Okay, it’s no secret that I have experimented with a lot of the current strollers on the market, so I figured I would share my honest opinions on each of them to hopefully* save someone else the time, money and frustration that comes with learning a whole new stroller system. The part of this whole thing that makes me the most frustrated is that I did my research for each and every stroller. Not a single one of them was an “impulse” purchase. To be honest, I probably should have ordered my newest one months ago but I didn’t because I was sick and tired of spending hundreds of dollars on strollers. So, here we are, and there’s no point in complaining, because the truth is that I will end up needing each of the past strollers again at some point in the future when we decide to have more babies. I couldn’t figure out the best way to lay this post out, so I figured that I would just go in order from the first stroller purchased to the last. As always, these reviews are strictly my opinion and my opinion is based on how these strollers fit into my specific life, with my specific children– which means that your situation and opinion could be totally different! So, all of that to say, if you read this and still have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me and ask!
Bugaboo Cameleon Special Edition. Price Range: $900-$1400
This was the first stroller that I purchased when I was pregnant with Luca. I remember seeing a super chic Mom out in public pushing her baby in one of these when I was pregnant and after that I was SOLD. The stroller is beautiful and chic, and Bugaboo knows it. I can’t lie, for only one baby the Bugaboo was amazing. It rides low to the ground so I always felt that my child was safe and secure. The wheels are heavy duty so it can function in any terrain. When we briefly lived out in CA while Rico was training I used to push Luca on the beach trails daily– of course sand is tough to push any stroller, or anything in for that matter– but this one was great. The quality of the fabric, wheels and frame are all top of the line. I don’t feel that Bugaboo skipped out on any detail, or quality. One of the biggest downfalls of this stroller was the assembly– it literally arrived in like 70 pieces. Rico and I spent days trying to get it right and even once we got it right we still weren’t sure that we got it right, you know what I’m trying to say?? Also, it was so confusing because the seat and the bassinet use the same frame, just different fabric that Velcro’s onto the frame when you are needing to switch, I wasn’t expecting for the price that would be the case. I also felt that there could have been more storage space in the under compartment. But, aesthetically, it’s my favorite.
GB Pockit Stroller $179
Can we just take a moment for this stroller? Literally, to any woman who travels through airports with a child, or more– you need this. It literally folds up small enough to fit into the overhead compartment on airplanes. This is the stroller that changed my life when it comes to airport travel and ease. When I was super pregnant with Leni and could no longer carry Luca comfortably it changed my life. You are literally able to push your child all the way to your seat, transfer them to the airplane seat, fold up the stroller, and call it a day. The game REALLY changed the first time I traveled with both kids. I was able to wear Lennon in a wrap and keep Luca in the stroller all the way to our seat. With most other strollers I wouldn’t have been able to do this (obviously) because they make you break the stroller down before getting on the jet bridge to the plane. This is the stroller that I keep in my trunk at all times, because it literally takes up zero space. Funny story; I traveled to the game last year when the Falcons played the Bears in Chicago and I was somehow able to get this stroller to fit into my plastic game day bag and I was able to get it into the stadium… which, idk how this happened, but it was amazing. Point of sharing that is because its THAT small and compact. It was a gift from a girlfriend when I was pregnant and honestly, its still to this day one of the most practical “motherhood” gifts I’ve been given. I don’t have a single negative.
Uppababy Vista. Price Range: $899-$929
I purchased this stroller when I was pregnant with Lennon. To be honest, when I was pregnant with Luca I didn’t even think about the stroller situation when a second baby came along (rookie Mom move). If I would have been thinking down the road I probably would have purchased this stroller first. One of the main reasons that I chose to leave Bugaboo and purchase an Uppa was purely for the fact that I was scared about having Luca next to Leni when she was a baby baby (they are only 19 months apart, so in the beginning I had literally two babies). I liked that this stroller gave the option to stack the babies one in front of the other and also to add the ride along board, making it possible to travel three kids at once (see, thinking down the road this time around:). This stroller arrived in far less pieces than Bugaboo and was so simple to assemble. One of the first things that I noticed was how amazingly large the storage basket was– I could literally go grocery shopping and store my groceries in the basket, its THAT big. It is also made with really good materials; real leather, and puncture proof tires. This stroller travels very well, Uppababy has a travel bag ($129) and if you register the bag and something happens to your stroller while traveling they’ll replace it for free. This stroller was perfect for those early months of Leni’s life when I needed to keep the kids separate. It totally served its purpose, but now that the kids are interacting they are wanting to be side by side and able to interact, which is why I had to move onto my newest stroller.
