Travel Strollers

To travel stroller or not to travel stroller?

When planning a trip with small children, transportation is one of the first things on most parents’ minds. Even once they start walking, young children don’t go far, and the whining quickly sets in. While I always highly recommend a sturdy carrier for babies and young toddlers, there are times you just want a stroller. Even if your child is older and you don’t usually use a stroller, you may want one for a walking-intensive trip. This is where the travel stroller comes in.

While it is possible, and sometimes preferable, to travel with a full-sized stroller (I took my large stroller to four countries before my daughter could walk), this involves more checked baggage and can be cumbersome.

Enter the travel stroller! These small strollers are lightweight, smaller, easy to fold, and often fit inside an airplane cabin overhead bin, making them fantastic airport tools. Luckily, many brands now offer travel stroller options meaning you can find one to suit your needs and budget. Read on to learn more about what I look for in a travel stroller and an overview of four popular options.

Nicole Abiad

Expat, Mother, Traveler, Educator

I am a seasoned traveler with a firm belief that adventure doesn’t stop at parenthood! Through advice, reviews, and research, I hope to help you continue your adventures and share the gift of travel with your family!

Travel stroller essentials

So, what do you need in a travel stroller? When I look at strollers, I think of capacity, durability, maneuverability, and size.

Capacity

Just how much can this stroller carry? A good stroller is an investment that will hopefully stay with you for a while. Therefore, it is crucial to think about the max weight and height. Unfortunately, some travel strollers do not seem to go far in this category. A travel stroller that will only support a child until 20lb (9kg) may work for a baby, but you will quickly need to upgrade. The same goes for seat height. It is better to choose one that can grow with your child.

Storage capacity is also important. I love having a larger basket to quickly store snacks, water bottles, and anything I buy as we sightsee. However, depending on where you are traveling and how often you may need to fold the stroller, an overloaded under-storage may become cumbersome to constantly unload (I’m looking at you, Italy, with your small cafes and doorways).

Durability

Just by being made for travel, these strollers tend to be on the less-durable side. The need for lightweight materials and many moving parts creating small folds leaves less room for solid frames and shock absorption. Depending on your travel needs, this may not matter as much. If your goal is to cruise the manicured paths of Disneyworld or modern city travel, most travel strollers may work. If you plan to go off the beaten path or visit older cities with cobblestones, durability can make or break it. There is nothing worse than an uncomfortable three-year-old complaining at every bumpy jolt of a ride. Many strollers advertise shock absorption and smooth rides, so I find it most helpful to read reviews from real users for accurate feedback. I have done this for you for the four strollers I highlight below.

Maneuverability

Do I need two hands? Can I do it one-handed? Does turning around require a 3-point maneuver with a backup warning? These are essential considerations when traveling. Trying to push a stroller loaded down with a backpack containing travel essentials for the family while juggling snacks and ostensibly enjoying the sights is only possible if your stroller is easy to maneuver -preferably with one hand.

Size

Travel = small

However, how small you need again depends on you. Some strollers are incredibly lightweight with astonishingly small folds, but these features come at the expense of others, such as durability and capacity. Ask yourself if you really think you’re going to be carrying the folded stroller around with you. If so, then maybe a tiny fold option is for you. Personally, I do not carry my folded stroller around. If I’m leaving the house (or hotel or Airbnb) with the stroller, then I am pushing it for the day. Therefore, as long as it is light enough to lift for short periods and small enough to store in an overhead compartment, I am happy.

My Top Four Contenders

UppaBaby Minu V2BabyZen Yoyo2

GB PokitMountain Buggy Nano
Unfolded Dimensions (HxWxL)41″x20.5″x35.5″
(104x52x71cm)
41.7″x17.3″x33.8″
(106x44x86cm)
39.8×28″x17.5″
(101×71.2×44.5cm)
38.5″x22″x21″
(98x56x54cm)
Folded Dimensions (HxWxL)23″x20.5″x”
(58.4x52x30.5cm)
20.5″x17.3″x7″
(52x44x18cm)
7″x11.8″x13.8″
(18x30x35cm)
20″x22″x11″
(51.5x56x30cm)
Weight16.9 lbs (7.7kg)13.6lbs (6.2kg)10.4lbs (4.7kg)13.2 (5.9kg)
Max Carry Weight50 lbs (22.5kg)48.5lbs (22kg)55lbs (25kg)44lbs (20kg)
Seat Height18″(45.7cm)16.7″ (42.5cm)21″ (53.3cm)17.5″(44.5cm)
ReclineMultiMultiNoMulti

