Buying a Travel Pushchair
When buying a travel pushchair take into consideration things like the fold and storage space, recline and canopy. You should also look for extras such as cup holder, and rain cover.
If you're often traveling make sure you choose a model which is approved for cabin use and folds down compactly. Our parent tester says the Joie Tourist is perfect for this. Its single-handed folding mechanism makes it easy to use while you are playing with your toddler.
Lightweight
A travel pushchair can be folded quickly and compactly to fit in luggage or the car's boot. They are designed to be used with a baby from birth and often come with the option of securing carseats to them, although adaptors will be required. Some are suitable for toddlers and are used for day trips or holidays.
There are a myriad of types of travel pushchairs on the market, so it's important to choose which one is best travel pushchair for your family. If you have a toddler, you might want to consider a buggy with a foot rest that can be removed to prevent the child's legs from hanging. It is also important to take into consideration how much storage space you'll require in order to be a significant factor when it comes to choosing a buggy.
If you are an avid traveler and require a small buggy that fits into your baggage allowance for cabin travel, choose a model which folds down to a dimension of 48cm by 43cm by 21.5cm. This is smaller than the majority of hand luggage. If you choose one that features an innovative, fluid folding system, it will be easier to carry around, since the buggy can fold into itself, similar to an old 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. A brand-name bundle typically includes a pushchair and a car seat that has been specially designed to match each other in terms of style and comfort. Some brands offer extras such as a cup holder or parent organizers, which are useful when traveling.
Some brands also sell various add-ons, such as baby bassinets and a rain cover, which allow you to transform your travel pushchair into a double pram pushchair buggy, or twin pushchair. These are especially useful for families with older children and need an area to sit comfortably when travelling.
Folding is easy
A travel pushchair must be simple to fold and maneuver particularly if you'll have to maneuver it in tight spaces, like the cabin of a train or plane. The Joie Pact Pro, which is a one-handed fold mechanism that our parent test found to be incredibly easy to use, is a fantastic example. This makes it ideal for parents who want to take their baby along with them on flights and local excursions and day trips.
A travel system bundle is an alternative option. It includes an infant car seat with a pushchair from the same manufacturer. This allows you to be sure that the car seat will fit your pushchair and work with the chassis you've chosen for your baby. These kinds of bundles can be more affordable than buying the items separately, but it's important to check that the components you want to purchase work together prior to making an investment.
If you intend to use your travel stroller on rough terrain, choose one with a sturdy base and wheels that are large enough for handling bumps and bumps. Smaller wheels are difficult to maneuver on any other surface than smooth roads. Reversible seats are also beneficial, as your baby can face the parent at first, and then turn to look out into the world as they grow older.
You'll have to determine if your pushchair can provide the protection you require according to the time of the year you plan to travel. A sunshade to help protect your baby's skin from harmful UV rays and a rain cover to prevent water or snow from getting in the pushchair are important features. You should choose a raincover specifically designed for the model of pushchair, not an ordinary one.
The final criteria is that the pushchair must be lightweight and compact. This is especially 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 luggage compartments (but not all) of some airlines. Our parent tester found it extremely comfortable to ride in with her toddler, with a large and high-quality seat that reclines for comfy naps.
Easy to manoeuvre
It's essential to be able fold and maneuver the pushchair easily and quickly in busy train or bus stations with a sleeping child. This allows you to get in and out of the vehicle without disturbing your infant. Choose models that have smooth front wheels that swivel to allow you to pivot and move your buggy effortlessly.
Travel pushchairs typically come with smaller wheels, which makes them lighter and smaller. However If you're looking for something to take on rougher terrain or to walk along the beach, opt for a model with larger, more robust wheels.
Some retailers and brands offer travel systems that include the pushchair, car seat pram seats and any extras you may require. This is a great choice if you already have an idea of what you're looking for and don't want to spend hours looking for the right parts. Be sure to ensure that the elements you're buying will work 3 in 1 pram conjunction before purchasing a travel bundle. You can find this information on websites of a few brands or consult a retailer.
Easy to store
If you want to fit a pushchair for travel in the boot of your car or in the overhead bin of an airplane, it needs to be small and foldable. It's also helpful to have an adjustable shoulder strap so that you can carry it with one hand. This is particularly helpful when your child is asleep!
When you're choosing a travel-friendly pushchair, consider the frequency you'll use it and what kind of terrain you'll have to cover. For instance, some buggies are best suited for strolling around town or on smooth pavements and won't be able to handle rough terrain or at the beach. If you are planning to take a trip off-road and require a more robust buggy, ensure that it has a suspension as well as larger wheels that can handle more rough terrain.
If you intend to use it from the time of birth and beyond, then you must you should consider a stroller that comes with a newborn bag. The Babyzen Yoyo2 has a brilliant one-hand folding system and a variety of add-ons, including a newborn's bassinet, rain cover, and an extremely comfy foot muff.
If you plan to use it for brief trips and holidays it is possible to consider a triple stroller equipped with a car seat adaptor that can be affixed to the chassis. This will allow you to keep your child in their car seat for the bulk of the journey. Many travel systems come with a car seat that is already fitted, but you can also build your own custom bundle if that's what you prefer.
When choosing a travel system, keep in the fact that it's likely to cost more than if you buy the individual items independently, so think about the amount of use you'll get from each piece. You'll also need to take into account the cost of the base for your car seat and any adaptors you might need to fix it to a pushchair. You can find these all in stores or online - some brands even offer bundles that include all of them making it simple to design your dream travel system!