A look at some of the sweetest new rides for your babe.
Shopping for big ticket baby gear items like a stroller can be overwhelming, especially with new models coming out all the time. We turned to Janet McLaughlin, aka the "Stroller Queen," who runs a popular stroller reviews blog, for guidance.
What's new in strollerworld? McLaughlin said that some of the top trends are eye-popping colors, innovation and versatility. She noted that in response to the economic downtown, many companies are helping families stretch their budgets by creating single strollers that can convert into doubles or beyond, via an additional seat or a ride-on board. Companies are also offering a wider array of accessories, like seat liners and footmuffs, allowing parents to get a new stroller look without actually buying a new stroller.
Read on for a round-up of the latest, coolest strollers:
Micralite Toro with Rider
Weight: 19 lbs
Weight limit: Up to 40 lbs.
Price: $499.95
Cool feature we love: Thanks to the Rider stroller board, those mall trips seem downright doable. Bonus: This beauty boasts one-handed steering.
Buy it! from diapers.com
Check out more great strollers!
ICandy Peach Blossom
Weight: 17.3lbs
Age range: 6 months
Price: $1,049
Cool feature we love: The new Blossom stroller grows with your family. Simply attach your car seat to the single stroller, and—voilà!—it's a double.
Buy it! from pishposhbaby.com
Micralite Fastfold Superlite
Weight: 14 pounds
Age range: 6+ months
Weight limit: 55 pounds
Price: $319
Cool feature we love: A lightweight stroller with a truly comfortable ride, thanks to the pneumatic rear tires; it also offers exceptionally easy one-handed steering. Available in red, yellow, blue, gray and black.
Buy it!: Albee Baby
Chicco Cortina Together
Weight: 34 lbs.
Age range: Birth to 36 months
Weight limit: 40 lbs per seat
Price: $299.99
Cool feature we love: Super versatile, this double stroller accepts not just one but TWO Chicco KeyFit/KeyFit 30 infant car seats (the front seat folds forward to accommodate a car seat, while the rear reclines)—allowing parents to use it for every kid combo, from newborn twins to an infant and a toddler, to two toddlers. Available in Fuego (shown), Romantic (gray) and Cubes.
Buy it!: Target.com
Abiie G2G (Good-to-Go) Baby Deck
Weight: 18 lbs.
Age range: 6+ months (although it accommodates a number of major manufacturers' infant car seats, allowing it to be used from birth)
Weight limit: Up to 50 lbs.
Price: $199.99
Cool feature we love: No changing table, no problem! Developed by a dad engineer, this stroller converts into a diaper changing station, with a removable, washable anti-microbial pad and a hidden compartment for baby wipes. Available in black/gray, lime and fuschia.
Safety 1st AeroLite LX Travel System
Weight: 21 lbs.
Age range: Birth to four years
Weight limit: Up to 50 lbs.
Price: $279.99
Cool feature we love: The infant car seat is designed with a higher weight and length limit (parents can leave it rear-facing between 4-35 lbs. and up to 32 inches in height, and it offers 17% more legroom than most infant car seats). It's one of the lightest travel systems available and packs a big bang for the buck. Available in Pegasus (brown/blue).
Britax B-Ready
Weight: 26 lbs. (w/o canopy)
Age range: 6+ months when using top seat only; Birth and up when using infant car seat, bassinet, or second seat (all sold separately)
Weight limit: 55 lbs. for the top seat, 35 lbs. for the second seat
Price: $499.99 (plus $149.99 for 2nd seat or bassinet)
Cool feature we love: Talk about versatility: there are five possible configurations for one child and a whopping 14 possibilities when you add the second seat. The seat can be positioned forward or rear facing, and the stroller can be used as a complete travel system from birth when used with the bassinet or an infant car seat (including other major manufacturers' infant car seats, not just Britax). Available in black, green, red & silver.
Buy it!: Right Start
Delta LX Side x Side
Weight: 18 lbs
Age range: 6+ Months
Weight limit: 35 lbs per seat
Price: $99.99
Cool feature we love: A double stroller for under $100? While this stroller may not have all of the bells and whistles of some other models on the market, the price makes us feel like we've found the holy grail. Available in gray/green and orange/gray.
Buy it!: Buy Buy Baby
Bumbleride Flite
Weight: 13 lbs.
Age range: From birth
Weight limit: 50 lbs.
