Question about Joovy Kooper...

[Pinky]

First let me say that I love this board... just found it the other day and you ladies are so knowledgeable about stollers! Love it! :bowdown:

I've been trying to find a stroller to replace my Maclaren Easy Traveller now that my LO is almost 4 months old... This board lead me towards the Joovy Kooper.

I tried it out in the store yesterday and liked it overall but there were a few things I wasn't happy with and I'm wondering if something else would fit my needs better...

1. No leg rest for baby --- How important is this? We want her to be able to nap in it at the zoo/mall etc but have no idea if the leg rest is necessary or not (first time parents LOL)

2. No full recline --- That is unless I just couldn't figure out how to do it. How important is a full recline for napping and being a mobile diaper changing station?

3. Latching after it was folded seemed really awkward --- Do you get used to the clear plastic latch? (I'm used to my Maclaren latch and it is so much easier on the Easy Traveler)

So, would those things be deal breakers for you guys? Should I keep looking for the "perfect" stroller? Again, first time mom here!

Things I'd like to have in a stroller:
1. Narrow enough to fit through store aisles, take into the docs office etc (this is the only con I see for the BJCM)
2. Good for tall parents
3. Easy steering/handling --- would use for smooth sidewalks, zoo, neighborhood, mall etc
4. Nice sun shade
5. Light weight (not a big SUV type stroller)
6. Would be awesome if it could stand on its own after folding

[poohbear]

First let me say that I love this board... just found it the other day and you ladies are so knowledgeable about stollers! Love it! :bowdown:

I've been trying to find a stroller to replace my Maclaren Easy Traveller now that my LO is almost 4 months old... This board lead me towards the Joovy Kooper.

I tried it out in the store yesterday and liked it overall but there were a few things I wasn't happy with and I'm wondering if something else would fit my needs better...

1. No leg rest for baby --- How important is this? We want her to be able to nap in it at the zoo/mall etc but have no idea if the leg rest is necessary or not (first time parents LOL)

Depends on your babe and the age. At 4 months, maybe. We started using a Triumph at 8 months and the lack of legrest was never a problem. We also have a BJCM, again, lack of legrest, never a problem. My LO just holds his legs up, crosses them or lets them hang. I do have a Mac Ryder coming from Gilt that has a legrest. I'm doubting it will change my opinion though.

2. No full recline --- That is unless I just couldn't figure out how to do it. How important is a full recline for napping and being a mobile diaper changing station?
At 4 months, you should not need a full recline, but again, depends on your babe. Mine will fall asleep with no recline if he's tired. I have never changed a diaper in the stroller...

3. Latching after it was folded seemed really awkward --- Do you get used to the clear plastic latch? (I'm used to my Maclaren latch and it is so much easier on the Easy Traveler)
I generally don't latch my BJCM. I haven't used the Kooper so I can't answer that... The Mac latch is super easy, so we're kind of spoiled with that one....

So, would those things be deal breakers for you guys? Should I keep looking for the "perfect" stroller? Again, first time mom here!

Things I'd like to have in a stroller:
1. Narrow enough to fit through store aisles, take into the docs office etc (this is the only con I see for the BJCM)
2. Good for tall parents
3. Easy steering/handling --- would use for smooth sidewalks, zoo, neighborhood, mall etc
4. Nice sun shade
5. Light weight (not a big SUV type stroller)
6. Would be awesome if it could stand on its own after folding

Wouldn't be deal breakers for me, because honestly, you're never going to find "the perfect stroller." Trust me, we've all looked, it doesn't exist.
IMO, the BJCM is pretty close for the things you are looking for. (It doesn't sound like you need an AT). Or you should look at something like a Mac Quest, which has a legrest, easy close latch, easy steering, narrow enough to fit through store aisles - basically meets all of your criteria except good sunshade (can be easily fixed with an aftermarket product) and standing on it's own. If that's important, you can take a look at the Peg si - I believe it stands on it's own.

hopefully Strollerqueen will comment on some of these points as well, as she (and some other members) are more knowledgeable than I am...

[Suzanne74]

No leg rest and the poor latch were the two main reasons I wasn't a fan of the Kooper when I was looking a few months back - my daughter was 6 months at the time. The latch was a deal breaker although when it got down to about $110 on Amazon last week, I came very close to getting one. From reviews and pics it has a pretty bulky fold for an umbrella style although MUCH better than ones that fold in half. I have also heard the seatback isn't so tall but I don't remember that. It just seems like a good stroller for ages 1-2.5 years old, in my opinion.

Personally, I love the leg kickers. I just don't see how dangling feet/legs in mid air could be comfortable although some kids don't seem to care. My main concern is knocking their legs into things all the time since I can be a klutz when I am out shopping or in crowds.

The full recline you won't really need but it is super nice if you need to do a diaper change on the fly or your little one is a good stroller sleeper. I have yet to have a child that falls asleep in one that does NOT wake up when I am reclining the seat back. And if I recline it back BEFORE they fall asleep, they are annoyed and try to do sit-ups. So I think a decent partial recline is all you need for a good nap.

Some of the ones I suggest you check out:

Maclaren Quest (esp if you like the Easy Traveller) then buy a rayshade
Peg Perego Si (meets all your requirements, I have it and love it)
Zooper Twist (no standing fold but has a lot of extras)
Uppa Baby G-Luxe (I think it meets all of your requirements)
Bumbleride Flite (the recline and canopy aren't the greatest)

Also, since your little one is still small, you can look at the First Years Indigo. It is reversible and is super cheap for everything it offers. The only negative is that the fold is bulky.

