apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I have a BumbleRide which has been great. It turns from bassient to regular stroller with a reversible handle. It comes in great colors and patterns and is very easy to fold up. My only complaint is that the wheels are sometimes akward.

Love Maclaren strollers! I have used the Daytripper and now have a Volo. Since my son is 2 1/2 we just need something for when he can't go the distance. I love how easy the Maclarens are to steer with one hand and fold up. Love them!

Ever noticed how many "barely used" Bugaboos are for sale on Craigslist and eBay?

We have a neighbor who only uses hers when her husband is around on weekends. She finds it too large and bulky for city living and uses cheapo umbrella stroller most of the time.

Snap-N-Go's are great for infants. After that, you can graduate to a regular stroller (no need to spend more than $200) and maybe a $12 umbrella stroller to keep in the trunk of the car or use on public transport.

Unless, of course, you live in a status-conscious neighborhood and feel a need to keep up with the proverbial Jones' ;-)

I don't get the Bugaboo...$900 and no cargo basket?!! Give me break

I LOVE our MacLaren Volo. It's SO lightweight and easy to use... PLUS it's tall enough for me! Before that, we used our Graco Quatro Tour... it was big but good.

We have a bugaboo and love it. We use it every day, sometimes 2-3 times. It fits compactly in our Prius. As a bonus, the bassinet was the *only* place our infant son would sleep for the first six weeks of life and for that, I'll be forever grateful.

Both of our strollers are awesome--- we have the Combi version of the Snap N Go, the "Naked Stroller," which is fantastic for trips to the store when he's asleep in the car.

And, for when he graduates out of the carseat, a MacLaren Quest. I got it before I knew about the Volo, which I think is lighter, but we love it just the same--grey/green gender neutral and 4 positions...great for days out.

We have a Maclaren Triumph which is an awesome awesome stroller (really great for traveling), and a BOB Revolution (for running and for trips to the park or woods and such) which also is such a great great great stroller.

Ok, so my wife and I are expecting our first child in late November. We live in Boston so we deal with steps, crooked sidewalks, more steps, buses and trains, and more steps. We were thinking of purchasing the Silver Cross Classic Sleepover:

http://www.tinyride.com/Silver-Cross-Classic-Sleepover-Combination-P1237.aspx

But is this really necessary? Am I falling for a full system all-in-one thing when we really don't need it (and I can spend the extra money to upgrade to the oueff crib)?

actually, here's a better view of the silver cross. The cool thing about it is the stand.

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=533951&parentCategoryId=85184&categoryId=85219&subCategoryId=86216

sorry:

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=533955&parentCategoryId=85184&categoryId=85219&subCategoryId=86216

My husband and I bought an Orbit Baby system for our daughter. We live in a very urban area and this stroller handles well and navigates narrow areas and crooked sidewalks pretty well.

We love the fact that the seat of the stroller can rotate 360 degrees -- it's perfect for baby-friendly restaurants. I also love that you can collapse the stroller base with one hand after removing the seat -- and that the base doesn't take up the entire trunk of the car (like some models we tested out).

Maybe the only drawback (for some folks, not really for us because we don't tend to travel all that heavily with the baby) is that it doesn't have a big cargo storage area.

We also have the bassinet and it was a life saver for the first few weeks with our daughter.

How about the Orbit Baby? Thoughts?

I upgraded to the Bob Revolution Duallie when we found out we're having a (surprise!) third child. It turns on a dime, is super-comfy for our 4 and 2 year olds, accommodates an infant carseat, AND our 4 year old can sit on the shelf over the front wheel if both seats are occupied and she's worn out.
So happy. It may be a jog-type stroller, but it's as functional at the mall as on the trail (which we do more anyway :)
For one, though, I love my little three-wheeled safety first stroller. $30 at Babies R Us.

First stroller was the Combi snap-in with the infant car seat--excellent. Especially since I thought we'd use the car seat exactly once: to get home from the hospital! The snap-in made that a economical purchase after all.

Now that Madame is a toddler we use the Maclarren Quest--very lightweight, easy to steer, useless in snow. I really like it (unless it's snowing), but now that she's almost 20 months, it looks like our days using a stroller are drawing to a quick close. She wants to WALK dammit!

We have the Bug and find it is worth every penny. We've beat the heck outta our Bug. It's traveled to London. Our kid practically lives in it. I love that I can lay him flat when he's sleeping without having to distrub him. I love the huge shade cover, especially in L.A. I love the fact that the coverings (cameleon model) are washable. The foot muff also comes in handy as nights in LA, even in the summer, can get pretty cool. But it does have it's draw backs. Mainly, for us anyway, is the two part fold. I wish the whole thing folded into one piece. Even if it was heavier.

Recently, after a years hard use, a front wheel broke. They sent us a new set of front wheels free. But in the mean time we needed a stroller for a planned trip to Disneyland. We bought a metrolite graco something er other. Yuck! The kid hated it. We hated it. Was donated to charity after a handfull of uses. Thank God for the Bug.

cweingar-
beware beware beware of tinyride.com. they are a shady company to deal with. they "lost" our order (2 carseats, $580) and it took me two months (& two phone calls a week) to get a refund. After that- I did an internet search to see if there were other complaints and there are hundreds of them- many were having the same problem I had.

Thanks for the warning DCMom. If we buy it, we're actually going through a local store.

We have the Bob Revolution Duallie and LOVE it. We live in the city and use it more than our car. We also use it in the malls, etc. Worth every penny!

We've managed with nothing more than a Snap-N-Go, mei tai, and a Chicco umbrella stroller:

http://tinyurl.com/2wr9w8

We were actually ready to purchase the Inglesina

http://tinyurl.com/2txfze

but since we had to order it, we bought a Chicco as a quick fix till it came in. But we found that the Chicco was easy to maneuver, lightweight, and compact and couldn't figure out why we needed something more expensive. Of course our son is only 14 months (though 32" tall) and maybe as he grows we'll want something more.

The Chicco has a small cargo basket, so I hang my bag over the handles. If that's a major selling point with you then this isn't the stroller for you.

