Luckily, my wife and I come prepared. U Bugaboo Butterfly travel stroller it is a godsend when running with little humans. It opens quickly and easily, is lightweight and portable, and holds children up to fifty pounds. This means that even though my two-year-old daughter is usually the one beating the rush, when my five-year-old’s legs get tired (or a sibling rivalry inevitably rears his head), he can jump in there too.
All that is to say that when the Koenig clan finally arrives at the door, all four of us are in relatively good spirits, even the two year olds. The Bugaboo is a great get, but there are a number of other travel strollers that could be a good match for you and yours. Read our full breakdown of the varieties we tested and reviewed.
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Best travel stroller overall
Bugaboo Butterfly stroller
Best travel stroller overall
Bugaboo Butterfly stroller
Pros
- Comfortable chairs
- Good storage space
- The wheels slide on any surface
cons
- Footrest is a little fragile
The Butterfly is well named, because it feels like it is actually floating on the ground, even when on grass and gravel. The seat must be especially comfortable, because my two-year-old would surely have let me know in no uncertain terms if it wasn’t. The cargo space on the Bugaboo is good enough for emergency drinks, snacks, mom’s bag and dad’s travel hoodie.
Opening and closing the butterfly is a cinch, and with Irish blood on both sides, my kids also appreciate the sun canopy. The stroller is small enough to keep as a carry-on, but if you decide to check it out, be sure to fold the seat back so it doesn’t get damaged in transit.
| Size Open | 9″ x 36.5″ x 40.3″ |
|---|---|
| Folded size | 9″ x 17.75″ x 21.25″ |
| Weight | 16 lbs |
The most comfortable ride
gb QBit+ All-City Stroller
The most comfortable ride
gb QBit+ All-City Stroller
Now 30% Off
Pros
- Comfort
- Maneuverable
- Easy to fold
cons
- Overbuilt equals heavy, no shoulder equals bulky
There is not much to dislike about the All-City stroller, and that includes its price point, which is a good bit less than the Bugaboo (right in the $300 range, depending on when and where you buy).
This is a stroller with comfortable padding in the seating area and folding mechanisms that will not cause public clashes (from dads, not children). It is also quite maneuverable and has a silky ride that is really impressive. The only bona fide knock against it is that at 17.6 pounds, it’s pretty bulky, and without a shoulder strap, hauling it around is a real workout.
| Size Open | 33″ x 17″ x 42″ |
|---|---|
| Folded size | 17″ x 10″ x 23″ |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs |
Pros
- Good bang for your buck
- Surprisingly sturdy
- And surprisingly stylish
cons
- The folding lock is a bit finicky
For an item that costs around $100, the Classic Stroller from babyGap can take a beating. It’s a pleasant surprise for those of us dads who tend to stumble over things from time to time. (Hi, it’s me. I’m the problem, it’s me.)
This stroller also has a comfortable seat with a five-point harness and a canopy over the sun with a peekaboo window so you can keep an eye on Junior. The only thing I don’t like is that the folding lock on the bottom right side takes some getting used to, which could annoy impatient dads… Not that I know anyone like that.
| Size Open | 31.5″ x 20.7″ x 42.9″ |
|---|---|
| Folded size | 17″ x 10″ x 23″ |
| Weight | 15 lbs |
The easiest stroller to wear
He outlines his light traveling Carriage
The easiest stroller to wear
He outlines his light traveling Carriage
Pros
- Extra light
- He puts it in a bag
cons
- Don’t recline
The most minimalist of the strollers on this list, the Contours Itsy Lightweight Travel Stroller reminds me of something my wife says every time I get the idea of buying a new car. She points out the window to the old knocker in our street and says, “Still rolling?”
This stroller has no cup holder and limited storage space. It also doesn’t recline, which could be a problem for older children. But, in fact, it still rolls – rather smoothly at that. And at only 12.3 pounds and $170, this will be a sensible option for many.
| Size Open | 32″ x 18.20″ x 39″ |
|---|---|
| Folded size | 10.5″ x 11″ x 22″ |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs |
The best stroller for twins
UPPAbaby G-Link V2 stroller
The best stroller for twins
UPPAbaby G-Link V2 stroller
Pros
- Easy to maneuver
- Comfortable seats
cons
- Not a load
Before I had kids, I thought I wanted twins. What a sweet and innocent child he was. One kid at a time has been a lot for me, and for those fathers in the trenches with twins, you have my respect.