Price: $249.99
Cool feature we love: The lightest Bumbleride on the market offers extra headroom, making it great for older or taller kids, and comes standard with a rain cover, removable carrying strap, cup holder, headrest and shoulder pad; a carrycot ($120) also integrates seamlessly, and it's compatible with an array of infant car seats. We're also crazy about the vibrant colors options, like Spice (shown), Seagrass (green), Lava (black), Vita (hot pink) and Ruby (red).
Buy it!: Diapers.com
Bugaboo Bee
Weight: 18.5 lbs.
Age range: Newborn to toddler
Weight limit: 37.5 lbs.
Price: $649 (base: $600; canopy is $49); available colors: yellow, black, blue, dark khaki, pink, red
Cool feature we love: We're fans of the Bee's reversible seat, four-position adjustable backrest and its nimble steering, in addition to its one-piece fold (which sets it apart from its sibs the Frog and Cameleon). Available with a black base and yellow, black, khaki, blue, pink and red sunshield.
Buy it!: Buy Buy Baby
Orbit G2
Weight: 26 lbs.
Age range: Birth and up
Weight limit: 40 lbs.
Price: $750 (as shown); "starter kit" (incl. stroller base, infant car seat and car seat base): $900; bassinet and rocker base: $280
Cool feature we love: The G2's head-turning design sets this stroller apart from the pack. It also has snazzy features like lock control that allows parents to lock the stroller into position every 90 degrees and a removable diaper bag underneath that just amp up our love for this stroller. Bonus: Orbit has also just released the Sidekick ($120), a new ride-on stroller board that looks and rides like a skateboard. Parents can add one or two Sidekicks to the rear of the stroller, accommodating up to three kids on a single stroller. Available in black/slate, mocha/khaki and ruby red (shown).
Buy it!: Giggle
Mutsy EasyRider
Weight: 14 lbs.
Age range: 3+ months
Weight limit: 15.4 lbs.
Price: $169
Cool feature we love: The unique suspension system on the front wheels helps this lightweight stroller (from Dutch company Mutsy) make it smoothly over curbs and bumps, while the suspension on the rear wheels provide added maneuverability. Available in navy and red.
Buy it!: PishPoshBabycom
Joovy Scooter X2
Weight: 27 lbs.
Age range: 6+ months
Weight limit: 100 lbs. (50 lbs. per seat)
Price: $199.99
Cool feature we love: This stroller is available in both a single ($149.99), which can be used with all Graco infant car seats, and a double (shown here), which cannot be used with any infant car seats. We love its affordable price point, its relatively low weight for a double stroller, and its massive storage basket. Available in orange, black and lime green.
Buy it!: Joovy.com
Mamas and Papas Sola
Weight: 22 lbs.
Age range: Newborn to toddler
Weight limit: Approximately 50 lbs.
Price: $399.99
Cool feature we love: We're crazy for the vivid green grass lining and sleek, modern frame, but we also love the reversible and adjustable seat (including a fully flat position), footrest, eye-catching design and optional bassinet that baby can even sleep in. It can also be turned into a travel system by adding a Maxi Cosi or Graco infant car seat (adapter sold separately). Available in Grass only.
Buy it!: Babies R Us
Baby Jogger City Select
Weight: 28 lbs. (single); 34 lbs. (double)
Age range: 6+ months (can be used from birth with infant car seat or bassinet)
Weight limit: 45 lbs. per seat
Price: $499.99
Cool feature we love: This stroller takes versatility to a whole new level. There's no need to purchase a double stroller, as parents can just snap on a second seat (stroller seat, infant car seat or bassinet) to this frame, allowing for 16 different seating combinations. Available in black, red and silver.
Buy it!: Diapers.com
Phil & Ted's Smart
Weight: 15.4 lbs.
Age range: 3+ months
Weight limit: 44 lbs.
Price: $249.99
Cool feature we love: The seat is made from Aerocore—a material with a look and feel similar to Crocs. It's waterproof, odor-resistant and super easy to clean. Its lightweight frame is also adaptable with a bassinet or an infant car seat. Available in black only.
Buy it!: Albee Baby
Baby Jogger Summit XC Triple
Weight: 48.5 lbs.
Age range: Birth + (for walking only); 6+ months for jogging
Weight limit: 125 lbs. total, including children and storage
Price: $999.99
Cool feature we love: An updated version of the Summit 360, we're fans of the expansive sun canopies (one per seat!) and the awesome all wheel suspension system that offers a super smooth ride. The all-terrain Summit XC is good for everything from a slow stroll to light jogging. Available in royal/black, red/black and sand/black color combos, it also comes in single ($399.99) and double models ($649.99).
