GRACO
MOSAIC TRAVEL SYSTEMSTROLLER REVIEWS
Bottom Line: Didn’t like the stroller but liked the infant car seat
Pros: Light weight, compact (relative to the other Graco models). System came with a stroller and infant car seat at a fraction of the cost relative to Peg Perego travel systems. Compact car owners can fit this into the trunk and still have room for groceries and other baby infrastructure. Infant car seat held my baby until she was around 18lbs. Cost and safety were the major decision makers when choosing this system.
Cons: After a few times of using the stroller, it got harder to maneuver smoothly. The front wheels would get stuck in the forward direction. Also it got rickety after around 4 months of use in Fall conditions of partial wet and dry environment.
Other: The stroller would have been most useful on smooth surfaces and didn’t fare well as an all round stroller. Instructions on how to maintain the wheels and bearings would be good to know to preserve the stroller and make it last longer. Admittedly I do see other mom’s using this stroller for a lot longer but I ended up ponying up the money for a MacLaren Triumph instead to avoid the headache of the crappy stroller (after endless disagreements with my husband).
Advice: Wait until your baby is bigger before you invest in a stroller. You can get by with carrying around the infant seat and investing in a baby carrier instead until your baby is around 6 months. Then bring your baby to test drive all the strollers you are interested in. *Editor's note: Or get a Snap and Go...
GRACO QUATTRO
Bottom Line: Liked It
Pros: Very sturdy stroller, can take a lot of abuse, very comfortable for baby and older toddlers to sit and sleep in (reclines to almost flat). Decent sized storage basket- sometimes a pain to open, latch gets stuck. Folds very easily and fairly flat which makes it fairly easy to get in and out of the trunk. Great parent and baby trays. Okay maneuverability with one hand, could be better. If you recline the seat there is enough room to let your older toddler sit behind your infant and take a rest (I'm not recommending that you do this, but I have to admit doing it myself...) Does okay on rougher terrain, but not spectacular. Great canopy.
Cons: Takes up the entire trunk!
Best Use: Going for walks around the neighbourhood and in the mall (although it can be a bit large for this). Good for daytrips that don't don't go off-road too much.
JOOVY CABOOSE
Bottom Line: Hated It! But, It Served It's Purpose...
Pros: You can put in an infant car seat and have your toddler sit (somewhat) or stand on the back. Good for getting out to the mall with an infant and a child that still needs to rest or is a slow walker... Not as long as a true double stroller.
Cons: Terrible maneuverability- I thought I was going to get Carpel Tunnel Syndrome from pushing it to the park after two days! We tested it out at the store with one child in it, two made a very big difference. I used it for a 3 year old and an infant. Very hard to get over curbs. There really isn't enough room for the toddler to sit comfortably on the back with the car seat strapped in, standing is really the only option. No parent tray is provided (although it may come with a soft one now). Once your infant graduates to sitting in the front seat, it is not very padded and reclines very little for a nap. The canopy always seemed to be in the way of the child in the back. The basket is tiny and is not accessible if there is a child on the back. Sorry Joovy, you don't get my vote!
Best Use: When you are in the awkward stage where you have an infant and a toddler that is just about ready to give up the stroller for good.
Other: The major competition for this stroller is the Sit-and-Stand, I tried my friends and it was essentially the same, felt rickity to me though. The seat in the front was nicer though, a bit more padding.
JOOVY
CABOOSE ULTRA-LIGHT
Bottom Line: Worth every penny!
Pros: Great for an infant and 2-3 year old. Very lightweight (I think it’s about 21 lbs., and feels just a little heavier than my Peg Perego P3). Very easy to maneuver, goes up and down curbs easily, turns on a dime. Very spacious canopy that can cover both children.
Cons: When the front seat is in the infant position (or recline position), there isn’t much room for the child in the back to sit comfortably. The second child (whoever is in the back) cannot sleep, or if they do find some sort of way, I don’t imagine it being safe or comfortable. This doesn’t really bother us, as my 3 year old would rather stand and doesn’t fall asleep in the stroller anyway.
Best Use: Longer outings like the zoo, Wonderland, etc. where you know the older child might get tired from the walking, but is unlikely to sit in the stroller the entire time. The Joovy really does feel like a single stroller – compared to some other doubles that feel like you’re pushing a train.
Advice: Pay the extra $100 (or whatever the difference is) to get the Ultralight Caboose. I’ve spoken with friends who have the ‘regular’ one and are not as happy with it. There is definitely a huge difference in weight and maneuverability. As well, the Ultralight comes with a parent organizer which holds 2 drinks, keys, cel phone, etc. It also comes in funky colours like orange and lime green.
KOLCRAFT UNIVERSAL CAR SEAT CARRIER
Bottom Line:
Loved It! Why didn't I have it the first time around?
Pros: So light and easy to get in and out of the car! Great sized storage basket underneath with easy access! Older one has a decent parent tray, new one UNIVERSAL 2 has a super parent tray.
