Having a child is not only a great joy, but also certain restrictions placed on parents. If, for example, a couple loves to travel or take vacations abroad, having a baby can force them to stop such activities at least temporarily. Many are waiting for the baby to grow up enough to be able to walk confidently, because they believe that you cannot take the stroller with you.
In the conditions of a developed modern market, the concept of "impossible" has practically disappeared. Manufacturers are ready to offer anything for consideration to the consumer, just to satisfy his needs and withstand competition. Specialized strollers that are optimized for travel also exist.
Features and requirements
It should be clarified right away that a stroller designed for active travel of parents may be deprived of many of the usual amenities. It is not always practical to acquire it in a situation when parents do not go somewhere very often, and there is no second stroller.
If parents are undemanding to functionality, you can limit yourself to one stroller. Such nuances should be known in advance - according to them, they choose a good model for travel.
The most suitable and most convenient option may be the article: stroller rental for the duration of the trip: this service is offered by many hotels.
Lightweight and compact
Lightweight and compact - the first two and one hundred percent mandatory characteristics for such a stroller. The design will constantly have to be carried in your hands. It will need to be placed in the luggage compartments of trains, buses and planes. Hosts need to be sure that there will be no problems with this. It must be a folding model, and it is unacceptable that the disassembly and assembly procedures take more than a few seconds. The lighter and smaller, the better. As a result, the product usually has a small shopping basket (or none at all).
Functionality
Functional comfort is another requirement that the best travel stroller must meet. Parents probably want to go for a walk on vacation at any time, and not sit in the room, waiting for the child to get enough sleep and be able to ride in a stroller. Simple adjustment of the backrest with the possibility of sitting and lying down is a must.
It is important that the baby is comfortable in the stroller. There should be enough space, and the protective hood should be large and reliably protect from the sun and rain.
Maneuverability
The ability to maneuver easily and simple controls will be especially useful on vacation, where you may not have to walk on wide sidewalks at all. Light weight meets the stated requirements. However, the small size affects the diameter of the wheels, which react to the slightest unevenness of the surface. In this regard, maneuverability for a mini-stroller is even more important - not being an all-terrain vehicle, it must at least be able to squeeze through and avoid obstacles.
For this purpose, it is useful for the front wheels to be able to rotate around their axis. To prevent the stroller from rolling off the slope, special clamps and brakes are useful.
Equipment
The complete set increases the weight of the vehicle, not facilitating travel, but it is necessary at the same time. Our compatriots are accustomed to the fact that travel is usually warm regions, therefore they forget that there are sudden cold snaps, a clear wind and rain. Therefore, the supplied raincoat and a blanket for the legs are clear advantages.
In the case of the southern edges, a special mosquito net for the stroller will also be a very useful addition. A shopping basket may be useful for mom.
Aesthetics
Beauty and style are also important, because people often go on vacation “to see others, to show themselves”. The kid will also like it if his transport is attractive. At the same time, experts advise paying more attention to light options. They repel the sun's rays, so they will definitely be more useful on holidays in the south.
Kinds
All strollers are divided into two types: "canes" and "books". It should be immediately clarified that strollers for travel are almost always just "canes", but exceptions are possible from any rule.
The standard "cane" is significantly lighter and smaller. It is usually not adapted in any way for the cold season, and even does not have a solid seat (this is necessary for a more compact folding). However, for a short vacation, this is not a problem at all.
The cane is quite maneuverable, but you usually need to use both hands to control it, since the stroller often has two handles. You should not be distracted from the control - the weight is saved, including the absence of shock absorbers. The folded "cane" is compact, but it must be placed horizontally or supported on something, since the structure in this form is unstable. The prices for such models are usually relatively low.
The "book" will be a more appropriate choice if all planned trips are supposed to be made by private car. Then you can not limit yourself to the warm season. It weighs more, takes up a lot of space even when folded, but the trunk of a car easily solves this problem.
There is a kind of "book" somewhat more expensive "cane", but it is more convenient to operate and has excellent cross-country ability. For this reason, it can be used as the only baby stroller that will come in handy when traveling.
Tips for choosing
It remains to separately focus on some points that for some reason are ignored by many parents.
