Smart Shopping: Strollers
Getting Started l Types l Features l Brands
A stroller is one of the most important pieces of baby gear you'll buy. And as your baby grows, you might end up with more than one. Many parents buy a traditional stroller for everyday use and a lighter-weight one for traveling. You might even want a more rugged stroller for jogging or simply negotiating uneven sidewalks.
GETTING STARTED
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There are dozens of choices of strollers on the market, everything from the lightest-weight umbrella strollers to heavy-duty, midsized strollers, to carriages, jogging strollers, and models designed to carry two or more children. For a newborn, you can find a basic frame that can support almost any infant car seat. Or, consider a fully reclining stroller with leg holes that close, so your baby doesn't slip and get trapped.
Another option is a travel system, which consists of an infant car seat, a car-seat base for your car, and a stroller. Some jogging strollers are sold as travel systems, and other strollers function as travel systems by allowing you to attach an infant car seat. When babies reach 6 months old or can sit up and control their head and neck movements, you can use the stroller alone, without the infant seat snapped in. The down side? Until then, you have to push your baby in a stroller plus a car seat, which can be unwieldy to push.
A final option is a combo stroller, which functions as a carriage and a stroller. This stroller is a hybrid that consists of a stroller chassis with wheels that can be used with various manufacturers' car seats. It includes a removable bassinet, which converts it into a carriage, so your newborn baby can fully recline, and a removable stroller seat to use when your baby is ready to sit up.
Today, manufacturers are offering strollers with a more modern look, and with more choices in fabric colors and textures (such as breathable fabric, warmer materials, etc.). Strollers also have more convenience features such as sun shades, telescoping handlebars, swiveling or locking wheels, adjustable seating (forward- or rear-facing), one-hand folding, and the ability to fold flat.
Also, more strollers that are lightweight and portable and travel easily are coming on the market, as are more car-seat compatible strollers. All-terrain and jogging strollers are increasingly popular, too, enabling parents to fit in a workout while they're out with their child.
Stroller options can be dizzying. Use our stroller guide to find out which are the right wheels for you and your baby.
Select it yourself
Strollers are popular baby gifts and shower presents. Still, you should shop for a stroller yourself, and then register for it at a department or baby store if you want to receive it as a gift. Strollers, like cars, are highly personal items. You'll probably use your stroller often, and your baby will spend a lot of time in it. You should love the one you end up with.
Let your lifestyle be your guide
City dwellers who rely on subways, buses, and cabs will need a lightweight but sturdy stroller that folds quickly and is compact. A stroller with large, air-filled tires is recommended if you'll be going for long walks and your vehicle is big enough to accommodate it. Besides being more shock-absorbing, those strollers typically have cushier seats that give more support. If you'll be strolling through snow, or on unpaved roads or grass, a model with large wheels is the way to go. Under those conditions, a stroller with small wheels might be difficult or impossible to push. If you're athletic, you might want an all-terrain or jogging stroller for walking or jogging workouts.
Don't go by price alone
As you'll find out when you're shopping, there's a wide price range among types and brands. What makes one stroller worth $100 and another $750? Several things drive up the price.
Higher-end strollers are usually made of high-grade, lighter-weight aluminum, and are easier to lift in and out of a car or navigate on and off of buses and trains. The seat is cushier, with more back support, and is likely to be made of high-quality fabric. And because they often feature large, shock-absorbing swivel wheels, higher-end strollers are usually easier to push and a smoother ride for babies.
Bigger-ticket strollers also have such amenities as adjustable handles, which can save your back if you're tall, and a reversible seat so your baby can face toward or away from you. They tend to be durable enough to be passed along from child to child.
But that doesn't mean a lower-end stroller won't serve you well. A lot depends on where and how much you'll use the stroller. For infrequent travel or trips to the mall, a lower-end umbrella stroller (less than $100) might be all you need. But if you're going to be strolling more often and through all kinds of weather and conditions, consider spending more. Good-quality traditional strollers start at about $250.
That said, a higher price doesn't always mean higher quality. Consumer Reports' tests have shown that some economical strollers can perform as well as or better than models costing hundreds of dollars more. Even the most sophisticated models can have typical stroller flaws: malfunctioning wheels, frames that bend out of shape, locking mechanisms that fail, safety belts that come loose, or buckles that break.
Give it a test drive
Take the models you're considering for a spin in the store, even if you plan to buy online. Compare maneuverability and practice opening and closing it -- with one hand as well as two. See how easy it is to adjust the backrest, lift and carry the stroller, and apply the rear brakes. Make sure you can stand tall when you push the stroller and that your legs and feet don't hit the wheels as you walk.