[LadyPeter]

Did you find the Joovy comfortable for tall parents? I'm short and I felt very hunched over when I pushed it. For height, I much prefer the Keekaroo Karoo. In features, it is comparable to the Mac Techno XT, and those who own it have been quite positive.

http://www.amazon.com/Keekaroo-Karoo-Stroller-Crimson-Red/dp/B0019VMYOY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1278501291&sr=8-2

[poohbear]

The indigo that Suzanne suggested is another good option. Plus you have the option of using your infant seat with it.
FWIW - I've never hit my LO's legs into anything while using the stroller - LOL! (and I would think it would bother him to have his legs all over the place, but nope, not mine, so I really think it varies from babe to babe)...

[BJewels79]

I got my Joovy last night and it does fully recline from what little I tried it out. It is a bulky fold though. I have a BJ Micro right now also and the fold is SO much easier and smaller overall. Not only that it pushes much better than the Kooper. As far as use for tall parents, the Kooper is shorter than the Micro I have by quite a bit (although I'm short so it doesn't matter much to me :) ) I'd say try out a BJ Mini if you can :)

[georgiegirl]

I was thinking about getting the Kooper, but I pushed it around at BRU and it was noticeably more difficult than the macs. Also the seat is very short, and my 4 year old did not fit into it comfortably. So I crossed it off my list. I have a keekaroo on the way that I'm going to try out (free returns from amazon).

[BJewels79]

I agree about the seat being short! In my post about Kooper vs Micro, I posted pictures of both :)

[Trigglet]

I had similar requirements to you - I have a 3 month old - (barring the height thing - I'm very average height!) and I went for a Chicco Liteway for a couple of reasons:
1) It meets my requirements for weight, leg rest, full recline with proper mechanism not just a tag with snaps, decent canopy, fold
2) I like the way it looks
3) the price is very good - I got mine for under $100 on diapers.com with Bing and the new customer discounts.

It arrived the other day, and I am super happy with the feel of it - sturdy, well made yet lightweight and easy to fold, steer, recline etc. DH loves it :bighand: and DS also seems very happy in it, though we shall have to wait and see how he deals with several hours in Atlanta airport in it :shake:

The thing it doesn't have that you mentioned is standing fold, but I live in a pretty tiny cottage, and it doesn't take up much space, so it might be fine!

[Suzanne74]

I was thinking about getting the Kooper, but I pushed it around at BRU and it was noticeably more difficult than the macs. Also the seat is very short, and my 4 year old did not fit into it comfortably. So I crossed it off my list. I have a keekaroo on the way that I'm going to try out (free returns from amazon).

I have been thinking of trying this stroller out too. Let me know if you like it.

[lareigna]

:yeahthat: Love the Liteway. Great travel stroller.

OP: Have you thought about a Zippy or a P3? The Zippy is a little pricey, but you can find a good used P3 on CL, if you are on a budget. They both umbrella fold but and have more features than a regular umbrella. What is your budget like?

[georgiegirl]

I tried the Liteway at BRU, but I kicked the wheels (and I didn't kick the wheels on the Kooper.) I'm not even that tall (5'6"). The canopy seemed a bit plastic-y. Other than that, the liteway seemed like a good deal.

[Pinky]

Oh wow! Thanks for all the replies... I'm going to continue my research with the info you guys provided.

To answer the question about my budget... I'm willing to pay for an expensive stroller if it meets my requirements. (I've been super thrifty on everything else and want to splurge a little with the stroller if need be)

How important is it to have a stroller that stands on its own? The Easy Traveller is always falling over when we try to stand it up in the garage. Am I missing something or should we just always lay it down on the ground?

Does anyone know where you can try Baby Jogger strollers out in person?

[LadyPeter]

Oh wow! Thanks for all the replies... I'm going to continue my research with the info you guys provided.

To answer the question about my budget... I'm willing to pay for an expensive stroller if it meets my requirements. (I've been super thrifty on everything else and want to splurge a little with the stroller if need be)

How important is it to have a stroller that stands on its own? The Easy Traveller is always falling over when we try to stand it up in the garage. Am I missing something or should we just always lay it down on the ground?

Does anyone know where you can try Baby Jogger strollers out in person?

If you're willing to splurge a little, you need a taller stroller and you like the Kooper, get a Baby Jogger City Mini! It doesn't stand on its own, but how often will you even need it to? You'll either be pushing it, or folding it to go in your car, right? You can always get a stroller stand for your garage. If you go to Baby Jogger's website and click Where to Buy, it will direct you to your nearest dealer.

[Pinky]

If you're willing to splurge a little, you need a taller stroller and you like the Kooper, get a Baby Jogger City Mini! It doesn't stand on its own, but how often will you even need it to? If you go to their website and click Where to Buy, it will direct you to your nearest dealer.

Love the "smilee" in your signature!

Not sure why I didn't think about checking out the website... Will do that now. :)

[arivecchi]

If you like the BJCM, check out the MB Swift. It is an AT stroller that weighs 22 pounds but has everything you are looking for. Albee Baby has them for 20% off right now and you can have diapers.com price match. The quality is great as is resale value. Baby Gizmo has a great video review of it on You Tube.

[Pinky]

Thanks for the tip Arivecchi! I'll look into that one... Is it much wider than the BJCM?

[arivecchi]

It is not. You can see the Swift next to the BJCM in these pics:

http://picasaweb.google.com/LPMomChitown/MountainBuggySwift#