I love our Maclaren Quest. It is ideal for the Paris metro where there is a serious lack of escalators or elevators - It's not a problem because I can carry Felix and the stroller all at once. I think I would like to get the Techno XT the next time around. There are just a few more features that I like: better wheels, bigger shade/rain protection, higher handles, and the seat goes completely flat. And it really isn't that much heavier if heavier at all.

i really like our combi stroller-and-carset. when the peanut was small, we always put her in the carseat and snapped her into the stroller for walks. i would keep my stroller in the storage space on the first floor of our building and just carry my daughter up and down the stairs in the carseat. now she's big enough for just the stroller! it handles well and folds up very compact. the price tag is great too. i can open it with one hand (great, since i'm usually holding her) but closing it up takes two hands. oh well. it's still a great stroller!

I am so against conspicuous consumption, so we use an umbrella stroller (well, two) now that the kids are plenty old enough for one, and the Kolkraft Jeep double stroller when two won't do. I just can't understand having all these fancy-dancy strollers just for the sake of spending money on something that you can buy cheaply with just as much functionality. But whatever!

Inglesina Zippy rocks. Great stroller, true one-handed opening and closing. I did not want to do the Mclaren "lean to the floor" in order to close the thing. The zippy is much easier. Problems i've had are the basket is small, and the cup holder is good to hold a Dr. Browns 8oz bottle but not a real cup, forget like a snapple or soda.

I have the Zippy and don't care for it, but we do a lot of walking. The one-handed fold is nice, but for even moderately tall people, you're going to end up kicking the bar, making every walk turn into "step, step, step, OW, step, step, OW". I have the same problem with all of the Maclarens and similar styles.

I finally showed some humility and enlisted my brother-in-law last weekend to find us a better stroller for my upcoming 1/2 mile daily walk (each way) with my son to his new preschool at my office. He works in accessibility technology and consults on wheelchair and bicycle designs at a hourly rate that he only told me after four hours of intense lecture and a test drive of every stroller we could find. I could never have afforded him. The short version of what he told me was "three wheels good, four wheels bad".

His verdict was either the Bob Revolution (steers better than everything else) or the Phil & Ted e3 Sport (2nd best in steering, best for everything else) for anyone who spends time walking outdoors, either on sidewalks or rougher terrain. He thought the Bugaboos had excellent suspension and steering but was appalled by the price difference and the poor fold ("so only people who live in elevator buildings buy this?"), and thought that the decision to use four wheels instead of three meant the front wheels were overdesigned. All of the standard brands (Maclaren, Peg Perego, Inglesina, Kolcraft, Graco, Combi, Chicco) were dismissed out of hand as likely to cause wrist injury with regular use and having a poor center of gravity leading to tipping with older children. He was appalled by the poor braking options on nearly every stroller. He thought the Stokke Xplory was interesting but because it was based on a wheelchair design wasn't well suited for being pushed by a parent instead of the user. He also could not say enough bad things about plastic wheels and told me he'd never speak to me again unless my new stroller had air-filled tires. (Despite the length of this post I am paraphrasing extensively.)

So we'll be buying a Phil&Ted.

We also have a Bumbleride, which my mom bought us because she'd always wanted a pretty stroller. It is attractive, functional, folds up easily (fits in the trunk of my Corolla) and the seat is removable/machine washable. I love it because it is sturdy and not a hunk of plastic, like so many strollers. It is also relatively light.

cweingar,

If you're debating between the Silver Cross and a less expensive pram, you really don't need the stand. Just use the stroller frame and lock the wheels, or use the bassinet on the floor. We used an old pram for our second and that's all she slept in for months. I loved how I could move the bassinet around the house with me while she slept. And it was very easy to reach into it on the floor by the side of the bed if she needed comforting (or, let's face it, I just wanted to touch her).

A pram is a great stroller...those big wheels truly go anywhere!

we have a micralite which I partially love (great tires, folds easily, incredibly light, cool design), and partially don't (doesn't recline, handles are a little short for tall people). but overall I think it's an awesome stroller for NY or similar urban areas - you get the handling of a bug/bob (one-handed steering, good suspension, air-filled tires, awesome on uneven terrain and going up/down steps) and the lightweight convenience of a mac volo/similar. plus you can skip the snap-n-go stage - it has that functionality with the maxi-cosi infant carseat (which - seperate topic - I think is far superior to the graco snugride or any other US strollers).

we also have the volo, which is great for airplane travel (we do a lot).

no opinions on any of the quinny strollers? those are the ones I lust after these days...

We have the Maclaren Quest Sport and we really love it. I'm torn as to what to buy for a double stroller though. Do I stick with Maclaren or go with a more rugged Bob Revolution or Phil and Ted's e3? Not sure. We walk a fair bit and the sidewalks around here aren't great but the extra heft of the jogging strollers is putting me off.

In re: Quinny. I was surprised at how wide and heavy the Quinny Buzz was (over 26 lbs!), which was not appealing at all. I wanted to like the Zapp because it looks so very cool and the fold is amazing, but it's not for the "tall" (I'm 5'7" and was hunching) and the wheels were very noisy, even on smooth surfaces like the linoleum floor of the store. I can only imagine how irritating that would be on the sidewalk. Neither one has much storage, and I say that as someone who typically only carries a few diapers and a sun hat. And both got a vehement thumbs-down for those reasons and others from my opinionated brother-in-law (but that's what I get for asking).

We have a Silver Cross Micro, which is great -- a lightweight high-quality umbrella stroller at half the cost of a comparable Maclaren.

But the phrase "dream stroller" in the original question kind of made me chuckle. I've noticed so many couples of my acquaintance get fixated on the stroller issue. It's like strollers are the new cars. :) Though I have to admit that my husband and I were the same way with our first stroller (pre-umbrella stroller), and the joke ended up being on us, because our infant HATED being placed on his back. I think he spent a total of three hours in the stroller in his first six months... and half that time he was probably screaming.

I'm happy to have a satisfactory stroller, but to be honest, I use it less and less, and my toddler is only two years and four months old. He prefers to walk, and I'm cool with that. In my neighbourhood, I see some kids of walking-around age who seem to be permanently affixed inside their strollers, and I can't help thinking that can't be so good for them. Though maybe their parents are just trying to amortize the cost of those thousand-dollar strollers...

