Need Stroller Suggestions, Please!! Any New Orleans Parents out there?

[duein june2003]

I am currently using a snap n go for my 4 month old son. He's looking out at the world now and I'd like to get a stroller for him. Here's what I need. Any suggestions??
-Air tires for these terrible New Orleans sidewalks and roads
-Light weight because I'm a weakling
-I've got a SUV, so storage isn't a problem
-This will be used for walks around neighborhood, mall, errands
-Parent tray is a must (unless you can convince me otherwise!)
-removable kid tray
-Accessable basket underneath

Thanks so much!
Ruth, Mom to Cole- 5/21/03

[luvmypeanut]

This probably won't help you much but just wanted to tell you that we took the Zippy to NO this summer and it handled terribly on the sidewalks and the hood wasn't great protection from the sun. My husband actually ended up taking DD in the bjorn most of the time because he couldn't stand to see her bouncing around in the stroller. Air tires add a few pounds so I'm not sure how lightweight a stroller you'll be able to find. Maybe the Zooper Sport? I'm sure you'll get lots of great suggestions from others.

Good luck!

[duein june2003]

Thanks- What doesn't work here is just as helpful as what will work! Ruth

[ginamlee]

You might want to look into the Peg Perego Atlantico.

It doesn't have air tires, but it does have all terrain wheels. I've already used mine on mulch and grass and it handled great.

Has parent tray and removable child tray and a pretty large basket.

[lmintzer]

Hmm. I'd say the Zooper Sport or the Mountain Buggy Urban Single would be your best bets. We have a Mountain Buggy and use it for the bad Chicago-area sidewalks. Unfortunately, it does not have a parent tray or child tray but handles like a dream. The Zooper Sport is more "full-featured" -- comes with a boot and (I believe) a rain shield. It has smaller air tires than the MB, but the nice thing about this stroller is how plush and comfortable it looks for the little passenger. Owners can give you more details.

Good luck!

Lisa
& Jack, 4/20/01
& Little brother-to-be, e.d.d., 12/15/03

[Gayletmomto4]

Ruth,

I am no longer officially a N.O. mom b/c we moved to Mandeville a few years ago but I know well the battle a regular stroller can be on our sidewalks. I would second to recommendation on a Mtn. Buggy. It is a dream to push and a pleasure to use-sort of a cross between a jogging stroller and a high-end indoor stroller.
The only problem is that we don't seem to have anywhere in town where you can see one in person (I had to try out a single when I was out of town). I am about to order the dbl. from Marilyn at www.arunningstroller.com sight unseen because it has been the hands-down favorite workhorse dbl that has been suggested to me over and over by all the experienced moms and stroller experts out there. Plus, she'll take it back if I don't like it.
The drawbacks as far as what you are looking for are that it is not particularly lightweight and doesn't have the trays. I haven't gotten into the tray groove, I just use one of those add-on cupholders that has a hook for my bag. Also, I am hard on strollers and durability is really impt. to me so I decided to ignore the weight issue.
You might try to call Marilyn or e-mail her and tell her what your ideal stroller is-she's a great resource.

HTH

[hwin708]

I'm also in New Orleans. I plan on getting the Peg Aria, mainly because I want something VERY lightweight and with all the cupholders. It'll do fine for errands and mall trips, but I do not plan on using it for neighborhood walks, because I doubt it would work on the sidealks uptown. I really doubt anything except the strollers with those huge, heavy duty tires stand a chance on those sidewalks, though. My car barely stands a chance, LOL!
I also ordered a pepeny shade, because the Aria's canopy is really small
If you want to look at the Pegs, they have then at Burlington's Baby Depot.
Also, if you really want to go all out, I just saw that Pippen Lane on Magazine St. started carrying the Bugaboo.
HTH!

[duein june2003]

OK- I went test driving strollers today and it seems like I've narrowed the field down to the Zooper Sport and the (GASP!) Graco Metro Lite Air. (Believe it or not, there's no BRU here in New Orleans and my choices are limited...) There's a $40 price difference. No big deal. The Zooper seemed tough to fold and unfold and carry. It didn't have parent or kid tray- can you purchase these separately? The Graco's basket wasn't accessable when the seat is reclined, but did have kid and parent trays. Does anyone have any recommendations either way? :-) Thanks so much! Ruth- Mom to Cole 5/21/03

[MelissaTC]

My SIL has the Graco Leisure Sport and LOVES it. It has a parent tray, smaller pneumatic tires and a kid tray. She uses it everywhere and has nothing but good things to say. It is also something you can purchase at Target and it is low in cost. Just something to consider. I personally own a PP Atlantico and love it....

[Gayletmomto4]

You might try the "search" function on these boards and plug in each of these strollers to see what you get. You could also try to search some other terms like "sidewalks" or "urban" or "city stoller"-I'm not sure exactly what terms to use but I have been browsing the boards for 6-8 weeks now and recall a couple of other discussions of the best stroller for a bumpy, urban enviroment.
I think part of the issue is related to what the previous poster who was getting an Aria implied: there doesn't seem to be one "do it all" stroller". Once you get past the pram & infant seat compatible strollers there seem to be two different but not entirely distinct stroller types. One is a hybrid jogger-type like the Zooper, MB, etc. that are great to push on any kind of terrain but are heavy and don't fold that easily. The second seems to be the really lightweight in and out of the car types like the Aria, Mac, etc.which are great in the mall and easy to fold but are not so good on bumpy terrain. I've come to the conclusion that one of each type makes life easier.
My one non-negotiable on a stroller is that it is high-quality so that it will last. My first was a Peg and it has lasted 7 yrs, is now on baby #3, has been on about 20 airplane trips and still works as well as the day I bought it!
Also, I don't know if you are aware but there is a BRU in B.R. that's pretty easy to get to and they also have a couple of big baby stores (Cullen's is one) that might have some other strollers to test drive.
Good luck!