Stroller Rant

April 15th, 2009

WARNING: very boring post ahead:

To say I have become interested in strollers is an understatement. There are so many choices and price points I am finding it impossible to come to any sort of decision on anything. I don’t necessarily mind spending a bit of money on it because we aren’t really planning on buying that many (any) big ticket items but if it was as easy as choosing the most expensive I’d have a bugaboo sitting in storage right now.

But I don’t. Because I don’t like it. The main reason is because it is very bulky and to fold it you have to take the seat out. Can you imagine taking out the squirmy baby/toddler, then taking out the seat, then folding and putting the seat on top of it? I mean come on. Who designed this crap? And why are people paying $1,000 for it???

So after that then what? Here are my thoughts on the ideal stroller.

-sturdy (bigger wheels) to get around the junked up streets and park

-front and rear facing seat options

-big basket for shopping in the neighborhood

-adjustable height push bar 

-lightweight

Another model we seriously looked at was the Quinny Buzz which really fits most of the criteria. You can put the car seat directly onto the frame or buy the bassinet part that snaps in separately so you can use it from birth. I just thought it looked a little spacey. Like from another planet? I don’t know. I looked at alot of strollers.

After that I started thinking I’d just use a snap and go for a few months then get a Maclaren. Its soooooo light. Alot of people were saying how awesome umbrella strollers are. People who live in suburbs. People who do NOT have to schlep their stroller all over city streets every day. In the snow!  Add to that the fact that the Maclaren is the most repaired stroller out there, it leads me to believe this is NOT meant for a primary stroller for use on the streets of NYC. Maybe its a little too light? I don’t know. So we decided that maybe we’d get one as a secondary stroller to travel with, maybe use if I am going on the subway alone, etc. but still need an option for our main stroller.

One day I was out getting coffee and I saw someone with this stroller – the UPPA baby vista. I ran home to look it up and it had great reviews. 

After watching this video, then making Matthew watch it, then making my mother watch, it we decided to check it out. Besides having all the features as the bugaboo you can actually fold it with the seat (imagine that!) Its like the manufacturers looked at all the annoying things about the bugaboo and fixed them. Not only that but it comes with the bassinet. Also comes with mosquito nets and rain covers for both seats. I love the huge basket and all the little touches. Its just a really smart design. The company is super eco friendly and uses organic products bla bla bla but that didn’t even draw me into it and I didn’t even know until I went on their website. Its just a really smart stroller. I think it will fit our needs nicely.

Plus, now that we know we don’t have to shlep it up the steps of our apartment it makes it alot more appealing.

Now to just decide on the color.

Entry Filed under: Things I adore