Buy it!: RightStart.com
iCandy Apple
Weight: 27 lbs.
Age range: 6+ months (from birth if used with the bassinet or certain infant car seats)
Weight limit: 55 lbs.
Price: $449.99 (Flavour Pack: $74.99)
Cool feature we love: Yet another contender in the versatility contest! The Apple converts to the Pear (a double stroller that can either be purchased right off the bat or attained through an iCandy upgrade kit, $249.99) that accommodates two stroller seats, two bassinets, two infant car seats or any combination of the above. The Apple also offers a 7-position adjustable handlebar (great for short and tall parents alike). Available in black with choice of five accent colors for the canopy and seat cover: Grape (purple), Imperial (blue), Blackcurrant (black), Redcurrant (red) and Mandarin (orange)
Buy it!: AlbeeBaby.com
Mamas and Papas Luna Mix
Weight: 20 lbs.
Age range: Birth +
Weight limit: 50 lbs
Price: $309.99
Cool feature we love: We're fans of the compact design, three striking (and reversible!) mix-and-match seat liners and head supports, as well as its adjustable backrest. It also happens to be the company's bestseller in the UK. Available in Black with damask hood, Orchid (purple) with denim hood and Cress (green) with denim hood.
Buy it!: Babies R Us
Mutsy 4Rider with Duoseat
Weight: 4Rider with seat: 23.2 lbs.; Frame alone: 19 lbs.; Duoseat: 19 lbs.
Age range: Front seat: 6+ months; Rear seat: Birth +
Weight limit: 33 lbs. per seat (66 lbs. total)
Price: 4Rider stroller: $575; Frame alone (no single seat): $400; Duoseat: $199
Cool feature we love: Beyond the contemporary, minimalist look of the stroller's profile and a signature of the brand, we love how manageable this Mutsy (pronounced Moot-sy) stroller makes having two kids. It's also super easy to lock the front swivel wheels into place, allowing for improved maneuverability on uneven surfaces. (Parents can opt to purchase the 4Rider stroller with single stroller seat or just go straight for the Duoseat and purchase the frame plus the Duoseat.) Available in navy.
Cybex Callisto
Weight: 17.6 lbs. (carrycot is an addl. 9.9 lbs.)
Age range: Birth +
Weight limit: 55 lbs.
Price: $349 (carrycot: $149)
Cool feature we love: A lightweight stroller that can be used from birth? We're in! We also love the adjustable leg rest, one-handed recline and maneuverability as well as the pull-to-adjust harness, which makes it super easy to switch between kids of different ages and sizes. Available in Stone (black/gray), Cinnamon (brown), Grenadine (red), Navy and Berry (purple).
Buy it!: MyStrollers.com
UPPAbaby VISTA 2010
Weight: Frame: 18.4 lbs.; Seat: 5.9 lbs; Bassinet: 8.6 lbs (included with the stroller frame and seat); RumbleSeat: 4.9 lbs.
Age range: Birth + (RumbleSeat is suitable from 6 + mos)
Weight limit: 50 lbs. (RumbleSeat: 35 lbs.)
Price: $679.99
Cool feature we love: This stroller functions as a single, a double or even a triple with the addition of the RumbleSeat ($129.99) and the piggyBACK ride along board ($89.99). We also love that it was developed with eco-friendly materials—the bassinet is made of soybean fibers and the new organic latex bassinet mattress is hypoallergenic and anti-microbial. Available in Denny (red), Carlin (green), Mica (silver), Jake (black) and Alex (orange).
Buy it!: AlbeeBaby.com
Joovy Cocoon
Weight: 33 lbs. (single); 35 lbs. (double)
Age range: 6+ months
Weight limit: 60 lbs. (single); 100 lbs. (double)
Price: $499 (single); $599 (double)
Cool feature we love: This is a seriously versatile stroller, as it's a stroller, jogger and bike trailer, all rolled into one, with an easy swap of the front wheels for an optional fixed front wheel or tow bar. The hood is adjustable, too—it can be fully opened, closed with the mesh window or closed with the mesh window and weather shield. Kids will love the view from the roomy pod-like compartment with huge windows. Available in black only.
Buy it!: Joovy.com