I have a Bugaboo and wouldn't trade it for anything else. It's been used since day one up until now that Baby is 17 month old. Mine definitely wouldn't be one of those 'barely used'! We live downtown and doesn't own a car, so Baby goes everywhere on the stroller, or sitting on a special child seat at the back of my bike. Contrary to previous comment, the Bug does have a huge basket. I wouldn't do grocery unless I bring Baby along, because then I'd have the excuse to chug all the groceries in the basket and not having to lug them myself home. I find it just perfect for our car-less existence, but I do have to agree on the occasions that we rent a car to go out of town, it's a bit of a nuisance.

We have a Quinny Buzz, with the bassinet and pushchair attachment, and so far it's been great. Easy to fold, looks great, and handles wonderfully. I do a lot of walking rather than driving. Was initially concerned about the storage, but it comes with it's own basket and a clip-on bag, which both fit underneath the stroller. The bag means I can keep a few handy items in there, saving on taking the diaper bag absolutely everywhere. Has been more tha sufficient thus far.

The only issue I can think of is that it can be a bit large when folded down, but driving a station wagon means it's not an issue for us. And as I said, I walk most places and only really need to put it in the car when my husband and I head out on weekends.

In SF, where you have to fold strollers to board public transport, the Bugaboo is a non-starter for anyone using public transportation.

cweingar - We have the Silver Cross Sleepover, we received it as a gift from my mother-in-law. We got a ton of use out of it between 0 and 6 months when we lived in a very flat city laid out on a grid. Our daughter slept in the bassinette all the time, and the basket has a ton of room to do shopping, etc. We don't have the stand, and as another poster said, I don't really see the point. Just put the brakes on the stroller.

As much as I loved that stroller during those first couple of months, I don't know if I would shell out for it on my own. It has some pretty serious issues -
1. It's mammoth and it doesn't collapse well at all. If you have more than 2 or 3 stairs to your house you won't be able to get it inside without a serious struggle, and forget about taking it in your car if you want to take anything else.
2. The wheels don't pivot. Not a big deal in a truly urban area with wide sidewalks, but it makes it hard to maneuver around sidewalk obstacles or turn corners. Plus, when we moved to a place with less well-maintained sidewalks it became impossible.
3. It doesn't work with a carseat, so to get the baby from the carseat to the stroller you will have to risk waking him or her up. This may not seem like a big deal to you now, but trust me, it will be.
4. The wheels get squeaky. I took to keeping a can of WD-40 by the door, and I didn't really like having to spray the stuff near a newborn.
5. It doesn't make sense as a stroller for a child older than about 1. I know an older child will fit in the stroller, but the heavier they get, the harder it is to get any sort of nimble movement out of the stroller at all.

My secretary loaned me one of those ginormous Graco strollers with tons of cup holders that the infant car seat snaps into. It was ugly as sin, but man, so convenient. It folded up easily and had huge wheels that pivoted and made it super nimble. Plus we could get the sleeping baby in and out of the car without waking. Too bad I'm such a snob about the aesthetics, or else that would have been my dream stroller.

The stroller that we've gotten the most use out of is our MacLaren. It goes everywhere and does everything. Ours has traveled all over the US and Europe & is still in good shape. It's just not great for infants because it doesn't recline all the way. When our daughter was a newborn we used a Combi Soho for traveling. It's not the most nimble thing ever (teeny wheels), but ti's ultra light, folds up like a dream and reclines all the way. She slept many nights in it parked by our hotel bed.

DOT- love that info! We've come to the same conclusions- MUST have air tires for comfort & maneuvering!

We started out with a Graco Travel System which is all around crappy with the exceptions of, having a big basket and drink holders for mom, dad & baby.
-We then looked for a stroller which would be great for walking, as we live downtown. So recently we 'built' a Bug Frog. Finding pieces used & buying some new online.
It's a great stroller for maneuvering around the sidewalks, parks & stores alike, and we got it for a fraction of the cost!
However-the lack of storage sucks & we haven't had the funds to buy all the overpriced accessories to really make it comfy.
What we've really wanted is a Valco Baby Rad... It looks well, RAD!- & has lots of comfort features for baby & parents. Anyone wanna weigh in on the Valco?

Thanks Frida. That's great info. Has anyone used the Micralite?

As a frequent babysitter in NYC, I've had the chance to try tons of strollers. I have to say that even though I'll probably never be able to afford one, the bugaboos are BY FAR the easiest to maneuver when walking in the city. My other babysitting friend will often ask of a new client "bugaboo?" because it can be the difference between enjoying a walk with the baby and not. It's not easy on the stairs/subways etc, but nothing is.

I love my Ergo baby carrier. No need to store a bulky stroller in our small home or fight my way through the crowded deli with wheels. I just don't get the whole stroller fetish thing?

Maclaren Volo for single child. (Love that thing!)
Phil & Ted's e3 Sport for two kids (or one). (Loving this, too, if I have to have a double; it's just not my Volo though.)

We have had a Bugaboo Frog for over 4 years and through 2 children. It is a joy to use! It is maneouverable and comfortable, and has been a very good fit for our lifestyle.

We have travelled the world with it -- my 9 month old just did his first Alpine climb in it (we used the 2 wheel configuration), and we have been on many, many different subway systems (New York's included).

It is definitely the best and most useful kid's product we own, and we consider ever penny of it well spent.

For our 4 year-old, we have the running board addition, which is really great. I take them both grocery shoping with it, and manage to stash the groceries underneath. I find the cargo bag actually holds quite a lot - that is because it is a bag with a drawstring, and can really be stuffed. I have put 15 pound watermelons along with 4 quarts of milk, boxes of cereal and cookies, etc., etc., in it all at the same time. The horizontal bar at the top is a bit of a pain, and bisects the space a bit, but I find it very practical and well-sized. The Chameleon has a bigger cargo hold than the Frog, if that is an issue.

It is more narrow than most strollers, and so is able to go inside most stores. The big wheels are genius -- they make going up and down stairs (no, we don't carry it down) over curbs, and through different "paving" materials such as mud and gravel, a breeze. It is so versatile, you can do just about anything.

