(See all Maclaren strollers on Bizrate.com)

Company URL: www.maclarenbaby.com Type: Umbrella – Single Colours: Scarlet, Coffee Brown, Charcoal, Navy, Rasberry, Scarlet with raincover

What the Manufacturer Says:

Triumph is the all go fast buggy. The wheel size is 12.7 cm / 5.0 inches. There is new longer hood for extra coverage round for compact fold.

Features

• Sovereign Lifetime Warranty™
• Maclaren Recycling Programme†
• 5 point harness for added security
• Removable washable seat
• Compact umbrella fold
• Water resistant hood
• High-performance aluminium frame
• Handy mesh shopping basket
• Carry strap or handle for easy portability
• 5 second one-hand fold
• Lockable, front swivel wheels
• New! Larger hood; argyle pattern in back
• New! Easy-on, easy-off hood
• New! Foam handle design
• New! Buckle ring colour
• New! Woven contrast two-colour harness
• Ergonomically optimised, foam insulated handles
• Foot-operated linked parking brakes
• Height adjustable shoulder harness
• Raincover (Some exclusions apply in the US)

Specifications

• Child Maximum Weight: 55 lbs / 15 kg
• Stroller Weight: 11.5lbs/ 5.2kg
• Dimensions (folded): 11.8×30.11×33.5 in / 30×77x86 cm
• Dimensions (opened): 4.33 x 28 x 21 in/11cm x 70cm x 53cm
• Recline positions: multiple
• Full recline: No
• Frame: Alumimum
• Harness Type: 5-point

Maybe you’re in awe of those parents. Or maybe you’re one of them. Either way, even if you don’t plan to jog with your baby, a jogging stroller can be an excellent choice. Jogging strollers are more rugged and offer better shock absorption than other strollers. For running, they’re indispensable—a standard stroller just isn’t the same. If you’re thinking of purchasing a jogging stroller, here are a few key points to consider.

The Wheel Deal

A running stroller usually has three wheels—one in front and two in back. This front wheel is either a fixed wheel or a swiveling wheel. For parents who plan to use the stroller exclusively for running, a fixed wheel will do the trick. However, swivel wheels offer greater maneuverability. For those seeking the best of both worlds, some strollers allow a swivel wheel to be locked into a fixed position.

When choosing a wheel type, think about how you will actually use the stroller. Running a few miles on a mostly straight bike path? A fixed wheel will serve you well. Navigating neighborhood sidewalks or shopping areas? You’ll probably want a swivel wheel. If one parent likes to run and the other prefers to stroll to the nearest coffee shop, a lockable swivel wheel is the way to go.

A Basket, Just in Case

It’s always handy to have a basket underneath. Use it to carry extra diapers, toys, or snacks—or to ditch those extra layers when the sun comes out during your morning run.

Sleeping Like a Baby…Or Not

Many jogging strollers offer a reclining seat option, making it easy for Baby to snooze along the way. Tilt the seat up, and Baby can enjoy the breeze on her face, point excitedly at nearby dogs, and liberate her favorite toy, which you will then have to retrace your steps to find, thereby lengthening your run and increasing your fitness level.

Ready to Collapse?

Not from running, we hope. Choose a jogging stroller that collapses if you plan to take it on a plane or in the trunk of your car.

Accessories

Extras like a water bottle holder, a snack tray, a car seat adapter, a rain cover, or a sunshade can make your life a lot easier. However, most are probably not included with your stroller purchase. Think carefully about which of these accessories you will actually use, and factor that into your purchasing decision. For instance, it might seem like a good idea to get a rain cover, but if you are a fair-weather runner it won’t be worthwhile. On the other hand, if you run seven days a week, you’ll want a rain cover, a sunshade, and perhaps a stroller speedometer.

Safety

Note that each stroller has specific age and weight limitations for use; babies need to have good head control in order to be safe in a jogger. Using a jogging stroller too early could cause serious injury. Always read and follow all manufacturer instructions. It’s also a good idea to discuss your plans with your pediatrician before you take your little one for a run.

Take it Easy

The whole point of an umbrella stroller is that it should be easy to use. Look for a stroller that collapses easily and that will not take up too much space in your trunk. Some strollers offer a one-handed collapsing mechanism; this may be easier in theory than in practice at first, but doing it a few times in your living room before you actually take the baby out in it can help.

Lighten Up

Umbrella strollers vary in weight, from as little as nine pounds on up to twenty or more (depending on how you define “umbrella” stroller—some models push the limit). Many lightweight strollers have a carrying handle or strap, which can be a godsend. Pick and choose your extra features carefully; remember that portability is one of the main assets of an umbrella stroller, so don’t let your load get too heavy.

Be sure to consider the weight limit of the stroller itself. If your baby is on the heavier side of the growth chart, you’ll want an umbrella stroller with a higher limit in order to get the most use out of it.

To Basket or Not to Basket?

Some of the least expensive, lightest-weight umbrella strollers don’t have a basket underneath the seat. But even if you are thinking of buying a no-frills umbrella stroller, this is one feature you don’t want to go without. Even the shortest trip can feel like a major expedition when you’re bringing diapers, snacks and toys. Plus, you won’t be tempted to hang your diaper bag off of the stroller handles—an unsafe practice that could easily tip a lightweight stroller. Make sure that you can access the basket while Baby is actually seated in the stroller; otherwise, it’s next to useless.

Sunny Side Up

Choose a stroller with a sun canopy that you can tilt to protect your baby’s skin at different times of the day. If your umbrella stroller has seat that can recline, make sure that sun canopy is adjustable accordingly.

