Umbrella Strollers

I'm looking to pick one up for a trip. I currently have a full size travel system Quattro Tour, but am going on a trip with my little one. He'll be around 9-10 months old at the start of the trip.

I'd love to get something on the high end, but am already spending lots on getting him in a new car seat ($300) so I'd like to conserve and save money, like any good RFDer would.

I don't want a cheapo umbrella stroller that they sell everywhere, as it probably won't be too comfortable for the long walks we are going to have on our vacation (a 12-day mediterranean cruise). So anybody have any suggestions? I know I've looked at the Peg Perego Pliko Lite and MacLaren Triumph, but I'm hoping to find something cheaper and good and comfy. Any hot deals would be good too.

My suggestion would be the Pliko.

I bought mine over 10 years ago, and even after three kids, I still sold it for half of it's retail.

They are compact, ideal for travel and maintain resale value.

Pliko and Maclaren are pretty good bets - I don't think you'll find anything a lightweight, durable and quick-steering as a Mac. It's the perfect stroller to leave in the trunk and pull-out for the mall - when the kids wants to walk, the weight of a Mac on your shoulders (using the strap) is nothing

Love our Mac(s)

a $300 car seat???

are you freakin' insane? Is this custom built/flown in from Italy? Geez. Dont' know if any RFDers would be that insane. Now if they got it 1/2 price then yeah maybe...but still.

and on the other extreme you want a penny-pinching umbrella stroller?

shucks., I'm so lost with this thread.

Originally Posted by bubble.tea

a $300 car seat???

are you freakin' insane? Is this custom built/flown in from Italy? Geez. Dont' know if any RFDers would be that insane. Now if they got it 1/2 price then yeah maybe...but still.

and on the other extreme you want a penny-pinching umbrella stroller?

shucks., I'm so lost with this thread.

Baby stuff is pricey - $300 on a car seat doesn't seem that out of line considering a Mac umbrella stroller is at least $200, a Bugaboo is about $1200 - we have @ least $1k spent on strollers - baby stuff is big business.

We have no regrets spending the money we did on accessories/essentials - the styling, ease of use and design all paid off.

Another RFDer that is just insane.

Originally Posted by Jumbotron

Baby stuff is pricey - $300 on a car seat doesn't seem that out of line considering a Mac umbrella stroller is at least $200, a Bugaboo is about $1200 - we have @ least $1k spent on strollers - baby stuff is big business.

We have no regrets spending the money we did on accessories/essentials - the styling, ease of use and design all paid off.

Another RFDer that is just insane.

$1000 worth in strollers? My travel system was $250, I picked up a $50 Seat2Go when my youngest was born (he's 2 now), and I had a $10 umbrella stroller that I just gave to a friend to use. No complaints about any of my middle of the line stuff -- they made it through my 2 boys and are currently being used by friends who needed them.

Originally Posted by Kranberry

I'm looking to pick one up for a trip. I currently have a full size travel system Quattro Tour, but am going on a trip with my little one. He'll be around 9-10 months old at the start of the trip.

I'd love to get something on the high end, but am already spending lots on getting him in a new car seat ($300) so I'd like to conserve and save money, like any good RFDer would.

I don't want a cheapo umbrella stroller that they sell everywhere, as it probably won't be too comfortable for the long walks we are going to have on our vacation (a 12-day mediterranean cruise). So anybody have any suggestions? I know I've looked at the Peg Perego Pliko Lite and MacLaren Triumph, but I'm hoping to find something cheaper and good and comfy. Any hot deals would be good too.

I have an Inglesina...bout $120 USD...pretty compact and light.

Originally Posted by bubble.tea

a $300 car seat???

are you freakin' insane? Is this custom built/flown in from Italy? Geez. Dont' know if any RFDers would be that insane. Now if they got it 1/2 price then yeah maybe...but still.

and on the other extreme you want a penny-pinching umbrella stroller?

shucks., I'm so lost with this thread.

If you red my post I said "I don't want a cheapo umbrella stroller". Plus even if I were to get a penny-pinching umbrella stroller, it isn't due to loss in safety either. Car seats are a different matter.

