Lightweight - Mom's Stroller Reviews

Maclaren Triumph Stroller Review

maclaren_triumph1 The Maclaren Triumph is a lightweight umbrella stroller that is designed for on-the-go parents who like to travel, run errands, or go to the shopping mall. The narrow frame makes is perfect for navigating narrow store aisles and public transit. Weighing 13.6 lbs, it is very easy to carry over your shoulder. It also has a convenient one-hand one-step fold that you can do while holding your child.

The 5″ wheels provide great maneuverability as long as you stay on the flat surface. Since there is no suspension system, taking on the rougher terrain will be bumpy. The roomy seat can accommodate a child from 6 months and up to 55 lbs.

I gave this stroller 4.5 out of 5 stars because of the small canopy, small recline, and hard-to-operate recline system. This is a more affordable model in Maclaren’s line of strollers that can be purchased for around $200 on Amazon (free shipping/free returns & no sales tax). Basically, you getting what you paid for.

Maclaren Techno XLR Stroller Review

Maclaren Techno XLR is a top of the line umbrella stroller with many features of a full size model. It features huge canopy, adjustable handle bars, roomy seat and easy one-hand fold. The four double wheels and all-wheel suspension will provide your little rider with a smooth ride as long as you stay on a flat surface. Like many umbrella strollers, Techno XLR is designed for running errands, going to the mall, and travel. Although it doesn’t have all-terrain wheels, it can tackle some grass, mulch or uneven pavement.

The narrow frame (only 20.5″) makes it great for public transit and navigating narrow store aisles. But, don’t count on fitting a lot of groceries into that basket, it’s pretty small (medium size for umbrella model) and hard to access especially if the seat is reclined. Speaking about recline, it is one-handed with three positions including an almost flat one suitable for a newborn. The included seat liner and a head support called ‘head hugger’ will provide your newborn with plenty of support. You can use this stroller from birth and up to 65 lbs. Another unusual feature for an umbrella model is that it accepts an infant car seat so you can turn it into a travel system. BTW, the car seat adapter is INCLUDED!

Joovy Scooter Stroller Review

joovy_scooter1 Joovy Scooter is an umbrella stroller that is designed for on-the-go parents who live in an urban environment. It is great for running errands, going to the mall or walking in the park as long as you stay on the flat surface. You will love going grocery shopping with this one because it has a huge basket and is only 21.5″ wide which makes it perfect for navigating narrow aisles of the store. Four hard rubber wheels with sealed bearings and all-wheel suspension make it very easy to maneuver while providing your child with a smooth ride.

Weighing 18.5 lbs, it is a little on a heavy side for an umbrella stroller, but has many features of a full size stroller like large canopy, roomy seat, one-hand recline, and adjustable leg rest. It can accommodate a child from 6 months and up to 55 lbs.

The Scooter is full of storage with two mesh pockets inside of the seat, HUGE basket, and a zipper pocket in the back of the canopy. One feature that puts it apart form the umbrella strollers is the ability to transform into a travel system. There is also a double option available in case you have twins :).

Joovy Groove Stroller Review 2013

joovy_groove3 The Joovy Groove is an umbrella stroller that is designed for busy on-the-go parents. It has been completely redesigned in 2011 and now has new improved wheels, huge canopy, and a slick aluminum frame. It has a roomy seat made out of very durable 600D fabric. You will need only one hand to recline the seat and to bring it back up. Easy! The canopy is not only large, but also can convert into a ‘floating canopy’ that will completely shade your child.

Unlike many umbrella strollers, the Groove is full of storage. Aside from basket underneath the seat, there are two pockets inside of the seat, and three pockets in the back of the canopy for small mommy items. The Groove also features adjustable leg rest, tall handle bars, automatic lock, and easy fold.

You can use it from 6 months and up to 55 lbs. It does NOT covert into a travel system. The maneuverability is really great, you can easily push it with one hand. If you lock the front wheels, it can even handle some of the mommy terrain like playground mulch, grass or uneven sidewalks. The 6.5″ wheels and all-wheel suspension will provide your child with a smooth ride.

Maclaren BMW Buggy Stroller Review

The Maclaren BMW Buggy is a sleek luxury umbrella stroller that was created by Maclaren in collaboration with BMW! Yes, that BMW that makes expensive cars. Right away, you know you can expect high quality and style. This buggy features one-hand recline, 5 point harness, ergonomic seat liner, sporty looking wheels, and all-wheel suspension. When you pull into a playground, all the parents will know your little one is riding in BMW because of the BMW logo located on the wheels, the buckle and on both sides of the canopy.

