Best Lightweight Stroller For Toddler

Choosing a baby stroller is becoming harder and harder as more options become available; in fact a quick Google search for a lightweight baby stroller alone would give you almost two million results.

But thanks to advancements in technology, you can also get strollers that give you great features and more bang for the buck.

First, for the uninitiated, what exactly is a lightweight baby stroller and why all the attention?

A lightweight baby stroller is approximately 15 pounds or less, made of high-tech aluminum, portable and folds easily, perfect for overhead cabins in airplanes.

It is more expensive than its counterparts, but it is the perfect choice for people who travel and prefer a sturdy but light alternative to the standard stroller which tend to be heavy and clumsy.

Top 5 Lightweight Stroller For Toddler List

Let’s compare lightweight strollers for toddlers with other types of strollers to help you pick out what’s best for baby and you.

Full Featured Strollers Vs lightweight strollers for toddlers

Full Featured Baby Stroller Features

Lightweight Baby Stroller Features

 

1)  Chicco Liteway Stroller, Fog

In this Chicco Liteway Stroller review, we’ll discover why this stroller is a personal favorite of moms everywhere.

Let’s start with the feature moms have been raving about the most – the 5 position reclinable baby seat.

I noticed it is padded with a cushy material that is comfortable to the touch. At the same time, it’s quite safe. It has a 5 point harness to keep your baby snugly in place.

I really liked that the snapping mechanism on the harness is covered – this way it will never pitch your baby’s skin.

The seat can be reclined horizontally (180 degrees) using only one hand. This is great for when you want your baby to sleep comfortably.

Since the seat reclines to a flat position, you can also change your baby’s diaper while he’s lying in the stroller. This is an added benefit that comes in handy when you are not near your car or a restroom.

The wheels are another fantastic part of this stroller.

They are sleek and turn easily – to change direction of the stroller you only need to use one hand. The front wheels swivel, which is great for when you are trying to turn in tight spaces like shops, restaurants, or store aisles.

You can also lock them into place if you need to ride across rougher terrain (grass, gravel, sand, etc.). If they ever get dirty you can detach the wheels from the stroller and clean them in a few minutes.

The wheels are easy to take off. The only drawback is that the wheels do stick out a bit when you collapse the stroller, making it skinny but somewhat long.

This stroller also has dual side lockable brakes, which you can lock into place with either your left or right foot. The brake snap into place with a firm press on the pedals.

Another great feature on this umbrella stroller is its large shopping basket located underneath the seat of the stroller. It provides plenty of storage space. But best of all – it’s detachable and can act as a shoulder bag.

The Chicco Liteway stroller is all season ready. You’ve got the extendable canopy to protect your child from the sun’s harsh rays during the summer, an attachable rain cover for those rainy days during the spring and fall seasons, and a hideaway boot enclosure for early fall.

The hideaway boot acts a small cover to keep your baby cozy and warm.

Once it’s warm out, you can detach the boot and use the adjustable foot rest. The foot rest is great for supporting your child’s legs and providing that extra bit of comfort.

And you will be comfortable too because this stroller has padded handlebars that have a nice feel and provide a great grip. If you are taller than average, this stroller will also be great for you because you won’t have to hunch over in order to reach the handlebars.

It is also a stroller that will last until your baby grows-up. This stroller is recommended from your child’s birth up until he reaches his 3rd birthday.

It has a maximum carrying capacity of 40 lbs. Since it’s so rugged and durable, a few parents have even used the same stroller for their second child. That speaks volumes to how long you can have this stroller for.

The video below shows you some of the great features of this stroller (the boot “muff”  in the video is only available in the UK version of the Chicco Liteway stroller, the US version is a little lighter).

This brings us to the end of the Chicco Liteway Stroller review. In closing, I want you to know that this is a great stroller that provides a lot of value. It’s so great, that according to these Toys R Us customer reviews – 81% of parents would recommend this stroller to a friend.