The only drawback we have found is that it doesn't fold at the push of a button, and folds into 2 pieces. It has not been a problem for us, but a simple folding mechanism is easier. However, then you would have to forgo the comfort and verstility of the seat, which we found to be much more important for our kids.

I must add, despite the heavy daily use over 4 years, our Frog still looks quite good -- the materials are very sturdy and stand up to a lot of wear. Maybe that is why they are sometimes listed as "barely used" when resold. In any case, they are one of the few strollers with any resale value.

CWeingar, I would recommend spending the money on the right stroller, whatever that is in your circumstances. You will spend ever day dealing with your decision of which stroller you chose, for some will suit your needs better than others. However, just about every crib works well as a bed, whether it an Oeuf crib or IKEA's Gulliver.

Monika: You can't use a bugaboo on SF's public transit, so leave it at home if you come visit. SF nannies *hate* the bugaboo because it means they can only go to parks within walking distance if they don't have access to a car. (You *must* fold the stroller before boarding SF public transit, which, as you know, can't be done w/a bugaboo if you are also carrying an infant.)

No one here has mentioned the Mutsy! I can't believe it! It is totally my dream stroller. I would buy it in a second over a Bugaboo for the same price. I love either the UrbanRider, or the 4Rider Light. If you want the portability of the Quinny Zapp with a reclining seat, check out the Mutsy Spider. They are all here: http://www.mutsy.com/

Actually I found Mutsy's 4Rider at http://www.rightstart.com/global/store/product~item~6334.html
for $499, so it is cheaper than a Bugaboo. How about that instead of the Silver Cross Sleepover?

Let's Go Strolling is a good alternative to TinyRide.com, and they carry Mutsy too:

http://www.letsgostrolling.com/mutsy-urbanrider-stroller.html

http://www.letsgostrolling.com/mutsy-4rider-light-stroller.html

http://www.letsgostrolling.com/mutsy-spider.html

After perusing lots of Internet reviews, we acquired the Orbit Baby and the Uppa Baby G-Lite (something like 8 lbs) from Let's Go Strolling.

Runners-up were the Bugaboo, Quinny and Stokke but after adding in car seats, adapters, cargo, etc they all ended up being priced in a rather similar range. (We passed on the bassinet feature, since we figured it wouldn't get much use given the timing of the year/inclement weather). On the umbrella stroller, we compared to the MacLaren Volo.

We bought the Orbit primarily for its unique dock/rotate/lock system, pliable carrier handles, air tires, easy one-hand fold feature and manuverability. Yes, it's a ridiculous lot to spend on a stroller, but since we are city dwellers, walk and eat out a lot, and this is our first, so we justified the splurge. It also adjusts easily for my husband's height and plus, it's just a cool stroller. :)

Last thing, kudos to the Let's Go website for great communication and fast delivery. (I had a bad experience with Baby Universe first)

Im with KBinBC, but I prefer my Kozy and wraps. If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't even bother with a stroller at all. Ours Mac Quest has been used less than a dozen times, and that's not because I don't think it's a good stroller. Strollers are just so incompatible with life in NYC. I wish I'd figured that out before my kid was born.

We have a Safety 1st travel system, and like it very much. It's super smooth and easy to manoeuvre (sp?) and isn't too huge, although it is a bit bulky with the carseat attachment. Without it (when baby's old enough to sit up) it's pretty compact. It has an adjustable handle (husband is 6'3" and I'm 5'), the wheels are unbelievably easy to pop on and off, it's easy to fold and pop up, and it goes over all sorts of terrain. And it's brown and not patterned with ducks or elephants! You can see it here:
http://www.sears.ca/gp/product/B000QVCSLC/sr=1-5/qid=1188485189/ref=sr_1_5/103-6589265-6949419?ie=UTF8&searsBrand=core&mqnodeid=16340351

We have the orbit baby and love it. We also have the bassinet attachment to turn the stroller into a pram which we use daily for walks. the stroller breaks down easily (single handed collapse) and the cargo area, while small has served us well. The stroller/pram is extremely maneuverable and can handle light off-road'ing.

We love that the car seat when attached to the base can rotate to any angle (great for getting out of the sun or pulling up to a restaurant table).

We gate checked the stroller on our way to england and when it arrived one of the legs was broken - orbit baby immediately sent us a replacement - great customer service.

I LOVE my bugaboo!!!

I have 2 kids and another on the way. I didn't buy a stroller when the first was born -- in fact I haven't yet bought a stroller. We do have a old double jogger from freecycle and an even older jogger from my sister-in-law. I used a sling for my first and he was walking everywhere by the time the second took over the sling. Now that we're (oops) expecting a third, I may have to look into a stroller. Or maybe not...

Dream stroller? The Valco Tri-Mode (double) It's the only thing I've found that will hold both kids, one in the infant seat (cause no, I don't want to take her out) and the toddler at the same time (AND fit in the back of my car!). Pre newbie I had the Graco travel system and really did love the stroller but, whoever said it, it's HUGE. I like my Chicco single stroller from Babiesrus. I got more use out of that than any other travel thing I own!

I am a mom of soon to be 3 (due any day now) I have a 9 year old son, a 14 month old daughter, & a new son on the way. When my daughter was born we bought her the Peg Perego car seat & pliko 3 stroller as her system & I just had to have the Bugaboo Cameleon. I like the bugaboo but it is hard to manuever by myself or calapse it I should say. Now for my new son I've already purchased a new Peg Perego carseat & another Pliko 3 (my daughters in pink/black) but I just found the new Orbit baby system & REALLY like it so I think I'm gonna take the Peg Perego back & spend the extra hundred dollars and get the orbit!!!

LOVE my xplory! my daughter enjoy it, she use it all the time, high chair-stroller-bed all in one.

We have had our P&T for two years now and it still looks great. A little dirty around the edges, but it's the apple green so it shows more than navy would.
I love everything about it, especially since it's really all we need. No need for a dedicated double stroller in the garage taking up space when eldest no longer wants to ride.