Cons: Maneuverable with one hand, but could be better. Cup holder in older version could be deeper.
Best Use: Perfect for daily use, especially for in and out of the trunk because it is so light and compact.
Advice: You may wonder why bother with it at all when you can just snap your cars eat into the stroller it came with, but once you've tried it you'll never go back (until of course when your child outgrows the infant car seat!). You'll find that there is no need to take the big stroller out with you- you are really only using the frame anyway. There are other brands out there too, just make sure you get one that is higher off the ground, I don't know why anyone would use the ones that are really low to the ground, doesn't make sense to me at all, you are so far away from your child! Strollee is the cheaper version, I haven't tried it but my friend like it, anyone care to review it?
MACLAREN TRIUMPH
Bottom
Line: Love it!
Pros: Light weight, easy to maneuver, simple design, folds up quickly and opens up easily. Fits into doorways and through the grocery store shopping cart metal blockers at the entrance (so shopping carts cannot be taken outside the store). It is easy to steer with one arm (while holding baby in the other arm). Very smooth ride for my baby. Reclining back allows for a younger baby (6mths) versus other umbrella strollers.
Cons: Cost is steep for an umbrella stroller but if you buy last years’ model or a used one, you can save some money.
Other: The stroller is useful on dry/wet paved/partially paved surfaces. I haven’t used it in winter weather yet.
Advice: Pay more for a better stroller like this one, as you will be happier bringing your baby around and it will last for more than one kid (if you plan to have more than one that is).
MOUNTAIN BUGGY
URBAN DOUBLE))
Bottom Line: Love It, Love It, Love It!
Pros: Absolutely a dream to steer, better than any of my single strollers and it's a double! Fits through any standard doorway, I haven't met a doorway yet that we couldn't get through. Adjustable handle bar so it's great for both hubby and myself. The kids have their separate compartments which is great when one of them wants to nap, the other is less tempted to bother them. Reclines to almost flat so it is great for napping and allows you to use it with an infant (you can't put the car seat in, but if you are out for awhile then they can sleep in the buggy). You can purchase carry cots separately- but I wouldn't bother. The tires are inflatable and therefore absorb the shock of rougher terrain well. Our MBUD has been to the beach, cottage, Disney World and has been in a few 5km races! The front wheels swivel or can be locked out (good for running). The storage basket is decent and there is a handy little pouch on the outside that is perfect for a mini-diaper bag and sunscreen. The rain cover design is good, you can still get your kids in and out without having to take the whole thing off. The stroller folds down easily and goes fairly flat, and can go even flatter if you take off the front wheels. It does fit in the trunk of a Civic, believe it or not!
Cons: It's expensive, but I have to say I have never regretted buying it! The canopy needs adjusting now and then because it is large it catches the wind and flips up. It doesn't have a hand brake, which I though might be an issue at first, but it doesn't really bother me now that I'm used to it. Come to think of it, the hand brake on my single jogger never did work all that well anyway.
Best Use: Day trips, walks around the neighbourhood, anywhere where sidewalks or pavement is not an option.
Other: This stroller does it all, I can't say enough about it. I bought it after realizing that the Joovy Caboose wasn't going to cut it- tandems are just too hard to steer. People stop me all the time to ask me about it, I swear I should start asking for some kind of compensation from Mountain Buggy for promoting their product so enthusiastically! This stroller can pretty much go anywhere, and is great even in the winter. It's not a true jogger, but unless you are planning to run a lot with two kids then a few times a week is totally fine. I've tried a few of the cheaper double joggers- all I have to say is you get what you pay for!
The major competitors for this stroller are the Valco Baby and Baby Jogger City Series, they all have more bells and whistles than the Mountain Buggy, and are around the same in price point, but, they are NOT the MBUD!
PEG PEREGO PLIKO P3
Bottom Line:
Like it!
Pros: Light weight, compact, reclines to almost flat, five point harness, accepts an infant seat. Great little carrying handle on the side. This stroller has all the features of a large deluxe stroller without the bulk (about half the width of a Graco Quattro, but the same depth).
Cons: Don't love the two handle set up, it's great for hanging your shopping off of, especially since the basket is kind of small (feature of most umbrellas), but not so great for one handed steering. No parent trays on the older version (Pliko, not P3), new one comes with a clip on cup holder but you can get a soft cup holder/ pouch system from a baby gear store. In the older version, the stroller comes with a bumper bar, not a snack tray. My little girl just gets Cheerios sprinkled on her lap... If you're used to a large sturdy stroller you will feel like the Pliko is a bit rickity, but you will get over that once you get used to it. It is certainly a pricey stroller, so if you can get one used, great!
Best Use: The wheels are most appropriate for smoother terrain like the mall or sidewalks. Good for everyday use, especially in and out of the trunk. Great for people who want deluxe stroller features but have a compact car...