Dreamer Design Manhattan Ditto Deluxe Stroller - Upt...
4 Stores $449 - $450
Stroller Buying Guide
Don’t short change your choice of strollers. How the stroller feels and drives can make the difference between great outings and difficult ones. With so many makes and models on the market, how do you begin to narrow your options? You can start by thinking about where you live, where you’ll be taking your child and what you need to bring with you when you go. Have more than one child? There are strollers that can tow the entire family. Pronto’s Stroller Buying Guide takes you through all the points you need to consider before clicking the “buy now” button (see also Jogging Stroller Buying Guide, Baby Carrier Buying Guide).
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the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
You won’t buy just one
Most parents wind up buying more than one stroller to meet different needs. A light weight stow-and-go stroller just can’t be used for a jog, but is great for maneuvering crowded mall shopping racks. The “one stroller fits all uses” really doesn’t exist.
Safety
Look for five-point harnesses that restrain your child at the shoulders, hips and crotch to prevent your child from slipping in the seat. Also look for rear-wheel brakes, mechanism locks that prevent the stroller from folding or collapsing when in use.
Ease of use
Check the weight of the stroller before you buy and don’t forget to add that to your child’s weight to calculate how much you’ll be pushing around every day. Ditto its physical dimensions to ensure it will fit easily in your trunk or hatchback. Are you tall? Check out models with adjustable handles.
Wheels matter
The general rule is that bigger wheels are best for heavy running and strolling over rough terrain. Smaller wheels are better for walking on smooth surfaces. Air-filled tires make for a better ride and longer-lasting stroller. Ditto non-rusting aluminum alloy wheels.
Must have extras
The list of extras can be long, and even includes built in stereo sound. We recommend the following must haves: A rotating sun canopy so you can shield baby’s face from the sun. A cup holder so mom and dad stay hydrated. And lastly, think of storage like a closet. You’ll likely fill it to the brim. We like to travel light. Don’t always choose the model that has “extra storage” or your stroller could wind up like a mobile Toys-R-Us.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
The Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe Darius ($130) is a full-sized standard stroller with the bells and whistles but not the price tag of much more chic, expensive models. It features parent-friendly ‘one-hand gravity fold’ and multiple recline settings to make sure your baby is comfortable while touring the world or napping during your shopping trip. Graco has an excellent parent-approved pedigree bu...
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experts say
Parenting Magazine – Kolcraft Tour Sport Universal Stroller won Parenting Magazine’s BabyTalk Editor’s Choice. “It's easy to haul in and out of your trunk over and over again, and narrow enough to navigate store aisles with ease.” Source: Parenting Magazine
Parents.com – “Silver Cross makes practical strollers for parents who want style but not heft. In fact, the Silver Cross Micro Stroller (6 months and up, $110) weighs less than 10 pounds, despite having a comfy spring suspension system.” Source: Parents.com
National Parenting Publication Awards – says The Valco Baby Buggster Stroller“…for children from 3 months up to 45 pounds combines the convenience of a lightweight umbrella stroller with the comfort and performance features of an all-terrain stroller. It's easy to set up and fold, features a multi-position reclining seat, offers plenty of storage underneath, folds compactly, and…easy to maneuver with one hand. The large, rounded hood offers maximum protection, and the stroller comes with a rain cover, zip-in UV protection, and a boot cover.” Source: Parenthood.com
celebrity buzz
What strollers are the celebrities using?
Keeping in shape is top priority for Hollywood moms, and jogging sheds post pregnancy pounds fast. Oscar winning actress Rachel Weisz and star Jennifer Garner push their tots in the Quinny Buzz all-terrain stroller. This stroller is a sleek modern looking model with brushed aluminum, matte black accents, and choice of colorful seats. Cleary the Quinny Buzz would be at home on the red carpet too...
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Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
| Price | Description | Good Pick (see all Strollers) |
| $ | Expect to pay up to $150 for basic umbrella and no- or some-frills standard strollers. Standard strollers in this price range offer decent suspension, good maneuverability and storage options for baby’s things and yours. |
Compare prices at 9 stores $129 - $150 |
| $$ | Strollers in the $150-400 range are fancier versions of their budget-priced peers and may offer one-touch closing, lighter-weight frames, UV-protective materials and weather-resistant covers and stain-resistant fabric options. |
Compare prices at 5 stores $125 - $245 |
| $$$ | High-end strollers ($400+) feature the most contemporary looks and lightest weights, reversible facing seats, reversible handles to manage varying terrains, hand brakes and swivel wheels. Even so, they may be more difficult to fold than less-expensive and less-trendy strollers. Jogging and high-capacity strollers also fall into this range. |
Compare prices at 8 stores $759 - $760 |
shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
5-point Harness
Car seat harnesses that attach at both shoulders, both hips and at the crotch for a total of five attachment points. Beware models that only feature 3 attachment points They are not recommended by either Consumer Reports nor the American Association of Pediatrics.
Umbrella Stroller
Lightweight, easily-folded stroller with a metal frame and a sling-like seat. These inexpensive strollers are good for short shopping trips or travel because of their compact nature, but aren’t durable. A good second option to have on hand, but not a stroller for everyday or the long haul. Not a good choice for infants who need back and head support.
Standard Stroller
These strollers offer a variety of seat positions including full recline for infants, partial and full recline. More solidly-constructed than umbrella strollers, standard strollers are a good choice for every day and offer more comfort for baby (padded seats, sun canopies) and convenience for parents and caretakers (storage and adjustable handles).
Jogging Strollers
These strollers have three large wheels instead of the usual four which enable them to handle a variety of terrains. Feature sets are similar to other stroller types, but you’ll pay for the design, more compact size and lighter weight. See the Pronto Buying Guide for Jogging Strollers.
Travel-system Stroller
Travel systems are combination car seat/strollers. The infant seat locks into the base that remains in the car as well as the base of the stroller. Once your baby outgrows the infant seat, remove the base from the stroller and use the stroller on its own.
High-capacity Stroller
Strollers that accommodate two or more infants or children of various sizes/ages. High-capacity strollers come in a variety of seating configurations (side-by-side seats, front-to-back seats, back-to-back seats, stadium seating and sit-and-stand which allow older children to stand on a platform while the smaller child sits and still be pushed).
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We've compiled this group of information links to help you further your research