As for the Valco, the reason we decided to get the P&T is because the second seat has a hight back and better recline that the Valco. I have been shopping when my 3.5yr old and 1yr old have both been sleeping, can't do that when you're not supported.

we have the orbit and it is fantastic in the infant stage, but the next stages are not so hot. the toddler car seat is really bulky and you do not need the base for it--wish we had known that as we bought 2 bases for our cars and one for each grandparent too. as cool as the stroller looks overall, you lose that when you put the toddler carsear on the stroller base, it looks terrible. the toddler stroller seat is a separate seat, so more money, and it is just bulky to set up, hard to fold up and difficult to carry and store. we bought the orbit thinking that would be it but we ended up needing a lightweight stroller too--the mcclaren volo is fantastic. orbit is great for birth -12 months, then there are problems so consider that when you invest.

My dream stroller, which I own, is my Peg Perego Triplette for my triplets. It has a steering wheel and the seats are so comfy looking. Huge basket underneath, easy to maneuver (for a triple stroller, anyway) and looks nice. Best part about it, it was a gift. :)

Maclaren Twin Techo, baby! For my twin boys- very easy to set up, and even easier to collapse. I keep it in my SUV so we have it wherever we are. They are happy as clams! We originally were concerned about the lack of cupholders for adults, but have since realized that the back pouches can more than accommodate any beverage we've had- even flimsy to-go cups. I'd recommend it again and again- and have!

Although I use the stroller(s) much less than I had anticipated, I am very happy with my choices of the BOB Revolution (Stroller Strides model) and the Maclaren Quest Sport. If I had to choose just one, I'd keep my BOB in a heart beat.

I posted earlier above that we have a bugaboo and love it. I would prefer a single operation for assembly but I would still rather use it than anything else I've tried.. Nothing is as maneuverable or has a smoother ride. And the basket holds a ton of stuff and is easy to access.

We used to travel with it by air but on our seventh airline flight a small part was broken so we now have a maclaren techno for travel. It is okay. The basket holds nothing and is difficult to access. It turns well but I kick the stroller all the time when walking and I am only 5 7. An added insult is that it doesn't fit in our car truck. I know these are popular but I am not sure why. It is certainly better than the other strollers I borrowed. Truly terrible.

Note that lots of places allow you to take assembled strollers on public transportation, it just depends on where you live.

I will have 3 kids under 3 any day now. We had a Bugaboo Frog until about a year ago when we moved 10 blocks (we still live pretty much downtown and don't take the car out hardly at all). Now I take public transportation (have to fold the stroller) so much more frequently we have traded the Frog for a Bee. That combined with a bECO Butterfly carrier really has been the best system for us. I can open and close it with one hand, 16 month old in the carrier and still have a hand for my 3 year old to get on and off the bus. It rolls behind like a suitcase so even at 39 weeks pregnant I still jump on and off the bus with ease. The ONLY thing I wish is that Bugaboo would come out with a Wheeled Board to fit the Bee's axle/chassis (hint hint), then everyone could be carried or ride. I see no reason for a double, I would loose the efficiency and switch-rich nature that is designed into the Bug's compact functionality. Not to mention it is still an awesome ride and incredibly easy to use. IF we were to move closer in where everything were within a half mile waking distance and we didn't take the bus, I might consider a Phil & Ted's Vibe.

We got a Quinny Zapp when they first came out in Germany and love it. It's tiny, light and works great with the Maxi-Cosi infant carseat. It has gotten a ton of use with both of my babies. I don't like the new version sold in the US, though- the three wheel design is so much better than the four wheel.
Cbenn, I agree that the Buzz is too big and bulky, though luxurious. It also cost too much, because we wanted a jogging stroller too. I never noticed the noise you mentioned.
Our jogger is a Dreamer Design Rebound Lite with 20" wheels. I found this on Ebay because they've stopped making it with the big wheels. I have no idea why they would halt production because it is seriously the best jogger out there. I've tried other brands, and had to get rid of them. This one is the easiest to push and has the best suspension. Jus a little tap with your finger gets the thing rolling down the street. The DD Rebound Lite Ditto, however, is the WORST jogging stroller I could imagine. It has none of the good qualities of the single. That's what I get from ordering online without trying it out in person.

I'm tall, so an adjustable handle was must for me. After testing out many options, I went with the Bugaboo Chameleon, and I've been happy with it. Once you've done it a few times, the setup and disassembly become pretty easy. It fits well in the trunk of our compact car. I actually wish I had more opportunities to use it!

I have my dream stroller for an older child: Maclaren Volo.

For my baby I have the Baby Jogger City Series Single but wished I had the BOB Revolution.

I love, love, love my Micralite Fastfold. My big thing when I was looking for a stroller was finding one that wouldn’t limit the places I could go, so I needed light-weight, narrow, and sturdy tires. I live in Brooklyn, NY, so we are always on the go, bumping around uneven sidewalks and up and down subway stairs. B/c the Micralite is so light but with great tires, I can easily bounce my 18-month-old up and down subway stairs all by myself. Also big on my stroller must-have list: a pushbar that allowed me to steer with one hand and drink coffee in the other. A must! The only negative about the stroller is the skimpy sunshade. But now Micralite sells a sunshade that fits it perfectly. Bottom line: If I had to do it all over again, I’d buy the exact same stroller.

I have a Combi Cosmo EX, and I like it for the vast majority of the time. I don't use it much, because we mostly use our Ergo when out and about, but when I do, I want a good stroller. It is light, easy to push, very compact, and comfortable for my son. The only downside is the need to fold it with two hands.

We own 2 strollers: The MacLaren Techno XT, which was purchased for my daughter 4 years ago, and when Son came along this March, we bought a BOB Revolution (single). I really like them both. The Mac is great for tighter spaces - smaller cars, airline travel, etc. It's light, easy to turn, folds quickly, and the seat has 4 positions (including flat). The BOB is so great (totally my favorite). We take it running, to the Farmer's Market, the mall, and everywhere in town. It's so easy to maneuver, and I love the big storage basket underneath (perfect for walking to the grocery). Daughter sometimes rides on the footrest when she is tired, and even pushing 60 pounds feels like nothing. I started using the BOB when he was just 4 weeks old (with the help of a Kiddopotamus Snuzzler) and he was happy from the second I put him in it. I wish I'd also had the BOB 4 years ago.

