Your Opinion Please: Umbrella Strollers
We need an umbrella stroller. I LOVE my Chicco stroller system, but I am flying next weekend by myself, with a layover, and do not want to deal with the big stroller. (Actually, I may not even take a stroller, but in the event that I do, I want a smaller one).
SO, spill the beans. What umbrella stroller do you have? Do you like it? Is a reclining seat really necessary?
Oh, and keep in mind that I am short (5’0″ tall).
These are the few that I have been considering. I want to keep it under $100.
Kolcraft Tour Sport Umbrella Stroller with Adjustable Canopy
Evenflo X Sport Convenience Stroller
I want to order one today, so let me know your thoughts right away!
Thanks, as always. 
Update:
You convinced me – get one with a 5-point harness, can recline and has a little space for some stuff. I just ordered this Chicco one (above) for Elias. I usually order gender neutral stuff, but he will look soooo cute in this bright blue stroller. I couldn’t resist. Thanks for all the great comments.
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Jessica- I have this umbrella stroller in pink and it is great! http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3420854 Only 30 bucks too which is nice. They carry it in the store and online. We use it when we go to the beach and sometimes for walks. I am 5'2 so I understand needing something that is a good height and all. It's very easy to fold up and has a little canopy to block the sun which is nice. Good luck finding one and on your trip!
Elizabeth
We have the jeep umbrella stroller (http://www.amazon.com/Jeep-Weather-Umbrella-Stroller-Silver/dp/B0013IV1M4/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_k2a_1_txt?pf_rd_p=304485601&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-2&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000BU4C9Y&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1Y0RE03XT5JK7KZSMGMG) It's worked great for us and it's small and easy to fold up. The canopy isn't very big though. I like the chicco one you have listed though. Good luck!
We LOVE our Chicco Capri. It's great. Now, I just wanted to point out one thing. I traveled on my own with Josiah last month. I had a seat for him so I had to have a carseat. I actually did bring our big system because I put him back in the carrier carseat for the flight. That way I could put his carseat ontop of his stroller, and go. I didn't have to mess with a carseat, diaper bag, purse, plus trying to push him in a stroller. So, if you're going to be taking his carseat, I'd recommend at least considering bringing your whole system. It made things a million times easier for me.
I would buy the cheap one… you are not going to use it very often and they are easy to fold and store for easy, quick access.
Recline seat not necessary… they are not in them that often.
The handles would be good because I am tall and wish they were a bit higher for me.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3420851
Good luck!
Honestly we got a super cheapo one at Babies R Us and it has worked fine. The only thing I have not liked is that it has NO basket anywhere on it for stuff.
That being said I adore all things Chicco so that one would get my vote! If we had been able to do more than the $20-30 cheapo one I would totally have gone for the Chicco.
We have this umbrella stroller in orange (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3420856). We didn't want anything too expensive because most of the time we take our full-sized stroller. But, it's nice to have a light-weight stroller for quick trips, etc. This stroller has a hanging bag just below the handles, so you can store some small, light items right on the stroller. If you don't think you'll be using it often, I'd get this one since it's very inexpensive. Good luck traveling with Elias!
Oh, I got a cheapie deal at Target – I think less than $20., don't even know the brand, but it does the job – it's grey and orange and our son doesn't mind it at all. It's good for those "in and out" trips.
I would take a stroller either way, and I would take the system. You can check the stroller at the gate, and it makes it so much easier. We have the chico and love it, but I do wish it had a cup holder.
Jessica – we bought one similar to this: http://www.combistrollers.com/ProductDetails.aspx?CategoryID=3&selection=7&Children=0&productID=764
– we bought this when Cole was four and we were in Memphis at St. Jude (target carries them) – we needed something that would suit a toddler and not a baby. This one does both. The seat reclines for naps, basket underneath, (I think they've added a cupholder for mom's now, too), this model has a 3-point harness, but that have a step up from this with a 5 point harness. The best part for me what that I could close it up with one hand and flip it open really quick – while I was holding Cole. There is also a long strap for carrying!! We used this with Cole until he was 7 actually – and wore it out at DisneyWorld. We could easily have Cole jump out when we were getting on or off the monorail, i could close it up and carry it like a back pack while we dealt with the stairs, or ramps, or just too big of a crowd for a stroller!! We really loved this one!! Good Luck!!
We have the Combi Savvy Ex stroller and just love it. It reclines, has a tiny basket for junk, and folds up SO small. We actually use it more than our combo stroller now, because of its smaller size.
I don't know anything about any of the strollers you listed…sorry! Have a great time flying with Elias.
oops! We have the combi Flare stroller, not the other one I mentioned
Jess, my one suggestion is that you might want to get one with the 5-point harness. I bought the Evenflo one you listed for the same situation–I was flying and didn't want to take my "good" stroller. However, my daughter was really into leaning over and trying to touch the wheels and such (at the time, she was about Elias's age). I thought that I would use it just that once, so it didn't matter, but I've discovered that I wish I could use that smaller stroller more often, but I really need one with the 5-point harness.
A friend of mine has that Chicco stroller and loves it.
Jessica – love your blog! I actually don't have advice about the umbrella stroller, but a question I'm hoping you can help me with. I am pregant with my first (due in Oct) and I am getting ready to register. I was looking at the infant car seat/stroller systems and have heard from several people not to get them b/c they are big and bulky. What's your opinion? I was looking at getting an infant car seat with the lightweight stroller base (works with any car seat) and then later on getting an umbrella stroller. You seem like you do your research on all things baby, so I would love your opinion! Good luck on your stroller search and trip! Thanks, Sarah
We will be getting an 18 month old little boy soon and I registered for the Combi Savvy Ex Stroller. My husband is tall and I'm short, so we needed something in the middle of our height, and compact but also with a net. Good luck!