For you guys, the Uppababy G-Link V2 Stroller is a very solid choice. I think of it as the Cadillac of travel strollers – comfortable, smooth and (obviously) rather large. It’s actually too big to keep as carry-on luggage, so be prepared to check it. But realistically, there’s very little not to like here.
| Size Open | 27.5″ x 28.5″ x 42″ |
|---|---|
| Folded size | 40″ x 20″ x 14.5″ |
| Weight | 22 lbs |
The best stroller for citizens
Babyzen YOYO2 stroller
The best stroller for citizens
Babyzen YOYO2 stroller
Pros
- It folds small
- Smooth ride
cons
- It’s not good off the pavement
Since I’m a full-fledged suburban dad now, car seats those are my current concerns. But I have lived in the city for twenty years of my life, so I am very sympathetic to spatial problems. The best travel stroller for the urban dwellers among us has to be small and easy to maneuver – enter the Babyzen YOYO2.
This zippy little thing is great for weaving through armies of commuters on busy city sidewalks. It also folds down to the teeny, and at 13.7 pounds, it’s easy to carry with a padded shoulder strap. The only downside is that it doesn’t like rough surfaces, which isn’t really a big deal as long as you avoid the potholes of New York City.
| Size Open | 33.8″ x 17.3″ x 41.7″ |
|---|---|
| Folded size | 20.5″ x 17.3″ x 7.1″ |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs |
Smoother handling ride
Silver Cross Jet 3 Super Compact Stroller
Smoother handling ride
Silver Cross Jet 3 Super Compact Stroller
Pros
- It eats all the land
- It folds like a rolling suitcase
cons
- Very little cargo room
You know that feeling when you cut the wrapping paper and the scissors start to slide? That’s what it feels like to push the Silver Cross. There’s also a five-point harness and an adjustable footrest, plus it fully reclines. The sun canopy is operable if not the largest I’ve seen.
A fun trick is that this stroller folds into a little thing that looks like a suitcase – the leather-wrapped bumper bar turns into the handle. The main drawback here is that the cargo space is at a minimum. The Silver Cross Jet 3 is best thought of as the roadster of travel strollers.
| Size Open | 35.4″ x 17.7″ x 39.5″ |
|---|---|
| Folded size | 7.08″ x 11.81″ x 21.65″ |
| Weight | 13.6 lbs |
The best stroller for flying with children
Doona car seat and stroller
The best stroller for flying with children
Doona car seat and stroller
Pros
- Versatile
- FAA approved
- Great for kids
cons
- Low weight capacity
Travel with children – and really do something with children, now that I say it out loud – it has an added degree of difficulty. Tip: You’re going to want all the help you can get. That’s why I love this Doona entry. It doubles as a car seat and a stroller, so it gets high marks for versatility. It is also ready right out of the box for newborns (many other strollers have to be suitable for children under six months). And, best of all, for you cosmopolitans, it is approved by the American and European authorities for air travel.
The only problem with this stroller is that its maximum weight capacity is thirty-five pounds, so your child will probably outgrow it quickly. But it’s great to save for a second child or to share with friends.
| Size Open | 17.5″ x 32.4″ x 39″ |
|---|---|
| Folded size | 17.5″ x 26″ x 22.5″ |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs |
What to consider when buying a travel stroller
Don’t just trust our picks; see how we ranked them.
Movement When you’re pushing around one, two, or (godspeed) three more kids, you want the stroller to make it easier for you. If you are in the city, you only need to be good on the asphalt of the road and the floors of the airport epoxied. If you’re in the burbs, gravel and dirt may enter the equation.
Weight When folded, you want it to be easy to handle. This is especially true for strollers.
Storage Everyone in the family has the essentials: baby snacks, dad’s drink, mom’s in-flight melatonin. A good stroller gives you room for everything.
Ease of use Is it difficult to fold? Does it fit in a container above? Is the carrying strap enough for its size? Stuff like this is important.
Versatility This is critical when you have many children and the older ones like to live for the privileges of the stroller. What is the weight limit? Also, if a stroller can recline, it will be more comfortable for older children.
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