Stroller Buying Guide

When shopping for a new stroller, it is easy to become overwhelmed. There are so many brands and types to consider before you even begin thinking about styles and colors. Before plunging headlong into an ill-advised purchase, first consider the type of stroller you need, then browse the desired features.

Types of strollers

• Umbrella Strollers: These are the "bare bones" strollers: they consist of a fabric seat suspended between two lightweight handles. Umbrella strollers are generally lightweight, inexpensive, and easily portable.
• Standard Strollers: These are a step up from the basic umbrella strollers, as they will generally have more features like storage space below the seat or a canopy. What you would gain in features with the standard stroller you may lose in portability.
• Travel Systems: These are more than just strollers. A travel system consists of a stroller and an infant-style car seat. These can be extremely convenient for transporting newborns.
• Jogging Strollers: You can find jogging strollers in a lot of different styles, but they will all have large, inflatable tires. These allow for a smooth ride for the child as the parent is jogging.

Stroller features

• Wheels: When it comes to wheels you can generally choose among three styles. Hollow plastic wheels are lightweight and inexpensive, but are not the most durable. Solid composite wheels are nearly as lightweight as plastic but much more durable and slightly more expensive. Air-filled tires are extremely easy to push and make for a smooth ride.
• Seat:The most important seat feature to consider is the harness - it can be a three-point harness or a five-point harness. A five-point harness is ideal as it is more "escape-proof" than the three-point harness.
• Canopy: A canopy is especially important for shielding newborns from sunlight.
• Handle: You can choose either a "crossbar"-style handle or a separate handle on either side of the seat.