@carrie B – the combi is another one I was looking at, so I am glad to hear it is a good one.
re: the travel system – elias is on the border between that car seat and the next size up, so I haven't decided which one to take. If I take the smaller car seat, I will take the travel system, but if I take the bigger car seat, I want an umbrella stroller. Does that make sense?
I have the Chicco umbrella one you mentioned and LOVE IT! The only negative is that it does not have a cup holder. It has a little bit of space underneath to hold things but I usually put my things with handles over the bars. I take this stroller with me everywhere – whether we fly or drive. It is very easy to fold up and store plus easy to drive around. My son easily falls asleep in it if it is his naptime. I bought it when he was 8 months old and have used it ever since (he is now almost 3).
Hope that helps!
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3420851
I have this stroller in Gray. I have had it for about 18 months and it works great.
My advice to you is to make sure that the wheels are good. I have a hand me down one (Don't know the brand, but it's definitely a lower end one) and it is very difficult to use indoors. It does just fine on pavement, but the floors in a mall or airport or somewhere like that are just too slick for it I guess. It won't hardly roll. So, just make sure when you get it that you test it out on a variety of floor surfaces. They are great if you can get a good one because they are so compact.
We bought the cheap $20 Babies R Us stroller for our first trip to Disneyland, figured if it got stolen or broken we wouldn't care, it was a lot easier than our big one for cars and trams (and while we didn't fly I would assume it would be better for that as well, and after what Delta did to my luggage the last time I flew I'm not sure I would trust them with something that cost more). The stroller worked great and has been back to Disney 3 times, my son actually seems to sleep better sitting up in the umbrella stroller than he does in our nice stroller that reclines. Another bonus we discovered after getting home that it appears to be one of 2 strollers on the market regardless of cost that fit in the trunk of my beetle, it now stays there as a back up.
From the three you linked to I have seen the chicco and evenflo a lot at Disney and other theme parks.And they also seem to have a wide range of children in them young to old. We like our MacClaren because it is super light weight, folds up easy and has a strap to put over your shoulder. I've done the traveling with a baby alone too. I use my system the first time when he was really young and the MacClaren the second time. Either way worked out great for me.
The stroller and carseat got checked at the gate before boarding so I could get through the airport. The MacClaren was great because I could put it on my shoulder and hold my baby at the same time if I needed to.
Good luck traveling and picking out a stroller.
Sarah –
I have a 3 month old and decided not to go the way of the traditional travel system. Instead I kind of "built my own". We got a graco safeseat and this stroller, http://www.amazon.com/Kolcraft-Contours-Options-4-Wheeler-Ruby/dp/B001IDYMTI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1246374783&sr=8-3
(It is the Contours Kolkraft.) I like it because of the price, being metal, having big wheels and being really easy to steer with one hand. I also comes with an attachment so that you can remove the seat and just use your car seat. It is a bit heavy and it takes me 2 hands to lift it into the trunk, but that doesn't bother me. You can also turn the seat backwards so your baby can see you, which I like.
I personally like the height of the handle (I'm 5'3) as does my husband (He's almost 6 ft tall).
Jessica –
Sorry, I've never had an umbrella stroller, but thanks for posting! I like the insight from other moms!
Great choice – and a girl can look totally cute in that blue stroller!
I bought the bright blue one for my little girl and she was never mistaken for a boy, even though she was bald until she was almost 2 years old! So if you end up having a girl later on, you can still use it
~Amy
I love the one that you ended up ordering. We never had an umbrella stroller so I didn't have any advice, lol!
Jessica,
Our boys are only weeks apart in age, but I was still surprised to read this post today. I have been totally looking for an umbrella stroller the past two weeks! I have been researching and checking reviews. Anyway, I felt like you were reading my mind! I haven't seen the Chicco before but really like it and it comes in orange, our family favorite! I still haven't made a final decision, but I'm glad you did. Let us know how it works out!
Love the Chicco stroller!! I actually have the bright blue one and I have a daughter! Her eyes are gorgeous in it so I think little girls can ride in it too!!
You will with out a doubt want to take a stroller with you. It makes things way easy and they get it to you right after the fight is over. I strolled my little one right down to the entrance of the plane and they stored it and got it right back to me. It was great to get through the airport quickly with a back pack on.
I have a cheaper one but the one you picked looks great!
Great choice on the stroller! I have the same one in orange. Love it!
Now that you've had the Chicco C6 umbrella stroller for a while, are you happy with it? We are needing to buy a smaller stroller for our 7 month old, but haven't decided on one yet. I like the price of the Chicco, but the reviews I've read of it are only so-so. A lot of people complain that it's not comfortable for taller folks to use. I'm only 5'3", but my husband is 6' so I wondered if that would be a problem.
Yes- I am happy with it. I am 5'0" and Matthew is 6'0". It is a little short for him, but seriously, I am pushing Elias most of the time anyway. I think if Matthew was going to be, we would know in advance and bring our big stroller.
That Chicco stroller is great! I love how lighweight it is as well as how affordable it is!
The stroller which I currently use for travelling is the Mountain Buggy Nano! Love it!
Cheers,
Evelyn