My Pick: UPPAbaby Minu V2

Overview

The UPPAbaby Minu V2 travel stroller was just released in April 2022! This comparison is for the V2, but know that the original Minu is still available and about $100 cheaper with many of the same features discussed below.

The UPPAbaby Minu V2 is the smallest in the lineup of UPPAbaby strollers but still incorporates UPPAbaby’s known style and durable materials. The stroller as it is suitable for 3 months to 50 lbs (around 7 years), but you can also purchase a “from-birth” kit that includes a bassinet (Which can fold with the frame!). The company also makes car seat adaptors which means the stroller could conceivably be used as more of a day-to-day option. The stroller includes a large, extendable sun-canopy and peek-a-boo window allowing for maximum airflow on hot days, and the 18” seat means even tall children will still feel comfortable. The included leather bumper bar, adjustable calf support, leather handlebar, and shock absorption mean your child will be riding smooth and stylish, while the easy one-hand fold, integrated carry strap, easy maneuverability, and large carry basket with 20lb capacity mean you can move easily and enjoy the trip. The new V2 has also added a ride-along board for an older child, which is a huge improvement for this stroller and not as common in the travel-stroller category.

Reviews

Since the V2 was LITERALLY just released, there are no reliable real-user reviews available yet, so I will be relying on the original Minu reviews, but you can bet I will be writing an in-depth review after I use mine!

Overall, reviews for this stroller are incredibly positive. Most users on Amazon, Buy-Buy-Baby, and other blogs (I’m careful to look at non-sponsored ones) say the ride is smooth, the stroller is easy to maneuver, it fits in overhead bins, and best of all, it is easy to clean! Of course, there are some negative comments, namely that the lower basket is large but can be difficult to access, and it is a bit on the heavy side. You also need to remove the wheels to fit the stroller in the travel case, but this is true for UPPAbaby’s larger strollers as well.

Pros

  • Sturdy
  • One hand fold
  • Easy to maneuver
  • Large sunshade
  • Easy to clean
  • Suitable for older children
  • Can fold with the bassinet

Cons

  • Difficult basket access
  • Heavy
  • Expensive

Final thougths

I will admit that I may have some brand bias because I was absolutely in love with My UPPABaby Vista, but I kept an open mind while researching, and this stroller easily became my top contender. Judging by the reviews, it seems that it will stand up to the rough cobblestones of Europe while allowing for portability and ease of use. I am very excited about the new features in the V2, like the adjustable footrest. Look for an update and review later this summer after I test it out.

BabyZen Yoyo2

Overview

The Babyzen Yoyo travel stroller has long been a European favorite for good reason, and the introduction of the Yoyo2 in 2020 made this lightweight beauty even better. With four-wheel suspension, multi-recline seat, integrated shoulder strap, and a fold that easily fits in airplane bins, the yoyo is the traveling parent’s dream. The 2020 upgrade to Yoyo2 gave the stroller a more luxurious feel with a faux leather handlebar (it was previously foam) and softer, more flexible strap material for comfort. The decent-sized sunshade also provides your child with plenty of protection on hot sunny days.

The stroller is suitable for 6-months to 48.5lbs with an optional bassinet attachment making it suitable from birth.

