Strollers...which did you pick and why?

[meluvs2shop]

one of the things i LOVE about the stokke is that it can be used as a high chair. i'm not as tall as you, blkladylaw, but i do like the convenience of using my stroller as a high chair, especially at restaurants and such.

[meluvs2shop]

for those of you that use the stokke xplory: is it heavy? bulky? take up a lot of trunk room?
my main concern is weight. also the stokke comes with a storage bag, right? is it roomy?

[LeMonde]

Originally Posted by BlkLadyLaw

(...) One thing I didn't like was that to change the baby from rear facing to front facing on the Stokke you have to take the seat out and flip it around....where on some other brands you just move the handle bar to change the facing which seems more convenient. Note that the Stokke also works with a Maxi Cosi and a Graco car seat in addition to the Peg Perego. (...)

Yeees... but I actually was glad about it because it seemed like all these movable handle bars made the other strollers feel less sturdy, the handles jiggled and felt kind of loose which especially annoyed my DH (we asked SA if they could be tightened but she said they were as tight as they can be, and yet they seemed so loose comparing to Xplory...). I was especially surprised how much the handle jiggled on the Bugaboo but it may be just me, others may not even notice it (there was a woman in the store with it and she said it didn't bother her at all). So at the end it's all about personal preferences and which details are more important to each person (e.g. I know there are people who would not choose Xplory simply because they don't like the modern look of it and regardless to how amazing it is in every other aspect IMHO).

As for the car seats that go with Xplory, note that Maxi Cosi (which I adored at first) is good only up to 22 lbs while Peg Perego and Graco SnugRide will last up to 30 and 32 lbs respectively. We chose PP because even though it's heavier than Graco (11 vs 9.5 lbs) it just felt safer, the materials felt more solid and the construction looked more protective; not to say that Graco is not safe, it absolutely IS of course, it's just that PP felt even more so...

[staargrl]

we just ordered the bugaboo cameleon too! i'm excited to get to use it!! for those who are looking for a cameleon too- we got ours on pamperedtot.com (comes with free fleece) and there's a coupon for 10% off (google to get the most updated- jump10 worked for me) so it comes out to less than a lot of other sites i've seen online! :)

[BlkLadyLaw]

Originally Posted by meluvs2shop

for those of you that use the stokke xplory: is it heavy? bulky? take up a lot of trunk room? my main concern is weight. also the stokke comes with a storage bag, right? is it roomy?

I have nothing else to compare it to but I guess it can be a bit heavy and I have an SUV but can see how with a small car it would consume your trunk space. I think as I have read on other boards it was more so designed for the urban dweller who will be taking it straight from the house to start walking on the street vs. driving in a car. It fits fine in my crossover SUV though. The storage bag is extra unless you get it free during a temporary promotion at a store. I don't have a storage bag. The couple I bought mine from said they used it on the DC subway system with ease. I did try an UppaBaby in the store once and it seemed to be equal weight. In fact, most of the full size strollers in the store seemed to not be the option if seeking light weight. An UppaBaby G-Lite or MacLaren umbrella stroller or one of the others advertised as lightweight styles may be a better choice for toddler years if you prefer something more compact and light.

[LeMonde]

^^ The storage bag (also called shopping bag by Stokke) is INCLUDED with every Xplory now (so is mosquito net, rain cover, and extra fleece blanket). The changing/diaper bag isn't included but you can get it free with the current promotion (just need to register the stroller and fill out a request). The storage bag seems big enough for me, plus the diaper bag attaches to the handle so it doesn't take space in the storage if needed.
As for the weight and size, as BlkLadyLaw said, none of these strollers are 'light and easy' but I'd say all are 'easy enough'; the difference among them is not that significant, +/- 2-3 lbs if I remember correctly; they can't be compared to umbrella strollers, different purpose, different materials, different structure... At first I swore that Xplory was going to be our only stroller but everyone says I'll get an umbrella one sooner or later LOL I played with Peg Perego and Maclaren recently and I have to say they are very tempting for quick errands at the mall etc. But I'm not going to get it until the baby is here and I decide I really need it for these quick trips

[emma4646]

For those who have the Stokke Xplory,traveling might be a bit cumbersome.It does not fold easily like most smaller strollers: many parts to disassemble(footrest,seat,etc.).You really need your 2 hands/arms. If you are carrying a baby in your arm,you would not be able to fold the Xplory. It's also a source of stress to have the airlines/airport workers handle such a stroller.Ours came back with scratches and dents.

We have used it a few times when traveling and finally gave up.We had to buy a much lighter stroller for traveling.Although I love the Xplory,I don't like to travel with it.

[marinachkaa]

I have a mutsy slider and i loveee it, its a little heavy but otherwise it is a great stroller. i especially love the wheels they are not those tiny wheels that i was scared would break off...

[viba424]

Has anybody tried a Keekaroo brand stroller?

[Karla]

I love our Stokke Xplory. I don't find it heavy to lift into the car. It is a bit of a pain to have to take the seat off before you fold it but once you get the hang of folding it it is no problem. You can hang a regular diaper bag off the handle bar if you use stroller clips (or if the bag has them built in). We have used it as a high chair, we have put it in two wheel mode to take up and down stairs (when the baby was smaller), we did use the bassinet (a LOT!) and we also had the infant car seat adaptor (he used a Graco Snugride). We have also been to museums and aquariums and he LOVES being able to see everything. He is happy as a clam while we are at the mall as he can talk to me and everyone else that he sees. It is a bit of a hassle to travel with but we love it so much that we take it anyway! LOL! I think he would wonder what was going on if he was closer to the ground and just looking at legs! LOL! The only hassle traveling is that you really need to buy and use the travel bag to protect it. So we allow time at the gate to pack it into the travel bag and off we go. Oh, and this thing steers like a dream!! I can take it in and out of doors one handed and get through the narrowest aisles while shopping .... it is wonderful for shoppng!

Sorry for rambling so much but only had a minute to post.

[meluvs2shop]

^great photos!!! thanks for sharing.

[TheImportersWife]

I feel like I collect strollers. Here's my current inventory :
*Maclaren Quest
*Bugaboo Cameleon
*Peg Perego Venezia
*Joovy Caboose
*BOB Revolution Duallie


LOVE the Maclaren, Bugaboo and BOB!!! I think we used the PP Venezia once and the Joovy served it's purpose when I needed it.

[BlkLadyLaw]

Originally Posted by LeMonde

^^ The storage bag (also called shopping bag by Stokke) is INCLUDED with every Xplory now (so is mosquito net, rain cover, and extra fleece blanket).

I meant the stroller storage bag that you put the stroller inside of for airport travel isn't included. Not the shopping bag that attaches to the stroller...they all do com with that. I went to a local store recently and they were mentioning the travel storage bag as a free promotion. Are they including the travel storage bag in the Complete and Basic package now?

[Faith]

I just got the Bumbleride Indie and Maclaren Volo.

[BlkLadyLaw]

decided to get a moses basket holder to put the Stokke carry cot in so I can use it as a bassinet when on another floor of the house or another room where I don't have a place to put him

here are the pics!