Strollers for Walking in the City

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Archived Q&A and reviews ▼

Parent Q&A

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  • Should I give Up On My New Stroller?

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    Sep 24, 2018

    Hello Parents,

    I have a 4 month old son and until now, we have made do carrying him around Berkeley in our carrier. But I began a care-taking job that allows me to take my son. I bought a Nuna Mixx Stroller ($600) that I thought would successfully handle a three mile trek across Berkeley. But the stroller couldn't handle all the raised/uneven sidewalk terrain and my son kept waking up and crying every time I put him in there. Are there any smooth riding strollers that can handle the sidewalks of Berkeley with six mile round trip journeys??? 

    Sep 24, 2018

    This was a while ago, but we lived in London when our daughter was born and didn't have a car, which meant miles of walking on a near-daily basis.  We bought a second-hand Bugaboo Bee, largely because we lived in a small apartment and didn't have a place to store any of the larger models.  It was ridiculously expensive, but we used it almost daily for years and it held up really well.  There are shock absorbers for each wheel, which is probably part of the reason she was able to nap in it almost every day, sometimes for hours at a time.  If your current stroller has a similar suspension system, though, it probably won't be much better.  

    Sep 26, 2018

    The Bugaboo stroller was made for the rough cobblestone streets, dirt/gravel and icy conditions in Europe. It's what most people buy in the big cities there. 
    I think the biggest issue with Nuna Mixx and UppaBaby is that the wheels are foam filled. I think you will need something that has air-filled tires and good suspension. 

    Sep 26, 2018

    Maybe a Bob stroller would work well for you. They have big wheels, and some beefy shock absorbers. I think they are meant for jogging with a stroller. 

    Sep 26, 2018

    Yes, we have used our BOB for six years (2 kids) and it’s still going strong. We commute and grocery shop with it. I’ve used it on trails around the Bay Area, but prefer it for around town use.

    Sep 26, 2018

    My husband and I bought the Thule Urban Glide 2 and while we haven’t used it on long Trela, so far it’s been great on our local streets while going to the playground and we are pretty confident with taking it to Tilden to hike. 

    Sep 26, 2018

    My City Mini GT stroller can handle all the bumps of the sidewalks and tree roots with no problem. The key is the air-filled rubber tires. Any stroller that has these type of tires should be fine. Strollers with thin wheels cannot handle the bumps.

    Sep 26, 2018

    I recommend the Thule urban glide stroller. It has a lot of the same bells and whistles of the BOB strollers which are super popular (shocks, adjustable handlebar, quick folding, super comfy harness etc) but it’s not quite as wide and weighs less. For infants there is a universal car seat adapter that works well to turn it into a travel system before little ones are big enough to ride inside. 

    Sarah

    https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/strollers/strollers/thule-urban-glide-2-_-10101923

    Sep 26, 2018

    Get a BOB jogging stroller.  They have incredible suspension, so handle uneven terrain easily.  They are meant to keep a baby sleeping when running at 6 or 8 or 10 mph, so at walking speeds they are incredibly smooth.

    They are less than $600, but they are not cheap.  I bought a very lightly used one for $200, and it served me well for 4 years, then lasted another 4 with a friend who took it as a hand-me-down.  Unqualified positive recommendation!!

    Sep 26, 2018

    Check out the Citi Mini GT. I’ve found it to hold up to those bumpy sidewalks : )

    Sep 27, 2018

    You need a BOB Revolution. I sold my city mini and got a BOB after miserable sidewalk stroller walks with too many cracked sidewalks and slopes. Pushing it is like butter.

    Sep 27, 2018

    I’ve never used that stroller but it looks like it has rubber / plastic wheels which won’t absorb bumps. Try something with air tires that will absorb the bumps better. We had a City Mini GT with the “all terrain” wheels and thought it was good enough for berkeley sidewalks. A true jogging stroller with air tires would be better, but you have to keep them inflated. 

    Sep 28, 2018

  • Stroller Advice - Big Wheels vs Compact Fold on Local Streets

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    Aug 7, 2018

    Hi all!

