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.

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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.