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Best travel strollers: These are lightweight and easy to manage when you are travelling. These fold to a compact size and easily fit in the overhead cabin of the plane. These occupy very less space in the trunk of the car.
Introduction
Strollers suited for travel are extremely light weight, well built, easy to maneuver, and more importantly easy to fold. These easily fit the overhead compartment on the plane.
Travel strollers fold into a compact size, and are easy to dismantle; it breaks into a few pieces so that it becomes easier to pack (takes minimum space) and when you have to use it, you can quickly put it together for use.
Lot of parents are worried about checking in their strollers during travel, because most of the time they are worried that their stroller could get ruined/broken (there have been such instances in the past).
The top reasons why you need a travel stroller (as opposed to your jogging stroller or stroller-car seat combo – travel system).
- Airport Security will not let you take a heavy or bulky stroller in the aircraft.
Important note: As per Airport security rules, if your stroller weighs more than 20 lbs (9 kg), or if it is non-collapsible, then you have to check it in at the ticket counter. - Its not easy to manage. Your hefty jogging stroller may offer a smooth ride but it will be too bulky for travel. And its quite possible that the stroller might get damaged as most airlines are not that delicate with baggage and that also includes your stroller in case it is checked in.
- In case, you decide to rent a car at the destination, and if the car has a smaller trunk, you will have a tough time getting the stroller in the trunk, along with your other stuff.
- Finally, is it really worth lugging around a heavy gear when on travel?
It is always better to have a stroller, than not, while traveling. It helps both the parents and the child relax and enjoy the travel experience.
Comparison Chart
Best Overall:
Summer 3DPac CS Compact Fold Stroller at Amazon
“A very popular lightweight stroller, overall weight of 16.5 pounds, easy folding mechanism, extra large canopy.”
Runner-Up, Overall: Babyzen YOYO+ at Amazon
“Ultra-lightweight construction and convenient features makes it a very popular travel stroller”.
Best Portability: Besrey Airplane Stroller at Amazon
“Easily fits into the overhead bin, the exterior case tucks away into a pocket.”
Best Car Seat Compatible: Mountain Buggy Nano Stroller at Amazon
“Compatible with any infant car seat, you may also use the adapters to attach a carrycot for newborns.”
Best Lightweight: gb Pockit Lightweight Stroller at Amazon
“Quickly folds down to just 11.8″ x 7″ x 13.8″; Guinness World Records recognizes it as the world’s most compact stroller.”
Best Fully Reclining: Jovial Folding Baby Stroller at Amazon
“Fully adjustable, so that your baby can lie down comfortably. Ideal for car travel, the stroller has a foldable switch.”
Best for Storage: Kolcraft Cloud Plus Stroller at Amazon
“Easy one-handed folding, measures 18″ x 12″ x 34″ when collapsed, self-stands.”
Best Travel Strollers
Here we take a look at the best travel strollers that are designed to give you great control and come with a multitude of functions.
UPPAbaby Minu (For the Loyalist)
If you have already used an UPPAbaby product earlier (UPPAbaby VISTA stroller, UPPAbaby Mesa car seat), then you will like the UPPAbaby Minu.
The Minu accepts the Mesa car seat (using an adapter). The stroller has a deep recline and relatively larger storage basket under. It is lightweight and offers a smooth ride on city streets.
The MINU weighs under 15 pounds; the compact stroller is perfect for daily adventures and exciting excursions. One-handed fold.
Besrey Airplane Stroller
Perfectly fits the overhead bin in the airplane. Allows one-click fold. Uses high quality fabric. Five point harness. small storage space. Armrest is detachable. However, there is no seat recline option. Reclining backrest and adjustable footrest, excellent material and safe design. Weighs in at just over 10 pounds.
Can be used by children aged six to 36 months.
Small but strong, can hold a child from 6 months up to 36 months.
Folding down to 22” x 12”x 11″ and a weight of 10.8 lbs. Lightweight yet sturdy aluminum frame
Buy on Amazon
Pockit lightweight stroller
GB Pockit is an ultra-lightweight stroller that can even fit in your backpack/handbag when folded. Its a great stroller for travel. The new GB Pockit+ now features has multi-position recline (doesn’t go all the way down though).
The Pockit Air, to be launched soon is an update to the Pockit stroller from GB; it provides ventilation on the seat area to offer a cooler ride for your little one. According to GB, it’s the world’s smallest folding stroller, and should pass the cabin luggage test.
