Choosing The Best Travel Stroller

Travel strollers are a subject close to our heart. We have been traveling with our daughter Zoe since she was five months old and she already amassed quite a collection of passport stamps. Along the way our quest to find the best travel stroller has become a bit of an obsession. Based on our personal experience traveling with a baby then with a toddler plus our in depth research of all things family travel related we are going to help you choose the best travel stroller for you.

We have found traveling with a stroller to be incredibly helpful. It means you always have a place for your child to nap. You also have a place for them to rest if their legs get tired or if you need to get somewhere quicker than their little legs can manage. Taking care of kids can be hard work even at home so do what you can to make it easier while you travel.

It is not all smiles and sunshine however. The wrong stroller can be a real obstacle to getting out and enjoying yourself. If your stroller is heavy, hard to maneuver, or your child is not happy to be in it you and your child are going to find it difficult to have a good time. Meanwhile if your stroller is easy to set up and fold away, easy to carry and your child is happy to sit in it your life will be made much easier. A great stroller can enhance your travel experience immeasurably.

Lightweight Travel Strollers Comparison Chart

You can click on the table headings to sort by the various criteria. We have written a review of each one below.

	Name	Weight	Type	Recline	Price	Rating
	Babyzen Yoyo	14 lbs (6.4 kg)	Collapsible	Y	$$$	5.0
	Pockit Stroller	10 lbs (4.6kg)	Collapsible	N	$$$	-
	Baby Jogger Vue Lite Stroller	16.5 lbs (7.5kg)	Umbrella	Y	$$	4.1
	Summer Infant 3D Lite Convenience	15.4 lbs (7kg)	Umbrella	Y	$	4.5
	UPPABaby G-Lite Stroller Review	11 lbs (5 kg)	Umbrella	N	$$	4.3
	Maclaren Volo Stroller	10 lbs (4.5kg)	Umbrella	N	$	4.5
	Mountain Buggy Nano Stroller	13 lbs (5.9kg)	Collapsible	Y	$$	4.5
	Recaro Easylife Ultra-Lightweight Stroller	13 lbs (5.7kg)	Collapsible	Y	$$	4.1
	Quinny Yezz	11 lb (5 kg)	Collapsible	N	$$$	3.6
	Maclaren Twin Triumph Stroller	23 lbs (10kg)	Double	Y	$$$	4.5
	Delta Children City Street Side by Side Stroller	19 lbs (8.5 kg)	Double	N	$	4.4
	Zoe XL2 Best Xtra Lightweight Double Stroller	16 lbs (7kg)	Double	Y	$$	4.7

How Do You Choose The Best Travel Stroller?

As you can see there are plenty of good options available. There are a variety of factors to consider when trying to pick which is the best travel stroller for you.

Weight

At some point you are going to wind up carrying your travel stroller so, for the sake of your back, make sure you do not get something too heavy for you. And of course there will be times when you need to get it in and out of cars, taxis or buses, or when you need to lug all of your stuff up some stairs. Even when it is not folded up you will inevitably have to push your stroller containing your child up and down some steep hills so pay attention to weight.

Size When Folded Up

This is partly about ensuring that you can walk around with it folded up. Are you going to be knocking things over every time you go into a shop? How will you go on a crowded subway?

A bigger concern for us at least is whether your lightweight stroller will qualify as carry on size. For us, checking in our stroller was never an appealing idea.

Flying With A Stroller and checking it in seems like a recipe for disaster. Having your stroller get broken or lost is not a great way to start a trip. Beyond ensuring that your fabulous lightweight travel stroller arrives intact having a carry on sized stroller allows you to keep your child in the stroller all the way onto the plane if you so desire. Note, aside from security who will likely want your stroller to go through the x-ray machine.

Then when you arrive you can pop your child straight back into your stroller while you make your way through the airport. We have even put Zoe in her stroller while still on board as our stroller at the time (the Babyzen Yoyo) was narrow enough to fit down the aisle of the plane.

Is It Easy To Carry When Folded?

