Beyond the Travel System

I love my umbrella stroller. I got the Peg Perego Si, which after 2 years is holding up great. All I need to do is clean the fabric. It is a $250 stroller but I think it is worth every penny. It folds up small like a cheapie umbrella stroller, but is sturdy like a regular stroller. Also, if you do decide to go cheapie, try them out in the store. My sister got me one for when I went on family vacation because she was driving to our destination and I had to fly with a 16 month old by myself and didn't want anything extra. I get there and open it up and the handles are so low to the ground that I had to lean over to push it so I didn't step on it when I walked. I'm 5'2", this shouldn't happen to me.

Combi-It folds super small and decently priced! I would highly suggest it for small spaces. Peg Perego is also really nice for small spaces. It fold super small.

I love my MacLaren Volo. Not tons of storage but super light and easy.

I say use one of the strollers you already have, like the citimini, if you are able to fold them up, otherwise an umbrella stroller will be sufficient.

I used both back when my kids were little. Our big stroller we received for a baby shower gift and an umbrella stroller when it was easier to lug that around.

I don't live in the city, but I do live near one and my part of suburbia can vary greatly from city to almost country. I have a cheapie Babies R Us stroller that I love and I keep in my car.

If I had a re-do, I'd get a taller stroller (a lot of people like the McLaren) for DH's benefit. You should go to a store and check out your options, but I find that an umbrella stroller is great for short trips, for catching the train, for folding up in a hurry for a bus, for tucking into the corner at a restaurant, etc. Just get one with the basket at the bottom, not on the back, for balance. Whatever stroller you choose, I'd choose one that can fit into tight places and be folded quickly. Some have a fold strap in the seat and some have a kick bar. My DD is 2.5 and it's still very handy to have the umbrella stroller. It's gotten the most use out of any stroller we have, even though the basket is on the back and the sun shade is kind of useless (you can get a rain cover if you need one.)

Go w/the umbrella stroller. In my experience, you never know what kind of space you have in a city taxi (unless you don't share taxis) or on the bus if you need to store it. If you get on a crowded bus the driver may say he doesn't have room for a stroller, folded up or not. I have known mommies get kicked off buses b/c of large strollers/travel systems.

Also, most city stores and markets don't have the room for a travel system, much less an umbrella stroller. Store owners are more acceptable to letting you leave a smaller stroller by the door or outside vs a huge system if they don't allow big strollers or don't even have the room.

No downside to an umbrealls stroller, as long as you get one w/thick seating, a cover w/a peekaboo window, one handle in the middle (as opposed to 2 curved up handles) and a mesh basket underneath.

hth

I have the Chicco Capri Umbrella Stroller and love it. My 6 month old can already use it b/c it has the harness type latch on it and it has a basket underneath.

It collapses up like a pencil.