Buying a Travel Pushchair

When purchasing a travel stroll look at the fold, storage recline, and canopy. Consider adding extras such as a coffee cup or footmuff holder, as well as a rain cover.

If you're jet-setting often make sure you choose a model which is approved for cabin use and folds down compactly. Our parent tester says the Joie Tourist does this perfectly. Its one-hand mechanism makes it easy to fold and fold while juggling the toddler.

Lightweight

A travel pushchair can fold quickly and compactly to fit into luggage or the boot of a car. These strollers are specifically designed for use with babies from birth. They typically come with the option of incorporating carseats, but adapters are required. Some are also suitable for toddlers and make them a great option for day and holiday excursions.

There are a myriad of types of travel pushchairs on the market, so it's important to determine which one is suitable for your family. For instance, if you have a toddler, you might prefer to get a buggy with a removable leg rest to ensure that your child's feet don't dangle. When choosing a stroller, it is important to think about the amount of storage you will need.

If you're frequently traveling and require a compact buggy that fits in the allowance for cabin baggage, look for one that folds to approximately 48cm x 43cm in size 21.5 cm - which is less than the size of most hand luggage. If you select one that features an innovative, fluid folding system, it will be easier to carry around, since the buggy can fold into itself, similar to a book.

Another option is to buy a car seat bundle. This will help you save time searching for compatible components and save you money. A brand bundle typically includes a car seat that are made to complement each other in terms of design and fit. Some brands offer extras like cup holders or a parent organizers, which are useful when traveling.

Some brands sell different add-ons such as a newborn baby bassinet or rain cover to convert your travel pushchair to twin pushchairs or a double buggy. These are especially helpful for families with older children and you want to ensure they have a comfortable place to sit while traveling.

Folding is simple

Travel pushchairs car seats should be simple to fold, especially 3 in 1 pram smaller spaces such as the cabin of a train or airplane. The Joie Pact Pro, which has a one-handed folding mechanism that our test with parents found to be extremely easy to use, is a great example. This makes it perfect for parents who wish to take their baby on day trips, local excursions and even on air travel.

A travel system bundle is another option. It is a combination of an infant car seat with a pushchair from the same manufacturer. This way, you can be sure that the car seat is compatible with the pushchair you have chosen and will work with the chassis you've chosen for your baby. The bundles can be less expensive than buying each item separately. However, it is crucial to ensure that the components are compatible before you buy.

If you plan to use your pushchair to travel on rough terrain, choose one with a sturdy base with wide and large wheels that can cope with bumps and snags. Smaller wheels are difficult to control on anything except smooth surfaces. Reversible seats can also be useful, as your baby can be seated with the parent for a while, and then turn to face the world when they get older.

Depending on the time of year you're planning to travel you'll need to think about whether your stroller will offer the weather protection you need. A sunshade to help protect your baby's skin from harmful UV rays, and a rain cover to prevent water or snow from entering the pushchair are crucial features. You should choose a raincover that is specifically designed for the model of pushchair and not an ordinary one.

The final criteria is that the pushchair must be compact and lightweight. This is particularly true for travel prams pushchairs which must be capable of folding down to a small size. The Bugaboo Butterfly has one of the smallest folds available on the market, and can be stored in overhead compartments of some airlines (although not all). Our parent tester found it very comfortable to travel in with her toddler, with a large and well-constructed seat unit that reclines for comfy naps.

Easy to Manoeuvre

If you're trying to navigate busy train or bus stations with a sleepy baby, being able to fold and move your pushchair easily so that you can get off and on without causing any disturbance to your child is essential. Find models with smooth swivel wheels that are on the front to make it easier to move and turn your stroller.

Typically the travel pushchairs have smaller wheels than other types of strollers to keep their weight and size down However, if you're looking to get something that can handle rough terrain or for a walk across the beach, choose one that has bigger, more robust wheels to withstand this type of terrain.

Some brands push chairs and prams retailers offer travel system bundles which include the car seat, pushchair and any additional extras you might need. This is an ideal option if know exactly what you need and don't have the time to spend hours searching for the right parts. Be sure to ensure that the elements you're buying are compatible before purchasing a travel bundle. Some brands publish this information online or you can ask a retailer for help.

Easy to store

If you're planning to put a pushchair that can travel in the boot of your car or in the overhead bin of an airplane, it should be lightweight and foldable. It's also helpful if the pushchair comes with a shoulder harness so that you can carry it with one hand, especially in the event that your child gets sleepy!

When you're choosing a travel-friendly pushchair, take into account how often you'll use it and the kind of terrain you'll be covering. For instance, some buggies are designed for strolling around town or on smooth pavements, and will not cope well off road or at the beach. If you're planning to take a trip off-road and need a more rugged buggy, ensure it is equipped with a suspension and larger wheels that can take on rougher terrain.

Another thing to take into consideration is whether you'll need it from birth - if so, you should look for a travel buggy that comes with baby's pack or bassinet. The Babyzen Yoyo2 is a great example, with a genius one-hand fold and plenty of extras, including a baby bassinet, a rain cover and an extremely comfortable foot muff.

If you only plan to use it for brief excursions and vacations, you may want to consider a stroller with a car-seat adaptor that can be affixed to the chassis. This allows you to keep your child in their car seat for the duration of the trip. Many travel system bundles come with an already-fitted car seat however, you can assemble your own customised bundle if that's what you prefer.

Think about how often you'll utilize each item when selecting a travel set. You'll also need to take into account the cost of the base of your car seat as well as any adaptors that you might require to attach it to a pushchair. These are all available on the internet or in stores Some brands even offer bundles that include them all, making it easy to design your ideal travel system!