Planning a trip to Disney World with kids this summer? You will love the gb Pockit. This compact stroller easily folds to store in overhead bins on the plane. It’s lightweight, yet sturdy, and has a luxurious design.
Bugaboo Ant
Let dad look cool by gifting him the recently launched travel stroller; its lightweight and able to fit in the overhead bin, it has a reversible seat, and a pull-along trolley mode (you can roll the stroller like a piece of luggage). Large basket and a height adjustable handlebar.
Buy on Amazon
BABYZEN YOYO+
All-in-1 cabin stroller that fits in overhead storage on most airlines. This travel stroller converts in a flash can be carried like a bag, is machine-washable and features one-hand fold.
Buy on Amazon
Mountain Buggy Nano
Mountain Buggy Nano is lightweight and super compact, it comes with its own case and universal car seat adapter so you don’t have to buy any extra gear. Plus, it has an almost lay-flat option that allows a tot to nap while on the go.
See PRICE
Summer 3DPac CS Compact Fold Stroller
Maximum weight and height of child is 50 pounds
Dimensions: 21 x 13 x 23 in
Durable Product, weighs 16.5 lbs
Decent storage basket size, Storage pockets and cup holder.
Buy on Amazon
The Clutch Stroller by Delta Children
For children up to 50 lbs. Weighs just 11.7 lbs., and comes with a travel bag
Easily fits in overhead compartments on planes, on subways, in cars, and takes up little space in city apartments
Spacious undercarriage storage. Swivel front wheels with suspension
Dimensions: 29.5″ L x 18.5″ W x 39.8.1″ H
Buy on Amazon
Travel Stroller: Buying Guide
There are several different types of strollers out there, and the same applies to travel strollers as well (so many options are available). Its easy to get overwhelmed but you have to be clear about your requirements and among all the noise out there, you have to be clear about the purpose of the stroller. Every product is built to derved specific purposes and its up to us to figure out which one best suits our needs. Sometimes you may get lucky in the first attempt and find the best one, but at times, you may have to do trial and error. Here we have listed the various considerations so that you can eliminate the trial and error.
Needs to be lightweight for travel
When it comes to travel strollers, the main consideration is that it should be lightweight and should fit in the flight overhead storage bins just like any other luggage, so that you do not have to wait for checked in baggage or the gate check-in staff every time you take a flight.
It’s also not just abut the folding mechanism
All parents want a travel stroller that is lightweight, is smooth and easy to maneuver, and folds down to a compact size so that its easier to store and manage.
There are some really good travel strollers that have excellent close/open mechanism, much better than the other strollers in the market. You can easily close the stroller using just one hand, and it easily opens as well. The folded size is compact, almost as small as a diaper bag; its easy to carry on the shoulder using the shoulder strap attached to the stroller.
But is it really comfortable for the child? Is the stroller seat nicely designed? Is the backrest at an adequate angle? Can the child be seated comfortably in the stroller for longer periods?
If the child is going to feel uncomfortable, is going to sit at an awkward angle, and starts hating the stroller then the entire purpose is defeated, despite it being the best stroller (in terms of size, easy fold).
You will need additional features
Besides the obvious advantage of a travel stroller that you will be able to check the stroller in the overhead cabin of the airplane, a travel stroller makes it a lot more convenient to transport the baby, once at the destination. It’s also a lot more convenient than carrying your child on the back or in the carrier.
There are a lot of attractions that require you to walk for hours (at least a couple of hours). Vacations are meant for relaxing, and you can avoid a tired child throwing tantrums in the museum, zoo or train station if thy have a stroller on which they can rest. Have a bad back? Is your child growing up (heavier)? Even more reason to use a stroller so that you can get them around with ease.
While you definitely want the stroller to be lightweight (for easy of flying), once you start using the stroller at the destination, you will realize how important certain features are, and you will really miss them (in case the stroller doesn’t have those features).
Have you ever rented a stroller at some popular tourist destination?
While it feels great to have the stroller in the beginning, you then wish it had more features such as cup holder and more storage space underneath (because it leaves your hands more or less free to take pictures, have that ice-cream or enjoy some local sweet).
At the beach, you would have liked the stroller to have an extended canopy, or you would have liked the wheels to be sturdier and better suited to tackle the sand.
After a few hours, you would wish that the seat was more comfortable for the child (recline, more padding, etc.)
As you can see, its not just about being the lightest stroller, you will need certain features as well. So that is why, you should also give a little more thought to the other features that you may require in the travel stroller.
