I spent 3 days down a deep deep rabbit hole of travel stroller research.
A deep hole isn't even accurate, it was like Marianna's Trench of googling, videos, reviews, and spec sheets. My husband never wants to hear the word "stroller" again and he thinks I have some sort of problem, but hear me out. There are so many baby products out there, begging for your money and I refuse to just give my hard earned cash to the highest bidder. I wanted to do my research, to see what even makes the perfect travel stroller. Safe to say I sort of feel like an expert and what I came back with is this: no one travel stroller is perfect - you need to figure out what your priorities are and pick accordingly. I learned there are a lot of features to consider and the key to the best purchase is to find what is most important to you. Thanks to this guide, the trench feels more like a large pothole and I'm confident that within 20 minutes, you can pick the "perfect for you" travel stroller.
Features To Consider
- SIZE: How small does the stroller get when folded? Do you need fits-into-overhead-compartment small or just compact, fits in your trunk and easier to carry small?
- FOLDING: Do you want a one-hand simple fold or you are okay with a multi-step process?
- WEIGHT: How light do you need the stroller to be?
- CARRYING: Do you want it to wheel? Do you want it to have a strap? Do you need a carrying case?
- STORAGE: Do you need a large bottom storage compartment? Do you need it to have a storage option higher up (handlebar area?)
- SUNSHADE: How big of a sunshade do you need?
- HANDLEBAR: Do you need an adjustable handlebar for taller parents? Do you need a one-handed stroller?
- TERRAIN: Do you need something durable enough for cobblestone streets and sandy beaches or just your typical roads and sidewalks?
- RECLINE: Do you need an almost flat recline for naps on the go?
- PEEK-A-BOO WINDOW: Do you need the cheater peek-a-boo window?
- WEIGHT/HEIGHT LIMITS: If you are investing in a stroller, you want it to last as long as possible. Do you want something that will work for the longest amount of time for your growing kiddo?
- PRICE: Are you willing to spend $300 to $400 or do you need something $200 and under?
- INFANT: Do you need it to be infant-friendly (lay completely flat or have adapters?)
- ACCESSORIES: Do you want it to come with accessories (bug net, cup holder, etc) or are you willing to pay extra for those?
Overwhelming, right?
Once I had an idea of the features that were important to me, I spent hours researching strollers and went back and forth and around and around. I watched videos on individual strollers. I watched videos comparing a lineup of strollers. I read bloggers and techies and stroller reps comparing and testing out their favorites. I read extensive reviews and went through ratings. Once I got an idea of what I wanted, I would do a bit more research and change my mind, back into the black hole.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECqxon4og4R0nqt0HWkrVV66qxqxTQRQ7hoAq964UJstMkiFAqWThjC_3Kf6rsPQK-cX0_urV-Y8A2CJ1vgI9iJuBJ34n9ikyERil6g0km4U5jwooqslUl_-weF3UJmUrqnLg1SPsN8xJ/w640-h480/PXL_20211106_190417028.jpg)
My Priorities
All my research helped me narrow down what my priorities were for my lifestyle (on the go, a future of planes, trains, and automobiles with a babe). Here's what I decided my priorities were:
- Size/Compact fold: I don't have the patience for baggage claim so if I can get this thing in an overhead compartment, it's a big sell) With that being said, I know that when a stroller advertised "overhead cabin friendly" this is likely not the case for international flights. European carry-on requirements are smaller than US ones. That aside, we are going to be putting this in our tiny rental car and lugging it around Portugal - I need it to be easy to bring around. If it fits in a bag and can easily be wheeled around tight spaces and packed up for small restaurants... its a #1 selling point
- Recline: This is essential for our trip to Portugal and I know we are going to be relying on naps on the go. I wanted something that reclined comfortably.
- Sun Shade: I needed some kind of a sunshade, preferably something I didn't have to add on - keeping him out of the sun is a big priority for me and I didn't want to have to get an extra attachment.
- Price: I knew I didn't want anything super cheap, I needed this to last through the trip and hopefully many more. I also needed it to be higher quality to endure cobblestone streets in Europe. On the other side, I also didn't want to invest in the $400 range as it was just a lot for a stroller after purchasing our very expensive Uppababy.
- Suspension for rockier terrain
- Storage
- Accessories - second seat, belly bar, etc
- Larger weight limits to extend the life of the stroller for tired tots while traveling
- Easy fold
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmP2OVYX2p2LsRBQxv000pFKeC-BGNNaQSZwSJBX20goRq_ehrI8hsfA49fhr9wBhUn_K4P7bGqHD6m5YQghLs8mcA1sjOExDQ2ZwuG9xn5aIhyVVf2nuKGcoNkuiSvMqo1fnofMPt4NuC/w640-h480/PXL_20211106_194333291.jpg)
Top Two
Buy/Check Prices Here
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