If you and your spouse will use the stroller, you should both try it out. Some models have adjustable handles, an important feature if one parent is taller than the other. If possible, take the floor model you're considering out to your car to be sure it will fit in your trunk when it's folded. Also, jiggle the stroller. The frame should feel solid, not loose.
Consider your baby's age
Newborns can't sit up, so they need a stroller that lets them lie on their backs for the first few months, or one that can hold an infant car seat. Don't use a traditional stroller that doesn't fully recline -- including an umbrella-style stroller -- until your child can sit up, usually at about 6 months old.
If you buy a stroller that fully reclines for an infant, make sure that it has a wall surrounding all sides above the retention space. In addition, you can use the cover or stroller boot the manufacturer sometimes supplies for the foot area/leg holes so your baby can't possibly slip through, or use the bassinet that might come with the stroller.
Some models that recline the seat and the seatback together (keeping the child in a "seated" position) are available for babies from birth to 6 months old. It is essential that the 5-point harness always be used, especially in this case.
Check certification
Somewhere on a stroller's frame or carton, there should be a certification sticker showing that the stroller meets the minimum requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) voluntary standard and that its manufacturer takes part in the certification program administered by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). The key tests are for restraint system, brakes, leg openings, and locking mechanisms that prevent accidental folding, and for stability and the absence of sharp edges. The program is voluntary, and models from uncertified companies might be as safe as those from certified ones. But all things being equal, choose a certified model. Companies that are certified are: Baby Trend, Britax, Bugaboo, Delta Enterprise, Dorel Juvenile Group, Evenflo, Go-Go Babyz, Graco, Hauck Fun for Kids, J. Mason, Joovy, Kolcraft, Maclaren, Mia Moda, and Peg-Pérego.
Evaluate warranties and return policies
Most stroller manufacturers and retailers have warranties that cover poor workmanship and inherent flaws, but they won't necessarily take the unit back if it malfunctions. Manufacturers might refer you to the store for a replacement or insist that you ship the stroller back for repair -- at your expense -- leaving you stranded without baby wheels. Your best bet is to purchase the stroller from a store, catalog, or Web site that offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.
Keep the packaging the stroller comes in until you're sure you want to keep the stroller and ask about a store's return policy (usually 30 days). It's not uncommon to buy a stroller many months in advance. If you're shopping that far ahead, you'll want to buy from a store with a flexible or long-term return policy.
TYPES
Your first decision is which type of stroller you want to buy. You might want more than one -- such as a traditional stroller and a lighter-weight model for traveling -- though you might be able to get along fine with just one, depending on what you select as your main set of wheels. Here are types of strollers, listed in order of age appropriateness.
Seat-carrier frames
Because newborns can't sit up without support, they can't ride in a standard stroller -- that is, one that doesn't fully recline. These lightweight frames have no seat of their own. Instead, you attach an infant car seat for strolling.
Pros: They're compact and convenient, also inexpensive because your car seat does double duty. They let you smoothly get a sleeping baby in and out of the car. When you move a baby in an infant car seat to the stroller frame, you're less likely to wake her.
Cons: The car seat and the frame can no longer be used as a stroller once your child outgrows the seat (at about 1 year).
Combo strollers
These are a combination carriage and stroller. Before your baby can sit up, you can use the stroller's bassinet, snap an infant car seat into the stroller chassis, or, depending on the model, fully recline the seat and close the leg holes. After that, use the stroller seat attachment to wheel around your baby.
Pros: can start using the stroller from Day 1, and because it's designed for infants through toddlers (to 40 pounds or so), you might not have to buy more than one stroller.
Cons: Combo strollers tend to be costly. For example, Bugaboo, which is a popular brand of combo stroller, costs from $680 (the Gecko model) to $880 (the Chameleon). That price includes everything -- the chassis, bassinet, and reversible seat, which weigh a total of about 17 to 20 pounds (an average stroller weight), plus a canopy, rain cover, tire pump and pressure gauge, bug net, under-seat bag for storage items, and maintenance kit. But you'll still need to buy a car seat.
Travel systems
These combine a stroller and an infant car seat; the baby is in the car seat snapped into the stroller until she can sit up, and then you use the stroller without the car seat.
Pros: Like an infant seat with carrier frame, a travel system allows you to move a sleeping baby in the seat undisturbed from car to stroller. Some also can fully recline the seat, so you can use it as a carriage.