    I am pregnant with my first and wanted to ask some of you veteran parents for stroller advice. I have narrowed brands down, but am still torn between getting a stroller with bigger wheels and good suspension versus getting a compact, lightweight stroller. 

    I live in Temescal (North Oakland) and the streets and sidewalks around here are pretty awful, bumpy and pothole-filled and I do anticipate going for daily walks in the neighborhood and going to parks when the baby is older. For this reason, I feel like a more heavy duty stroller is useful in this area. The heavy duty strollers are also expandable to multiple kids and we anticipate having 2 children in stroller age in the future - but not sure if this is a completely necessary consideration at this stage (advice on this welcome too!). On the flip side, we have family overseas and will be doing airplane travel with baby (as well as road tripping and frequent trips to closer bay area suburbs) to visit family and as such I am also interested in the compact strollers that can fit in the overhead bins (heard some stories about damaged strollers from checking in). 

    I have pretty much settled on the Nuna line of strollers as well as the Babyzen Yoyo as the top candidates. I am wondering if you all think it's realistic in this part of the city to just have a compact stroller like the Babyzen Yoyo and for that to be a durable option for multiple children or if it makes more sense to go with a heavier stroller with better wheels and suspension?

    Alternatively, I could do both (this is a solution I am considering) and am wondering if anyone has experience with other compact fold strollers (like the Pockit for instance) - the Yoyo is definitely not the cheapest compact stroller (though it seems very nice for it's function) so I would be willing to reduce cost of the compact and go for a 2-stroller option (Nuna Tavo + compact stroller) if I found the right thing. Is it crazy to consider a 2-stroller solution? I am about minimizing waste and eco-friendliness/minimal toxicity for environment and for humans (ie the baby that will sit in the stroller) so am also planning to look into second hand solutions (I still have time so will not buy anything second hand right now, but need to finalize registry soon). 

    Thanks in advance for your advice! From a fellow parent :)

    Aug 7, 2018

    I consider the Babyzen Yoyo to be possibly the best purchase I've made since our daughter was born. When I first saw the price, I thought there would be no way I would talk myself into buying one, but after doing a series of "test drives" and trying out the folding, it was a clear winner for me. I live in the Mission in SF, and we've walked with it through much of SF and Oakland. I've never felt like we needed anything more heavy duty. We're in a small apartment, so being able to fold down the stroller so much is a huge advantage. The folding mechanism is a little tricky the first couple times you do it, but once you get it down, it's super easy to do even one handed. 

    Aug 8, 2018

    We LOVE our Yoyo, and it's our go-to over our Uppababy Vista.  Now that we have two kids, the Yoyo isn't as functional, since the second seat option isn't ideal.  But we still use it all the time anyway.  The basket below is small, but you only need during infancy really, when you tote a lot of stuff around.  The best part about the Yoyo is that it fits in the overhead bins of an airplane -- we wheel our daughter right up to the seat! 

    Aug 8, 2018

    We have used the Babyjogger CitiMini (not a jogging stroller btw) since our daughter was born. She is about to turn one and it has served us well. It folds up and fits in the trunk but has still been great for walking around Oakland (we live by the lake). We did end up getting a used uppababy which is nice for carrying more stuff, but we never bring it with us anywhere because it’s too big. We have even taken the babyjogger on two different trips by plane and one of them I was traveling with the baby alone. It is very easy to fold and open with one hand. I also think you can add a seat for a second child  

    My only warning is look at how your stroller matches up with the car seat you have. We ended up getting a Chicco Keyfit30 and the stroller adapter was rather cumbersome. I would not recommend that pairing. 

    Hope this helps. Whatever you get will work!

    Aug 8, 2018

    We ended up with 2 strollers. A Baby Jogger City Stroller- the SUV.  And a $99 Chicco stroller for Target, the Honda Civic.

    Baby Jogger:  One handed unfolding- very easy to yank out of the back of the car with child in arm and unfold.  Has the mother of all shades.  Comfy ride. Only thing- pricey, and a little heavy.  We've gotten a LOT of use out of it (2 kids), so we've been pleased. 

    Chicco: smaller, lighter;  we chose it because it also reclines nearly flat- important for sleep.  Crappy shade- had to get an additional one on Amazon that straps on with velcro.

    When it comes to flying, I've not seen a stroller ever go into the overhead bin. They'll require that you check it at the gate- like at the end of the jetway, just before you board the plane.  And it's fine. You get the $99 one and if it's damaged, it's not that big of a deal.  We actually flew with our big one recently (the "SUV") and it was fine.  Checked at the gate; it was there when we arrived. No problems. And it folded up quite easily for the xray machines.

    TL;dr: it's not crazy to have 2 strollers.

    Aug 8, 2018

    Hi there, so exciting, congratulations :)

    We have tested and tried a variety of strollers in North Oakland and have loved our Uppa baby stroller (Vista or Cruz). We walk a lot and the basket has been great for errands and baby gear along the way. The mountain buggy nano may be another one to look at.

    Also wanted to mention that Craigs List is a great source for a stroller second hand. Highly recommend a great carrier as well such as an Ergo.

    All the best to you!

    Aug 9, 2018

    We were in exactly your situation twenty years ago, so although the top brands have changed so much that I have no useful advice there, I absolutely have hard-earned wisdom to pass on regarding stroller types. We started out with a high-end collapsible stroller. It was uncomfortable (for us to push and and I'm sure for our child to ride in) on our bumpy neighborhood sidewalks, and when we flew, we discovered that most airlines make you check the stroller at the gate anyway (and then inevitably damage it in the baggage hold). The one time I was actually allowed to bring the stroller onto the plane it was incredibly inconvenient -- passengers and flight attendants glared at me (!), it barely fit in the aisle, and in that tight space it was a challenge to collapse it and get it into the overhead bin. Plus you will likely want to bring your child's car seat into the plane for safety, and that's a lot to carry! So we ended up doing what I wish we had done in the first place -- getting a sturdy "jogging stroller" (as they were called back then) for daily use and a cheap folding stroller for travel (and of course the airlines never damaged the cheap one, and it lasted through two children and many trips).

    Aug 10, 2018

    Coming from someone who owns 3 strollers for one kid (Thule Glider for jogging + Uppababy Cruz for daily + Mountain Buggy Nano for plane trips), no you're not crazy for considering a 2-stroller solution. I would say that our Cruz has consistently gotten the most use since we are able to walk out our door to get coffee and the large open basket is a super handy feature. The jogging stroller has been useful more rugged trails, but we don't use it even on a weekly basis because it's bulkier. The compact Nano became a must for plane trips and navigating crowded city sidewalks/subways, and it was handy that it had the infant car seat adapter built in (rather than the Yoyo).

    With that said, we're expecting baby #2 soon, so we're looking to part with our gently used Nano now if interested! 

    Aug 10, 2018

    Thank you to everyone for the advice! This is all helpful and seems to be more subjective than anticipated. I recently came across the Uppababy Minu, a new 2018 stroller, and it seems to also be a great compact option - bigger than the yoyo when folded, but still lightweight and fits in many (not all) overhead bins. It appears to be a bit more sturdy than the yoyo, but so many parents that have the yoyo also just love it! In any case, many thanks to you all!

    Aug 13, 2018

Archived Q&A and Reviews

Stroller for Urban Walker

Feb 2006

I am looking for recommendations for a stroller for an urban mom who expects to do a lot of walking around the neighborhood. I want something that's fashionable, has a quiet ride and has a big, accessible shopping basket. The stroller doesn't have to be super light, but I'd like one that's suitable for birth to at least 40 pounds. I like the idea of a reversible handle, although I'd love to know whether other parents find this to be a useful accessory. I am not willing to spend more than $400. Is it unreasonable to expect to find one stroller that meets all of these needs? We have a small house, and I'd prefer not to have multiple strollers. Would love to hear some first-hand experiences from seasoned moms (or dads)!

I really like the Moutain Buggy Urban stroller. It is from New Zealand and has just recently been available for sale in the US. I live in a community with many Australians and New Zealanders and the Mountain Buggy is definitely the preferred stroller. In the States you can purchase it on the web, but I think Rockridge Kids also carries it. It is extremely well-built and can handle the most challenging sidewalks and hills. It also works well in malls and grocery stores. You can easily take it off- road too. The stroller can be used from birth, but for convenience I added the infant carseat adaptor and now the stroller essentially works as a Travel System. The seat doesn't adjust from forward to rear facing, but with the carseat in place, my baby is facing me. By the time she outgrows the carseat, the forward facing seat will work just fine as she will be exploring the world. The cargo area is quite big and can fit a good amount of groceries. The stoller folds very easily, but my only complaint about the stroller is that it is very big and bulky when folded and I've had some challenges fitting it in cars and taxis. The wheels come off very quickly, so this has been my solution for really tight spaces. When my daughter reaches six months or so I'll rely more on our super light weight MacClaren Volo stroller for car trips, so I know this will cease to be an issue. The Mountain Buggy falls within your price range. I think it is an excellent alternative (and in some ways preferrable) to the Bugaboo Frog. Check out www.joggingstroller.com or www.mountainbuggyusa.com for more information. I've been very happy with both of these vendors. The www.joggingstroller.com website has excellent product information and reviews.

Check out the Mountain Buggy Urban Stroller from New Zealand. I think Rockridge Kids carries it. Two great websites are: www.joggingstroller.com (great product information and detailed reviews) and www.mountainbuggyusa.com - the US distributor.

Dear Urban Walker,

There are many types of strollers that fit the bill that you described. One important thing is first deciding how important reversibility is to you. Usually stroller that are reversible tend to be a bit heavier, however since you stated that doesn't matter too much to you you might want that feature. I find my little one often is happier longer in the stroller when he can see me and interact with me. Another thing to realize is that reversible seat and reversible handle usually do the same thing.

The 2006 Zooper Boogie (http://tinyurl.com/n4cbe) is a swivel three wheeler with a reversible seat that has a generous basket and nice air tires for a smooth ride. It is a bit of a big fold but not too heavy at 26lbs. Zoopers are nice too because they come with plenty of extras.

Another good stroller is the Rock Star Baby (http://tinyurl.com/rz8oj) which looks similar to the bugaboo with two back air tires and two front swivel wheels. It has a reversible seat as well and a mediocre shopping basket but is nice to push and lighter at 24lbs. It also comes with a bassinet and car seat adaptor which can be nice.

Lastly you can check out the 2006 Bumbleride Flyer (http://tinyurl.com/rgezl) which has a reversible handle. It doesn't have air tires but the wheels are bigger than most strollers which makes for a smoother ride and it has a nice sized basket. It also has gorgeous fabrics and colors. Again it is not too heavy but definitely not a lightweight stroller.

As a mom and a business owner, I know that finding a stroller that works for you can make your whole like easier so feel free to come check them out if you are interested in seeing them in real life. Best, Jo

I would highly recommend the Bumbleride Flyer. I too do a lot of walking with my baby, and this stroller is a miracle on wheels. The suspension is fabulous (baby sleeps even over huge bumps/ uneven surfaces). The reversible handle is perfect for when baby gets bored or frightened or just wants interaction with his or her parent (bound to happen on long excursions). The new Bumbleride Flyers have several color combos that are very stylish. The under-basket is not huge, however. I think it is supposed to hold only 10 lbs -? We push it significantly over that without a problem though. Just a hands-down great stroller. Happy Bumblerider

With baby one I bought two stollers (the travel system and the jogging stroller). With baby two, I bought one stroller -- the Mountain Buggy Urban Double. It is also available in a single version. I love this stroller. I can use it at the mall, in airports, and most importantly onlong walks in my neighborhood. It takes curbs and other rough terrain quite well. I've been using since baby two was a newborn. My very tall three year old still fits into it quite well (my seven year old niece was a stretch, but it was fun for her). It is light, has a small footprint, has a great foot brake and under carriage storage. There are several companies that are making similar 'offroad/mall' type strollers these days (Bob Revolution -- I own the Bob SUS which I also love and wish that they had it in the Revolution available when I purchased it, Baby Jogger, Valco, etc.). I would suggest going to www.joggingstroller.com. You can compare the features of up to five strollers at a time. jan