Guide To Strollers: The Intermediate Guide The Steps To Strollers

The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers

This stroller is one of the lightest and compact. It's also the easiest folding strollers. Despite its size, it provides a good ride, fantastic sun canopy, and a multi-position recline.

This stroller is a great value for less than $100. It comes with a simple compact fold and carry strap, which makes it easy to put it over your shoulder or carry on public transportation.

1. Lightweight

When it comes to travel strollers, lightweight and easy-to-fold are key. The most popular models we tested can be folded in one hand, and sometimes two, and they can fit into overhead compartments for luggage. They also can roll easily and are compact enough to be easily maneuvered in tight spaces. Some even offer an adjustable handle for parents of different heights. If you're planning a short trip with your newborn or a long-haul vacation with a toddler, find a lightweight, easy-to-pack stroller that will make the journey and return -- easier for your family.

To find the best travel strollers, we evaluated nine strollers that were able to meet our weight and size requirements. Each model was tested on city streets as well as on country side walks and at the airport terminal to assess its ability to maneuver, its ease of carrying and folding and overall comfort for the child.

Our top picks are the Babyzen YoYo2 ($320) It has the most simple fold of all the travel strollers we've tested and can fit into overhead bins on airplanes. It's car seat-compatible and its seat can recline almost completely flat, making it ideal for babies. Other features that parents will appreciate include a deep undercarriage basket as well as a bag hook that is attached to the handle, and a UPF 50+ canopy that offers ample coverage for your young traveler.

The Cybex Orfeo (320) is another great option. It has a concertina folding that can be done by one hand and is very light. The padded five-point harness crotch strap, and reversible seat keep your child safe with a huge undercarriage basket as well as a reversible seat ensure that there is space for their belongings. It is also compatible with the brand's infant car seat. This makes it a good option for families with children that have children from birth.

The Coya TRVL ($320) is a one-handed, one step fold and is also compatible with car seats and comes with a large canopy. It's more expensive than the other models in this category, but offers additional features such as a large cupholder and parent pocket, a movable handlebar to accommodate parents of different heights and a comfortable carrying strap. Its simplicity does sacrifice some durability when compared to the other models in this category, but.

2. Folding is simple

When you're on the go, your stroller has to be simple to open and close. If you're carrying a load of groceries or kids in your arms you shouldn't have to struggle with a cumbersome stroller to close it. The best travel strollers fold up easily and compactly, even with just one hand. Many have a padded strap that you can wear comfortably over your shoulders.

In our tests, we gave the Libelle stroller high marks for its compactness and its ease of folding. It also has a few nice features. It rolls smoothly across all surfaces and features an ample canopy that provides sufficient coverage. Plus, it's surprisingly lightweight and free-standing when folded which makes it easier to store.

We suggest that parents who want their strollers to fit into the overhead bins of planes and are looking for models that promise to fit. The Munchkin Sparrow is a good example. It can fit into the smallest folding and comes with a protective travel cover. However it doesn't have an adjustable seat and its cargo space is too narrow to hold anything but the smallest diaper bag or a tote.

The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another alternative. It folds concertina style, but it has a reversible seating position to ride face-to-face or back-to-back. The handle is tucked behind the seat, however our editor didn't like the fold.

The tri-fold is a new travel stroller. It folds down into three parts and offers the best combination between compactness and features. The UPPAbaby Miniu for instance, has a reversible seat, an unstructured storage pouch on the rear, and a locking latch to keep it folded. It's slightly larger than the umbrella models of the brand, but it folds far more compactly than its G-Luxe and G-Link counterparts. It also comes with a padded carry strap that can be slung over your shoulder.

3. Easy to store

The best strollers fold up into smaller, stroller compact size that's easy to fit in the trunk of your car or into the overhead bin on the plane. Some even have a carrying strap that makes it easy to carry over your shoulder and you don't have to worry about your hands becoming tired. They also tend to be lighter than standard strollers, which can make them easy to lift and carry when it's time for a quick walk around the neighborhood or the airport.

When we test this stroller, it did exceptionally well in our durability tests, and it was easy to maneuver on all kinds of surfaces, from smooth hardwoods to shag carpeting. Some of our test subjects thought it was a bit fragile, and the handlebar wasn't padded to ensure your hands were comfortably. Another thing to consider is how big the storage basket is: It's on the smaller side and some parents have found it difficult to fit an enormous diaper bag in it.

In general, we recommend calling your airline prior to time to check their specific guidelines for bringing on board strollers and strollers, as they may vary. This is especially important if you want to check your stroller's gate-ability that allows you to navigate the airport without it, and then use it once you're on the plane (though this isn't a viable option for families that require car seats or a toddler booster).

If you're looking for a no-fuss travel stroller that's lightweight and folds down to a compact size the Contours Itsy is a great choice. The Contours Itsy is completely assembled, and all you have to do is put in the bumper bar. It has a parent cup back pocket and holder, but no oversized basket which might make it difficult to carry essentials for long trips.

If you are frequent travelers, we recommend you look into a more robust stroller that has more features and the ability to hold more items. The UPPAbaby Mini for instance, has many of its G-Luxe or G-Link siblings with features, but it is smaller and folds more quickly. It's also slightly more durable than an umbrella stroller and has a strap that is padded to help lift some of the burden off your shoulders.

4. Comfortable

Strollers are often used for prolonged durations of time when traveling, which is why it is essential to be comfortable. Find seats with plenty of padding and a recline system that lets you set it at multiple angles. Be sure to check if the canopy extends to give protection from the sun, and if it comes with mesh windows to allow airflow. You should consider a model that comes with an organizer for parents and a cupholder as well as an ample basket under the seat if you need to carry your belongings. When shopping for a travel child jogger be sure to verify the age range. Also, consider whether your child is at ease in the seat without an infant car-seat.

It is also essential to consider the way a stroller moves. It must be able to roll effortlessly over a variety of surfaces, from smooth hardwoods and shag carpets to cobblestones, and gravel. It should be able to handle curbs, stairs and other obstacles with ease. Pick a stroller that is lightweight if you are planning to do a lot of walking during your trip. This will help to prevent back and leg pain.

A high-quality travel stroller should be simple to use, as well. It should be simple to assemble and snap together when put in the proper position. It should also be able to fold flat and fit into the car's boot or the overhead compartment of a plane. It should also be upright when folded, so that you can pick it up with one hand, while holding your baby in the opposite.

The Joie Tourist is an excellent choice for parents who are looking for a lightweight, high-quality travel stroller. It has various recline positions, to allow your child to nap in comfort. The canopy extends to provide lots of sun protection and UPF protection. It also comes with a rain cover, coffee cup holder, and footmuff. Charlotte is thrilled that it's suitable from newborns to four years old and doesn't require an adapter for car seats separately.