I have 3 strollers the Peg Perego Pliko (main one), Maclaren Volo (grandma's car) and a BOB jogger. Overkill, I know. But you know I use them all and I don't regret spending the money on these.

I do find the Peg Perego harder to steer with one hand than the other two. And it's just not practical to use a jogger while shopping or other errands, too big.

Peg Perego: even though you can easily plunk an infant carrier onto this, we chose not to go that route. Loved that the seat reclines all the way back. The canopy really provides a lot of shade. Very roomy basket, if a little hard to get to. Folds up fairly compactly for a stroller this big.

Maclaren Volo: super light weight and compact. Terrible shade coverage, the sun is not always directly above you which is the only way it'll shade the kid. Basket is very hard to get to and doesn't hold much. Also if you hang anything remotely heavy on the handles, without the weight of the kid, the stroller tips over.

BOB Revolution Jogger: This is a really easy to steer stroller because the front wheel is not fixed. Very smooth ride for those bumpy paths. Good shade coverage on this too. The basket is nicely sized and the back of the seat has a mesh insert that accommodate stuff also.

selena - which city series? mini or elite? My husband and I are looking at the Mini but are unsure. None of the stores in our area have one to go look at, so we're going on reviews and video.

I couldn't find one stroller that would do everything so I have three.

I started with the snap n go - pros: light weight, easy, don't have to wake baby to use, big basket. cons: cheap wheels, not great on bumpy sidewalks.

I also use the Bob Revolution for stroller strides and walks in the park. pros: easy to maneuver, rubber tires are fantastic over bumps, big basket. Cons: big stroller which makes it a bit bulky.

For trips to the mall and travel I have the Maclaren Triumph. Pros: light weight, easy to maneuver. Cons: basket is small, no cup holder, doesn't lay back as far as I'd like.

LOVE our Bumbleride Indie. I tested several strollers for Kidoinfo.com and absolutely fell in love with the Bumbleride. We were never stroller users before, but now we use it every day and I jog with it too.

I live in SF, too.

I mean really, who gives a #### over stroller wars?!

If people want to buy an expensive stroller, then let them.

I had one of those "barely used" strollers because it only looked that way; I took extremely good care of it.

I used carriers much of the time and still am, but I don't judge people who love their strollers.

We had a Snap & Go and loved it while it lasted, which was only 3 months since our daughter was huge and moved from the infant carrier seat to a regular car seat.

For awhile when we walked around the neighborhood, we used the huge Graco stroller that came with the car seat's travel system (bought at a deep discount). After about 2 years, we splurged (for us) on a Dreamer Design jogger and the difference was incredible - so smooth and easy to turn. It has held up well over the past 2.5 years and use on older, bumpy sidewalks.

The McClaren Triumph was our main stroller for smoother surfaces (museum, store, zoo, etc.). We loved it for all the reasons others have stated previously but I cannot imagine using it as a primary neighborhood stroller. The bumpy sidewalks would, I imagine, be too much for it to handle.

I have a QUINNY BUZZ and love it. I began with the Graco Metrolite (gift) and hated it. I loved being able to snap the car seat it, but that was about it. The wheels were small, cheap and crappy. It fell apart after a few months of getting it in and out of the car. I'm too tall for it (5'10") and once my son was too big for the car seat, he HATED riding it in. Tears and yelling after 15 minutes.

I did so much research when I decided what I wanted:
-super comfortable ride for the kid
-something that would last a long time
-tall enough for me
-kid could face me (stranger anxiety for a month made it so that I needed to be in sight)

Yeah, yeah, Bugaboo. :-P Too much money.

What I love about the Quinny Buzz:
-Foam seat means the kid can be in it for hours and not fuss (well, until now when he's 13 months and wants to walk everywhere). I haven't seen any other stroller when the foam. Also, the back wheels are big and air-filled.
-There are adjustments that can be made so that it grows with your kid-I've seen three year olds in them and they still look comfy.
-The handle adjusts to three heights and makes a BIG difference. My 5'7" mom uses the middle, my hubby and I use the full extension. The tires are far apart making it pretty wide (you definitely have to get used to it) BUT you don't kick them if you have long legs.
-The babe can face me in two different reclining positions (a bassinet is almost unnecessary since one position is full reclining, but I might consider it for the next babe) and can sit facing out in two positions. Facing outward, its pretty easy to pull him up to a restaurant table, although its not quite as high as the Stokke.
-Brakes/release are both push down actions, so you don't hurt your flip-flopped foot or ruin your shoe flipping up with your foot.
-Opening the thing is so easy because of the fancy mechanism that does it for you. Like most other full-sized strollers, you remove the seat to collapse it, BUT if the seat is facing forward, you can collapse it as one which is a bit heavy, but handy when boarding an airplane.
-Its $550.00. This is a lot compared to many strollers out there, but is a little over half what you pay for a Bug, Orbit, Stokke... I've had Bugaboo users say they wished they had gone with the Quinny BEFORE they knew it was cheaper.

I have used this stroller:

-Around Lake Merrit 5/5 stars
-For 5 hours shopping downtown SF 4.5/5 (it is a little wide making tight spaces tricky, but in full recline, baby can nap and you can change his diapers in the seat)
-Crissy Field's dirt path with dog leash in one hand 5/5
-Beach with sand 1/5
-Grocery Shopping in crowded market 3/5 (just too big)

***MY advice to any new mom would be to get a Snap and Go that works with the car seat and then after you know how you're going to use the stroller, then begin to look for what fits your needs. No one stroller can be everything and what you think now might not end up how it is.***

BUGABOO BEE!!!!
small, easy to maneuver, comfy and you only ever need the one. of all the crap i bought pre-baby this was the one decision i do not regret.

We have the Bugaboo Frog and love it. It is a bit bulky in my trunk. But that's really my only complaint aside from cost. They are stupid expensive, but we held back in other areas to get it. And they seem to have decent resale value. Although we walk a lot on sidewalks, we're surrounded by conservation area with packed gravel/dirt paths and have found that the Frog can take the tougher terrain.

I'm really happy that we have a stroller that suits our needs. But I wouldn't underestimate the value of a baby carrier. We have the Ergo, and love it.

