Stroller Buying Guide

You won’t buy just one

Although some strollers can grow with your child from infant to toddler, chances are that no one single stroller will meet all your needs, so budget accordingly—especially if you already have, or plan to have, more children. Most parents will benefit from purchasing more than one stroller. The good news is that with the wealth of deals available online, you can purchase two quality strollers that meet your needs for less than high-end standard strollers with sought-after brand names.

When you’re evaluating your options, think first about where you live and what terrain you’ll most often be covering with your stroller. If your stroller will mostly do duty inside malls and stores, consider umbrella strollers which have smaller wheels and are easy to navigate through narrow aisles and around tight corners. Umbrella strollers are lightweight and easy to fold and store in the trunk of a car. This also makes them good for air travel, however, their sling-like design makes them a poor choice for infants who need to recline, and may not offer your child the best back support for long excursions.

Standard strollers are great options for everyday and many, like Pronto’s recommended Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe Darius, can accommodate infants and toddlers up to 50lbs and offer you a variety of features and conveniences without breaking the bank (the Quattro’s estimated retail price is $130). These strollers may even be compatible with infant and other car seats made by the same manufacturer. Things you’ll want in a standard stroller include a variety of recline positions (infants must remain flat), five-point harnesses (a must for newborns and infants; three-harness models work best for toddlers) one-handed close capability, lockable wheels, and under-the-seat and other storage options.

If you’re a runner, often go the beach or live in a rural area where you’ll be using the stroller on a variety of terrains, consider a standard stroller with air-filled tires (also known as all-terrain tires) or a jogging stroller. Jogging strollers have three large wheels versus the usual four and handle rougher surfaces better than non-air filled tired (all the better to make your baby’s ride comfortable). An advantage of jogging strollers is their lighter weight, but the sleek design is something you’ll pay extra for.

Safety

The first concern is always the child’s safety. Like car seats, the restraint system is key. Five-point harnesses are best and some strollers may convert to three-point harnesses as the child grows. Regardless, you’ll want a restraint system that includes a crotch strap to prevent your child from slipping down in the seat. Other safety features include rear-wheel locks and brakes (some models come with one-hand brake systems for safety and ease). Locking systems on the frame that provide an extra safeguard against it folding or collapsing while in use and if your stroller doesn’t stand firm on the ground with all wheels touching the ground at all times, return it.

Ease of use

Children mean always having your hands full and rarely having both hands free. You’ll want to be able to put your child in and take them out of the stroller with relative ease. That goes double for the harness—you should be able to fasten and unfasten the restraint quickly. Weight is another consideration, which most online shops list among the stroller’s specifications. Don’t forget that you’ll be pushing the stroller’s weight in additional to your child and everything you’ll be bringing along. Sometimes, every pound counts. Check out the dimensions of the stroller. Will it fit in your trunk or hatchback? Other points to consider are how well the stroller handles tight corners and small spaces (strollers have fixed or swivel wheels, but some models feature both ranges of movement) and, for taller parents, whether the handles can adjust to accommodate your height.

Wheels and tires

The trend in stroller wheels today is aluminum alloy. Aluminum alloy wheels don’t rust, so if you live in a climate where moisture is an issue (coastal, mountain, snow belts), you’ll want your stroller to have them. Yes, they’re more expensive, but if you opt for steel wheels, you may have to replace them in the future. Also, aluminum alloy wheels are lighter than steel and reduce overall stroller weight. If you fall in love with a stroller that has steel wheels, be sure to care for them regularly by rinsing after use near the ocean or on salt-treated winter roads. As for tires, air-filled tires have treads like bicycle tires and not only last longer with repeated use on sidewalks and rougher terrains, but add a level of comfort for your child.

Accessories and extras

Today’s strollers do everything but push themselves. Do you have to pay a lot to get these accessories and extras? Not unless you want to. Most budget- and mid-priced strollers feature organization trays for your child’s toys, under-the-seat storage for the diaper/activity bag, cup holders for your beverage and even zipper-lid compartments for keys and other essentials. Extras to look for include thicker padded seats, stain-resistant or removable seat covers and shock absorbers. Peek-a-boo canopy windows allow you to keep an eye on your child while rain covers for inclement weather and boot covers for cold weather walking keep your child warm and dry. Some strollers may offer you a variety of colors and/or fabric patterns to choose from. When you pay more for a stroller, you’re usually paying for lighter weight frame construction, compact size and brand name.

Need to know more?

• Stroller Safety Checklist
  http://www.parents.com/parents/story.jsp?storyid=/templatedata/ab/story/data/1141754481618.xml
• Stroller Reviews
  http://strollersandprams.com/
• What Stroller Owners Say
  http://www.askanowner.com/qa/view.asp?guid=&sid=1&qid=155687
• Stroller Trends
  http://www.parenttime.com/pregnancytips/bestbabystroller.html
• Top-ranked Strollers
  http://www.childgearindex.com/Strollers/Stroller+Buying+Guide/Top+Stroller+Types/guide_1857.html