Does it come with a built in stroller carry strap or does it need to go in a bag before you have any kind of shoulder strap? Some strollers seem to have been designed assuming you will only ever fold it up to put it directly into the trunk of your car.

Not being convenient to carry when it is folded up becomes a real pain when you have to carry your child on a crowded subway or haul all of your belongings up a big set of stairs. There will be times when you will appreciate being able to sling your stroller across your back so you have both hands free to carry your child or your bags.

What Storage Does It Provide?

Even if you have all of your most important belongings in your day pack you will pick up other stuff along the way. Snacks for later, your shopping, bagged up dirty nappies awaiting disposal. It is really handy to have some extra storage for when you need it (and you inevitably will).

Does It Recline? How Much?

If you will be traveling with an infant you will want something that reclines flat or very close to flat. For a toddler you have more flexibility. If you are expecting your toddler to nap in the stroller you will want some amount of recline. For older kids who are not likely to nap in the stroller very often you can potentially do without recline if that gets you a dramatically lighter stroller.

 

Which Travel Strollers Have We Personally Used?

We have owned and very frequently used two lightweight travel strollers thus far. These have seen very extensive use around the world. Although we will go through a bunch of other options we have highlighted these two as we can confidently state that these are really great travel strollers.

Babyzen Yoyo Review

The Babyzen YOYO with bassinet attachment is 14 lbs (6.4 kg). The YOYO with the front facing chair for kids six months and up is 13 lbs (5.9 kg)

The under seat basket of the YOYO is not huge but is enough to shove a few bits and pieces in there. We could usually get one or two bags of groceries in there when doing grocery shopping.

The Yoyo has been our primary pram for both home and travel for most of Zoe's life. It has handled everything from cobblestone streets in Edinburgh to broken pavements in Malaysia and we have had absolutely no trouble with it.

The bassinet attachment is flat. The seat attachment has a deep recline. Zoe has had no trouble sleeping in the Yoyo either as an infant or a toddler. The Yoyo also fits a Snoozeshade which greatly improved her pram naps.

Although it is certainly not the cheapest stroller out there the Yoyo is a great all round stroller for both a new born or an older child. If you want a single stroller that will last for years we recommend the Yoyo.

Click here to see the latest price and more reviews

GB Pockit Stroller Review

Weighs 10 lbs (4.6kg)

The Goodbaby Pockit Stroller is much lighter than the already very lightweight Yoyo. The first time I picked it up I could not believe any stroller could be so light. It lacks a carry strap but comes with a stroller travel bag that it easily fits in. Being so light it is also fine to carry in one hand for short distances if necessary.

The big downside of the GB Pockit Stroller is that it does not recline at all. This makes it unsuitable for infants. Indeed it is recommended for children 6–36 months old (or up to 33lbs/15kg).

Another gotcha is that the Snoozeshade does not work with it. The Goodbaby Pockit Stroller lacks a sufficiently strong canopy to hold the Snoozeshade up away from the child in the stroller.

It is however unbelievably light.

We have written a much more comprehensive review of the GB Pockit Stroller. click here to read a more extensive GB Pockit Stroller review written by us.

You can buy the GB Pockit Stroller from Amazon. Click here for the latest price. Now you can buy it through Amazon Australia!

 

Unfortunately we are not able to personally try out every single stroller. Here are some other strollers that we think are worth considering based on our research.

These are separated into two categories. Umbrella strollers, which you will very likely have to check in when flying, and strollers that fold up sufficiently small that you should be able to stow them in the overhead compartment on an airplane.

Some airlines allow umbrella strollers in the cabin if they happen to have enough room. If not you will usually be able to carry your child in the stroller to the plane before handing it over to be placed in the hold. If you want to be sure that you will be able to carry on your stroller you need to get something that folds down small enough to fit in the overhead bins, you need a bona fide carry on stroller.

