LilSugar

Strollin': Jogger Roundup

babysugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:00:57 -0700

Hopefully mothers who like to get a workout enjoyed the write-ups of the three fabulous jogging strollers I reviewed from Right Start. While there are still more on the market, some of which I hope to test in the future, I can hardly see the downside of any of these sporty options. Tell me which one you prefer?

BOB Revolution

Baby Jogger

phil and teds Dash

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

Strollin': phil & teds Dash

babysugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:00:40 -0700

Some of the top-of-the-line strollers on the market today are those made by phil & teds. The New Zealand manufacturers have hit a sweet spot with their multifunctional line of duo seating buggies that serve many purposes while still looking sleek and sporty.

Great for a day out on the jogging path, the phil & teds Dash ($550) is suited to give mommy an easy outing while providing a baby (or two) a comfy cruise.

Perks mama can enjoy are an adjustable ergonomic handlebar, easy to manage rear brakes, a roomy storage basket that has pouches to stow small items, a sun canopy with a peek-a-boo window, and a long lifetime. Also, instead of having to double up on strollers, every phil & teds buggy is suited to add another seat (for an additional $100), magically turning it into a double stroller in minutes. A new feature for phil & teds, the area above the front wheel is now plastic. Why is that better you ask? The original fabric foot area design was appealing to the eye, but busy lil feet tended to wear the fabric down leaving tiny toes in danger of touching the wheel. The plastic board is an improvement to an already stellar stroller.

To keep reading about the phil & teds Dash, read more.

For moms toting around one child, the single seat can manage children up to 55 pounds or 4 years old. When a sibling enters the picture, the second seat ups the capacity to 88 pounds. Both seats can recline into comfortable napping positions, which would be perfect for a mother craving a jam session with her iPod on the jogging trail. That's probably a pipe dream, but at least the stroller offers the ability to do so.

Also impressive is the quick breakdown of the practical pushchair. Instead of having to disassemble the whole stroller for storage, the creative designers figured out a way to collapse the jogging stroller easily - even with the double seat attached. Be ready to use your upper arm strength when storing this bad boy. Like most other strollers in the jogging category, the stroller weighs a hefty 23 pounds. But hey, that's not too shabby for two strollers in one!

New to the family, the Dash will be available in November!

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

Strollin': phil & teds Vibe

babysugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:00:04 -0700

I won't say that I saved the best for last, but the phil & teds Vibe is pretty darn sweet. Lightweight aluminum frame strollers have been dominating the market in recent years. New to the party is the fabulously sleek and functional Vibe. Much like the other phil & teds predecessors, the Vibe offers the dual-ride capabilities. But the Vibe has got a whole different, well vibe.

The sleek $700 pushchair is comfortably padded with cushy seats in a tandem position. The second seat attachment costs another $110. Each chair can recline for on-the-go napping or relaxing - whatever floats your wee ones' boat. And by wee, I mean newborns through four-year-olds. Older tots take the top seat with a maximum capacity of 55 pounds while smaller babes sit underneath. The bottom seat can handle up to 33 pounds making the entire load capacity 88 pounds.

To see a video and learn what else there is to know about the Vibe, read more.

Having talked to some mamas who have tested out the ride of the Vibe, the biggest complaint is the break. Instead of having it down by the feet, parents can stop the pushchair with a simple push of a button on the height adjustable handlebar. It seemed pretty ideal when I tested it but others find it irritating as they accidentally push the button jolting them to an unexpected stop.

Like the phil & teds Dash, the Vibe also has the updated plastic foot board. The plastic resting spot keeps tots from wearing and tearing a fabric type patch that could endanger their lil feet.

During my demonstration at Right Start, Kristi showed me how quick and painless the stroller is to fold. Bonus points were rewarded as you can fold it with the second seat attached into a compact package - sun canopies and all. Adding more credence to the Vibe, it is a clear winner in the weight category as it weighs only 22 pounds. That's even lighter than the Maclaren Twin Techno XT! But, it's more than twice the price - do you think it's twice as nice? Tell me what you think about the phil & teds Vibe.

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

MeToo Is a Hook on High Chair That Brings Tot to the Table

LilSugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:00:08 -0800

Tight on space for your mini me during mealtime? Phil and Teds, the New Zealand makers of the awesome Dash stroller, have another innovative design with their MeToo ($50) hook on high chair.

The folding lightweight chair takes up a little space at home or on the go. The nylon fabric is easy to clean and the durable aluminum frame and three point seat belt keep your lil one secure. Available in black, navy and red, it accommodates sitting tots up to age three.