Whether you live in an apartment or urban environment, travel frequently or just have minimal trunk space in your car, a compact, lightweight stroller is a necessity. When many people think of small strollers, their minds go to umbrella strollers that don’t recline, have no basket, and aren’t very comfortable. But these compact strollers not only fold into small spaces, they have all of the accessories of their larger, heavier counterparts. From 5-point harnesses and fully reclining seats to lightweight aluminum frames and one-handed steering, these lightweight strollers will get you from the trunk of your compact car, around town, and fold up neatly in your coat closet at the end of the day.
Valco Latitude Single Stroller$299.99
The Valco Latitude Single Stroller has all the bells and whistles of a larger stroller, yet folds up compactly and is lightweight at only 18 lbs., making it a great choice for small spaces and parents on the go. This compact stroller features a padded seat that fully reclines for an infant, bumper bar, storage basket, canopy, adjustable foot rest, and is compatible with both Graco and Britax car seats. The Valco Latitude also comes with a rain cover to keep your child completely dry, boot cover to warm their legs and feet on cold days, and a tire pump. When this stroller is folded and locked into place, you can pull it behind you like a piece of luggage, which is a great feature when travelling. The folded dimensions are 31″ L x 22.5″ W x 11″ H, so even tight trunk spaces should be able to accommodate this stroller. The stroller will also stay upright when folded, so you can store it easily in a coat closet, which is perfect for urban apartment living. To see this stroller in action, check out this video review by BabyGizmo.com.
Quinny Zapp 4 Stroller$219
Parents are raving about this contemporary, lightweight stroller that looks great and works even better. The Quinny Zapp is a full-sized stroller when opened, yet folds down to only 12″ x 27″ and can be stored in a convenient travel bag, which is included. This 18 lb. stroller also includes a sun canopy, rain shield, and basket, and is compatible with the Maxi Cosi Mico car seat and Dreami Bassinet. This compact stroller has 4 wheels which swivel or lock for easy maneuvering through even tight spaces, and the lightweight aluminum frame is sturdy. Kids will be secure in the 5-point padded harness, and this stroller will carry them up to 50 lbs., so you can use it for quite a few years and get your money’s worth. The only downside to this compact stroller is that it doesn’t recline, so if you have a child who naps in a stroller, this may be a problem for you. But many parents like it anyway, especially for travel and tight storage spaces, since it can fold up so small that it’s easy to store even on a plane or train. To see this stroller in action, check out this video review from BabyGizmo.com. Note: This review is several years old, so the stroller seen is an earlier version of the Quinny Zapp. While the features have changed slightly in the newer models, you can get a basic idea of how this stroller works.
2010 Zooper Twist Stroller$199
Zooper has been well-regarded as a leader in great strollers for years, and the 2010 Zooper Twist is no exception. This compact stroller is like an umbrella stroller with all of the features of a full-size model. The Twist features a one-handle 4-position seat recline suitable for newborns up to toddlers with a max weight of 55 lbs., and is also compatible with most infant seats. The front wheels swivel or lock, and there is a one-step rear brake as well as a secondary break for added safety. Both the 5-point safety harness and leg rest adjust for newborns and toddlers, and the easy-access basket allows you to take your baby essentials with you easily. You also get a lot of extras for the price, including a rain cover, UV sun shade, sleeping bag and cup holder. The lightweight, yet sturdy aluminum frame gives the Zooper Twist a weight of only 17 lbs., and it folds up compactly to 40″ L x 13″ W x 14″ H; it also stands up when it’s folded, which makes it easy to store. We have a Zooper Zydeco jogging stroller, and I’ve been very happy with the Zooper brand, both in value and performance. The accessories are very useful, and we’ve been quite happy with the Zooper overall. To see the features of this stroller, check out this video review from StrollerDepot.com. Note: This review was done on a 2007 Zooper Twist, so some of the features are different than the current model. However, the basic style and structure have remained the same over the years, so you can get a general idea about size, form, and function.
Sources:
LightStrollers.com
BabyGizmo.com
Diapers.com
BabyEarth.com
StrollerDepot.com