MACLAREN TRIUMPH

It's light....we have stairs

reclines....good from 3 months up

and has a great raincover- we live in Vancouver Canada.

You can also accesorize it as you wish.

We also had a beautiful Bebecar w a bassinet that converts into a seat etc... but its heavy and complicated. It was great when my daughter was a newborn.

I love my Micralite Toro -- and it does recline. I guess maybe the Fastfold doesn't. We sold a free Mutsy 4 Rider Light because I wanted something lightweight that I could push with one hand and that folded small and in one piece and had air tires. My only gripes about the Toro are that I can't have the baby facing me and it has a small basket. To solve this, so far I've used my Graco car seat. At first I had the car seat in the Graco Snugrider but that stroller is big. I do recommend it to start so you can get some idea of what you want out of a stroller before making a big investment. I wish I'd gotten a Maxi-Cosi car seat instead, though. All the other strollers I considered lost out because they're so heavy or difficult to fold. The Quinny is too heavy and wide, same for the Uppa Baby and the i'Coo. And the Bug is tough to fold, basically impossible to take on public transportation. But my favorite mode of transport is the Ergo. So easy to put on and I can feed her while I'm walking around. And it doesn't hurt my back like the Baby Bjorns do.

I gotta vote for Phil & Ted's for a double stroller...

My DREAM stroller is the Mutsy Slider: http://www.mutsy.com/products/slider

or I also LOVE the Silver Cross Dazzle: http://www.silvercrossamerica.com/dazzle_stroller.php

I saw recently that Marcia Cross has the Dazzle, and she uses 2 with her twins. It actually is a travel system and also folds flat and could be used for public transportation. I have seen a Dazzle version in black with a black frame, which I know my very style conscious husband would prefer. Still hoping I can get it when I am expecting the next one.

The Mutsy Slider is innovative, in that the seat comes off with the handle attached, and this enables a really flat fold.

or
I might get a Baby Planet Solo Sport (eco-friendly) http://www.baby-planet.com/products/SoloSport.aspx
or a
Zooper Twist: http://www.zooper.com/twist.html
or
Zooper Mambo: http://www.zooper.com/mambo.html

I just CAN'T decide!

We have the Orbit Baby, and we purchased it after tons of research. We love it, so much so that I avoid telling people in my neighborhood the name of the stroller so that it doesn't become all trendy and tacky like the bugaboo (aka every other person has a bugaboo...) The orbit rocks. There was much more thought put into the details than the other "high-end" options. For example, cup holders, adjustable handle bars, 2 separate handle bars so I can hang my grocery bags, dry-cleaning, purse, and everything else a city dweller needs. The material on the toddler seat is mesh and perfect for the summer, it has a sun shade which we use when baby falls asleep (only minor issue is that the seat doesnt fully recline). Anyway, its awesome, but as I recommend to everyone who asks "oh, for sure, get the bugaboo, its great" with an inner evil giggle...... it's my mission to keep the orbit from becoming what the bugaboo is = boring, fashionable and trendy for no practical purpose, and tacky.

We have a Baby Jogger City Mini Double. It's super easy to steer, fits through standard doors, handles rough sidewalks easily, and folds in a snap.

That said, I wish we had gone with a Phil & Ted instead. I can pretty much guarantee that one of my kids will be out of the stroller at any given point. The 2yo will want to walk or the 6 month old will want to be in the Ergo. I end up pushing a half empty stroller. At least with the P&T it would fit more places and look slightly less ridiculous empty. I love carrying the baby (first in a Moby Wrap and now in an Ergo) though I do wish he would sit at least some of the time.

Love my red Baby Travel all-terrain 3-wheelie. I don't think it's offered in the U.S. (we live in Sweden) but it's very similar to the Bumbleride with an added bassinet. Everyone has these enormous 4-wheeled beasts out here, but I just loved how easy the three-wheel model is to turn. I can take it out on trails and maneuver it with one hand while walking the dog. And I can navigate tight shops in the city. The bassinet was very handy in the beginning, but now that our girl is 6 months I wish it had the sit-up-or-lay-down flexibility of the Bumbleride. If we move back, Bumbleride it is for the next one!

Another vote for Phil and Ted double. Expensive but worth it for the ease, with one or two kids. I wish I'd spent the money outright before my 2nd was born, and instead went with the cheaper Combi double. Adequate but not the best. I think the best for just one child depends on each individual's circumstances. In mine, I wanted light because I'm small and knew I'd have a hard time getting a heavy stroller in an out of the car. I went with Graco Metrolite travel system (partly because I was clueless about my shopping options and thought Babies R Us was all I had). But the bottom line is that I was very happy with it.

2 kids and 5 years later, we still love our Bugaboo Frog.

In Europe, they have no silly rules requiring you to fold your stroller on public transportation (it's stupid -- so you have to juggle the baby, a stroller, any packages or diaper bag you have?? great disincentive to using public transportation San Francisco!) -- here, there are nice roomy areas on trams and buses (all easily accessible) set aside for mothers with baby carriages or strollers (you still see prams here).

I walk at least 5 km a day with my frog, over all sorts of terrain -- cobbles, grass, gravel -- and through narrow gates and into tiny elevators (barely bigger than a phone booth), and every day am thankful that we got this stroller.

We have a McLaren in the car for when we go for a quick shop, but it is murder on cobbles, and horrible for naps.

We have owned a Bugaboo Frog and now a Phil & Teds, so I feel comfortable commenting on these two. And we live in inner city (London).

The Frog is bulky, but the build quality, flexibility and maneuverability is fantastic.

However, that's create for one child. Then came along our second. We bought a buggyboard, which simply didn't work, and two strollers are a headache. So we sold the Frog and replaced with a Phil & Teds.

The Phil & Teds is fantastic for two of them, especially when they both sleep. But the build quality and flexibility and maneuverability is limited: it doesn't fold well, some zippers have broken, material can't easily be taken off and washed, and a few other design flaws.

But honestly, for two children, it's the best answer. We haven't had a double width buggy, but I can't see how they would work well with doors.