Cons: If you select the car seat first, you have to live with the stroller it works with (and vice versa). An alternative is to choose a stroller that can hold car seats from a number of manufacturers. You have to push around a car seat and a stroller, which can be bulky and unmanageable on stairs.
Carriages
These models provide sleeping space for infants. Some have large, spoked wheels and compartments, or "carry cots," that can be removed and used as a bassinet.
Pros: They can be used for newborns and they're convenient for sleeping.
Cons: They're not very portable or user-friendly. If you get the kind with large, spoked wheels, it'll be nearly impossible to maneuver on public transportation, and you'll still need a car seat. Traditional prams, the kind that don't convert to a regular stroller, aren't very popular and few manufacturers produce them. If you want your baby to lie flat when strolling, consider a combo stroller.
Traditional strollers
This category runs the gamut from lightweight strollers to heavy-duty models that weigh 17 to 35 pounds -- and prices reflect that range. Heavy-duty strollers are somewhat bulky but stable, deep, and roomy. Higher-end models may have shock absorbers on all wheels as well. Many strollers have a two-step, one-handed release for folding. Some models are available as part of a travel system.
Pros: Many are lightweight and convenient. They have more features than umbrella strollers, such as a snack tray and a roomy storage basket, and some may accommodate an infant car seat or fully recline and have a wall around all sides above the retention space, so it's possible to use this type of stroller from Day 1.
Cons: Heavier models are difficult to carry on public transportation and to lift into car trunks or minivan cargo areas. And you might still need a car seat. Small wheels don't perform well on uneven sidewalks or rough terrain. The compact size of lighter-weight models might cramp some toddlers, especially when they're dressed in heavy winter clothes.
Umbrella strollers
These are named for their curved, umbrella-like handles, and typically weigh less than 12 pounds. They may have a one-handed release for folding.
Pros: They're lightweight and convenient.
Cons: The compact size of umbrella strollers may cramp infants and toddlers, especially when they're dressed in heavy winter clothes. Because these strollers lack suspension and seat support, they don't provide a cushy ride.
All-terrain strollers
These three-wheel strollers (or traditional-style strollers with larger, air-filled tires) let you push your child on a variety of surfaces, from mall floors to off-road. They have a rugged, outdoorsy look. Many all-terrains have bicycle-type air-filled tires, and larger wheels than a traditional stroller. The larger wheels make the stroller easier to push. All-terrain strollers have a three-wheel design that mimics jogging strollers, but check the user's manual to see if the manufacturer advises against using it for running.
All have a front wheel that swivels for easier maneuvering on smoother surfaces but can be locked for use on rougher surfaces. Many all-terrains are unsuitable for babies under 6months old, with a few exceptions (including one that can accept a car seat).
Pros: They're good for off-road use and provide a relatively smooth ride over rocks, potholes, or uneven sidewalks. Some all-terrain strollers can accommodate heavier children than other strollers can. Several companies offer double or triple all-terrain strollers with a total weight limit of up to 100 pounds or 150 pounds, respectively.
Cons: Three-wheel designs might be unstable when the rear wheels are rolled over a curb. Many all-terrains are not suitable for infants younger than 6 months. They are often large and heavy; some may require you to remove the front and/or rear wheel to fit in a car trunk. Air-filled tires can go flat and require re-inflating with a bicycle pump or a gas-station hose.
Jogging strollers
These three-wheel strollers, with front hand brake, non-swivel or lockable front wheel for serious runners, and large, air-filled tires, let you push your child while you run or jog. Larger wheels make it easier for the runner who's pushing, and the air in the tires helps provide a smoother ride for the little passenger. The long, high handlebar is designed to give running feet and legs more space to avoid bumping into the stroller's frame.
A wrist strap should be attached to your wrist and the stroller at all times when you are running with a child in the stroller; That will give you some control and keep the stroller from getting away from you if you fall or trip. On some brands, the large front wheel does not swivel; on others, it swivels but can be locked into place.
The appropriate minimum age for a child to ride in a jogging stroller is a matter of debate. Most manufacturers suggest a child should be 8 weeks old or older, but our medical consultants say that a baby should be at least 6 months old, able to sit up, and have some head support to withstand the potentially jarring ride. Some jogging strollers are made to accommodate the youngest babies, but that doesn't mean you should sprint with your newborn. Brisk walks are a better idea.
Pros: Jogging strollers can also be used for off-road walks. Many jogging strollers have a longer life than traditional strollers, because they can accommodate heavier children. Several companies offer double or triple strollers with total weight limits of 100 or 150 pounds, respectively.
