I'm a huge fan of lightweight, compact strollers. Partly because these type of strollers are very convenient for city life and partly because I'm petite and prefer not to be encumbered by a heavy, bulky stroller. Lightweight, strollers are designed for portability, weight under 18 lbs and generally feature a simple, compact fold.
Some people are OK with a lightweight stroller being of inferior quality. Their reasoning being that it's a backup stroller which is only used on specific occasions and therefore doesn't need to be exceptionally wonderful. However, for many city dwellers and frequent travelers, a lightweight stroller occupies the place of a main stroller and therefore needs to have as many comfort and convenience features as possible.
My personal standards for a lightweight stroller are very similar to my standards for full size strollers. Just like a full size stroller, a lightweight stroller must be comfortable for a child, provide a good sleeping surface with a deep recline, have high quality textiles, good sun coverage, fold easily and maneuver well. Looks also matter and the lightweight strollers that have a more attractive design get my attention. Of course in a lightweight stroller I have to compromise on the push quality due to smaller wheels. A lightweight stroller will never handle grass and uneven terrain as well as a full size stroller with larger wheels. That just comes with the territory. Lightweight strollers are designed to be mostly used on pavement and indoors (think malls, airports, museums, etc.).
Here's my list of the best compact and lightweight strollers for 2017. These strollers were chosen based on the following criteria: Weight, compactness, child comfort features, ease of fold, quality, aesthetics.
The Mima Zigi, like all Mima strollers, has a cool, futuristic look, with transparent wheels, chrome accents and a fluid seat design. The stroller is a head-turner, but also extremely functional. It seems that the designers at Mima really thought of everything!
The Zigi is made with:
- An adjustable, telescopic handlebar
- Adjustable backrest and leg-rest
- Innovative, one-push open/close canopy
- One-hand, super compact fold. The folded stroller stands upright
- Folded size (18 L x 10 W x 22 H) is a accepted as cabin luggage on most airlines
- Rear wheels suspenssion
- Beautiful fabrics and leather details
- Stroller weight - 18.5 lbs
- Mima Zigi can be used from birth with an optional bassinet or infant car seat.
- Travel system compatible
- Zigi will be available in 3 colors.
Ever since the release of the original Yoyo stroller, it has been extremely popular for travel and city life. The stroller is as compact as it gets, has a tiny fold and a handy carrying strap. The Yoyo+ has been updated to allow for even more convenience:
- Can be used from birth with a parent facing bassinet attachment or car seat.
- One-hand folding, unfolding and driving
- Reasonably large storage basket
- All-wheel suspension for a softer ride
- Adjustable, UPF 50+ canopy
- Removable and machine washable seat fabric
- Extremely compact when folded (52 x 44 x 18 cm), the YOYO+ can be taken on-board a plane as cabin luggage
- Comes with a rain sheild and storage bag
- Weighs 13.7 to 14.5 lbs (6.2 to 6.6 kg) depending on the version.
The new Nano V2 folds even more compact than it's predecessor, making it a perfect travel companion. While the stroller is narrow and lightweight, it still features a full size seat, which can be suitable from newborn (with carrycot attachment or car seat) to well into the toddler years. Despite it's small size, the stroller is very stable and sturdy.
Nano's outstanding features:
- Folds compactly to just 22" x 12.2" x 20", suitable as hand-luggage on most airlines
- Weighs - 13 lbs
- Stands upright when folded
- One hand flick out unfold
- Shoulder strap for hands free carrying
- Exposed carry handle when folded in satchel
- Improved mesh ventilation system in back of seat, with detachable cover
- Adjustable leg rest
- Rear wheel suspenssion
- Travel system ready - built in safety belts to secure a car seat no need to purchase additional adapters.
- Optional, lightweight infant cocoon
- Travel bag included
- The limited edition version includes a matching seat liner
The GB Qbit+ is one of the few lightweight strollers with a completely flat recline, making it suitable for use from birth without an addition of a carrycot or car seat (though the stroller is car seat compatible). It's also one of the few compact strollers which include a bumper bar.