The biggest negative about this stroller is that I felt that the marketing wasn’t as clear as it could be– there was zero mention of how many accessory pieces I would need to make this stroller “work” with a toddler and an infant. There are “upper” and “lower” adaptors ($29 each) that have to be purchased, and you need one set for the bassinet and then the other when it’s time to move onto the rumble seat (also an additional cost $189). Not to mention, it isn’t spelled out anywhere that your infant will always have to be on the bottom (furthest away from the person pushing the stroller), which makes zero sense to me. The heavier child will always have to ride in the seat nearest to whoever is pushing to avoid the stroller being too heavy and tipping forward. Another thing that I didn’t love about this stroller is that it didn’t feel secure when I was going up and down hills– which living where we live and walking where we walk, that was a major issue. I want to point out that this stroller was AMAZING when riding just one child, and that my review is strictly based on using this stroller for two children. It felt safer and wasn’t nearly as tall (because the adaptors are removed and only one seat is attached) when used with only one child. Another downfall that I noticed is that the foot brake wasn’t as secure as it should be. When it was locked it was good, but getting it to lock and unlock sometimes gave me issues.
Bumble Ride Indie Twin $799
photographed above in the Camp Green color option*
The Bumble Ride Indie Twin is my most recent purchase, as of four days ago and I have LOVED it so far. I have known for a few months that I would need to invest in a side by side stroller if I ever wanted to leave my house with both babies without challenge again. The truth is Leni was just tired of being on the bottom of the Uppa and unable to see out/interact with Luca, which means that she got bored and frustrated quickly which means that nothing got done. It was a no win situation. As I mentioned above, the Uppa served its purpose and is a great stroller that I will absolutely return to if I end up having a third baby close in age to Lennon. I wanted to truly give the Bumble Ride a run for it’s money before writing an honest review and so this morning I took the kids out on a 3.8 mile walk that consists of 90% hills. It handled SO well and I have zero complaints about it. Leni actually fell asleep half way through the walk (which she never does). The sun canopy comes down SUPER low to block the sun/wind and the seats recline almost to a laying down position. This is by far the best side by side stroller that I could find on the market and the price point seemed super fair. I love that the company is smaller, based out of San Diego and they are environmentally aware. The assembly was easy as pie (I didn’t even have to ask Rico for help!) and they provide all tools needed. This is my first stroller that has air tires, which I could foresee causing problems at some point, but they provide the custom air pump and storage space in the stroller so heaven forbid anything ever happened while out you could have access to inflate the tires. I realized today while pushing the kids that there aren’t cupholders, but I am assuming that the accessories are sold separately? I honestly haven’t even checked yet because it’s THAT new. The under storage space is large– I was able to fit (comfortably) two massive winter blankets, an iPad, snacks, drinks, and toys and even with the hills I never once felt like anything was going to fall out– its a super deep compartment. I also love that there are built in spots on the back of each seat for a drink and a pocket that’s the perfect size for a phone, keys and any other misc. items you may need. As of now, I have zero complaints about this stroller and I am truly excited to know that I can get out and about more with happy kids!
I was unable to find a compatible click to shop link for this stroller because the product is still so new– but, here is the link to their website!
As always, please let me know if you have any additional questions or if you need me to clarify something. The stroller is typically one of the biggest investment pieces that we make as Mom’s and luckily for you (and un-luckily for me, lol) I have done the market research and tried a few of them out for you!
a happy mama is a mama that can leave her house. xo, G
So we made same mistake and bought a fancy stroller for our first (not thinking of when number 2 would come alon). We have the stokke xplory. I was going to buy the double silver cross (v similar to the UPPA vista) but then saw the indie twin… my son will be just shy of 2 years when our next babe is born and I just think he will be too big / old for a stacking stroller. What age would you have felt comfortable putting leni in the indie twin? I feel like I would wear the newborn until he old enough to go in stroller anyways. Also have u tried the sibling board on the indie twin or do you think Luca is still too young. Sorry for all questions just don’t know which way to go and what works best for two year olds. Side note we don’t drive and walk everywhere!!!! Convenient that my 19 month old refuses to go in his stroller now right?
Hi!! So, I would have felt comfortable putting Leni in the Indie Twin as soon as she had neck control. The beautiful thing about it is that it can recline all the way back to be flat lying. So even if you got the Indie Twin from the very beginning and used it for the new baby it would 100% work. I am the same as you and wore her until she was curious and wanted to see what was happening. Luca is still too young to not be strapped in, lol. We would get nothing done if he knew he could just jump off whenever he felt like it. The fact that you walk everywhere makes me feel like you even more so should just go right into the Indie Twin– it has more of a jogger feel, so its more spacious and fun! I hope this helps! 🙂