What to Look for in a Travel Stroller
While buying a travel stroller, consider the following things:
SIZE/WEIGHT: Remember, you’re buying a travel stroller because you want something that is much lighter and more compact, isn’t it?. You need something compact, it makes it easier to take it along in case you travel a lot.
BUILD QUALITY: In case you want something really sturdy, you will need to shell out more. If possible, go for something that’s designed for durability and long-term use. The expensive ones also use good quality materials. The best travel strollers use high-tech materials that are sturdy but do not add extra weight to the stroller.
COMFORT: Buy a stroller that will keep your little one comfortable while you spend the day sightseeing and exploring things. Reclining seats, adjustable canopies, padded harnesses, are all features that keeps your little one at ease.
EXTRA FEATURES: Do you need a cup holder (drinks, coffee), or perhaps a rack underneath to hold larger bags?<.p>
REPUTED BRAND: As far as possible, choose a reputed brand that provides a nice warranty on the purchase.
Conclusion
Whether it’s a far-flung destination, or a trip to your in-laws, a stroller is something that becomes a bed or a dining chair for your baby, and is a diaper bag on wheels.
When looking for the perfect travel stroller, it’s best to focus on how light they are, how easy they fold and how small a footprint they have once they’re compact.
While you definitely want a very lightweight and compact stroller if you are looking at it from travel perspective, you may also want to give a little thought to the features that you may refer in the stroller. How old is your baby (is it for newborn, toddler or bigger kid), will you be using it primarily on city roads or perhaps on beaches and rough terrain. These questions will help you buy the perfect stroller for your needs.
Having the best travel stroller takes away the anxiety of traveling with a baby, it allows you to relax, travel comfortably, and really enjoy your vacation. Depending on your style, there are many travel strollers on the market to fit every family. Here, we have reviewed several popular travel strollers, and we believe it will help you pick the right stroller for your next trip.
Homemade DIY Baby Strollers fit Under Airplane Seat
A designer has created a baby stroller at home using aluminum and oak; its lightweight and folds up so small that it can be easily carried on an airplane.
Tim Elverston of US design company WindFire Designs has built an ultraportable baby stroller from aluminum, oak, carbon fiber, cloth and ingenuity. The stroller is a prototype and quite different from a regular stroller. There’s no shade cover, no storage and no brakes. The front wheels don’t swivel, but the frame flexes to allow the device to take corners smoothly. A silk scarf acts as a seatbelt.
“Not everything is, or should be for sale, or productized,” Elverston writes on YouTube, where he posted a video of the stroller. Bringing a baby stroller to market in the US would mean having to meet federal safety requirements.
The clever design means the stroller weighs a mere 4 pounds (1.8 kilograms) as opposed to the standard 12 to 35 pounds (5 t0 16 kilograms). I’m sure it’s something that parents would definitely want to give a try.
Elverston originally created the stroller so his wife wouldn’t have to check it at the gate during a plane trip with their child. While you won’t be able to buy a WindFire stroller, Elverston hopes it will inspire others to build what they need. “In short, the beauty we find in making our own is that we can make our own choices about exact features,” he writes. “Others should be encouraged to make one of their own.”
StrollerBoards is a family managed website with me (Ben) and my wife doing most of the work. We are proud parents of two wonderful kids and love reviewing baby travel gear. We have a firm but friendly “democratic parenting” style and offer several practical solutions backed by extensive research. Our own experience with raising two children prompted us to share our knowledge. Read more.
I bought both the Besrey airplane stroller and GB pockit stroller to compare and took them on a flight and walked the entire San Diego zoo. For us, the Besrey airplane stroller was the winner; its a worthwhile purchase for daily use and travel.
Although the Besrey airplane stroller (will not actually fit down the airplane aisle) is slightly larger and a couple of pounds heavier, it is much more user and kid friendly. The Besrey stroller has more sturdy construction, has a better canopy, folds up one-handed (gb requires both hands and your knee to kick out), a bigger bottom storage basket, and the lap bar folds into a handle when the stroller is collapsed. The Besrey’s arching handle makes it capable of slinging a diaper bag over the top, something you can’t do with the GB pockit.
Besrey stroller is also better suited for people with longer strides because the handle is a little taller and the back wheels are just slightly farther apart, compared to the GB pockit. We did not attempt to put either stroller under the airplane seat (diaper bags went there) but they stored nicely in the overhead bin.