Reliability and durability
Traveling with a child requires even more reliable strollers than for everyday use, even if the journey is short. Just imagine what would happen if a family with a baby was in another country, and the stroller suddenly broke down. In this situation, the rest will be hopelessly ruined, and the task of returning home will be complicated several times.
The strength of the frame and the reliability of the retaining brakes must be checked with particular care. It is worth overpaying for a good level of confidence in transport. This model can then be resold when the child grows up.
Convenience
A comfortable stroller is the key to a good parent's rest. The conditions around them can completely suit parents and dispose to long walks or a quality beach vacation. However, the baby's needs are completely different.
Some hotels in well-known resorts offer hourly babysitting services, which allows parents to relax without leaving their baby alone. However, the extra charge in such hotels, even for one vacation, can be more waste for the family budget than the banal purchase of a normal stroller.
Climate accounting
Many families, going to the sea, assume that it will be warm and even hot there. This is most likely true, but there are exceptions, and it is much easier for adults to warm up and protect themselves than for a baby. Particular attention should be paid to the presence of a mosquito net, because the water always has much more insects. Due to age, the kid should not use mosquito sprayers.
Given that parents often want to be in the sun itself, it is worth making sure that the stroller's hood is not only light (if possible), but also allows ventilation without a strong draft and penetration of sunlight.
Rating of popular models and reviews
Baby product companies regularly update their lineup to make travel strollers even more attractive to shoppers. Consider several models of strollers that meet all of the above requirements and are popular in our country in the spring-summer of 2018.
Glory 1109
A good example of how a travel stroller can be good and quite inexpensive (3.5-5 thousand rubles). This model is designed for children from 6 months to 3 years old, so it will not help with an infant. There is no truly lying position here, although the baby will be able to sleep for a while. This stroller is appreciated because it is not so strictly tied to the season. Being of little use in winter, it copes well with its tasks in summer, autumn or spring.
The model is criticized relatively infrequently; the lack of a viewing window in the hood is considered a disadvantage.
Peg-Perego Si Completo
This model is more expensive (17-19 thousand rubles), but many buyers agree that its quality and functionality allow the manufacturer to ask for that kind of money. Travelers note a peculiarity for “walking sticks”: such a stroller is stable when folded even in an upright position. The material of the hood protects the baby from direct sunlight. He is able to pass air, therefore, conditions for the child are almost better than for his parents. At the same time, the fabric elements are non-marking, they can be periodically wiped. There is also a fairly spacious basket for things.
Aside from the criticism of the high cost, the disadvantage is the inability to turn the child so that he was traveling facing his parents.
Chicco Lite Way Top Stroller
This model for the price is an intermediate option between the two described (10-11 thousand rubles). However, it is good in that it allows use for a child from the moment of birth. Consumers like the product as a stroller. It is advised to buy even those people who do not travel with babies, because it is comfortable and compact, and the covers are easy to remove for washing. Many people note the attractive appearance of the stroller, as well as the relatively low cost. There is very little criticism of this model, it concerns the lack of a viewing window.
Geoby C409
This model can be a good option if the previous ones for some reason did not fit. It is difficult to identify any special characteristics of this stroller. This is a good travel stroller, as its advantages are described in quite standard words: lightweight, comfortable, compact, beautiful.
Almost no one writes about the shortcomings of the model. The only complaint is that the seat is turned with its back to the driving person. However, this characteristic can be attributed to many strollers.
Can I take a stroller on the plane?
Many parents do not travel with their kids on long trips because they do not know how to take a stroller with them on the plane. It should be noted that the flight rules are regulated by each company separately. This point should be clarified in advance (before purchasing tickets). However, there are two ways to transport the stroller:
- The compact, foldable "walking stick" can easily be part of the luggage and stored in the appropriate compartment... Certain restrictions are imposed on the weight of luggage, but a light "cane" usually fits into the framework. If not, you can pay for the excess separately.
- Many airlines do not prevent a small stroller with a child in it right in the cabin. If only it would normally pass along the ladder and not be too bulky. The average permissible size of such a stroller should not exceed 56x45x25 cm (sometimes more is permissible), the weight should be within 7-10 kg.
For information on how to choose a stroller for travel, see the next video.
