Chicco Goody & Goody Plus in-depth stroller review: A nimble auto-folding ultracompact that can take a 4-year-old

Chicco strollers usually feel a bit out of place to me. A bit cheaper feel is, on the other hand, a price to pay for a stroller hat is actually affordable while boasting most of what you need (at least on paper). I was, therefore, surprised to get quite a few positive feedbacks about the Chicco Goody stroller right from the mums that actually got it (it is not the most sold ultra-compact, after all). In any case, that made me curious and wanting to try it out. And I must say, having it in hand a few times already, I am positively surprised as well.

IN SHORT: The advantages and disadvantages of the Chicco Goody stroller:

+ price - its relative affordability, at least on Amazon and similar platform, is, to me, a huge plus
+ a pleasant center of gravity and a nice push and curb-popping
+ the rubber wheels are a wee bit larger than those of the competition (not large, though)
+ suspension is mild but works well
+ a reasonably wide seat unit with enough space to the canopy to accommodate an older toddler as well (we were mostly using it with our 4yo)
+ a lever-operated backrest that lies flat enough for small babies
+ a more upright seat, compared to almost every ultra-compact we tried out
+ a compact auto-fold that needs almost no strength on your side, just release the handle buttons and "throw" the handle forward (great with a kid in your hands)
+ low weight
+ leatherette details on the handle and bumper bar
+ wipe-clean leg-rest covered with PU leather

- weak canopy wire makes the canopy feel "cheap" when opening/closing it
- no peek-a-boo window in the hood
- backrest length (would be nicer to be taller)
- basket size (absolutely understandable, though, for an ultra-compact model) - at least some kind of a rear pocket would be nice to be added
- no handlebar adjustment
- I minded the leg rest - it feels too soft, not being toughened in the center, so it's not much of use when a tall toddler naps in the stroller

AND IN LONG 😉

The Chicco Goody is one small and a rather nice-looking buggy. I want to say buggy right at the start as this is a SMALL, LIGHTWEIGHT, traveling-oriented pushchair model that was made with compactness in mind. Added to that, the auto-folding function (which is magical, in my opinion) and quite a wide, roomy seat (for the ultracompact stroller type), and the space to the canopy made me wonder if this is actually not a GOOD ultra-compact buggy (as opposed to an OK one).

Always do remember the fact that this size of a buggy is NEVER good for bad terrain, heavy everyday strain, or 5 to 8 hours a day walks. This is a buggy BEST for occasional use, traveling, short walks to the playground, shopping, etc. It was made with such use in mind, so there's no need to criticize its, e.g., small wheels when it needs those to be as small and light as it is.

During our testing, we enjoyed the nice (and less nice) weather of a spa holiday resort, which was a great opportunity to test this small buggy with our four-year-old that was, at times, too tired to walk on his own during walks in the park, wanted to be pushed to a playground, or needed a short nap after lunch outside.

Configurability

The Goody by Chicco is only available as a pushchair/buggy-only - that is, not combinable with a carrycot or a car seat. It is, however, newborn-friendly, or at least to some extent (by which I mean occasional in-the-shops or holiday use). That is when you use it in the completely reclined position with your little baby, ideally with a nest, cocoon, or at least a soft cosytoes/footmuff. Those will give the newborn baby a sense of protection and provide a cozy environment.

If you're a travel-positive person and need the pushchair to be a pram as well, don't be disappointed. A newer Chicco Goody Plus was launched in 2021, and that one is, features and measurements-wise, the same as the original Goody... but with the possibility of attaching a Chicco Kiros i-Size Kaily car seats (with a set of adapters) and the compatibility with a soft insert carrycot, creating a full 2in1 or 3in1 travel system.

To the original accessories that are available to be paired with the Chicco Goody, there's actually nothing worth mentioning. There is the included rain cover - so no need to buy that separately... and, mostly, if you truly need something to add to it (like a cosytoes, leg cover, mosquito net, and more), the universal ones (Chicco or any other brand) will need to suffice.

Chicco Goody pushchair mode: frame and seat unit features

The thing about the Chicco Goody stroller is that there's not much hidden. What you see is what you get. And that should be a good(y) thing with small strollers. No weird surprises, complicated features, pockets too small to actually use properly (there are none).

I liked how it handles, and I liked how it looks, for the most part. Apart from the canopy, which I believe is the weakest part of the stroller, mechanically speaking, and then the leg rest that is truly suitable only to use with smaller kids, I found that I have nothing to reproach, really.

It may be because I didn't expect too much from a cabin-friendly stroller and the lack of huge negatives was very positive for me... But I like the Goody. It's good 😊

The handlebar

The handle is non-adjustable, which means it will stay fixed at the height of 105 cm. Which is a good measurement for a buggy and suitable even for taller parents. I am 176 cm tall, and the push bar height was absolutely right for me. I am certain it will be OK even for shorter moms and dads (anything over 160/165 cm will be fine). My hubby of around 188 cm said himself he was happy with the handle height overall. He would accept a taller handle as well, but he claimed not to kick the pushchair's rear axle, thus being happy with it.