That’s a really high recommendation percentage! As if that weren’t enough, this stroller is also recommended by ConsumerSearch.com as the “Best Umbrella Stroller for Newborns.” Currently the best price for this stroller is on Amazon and you can currently get FREE shipping if you buy through their website.

 

2) Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Stroller

We gave the City Jogger Mini by Baby Jogger a perfect rating in durability, comfort, and convenience.

This makes it the best lightweight stroller you can buy at this price point. The is made with busy moms in mind.

If you’re always out and about, rushing from place to place, this is the perfect stroller for you. It is fairly lightweight and quite easy to fold and unfold.

To collapse the stroller, you just pull up on the strap located in the middle of the baby seat.

When you grab the strap and lift, the stroller automatically collapses and locks itself into that position.

You can literally collapse it in a couple of seconds and stick it in the trunk of your car.

It is very compact, so don’t worry about it taking up too much trunk space (it only takes up about 1/4^th of the trunk space in a Honda Civic).

The baby seat is nicely padded. It is 20 inches wide, has a 19.5 inch seat-back, and it spans 23 inches from the seat to the canopy.

It also has a roomy seating surface, more specifically 10 inches from the back of the seat to the area where your child bends his legs.

There is also a 10 inch leg surface. The stroller has one of the roomiest baby seats I’ve seen.

It can accommodate children that are up to 50 lbs. If your child is a little taller or bigger than average – this stroller would be perfect for him.

This stroller also has a 150 degree recline capability which is great for when you want your baby to nap. It is easy to adjust even when using one hand.

The seat also has a mesh window that allows air to circulate on hot summer days. If it’s cold out, you can cover the window using the built in Velcro flap.

The City Jogger Mini Is a Dream to Drive

The stroller is a pleasure to drive. It glides across the ground smoothly and is easy to steer. Parents who bought this stroller commented on how much they loved its maneuverability.

It’s easy to steer because of the high handlebar, which is 41 inches from the ground.

This is great for taller parents, but if you are shorter it might be a little high for you. The negative is that the handlebar is not adjustable.

The wheels are 8 inches and the tires are made out of hard rubber.

They’ll never go flat. There are three wheels with the front wheel being a swivel wheel that you can lock into place. The stroller does have front wheel suspension, so it will absorb some of the bumps in the road.

Just like on the Chicco Liteway Stroller, the wheels on the Baby Jogger City Mini are also detachable.

That means that you will be able to wash them or change them with ease. The wheels can be locked using the brake on the back wheels.

Although the locking mechanism works well, the pedal you have to press is a bit small.

A Baby Jogger Stroller With Great Features

This stroller also has an extra-large canopy. The full coverage canopy has two peekaboo windows so you can check in on your child.

The drawback is that the peekaboo window covers are held in place by Velcro, which make them a bit hard to remove without making noise.

The basket underneath the stroller is roomy. It is also easy to access due to its unique shape.

The bar holding the basket is swooped downwards so your hand can quickly fit through and grab whatever you need.

The basket also has elastic sides so you can have quick access to toys or diapers without having to go around to the back of the stroller.

The City Jogger Mini is one of the best strollers out in the marketplace right now. It has a lot of great features and can also be fitted with a car seat adapter.

While it does have a bit of a higher sticker price, it provides a lot of value for the money. It will also last you a while since your child will be able to use it until he’s around 4 years old.

 

Recommended Products

3) Summer Infant 3D Lite Convenience Stroller

While most moms know about this Summer Infant 3D Lite stroller, the hip ones have labeled it the “most stylish stroller” around.  It doesn’t look like any stroller from the past, that’s for sure.

This baby carrier is really cool; I think it looks like it just came out of a futuristic sci-fi movie. It has a slender shape, a lightweight aluminum frame, and perfectly aligned wheels.

Let’s start by talking about this baby carrier’s great slender shape which helps it take on the qualities of an umbrella stroller.