To us it is highly preferable to carry our stroller on. That way it never leaves our sight, we can be sure it will not be damaged and we are able to use it immediately when we land. We have however included some umbrella strollers here because there are some genuinely good umbrella strollers. Maybe you are going on a road trip, maybe you will be traveling by train, maybe you do not mind your stroller going in the hold. Whatever the reason, a light weight umbrella stroller may be right for you.

Note that the strollers in both categories are listed heaviest to lightest. Typically more full featured strollers are heavier. Find the lightest stroller that is not missing any features you absolutely require.

Searching For The Best Umbrella Stroller For Travel?

Baby Jogger Vue Lite Stroller Review

Weighs 16.5 lbs (7.5kg)

This is the heaviest of the umbrella strollers but with the awesome feature that it is reversible. That means your baby can face you or face forward as you see fit. It reclines and is suitable from birth until 55 pounds (25 kg). Travel strollers than can cover that kind of age and weight range are rather rare.

Unlike a lot of lightweight strollers it also has a decent sun canopy on it to help shelter your little one from the sun.

Despite the brand having the word “jogger” in it it should not be used for jogging.

This is heavy for a lightweight stroller but it has a lot of good features so do not write it off too quickly.

Click here to see the latest price and more reviews

Summer Infant 3D Lite Convenience Review

Weighs 15.4 lbs (7kg)

Weighing in at 15.4 pounds this is another relatively heavy lightweight stroller. It is suitable from birth and has a maximum suggested carrying capacity of 50 Pounds. Not only does the seat recline but it reclines almost flat so it works for small babies as well as toddlers.

The canopy is not large which can be an issue if you will be spending a lot of time in the sun. It has rather tall handle bars which is great if either parent is above six foot tall.

There is a good sized basket although it is not accessible if the seat is reclined. Parking breaks are on each individual wheel which can be a little fiddly. There is a particularly large range of colors available.

Click here to see the latest price and more reviews

UPPABaby G-Lite Stroller Review

Weighs 11 lbs (5 kg)

This Uppababy lightweight stroller does a lot of things right. It has a large storage basket, it comes with a built in carry strap and it even stands up when folded for easy storage.

Be aware that it does not recline. That makes it unsuitable for very young children. For a toddler who rarely sleeps while you are out and about that is not a deal breaker.

If you are really keen on the UPPABaby G-Lite Stroller but need something that reclines check out the UPPAbaby G-Luxe Stroller. It is an extremely similar stroller but with more bells and whistles, including the ability to recline. That comes at the cost of extra weight, the G-Luxe is 15 lbs Vs the G-Lite which is 11 lbs.

It has a breathable mesh sling seat which is perfect for summer vacations or traveling around the tropics.

Click here to see the latest price and more reviews

Maclaren Volo Stroller Review

Weighs 9.5 lbs (4.3kg)

The Maclaren Volo lightweight stroller is incredibly light thanks to its aluminium frame. This amazing frame is light while being extremely strong enabling the stroller to accommodate a child who weighs up to 55 lbs.

It does NOT recline. That makes it unsuitable for the very young and any children who nap frequently throughout the day.

Its super lightweight construction and amazing carrying capacity makes it worth a look if you are not so averse to checking luggage or will not be flying. Amazingly light while having a heavy duty carrying capacity.

Click here to see the latest price and more reviews

Prefer A Carry On Stroller?

Note that you should double check your airline's individual carry on requirements. The rules vary from airline to airline.

Mountain Buggy Nano Stroller Review

Weighs 13 lbs (5.9kg)

On paper this is a great carry on travel stroller. Light weight, it reclines, it is adaptable for either a baby or toddler via the built in car seat adapter for the Nano travel system and it even has a decent bit of storage space. Unfortunately it seems to have some glitches.

Due to how things are positioned the brakes can accidentally lock when going down curbs or stairs. The brakes locking as you step off the curb out into the road with your baby is not something you want. Some people have reported that its wheels squeak, crack and generally do not work well. These sorts of reports make me nervous. Strollers are not cheap plus it would be a shame to let a problem with your travel stroller interfere with your trip.

