Buying a Travel Pushchair
When buying a travel pushchair take into consideration things like the fold, storage space, recline and canopy. Consider adding extras such as a footmuff or coffee cup holder, as well as rain covers.
If you're often traveling pick a model that's approved for cabin use and folds down compactly. The Joie Tourist is the ideal choice for this. Its single-handed folding mechanism makes it simple to use whilst playing with your toddler.
Lightweight
A travel pushchair folds easily and compactly to fit in luggage or the car's boot. These strollers are specifically designed for use with babies from birth. They typically can be fitted with a car seat, but adaptors are required. Some are also suitable for toddlers which makes them a great choice for holidays and day trips.
There are a myriad of types of travel pushchairs on market, so it's essential to choose which one is suitable for your family. If you have a toddler, you may prefer a buggy with a footrest that is removable to stop the legs of the child from hanging. When selecting a stroller, it is important to think about the amount of storage space you'll require.
If you're a frequent traveler and require a compact buggy to fit into your baggage allowance for cabin travel opt for a model that folds down to a size of 48cm x 43cm x 21.5cm. This is smaller than the majority of hand luggage. A model that has an innovative dynamic fold will be much easier to pack away, as it will be able to fold up like the pages of a book.
A travel pushchair and vehicle seat bundle is a different option. This will save money and time by making it easier to concentrate on the parts that are compatible. Brand bundles typically include a pushchair with car seats that are specifically designed to be compatible in terms of style and fit. They might also include extras like a parent organizer, or cup holder, which can be a great addition to your travelling.
Certain brands offer additional accessories like a newborn baby bassinet or rain cover to transform your travel pushchair into
twin pushchairs or a double buggy. These are particularly helpful for families with older children and need a comfortable seat when travelling.
Easy to fold
A travel pushchair needs to be simple to fold and manoeuvre especially if you'll be required to do it in restricted spaces, such as the cabin of a plane or train. The Joie Pact Pro, which is a one-handed fold mechanism that our parent test found to be extremely easy to use, is an excellent example. This makes it perfect for parents who wish to take their children on day excursions, local excursions and even air travel.
Another alternative is a travel system bundle that includes an infant car seat from the same brand. You can be sure the car seat will fit inside your pushchair and work with the chassis you've selected for
Running pushchair your child. These types of bundles are usually more affordable than buying the items separately, but it's crucial to confirm that the components you want to purchase are compatible before making the purchase.
If you plan to use your travel stroller on rough terrain, select one with a sturdy base and large wheels capable of handling bumps and lumps. Smaller wheels are harder to control on anything except smooth pavements. Reversible seats are also beneficial because your child can face the parent at first and then face the world when they get older.
You'll need to decide if your pushchair can provide the protection you need according to the time of the year you're planning to travel. A sunshade that protects your baby's skin from harmful UV rays, and a rain cover to stop water or snow from getting in the pushchair are important features. Make sure to purchase the right rain cover for your particular model of pushchair, not a generic one.
The final requirement is that the pushchair must be lightweight and compact. This is particularly true for travel pushchairs which must be able to fold down to a smaller size. The Bugaboo Butterfly is one of the most compact pushchairs on the market. It can also be put in the overhead compartments for luggage (but not all) of some airlines. Our parent tester found it very comfortable to ride in with her toddler, with a spacious and high-quality seat that reclines for comfortable naps.
Easy to manoeuvre
If you're traveling through busy train or bus stations with a sleepy baby the ability to fold and move your pushchair easily to allow you to get off and on without disturbing your little one is essential. Choose models that have smooth swivel front wheels that allow you to turn and move your buggy effortlessly.
Typically the travel pushchairs have smaller wheels than other kinds of strollers to keep their weight and size down, but if you want something that can handle rough terrain or a trip to the beach, select one with bigger and more durable wheels to withstand this type of challenge.
Certain brands and retailers offer travel systems that include car seats, pushchairs and any other accessories you might need. This is an excellent option when you know what you're looking for and don't want to spend hours looking for compatible parts. However, always check that the elements you're buying will work in conjunction before purchasing a travel bundle. You can find this information on the websites of some brands or inquire with the retailer.
Easy to store
If you are planning to put a travel pushchair in your car's trunk or in the overhead bin of an airplane, it should be compact and
foldable pram. It also helps if it has an adjustable shoulder strap so that you can carry it with one hand - this is particularly helpful when your child is asleep!
Consider how often you'll use the pushchair and the terrain you will be covering when you choose one. For example, some travel buggies are only suitable for walking around town on smooth surfaces, and don't perform well off the road or on the beach. If you're planning to go off-road, and need a more rugged buggy, ensure it is equipped with a suspension and larger wheels that can withstand rough terrain.
Another thing to consider is whether you'll be using it from birth - if you do, then look for a travel buggy with a newborn pack or a bassinet. The Babyzen Yoyo2 is a great model, featuring a brilliant one-hand fold, and a variety of accessories, including a newborn bassinet as well as a rain cover, and an extremely comfortable foot muff.
Alternatively, if you know you'll use it only for holidays and short shopping trips, go for a
travel pushchair that comes with an adaptor for car seats that fixes onto the chassis, so that you can keep your child in their comfortable car seat for the duration of the trip. Many travel system bundles come with a car seat already fitted however, you can build your own custom bundle if that's what you prefer.
When you're choosing a travel system, keep in your mind that it's likely to cost more than if you purchase the components separately, so consider how much use you'll get from each part. You'll also need to factor in the price of the base for your car seat, as well as any adaptors that you might need to fix it to a pushchair. These can be found on the internet or in stores Certain brands offer bundles that include all of them, making it easier to create your ideal travel system!