Stroller Saturday #7

Given that I haven't gone to bed yet, I'm going to pretend that it's still Saturday...  And the stroller du jour is...

The Joovy Caboose

Basic Stats: Tandem stroller.  Includes universal car seat adapter (works with all the usual suspects.)  Front seat has 2-position recline.  Back area has seat or standing platform for an older child.  Suitable from 6 months; suitable from birth with use of a car seat.  Available in four colours.  Weighs 26 lbs.  Both front and back seat will carry up to 45 lbs.

Who Drives These:  Smart parents of children with a couple of years between them.

What I Think:  If I had to drive a double stroller, I'd want a tandem.  I just can't imagine driving a double-wide around...  And I know I get slightly annoyed trying to get out of the way of them.  This stroller is a brilliant idea, especially if you've got a slightly older child who may or may not want to sit in a stroller all the time - they can easily hop on and off of the rear platform.

Overall Verdict: At only $179.95, the Joovy Caboose is amongst the least expensive doubles strollers you'll find.  And, with its unique design, you'll be easily toting around the kids!  Granted, it's not ideal for two kids of the same age, but most families end up with, well, at least nine months between kids...  It's not the fanciest of strollers, but the high end stroller companies seem to focus on single strollers, so if it's a double you need, you may have to lower your aspirations slightly...  In the end, I'm a huge fan of this stroller.  I don't see myself needing a stroller, not to mention a double stroller, for years to come, but if I needed one now, this would be high in the running!

Stroller Saturday #6

Quick note.  I'm watching the Grammy's.  What is Carrie Underwood wearing?  Me and my lack of wardrobe stylists have an excuse for not looking great, but...  Okay, onto strollers.  One stroller, to be specific...

The UPPAbaby G-LiTE

Basic Stats: [Not much to say here.  Umbrella stroller.]  Suitable from 6 months.  Available in four colours.  Weighs 8.3 lbs., and will carry up to 40 lbs.

Who Drives These:  Parents of toddlers.  Those who probably have to do a lot of folding and unfolding of their stroller!  Those who have done a bit more research about what umbrella stroller to get - not because this stroller is better than others, but it's less common.  I've seen the UPPAbaby Vista in the wild on many occasions, but not the G-LiTE.

What I Think:  I'm partial to the Maclaren Volo when we're talking extremely lightweight umbrella strollers, but this is a good alternative.  (Something cool - the G-LiTE can stand upright when folded.)

Overall Verdict:  UPPAbaby's a relatively new company, but I'm not sure that they have that many new ideas.  The G-LiTE looks strikingly similar to the Maclaren Volo, and the Vista is a dead ringer for the Bugaboo Cameleon.  Retailing at $129.99, the price on the G-LiTE isn't astoundingly low, either.  I can't help but be excited to see what UPPAbaby comes out with next, though I'm underwhelmed by their current offering.  That being said, the comparison to the Volo should be taken as a compliment - the Volo is a great umbrella stroller!

Stroller Saturday #5

Okay, okay, it's Sunday.  Yesterday was busy in the morning, and then I was unmotivated by the evening to do this.

Which was a bit of a shame as I'm wicked excited about this stroller...

The Stokke Xplory

I'm so excited about this one because Stokke recently added a new colour to the Xplory line-up: Yellow!  There are just so few yellow strollers out there.  I can understand why - manufacturers are only going to make the colours that are going to sell, and you just don't see demand for yellow strollers like you do for pink, blue or red ones.  However, I get excited over unique!

Basic Stats: Includes chassis, seat, (bassinet in the Complete version,) seat insert (for smaller children,) rain cover, mosquito net and shopping bag.  Seat / bassinet height is adjustable.  Adjustable footrest.  Adjustable handle height.  Reversible seat; two-position recline facing the world, three-position recline facing the pusher.  Solid rubber tires.  Compatible with Graco SnugRide, Peg Primo Vaiggio and Maxi-Cosi Mico with the purchase of an adapter.    Lots of matching accessories available.  Suitable from birth.  Available in seven colours (now!)  Weighs 23 lbs., and will carry up to 45 lbs.

Who Drives These: Fancy parents!  The Xplory is always sure to turn heads.  These are growing in popularity, but are still relatively rare in the wild.  They're also amongst the most expensive strollers out there - the Basic version runs $999.99, and the Complete version, which includes the bassinet / carry cot, will cost you $1,199.99.  People who drive Xplorys love them, though.  I've talked to a few people about them, and they love to talk about the stroller and all its features.

What I Think: I really like the Xplory.  Stokke is an interesting company - they have focused mostly on furniture but are really working to expand the reach of their stroller.  I love the colours this is available in, and, of course, I'm a huge fan of the unique look of the stroller.  The price is a bit shocking, but the Basic version is only $100 more than the Cameleon, which so many people do already have.

