Advice needed on Best Stroller for traveling in Europe
Dec 13th, 2006, 05:27 PM
#1
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Advice needed on Best Stroller for traveling in Europe
Hi out there fellow parents and travelers. I am needeing some advice on the best stroller to travel to Europe with. I am concerned about the cobbled roads and how well the stroller will be able to cope with the rough terrain. My son will be two and a half at the time of departure. A lot of baby stores recommend the Maclarens range but I have heard mixed reports. What do you think?
Dec 14th, 2006, 03:49 AM
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There are two options: fold-up umbrella types (including McLaren) or off-road three-wheeler types. Each has its pros and cons.
A few features you'll need to think about...
-Can you check it in as a "hold luggage"? Airlines should be able to take umbrella buggies in the hold, but not sure if you can do the same with the bulkier-/sturdier off-road types. This makes so much difference when you can use a buggie immediately after de-planing vs schlepping everything and waiting for the buggy at the luggage carrousel.
- How light is it?--you'll have to carry the whole thing (with the child) if you need to go down stairs.
- Can you fold it in one hand? (You'll
be carrying other things).
- If your son is 2.5yo already, I assume reclineability won't be too high of a priority, even though he may be jetlagged and need occasional day-time naps.
- Finally, would you be upset if airlines misplace/damage the buggy? McLarens are very nice, functional, light and folds up well, though it is not inexpensive.
I understand your concerns on cobblestones, but we have no problems using a light-weight (read, El Cheapo) fold-up for our 2yr old son.
In any case, you want to make sure there are reasonable sun roof and rain cover, as the weather can be unpredictable in Europe.
A few features you'll need to think about...
-Can you check it in as a "hold luggage"? Airlines should be able to take umbrella buggies in the hold, but not sure if you can do the same with the bulkier-/sturdier off-road types. This makes so much difference when you can use a buggie immediately after de-planing vs schlepping everything and waiting for the buggy at the luggage carrousel.
- How light is it?--you'll have to carry the whole thing (with the child) if you need to go down stairs.
- Can you fold it in one hand? (You'll
be carrying other things).
- If your son is 2.5yo already, I assume reclineability won't be too high of a priority, even though he may be jetlagged and need occasional day-time naps.
- Finally, would you be upset if airlines misplace/damage the buggy? McLarens are very nice, functional, light and folds up well, though it is not inexpensive.
I understand your concerns on cobblestones, but we have no problems using a light-weight (read, El Cheapo) fold-up for our 2yr old son.
In any case, you want to make sure there are reasonable sun roof and rain cover, as the weather can be unpredictable in Europe.
Dec 14th, 2006, 04:05 AM
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You're welcome. In a rare occasion (we were flying in a small aircraft or charter flights), we had to check in our buggy. As for ways to minimise the damage factor, you might want to see if you can find a plastic cover that you can slip over a collapsed buggy. My buggy has a plastic "clip" on the side to keep frames locked in one when folded up. I've also learned to remove the strap (can get tangled) and tape the wheels so that they don't move around too much.
Dec 14th, 2006, 04:14 AM
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The main thing to keep in mind about strollers for use on uneven sidewalks or cobbled streets is the size of the wheels. Bigger is better. Those tiny wheels on cheaper folding strollers don't get you up and down curbs with ease. McClaren (excellent brand, used their fold up for years while in NYC traveling) has the smallest acceptable size wheels for city strolling.
Dec 14th, 2006, 06:01 AM
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I am going to heartily recommend the Mountain Buggy Urban Single stroller for you. It is not cheap (I think about $450) but it is a fantastic stroller for Europe. It is an all-terrain with a front swivel wheel. The wheels are tires. I can push mine up a hill with my 36 lb 2 year old in it with one finger. No lie. I live in London now (moved here from USA over a year ago) and I walk everywhere over cobbles, curbs, grass, etc. I go on busses and the tube. I do gate-check the stroller every time I travel.
I actually have 2 Mountain Buggy Urbans - a single and a double (side-by-side version). I have gate checked both strollers numerous times and do not have damage. I have been all over Europe with the double and all over London with the single. I used to use a Peg Perego Pliko - much like a Maclaren - but there is no contest between that and the Mountain Buggy.
A friend gave me a little used Maclaren for free before I bought my MB single (I had a double already but uphill to school every day with 2 preschoolers sitting was a bit much for me so it was time to make the 4 year old walk). The Maclaren made my back hurt and they are fairly impossible to steer one-handed. I donated the free Maclaren (which is also not cheap) and bought a MB on the next trip to the USA (way way cheaper there than here).