Other great features:
- Easy one-hand fold
- Free-standing when folded
- Weighs 16.8 lbs
- Suitable from birth to 55 lbs
- One-hand push and steering
- Large canopy with viewing window
- Nearly flat recline
- Adjustable leg rest
- Swing away bumper bar
- Head support pillow, shoulder and crotch pads
- Easily accessible, large shopping basket
- Travel system compatible
- Available in 6 colors
Greentom is Dutch stroller brand that will be available in USA for the first time this year. The Greentom Upp is a unique concept in stroller design. Besides for being lightweight and very versatile, the stroller is as green as it gets, being completely made of recycled and biodegradable materials. The stroller frame is made of Polypropene and the high quality textiles are made of recycled PET bottles.
Greentom Upp is a 3-in-1 stroller. The frame can be used with a classic, forward facing seat, a newborn carrycot or a reversible seat unit. It can also be used as a travel system with an infant car seat. Available in 3 frame colors and 10 vibrant fabric color options.
- Weighs 15.4 lbs (With Classic seat)
- Flat seat recline
- Infinite recline strap
- Roomy seat
- One-hand steering
- Large canopy with flip out sun visor
- Removable bumper bar
- 8” rear wheels and 6.5” swivel wheels
- Frame can be used with 3 different seat options
- Travel system compatible with adapters
- Simple "book" fold
- Made of recycled, biodegradable materials
CYBEX MIOS
Mios is the newest addition to Cybex stroller collection for 2017. This stroller is a perfect hybrid of compactness with full-size stroller features. While it's in a higher weight category than the other options in this post, it's still under 20 lbs (weighing 19 lbs to be precise) and has a small foot print. As with other Cybex strollers, Mios has a sleek, contemporary look that will resonate with Urban parents.
Here's a list of all of Mios impressive features:
- 19.6" wide
- Weighs 19 lbs
- Reversible seat unit
- Unique breathable mesh seat (Can be covered with a seat inlay)
- Flat recline
- One-hand recline lever
- Adjustable leg rest
- Swing away bumper bar
- Height adjustable handlebar
- All-wheel suspension
- One-hand fold
- Self standing while folded
- Extendable canopy, with viewing window (Rated UPF 50+)
- Large shopping basket
- Flip-flop friendly break
- Bassinet and travel system compatible
- Available in 7 colors, plus 3 Special Edition fashion prints.
Babyhome Vida is a very lightweight and compact, full featured stroller, that is also very affordable at $299. It features an attractive, fluid design with a slim frame, a compact fold and lot's of thoughtful features. It is one of the few compact strollers with removable and washable seat fabric. Kids are messy, and the ability to wash the stroller fabric offers a degree of convenience rarely found on a stroller in this price-range.
Other features:
- Suitable for 3 months to 55 lbs
- Stroller weighs 16 lbs
- Can be used from birth with a Nest Kit (sold separately), or an infant car seat
- Roomy seat with tall seat back
- Adjustable leg rest
- Adjustable handlebar
- Extendable, 3 panel canopy with a pop out sun visor
- Peek-a-boo window on canopy
- Mesh ventilation panels in back of seat and on the sides of canopy
- Large, easily accessable storage basket
- One-hand manuverability
- All-wheel suspension
- Compact, standing fold
- Removable, washable seat fabric
- Travel system compatible
- Optional bumper bar sold seperately
- Available in 5 colors
VALCO BABY SNAP 4 TREND
The new Valco Baby Snap 4 Trend is loaded with all the 'full size' stroller features, like a roomy seat, large basket and ginormous canopy, while still being relatively light at under 18 lbs.
- 8 klg (17.6 lbs)
- One-hand fold
- Infinite strap recline
- Flat recline position, suitable for infants
- Height adjustable handlebar
- Tailormade fabrics
- Huge, extendable canopy with mesh portion
- Adjustable leg rest
- Leatherette covered bumper bar and handlebar
- Mesh ventilation window in back of seat
- Zip-up pocket in back of seat
- Large storage basket
- Available in 3 colors.
If you like the Oxo Tot Cubby and Cubby+ strollers, you will absolutely love the new Oxo Tot Air stroller! When Oxo designs baby products, they do it right, and this stroller is no exception. At $180, it's one of the most affordable travel strollers on the market.
- Weighs only 11 lbs
- Suitable for 6 months to 55 lbs
- Super compact fold (folds to the size of a backpack)
- Front wheel suspension
- Large, UPF 50 canopy with peek-a-boo window
- Mesh sides for ventilation
- Breathable seat fabric
- Machine washable fabric
- Roomy storage basket
- Shoulder carrying strap
- Estimate release date - October 2017