This is a typical umbrella stroller with four hard rubber 5″ wheels that is designed for flat surfaces. While it’s great for running errands, going to the park or shopping mall, don’t expect it to handle grass or mulch too well. It has an easy compact fold and weighs only 12.4 lbs, making it perfect for travel. The seat can hold a child from 6 months and up to 55 lbs. This stroller does NOT covert into a travel system.

Valco Baby Snap Stroller Review

valco_snap1 The Valco Baby Snap is a lightweight stroller that has a lot of features of a full size stroller, but weighs ONLY 13 lbs! This is a serious competition for City Mini and B-Agile. The Snap model is perfect for on-the-go parents who live in an urban environment and like to travel a lot. It has a great maneuverability and can be pushed with one hand even fully loaded. The footprint of the stroller is quite small making it easy to navigate cramped store aisles and in-between the cars on parking lots.

The Snap rolls on three hard rubber wheels with 10″ wheels in the back and 8″ wheel in the front. These are large wheels for such a lightweight stroller. Although it is not an all-terrain, it can definitely tackle some terrain like grass, gravel, or uneven sidewalk. The large basket underneath the seat can fit a lot of groceries and there is also a small pocket for mommy items like wallet, keys and cell phone.

The Snap is full of great features like roomy seat, large canopy, flip-flop friendly brake, and an easy two-hand fold. It has one-hand infinite recline that goes to almost a flat position. The seat can hold a child from birth and up to 44 lbs. You can even convert this stroller into a travel system by using it with a car seat. It works with most popular car seats like Graco, Peg Perego, Britax Chaperone, Maxi Cosi Mico, and Chicco.

I gave this stroller 4.5 out of 5 stars. I did take some points off because of the non-adjustable handle bar, mesh window closure, no swing-away bumper, and the cheap-feel fabric. It’s also not as stable because of it’s light weight. This might be a problem especially if you like to hang stuff on the handle bar like I do. LOL . It retails for around $249 on Amazon (free shipping/free returns and no sales tax). The price vary depending on the year and the color.

Quinny Zapp Xtra Stroller Review

The Quinny Zapp Xtra is a sleek modern looking stroller that has one of the most compact folds in the WORLD! It is designed for active parents who live in an urban environment and like to travel a lot. The maneuverability on the Zapp Xtra is absolutely amazing, as long as you stay on the flat surface. It’s great for taking to the mall, shopping center, or airport. It rolls on four 6″ rubber wheels that have a wide wheel base making it very easy to navigate. It would be a one-hand push if it had one handle bar instead of two.

While it’s lightweight, it still has a reversible seat which is very unique for the stroller with such a compact fold. The seat is very roomy and has one-hand recline with three positions. The stroller can accommodate a child from birth and up to 50 lbs. You can also turn it into a travel system by using it with the car seat. The Zapp Xtra has been recently updated and now can fold with the seat attached where before you had to remove the seat before folding.

I gave this stroller 3.5 out of 5 stars because it has very small basket, just ok canopy, and non-adjustable handle bars. My main problem is the weight which is 19 lbs. It is too heavy for an umbrella stroller, but is missing some features to be a full size stroller.

In my opinion Zapp Xtra is somewhere between an umbrella and full size. It does have a very compact hold, but who is going to carry 19 lbs on their shoulder or in one hand? There are many other really light (like 11 lbs) strollers full of features that are much better for traveling and everyday use. This is just my two cents…

Bugaboo Bee Stroller Review

Bugaboo Bee is a luxury stroller that is the lightest model in the Bugaboo collection. Parents love it for its great maneuverability, easy fold, and reversible seat option. You can take to the mall, doctor’s office or public transit with no problems. It is very compact and is designed for on-the-go parents who live in an urban environment and who has a LOT of money. Since it rolls on small 6″ wheels, don’t expect it to do well on grass or mulch. The Bee model is designed for flat surfaces ONLY!

The seat has almost a flat recline so you can use it from birth and up to 37.5 lbs. You can also use it as a frame by removing the seat and replacing it with an infant car seat (you will need to purchase a car seat adapter compatible with your car seat). Weighing 18.5 lbs, the Bee model is somewhere in between a regular stroller and the umbrella stroller. I think it is a little too heavy to be an umbrella stroller and at the same time, the wheels are too small for a full size one. However, it costs like two full featured size strollers. LOL.