Overall Verdict: The height of the Xplory is its stand-out attribute, and I think it's a good one.  There are many pictures of the stroller being just rolled up to a table, rather than needing a separate high chair.  The only downsides that I can really come up with are a) the price (whoa,) and b) the shopping basket - I just can't imagine how that bag can hold that much stuff.  (Apparently, I plan on carrying a lot when I have a kid to stroll around.)  Overall, though, very cool, distinctive stroller!

Thanks to Stokke for taking a chance on Yellow!  Along with the Yellow Xplory, Stokke recently introduced a new accessory set for the Xplory - the Moods Accessory Kit.  These include a canopy, parasol, diaper wallet and bottle bag and add a bit of pizzazz to an Xplory.  Available in a couple of colour combinations, this cute new kit give you some options to make your Xplory stand out in a crowd...  As if the Xplory needs that!

Stroller Saturday #4

Today, we come to possibly the most-recognized stroller of the stars...

The Bugaboo Cameleon

First of all, why did Bugaboo insist on spelling "Cameleon" without the h???  Honestly, I have no idea.

Basic Stats: Includes chassis, seat / bassinet frame, bassinet fabric / structure, seat fabric / structure, underseat bag, raincover and carry bar.  Handlebar rotates so that either (lockable) swivel wheels are facing forward (normal) or large, foam-filled tires are facing forward (for rough terrain.)  Height-adjustable handlebar.  Reversible seat has three-positive recline.  Requires purchase of an adapter, but compatible with the Peg Primo Viaggio, Graco SugRide and Maxi-Cosi Mico car seats.  Tons of colour-coordinated accessories available, including footmuffs, canopies, diaper bags, etc.  Suitable from birth (using bassinet.)  Available in a zillion colour combinations.  (Reality: Base is available in six normal colours, plus denim.  Tailored Fabric is available in nine canvas colours, six fleece colours, denim, and, in a few weeks, four Paul Frank limited edition patterns.  Oh, plus the Bugaboo by Marc Jacobs, pictured below.)  Weighs 20 lbs., and will carry up to 45 lbs.

Who Drives These: Seemingly, all of Hollywood.  Claudia Schiffer, Matt Damon, Gwen Stefani actually owns one of the fifteen Cameleons designed by Marc Jacobs:

(I love the idea of a black frame, myself.)

Otherwise, lots of non-celebrities also drive this.  I have a hard time walking down the streets of the South End of Boston without encountering one of these.  (And, it's all but impossible to not encounter at least a Bugaboo of some sort, Cameleon, Frog or Bee.)  Cameleons have become something of a status symbol.

What I Think: Well, I can't not love all the colour options!  My favourite is the one pictured above, with the red base and orange fabrics.  This stroller is packed with features, between the versatile handlebar to the different wheeling options.  You can even take the swivel wheels off to pull it in the snow!  The coolest part, however, is that Bugaboo understood that a stroller with this many features was possibly going to be a little confusing, so they colour-coded it!  Everything white on the stroller represents some action - Push certain buttons, and the seat comes off.  Push others and the seat reclines.  Another white button is the brake, another allows you to flip the handlebar over.  Sure, it may take some figuring out what button is for what (though they make sense if you think for a hot second,) but you know you'll get it to work if you push everything white!

Overall Verdict: I really like the Bugaboo Cameleon.  The only problem?  So does everyone else.  For my stroller, I'd want one that I wasn't going to see everywhere.  I'm not asking for a one-of-a-kind, but I'd like to be able to walk around and not run into ten of the same in one stroll.  For $899, it's not cheap, but it does have a lot of great features, and it's cool-looking.  For those will to spend the money, it's certainly not a bad options, and certainly not one that you wouldn't already be thinking of!  It's definitely not an umbrella stroller - folding this guy is a bit of a bear (it involves removing the seat, sometimes the wheels, too, and then folding,) so it's not the most transportable, but if you're using it in the city on a daily basis, it's a smooth push!

[Final note here.  If anyone ever wants my opinions on strollers, please let me know, I'll definitely have them!]

Stroller Saturday #3

Today, I chose my stroller.  Mainly because I forgot to run the random number generator on my stroller list at work...

The Quinny Buzz 4-Wheel Stroller

This stroller is new to the world in 2009, with a slight alteration on the original Quinny Buzz, which has three wheels.  The more the better?

Basic Stats: Includes stroller, adapters (for Maxi-Cosi Mico Car Seat,)bug net, rain shield, removable seat pad.  Adjustable handlebar.  Two-position, reclining seat.  Reversible seat.  Rear wheel suspension.  Adjustable footrest.  Awesome unfolding technology, using gas springs to automatically unfold.  Scotchgard-protected foam seat.  Suitable from 6 months; suitable from birth with use of Dreami Bassinet.  Available in four colors.  Weighs 26 lbs., and will carry up to 40 lbs.