In terms of the car seat, I'm willing to pay $300 for safety reasons, nothing more. Is not a life worth $300? It's not like $300 would kill me, let's say you could get 2 cars, one cost $200 more but is safer. Wouldn't you pay the $200 more?

I know on the internet, there is a parent who wishes she bought something safer, as she lost her son to an accident.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ

On the issue of safety:

In Toronto, local police stations offer to inspect & assist with your car seat installation. Takes about 15 minutes of your time to make sure the base is in safely

Thanks Officer Del Grande from 32nd Division!

Originally Posted by Pixie

$1000 worth in strollers? My travel system was $250, I picked up a $50 Seat2Go when my youngest was born (he's 2 now), and I had a $10 umbrella stroller that I just gave to a friend to use. No complaints about any of my middle of the line stuff -- they made it through my 2 boys and are currently being used by friends who needed them.

I never said there was anything wrong with low-end of mid-range stuff - everyone has a choice, right? There are those on this forum that drive $50k+ vehicles, there are those roll in the dough, but choose to drive something modest and then there are those who choose to ride public transit.

I must say that there is no comparison between a $10 Walmart stroller and pricey high-end unit - it really is night and day in how it handles day to day use.

FYI, we have owned a Peg Pliko stroller/infant seat combination, a $450 B.O.B. trail running stroller (my Wife trains and runs 10k and 1/2 marathons), and two Maclaren strollers - it adds up quickly.

Get a MacLaren for sure. I got mine cheap on eBay and paid half of what they were selling for in the GTA. Ours has traveled thousands of miles (on airlines) and we love(d) it.

We have the Peg Perego Pliko P3 stroller as well and it's worth every penny! Super compact and lightweight in terms of dimensions and 15lbs, easy to push, has storage, cupholder, etc. It will hold up, not like the Graco's etc which after time break or are difficult to push not to mention there so bulky!

I believe you get what you pay for. I have what was a $350 carseat (the Britax Marathon - which I believe now retails for $300) and it is a much nicer seat than our Graco. The straps are nicer, the seat itself is nicer. It is very easy to install and it can be tethered rear facing.

Strollers are another thing that I like to spend a bit of money on. I've owned an Evenflo (wheel fell off), a Graco (which was a beast - squeeked and did not steer nicely at all) and we briefly had a Costco Eddie Bauer which was quite possibly the worst stroller I've ever owned for a variety of reasons. I now have an Inglesina Magnum, a Hauck Infinity, and a Quinny Zapp. I also have a Chariot Cougar 2 for outdoors. I'm extremely happy with all of our strollers and despite them being more expensive I did get great deals on all of them. The best part is that when I'm done with them I will be able to sell them and recoup some of my money.

Kelly

Originally Posted by kellya

I believe you get what you pay for. I have what was a $350 carseat (the Britax Marathon - which I believe now retails for $300) and it is a much nicer seat than our Graco. The straps are nicer, the seat itself is nicer. It is very easy to install and it can be tethered rear facing.

Strollers are another thing that I like to spend a bit of money on. I've owned an Evenflo (wheel fell off), a Graco (which was a beast - squeeked and did not steer nicely at all) and we briefly had a Costco Eddie Bauer which was quite possibly the worst stroller I've ever owned for a variety of reasons. I now have an Inglesina Magnum, a Hauck Infinity, and a Quinny Zapp. I also have a Chariot Cougar 2 for outdoors. I'm extremely happy with all of our strollers and despite them being more expensive I did get great deals on all of them. The best part is that when I'm done with them I will be able to sell them and recoup some of my money.

Kelly

That's the car seat I'm planning on buying the Britax Marathon.

Thanks everyone for the tips. I think I'll get the nicer stroller too, I'm swaying between the Peg Perego Pliko Lite and the MacLaren Triumph.

Originally Posted by Kranberry

That's the car seat I'm planning on buying the Britax Marathon.

Thanks everyone for the tips. I think I'll get the nicer stroller too, I'm swaying between the Peg Perego Pliko Lite and the MacLaren Triumph.

We settled on the Peg Perego Aria after testing the P3 & Pliko Lite

the under seat basket in the Aria is quite useful, and we find it folds easier than the P3 & A3