Zooper Bolero

If you are in the market for a stroller that is unusual, beautiful, practical and can be used from newborn on up, consider the Zooper Bolero.

The Zooper Bolero has some brilliant design point.  For instance, while Peg Perego Pliko P3 and Maclaren Quests are great strollers, any parent who has owned one will tell you that the 2 handle style is great for a compact fold, but hard to push with one hand without hurting your wrist.  The Zooper Bolero has the compact fold of the Peg Perego Pliko P3 and a traditional single handlebar that makes steering with one hand a breeze. 

The Zooper Bolero seat also converts into a bassinet for newborns, so you don’t have to put a bassinet attachment onto the frame like you do with Bugaboo Frog and Bugaboo Chameleon strollers.  Also the Zooper Bolero is compatible with popular infant car seats including the Graco Snug Ride, which some strollers in the same $300 price range such as the Maclaren Quest are not.

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The Zooper Bolero is also a great value.  Zooper products are very durable, I had a Zooper Waltz for about 3 years as my main stroller, and it was in great shape when I passed it along to another mom.  They also come with accessories that other stroller manufacturers such as Maclaren charge extra for including: a cup holder, rain cover, UV shade, and boot or sleeping bag.  My son was shy so the UV cover was wonderful for him because it kept strangers from touching him in stores (if you are an expectant parent you will be surprised at how often this happens).  The UV cover is like a mesh shade that covers the stroller and also darkens the stroller’s interior to make napping on the go a more calm experience.

Inglesina Zippy Stroller 2010

Ever look at those cute petite moms with perfectly proportioned Maclaren Triumph strollers with a little envy?  If you are over 5′10″  and have a baby you have probably figured out that most strollers were not designed for you.  The longer stride of a taller person can lead to stepping on the back of the stroller or hunching over to push your precious pumpkin.  Not fun.

Consider the Inglesina Zippy.  The stroller seems to have been designed for taller parents.  The stroller measures 42 inches tall with the handles set to their lowest position.  Then the handles telescope out another 2 1/2 inches to make it one of the tallest standard strollers on the market.  Other reasons to buy an Inglesina Zippy, removable washable seat covers (something that doesn’t exist on a Maclaren) and it comes standard with a cup holder for mom and baby.

The only reason not to buy a Zippy is if you have your heart set on the highly rated Britax Chaperone or Companion infant car seats or on the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio infant car seat, since Inglesina is not compatible with anything other than Graco infant car seat products.

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Maclaren Techno XLR Stroller

Another strong choice is the Maclaren Techno XLR, slightly taller than the Maclaren Triumph or Maclaren Quest it also features the telescoping handles.  The 2010 Maclaren XLR is also compatible with a wider variety of infant car seats than the Inglesina ZIppy including the Peg Perego Prima Viaggio, Britax Companion, as well as the Graco Snug Ride.   The only thing I don’t like about the Maclaren XLR and their other strollers is that the basket is a little small and there is no cup holder.  Maclaren does sell a Universal Organizer for $25, but it is really only made for soda or water bottles.

Both of these models will set you back about $365, but it may save you on chiropracter visits in the long run.