Who Drives These: I see these strolling around the streets of Boston fairly regularly these days.  (Actually, that's a total lie.  I've never seen this 4-wheel version in the wild.  I'm on the lookout!  But, to group the Buzz 4 in with the Buzz 3 is not too big of a leap.)  I associate this stroller with chic, hip parents.  Chic, hip daddies, actually.  With the cool unfolding mechanism, I can't help but wonder if it was a dad out there that wanted to add a little wow-factor to his stroller...

What I Think: This stroller is definitely in my top ten for "general strollers" (ie, not lightweight, not jogging.)  I swing back and forth almost monthly on how much I love it.  It's definitely cool-looking, and it's definitely got some cool features.  I like the fact that Quinny came out with a four-wheel version of this, and the three-wheeled one always looked a little precarious to me.  However, I don't like the new colours.  2008 colours included my favourite - orange!  2009?  Black (classic, I know, but unexciting,) "Strawberry" (an ugly red-pink,) "Apple" (more of an olive green) and Gold (which is the most exciting colour, and a little on the daring side.  How many yellow strollers do you see around?)  Regardless, I miss the orange.

Overall Verdict: Luckily, I don't have a child yet, and can therefore hold out in the hopes that Quinny rethinks their colours on this stroller, truly bringing it into the running for me!  At $629.99 (see here,) it's not cheap, but not too ridiculous either.  (Cool unfolding feature!)  (Oh, of course there's a video of the stroller.  The lady is British, so that's fun.  It is a long video - the cool unfolding happens right at the end, I suggest fast-forwarding...)

And...  That's it for this stroller!

Stroller Saturday #2

#2!  Unless I'm having a truly inspired Saturday, I've decided to randomly pick a stroller to write about each Saturday.  This week's lucky stroller?

The Kolcraft Contours Options 4 Wheeler Stroller

Basic Stats: Includes reversible stroller, cup holder and universal car seat adapter (compatible with Graco SnugRide, Peg Primo Viaggio, etc.).  Reclining seat.  Suitable from birth.  Available in Red and Blue.  Weighs 29 lbs., and will carry up to 45 lbs.

Who Drives These: These strike me as Bugaboo knock offs.  The seat shape, the frame shape, the wheels...  All screams "Bugaboo"...  Just not quite the same quality.  However, for $139.95, this stroller is clearly a deal.  I think that people driving these are looking for the modern style without the price.

What I Think: I think these are... okay for the price.  Clearly, if we're comparing them to Bugaboos, they're a lot lower on the quality scale, but they're also less than a quarter of the price of the Frog.  I definitely think there are better strollers out there - even for the price.  The Options Stroller has very few features, so it seems that much of what you're paying for is the shape.

Overall Verdict: I think there are better strollers out there for the money.  If it's strictly the style you're looking for, find a different favourite style or find some more money.  (Regardless, anyone who's seen a Bugaboo before will be able to tell the difference, so don't actually try passing this off as one...)

And that's it for this Stroller Saturday!  If you're in the Boston area, stay safe and warm tonight!

Stroller Saturday #1

Welcome to my newly-created blog.  Who'd've thunk?

Due to my deep-seated love for strollers, I'm going to set aside Saturdays to babble about strollers.  (Holy crap.  Did I just commit to blogging on a weekly basis?  About strollers?  I don't even own a stroller!)  (C'est la vie!)  Here we go!

Given that I've not done this before, I'm not going to start out with my favourite stroller.  Nor my second favourite.  I'm going to begin with one that is a solid stroller, just not one I'd ever see myself owning.  I am, after all, a total stroller snob.

The Bumbleride Indie

You'll find quickly that I am likely to focus more on what the stroller looks like, rather than the practical usage of it.  However, I'll be sure to give some basics as well.

Basic Stats: Includes stroller, footmuff, cup holder.  Includes universal car seat adapter (which definitely works with the Graco SnugRide and Peg Perego Primo Viaggio.)  Has an adjustable handlebar(!)  Front wheel can swivel or lock.  Four-position reclining seat.  Suitable from birth.  Available in five colours.  Weighs 20 lbs., and will carry up to 45 lbs.

Who Drives These: (This is the part where I tell you the connotations I have with this stroller.  Fun!)  I associate the Bumbleride Indie with hip parents.  Bumbleride is a fun brand, though not incredibly well-known.  I think the people driving an Indie are either wanting a stroller that isn't on every block (anywhere) or wanting a design-focused stroller...  But without too big of a price tag!  (Indies retail for $399.99.)

What I Think: So, I have a mostly-love relationship with this stroller.  It's fairly compact, love the aluminum frame for the most part.  I love love love the Ruby Red colour - the lining reminds me of some Knoll Textile, which I'm thinking must have been discontinued, as I can't find it.  In the end, though, it's just not quite sleek enough.  All the clearly-visible hardware just throws me off a bit.

Overall Verdict: For under $400 (see here,) versatile in its ability to work for light jogging, and really great colour choices, I love seeing these in the wild.  Great stroller with lots of included features...  Just not quite on my short list!

And that's it (on strollers) till next week!  I promise more single, childless, twenty-something-appropriate blabbering in the near future!