Best Lightweight Strollers 2014

Jun 9, 2014

Being a petite, skinny (oh wait, that was before baby!) lady and having to log a stroller up and down a flight of stairs every day, I'm always on a lookout for an amazing lightweight stroller. I do have two of those already, but new ones come out all the time and I'm not ruling out the possibility that maybe I'll be swayed to upgrade. 
Disclaimer:  I always had a suspicion that Europe and Japan produces some amazing strollers. Some of these buggies/pushchairs make a lot of sense in my mind. That is why I included in my "best stroller" list some models that are not sold in US. If you're in love with any of them, don't despair. In our modern day and age, for the right price, anything can be shipped anywhere. That is how I ended up with an Aprica stroller made for the Japanese market. Were the shipping charges worth it? To me, YES!

Here are some of the most innovative (in my opinion) Lightweight Strollers of 2014.

Recaro Easylife Stroller

Due in stores around July
Weighs 12.5 lb
All wheel spring suspension ensures a smooth ride
One-hand compact fold
Stands upright when folded
Multi-position recline 
Decent size sun canopy
Breathable mesh fabric
Decent size basket
Will be available in 6 colors!

Could be better:
Leg rest is not adjustable,
Can't be used for babies younger than 9 months,
No bumper bar.

Overall, this looks like a promising little stroller! The compact fold will make it very convenient for travel. 

Babyhome Emotion

Weighs 13lb
Shock absorbents on all wheels
Multi position recline
Compact fold
Adjustable leg rest
Large basket
Comes with rain cover and mosquito net
Available in 10 colors!

Could be better: 
Canopy is inadequate in my opinion. 
A canopy extender can be purchased separately.
Bumper bar is sold separately.

This stroller has a very elegant appearance due to it's slim frame and vibrant colors. Plenty of user-friendly features.

i'coo Pluto Stroller

Weighs 17lb
Sleek aluminum frame
One hand multi-position seat recline
All wheel suspension
Roomy seat
Adjustable leg rest
360 ° swivel, lockable wheels
Removable canopy with mesh window
Includes rain cover

Could be better:
At 17lb, it's not as light as some other options.
The basket is pretty small.
When folded, the canopy lies against the wheels, 
which is my pet peeve in umbrella strollers.
This is not unusual, but many lightweight strollers 
are now made with a more sensible fold.

This stroller is sleek and packs lots of style. More importantly, the seat is very roomy for a larger child.

Aprica Magical Air

Weighs 6lb - lightest reclining stroller I've ever seen!
Available in 4 colors
Multi-position backrest recline
All wheel suspension
Swing aside bumper bar
One hand compact fold
Stands upright when folded
Can be rolled like luggage when folded
Decent basket, considering the size of stroller
Breathable, washable seat liner

Could be better:
No leg rest. Canopy is small, 
but how much can we expect, 
considering the stroller weight? 
Not for bumpy roads.

Don't be fooled by this baby's size. Amazingly, it packs many features that are not commonly seen on such lightweight strollers, like a reclining seat, bumper bar and suspension. This stroller also has a slightly bigger brother, Magical Air Plus, weighing 7.3 lb. The difference is, slightly larger wheels, canopy and ventilation system on the seat back. 


Maxi Cosi Kaia in Bohemian Blue

Weighs 16lb
Accepts Maxi Cosi Mico and Prezi infant car seats
Multi-position backrest recline
Adjustable leg rest
Stands upright when folded
Reversible seat liner  
Decent size basket
Wheel suspension
Includes parent cup holder
Available in 3 colors

Could be better:
No  bumper bar,
No peekaboo window on canopy,
The canopy is just average. I wish it was larger.

 I absolutely love the vibrant color of the Bohemian Blue and the fact that this stroller can be used with an infant car seat. 

Elodie Details Stockholm Stroller

Weighs 17lb
Huge canopy completely shields from the sun
Peekaboo window on canopy
Multi-position recline
Adjustable foot rest
Pocket on the back of canopy
Comes with carrying case
Decent size basket
Available in 6 colors/patterns

Could be better:
Not the lightest in it's class,
Canopy touches the wheels when folded, 
No bumper bar.
Difficult to access basket when stroller is reclined.

This is a gorgeous, if not so light, umbrella stroller! I am mesmerized by the "Apple Of My Eye" color. The canopy is the best I've seen on umbrella strollers so far. Lots of matching accessories, like winter muff, rain cover, seat pad, baby blankets, diaper bags, bibs, hats and mittens are also available.

Joovy Groove Ultralight

Weighs 13lb
One hand, multi-position seat recline
Large canopy
Adjustable leg rest
Zipper pocket on the back of canopy
Carrying handle
Decent size basket
Lockable front swivel wheels
Available in 5 colors

Could be better:
No bumper bar,
Basket is hard to access.

 Peg Perego Pliko Mini

Weighs 13lb
Multi-position recline
Adjustable leg rest
One hand umbrella fold
Stands upright when folded
Wheels with suspension
Height adjustable handles
Peekaboo window on hood
Carrying handle
Parent cup
Available in 7 colors 

Could be better:
No bumper bar,
Basket is small and hard to access,
Need two hands to recline.

This is a great stroller to take on public transportation because of it's swift fold, carrying handle and ability to stand upright.

Mamas & Papas Armadillo Stroller

Weighs 17.6lb
Multi position recline
Adjustable leg rest
Extra large canopy with peekaboo window
Very easy fold
Stands upright when folded
Roomy seat
Car seat compatible
Flip flop friendly break
Large basket
Available in 5 colors

Could be better:
No bumper bar,
Not as light as some other strollers in it's class.

I love that the seat reclines to an almost flat position and that the stroller is car seat compatible. The huge canopy makes it very baby friendly.

AirBuggy Coco

Weighs 17.6lb
All terrain air tires
Stands upright when folded
Bumper bar
Extra large canopy with peekaboo window
Canopy doesn't make any noise when being adjusted
Breathable seat fabric 
Holes in the rigid seat back insert for ventilation.
Large basket with zippers on the sides for easier access
Includes rain cover, drink holder and air pump
Available in 4 colors

Could be better:
Seat has only 2 positions - upright or reclined.
Leg rest is not adjustable. 
Bumper bar is removable, but doesn't swing aside.
Back recline is achieved by two zippers on either side of the stroller.

I just had to include this stroller in the lineup because, although it's not an umbrella stroller, it's the lightest stroller with all terrain wheels that I've seen. It reminds me of Baby Jogger City Mini GT, but it's 3 lbs lighter than the GT, with an aluminum frame. Also, while the GT is 24.5 inches wide, the Airbuggy Coco is only 22.8 inches wide! That is a pretty narrow frame, convenient for navigating urban chaos. Airbuggy also makes a version of this stroller with a hand break, which is available in 11 colors and is only 21 inches wide at it's widest point! Sadly, the break version is not as light, at 21 lbs.
Airbuggy strollers are made for the Japanese market, are also sold in Hawaii or can be ordered from Global Rakuten.

1 comment:

  1. I really love the Air Buggy! So I can order form Global Rakuten still?

    ReplyDelete