LilSugar

Strollin': Silver Cross Pop

babysugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Having reviewed quite a few strollers last month, there were still quite a few on my list that I have been wanting to check out before making any final purchases. Silver Cross is a high end brand that has long been known for their swank prams like those that Nicole Richie and Jennifer Lopez chose for their tots. Realizing that many more moms see the practicality of a simple stroller, the British company is now selling their own line of simple pushchairs.

Still fairly new to the US market, Silver Cross manufactures three lightweight buggies for young tots: the Pop, Micro and Dazzle. All three of the strollers remind me quite a bit of different Maclarens.

To see my thoughts on the Silver Cross Pop, read more.

The Silver Cross Pop ($150) is probably most similar to the Maclaren Quest in design and capabilities. The padded seat reclines slightly allowing tots to take a relaxing rest though it does not ease back all the way for newborn usage. The leg rest gives youngsters a padded place to rest their legs while they stay safely strapped into a five-point-harness belt that unfortunately is not too easy to snap and unlatch. Perhaps with a little extra practice, mommy's hands may become more agile at such maneuvering, but I found it a tad too difficult for my liking.

On the plus side, the ride is pretty smooth for a stroller with plastic wheels and for moms who prefer to walk the line, the wheels can be locked. Additional benefits are the folding mechanism, size, and weight. A quick trip to the store would be a cinch in the Pop as it only weighs 15 pounds and has a convenient shoulder strap attached to the back for slinging over a toting shoulder. Almost identical to a Maclaren's collapse, the Pop breaks down with a quick foot push on a lever and an upward lift of the middle bar in the back.

The basket underneath the seat provides enough room for a jug of milk and a shopping bag while the ergonomic inward facing handle bars provide mommy an extra set of hands from which she can hang a diaper bag or other necessary items.

I have to admit that I find the Maclaren a tad easier. Still the new kid on the block, the Silver Cross has room and time to improve and I'm sure it will. After all, I'm sure Silver Cross customer Marcia Cross is a fan of the brand for more than the name.

Strollin': Maclaren Techno XT

babysugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:00:01 -0700

What do Matilda Ledger, Ramona Gyllenhall, Violet Affleck, and Alexander Schreiber have in common? They all cruise around in the Maclaren Techno XT. King of the lightweight stroller category, Maclaren dominates with five options all under 17 pounds.

Weighing in at 14.2 pounds, the Maclaren Techno XT offers the ease of an umbrella stroller with a few extra perks. To see why the Techno XT is a crowd pleaser, read more.

Commonly seen on the streets of NYC, moms on the go appreciate the buggy's portability that does not forsake the child's comfort or security. The reclining padded seats, extendable foot and leg rests, and five-point harness keep tots pleasantly pampered for an afternoon of strolling. Similar to the Maclaren Volo, it simply collapses with the use of one hand. Like many more expensive travel systems, the seat reclines, making it suitable for newborns through 55 pounds. Another bonus that usually comes with pricier pushchairs is the adjustable handles, which is parent pleaser for those towering at different heights. Like most other Maclarens, the mesh basket underneath the seat provides ample storage with easy access.

At $280, there are certainly plenty of positives that have convinced moms to buy the buggy. For all of those pros, there's got to be at least one con. Here it is - the plastic wheels keep it light but also provide a less than smooth ride, especially compared to the Bugaboo Cameleon or others in that category. But at that price, it seems to me that you get a lot with the Maclaren Techno XT.

Tell me what you think about the Maclaren Techno XT!

Strollin': Quinny Zapp

babysugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:38:45 -0700

Mommies who find themselves running more errands than a Capitol Hill page girl or boy may fancy the Quinny Zapp. Much like its posh sibling, the Zapp still boasts fabulous features, but has a few less amenities, which is why the price is a more reasonable $200.

Available in five of the same spunky hues as the Quinny Buzz, the Zapp affords tots comfort in canvas like a seat atop a lightweight aluminum frame. When it comes time to store it, the Zapp easily folds into one of the most compact strollers on the market making it a cinch to store in the car or hallway closet. Also taking hints from the Buzz, the Zapp's swiveling front wheels make it feel more like an all-terrain pushchair than an umbrella stroller.

