Ten Travel Pushchair Myths That Don t Always Hold

Buying a Travel Pushchair

When buying a travel pushchair, consider things like the fold and recline, storage space and canopy. You should also look for extras such as a footmuff, cup holder, and rain cover.

If you're often traveling, choose a model that's approved for cabin use and folds down compactly. Our test with parents says that the Joie Tourist is a great choice for this. Its one-handed mechanism makes it easy to fold while trying to manage a toddler.

Lightweight

A travel pushchair can fold quickly and compactly to fit into luggage or the trunk of a car. They are designed to be used with a baby from birth and usually come with the option of securing a car seat to them but adaptors are required. Some are also suitable for toddlers which makes them a great choice for holidays and day trips.

There are a variety of travel pushchairs available, so you need to select the best one for your family. If you have a child, you might want to consider a buggy with a footrest that is removable to prevent the child's legs from hanging. When selecting a stroller, it is crucial to consider how much storage space you'll need.

If you're a frequent traveler and require an ultra-compact buggy that can fit in your cabin baggage allowance, choose a model which folds down into a size of 48cm x 43cm x 21.5cm. This is smaller than the majority of hand luggage. If you select a model that has an innovative, fluid folding system, it's easier to carry around, since the buggy can fold in on itself, like the pages of a book.

Another good alternative is to purchase a car seat bundle. This will allow you to save time looking for compatible components and money. A brand bundle typically includes a foldable pushchair and car seat that has been specially designed to be compatible in terms of style and comfort. There are also other options such as a parent organizer or cup holder, which can be a great addition to your traveling.

Certain brands offer additional accessories like a newborn baby bassinet or rain cover that can convert your travel pushchair to twin pushchair pushchairs or a double buggy. These are particularly helpful if you have older children and would like them to have an area to sit comfortably when travelling.

Folding is easy

Travel pushchairs should be easy to fold, especially in tight spaces such as the cabin of an airplane or train. The Joie Pact Pro, which has a one-handed folding mechanism that our test with parents found to be extremely easy to use, is a fantastic example. This makes it perfect for parents who want to take their baby on day trips, local excursions, and air travel.

A travel system bundle is a different option. It combines an infant car seat with a pushchair from the same manufacturer. You can be certain that the car seat will fit inside your pushchair, and work with the chassis that you have chosen for your child. These bundles can be cheaper than buying each item separately. However, it is important to make sure that the components work together before purchasing.

If you're planning to use your pushchair to travel on rough terrain, choose something that has a solid base and wide wheels that can handle bumps and snags. Smaller wheels can be difficult to maneuver on anything other than smooth roads. Reversible seats are also beneficial, as your child can sit in front of you initially and then turn to see the world as they grow older.

Depending on the season you're planning to travel, you'll need to think about whether your pushchair can provide the protection against weather that you require. A sunshade can protect your baby from harmful UV rays and raincovers will stop water or snow from entering the pushchair. Make sure you buy a rain cover designed specifically for your model of pushchair, not an unspecific one.

The final criteria is that the pushchair should be light and compact. This is particularly true for travel pushchairs, which need to be able to fold down to a compact size. The Bugaboo Butterfly is one of the smallest pushchairs on the market. It can also be tucked away in the overhead compartments for luggage (but not all) of some airlines. The Bugaboo Butterfly was a pleasant ride for our tester's parents and her toddler. It features reclined seats that are large and of high quality.

Easy to manoeuvre

If you're navigating busy train or prams bus stations with a baby sleeping, being able to fold and maneuver your stroller easily to allow you to get off and on without disturbing your little one is a must. Look for models with smooth swivel front wheels that allow you to pivot and move your stroller effortlessly.

Travel pushchairs typically have smaller wheels to keep them lighter and smaller. However If you're looking for something to take on rougher terrain or to traverse the beach, choose a model with larger, more robust wheels.

Some retailers and brands offer travel systems that include the pushchair, car seats and other items you might need. This is a great choice for those who know what you want and don't want to spend hours searching for parts that are compatible. Be sure to ensure that the components you purchase will work in conjunction before purchasing a travel bundle. You can find this information on websites of a few brands or inquire with an agent.

Easy to store

A pushchair that folds small and compact is crucial if you're looking for something to pop into the boot or fit in an overhead bin on a plane. It's also helpful if your pushchair has a shoulder harness so that you can carry it with one hand, especially if your child falls asleep!

When you're choosing a travel-friendly pushchair, consider the frequency you'll use it and the kind of terrain you'll be covering. Some travel buggies, for instance are best suited for city walks on smooth roads. They won't work well on the beach or off-road. If you plan to travel off-road and require a more rugged buggy, make sure that it has a suspension as well as larger wheels that can take on rougher terrain.

If you plan to use it from the time of birth, then look for a travel triple stroller with a baby pack. The Babyzen Yoyo2 is a great example, featuring a clever one-hand fold and plenty of add-ons including a newborn bassinet as well as a rain cover, and an extremely comfortable foot muff.

If you're certain you'll use it only for holidays and short shopping trips, go for a travel pushchair with an adaptor for carseats that fixes onto the chassis, so you can keep your little one in their snug car seat for the duration of the journey. A lot of travel system bundles include a car seat that is already fitted however, you can assemble your own customised bundle if that's what you prefer.

When choosing a travel system, keep in your mind that it's likely to cost more than if you purchase the separate items separately, so consider how much you'll get from each piece. It is also important to factor in the price of the base for your car seat and any adaptors you might need to fix it to the pushchair. They can be purchased online or in stores - some brands offer bundles that include all of them, making it simple to create your ideal travel system!