Choosing a stroller

[Eilly]

My son is six weeks old and I'm looking for a stroller that he'll be able to use from now through toddlerhood. Looking for something lightweight but comfortable with a full recline. Something easy to steer and fold too.

Have narrowed it down to either a Maclaren (techno or vogue -- don't know what the difference is??) or to a Perego (Pilko I think, either Trek or Matic, again can't work out the difference).

Any advice from experienced strollers out there welcome.

[hipmaman]

He is young to be totally comfortable in a Maclaren (despite what they claim). The backward-slanting seat of a Mac makes it not a great stroller for young babies (typically less than 12 months old). I know the differences between the Vogue and Techno (XT and older ones) but I don't think it's the best choice for your baby, so I won't bother describing the differences here (unless you are adamant about choosing between these 2 models, then I'll post later).

Pliko is a nice one, but it is nearly impossible to steer and push with one hand. With one child it's not a huge issue, but if you have more than one, or constantly find yourself holding bags and trying to push it, it would drive you insane.

The Chicco is very similar to the Pliko in features and quality, but absolutely great to push with one hand.

The new one that has been having great reviews by moms on this board and the PP board is the Inglesina Zippy. Peruse the post here for info and reviews.

Hope that gives you a bit of a start.

[candybomiller]

Having *just* received my techno xt today, I can tell you that it does not have a full recline. More like 140.

Can't really tell you anything about the pliko, but I can tell you my opinion on the zippy. I bought the mac to replace the zippy because I kept kicking the wheels. After driving the maclaren around my kitchen, I realized that the problem is with *me*, not the stroller. The zippy is an amazing stroller. The one-hand fold is fabulous. I think that it's light enough to be an everyday in-and-out of the car stroller, yet sturdy enough to handle sidewalks, though not really tough ones.

If someone wants to get by with only one stroller, I do recommend the zippy.

jmtcw,
Candy
-SAHM to Matthew Nicholas, born 5/22/02

[momathome]

The Pliko is a fantastic stroller that would work quite well for a baby so young. As far as complaints about the way it pushes, I have NEVER had a problem pushing this stroller and I do have 2 young kids. (4 1/2 years-old and 20 months old). In fact, one of the things I like best about this stroller is that my older daughter can stand on the back of it - I have recently been able to eliminate my double stroller altogether. I think that this is one of the few strollers that really can take you from birth to age 4. The padding is great and it folds up pretty compactly for such a full-featured stroller. Anytime I'm at the zoo or the mall, I see more Plikos than any other stroller - I think that pretty much says it all. Good luck!
-Lauren

[mommychic]

I have to agree with Lauren. So many people here complain about the Plikos steering, but no one in the real world does. I see Plikos all over the malls and in my local BRU it's rated the number one stroller selected on the baby registries. I have even stopped a few moms to ask them how they like the stroller and all have responded that the love it. I'm highly considering it.

Hope that helps a little,
Lisa

[strollerqueen]

EEK! I assure you I live in the "real world", and I assure you I couldn't push my Pliko with one hand. Otherwise, I never would have sold it, because I liked everything else about it--well, except the basket, but I could have lived with that. It was always a problem trying to open doors, etc. But it became completely unmanageable when I had my second baby, and had to carry him, or hold DD's hand.

I sold it to my next-door neighbor. SHe was complaining to me the other day that she was trying to carry a tray at the mall food court, and couldn't for the life of her push the stroller. She was trying to do it with her stomach, until finally a woman tells her son, "GO help that poor woman with her stroller!" Yes, this was a familiar story. WIth the Pliko, you will definitely be dependent on the "kindness of strangers."

There are similar strollers that will push one-handed, however. My favorite is the CHicco 2002, which has rotating handles. It pushes just as easily as the Macs. Other people here rave about the Inglesina Zippy for the same reason, though I haven't pushed one.

[Rachels]

I just bought a Chicco Ponee. It seems comparable to the Pliko, but the steering is great. Worth a look!

-Rachel
Mommy to Abigail Rose
5/18/02

[sarsah]

I have a very tall 2 1/2 year old and don't really care for my Pliko. Since my DS is tall (38"), he's pretty much too big for it and almost weighs too much too, so now I'm trying to find a decent stroller for a tall & heavy 2 1/2 year old. We have a new baby on the way (due next May) so maybe I will like the fact that DS could stand on the back while the baby rides in the stroller, but we'll see how hard it is to push with all that weight. I do find it hard to push with one hand, as others have said and I have not found a cup holder that works well with it (have not ordered the one directly from Peg Perego.

In my case, I don't think there is a good stroller on the market for me to go from birth to 3 or 4.

Sarah....