Cons: The fixed (nonswiveling) front wheel is good for running but can make maneuvering difficult. Some three-wheel designs might be unstable when the rear wheels are rolled over a curb, or if a child tries to climb into the stroller. Jogging strollers are often large and some are heavy; you might need to remove the wheel(s) to fit the stroller into your car trunk. Bicycle-type air-filled tires can go flat and require re-inflating with a bicycle pump or a gas-station hose.
Tandem multiyear strollers
These strollers have one seat directly behind the other. They're the same width as single-passenger strollers and easy to fit through doorways and store aisles.
But while the backseat can recline, the front one usually can't without limiting the space of the rear passenger. On some tandems, you can set the seats so the passengers face each other. Others have a "stadium seat" that allows the child in back to see over the one in front.
Pros: Tandems easily fit through standard doorways and narrow elevator doors. A folded tandem takes up just a little more space than a folded standard midsized stroller. Many tandem models accept an infant car seat in one or both stroller seats (but check which brands of car seats are compatible before you buy).
Cons: Steering can be difficult, and it can be tricky getting over curbs. Some models have limited leg support and very little legroom for the rear passenger. They're often quite heavy, which can make them difficult to manage if you're small.
Side-by-side models
The other configuration of multiyear strollers, side-by-sides, has two seats attached to a single frame or a unit resembling two strollers bolted together. You can create your own side-by-side by joining two umbrella strollers with a set of screw-on brackets -- available at baby discount chains and specialty stores.
The features on side-by-side strollers are similar to those on single-passenger models. This type of stroller works best for children of about the same weight, such as twins. Each seat has an independent reclining mechanism.
Pros: A side-by-side model goes up curbs more easily than a tandem. Some side-by-side models accept an infant car seat, though some brands limit it to one seat only. That might be fine if you're shopping for a newborn and an older child. If you're shopping for infant twins and you want a side-by-side, look for one in which both seats recline and use the infant boot that comes with the stroller for both seats.
Cons: If children of different weights ride in the stroller, it can veer to one side. Most side-by-side models can't be used with infant car seats. A folded side-by-side stroller typically requires twice as much space as the equivalent single-occupant version. Although manufacturers might claim that a stroller is slender enough to go through a standard doorway, it can be a tight squeeze, and the stroller might not fit through some doorways.
FEATURES
Just as the types of strollers have expanded over the years, so has the number of features. Some stroller features will make your baby's ride safer and more comfortable while others, such as cup holders and shopping baskets, are aimed at parents.
Restraint system
Get a stroller with a sturdy safety belt and crotch strap, which keep a baby or a toddler from slipping out. Most are made of thick nylon webbing. Some models we've tested in the past had a crotch strap that could be bypassed. According to ASTM safety standards, a crotch strap should be mandatory when the waist strap is in use.
Look for buckles on the harness that are easy for you to operate but difficult for small hands to unfasten. If you're shopping with your baby, check the seat belt to make sure it's strong and durable, and fits snugly around your child. Some strollers have only waist and crotch straps, but many come with an adjustable five-point harness (two straps over the shoulders, two for the thighs, and a crotch strap), much like those found in car seats, which keep a baby from slipping or falling out if the stroller tips, or climbing out when you're not looking. The straps should be height-adjustable for proper fit, and securely anchored.
Wheels
The SUV syndrome has carried over into strollers with large wheels and a rugged, off-road appearance. The larger the wheels, the easier it is to negotiate curbs and rough surfaces. But big wheels eat up trunk space. Most strollers have double wheels on the front that swivel to make steering easier. Front wheels feature two positions: full swivel for smooth surfaces or locked in one forward-facing position for rough terrain. Some three-wheel strollers have a front wheel that doesn't swivel; those can be hard to maneuver. Misaligned and loose wheels are a chronic stroller problem. One sign of good construction is wheels that sit on the floor uniformly when a baby is inside.
Carriages and strollers designed for newborns or young infants, which fully recline, must have leg holes that close so an infant can't slip through. Manufacturers use mesh or fabric shields or hinged, molded footrests that raise and clamp over the leg holes. According to the industry's voluntary standard, a stroller with leg holes that can't be closed shouldn't be able to fully recline, which is meant to prevent its use with a newborn.
Leg holes
Carriages and strollers designed for newborns or young infants, which fully recline, must have leg holes that close so an infant can't slip through. Manufacturers use mesh or fabric shields or hinged, molded footrests that raise and clamp over the leg holes. According to the industry's voluntary standard, a stroller with leg holes that can't be closed shouldn't be able to fully recline, which is meant to prevent its use with a newborn.
