Buying a Travel Pushchair
When buying a travel stroll, you should consider the fold, storage, recline and canopy. Also, look for extras such as a footmuff, coffee cup holder and rain cover.
If you're often traveling pick a model that's cabin-approved and folds up compactly. Our test with parents says that the Joie Tourist is perfect for this. Its one-handed folding mechanism makes it easy to use while playing with your toddler.
Lightweight
A travel pushchair is a compact, lightweight stroller that folds up easily and compactly to be packed into luggage for a trip or put in the boot of a car. They are designed to be used with infants from birth and often come with the option to attach carseats to them however adapters will be required. Some are also suitable for toddlers and make them a great choice for holidays and day excursions.
There are a myriad of travel pushchairs to choose from, so you need to pick the one that is suitable for your family. If you have a toddler you might want to consider a buggy with a foot rest that can be removed to stop the legs of the child from hanging. When choosing a stroller, it is essential to think about the amount of storage you will need.
If you're an avid traveler and require a small buggy that fits into your baggage allowance for cabin travel pick a model that folds down to a dimension of 48cm, 43cm, and 21.5cm. This is smaller than most hand luggage. A model that features an intelligent fold that is dynamic is even more convenient to store away, since it can snap into itself as a paperback book.
Another good alternative is to purchase a car seat bundle, which will allow you to save time looking for compatible components and save you money. A brand bundle typically includes a car seat that has been specially made to complement each other in terms of style and fit. Some brands offer extras like a cup holder or parent organizer, which are helpful when traveling.
Some brands also sell various accessories, including a newborn bassinet and rain cover, which allow you to transform your travel pushchair into a double buggy or twin pushchair. These are particularly helpful if you have older children and need an area to sit comfortably when travelling.
Easy to fold
Travel pushchairs should be simple to fold, especially in smaller spaces such as the cabin of a train or airplane. The Joie Pact Pro is a great example, with an easy-to-use mechanism that our test-drivers found extremely easy to use. This makes it ideal for parents who want to take their child on day excursions, local excursions and even on air travel.
A travel system bundle is a different option. It is a combination of a car seat and pushchair from the same manufacturer. This allows you to ensure that the car seat will fit the pushchair you have chosen and will be compatible with the chassis you've chosen for your baby. These types of bundles are usually cheaper than purchasing the components separately, however it's crucial to confirm whether the items you're looking to purchase work together prior to making the purchase.
If you're planning to use your travel pushchair on rough terrain, choose something that has a solid base and wide wheels that can cope with bumps and lumps. Smaller wheels are more difficult to maneuver on any other surface than smooth roads. Reversible seats are useful, as your child can be facing you to start with and then pivot to look around as they grow older.
Depending on the season you're planning to travel, you'll also need to consider whether your pushchair will provide the protection against weather that you require. A sunshade to protect your baby's skin from harmful UV rays and a rain cover to prevent snow or water from getting in the pushchair are important features. You should purchase a raincover that is specifically designed for your model of pushchair and not a generic one.
The final criteria is that the pushchair should be compact and lightweight. This is especially important for travel pushchairs which must be capable of folding down to a compact size. The Bugaboo Butterfly is one of the most compact pushchairs available on the market. It can also be put in the overhead compartments for luggage (but not all) of certain airlines. www.pushchairsandprams.uk was a relaxing ride for our tester's parents and her toddler. It has reclined seats that are large and of high quality.
Easy to Manoeuvre
If you're traveling through busy bus or train stations with a sleepy baby and need to fold and move your pushchair with ease so that you can get off and on without disturbing your baby is a must. Look for models with smooth front wheels that swivel to allow you to pivot and move your pushchair effortlessly.
Travel pushchairs generally come with smaller wheels, which makes them lighter and smaller. However, if you are seeking a model to use on rough terrain or to traverse the beach, select a model that has larger, more robust wheels.
Some retailers and brands offer travel system bundles that come complete with the pushchair, car seat and any additional accessories you may require. This is a great choice when you have an idea of what you want but don't want to spend hours searching for parts that are compatible. Be sure to ensure that the items you buy work together before purchasing a travel bundle. You can find this information on the websites of a few brands or ask an agent.
Easy to store
If you are planning to put a travel pushchair in your car's boot or in the overhead bin of an airplane, it needs to be lightweight and foldable. It's also helpful if it has an adjustable shoulder strap so that you can carry it with one hand - this is particularly useful when your child is asleep!
Consider how often you'll use the pushchair and what terrain you will be covering when selecting one. For instance, some buggies are best suited for walking around town on smooth pavements and won't be able to handle rough terrain or on the beach. If you are planning to take a trip off-road and require a more rugged buggy, make sure it is equipped with a suspension and larger wheels that can take on more rough terrain.
Another thing to think about is whether you'll be using it from birth. If you do, then look for a travel buggy with a newborn pack or a bassinet. The Babyzen Yoyo2 has a brilliant one-hand folding design and comes with a wide range of accessories such as a bassinet for a newborn as well as a rain cover and an extremely comfortable foot muff.
If you plan to use it for brief vacations and trips, you may want to choose a travel stroll with a car-seat adaptor that can be affixed to the chassis. This allows you to keep your child in their car seat for the duration of the trip. A lot of travel system bundles include an already-fitted car seat, but you can also build your own custom bundle if that's what you prefer.
Consider how much you will make use of each item when you choose the travel set. You'll need to consider the cost of a base that can be used to connect your car seat to your pushchair and any adaptors you might require. You can purchase these items online or in store and some brands offer bundles that include all of them making it simple to create your dream travel system!