The stroller's handlebar is covered with pleasant eco-leather on both sides and is, therefore, easy to wipe-clean. There is a plastic "joint" with the two buttons in the center that serve for the fold activation.

You won't fold your buggy with the child inside if you're wondering. There is the lower security slide, and the stroller is very hard to fold with a child sitting inside as well.

The canopy

The sun hood of the Chicco Goody is, at least in size, very good. It is well angled so it protects from direct sunlight well if necessary, and it is even extendable to cover some more. Do not expect some huge canopy, I mean, that is not normal with travel buggies, but it is large nonetheless. The only larger on such a small stroller was the Maclaren Atom's - review here.

The canopy is also what I minded the most about this stroller, but not for the size. About the sun canopy negatives:

The wire in the front part that you often touch to open or close the canopy felt to me too thin and wobbly, construction-wise. Don't get me wrong, IT WORKED OK, but the feel was cheap.

Also, the canopy is a bit noisy when moved up or down, which I don't hate but would prefer a smoother option anyhow...

The fabrics, even if good-looking and not the thinnest, still felt like they could be thicker because they were not waterproof. We had rain one day and the water soaked into the fabrics. With an ultracompact pushchair, it is absolutely acceptable, but there is space to improve on it still.

Lastly, there is no viewing window to watch the child or to allow for airflow.

I personally don't need a peek-a-boo window but many parents, especially with smaller babies, need this little feature to feel calm the little one's alright.

Having said all that, I still feel that for the price and the type of the stroller, this is not a major flaw that would make me not buy this model. On the contrary, the canopy is, in my opinion, a thing that should be there but is often very small on cabin-luggage-sized strollers, so the size of it alone makes it acceptable on this particular stroller. I just wanted to point out these downsides for you to know what you'll gonna get. There are always cons the more affordable a stroller gets, so... learn to pick your priorities right before condemning a stroller for its hood.

The Chicco Goody seat unit features and surface measurements

As I already mentioned, the seat is not the longest but still very spacious. The roominess is achieved by its width as well as the space to the canopy. As even a 4-year-old could sit without touching the canopy as well as take a nap in the stroller, spacious works for me if taking the stroller size and type into consideration.

The seatback is 45 cm tall, which is slightly above average for an ultra-compact stroller. (To compare, Easywalker buggies sport a backrest height around 43 cm). As I said, the height to the canopy is even more important here, and that is very generous, honestly. Another plus here is the lever-operated backrest that is considerably more upright than the EW buggies (like the Miley or Jackey) which, as most ultra-compacts are, recline thanks to a simple strap mechanism.

The sitting surface boasts 32.5 x 24.5 cm and is wide and deep enough to use with a toddler (or until the end of stroller days) without the toddler losing space for the butt 😉 and sliding down.

The leg rest is a bit on the weaker side - not because of its dimensions, but it's too soft in the middle, so large toddler feet will put too much strain on it, and it will bend under them considerably. Still, with a smaller child of up to 18~20 months, it is usable and good to have. The leg rests leather-like cover is also a very nice addition that makes the stroller easier to clean.

The leg rest sports two positions and can be inclined as well as reclined back down with one hand, just like the back rest. There is one central lever underneath, allowing to do that.

The overall length of the seat surface is about 86 cm, which is a good, slightly above-average length for a lightweight stroller. The maximum weight limit of the stroller is 22 kg in the seat, which corresponds to a 5-6 years old child (and I think it can actually take it, even if a 6yo would be a bit too cramped in the seat).

There is a narrow-ish, but usable footrest in the lower area for your older toddler to put his or her feet on.

The Chicco Goody seat's fabrics, harness and bumper bar

The textiles and covers of the Goody buggy, available either in the lighter Cool Grey or, the darker Graphite (that is the one tested and seen in all of these pictures 😉). They are rather easy to clean, the seat is actually nicely padded, and there are leatherette elements to wipe-clean the parts that can get the dirtiest. As previously mentioned, the canopy fabrics could be thicker; other than that, I was happy with the fabrics and even how they look in real life.

Fyi, the Goody Plus has two more colorful options available if you're looking for something other than grey or black. Also, the Goody, in some countries, was available in limited editions - and might be again.

The harness belts were another positive surprise to me. They are very soft, woven thickly so that they feel glossy, and are easy to slide and adjust. They are also rather long, especially in the belly area, so that older kids can be belted in as well. One can, of course, shorten them a lot for the newborn babies to fit in as well, if necessary. For differently sized children, there are multiple height settings of the harness straps and a super-narrow setting for the smallest little children.

The harness buckle is simple in design as well as in functionality, but I really like it this way. It holds well, there's no puzzle to play around with, and you won't fight the buckle with a child with a tantrum.

The bumper bar of the goody is included, which is great. It is also rather robust. PU leather-covered, and with a cute brand logo detail in grey. We were overall happy with it - it opens on one side (not 180 degrees but enough for the child to get in) as well as completely removes... The belly bar's height was also well thought of and the bar worked fine overall.