Click here to see the latest price and more reviews

Recaro Easylife Ultra-Lightweight Stroller Review

Weighs 13 lbs (5.7kg)

This looks like a great stroller. Much cheaper than the Babyzen Yoyo but with a very similar feel. Light weight, folds up small, reclines, storage space that is always accessible. Lots of good stuff.

Check it out as a more affordable alternative to the Yoyo. It is a full featured light weight stroller at a very reasonable price.

Click here to see the latest price and more reviews

Quinny Yezz Review

Weighs 11 lb (5 kg)

This curious looking contraption is the Quinny Yezz. Weighing in at only 5.6kg the Quinny Yezz stroller is very light weight. It also fits in the overhead storage of an aircraft.

As with so many very lightweight strollers it does not recline so do not plan on too many naps in the Quinny Yezz. It is recommended from 6 months of age and has a maximum carrying capacity of 40 lbs/17kg.

There is a storage pocket but its not useful for much more than storing a few snacks for your little one. You are not going to get your shopping in there.

It comes in a variety of bright colors. A pleasant break for the usual arrays of black and grey strollers.

Click here to see the latest price and more reviews

Looking For A Lightweight Double Stroller?

We only have one child so we have not needed a double stroller. We have however included some double strollers that look good in case you need a double stroller for infant and toddler or two infants.

A double stroller getting it into an overhead bin is far more unlikely. With any luck your airline will still let you carry it on but you may have to check it in at the gate.

These double strollers reviews are listed from heaviest to lightest. As with single strollers you are typically looking at more features in the heavier strollers while the lightest strollers are stripped down to be as light as possible.

Maclaren Twin Triumph Stroller Review

Weighs 23 lbs (10kg)

The Maclaren Twin Triumph stroller is a great all round double travel stroller if you have two little ones to transport. Weighing it at 23 lbs (10kg) it is obviously heavier than any of the single strollers but it is light weight enough to lug around when necessary.

The two seats recline independently although they do not recline flat. The manufacturer recommends it for children six months and above. There are large storage baskets under the seats although they are difficult to access once the seats are reclined.

Some people report some difficult opening and closing it. Apparently this gets easier over time but they tend to be rather stiff when brand new.

Click here to see the latest price and more reviews

Delta Children City Street Side by Side Stroller Review

Weighs 19 lbs (8.5 kg)

Extremely affordable. Great when you will be traveling and do not want a stroller that you will have to worry too much about.

For a double stroller it is very light. Affordable, very light weight, what is going on here?

Well for the price you have to give up some things. The seats do not recline at all so it is unsuitable for infants. Also the recommended maximum weight is 35 pounds in each seat so your kids may outgrow the stroller fairly quickly and it may not be suitable for larger toddlers.

If you want something very reasonably priced for a trip in the near future and your kids are not too heavy this is a fantastic option.

One clever idea we have come across is ordering this stroller to be delivered directly to a Disney hotel. Given the very low cost of the stroller it is actually cheaper to buy this Delta Children stroller rather than renting a double stroller from Disney World if you will be there for a few days.

Click here to see the latest price and more reviews

Zoe XL2 Best Xtra Lightweight Double Stroller Review

Weighs 16 lbs (7kg)

This is a really light double travel stroller. The Zoe XL2 features a lovely big extendable sunshade and the seats recline. Zoe offers a Lifetime Warranty on wheels which is nice. This Zoe stroller also comes with a bunch of freebies including a stroller travel bag, child cup holders, snack cup, and a padded front belly bar.

The only complaint about the Zoe XL2 Best is the lack of a carry strap for when it is folded. That is relatively minor. This is a great lightweight double stroller for travel.

Click here to see the latest price and more reviews

 

Hopefully we have helped you sort through the multitude of options that are available so you can find the best lightweight travel stroller for your personal requirements. There is not single right answer and there are a lot of really great options out there.

As well as a travel stroller we also recommend travelling with a baby carrier while your children are still young to use one. We have written quite a few baby carrier reviews.