I do have to say that Maclarens are immensely popular where I live and lots of moms stroll theirs every day with 2 year olds seated in them. They are well made and in all likelihood will not fall apart. I just don't like them compared with an all-terrain. Mine rolls like a dream over cobbles, sand, gravel, stones, whatever. . . I also can roll it down stairs by tilting it back a bit and roll it up stairs by going backwards. If you are travelling with another adult, up and down the stairs should be no problem at all.
I don't know a single person whose stroller was wrecked or became non-functional due to airplane handling - although I am sure it does happen. I personally would not make the choice based on "what if". My strollers have been on dozens of flights - I almost always get the stroller at the gate although occasionally they send it through with checked baggage but in these cases they do that with all strollers, not just my humongous one. I have never been told to check it in with luggage - I alway walk through the airport with it.
I do recommend whatever stroller you choose, make sure it has decent storage, a rain cover, and bring a small hand pump for the tires if you get an all-terrain.
Another option for you may be the Phil & Ted's stroller, which is also an all-terrain but can convert to a front-to-back double if you feel you will ever have the need for that. They don't push quite like the Mountain Buggy, but almost as well. Lots of moms here use those also. There are also plenty of lower cost all-terrains out there.
The link below is for the Baby Bargains stroller message board. I have used this to research my various strollers. These ladies KNOW strollers.
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboar...s&forum=14
I actually have 2 Mountain Buggy Urbans - a single and a double (side-by-side version). I have gate checked both strollers numerous times and do not have damage. I have been all over Europe with the double and all over London with the single. I used to use a Peg Perego Pliko - much like a Maclaren - but there is no contest between that and the Mountain Buggy.
A friend gave me a little used Maclaren for free before I bought my MB single (I had a double already but uphill to school every day with 2 preschoolers sitting was a bit much for me so it was time to make the 4 year old walk). The Maclaren made my back hurt and they are fairly impossible to steer one-handed. I donated the free Maclaren (which is also not cheap) and bought a MB on the next trip to the USA (way way cheaper there than here).
I do have to say that Maclarens are immensely popular where I live and lots of moms stroll theirs every day with 2 year olds seated in them. They are well made and in all likelihood will not fall apart. I just don't like them compared with an all-terrain. Mine rolls like a dream over cobbles, sand, gravel, stones, whatever. . . I also can roll it down stairs by tilting it back a bit and roll it up stairs by going backwards. If you are travelling with another adult, up and down the stairs should be no problem at all.
I don't know a single person whose stroller was wrecked or became non-functional due to airplane handling - although I am sure it does happen. I personally would not make the choice based on "what if". My strollers have been on dozens of flights - I almost always get the stroller at the gate although occasionally they send it through with checked baggage but in these cases they do that with all strollers, not just my humongous one. I have never been told to check it in with luggage - I alway walk through the airport with it.
I do recommend whatever stroller you choose, make sure it has decent storage, a rain cover, and bring a small hand pump for the tires if you get an all-terrain.
Another option for you may be the Phil & Ted's stroller, which is also an all-terrain but can convert to a front-to-back double if you feel you will ever have the need for that. They don't push quite like the Mountain Buggy, but almost as well. Lots of moms here use those also. There are also plenty of lower cost all-terrains out there.
The link below is for the Baby Bargains stroller message board. I have used this to research my various strollers. These ladies KNOW strollers.
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboar...s&forum=14
Apr 21st, 2016, 05:30 AM
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If you need stroller for travel, you can look in website
http://www.saleallsale.com/lightweig...-for-toddlers/
http://www.saleallsale.com/lightweig...-for-toddlers/
Apr 21st, 2016, 07:34 AM
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Paying $450 for a stroller is unnecessary. Nor do you need an all-terrain stroller or the equivalent of a pushable Land Rover Discovery. You're going on cobblestones on occasion, not off-roading in the Himalayas. Plus, the footprint of those (especially the jogger types) tends to be large and the Metro/Underground trains are narrow and crowded.
That said, the cheap-a** Coscos are probably either inadequate or inconvenient - lack of options, not easy to fold, not comfortable to push, not rugged.
Anything in the $80-150 range here - http://www.buybuybaby.com/store/cate...ce-0&view=grid - will be more than adequate. We had a quick-fold Graco-type (don't remember if that was the brand, but probably was) that cost about $80 and it survived London, Barcelona and Madrid. It also folded pretty quickly and had a strap to carry over the shoulder, which was useful.
That said, the cheap-a** Coscos are probably either inadequate or inconvenient - lack of options, not easy to fold, not comfortable to push, not rugged.
Anything in the $80-150 range here - http://www.buybuybaby.com/store/cate...ce-0&view=grid - will be more than adequate. We had a quick-fold Graco-type (don't remember if that was the brand, but probably was) that cost about $80 and it survived London, Barcelona and Madrid. It also folded pretty quickly and had a strap to carry over the shoulder, which was useful.
