There are many things that make travel stressful. You have to make sure you get the family packed, make sure you get to the plane on time and find your way to your accommodations when you land, not to mention making sure you have all the right flight documents. All of that and you’re still must find a good travel stroller too! You will need that vacation by the time you are done the planning and prepping for it.
So, in this article, we will break down a few key features that you should be looking at when choosing the perfect travel stroller as well as the questions you should be asking to figure out which of the features will be vital to meet your travelling needs. The first big decision is which type of travel stroller you should go with.
Types of Travel Stroller
Deciding on the type is the first step and probably the biggest to ensuring that you find that perfect stroller for your needs. Each of the individual types have specific benefits and here are the three main types of strollers you can consider.
Car Seat Carrier
This is a frame built to attach a car seat to, kind of a two-for-one deal. They tend to be lightweight and fold down into a compact frame when being stowed. This type also does not come with as many extras as other options like the umbrella stroller.
Umbrella
This probably the most popular when it comes to travel. Laden with tons of extras to make travelling with a child easier, this style is designed to be lightweight and compact for ease of transportation.
Traditional
This stroller comes with a lot of extras, but not as many as the umbrella style. The strollers are smaller than umbrella style and may come with extras like extra storage, snack trays, etc.
There are many options within these categories, and it may be hard to tell which one will best suit your needs, so how can you choose the perfect one? Keep reading and we will breakdown some of the key features that you should be looking at when beginning your search, but first, here are a few questions that can help you narrow down the choice.
Are There Benefits to Using a Travel Stroller?
Simply, the answer is yes, absolutely! From day one, you will be able to move your little one from stroller to car (and vice versa) without waking them up. It also lets you walk with your newborn, which you can’t do in a normal, sit-up stroller as they don’t have neck and head control. Plus, using a travel stroller with a car seat system will save you money. As your baby outgrows the car seat at around a year old, you can still use the stroller — so you get a two-for-one product that can last a long time.
Questions to Ask When Choosing a Stroller
There are questions of course that you can ask yourself that will narrow down the field even further and help you direct your attention to key features that will lead you to the perfect stroller. Here are a few questions that may help you:
- Are you going to rent a car or travel by car?
- Are there a lot of stairs or elevators that you will need to trek up?
- Are you using public transportation?
- What’s the terrain like where you are visiting?
- How often do you plan on travelling?
These are just some of the questions that could be helpful to consider, but by going into the final decision with these answered you will be better equipped to make one that you will not regret.
Key Features of a Travel Stroller
Finding the right stroller that will meet your needs and offer you child supreme support and safety is key. So here are some features to help you make that decision:
Weight
The weight of the stroller is important because you will be carrying this stroller all over the place. So, make sure that the stroller is a good weight, a weight that is easy for you to carry and store.
Folding Ability
Once again you will be folding and unfolding your stroller throughout your trip so making sure that the stroller is easy to fold could be a deciding factor. The best choice would be to find a one-hand foldable stroller with an auto-lock feature.
Storage
Travelling with a child is not like travelling with just a significant other; you will have a lot more accessories and stuff that you need to make your days successful. So, having a good storage capacity is a great benefit when roaming the globe.
Canopy
Safety is not only about anti-lock brakes and enhanced padding. Making sure that your child is protected from harmful sun rays is a great quality from a stroller. This means looking for a stroller with a canopy that is large enough to protect your child. Some even come with an SPF rating.
Price
This is always a consideration for most with any purchase. Finding a stroller with the most required features that fit your budget is key to maintaining a stress-free trip.
As you scroll through the options on your computer or stroll down the aisles of any department store, if you pay attention to these features you will no doubt find the right stroller for you. There are of course many other features that may be important to you as well such as extras, safety, and even an ergonomic design.
Final Thoughts
There are so many choices and trying to wade through them can seem very daunting sometimes, but there is no need to go into your vacation anxiety riddled. Stress can kill your excitement and ruin your trip if you let it. So hopefully with the information we have laid out before you this decision has been made easier and you are better equipped to choose the perfect fit for your travel stroller needs.
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