a stroller expert answers:

Maxi-Cosi Lara²: A lightweight, strong, upright stroller for a taller mom

blue • 31 Mar 2023

Hi,

I hope you can find me a solution because I am a bit hopeless right now. I have an Uppa Cruz, my 13 months old is not a fan of sitting still but ok with its upright position. BUT...
-we don't have a car and I will start to use public transformation for her to explore the city, Uppa is a bit bulky and heavy for that.
-we have a ten steps stairs in front of our apartment, I carry her in the stroller while praying I won't drop it or put her in the house first and run back to carry the stroller while she is crying and I hate both my options.
-sometimes my baby doesn't want to sit so I put her in Ergobaby carrier but its a bit hard to handle the stroller this way.

So I search and search for something:
-upright,
- comfy for her,
- tall enough handlebar (I am 173 cm tall, and generally used the Uppa's longer mode because it was more comfortable, but the shorter mode was also ok)
- all-terrain (roads are not smooth at all in my area and generally not in Istanbul, also I want to take her to forest walks maybe),
-strong,
-light,
-compact...

Clearly it doesnt exist :) Or maybe not in my country (Turkey).
I looked at some Cybex models, Maxi Cosi Lara2 (I read some blogs mentioned it is upright), Inglesina Quid2, Inglesina Now, Chicco Goody Plus, Mamas&Papas Airo.

I don't know which is more ideal or something else, maybe. My brain melted at this point. I read your article about upright strollers, but most of them are not available in my country.

Eli • 31 Mar 2023

Hey, blue. I know your struggle, but...

There is NO light & compact stroller for all-terrain and especially forest roads. This simply doesn't go together, and you will have to count in that. The lightest quite all-terrain model is the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2, which I would recommend, but it is by no means as small as the strollers you mentioned. It is flat after folding and around 9kg so as Cruz's more compact alternative, it's actually MUCH better.

Next, these, pretty much all, strollers are made for travel. Occasional use. Meaning small seat, lower handle, more slanted seat. That's another thing to know and remember. The highest would probably be the Chicco Goody+. I am 176cm and that was ok for me.

Lastly, what you need - all-terrain, strong... requires a higher weight, thicker bars, larger wheels. I know I am repeating myself but you can't have it all, in Turkey or elsewhere.

So... I would take away from the expectations. Either go for a super light option and smoother roads (and I will recommend the Uppababy Minu V2, which is sturdier, OR the Cybex Eezy S+2, which has larger wheels), OR go for the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 as a flat but most universal option. And the best is to try them out in a store is unsure - to check the handle height and the comfort of your little one in the seat.

Your -very berry- Eli.

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