Ten Travel Pushchairs That Really Improve Your Life
Buying a Travel Pushchair
When purchasing a pushchair for travel, consider things like the fold and recline, storage space, and canopy. You should also consider accessories like cup holder, and rain cover.
If you frequently travel, choose a model with an easy fold and is approved by the cabin. The Joie Tourist is the perfect choice for this. Its one-handed mechanism makes it easy to fold while you are juggling a toddler.
Lightweight
A travel pushchair folds quickly and compactly to fit in luggage or the car's boot. They are designed for use with infants from birth and usually come with the option of securing carseats to them but adaptors are required. Some are suitable for toddlers and are used for day trips or on holidays.
There are a myriad of types of travel pushchairs on market, so it's important to decide which one is suitable for your family. For example, if you have children, you may prefer a buggy that has a removable leg rest to ensure that your child's feet won't hang. When selecting a stroller, it is crucial to think about the amount of storage you will need.
If you're a frequent jetsetter and need a compact buggy to fit in your cabin baggage allowance, choose a model which folds down to a size of 48cm, 43cm, and 21.5cm. This is smaller than most hand luggage. A model that has a clever fold that is dynamic can be even more convenient to store away, as it will be able to snap into itself as an ordinary book.
Another good alternative is to purchase an automobile seat bundle. This will help you save time searching for compatible components as well as money. A brand bundle typically includes a pushchair and a car seat that are designed to be compatible in terms of design and fit. Some brands include extras such as a cup holder or parent organizers, which can be useful when traveling.
Some brands sell different add-ons like a newborn baby bassinet or rain cover that can transform your travel pushchair into twin pushchairs or a double pram pushchair buggy. These are especially useful if you have older siblings and want to ensure that they all have a place to sit while traveling.
Easy to fold
Travel pushchairs should be easy to fold, especially in smaller spaces such as the cabin of an airplane or train. The Joie Pact Pro is a great example, with a one-handed mechanism that our parent tester found extremely easy to use. This makes it ideal for parents who plan to take their baby with them on flights and local excursions and day trips.
Another alternative is a travel system bundle that incorporates the pushchair twin and the baby car seat from the same manufacturer. You can be sure the car seat will fit in your pushchair, and work with the chassis you've selected for your child. The bundles can be less expensive than purchasing each piece separately. However, it is crucial to ensure that the components are compatible before purchasing.
If you plan to use your pushchair to travel on rough terrain, choose one with a sturdy base with wide and large wheels that can cope with bumps and lumps. Smaller wheels are hard to control on anything other than smooth surfaces. Reversible seats can also be useful, as your baby can be seated with the parent for a while, and then turn to look out into the world as they grow older.
Depending on the season you're planning to travel you'll also have to consider whether your stroller will offer the protection against weather that you require. A sunshade to help protect your baby's skin from harmful UV rays and a rain cover to stop snow or water from entering the pushchair are essential features. Make sure you buy a rain cover specifically designed specifically for your model of pushchair, rather than an unspecific one.
A lightweight and compact design are essential criteria for any pushchair - however, this is especially true of travel pushchairs, which must be able to fold away easily to a tiny size. The Bugaboo Butterfly is one of the most compact pushchairs on the market. It can also be put in the overhead luggage compartments (but not all) of some airlines. Our testers with parents found it extremely comfortable to ride in with her toddler with a large and high-quality seat that reclines for comfy naps.
Easy to manoeuvre
It's crucial to be able fold and move the pushchair quickly and easily if you are navigating busy bus or train stations with a child sleeping. This will allow you to get off and on the vehicle without disturbing your child. Look for models that have smooth swivel wheels at the front, which makes it easier to move and turn your stroller.
Typically, travel pushchairs have smaller wheels than other types of strollers to keep their weight and size to a minimum however, if you're looking for something that can handle rough terrain or for a walk to the beach, select one that has bigger, more robust wheels to take on this type of challenge.
Some retailers and brands offer travel systems that include the car seats, pushchairs and any extras you may require. This is an excellent option when you know what you want but do not want to spend a lot of time searching for parts that are compatible. Make sure that the components you purchase work together before purchasing any travel bundle. You can find this information on websites of certain brands or ask an agent.
Easy to store
If you are planning to put a pushchair for travel in your car's boot or in the overhead bin of an airplane, it needs to be small and foldable. It's also beneficial if the pushchair is equipped with a harness for the shoulder so you can hold it with one hand, especially if your child falls asleep!
When selecting a travel pushchair, think about how often you'll use it and the type of terrain you'll have to cover. For instance, some buggies are designed for strolling around town or on smooth surfaces, and don't be able to handle rough terrain or on the beach. If you're planning on going off-road and need a more sturdy buggy, ensure it has suspension and larger wheels that are able to handle rougher surfaces.
If you plan to use it from the time of birth, then consider a stroller for travel with a newborn bag. The Babyzen Yoyo2 has a brilliant one-hand folding and many add-ons including a bassinet for newborns as well as a rain cover. an extremely comfortable foot muff.
If you only plan to use it for brief excursions and vacations then you might want to consider a stroller equipped with a car-seat adaptor which can be connected to the chassis. This will allow you to keep your child in their car seat for the duration of the trip. Many travel systems include a car seat that is already fitted, but you can also build your own custom bundle if you prefer.
When choosing a travel system, bear in mind that it will often cost more than if you buy the separate items separately, so think about how much use you'll get from each part. It is important to consider the cost of a base to attach your car seat to the pushchair and any adaptors that you may require. You can purchase these items in stores or online - some brands even offer bundles that include them all, making it easy to design your dream travel system!