To see what the drawbacks are of the Zapp, read more.

While many parents may like the look of the Zapp, there are some small drawbacks to the fancy umbrella buggy. Like many umbrella strollers, it does not recline. Parents who need a stroller that can convert into a napping space may find the non-reclining feature an issue. While great for running quick errands and traveling, the storage space underneath the seat is a tad on the smaller side, which leaves shopping moms in a bind. And, due to the Zapp's weight (18.2 pounds), the stroller can't handle too much baggage hanging from the handles or else the whole structure risks tipping over.

While most umbrella strollers do not offer car seat compatibility, the Zapp does. However, like the Buzz, it is only compatible with Maxi-Cosi Mico Infant car seat. If parents should choose to use the car seat with the base, the buggy is suitable for newborns. Based on standards, the buggy is appropriate for children age six months to four-years-old or 40 pounds.

Tell me what you think about the Quinny Zapp!

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.

Strollin': Bugaboo Bee

babysugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 05:00:40 -0700

If labels make you happy, but prices let you down, the Bugaboo Bee may be an option you can't resist. Celebs like Matthew McConaughey, Gwen Stefani and Dave Grohl probably didn't bat an eye at the $530 price tag, but it's a luxury many of us can't afford. The attractive pushchair does have a fair number of sleek features that many parents find worth the investment.

Crafted by the same makers as the Bugaboo Cameleon, the Bee boasts many of its characteristics and makes a name for itself with some significant differences. To see what the "buzz" is all about, read more.

Falling into the lightweight category, the Bee weighs significantly less than the Bugaboo Cameleon or Frog at 17 pounds. Much to my surprise, the Bee easily collapses in one fell swoop without having to remove a bassinet or toddler seat, making storage and lifting a cinch. The stroller, however, only comes with one seat, which is reversible, reclining and extend-able. For parents wanting to use the buggy immediately, there are adapters available for various infant car seats. After that, toddlers up to 37.5 pounds can enjoy the posh set of wheels.

Parents find themselves flying down busy streets with ease, which makes errand running efficient. The basket underneath the seat allows for ample storage space and easy access. In keeping with the stylish Dutch brand, the Bee is available in five fabulous fruity colors.

Tell me what you think of the Bugaboo Bee!

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.

Strollin': Maclaren Volo

babysugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:00:35 -0700

Perhaps one of the oldest and most trusted brands of strollers is Maclaren. Known for their ease of use and simple style, the English born brand is a top seller worldwide. The hard part comes when you have to pick which Maclaren to purchase.

Available in a variety of spunky colors, the Maclaren Volo is the lightest stroller option weighing in at 8.6 pounds. Crafted with high performance aluminum, the basic buggy collapses with a quick step on a switch and a pull of the toe. Using just one hand, a mommy can easily toss the stroller in the trunk or use the attached strap to throw it over her shoulder.

To see why I gave this stroller a high rating, read more.

While the Volo may not provide the plush ride - it lacks cushy seats and fancy headrests - it does have a footrest, a water resistant hood, foot accessible breaks, easy-to-manage five point harness straps, a washable fabric seat, and a rain cover. It also boasts one of the larger storage baskets under the seat, which means parents can slip goodies into the carry-all without putting too much weight on the handles. If, however, you plan on toting around a hefty load, don't count on leaving your goodies on the handlebars as your tot's weight combined with the nearly nine pound stroller may not be a match for your lofty groceries. The last thing you want to tip is your child!

At $115, the push chair isn't cheap. But from my perspective, the ease, durability, and comfort that this stroller provides, especially when traveling or running errands, is priceless.

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.

Strollin': Lightweight Strollers

babysugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Last week I reviewed five of the top travel system strollers on the market. This week, I'm taking it down a notch and honing in on more reasonable lightweight strollers from Right Start.