Check that any stroller you intend to buy has a good parking brake, one that's convenient to operate and locks two wheels. Parking brakes on two wheels provide an extra margin of safety. Some two-wheel parking brakes are activated in a single stroke by a bar in the rear of the stroller frame. Others require two actions and have foot-operated tabs above each rear wheel. When brakes are activated, plastic cogs engage with the sprockets of the rear wheels. Avoid models that can hurt your feet when you engage or disengage the brakes with light shoes or bare feet. In addition to parking brakes, most jogging strollers have bicycle-type hand-operated brakes--important to help you slow down when cruising at a fast clip. Some pricier jogging strollers have hand-operated brakes on the front or rear wheels.
Brakes
Check that any stroller you intend to buy has a good parking brake, one that's convenient to operate and locks two wheels. Parking brakes on two wheels provide an extra margin of safety. Some two-wheel parking brakes are activated in a single stroke by a bar in the rear of the stroller frame. Others require two actions and have foot-operated tabs above each rear wheel. When brakes are activated, plastic cogs engage with the sprockets of the rear wheels. Avoid models that can hurt your feet when you engage or disengage the brakes with light shoes or bare feet. In addition to parking brakes, most jogging strollers have bicycle-type hand-operated brakes--important to help you slow down when cruising at a fast clip. Some pricier jogging strollers have hand-operated brakes on the front or rear wheels.
Canopy
A canopy is a must-have for protecting your baby, especially in glaring sunlight or inclement weather. Canopies range from a simple fabric square strung between two wires to deep, pull-down versions that shield almost the entire front of the stroller. Reversible (or 180-degree travel) canopies protect the baby from sun or wind from ahead or behind. Some canopies have a clear plastic "peek-a-boo" window on top so you can keep an eye on your baby while you're strolling. The window (or viewing port) is a nice feature; you'll use it more than you'd think.
Handlebars
Handles may be padded, even thickly cushioned, on more expensive models. Adjustable handlebars can be extended or angled to accommodate people of different heights. Reversible handles can swing over the top of the stroller, and then be locked into a front position so baby rides facing you. A single crossbar not only allows one-handed steering, if necessary, but might make the stroller more stable. Umbrella strollers and other models with two independent handles almost always require two hands to maneuver.
One-handed opening/folding mechanism
This is essential for when you need to open or fold the stroller with one hand while holding the baby with the other. The best strollers fold into compact positions in a matter of seconds.
Play tray
Strollers may have a tray where babies can keep snacks, or rest their hands. If the tray comes with attached toys, check their size and make sure they are securely fastened. Some strollers have been recalled because small parts on their play trays' toys pose a choking hazard. No toy part should be smaller than the diameter of a toilet-paper-roll tube. To make it easier to get a squirming baby or toddler seated, the tray should be removable or swing open rather than be permanently attached to both sides. Instead of a tray, some models have a front bar to keep a baby restrained with the attached crotch strap.
Footrest
A footrest can help a child sit more comfortably without legs dangling, but many are too low to help any but the tallest toddlers. Make sure that the seat rim is soft and won't press uncomfortably into the back of your child's legs.
Cup holders/parent tray
Many strollers have a cup holder for you and one for the child. They're a welcome feature for both. The parent tray is usually molded with a cup holder or compartment for keys, cell phone, and so on.
Boots
A few strollers have protective leg coverings, or "boots", made of a matching fabric that can snap over baby's legs for warmth. That's a feature to look for, especially if you live in a cold climate.
Shock absorbers
Air-filled tires or tires molded from foam can help to give baby a smoother ride. So can shock absorbers--covered springs or rubber pads above the wheel assemblies. Softer suspension is a newer feature that offers a smoother ride, but a too-soft ride can come at the expense of steering control.
Fabric and upholstery
You'll want to be able to sponge off spills and splashes and launder the upholstery without worrying about shrinking, fading, or puckering. Look for a removable seat and laundry instructions, usually on an attached tag or on printed instructions inside the packaging.
Reflectors or reflective trim
Many strollers have this important safety feature. If yours doesn't, wear light-colored or reflective clothing so you can be seen on gloomy days. Even with a stroller with reflective trim, we don't suggest strolling near traffic in twilight or in the dark.
