Lightweight AT-ish? stroller

[Hemlock]

My SIL is looking for a new stroller. She has 4 kids, but only 1 rider (7 months old). She already has a big beast Graco stroller travel system that she has used for the 4 kids. She is looking for a stroller that she can use mostly indors, but she will occasionally be using to travel to/from the parking lot at the to the mall to her SUV... We have long winter, but usually the snow in the parking lots is hard packed. She would like something under 20 pounds.

[newg]

the Britax B-Agile is 16lbs and can be used as a travel system, with the right carseat, if needed.
The BGCM is a great stroller too, though I'm not sure how much it weighs. The BGCM GT has more AT tires, but again, not sure of the weight.

[mom3boys]

Mountain Buggy Swift? I think it is a little heavier than 20 lbs, but it is a small AT stroller, I think it would work well for the mall and small enough for in and out of the car.

Or maybe a Valco Quad, there may still be some deals around on it. Small air tires in the back, small tires up front. Has a good push--maybe not great on snow but for a little hard-packed stuff it would be OK for a short trip.

There is a Swift on StrollerSWAP for a good price!

[Hemlock]

O/P here. SIL read my post and wanted me to add that she is not looking to replace her Graco. She intends to keep using it, but wants another smaller/lighter stroller.

[staceyeileen]

BJCM GT can be classified as "AT-ish" I think. Forever air tires, but not big ones like a true AT. It weighs 21lbs.

[crl]

Does she want full recline? If not, maybe the micralite superlite fastfold? It is 14 pounds and has rear air tires so she could tip it back to get through the snowy parking lot. They are pricey though and no longer distributed in the U.s so they are getting to be harder to find.

The Bumbleride Indie is a great lightweight AT stroller, but around 22 pounds I think.

Catherine

[Hemlock]

She likes the BJCM GT and the Micralite Superlite, but she prefers the Micralite Toro. I told her that I also liked the Toro, but had heard some negatives reviews here on it.

Any thoughts on these choices?

[PeppyParents]

BJCM GT can be classified as "AT-ish"

I love it! :)

And just when I thought there couldn't be another new category of strollers!

[crl]

The toro is heavier and more expensive than the superlite. In exchange you get full recline and some accessories that don't come with the the superlite. I haven't had a toro, but it looks like it is more or less built on the same platform so it will be very similar in push, fold and overall feel, I would think.

My superlite is a nice stroller and it is unique in terms of being lightweight while still having air tires. For me it is worth the trade offs of a less cushy seat, less all terrain and so on. I think for the extra weight of the toro I would just go a couple of pounds more and get a MB Swift or a Bumbleride Indie instead.

Catherine

[KLD313]

I think for the extra weight of the toro I would just go a couple of pounds more and get a MB Swift or a Bumbleride Indie instead

:yeahthat: I have a toro and a swift. I think she would get more longevity out of a swift or indie.

[mom3boys]

I suppose maybe the benefit of the Toro would be the fold? I think it folds very narrow IIRC. I have no idea how big a Graco folds (never had one) but I have heard that some models take up a whole trunk. I would probably still go for a Swift over it but I've never had either model, I've just become a MB fan since I've gotten the +One.

[crl]

I suppose maybe the benefit of the Toro would be the fold? I think it folds very narrow IIRC. I have no idea how big a Graco folds (never had one) but I have heard that some models take up a whole trunk. I would probably still go for a Swift over it but I've never had either model, I've just become a MB fan since I've gotten the +One.

I am assuming the toro has the same fold as the superlite. If so, it is more compact that the swift, but not a huge difference in most car trunks, IMO. They are both long narrow folds. The main advantage of the micralite fold is that it folds to standing. The swift only stands if you fuss with the handlebar and even then it's not super stable, IMO.

Of course, you get the fold with the superlite as well and it is lighter than the toro. . . .

Catherine

[purpelina]

If she intends to keep the graco, it doesn't make much sense to get a similar heavier stroller. Something lightweight like micralite or even maclaren would compliment this. Is there specific reason she wants to keep the graco though? I'm not in an "anti-graco camp", these are decent strollers, durable and functional, even though a tad beastly. It's just if she only has one rider it may make more sense to have one versatile stroller (like a mb swift, or micralite).

Difference between toro and fastfold is how long can you use it with a child. Toro, even though reclines nicely and has slightly bigger canopy, has a smaller seat that can accommodate a child up to 2 yeas or so. (give or take a few months). Fastfold has the tallest seat back (taller than a maclaren), and will fit a child up to 5 y.o. if need be (plus some kids are just very tall, but get tired nonetheless and need to ride in a stroller occasionally). Heck my then 6 y.o. sat in the fastfold and had space! In the long run, fastfold will be better investment as a one and only do it all stroller for a toddler.