The Chicco Goody chassis

The stroller's frame is... well, it's small. It's light. It's compact. As a small stroller's, it's not sturdy as a stone. But it's sturdy enough. I liked how it's built, I liked the bent lines, I liked the front axle being a bit wider for enhanced stability... it's nothing new, really; this is how most strollers this small work, and it is for a reason.

There is the rear axle in the rear lower part, and that always enhances sturdiness while posing a risk of kicking the stroller while walking... but this didn't happen. There are also the wheels that feature transparent plastic (this is mainly for the looks - and it works, it looks cool! 😎 ); this also didn't cause any problems and worked just as it should. The wheels are 13.5 cm (front) and 15 cm (back) in diameter and quality ones to add to that (as far as I can tell, based on their performance and rubber feel).

About the brake, it is simple, functional, and shoe-saving. A cradle-style, push-on, push-off central braking system in the middle of the rear axle, it didn't get in the way as the pedal was rather small, but it worked OK all the time.

And there is the suspension that, surprisingly, was quite soft on the rear wheels and just enough shock-absorbing on the front ones. I was able to (veeery slightly) rock the chassis even, so the suspension is definitely there. Which is always a plus. (I mean, [[brand:valco-baby|Valco Baby strollers still don't have any..._)

I can't fault the push much either - it went smoothly most of the time, and, of course, less so at times when there were bumps and holes larger than the stroller wheels are. But that is to be expected. The popping-up kerbs worked well to me as well; with those very high ones, I had to help myself with my foot on the rear axle, though. This I also did getting down ones that were taller.

The one unique (I mean, not completely new, but rather unique anyway) feature of the chassis is the in-built autofolding mechanism.

The Chicco Goody folding

The Goody fold is probably the best of all. Or one of the best features. I mean, it's magical and very practical if your baby is very small so you can't put it down when, i.e., you are getting and unloading stuff out of your car boot. Just slide right the lower security slide, push the central button with your palm, and throw the handlebar forward. That is all, the stroller will fold itself into a neat, luggage-like package and stand upright, folded, by itself on the ground.

When standing, the belly bar is upwards, so you can pick it up or carry it, thanks to that part. If flying with your Goody, you will need to remove the bar, however, so that it fits the airlines' overhead compartment requirements (and push it in between the folded stroller).

Always check your airline guidelines to know if (any) stroller meets their cabin luggage criteria! The requirements are different from airline to airline.

To unfold your stroller, you need to throw your stroller back up while holding the handle firm and around the height it normally is. The auto-lock is there but not too strong, so by opening the buggy, it will release itself.

The Chicco Goody storage basket

The basket of the Goody is not huge by far. But it's a small stroller. We were able to put a small shopping or jackets and a large water bottle inside - as it is rather open, the access was good enough and the space can be used well.

CHICCO GOODY - THE SUMMARY

I think I already showed you that I liked this little pushchair. I mean, it has a lot to offer for a rather nice price! The seat, even if not a huge one, can take a large toddler! And the auto-folding system is a cool, modern feature that will be appreciated (not only) by mommies with small kiddies.

The main competition of the Goody is, well... wide. At this moment, the ultra-compact strollers enjoy a boom, as many parents need to save on space and don't want anything bulky after the first - main pram. From the expensive ones, the Babyzen Yoyo is certainly much more know by parents as well as by airline companies and thus preferred as a designer as well as technically well-made choice. The already-mentioned and compared Easywalker ultracompacts are a more stylish and, at least in Europe, growingly popular choice of a small buggy... and there are the more spacious Joolz Aer, the more affordable & Reddot awarded Kinderkraft Nubi, the stylish while OK, price tag-wise Cybex Eezy S²... and many, MANY more.

There's so much to choose from... but I wanted to review this one based on how low-profile while good price-performance ratio it appears to me. Also, I really appreciate the seat that is not as slanted as on other lightweight buggies of this type.

After reading all this, you decide, yourself, if you like it as much as I do. At first sight, I didn't love it, to be honest... it felt like it could have many flaws. Apart from the hood sturdiness and the too-soft leg rest, I didn't find much more negatives... and that makes the Goody a good choice in my eyes (85 %).

SUMMARY - CHICCO GOODY IN NUMBERS:

Dimensions - unfolded: 105 cm x 46.5 cm x 79 cm
Dimensions - folded: 56 cm x 46.5 cm x 25 cm
Handlebar height: 105 cm
Seat surface dimensions & measurements: 45 cm (backrest lenght), 32.5 x 24,5 cm (sitting surface width x depth), 86 cm (full - lay-flat surface length)
Internal carrycot dimensions - mattress: 77x31 cm
Front wheel diameter: 13.5 cm ~ 5.3 inch
Rear wheel diameter: 15 cm ~ 5.9 inch
Main seat maximum weight capacity: 22 kg
Basket weight capacity: 3 kg

This was an unpaid review describing the advantages as well as the disadvantages of the Chicco Goody and Goody Plus strollers, and it is based solely on our own experience. The aim was to provide honest information for moms thinking about purchasing this - or any other stroller.

We hope you liked our full-length, XXL expert review of the Chicco Goody stroller. You can help other moms and dads by leaving a review of (any) stroller you owned under the appropriate stroller/pram/pushchair model here on Strollberry. Thanks!