Reviews

Overall this travel stroller has high reviews and an almost cult-like following. I know many people who own and love their Yoyos. However, there were some negative issues that seemed to repeatedly come up that made me pause. The first is the seat height. While it officially measures at almost 17”, the canopy apparently cuts it, making it hard for taller/older children to comfortably fit, and the narrow seat width further adds to discomfort. There are also many reviews stating that it was a much bumpier ride than expected, it is difficult to fold, and the storage basket is on the small side. However, it is easy to maneuver and wash.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Easy to maneuver
  • Easy to wash

Cons

  • Difficult fold
  • Short seat
  • Small storage basket
  • Bumpy ride
  • Cannot fold with bassinet

Final

I actually came into this research fully thinking I would choose the Yoyo. I’m an ex-pat, and where I live, the Yoyo reigns supreme. However, the more research I did, the more I realized it’s not suitable for an older child due to its small seat and less than optimal leg support. Add in the bumpy ride and small basket, and I soon realized this was not the right fit for my needs. However, it would be a fantastic choice for younger/smaller children on smoother terrain.

GB Pokit

Overview

No joke, this travel stroller holds the Guinness record for the smallest stroller fold that can literally fit in a large handbag or backpack. Since its introduction, GB has introduced other versions of the Pokit, which add a little bulk but offer more features, but for this review, I am focusing on the original due to its tiny size as that might be what you are looking for.

Due to its small size, that incredible fold is pretty much all the fancy you will get out of it. The stroller features a tiny canopy, non-reclining seat, and small basket.

Reviews

People either absolutely love or absolutely hate this stroller. However, it has overall high reviews on Amazon and elsewhere. This is primarily due to the small size. It does not come with a carry strap, which seems strange, but there are plenty of reviews showing you how to add one, or even add backpack straps for easy carry. However, on the other end of the spectrum, it seems that the stroller is flimsy (not surprising given the small size) and easily falls over if a bag or anything is hung on the back. Furthermore, it is cumbersome to fold, hard to maneuver, the sunshade offers essentially zero protection, and the lack of recline means there is no hope for a nap.

Pros

  • Small
  • Light

Cons

  • Flimsy
  • Difficult fold
  • No recline
  • Small basket
  • Not good on rough terrain
  • No carry strap

Final

Don’t let my long list of cons deter you from this stroller if it fits your needs! It definitely has a place in the travel stroller lineup! I have seen this stroller in the wild once and was lucky enough to see the user fold it, and it is impressive. If you need to carry your folded stroller or may only need occasional use, this could be a great fit for you.

Mountainbuggy Nano

Overview

The Mountain Buggy Nano is an attractive travel stroller that will give you what you need at a price point that is a bit lower than the Minu and Yoyo. While it does not have a one-handed fold, it does fold small enough to fit in most airplane bins and has a medium-sized storage basket. The sunshade is on the smaller side, but the seat height is comparable to the Minu. Keeping with the Mountainbuggy brand’s focus on durability, the stroller is maneuverable and holds its own on bumpy terrain.

The stroller is rated to work from 6 months to 44lbs. It does not have a bassinet option, but it does allow for car seat integration, meaning it could conceivably work from birth.

Reviews

The overall reviews for this travel stroller are positive. One review tip I found AMAZING, but was not clear just from reading about the stroller, is the car seat integration. The stroller does not need an adapter but instead has a built-in seatbelt to strap the car seat. This works for ALL SIZED car seats. This means you could strap in your toddler car seat, which is a fantastic option if you need to use a lot of Ubers/taxis. It has excellent reviews for maneuverability, but there seem to be a lot of complaints about the wheels breaking/wearing out quite quickly. Also, it seems that the canopy covers the handlebar when it is folded making it difficult to hold/push.

Pros

  • Universal car seat adaptor
  • Good maneuverability
  • Lower price point

Cons

  • No one-handed fold
  • Wears out easily
  • No peek-a-boo window in canopy

Final

Overall, this seems like a fine choice for a one-trip travel stroller or something you won’t use much, but the lack of durability means it will not last many years of travel. It left me with an overall “meh” feeling. If it were in front of me, I would use it and feel fine about it, but it’s not one I’m going out of my way to buy.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, which travel stroller you choose depends on what kind of travel you are undertaking and what features are most important to you. Whether you choose one of these or something else entirely, I hope your journey is smooth, your children are happy, and you get to enjoy the trip!

Let me know if this helped! Did you choose one of these travel strollers or something else entirely? Comment below and give us your real-life reviews and feedback!  

2 responses to “Travel Strollers”

Leave a Reply

Discover more from Travel Like a Mother

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading