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Reddit Reviews
The perfect travel system doesn’t exist. Save your sanity and buy something within budget that will work for you and your lifestyle (maybe prioritize something lightweight!) today. No need to stress about future children, weight limits etc. I drove myself crazy finding the perfect travel system! We ultimately went with the chicco mini bravo plus system because of the price point, high safety rating on the keyfit 30, and option to use the stroller without the infant seat.
Your travel system is primarily a tool. You’re going to spend a lot of time hauling baby around in it — IF you are car dependent. While I would encourage considering usability above aesthetic, this sounds like a larger question of money between you and your partner that no one else can answer or solve for you. Regarding uppababy travel systems, we have a vista and I can’t imagine using that thing for everyday errands, bringing baby to the pediatrician, etc. I love our vista for long walks and errands I run on foot, but not for small trips via car. The thing is heavy and bulky and takes up a ton of space in the car. We use a smaller chicco stroller for our travel system and I still think it’s too big and a pain to haul out 90% of the time. I normally end up just hauling baby in and out places in his infant carseat and placing it in the cart. In this regard, the minu might be a better bet over for sure the vista but also maybe the Cruz. I’d recommend getting a feel for them in person though and really consider your use basis for your travel system.
Take a look at the Chicco Mini Bravo Plus—lightweight, super easy one-hand fold, roomy storage basket, and a deep recline for naps. The canopy is large and it has a peekaboo window too. Great for everyday use without feeling too flimsy. For more compact stroller ideas, check [out this one](https://travelanddiary.com/best-cheap-travel-stroller/).
We have a couple stroller/wagons now... a Vista V3, a jogging stroller, a compact one made by Chicco, a Pivot Explore... We use the Pivot Explore the most now that we have 2 kids and the youngest is 1... it is great for off-road. When it gets tough, it is better in wagon mode since you're pulling up instead of pushing down. I have friends with the Cruz, and it is pretty similar to the Vista, which is pretty good on dirt and grass. The larger the wheels, the better it will be, so the jogging stroller is the best for rough terrain, but the wagon wins in soft stuff like sand. The Vista is pretty darn good though, and has more options vs the jogging stroller. The Chicco we have has small wheels and hasn't been used in months.
regular and travel. Got the travel system bc I had to fly solo with baby unexpectedly. Honestly, I now just use the travel. The regular graco model I had was so heavy and such a hassle to get in and out of car. And the stupid brake was so hard to release. I love my chicco mini bravo! I can now do everything one handed, such a breeze! Highly recommend
chico’s mini travel system (mini bravo i think?). So easy to collapse one handed and with minimal effort. And easy to brake. I had a graco prior that I would struggle with to collapse and get in the car, and to brake. Huge difference for my body!
We used the infant seat and a little chicco trolley thing. Like a much smaller lightweight stroller. I was able to use the carrier fairly quickly but the combo was easier.
We've got the chicco bravo quick-fold. The website says it's good for up to 50lbs (22.5kg). My girl is about 35" (89cm) right now and she's still got plenty of room.
Check out lightweight strollers and car seats since you’ve got shoulder issues. The Chicco Bravo quick-Fold is a good pick for a stroller; it’s light and folds up easy... For a car seat, look at the Graco SnugRide; it’s not super heavy and scores well on safety. You can also hit up borncritic for reviews and guides on these.
We had a chicco bravo for our first kid, to go with the chicco keyfit infant seat. The bravo is a solid middle of the road affordable stroller. I liked it. No major complaints. We got a vista when I was pregnant with our second and I LOVE that stroller. My two complaints are that it’s heavy, and the lack of the built in parent tray/ cup holder. In terms of weight, I’m used to it and can chuck it in and out of my minivan in under five seconds. It helps that it’s extremely easy to fold and unfold. But it’s such a smooth ride and handles really well on grass, dirt, etc. My kids (now 8 months and almost 3) both fit well in it and seem happy in there. And it can hold an insane amount of stuff in the basket.
Three haha. We had just one for the first 18 months. It was the Chicco bravo that went with our keyfit car seat. And then we went to the beach and needed something smaller because the bravo was not going to fit in the car with the rest of our crap, so we got a chicco liteway. Second kid came along and I wanted to upgrade our main stroller to a double so we got a vista, but kept the bravo because new baby was using the same keyfit car seat. She’s out of that seat now so I’ll be getting rid of the bravo soon. I use both the vista and liteway regularly.
I got a chicco bravo for my first kid. Great middle of the road stroller. No complaints. Got an Uppababy vista when the second kid came along and I LOVE it. It’s heavy, yes. But I’m used to it and have no problem popping it in and out of my trunk now. It rides so smoothly and handles grass and such so much better than the bravo. I can steer it with literally one finger on the sidewalk or road. The amount of stuff it holds in the basket is incredible. So yes, I do think you get what you pay for. Side note though - I too was excited for the bassinet option on the vista. Jokes on me though because my baby hated it and only screamed any time I put her in there. At 6ish weeks I got an infant insert so she could use the regular seat and she was much happier. Just because you love something doesn’t mean your baby will!
I have a Chicco Bravo from my first kid. It’s a perfectly fine stroller. Got the job done. Compatible with the infant bucket seat. Easy enough to fold/ unfold, not too heavy. Second kid, got an uppababy vista. I LOVE it. Prefer it over the bravo by miles and miles. It’s so much easier to steer, like… I can steer it with two fingers. It does sharp turns so nicely. It handles rough terrain like grass so much better. The basket is huge. It’s also much heavier to lift but that doesn’t bother me. So basically - if you get a cheaper stroller you’ll be fine because you can’t miss what you don’t have. If you splurge you’ll appreciate it.
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