Bugaboo v. Zooper Waltz

[Khralvarez]

Hi, I'm a newbie both to the boards and to the baby world, our first baby is due Jan 10, 2005.
After many months of reading the boards and checking strollers out in real life, I still can't decide which stroller to get.

I live in Washington DC and will be using the stroller both around the city (with awful sidewalks) and also in/out of the car (for my more suburban jaunts to the mall and such). In addition, I anticipate travelling a decent amount with the baby as both sets of grandparents are out of town; as well as being able to take the baby on some of my business trips with me (I am already slated to take the baby with me to a work conference that I am attending in April 2005).

I really like the Bugaboo, finding it not only cool but really light and sturdy. But I just can't get past the 2-part fold and it also seems to me that it will be a pain to deal with at the airport. It just seems to me that if I buy the Bugaboo, I am eventually going to breakdown and end up with 2 strollers, and given the Bugaboo's price tag, that seems unreasonable.

I also really like the Zooper Waltz. This one doesn't seem as light as the Bugaboo, but does in fact fold pretty well. And it seems like more of a bargain as you get so many more accessories included. But, a little voice inside my head says, "Yeah, but it's not the Bugaboo, which is the coolest stroller on the planet". (which I know is irrational). Plus, I had been hoping to use the Bugaboo's bassinet around house, thereby skipping that purchase.

I know you folks on the board have good insights on strollers; so, please enlighten me!

Thanks!

[ShaniB123]

The Zooper Waltz actually weighs less than the Bugaboo. I believe the Waltz is 14 lbs, and the Bugaboo is 17-19, depending on which attachment you use.

FYI, I tested a bunch of strollers, and I eliminated the Bugaboo based on the 2 part fold, and I eliminated the Waltz because I found it very difficult to fold as well (as did my husband and the salesman who showed it to us). If these are the only 2 strollers you've looked at so far, you may want to check out a few others, beause there are definitely strollers that are excellent quality and that fold really easily compared to both the Waltz and Bugaboo.

First due in CA in October

[JulesinChicago]

Hi!

I'm due in Oct and just purchased a Waltz. We didn't really consider the Bugaboo, given the price tag and the 2-part fold. We were looking for a semi lightweight stroller that would be suitable from birth. We live in Chicago, so needed something that would store well in our entry, do well on the sidewalks around the neighborhood for outings to grocery, restaurants, etc, and be used as a travel/car stroller when we needed it. We will likely also get more of a jogger/all terrain type stroller in the spring for exercise and such.

So far, I'm happy with my purchase. I liked that the graco carseat can be used with it. It is fairly lightweight - maybe 15-16 lbs or so? I also liked that it came with so many accessories! Unlike the PP, I have found the fold to be really easy (almost one-handed), and it stands up on its own when folded. (This is important for us since we will likely store it folded in our entry much of the time.) The Swing was much more of a pain to fold & lock (and it didn't stand on its own).

I'm due in Oct so I haven't been able to test it on the sidewalks around here IRL (maybe I should borrow someone else's child for a test drive!) My only 2 concerns with this stroller, after playing with it for a while: 1) the basket is BIG but there is a bar on the back that makes access to it smallish - I'm imagining not being able to cram in a large bag of groceries (only putting a few items in each bag should work though) and 2) the canopy does not extend down all the way to the napper bar (though since it comes with the sun shade, maybe i'll just use that when needed)

I also seriously considered a couple of the favorites often mentioned on this board - the P3 and the zippy. But, maybe this is just my insanity, I couldn't get into the umbrella handles and the criss-cross bars on the back of these strollers - plus they were both more expensive.

I also love the looks of my waltz - I got it in red and it's really cute!

hope that helps - Let me know if you have other questions about the waltz that I might be able to answer.... good luck stroller-hunting!
Jules

[lmariana]

I have a Bugaboo and love it! But, I flew with it recently and after I got home, I bought a Zippy. The Bugaboo was not easy to travel with at all, especially if you're alone! I went with the Zippy because of the one-handed fold, which would be perfect for traveling.

Other than that, the Bugaboo is awesome. I use it in the suburbs (mall, shopping, etc) and some outdoors use. It's wonderful, but like you said, for that price tag, you shouldn't have to buy another stroller to meet your needs.

The Bugaboo weighs 19 pounds and the Zippy is 17 pounds. It's been a great stroller, so if you want to consider that one too, I'd recommend it.

I hope you get some good ideas here!

Mariana
www.heinzandmariana.com
Mother of Gabriel, 08/14/2003

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030814/1/5/0/-5/.png[/img]

[mamagoosie]

I live in DC also and found it impossible to find one stroller that did it all. We have an MBUS for outside and a Mac Techo XT for inside--and it's been an ideal combination. The Techno stays in the car trunk, the MBUS in the house. You can get the carrycot to use with the MBUS in the early days and get a universal carrier to use for quick trips out. I know it sounds like a lot of gear -- but added up, it's still cheaper than a bugaboo--and they are both great strollers. And most importantly, you each stroller is well suited for a different environment.

Alex.

[kcampo]

I hate to say this, but there really isn't a "silver bullet" perfect stroller for every situation as stated in BB. Those pregnancy hormones have a way of putting a "rosy glow" on things. If you already are pre disposed to the Bugaboo, chances are you'll down play its negatives. Chances are you'll change your mind when the baby is here. Consider this, go stroller shopping after the baby is born. Those of us who have had kids know you don't usually go anywhere for a few days or weeks after the baby is born. Make your first big outing with baby to the stroller store. That will really show you how easy it is to get a squirmy, squalling newborn in & out of the stroller & how easy it is to fold/handle with a baby on your shoulder. Just a few experienced mom thoughts. Good luck.

[lenad]

Hi, I also live in Chicago and have just bought a Waltz (baby due in a week so I can't add anything useful to the above post). I have since read so many incredible posts about P3 that I wish I had checked it out. Waltz is 16lbs, and P3 is like 1lb more, folds tighter, seems plusher, ... (don't know about one-hand fold).

It seems to me you can't really compare Bugaboo and Waltz, they are so different on so many different counts, so I will let others comment.

I just wanted to mention that from all the uses you need the stroller for, one seems incompatible with the rest: travel. I would obsess over having a nice stroller (either one, but esp. Frog) banged/scratched/torn/.../lost on a plane. People seem to have special travel strollers and that seems sensible.

LD