On the Double

Got twins? A double umbrella stroller is a must. These also work well if you have a baby and a toddler, assuming the baby is old enough for riding safely in an umbrella stroller (check the stroller instructions and with your pediatrician to be sure.)

Other options

Some umbrella strollers come with snack trays, cup holders, foot covers, and armrests. These features can be useful, but decide which ones are most critical to you before you make your purchase. In some cases, a stroller may not come with such accessories, but they can be purchased separately if desired.

Safety

Most umbrella strollers are not suitable for young infants; check the manufacturer instructions for recommended age and weight limits as you would for any stroller or baby product, and always follow manufacturer instructions for use. Some umbrella strollers are compatible with a car seat or car seat adapter, making them a good substitute for a travel system if you have a newborn.

Whether you get a simple umbrella stroller with just a few convenient features, or a fully loaded one, you’ll love the ease of having a stroller that you can carry with one hand or leave in your trunk for quick shopping trips.

The Stroller Guide Picks Its Top Travel System Stroller: The Orbit Infant System Stroller

We’ve selected a range of travel system options that are compatible with several different types of car seats. It’s important to remember that your car seat is only safe if it is properly used and installed; choose a car seat that fits your vehicle and lifestyle.

Our Pick: Orbit Infant System

Orbit offers a line of intelligently designed strollers designed for both infants and toddlers. Orbit’s infant system consists of a car seat base, car seat, and stroller frame upon which the car seat rests. The car seat also includes a “Paparazzi Shield” that acts as a sunshade, or, should your baby require it, protection from legions of gawking fans and tabloid photographers.

The stroller frame is also compatible with a pram-style bassinet (not for use in cars), which can be taken out walking and then placed directly in the nursery on a rocker base, as a cradle; the bassinet itself is also collapsible, making it great for jet setting parents. The stroller base fits Orbit’s separate toddler stroller seat (not a car seat) as well, making Orbit’s line suitable for just about every situation—with a price to match.

The best part? Orbit’s car seat and toddler seat can be rotated on the stroller frame and locked into multiple positions, so Baby can face you, face outward, or even face sideways. Infant car seats must always be rear facing in the car, of course; however, the Orbit’s ability to rotate does make it more ergonomic for parents to remove from the car. This is a feature that any parent would appreciate when faced with some of the contortion required to remove a car seat from its base without waking a baby. One caveat; owners of smaller cars have sometimes found the car seat’s fit to be a challenge.

Runner Up: Chicco Cortina Keyfit 30

This stroller/car seat combo offers an easily maneuverable, fully featured stroller and comfy car seat. The ability to remove the car seat from either the stroller or the base with one hand is an attribute that parents will appreciate. The stroller itself has an adjustable seat, footrest, and canopy, as well as a shopping basket and trays for both parent and child.

Runner Up: Graco SnugRider Infant Car Seat Frame

At the other end of the price spectrum, parents can simply acquire a collapsible frame for the car seat to fit into, providing the functionality of a travel system at a fraction of the cost. Graco’s SnugRider Infant Car Seat Frame, compatible with its SnugRide car seat, is a good example. The drawback is that you can’t use this once Baby outgrows his or her infant seat, but it’s a great option for the first few months. If you plan to use a jogging stroller or umbrella stroller as your main stroller after Baby reaches the appropriate age, this is an option to consider.

TSG’s Top Umbrella Stroller: Maclaren Quest Sport Stroller

The Maclaren brand has long been known for the attributes that make umbrella stroller so useful: a lightweight frame, practical fabric choices, and easy-to-use features like a one-hand fold. The Maclaren Quest stroller possesses all of these qualities, plus an accessible mesh shopping basket underneath and an adjustable sun canopy. Parents rave about its easy one-handed steering capabilities, reclining seat, and carrying handle. Weighing a mere 12.2 pounds, with a carrying capacity of up to 55 pounds, this is an excellent, versatile umbrella stroller that earns high marks all around. It’s not surprising that Owen Maclaren, the company’s founder, was an aeronautical designer before he built the first Maclaren baby buggy in 1965.

The initial design goal—making a stroller frame that was sturdy yet lightweight, able to carry a child safely while folding away easily—is still the guiding principal of Maclaren umbrella strollers today. Standard features on all Maclarens include a five-point harness, foot-operated brakes, and washable seats. Rain covers are also included, plus the stroller hoods are water-resistant.

(For parents of twins, Maclaren’s Twin Techno offers many of the same great features as its single lightweight strollers although, unsurprisingly, it weighs about twice as much as the Quest Sport. However, it still provides smooth steering, a one-hand fold, and a relatively slim profile that allows it to go through a standard door.)

Runner Up: Chicco C6 Stroller

A somewhat more budget-friendly option is the Chicco C6 Stroller, which gets the job done with a storage basket, carry strap, 5-point harness, adjustable canopy, and a carrying capacity of 37 pounds on an 11-pound frame.

Runner Up: Joovy Kooper Stroller

The Joovy Kooper umbrella stroller is a little more on the rugged side and weighs more than the Quest or the C6 at 17.9 pounds. However, it folds nicely and offers ample extras like a removable canopy, roomy storage basket, cup holders, and a seat that reclines to any position—one-handed.

Whichever type of umbrella stroller you choose, do remember that age and weight restrictions vary depending on stroller design; most aren’t suitable for very young babies. Always check all instructions, safety and recall information available before purchasing or using your new stroller. Refrain from hanging items off of the back of an umbrella stroller, as this may tip the stroller and injure your child. If you plan to take your umbrella stroller on an airplane, it’s not a bad idea to purchase a specially designed carrying case to protect it during the flight.

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