Often used for travel, quick trips to the park, a stroll to the local eatery or in the trunk of the car, lightweight buggies often help moms get from point a to point b without much hassle or concern. As practicality is the name of the game, the price tag often reflects that. Stay tuned this week to see which pushchairs are up for the test!

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.

Strollin': Lightweight Strollers

LilSugar — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 05:00:39 -0700

This past week I followed up my exploration of travel strollers with a series of lightweight strollers worthy of quick trips to the park, a stroll to the local eatery or a trip around the world. Here's a look back on the fleet.

Strollin': Bugaboo Cameleon

babysugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:00:23 -0700

First up on my Right Start stroller review - the multi-terrain Bugaboo Cameleon! Born in 1999 in Holland, the best-selling Dutch stroller has quickly become a favorite for families all over the world. The beautifully crafted travel system can work for a baby from day one through their toddler years.

Configured with an adapter, the base of the Bugaboo Cameleon ($899) fits many infant car seats (Graco Snugride, Maxi-Cost Mico, and Peg Primo Viaggio) which makes it easy for moms to transfer the child from the car to the stroller with one simple snap. While most car seats are safe and cozy havens for wee ones, many doctors advise parents not to let the child spend too much time in the seat as they need to develop their muscles and stretch out their body. For parents who plan on spending lots of time on the go with their newborn, the bassinet feature of the Bugaboo Cameleon is an added bonus.

To find out more fun facts about the Cameleon and see a video of it in action, read more.

Many parents find the bassinet reason enough to buy the expensive stroller. Suited for a newborn, infants can sleep easy while mommy runs errands or lunches with the ladies. Back home, some parents choose to lock the break and keep the stroller stationary making the bassinet the baby's actual sleeping place for the first few weeks of life. This eliminates the purchase of a Moses basket or co-sleeper.

Once the child graduates from the bassinet stage, they move into the bucket seat that pops onto the original base and can grow with a youngster until 40 pounds or four-years-old. When parents opt to have another lil one, they can add a wheeled stepping board for the older child to coast on while his lil sidekick rests.

Some of the benefits of the Cameleon are that you can move the adjustable handle bar (great for height differentiated families) back and forth so you can watch your tot snooze or choose to let him soak in the sights. The foam filled tires make for a smooth ride and less stops at the air filling station. Additionally, parents can pimp their wee one's rides by customizing their colors and fabrics, which are also machine washable - a huge perk for moms of messy youngsters!

As a multi-terrain stroller, the Bugaboo Cameleon can take a family anywhere. The downside is that most families end up buying another lightweight stroller in addition to the Cameleon as it is not the easiest stroller for travel. It is on the heavier end of the scale weighing 21 pounds and breaking it down is not a simple task, as you have to remove the seat or bassinet before folding it up for storage. However, like most strollers, many moms I know agree that you just get used to it and it becomes second nature.

Tell us what you think about the Bugaboo Cameleon.

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.

Krazy For Kokopax Carrier!

babysugar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:00:00 -0700

My weekly trip to the grocery store can be harried with a two-year-old and an infant, but if I can put one of them on my back then life is easier. When Kokopax sent us a backpack to review, I jumped at the opportunity to test it out and lighten my load. A fan of the classic Baby Bjorn, I wasn't sure that Kokopax would make chores any simpler than the front baby carrier. Certainly the Bjorn and other models like it allow for closeness and warmth, but the Kokopax gives mom the freedom to hold a full load in her arms while baby sits pretty behind her.

Strollin': lilsugar's Stroller Reviews

babysugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0700

One of the toughest baby gear decisions a mother-to-be has to make is which stroller to buy. With all the options available, it's near impossible to test drive every ride. So, I took the liberty of reviewing a vast assortment of buggies for all of you mommies in a stroller quandary.
Right Start graciously showed me some of their inventory covering various categories - travel systems, lightweight, jogger and double strollers. In the next few weeks, I will spotlight each stroller. At the end of all the reviews, we'll be giving away one stroller to a lucky lilsugar reader! So stay tuned and get ready for the onslaught of stroller information. First up, travel systems!

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.