Easy to Store but Needs Improvement
January 18, 2019
As an active mom of two, I rely on strollers to help me and my littles get around town, to the park, out for excursions, around the grocery store, through airports, on hiking trails, and really anywhere I want to go! So, I was excited when I was given this stroller to test out by weeSpring's Stellar Product Testing Panel.
Right out of the box, it was pretty easy to assemble. It took me about 10 minutes and I only had to refer to the manual a couple of times. That being said, I was unable to attach the canopy snaps to the seat - no matter how hard I tried to pull, only one of the snaps was able to reach the seat (even with the seat in the most upright position) and it kept unsnapping - this could use some product improvement. I also noticed that the manual gave directions for attaching the storage basket underneath, but mine was already fully attached (bonus!). Once I assembled the stroller as much as possible, I tested the one-second, one-hand FastAction fold and noticed that one of the rear wheel brakes broke in half at some point during the fold. So, within 2 minutes of using the stroller, one of the most essential components had already broken. Upon inspection, the brakes are made of thin plastic - definitely worrisome! Despite the rocky start, I liked the stroller overall as a great option for running or off-road hikes, as it has large inflatable tires. It's also very compact for storage.
Pros:
- My favorite feature of this stroller is that it stores upright and is very compact.
- The one-handed fold is super easy to use - just pull on the handle in the seat and the stroller folds in half quickly and compactly for storage or travel.
- It has a super huge storage basket underneath that was able to hold my GIANT diaper backpack and still had plenty of space for blankets, jackets, etc. I've never seen a storage basket this large on any stroller - great when taking day trips with the family or running to the park with a picnic!
- The canopy is large enough to cover the rider and keep them out of the sun or rain or wind, and there's a window to check on your little one.
- As a runner, it's great to have a locking front wheel when speed and stability are more important than maneuverability.
- The parent console and child tray come with the stroller - no need to buy them later on and pay extra, as is the case with most other stroller brand.
- I tested my water bottle, my kids' sippy cups and wide-mouth bottles, and a can of puff snacks, and they all fit in the parent and child trays.
- The wheels have reflectors on them to help keep you safe in low light.
- The child seat-belt harness is height adjustable and can be used as just a lap belt (3 point vs. 5 point harness) for older children.
- The seat reclines to make napping kids more comfortable.
- I'm tall, so the height-adjustable handlebar is helpful.
- The stroller is sold at a fair price point.
Cons:
- This was a major issue for me and the reason for my low stars - the brakes are not sturdy. As I mentioned, one of the rear wheel brakes broke within the first minutes of using the stroller. I also found it very annoying that the brakes are separate, so you have to step down on each rear wheel brake one at a time. If you're on a hill and one of the wheels is locked and the other isn't, the non-locked wheel swings downhill. Pretty scary! The brake system on this stroller needs some improvement to be more sturdy and to lock both wheels at once.
- There aren't any side pockets in the toddler seat - I like to keep toys nearby for the littles to grab when needed.
- The parent console is pretty minimalist - it doesn't have a pocket/pouch that I can put my keys or phone into
- The window in the canopy doesn't have any way to fasten it down so it can flap in the wind - some hook and loop fasteners to hold it down would be nice
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to test the stroller with a car seat, since I don't own a compatible Graco infant car seat.
Overall, it's a nice jogging stroller that is easy to fold up compactly and it's sold at a fair price point. That being said, I don't trust the brakes on this Graco stroller (and one of them is broken).
This product review was collected by the manufacturer.