Large shopping basket
A roomy, easily accessible storage basket underneath the stroller makes errands with a baby much easier. Sizes of baskets vary. Choose one that's at least big enough to accommodate a diaper bag. If you choose a model that reclines, make sure that you can reach the basket if the seat back is fully reclined--or, if it's a travel system, when the infant car seat is in place. When shopping for a stroller, press on the storage basket's floor--it shouldn't drag on the ground when loaded. Some strollers have storage pouches, with elastic top edges, in back. Don't hang any bags (including a hefty diaper bag or stroller diaper bag) on handlebars. Follow manufacturers' recommendations for all storage areas. The stroller can tip if overloaded.
BRANDS
We've recently looked at strollers that range in price from $40 to as much as $900. While Dorel, Evenflo, and Graco are the leading brands of baby products overall, they are not necessarily the leading stroller brands in terms of sales. Use this guide to compare strollers by brand (listed alphabetically).
Baby Jogger
The original creator of the three-wheeled jogging stroller still produces joggers and all-terrain strollers (singles as well as doubles) in the mid-priced range. Available mostly at specialty stores and online.
Baby Trend
A company that has been around for more than 25 years, it popularized the Snap N Go (a car-seat frame carrier) and the Sit N Stand strollers (which allow one child to sit, the other to stand). Baby Trend produces lightweight, traditional, double and triple strollers, as well. Available at baby superstores and online.
Bugaboo
A high-end brand ($500 and up) known for its modern styles that initially made a name for itself with the Bugaboo Frog ($760). Bugaboo now has two more strollers in their lineup, the Chameleon and Bee. Available mostly at department, specialty, and online stores.
Combi
A Japanese-based company started in 1961. Its products include frame carriers, lightweight, traditional, and double strollers. Available at baby superstores and specialty retailers, and online.
Chicco
Founded in 1958, Chicco manufactures lightweight, traditional, and double strollers in the low- to mid-price range. Available at baby superstores and specialty retailers, and online.
Dorel
Makers of Cosco, Maxi-Cosi, Quinny, Safety 1st, and licensees Disney and Eddie Bauer, Dorel has been in the baby and child market since 1984. Its strollers include lightweight, traditional, double, and infant travel system models. Their Maxi-Cosi and Quinny-branded strollers are sold mostly at department, specialty, and online retailers. The other lines are available at retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target, baby superstores and online. Dorel also produces jogging strollers under the Pacific Cycle brand, which includes the Schwinn and InSTEP lines -- available mostly at baby superstores.
Evenflo
In the baby business for more than 85 years, Evenflo manufactures lightweight, traditional, and double strollers, and infant travel systems. Typically available at retailers such as WalMart and Target, baby superstores, and online.
Graco
Probably best known for their Pack n' Play portable play yards, Graco offers lightweight, traditional, and double strollers, and infant travel systems. Typically available at retailers such as WalMart and Target, baby superstores, and online.
Inglesina
An Italian company specializing in juvenile products, its stroller line includes lightweight, traditional, double, and pram-type strollers in the medium to high price range. Inglesina is sold mostly at specialty stores and online.
Joovy
This company's line of products includes stand-on strollers (one child sits while the other stands in back), and lightweight, traditional, double, and jogging models. Available at baby superstores and specialty shops, and online.
Kelty
This company has a line of fitness products that includes single and double joggers. Available mostly at sporting goods stores and only.
Kolcraft
In 1946, Kolcraft started producing play-yard padding, and now includes licensees such as Jeep and Sesame Beginnings. The maker offers lightweight, traditional, double, and jogger strollers, and car-seat carriers. Typically available at retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target, Sears, baby superstores, and online.
Maclaren
This British manufacturer specializing in juvenile products offers lightweight, traditional, double, and jogger strollers, and car-seat carriers. Available at specialty stores and online.
Peg-Pérego
An Italian company that began in the 1960's making children's ride-on vehicles, its stroller line includes lightweight, traditional, double, triple, and pram-type strollers. Available mostly at specialty stores and online.
Phil & Ted's
Imported from New Zealand by Regal Lager, this brand's line includes stylish double tandem, all-terrain, and side-by-side strollers. Available mostly at specialty stores and online.
Silver Cross
A British company that had its beginnings in the late 1800s, it now manufactures lightweight and traditional strollers and prams. Available at specialty stores and online.
Stokke
A Scandinavian company best recognized for its Xplory stroller. Like Bugaboo, it's a high-end brand that offers modern styles.
Zooper
This company's line includes lightweight, traditional, and double strollers. Available mostly at specialty stores and online.
Copyright © 2006-2010 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. No reproduction in whole or in part without written permission.
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