Hellobee

Our Maclaren Quest umbrella stroller recently broke after 5 years of use, and I really didn’t want to buy another stroller. But after two months of using a double stroller with Olive, I broke down and purchased the Chicco C6. When your child still naps, you live in New York, walk everywhere, and take public transportation regularly, you really do need an umbrella stroller. Mr. Bee has had to carry her for long distances several times because she can fall asleep anywhere!

The right umbrella stroller for you really depends on your needs and there is no one size fits all. Besides price and handling, these are the criteria to consider when purchasing an umbrella stroller:

• weight
• recline
• size/footprint
• size of sunshade/peekaboo window
• maximum weight capacity
• seat back height
• single vs. double handlebars/one handed push
• handlebar height (for tall/short people)
• 5 point harness
• storage
• extras (cup holders, parent accessory tray/pocket, snack trays, rain cover, storage bag)
• ease of folding
• stands when folded
• carrying strap
• detachable seats for cleaning
• ventilated seats
• location of brakes
• sturdiness (will this be your primary stroller)
• car seat adaptable
• backwards tipover weight
• resale value

The most important factors for me were:

1. Cost. Olive is 3 1/2 and her stroller days are limited, so I did not want to spend a lot.
2. Weight. We do a lot of stroller carrying up and down the subway stairs, so weight was a very important factor.
3. Small footprint/Ease of Folding. We have to fold up the stroller frequently for storage and using public transportation.
4. Location of brakes. The brakes on the Maclaren Quest are on a bar in between the wheels which made it difficult to bump the stroller down stairs on its back wheels. When you have to navigate as many stairs as city dwellers/public transportation takers with a sleeping child do, this is a very important feature!

Recline, one of the biggest features most people consider, wasn’t as important to me when it definitely would have been if she were younger. I prefer that Olive not nap (otherwise she has a late bedtime) so when she falls asleep in the Chicco, it isn’t for a super long time like it would be in a full-recline stroller. Given that, here are the pros and cons based on the features I’ve listed above:

Pros:

• cost. At $80, there aren’t very many contenders at this price point
• super lightweight at 11 pounds
• sturdy aluminum frame
• comes with a travel bag
• small footprint
• easy fold
• 5 point harness
• adjustable and removable canopy (can completely block out the sun)
• front wheel swivel locks
• high backwards tipover weight
• location of brakes makes it easy to bump the stroller down stairs on its back wheels
• brakes are easy to turn on and off wearing slippers
• roomy seat
• nice design, comes in 4 colors

Cons:

• 37 pounds maximum weight (but we exceed this all the time with bags hanging off)
• easy zipper recline, but it is very shallow
• small storage basket (but has a high weight limit of 10 pounds)
• no parent storage/cup holders
• short handlebar height – This definitely isn’t for a taller person
• crotch strap is not adjustable

The Chicco C6 met all my criteria of low cost, light weight, small footprint, ease of folding, and brake location. Two other nice features were the adjustable sunshade and the high backwards tipover weight. The sunshade is of average size, but because it can be unsnapped and tilted forward, it completely blocks out the sun. Most umbrella strollers have sunshades that are too small.

Another feature that I hadn’t thought about prior to buying the Chicco Capri was its very high backward tipover weight due to its wide wheel base, which allows you to hang bags off the handlebars without it tipping backwards when your child gets off the stroller. This is an awesome feature for city dwellers who hang tons of stuff off the handlebars. Our Maclaren Quest in comparison would constantly tip over when the kids got up from their seats if we had anything hanging off the handlebars. I vastly prefer the Chicco C6 to our much pricier Maclaren Quest because it wins out in price, weight, sunshade, brake location, backward tipover weight, and ease of folding.

The only feature I would really love to have but is lacking is the ability to stand when folded. But overall if you’re looking for a lightweight, affordable stroller that looks nice and handles well, I think the Chicco C6 is your best bet.

C O M P A R A B L Y  P R I C E D  S T R O L L E R S

The other stroller I considered was the Summer Infant 3D Lite. It costs the same as the Chicco C6 ($80) and weighs a pound more at 12 pounds, but has a couple of better features:

• 50 pounds maximum weight
• 5-position recline
• comes in 6 colors
• larger storage basket
• rear storage pocket
• cup holder

Ultimately the Chicco was a better choice for us because it’s a pound lighter, the canopy is adjustable, and the backwards tipover weight is so high — features that we use almost daily. But if you need a lower recline and a higher maximum weight, this is a great option.

Another stroller in a similar price range to consider is the 12-pound Kolcraft Cloud Plus (aka Jeep Cherokee Sport Stroller). It has a number of features usually not offered at such a low price point:

• $50-$62
• 50 pounds maximum weight
• 2 cup holder parent tray
• child snack tray and cup holder
• single handle bar
• enormous storage basket
• self standing fold
• one handed fold
• multi position reclining seat
• large canopy with peekaboo window

That is an impressive number of extras in such an inexpensive and lightweight stroller! But the Chicco won out for me in the end because of its smaller footprint when folded, and its more stylish design. Chicco also has the most recognizable brand name of the three umbrella strollers I’ve mentioned above, so it probably also has the highest resale value.

Finally we have a First Years Ignite at my parents’ house, which would have been in the same price category. It used to be a popular inexpensive umbrella stroller option, but it looks like it’s been discontinued by the manufacturer. But overall I prefer the handling, design, and light weight of the Chicco over the First Years.

O T H E R  U M B R E L L A  S T R O L L E R S  T O  C O N S I D E R

I’ve never really been a fan of our Maclaren Quest and always wished I had purchased the Uppababy G-Luxe instead. At the time I made a quick purchase for a trip without any research based on the store clerk’s recommendation. The Uppababy G-Luxe is definitely a solid, quality choice, and perhaps the most popular umbrella stroller right now. But if I were to start at the beginning of my stroller buying saga, I might opt for the Mountain Buggy Nano because it has all the features I’m looking for, and the smallest, most unique fold I’ve ever seen!

• $229
• 13 pounds
• Ultra compact size at just 22 inches wide – meets regulations for airline carry on luggage
• Travel bag and shoulder carrying strap included
• max weight of 44 pounds
• good sized storage basket (11 pounds capacity)
• standing fold
• single handle (one hand push)
• high backwards tipover weight
• Infant car seat ready ; no need to purchase additional adapters

Or perhaps the Maclaren Mark II simply because it is ridiculously light:

• $200
• 7.5 pounds (it doesn’t get lighter than this)
• removable machine washable seat
• large basket
• included rain cover
• vented seat
• easy no-hand fold

Other umbrella strollers to consider include:

• Chicco Liteway ($140, 17 lbs)
• UppaBaby G-Lite ($160, 11 lbs)
• Joovy Groove Ultralight ($170, 13.9 lbs)
• UppaBaby G-Luxe ($275, 13 lbs)
• Quinny Yezz ($280, 11 lbs)

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What features are most important in an umbrella stroller for you? Do you love your umbrella stroller?