Graco Ipo

If you saw the Graco Ipo roll by you at the mall it would be easy to mistake this cool, European style stroller for a Maclaren or a Peg Perego.  Graco strollers are like Buicks; they may be comfortable and have a cup holder that can handle a Big Gulp but they are not exactly stylemobiles.  Along comes the Graco Ipo.  The Graco Ipo features the one hand fold of a Maclaren Quest, the upholstery styling of a Peg Perego Pliko P3 and the pricing of store brand diapers.  Which makes the Graco Ipo the perfect stroller under $100.

Beyond the Graco Ipo’s fashionable looks, the Graco Ipo has a list of features typically found on higher end strollers.  It has a compact one hand fold, storage basket, reclining seat, adjustable leg rest and it weighs 17 pounds.

The Graco Ipo has some drawbacks which include upholstery that is not removable (but neither is a Maclaren Quest’s unless you break out tools) and smallish hood (if this really bothers you or you live in the Sun Belt consider adding a canopy/sun shade extension available at most baby stores); however the pros of saving at least $150 over its competitors, the Maclaren Quest and Peg Perego P3, without sacrificing style outweigh the few cons.

Zigo Leader Carrier Bicycle - Bike, Walk, Run With Your Child

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.

Zigo Leader Carrier Bicycle System

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.