Quinny Zapp worth it?

[smilla653]

So, we currently have an Inglesina Zippy. It has been a great primary stroller for us. We love the fold. It's the right weight and combination of features for us (we live in a city in a thrid-floor walk-up).

We have been doing a lot of travelling since DS was born and have already flown four times. We have two big trips coming up.... Puerto Rico in December, and possibly a month in Paris in the spring. DS is getting old enough that we can get more of an umbrella-type stroller for travel.

Here's the thing: I really want a Quinny Zapp. One of the reasons we like the Zippy is that we're into compactness, folds, etc. It drives me batty to gate-check my stroller and then hang out by the plane for ages while they hunt down the stroller in the cargo bay. Sometimes it goes to checked baggage. It wastes a lot of time. With the Quinny, we could just take it on the plane. Wouldn't that be cool? I also like the thought of having it in the car, rather than have it take up half my trunk (Honda Accord). The styling makes my heart beat faster; the Zippy is a little boring that way. So, I'm thinking I might want one as a Christmas present to myself.

But then I think maybe I'm crazy. I've read that the Quinny is not all that easy to fold. That it's not all that good on cobblestones (and we'll be in Europe). That it's heavy. And I can't believe I'd spend all that money on a stroller with no recline and no basket.

So tell me. Is the Quinny Zapp worth it? If so, Lime or Red?

[Thatchermom]

We bought ours for your very reasons, right down to the Honda Accord, except we took ours to Prague instead of Paris. Honestly, it wasn't bad on the cobblestones. The worst part of the cobblestones was having to hold the mp3 player DS was listening to instead of putting it in the pouch we attached to the stroller because it bumped too much for it. If they made it with little bitty air tires, it would be a dream come true! We did adore having it with us on the plane and at all layovers, as you don't get gate checked strollers back until the final destination when flying internationally. It is far from a one-handed fold, but you get the hang of it pretty quickly. I can't imagine having to do it holding a kiddo, but DS was 3 when we traveled so it wasn't a bid deal. We used a small backpack that we hung on the handles or carried, and really don't miss the basket. We personally haven't travelled with anything else, but another family on our trip last summer had a mac and it was hard to deal with on trains and busses as it was so long folded. Ours fit under the seats every time.

We were supposed to resell it after the trip, but just can't bring ourselves to. Even DH has fallen in love despite the cost. We've only used our old stroller once since then and he complained about it all day. In our house, it is definitely worth it. Lime or red? Gosh, it would be so hard to choose!

DS chillin on the cobbles in Old Town Square in Prague. Wasn't bumpy enough to make him drop his ice cream!

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I (briefly) had a Red Zapp. It was an awesome steering stroller, but I used it smooth pavement/mall floors, I think it would have been pretty loud and clackety on bumpy surfaces, and the steering advantage would probably be diminished a bit on that type of surface. (Depending on the weight of the child, too).

It drove me crazy, though, for a couple of reasons: I did get the hang of the fold but it was still irritating to me. I wanted the option of taking a stroller on public transit and there is NO WAY I could have used the Zapp for this. Also, once it was folded, it wasn't easy to carry unless you got it in the bag. Another big no-no for public transit. And the weight- the third strike. I found it to be heavy to lift and especially awkward in the carry bag. I travel a lot by myself so it would have been impossible for me to get the Zapp, the car seat, the backpack and the child on a plane by myself, so I would have had to gate-check it anyway. I don't travel international, though, so I have never experienced the problem of having it get "lost" in the cargo hold.

I think you would find it very awkward to use at home, going up and down your stairs.

For me, the no basket thing wouldn't have worked long term. It's fine to hang a backpack or bag on the handles when the child is in the stroller but don't forget to take it off before the child gets out... over it goes. Also, if you have coats and sweaters, what do you do with them? I can get lots of stuff in my Volo basket even though it looks tiny.

I ended up selling mine, it was nice to have for a few weeks but I'm sorry I bought it since by the time I shipped it I lost a little $.

I had the red, it was GORGEOUS.

BTW, I ended up buying an 2005 Mac Volo. For my lifestyle, this has been perfect. I don't use it for traveling (still use my trusty Zooper ZStreet) but it has been awesome for around town and on public transit, it weighs practically nothing.

I think it really depends on what you're trying to get from it. If you just want to have something that can go on the plane (and you always travel as a family) then go ahead with it. If you want to use it daily, IMO it might not be your best option.

Marilee
mommy to James
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