Traveling with a non-walking baby is tough. Heck, traveling with any baby or toddler is tough. After lots of travel with six kids we’ve learned the hard way the gear that makes the cut (and what to leave at home).
Topping the list of must-have gear for extended travel with a non-walker? A lightweight but strong travel stroller. That is, unless you are an expert baby wearer (I am not) or like have forearms like the Hulk (I do not).
We’ve certainly traveled without a stroller before, and I regretted it every single time. There just aren’t enough hands to carry bags, hold hands of kids and hold a baby at the same time.
What to Look for In a Travel Stroller
A lot of companies will try to convince you that you need a super fancy stroller that has 53 possible seating combinations and costs as much as a used car. You don’t.
We’ve tried at least two dozen strollers over the years, and the ones that made the cut were:
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Easily collapsible
- Secure for baby with a 5-point harness
- Inexpensive
- Versatile
- Easy for baby to sleep in
Top Recommendation
Based on the criteria above, our favorite stroller is the Summer Infant 3D lite. It meets all of our criteria and is well under $100. It collapses small enough to slide between seats in a car or fit in the trunk of a small car, yet is strong enough for babies and toddlers. The 5-point harness is more secure than regular umbrella stroller and combines with the recline feature, baby can easily nap in it.
Where to find it online: Amazon
Runners Up:
Other strollers that we’ve liked but didn’t quite make the cut as the favorite are:
gb Pockit Stroller
This stroller is more than double the 3Dlite, making it not as good of a value. It isn’t quite as sturdy either but it has one huge advantage: its super-compact size!
It collapses to about the size of a large notebook binder and weighs under 10 pounds. It can easily fit in the overhead storage bin of an airplane or strap onto a backpack. We love this one, but didn’t love to price or that it doesn’t feel quite as a strong.
Where to find it online: Amazon
Chicco Capri
Another close runner up. The Chicco Capri is very similar to the 3D lite but not quite as inexpensive. It didn’t seem to maneuver as well as the 3D lite either and some users reported structural issues over time. Still another great option and available in many stores.
Where to find it online: Amazon
Evenflo Minno
Another close runner up! The Minno is the most budget friendly stroller in this roundup but is heavier than the other strollers, knocking it out of the running as our favorite. If budget is the main criteria, this one is a great and functional option if you don’t mind toting around a few extra pounds.
Where to find it online: Amazon
Zoe Umbrella
Another one that was knocked out based on price, but a great option. The Zoe is lightweight (under 10 pounds) and easy to fold. It fits into many overhead bins on airplanes, so if air travel is your thing, this might be the stroller for you.
Where to find it online: Amazon
Are there other travel strollers that you have found work well? Share below!
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