Help finding lightweight stroller! Suggestions?

I need help selecting a lightweight stroller to use for mall trips and travel.

We live in the city and have one car, which my husband primarily drives. I can walk to most places (dr's office, shopping, etc.) and for that reason I purchased a Bumbleride Queen B. I love the stroller and can't wait to use it, but I do realize that it will stay at our home and won't see the inside of our trunk much at all.

When I do need to drive to a store I plan on putting the baby in a sling until they are old enought to sit upright in the shopping cart seat. So really, I just need a secondary stroller for things like the mall and travel.


What I'm looking for:
-We are skipping the infant seat, so compatibility isn't an issue.
-Weight-wise I'd like it to be under 20 lbs.
-I would like something which reclines as flat as possible, that way I can use it with a newborn and hopefully get the most bang for my buck
-Large basket is a must (it is for the mall after all
-Preferably under $100, but I might be willing to go up to $200 if it was really worth it.

I've looked at some of these online/in-store, but I'm just not sure:
-Graco Metrolite: Nice basket, didn't seem rickety. Recline mechanism seemed cheap.
-Graco IPO: The display model at BRU was falling apart, didn't seem to appealing.
-Graco Cleo: I've only seen it online. Concerned that the seat won't go into a true upright position
Graco Mosaic: " "
-Kolcraft Contours: Only viewed online. Heavier than I'd like, but I love the reversible handle.
-Peg Perego Aria: Loved how light it is, but honestly it felt like a piece of rickety junk (and $189 at bru)

I've aslo seen some cheap Cosco & Evenflo strollers at Target for around $40. I'm sure they aren't the best, but they seem similar to the metrolite for less than half the price.

Any input, thoughts, suggestions? Thanks.

-Graco Metrolite: Nice basket, didn't seem rickety. Recline mechanism seemed cheap.
-Graco IPO: The display model at BRU was falling apart, didn't seem to appealing.
-Graco Cleo: I've only seen it online. Concerned that the seat won't go into a true upright position
Graco Mosaic: " "
-Kolcraft Contours: Only viewed online. Heavier than I'd like, but I love the reversible handle.
-Peg Perego Aria: Loved how light it is, but honestly it felt like a piece of rickety junk (and $189 at bru)

The IPO and Mosaic are basically the same stroller. They don't recline all the way and have sun shade issues.

The Contours, actually the whole seat flips, the handle doesn't move. Neat stroller, really.

Out of the ones you listed, I like the Metro lite and the Contours.

Have you looked at the Peg P3 or lite? They are nice. I wouldn't do a Cosco stroller, heavy and not worth the $. Evenflo, just not worth it. Graco is better for a similar price.

I would go with a Maclaren Quest. I have owned sooo many car seats its embarressing I finally bought a Quest and its fantastic! Its super lightweight, folds easy, pushes like a dream and so far has held up perfect. The sun canopy is pathetic though, but thats my only complaint. Here is a link:
http://www.babydealz.com/maqumodbast21.html

Just as a FYI watch out for babydealz, I spoke to them myself and they do remove all serial #'s making the warrenties void (they said they have their own) but, also for resale purposes this makes me very weary....Just a thought!

firemomof3 said:

I would go with a Maclaren Quest. I have owned sooo many car seats its embarressing I finally bought a Quest and its fantastic! Its super lightweight, folds easy, pushes like a dream and so far has held up perfect. The sun canopy is pathetic though, but thats my only complaint. Here is a link:
http://www.babydealz.com/maqumodbast21.html

Click to expand...

Yeah, I didn't even really consider Maclarens. For the most part they seem like nice umbrella strollers, but I think I will want something with more features.

I wouldn't be able to use it with a newborn, so that is a concern. Also, they don't seem to have much padding and I plan to take this stroller with us when we visit family for weeks at a time. The small sun canopy is an issue, and I'm afraid of the thing tipping over at the mall when I take my child out of the stroller.

I'm sure it's nice to have a super lightweight stroller, but I think the lack of features you get as a tradeoff won't work for my needs.

Definately the Mac Quest. I bought a Volo a couple of years ago and my only regret was waiting so long.:thumbsup:

mrs.christie said:

Yeah, I didn't even really consider Maclarens. For the most part they seem like nice umbrella strollers, but I think I will want something with more features.

I wouldn't be able to use it with a newborn, so that is a concern. Also, they don't seem to have much padding and I plan to take this stroller with us when we visit family for weeks at a time. The small sun canopy is an issue, and I'm afraid of the thing tipping over at the mall when I take my child out of the stroller.

I'm sure it's nice to have a super lightweight stroller, but I think the lack of features you get as a tradeoff won't work for my needs.

Click to expand...

I use my Maclaren Techno XT for my DS2 since 1 day old. it comes with the rain cover and foot muff, both we used as DS2 was a winter baby, the rain cover kept him dry and the foot muff kept him warm.

I love my P3! it is my go everywhere stroller for 1. I have loaded the handles down and never had it tip over. My kids love the freedom harness.
lotsolove

I agree with the P3!! It is the best stroller, I wish that I had it from the beginning. It is a do it all stroller, with a really high seatback. It also has the board on back for an older child, my 3 1/2 year old loves it and rode very happily. It is also very padded and comfy, reclines all the way, has the option to extend the legs and the best canopy I have ever seen! Fabulous!!

Thanks for the P3 suggestion. I checked it out online and then I just had to run to BRU to see it in person. I *think* this just may be my stroller!

HIGHLY recommend the P3--do some checking online, as there are some great deals out there for them

You could go a step further and get a pliko switch http://www.albeebaby.com/peg-perego-2009-pliko-switch-classico-in-corallo.html
http://www.albeebaby.com/chicco-keyfit-infant-car-seats.html with a race or fuego keyfit
http://www.albeebaby.com/peg-perego-p3-strollers.html or with the tango or rubino P3
THe cubes keyfit may go nice with the ice black P3
or maybe a laguna green ss1, for a splash of color.
http://www.albeebaby.com/graco-infant-car-seat.html