably the most convenient option.

  23. Hi Katrin! Really good review. Live in Mexico city so transport is only by car and will walk in parks or malls but not so heavy terrain. Have a bad back so can’t lift heavy things. Want a stroller that can be used from birth with the best back and lung support for the baby. Liking the armadillo flip- with the infant insert is it enought for a good support or is it worth getting the crib and spending more money?
    Thanks so much for your help!!
    Also going to San Antonio to get it (they don’t sell it in Mexico yet).. Do I need to preorder it or is it available in many stores?

  24. We finally decided to go with the Armadillo Flip. I know it doesn’t have many actual accessories available, but I was wondering if you could recommend any “universal” accessories that might work with it. Do any universal snack trays fit it? What about universal bumper bars? Any other things we should absolutely get?

  25. Hi Katrin,

    I have been on your websites for 3 days straight and viewing at least 20 different strollers. Thank you so much for the detailed and thorough reviews. I am like some control freak 1st time expecting mom, lol, I want to find the ONLY and PERFECt stroller. Then, it is very hard. I came across to this new flip xt and love it. It is almost perfect and suits almost all of my needs except it does not come with the bumper bar. It really bothers me. Can I buy a bumper bar and install it on? Is there one that is compatible with the model? I live in Calgary Canada and we are so close to the mountains. I’m not a very sporty and jogging mom and feels that jogging stroller is way too much and I feel the large wheels are too bulky. However, I wish I could go to the mountains and take my expecting baby on an easy trail occasionally. So, tires are Important. I also want a compact and easy fold stroller and this one is perfect. I also checked sola2 mtx and the old version of sola 2. I love the new upgrades on the mtx, but I don’t like the three colours. I like the old sola2 green colour , but it does not come with the upgrades. I know that sola2 mtx improved the tires. But if I choose the old version, am I able to stroll it on dirt easy trails? I also looked Uppababy Cruz and definitely love the appearance but not impressed by its tires. I’m quite frustrated and really get stuck here. If this flip xt comes with the bumper bar or we can find a compatible one, then I will be so thrilled. Could you please help me here? Flip xt vs sola2 mtx vs sola2. Thank you a million ,
    Kayla

  26. Hi Kayla. Thank you for stopping by! I absolutely love Flip XT but there is NO bumper bar. You can’t get it separately. They don’t have any universal bumper bars either. I agree with your about the colors on Sola 2 MTX. It’s like choosing a car! You want the right color! Oh… The wheels on Sola 2 are not as good as on Sola 2 MTX. Have you looked at Mixx and Stokke Scoot V2? Britax Affinity also has nice wheels.

  27. hi! i currently have the britax b – agile, but my baby is only 4 months old, and its inability to reverse the seat is driving me crazy! i already have a graco classic connect 35, so any new stroller i buy would have to be adaptable to that car seat. i do a lot of walking and want to have lots of options with my stroller. in your opinion, is the britax b – agile or the armadillo flip better for both now and long-term? thanks!!!

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