If you have, or are forseeably going to have a second child in the next 2-3 years, get a double buggy now (or at least one that you can convert to a double). You won't regret it, and most likely you'd have to do it at some stage.

But we miss our Frog, and if Bugaboo had a double buggy, we'd have gone straight for it. But right now, I think Phil & Teds is the best double out there.

I have a Mutsy Spider and I LOVE it. The three wheel construction handles the cracked sidewalks of my lovely neighborhood very well and my daughter doesn't feel as constrained as she does in her carseat. We've actually used it since she was 3 months old (once she could hold her head up well) and padded it a bit since she's petite. I think we'll get a lot of use out of it. And it's so much cheaper than most of the attractive and well designed strollers out there.

Only complaints:
a) The bonnet is not enough sun protection on it's own.
b) There isn't that much storage space in the basket.
c) It is NOT lightweight. In a couple months, we'll probably get an umbrella stroller for quick jaunts and for tossing in the car. I walk a lot so it's usually alright.

We have the Chicco Trevi - hate it. So after much research, we bought the BOB - LOVE it! I never looked at "luxury" strollers because of the prices. But the other day I was at BabiesRUs and put my babe in Maxi-Cosi's answer to the luxury stroller, and fell in love. I can't buy yet another stroller, but the $299 price tag is tempting me . . .
BabyGizmo does a review on YouTube. My baby loved being in it, and it maneuvered as easily as my BOB; it may be an option for those who like the luxury strollers, but not the price of them.

Sorry - it's called the Maxi-Cosi Foray.

i have the maxi-cosi foray and it's a dream come true. it handles incredibly, looks good, and isn't too big. i highly highly recommend it.

We live in Boston and the uppa baby outlet is here - I was really looking forward to getting one but I haven't heard a lot about it here. Its really highly rated in things like Baby Bargains...

We each have a car but walk around the city A LOT. We do have stairs to get to our apt - which I worry about with jsut about any stroller. We need something that includes a bassinet as we are going to have the baby in the stroller bassinet here in the apt in lieu of other sleeping arrangements until he hits the 25-35lbs weight limit of whatever stroller bassinet he's in...

Thoughts?

We have the Stokke Explory and it is an amazing stroller, not to mention a head turner. It is a huge conversation starter and people will ask about it all the time. If you are not a people person, do not get this stroller.

Two great features are that 1, your child can face you and 2, they are up high.

It is fairly expensive, but totally worth the money. If you are shopping for a stroller, go to their website and watch the video. It shows how great and versatile the stroller really is. I guarantee you will love it!

asibtroy, i live in boston as well... i also have do to stairs to get into my apt... if i were you, and not afraid of lugging something 20-25lbs up the stairs then i'd get a quinny or bug with the bassinet attachment. i'm partial to the quinny.

i'm pregnant with twins and i'm going for the p&t vibe even tho i'll have to sling one of them for the first few months.

its the only single wide double stroller that is all-terrain and not a million pounds!

I haven't had the baby yet, but we're going to start out with a Graco Snap & Go with her Snugride carseat. We also have a Maclaren Techno XT--got it for the extendable handles, as I'm almost 6' and my husband is just over, and I noticed that we were kicking the back of all the other Maclarens. We will also be buying a BOB Revolution, as we're both runners and will be running with the baby. I want the Revolution rather than the Ironman or one of the others because of the turning front wheel on the Revolution, as we plan to use the BOB as our regular stroller after she outgrows the Snap & Go. The Maclaren will be going to Nana's house, who will be watching the baby when I go back to work. We'll also take it back for our own use if we're going on trips or somewhere it would be more convenient than the BOB. I hope this all works!

I fell in love with the Stokke Xplory in the store, but our three strollers cost less than that one stroller. I love the Xplory, it's so easy to maneuver and I think having the baby up high is the best idea, but there's just no way I can imagine paying $900 for a stroller, especially as we'd need a real running stroller like a BOB as well.

Phil & Ted. The best. One hand control, roomy, all-terrain. And the doubles kit is amazing-- you can easily take two kids, or just use it for more storage. Best money I ever spent.

Thanks Scriptkitten... the jury is still out - will probably go back to Magic Beans and drive them all again before we make our final decision!! Probably three more times! The cost difference on the bug and quinny make me like the uppa more esp if we knock another 200 off it by going to the outlet in rockland...

asibtroy--Baby Bargains gives Uppa baby a rating of "A," but says that it's so new there's little parent feedback yet. If you can get a good deal on one, I'd say go for it! They sound like they know what they're doing.

The Bugaboo Frog has been brilliant for us. We live in the center of Toronto and don't have a car (I don't even know how to drive). We live 10 minutes away from the hospital where The Bear was born and we walked home in a snow storm with him wrapped up and asleep in the bassinet, the Frog easily dealt with a foot-and-a-bit of snow.
It's light enough to shlump up and down stairs on the subway and the bar that allows you to pick it up one handed has been worth it's weight in gold for me. It also rides escalators like a dream.
The baskety bit holds a week's worth of groceries (though judicious squishing is sometimes required.) and the height of the handle lets you push the thing for bloomin' HOURS without getting a crinkled spine (and I'm 5'10").
Ours has also travelled like a champ, it's been to London, Paris, and Dublin in the last 3 months and the bassinet meant we didn't have to worry about dragging a travel cot around. We don't have the travel bag ($150? Sh'mah!) I just rigged together some Velcro straps and strap it all into a bundle, which is easy enough to do even when I'm travelling alone.
So, praises sung.

I have an UppaBaby Vista, which is great for walking around my city neighborhood with really awful sidewalks. It's really easy to maneuver, has a great basket for walking to the grocery store, and folds easily. BUT, it is pretty wide, even with the new slimline wheels, which makes it difficult to navigate in small restaurants and shops. When I'm walking in the park or going to the grocery store or mall, I take the Vista. When I have to pop in and out of smaller places in my neighborhood, I stick the babe in my Mobywrap or Ergo carriers.

Going to have my first baby in March and obsessed with looking for the perfect stroller for our infant. We don't have a car so the need a very durable yet light stroller that can go from buses to metro. Easy to manuver on city side walks and hills. Any suggestions? I see lots of Maclarens and Preg Preggos in the DC.