Strollers

If you’re reading this and are in the market for strollers, you’re either sleep deprived or on the cusp of lacking some valued rest time. Let’s face it, having kids isn’t easy. Hats off to all parents out there, the first 10 years are certainly no walk in the park, and those first couple years are called the formative years for a reason. These are the years when you need to get things right, make sure all check-ups are followed and up-to-date, little Jonny isn’t sitting on your Ipad all day at 10 months, and the most important … eating!

But aside from all that nonsense, there’s one area that’s even more important – getting them out of the house. We kid, this is indeed important, not as important as eating regularly, but getting some fresh air (you and the little shaver) is a necessity, hands down. And a companion with which to achieve this is the trusted stroller. The stroller sounds like just another accessory in the baby arena, but its importance is paramount. The stroller has been with us for nearly 300 years, an easily movable piece of transport that was both a luxury item depending on your socio-economic status as well as an absolute necessity for those needing to move little Jonny or Jenny about.

Something known as the “perambulator” was born in the U.K., an impressive unit with giant spoked wheels and a couch (small, but still a couch). The design was fabulous, folks loved it, and this style led to some flamboyant successors. Post-perambulator came the umbrella stroller. Featuring a foldable aluminum frame, this model was designed by an engineer who worked in the avionics sphere during the 1960s. The design at the time was indeed revolutionary, but few expected this specific design to be the one that would lay the foundation for modern day strollers. Yet, make no mistake about it, this design did just that.

Today there are a plethora of killer strollers out there. Not the terminology you would use for a stroller – killer? We hear you, but one push of these pieces of refined plastic and you might reconsider. First up is one of the best all-around strollers you can choose - the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2. Even if you’re not a jogger, this stroller is a whiz to operate and at $399, while expensive, it is certainly worth every penny. All-terrain wheels, a hand-operated brake, plus an adjustable handlebar, the GT2 is great for city dwellers as it is super-efficient navigating tight spaces like the subway or crowded streets. The GT2 can also be folded up and stored in tight spaces which is a definite plus if you’re living in a small apartment in the city.

If you find yourself on a budget, $135 sounds nice, doesn’t it? Of course, and the Graco Modes ClickConnect Stroller is the smart, budget friendly choice for you. Most budget choices regardless of whether it’s strollers or CD players, will skimp on the features. But in this case, there are features galore at a super reasonable price point. Available at Target, Walmart and on Amazon, there is a massive basket where you can store diapers or even a small shopping bag, and the adjustable footrest allows you to keep this stroller “growing” as your young one grows.

Lastly, we saved the Rolls Royce of strollers. Although the previously mentioned GT2 is the best all-around stroller on the market, the UPPAbaby Vista Stroller might be the best over the long-term. The main reason being, this stroller grows with you. While the ClickConnect will adjust with you, the Vista includes a bassinet as part of the package! And to top it off, you can also upgrade for a minor fee to the Uppababy Mesa car set which rounds out nearly every transportation option you would need.

Now for the ugly part, the price. This stroller comes in at just under $1,000. We know, that’s ridiculous. But you’ll be the cat’s pajamas around your neighborhood, and your newborn will love you forever. There’s a price to everything, ladies and gentlemen.