Strollers

As a former mechanical Engineer and a parent with 23 years experience, including 15 years as "Mr. Mom" at home raising my own kids I'll offer what suggestions I can...

We're a typical Canadian suburban family with 3 kids, ages 1, 3, and 5, and a very average income. We currently use 3 strollers for different types of trips, bought in this order:

1. an Evenflo single stroller like these. This stroller was originally bought to be compatible with a "bucket" style infant car seat; you could remove the bucket from its base in the car and snap it into the stroller without waking up a sleeping child, since babies and young children tend to fall asleep during car rides. We quit using it much after our second child was born, and the car was broken into and the car seat portion stolen. If we did use it then, it was usually in combination with a carrying sling to hold the baby, while the older child rode in the stroller. This stroller had the usual cup holder and tiny storage compartment near the handle, and was easy to open and close.

2. a couple of years later, a Graco Duoglider LXI double stroller. As soon as we had the second child, we knew we would like to get a double stroller. I personally "test drove" a dozen or so models, looking for one key feature: ease of steering. My wife had tried her friend's double stroller, a very elegant and expensive model from Jeep, only to discover it was very difficult to steer. A double stroller BARELY fits through the isles in many stores, so easy steering is key. They are also extra heavy, because they will usually be holding a toddler plus a baby, PLUS diaper bag, PLUS purchases from stores. It's especially important for women drivers, who usually don't have too much excess upper body strength, that a stroller steer easily.

One model stood out far above all the rest for easy steering: the Graco Duoglider LXI. It was so good, that our friends gave away their Jeep double stroller and found the extra money in their tight budget to buy one just like ours. This stroller also has the usual parent trays and cup holder, kid trays (for kid meals and snacking on trips), sun shades, and easy fold up.

3. About 2 years after the double, a Chicco CT 0.5 Stroller. We wanted an umbrella stroller as a very light and portable stroller for the 3rd child, because the first two would often be cooperative, fast, and strong enough to walk on their own by now.

We previously had another, cheaper, umbrella stroller given to us, but we used it very little: it was falling apart, and the handles were far too short to allow me, or even my wife, to stand fully upright while pushing it. For me to use the old umbrella stroller for any distance was back-breaking! We both went out shopping for the new umbrella stroller, and I made sure to choose one with tall handles so I did not have to stoop to push it. This Chicco model had one of the tallest handle heights of any. It also had an unusually good storage basket for an umbrella stroller, and another feature wee needed for our particular third child: a 5 point harness. Our third child was very small and flexible, and would easily stand up in a high chair or stroller no matter HOW tight we did up the straps, but the 5 point harness really slowed her down!


I really have no idea on the pricing questions... sorry. For the ultimate in features, I'd pay more. I would just assume most strollers were safe; most of the risk in them is from idiot stroller drivers, I think. :)

(continued...)

So here's a list of stroller features I/we consider important, in approximate order of importance:
-easy steering
-easy fold up, small enough for the space behind a mini-van's rear-most seat.
-brakes
-large cargo basket
-no problems driving in slush or snow
-resistant to rust
-permanently lubricated
-quiet wheels
-kid tray(s) for snacks and cups
-parent tray and cup holder
-sun shade canopy
-handles long enough that the parent does not have to bend over to drive the stroller. Telescoping handles would be GREAT!!!
-light enough for a smaller adult to lift into the trunk of a car.

We had twins some 12 years ago! So we don't use strollers any more. When we did we needed, but couldn't find/afford, a stroller with adjustable or long handles. Ex is 6'3 & I'm 5'8. The double strollers we ended up using--i don't remember brands or anything--the first one had reclining seats but only the back one reclined all the way which is NOT good when you have preemies, the handles were too short, it was shakey, hard to steer, sucked in the snow & slush, was not easy to fold/unfold & almost didn't fit in the trunk of the Mustang. The unbrella stroller almost didn't fit through most of the store doors around here--it was very nearly too wide. If they had had their fingers over the edges they would have had pinched fingers.. The handles were too short on that one as well, as a result hubby at the time would rarely push it because it hurt his back. More often than not we'd just end up using two grocery carts where ever we went because they were so much higher than the strollers, easier to steer & had plenty of stowing room for the diaper bag, etc.
What would i like?
Extendable handles! That way the short, mid range AND tall people could all use it!
Removeable kiddie trays for snax, drinks, toys, etc.
Sun shade.
Reversible so the sun is NEVER on your child, no matter which way you're going.
Large, quiet, easily moveable wheels with brakes which don't break so easily and are easy to use.
Ample storage, including a place for mom to put her purse where pickpockets, etc. don't have easy access.
5 point harness, no matter what the age of the child.
Removeable insert for preemies & small babies so they don't slide all over the place inside the carriage part.
Folds/unfolds easily & is compact when folded.
Easy to steer, even one handed. Ever tried steering through McDonald's with a tray in one hand & pushing stroller with the other while trying to keep purse ON shoulder without running into other strollers, people, highchairs, regular chairs & anything else in the maze along the path to the only empty table at the back of the restaurant?
A different way to do the strap/harness up. Once children learn how to operate the ones they have now there is a HUGE concern (at least on my part) of pinched kiddie fingers (pinched adult fingers too, those things are really stiff for a while)!
Light weight. The carriage/stroller was heavy & awkward to handle.
We bought them because they were what we could afford at the time.
We live in a city in Southern Ontario. Lots of weather including sun, rain, wind, snow, slush, ice & COLD!
Ideal price?????????? Unless a group of you are going in on a stroller for a shower gift most of the ones on the market today are extremelly pricey, especially for all the young moms i see on the streets & buses today. It needs to be in the lower to mid price range. Definitely less than $100.

Robin

We live in the midwest US,suburb, 1 child age almost 3. We have an infant stroller system (hate the stroller now, but it was fine when we used it with the infant carrier.) We also have an umbrella that we threw away, and now have a "in-between" model that we like, but lacks some things and has squeaky wheels.

I find that I would want to spend less than 100 dollars for stroller, because they outgrow them and they break too easily!

I care about ease of steering and comfort for me and the child!


I have long said that strollers need telescoping handles.

Make the wheels have something like shocks, so they can go over grass, snow, etc. And make them thicker. Those tiny little wheels are hard to drive.

Please describe your location (city, suburb, ect.) Small city.
How many children to you have? 1
What are the ages? 8 months
What type of stroller are you currently using ( jogger, umbrella, two seater ect..)? Evenflo Aura Elite Travel System Stroller
How did you acquire your current stroller (a previously child’s, a gift or do you purchase it new yourself ect..)? It was a gift.
If the stroller was purchased, what was the retail price? $179.99
What is the ideal price for a stroller? It depends on the quality and features. I'd pay over $100 if it had everything I wanted.
What is the maximum you would spend on a stroller?$250 (would have to have ALL the features I'd want).
If the stroller was purchased, was it bought for the safety features, price, a certain brand or other (please explain)? Safety and having a car-seat attachment were my highest priorities.
If you where to design the ideal stroller what features would you include and what features would you change?
SO MUCH...
Like it's been mentioned before, the handles need to be adjustable. For us short people as well as the tall ones. Also it would be nice if the umbrella part was more wide near the base of the umbrella. The sun doesn't always shine from directly above. It would be nice to have a place on the stroller itself to store diapers, wipes and bottles (the essentials) so that you might not always need to also have a big diaper bag with you.

I think a big thing is making it so that the stroller will last, and will work for, the length of time a child might use a stroller. It would be nice if my stroller would work for both a baby (even a preemie) and still for a 3-4 year old. So straps would have to be widely adjustable (but safe for all ages). Space for laying down at all ages would be good, but sitting up fully is also a must (mine doesn't do that so well).

ideal stroller

Please describe your location (city, suburb, ect.)
suburb/small city (150,000 people)

How many children to you have?
1 with hopefully 1 on the way soon

What are the ages?
19 months

What type of stroller are you currently using ( jogger, umbrella, two seater ect..)?
Inglesina Zippy

How did you acquire your current stroller (a previously child’s, a gift or do you purchase it new yourself ect..)?
Bought it new. This is stroller number 3...My son is 18 months, old...can't find a good one.

If the stroller was purchased, what was the retail price?
It was clearance priced.

What is the ideal price for a stroller?
It depends on what is has/what it's for. You should be able to get all the bells and whistles and options, some accessories for under 300 bucks. Maybe $400 for something really innovative. (BTY: Those are retail prices).

What is the maximum you would spend on a stroller?
$350-400, but would rather spend $250.

If the stroller was purchased, was it bought for the safety features, price, a certain brand or other (please explain)?
The last stroller I bought is: sturdy, more upright seat, bar across front, can add snack tray, durable good fabric, easy 3D fold, tall enough for me, good wheels, brand known for producing quality strollers

If you were to design the ideal stroller what features would you include and what features would you change?
as lightweight as you can make it, yet sturdy
easy fold
VERY IMPORTANT TO ME: Make it so that yo can add a seat for another child...so we don't have to buy another stroller, or it can be for 2 small kids sometimes, and 1 other times!!!
able to have child facing mom or facing forward
neat features such as a basinette, fun toddler seat, etc
foot muff for winter
cool colors
adjustable handles
not too big/easy to steer in REAL stores
looks neat
infant sit higher up/closer to mom
durable
back wheels far enough apart so that don't hit feet
Small fold like mia moda cielo
easy to store in a variety of vehicles