The stroller’s shape makes it skinny, contributes to it taking little space when compacted, and aids it when maneuvering in tight spaces (busy restaurants are easy to navigate as it glides around tables and chairs).

That being said, this baby carrier is more solidly built than a standard umbrella stroller. And while most umbrella strollers are wobbly, the Emotion stroller is solid and balanced.

The reason it is so solid is due to its sturdy frame. The frame is made of aluminum, which not only makes the stroller light, but gives it strength and durability.

The aluminum is also why this stroller looks so stylish. One mother even said that people on the street often stop her and ask her where she got such a trendy carrier.

This stroller has a unique European look and it’s definitely narrower than most baby carriages. Although this carrier does not have a  food tray, it does have a cup holder and large storage bin for your child’s things.

This baby stroller differentiates itself from the rest when it comes to handling. It rolls so easily across the pavement that it almost seems like its gliding.

It’s pretty amazing how well it turns and how easy it is to push. The maneuverability is awesome and you can easily get through a crowd of people with a few quick maneuvers.

Who is this Summer Infant 3D Lite ideal for?

This stroller is great for moms who are on the go. Ones that have to travel through narrow spaces or crowded areas.

Since it does not have a food tray and the seats covers are NOT washable, I don’t recommend buying it if you’d like to feed your child while he’s still strapped in the stroller.

Personally, I never fed my kid while he was in the stroller, but I know some moms like to feed their kids while they’re still strapped in.

Having said that, I think this stroller is perfect for any mom who’s on the go. It will turn heads and have people wondering where you go such a snazzy looking baby carriage.

 

4) Cosco Umbrella Stroller

If you are looking for a Cosco umbrella stroller with canopy, then you’re probably searching for the Cosco Umbrella Stroller (Monster Elliot).

The first thing you’ll notice about this stroller is that it looks kinda retro. The frame, design, and wheels have a modern look, but the colors and material look vintage.

If you are a trend-setter, you might find this stroller’s appearance quite charming. However, if you are looking for something more modern – you’ll want to find a different stroller.

At first glance, this stroller seems pretty basic. It doesn’t have any of the fancy features you’d expect from a stroller.

There are only two recline positions for the seat, which means you won’t be able to use this stroller for long walks or extensive traveling.  The canopy is not extra long, so it can’t fully shade your baby from the sun.

As for the handling, parents who have bought this Cosco umbrella stroller have stated that it’s pretty hard to steer.

The front wheels have even been described as “atrocious” in some of the reviews. While the stroller doesn’t have any problems when it’s being pushed forward, if you try to veer left or right the front wheels start to shift in opposite directions.

Although the front wheels are not locked, they do sometimes get stuck in a diagonal position. This means you have to readjust them using your hands before they become unstuck.

With all these negative reviews stacked against it, why would anyone ever buy this baby stroller? Well, because it’s unbelievably cheap! This stroller is selling for under $30 right now (edit: the price has changed).

There is currently no other stroller that even comes close to matching this amount. At this price, you can’t complain about what you’re getting because you’re paying next to nothing.

The Cosco Juvenile Deluxe Comfort Ride is the epitome of a discount stroller. And you’re not going to be using a discount stroller for anything intensive. However if you are going on a weekend trip or for a picnic, this stroller would fit your needs.

While it’s good for a few uses, this Cosco umbrella stroller with canopy is not a good long term stroller.

Personally, I wouldn’t recommend it to a relative or friend. I think it falls short on so many levels.

The price may be low, but the quality is low as well. If you are thinking of buying this stroller, I would strongly recommend you check out the Chicco Liteway Stroller  first.

The Chicco Liteway Stroller may be thrice the price of this Cosco stroller, but it provides 10x the value. If you want a top of the line stroller, which also costs a little more, then read my Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 review.

Still, if you can’t afford the other strollers, this Cosco stroller is the cheapest stroller you’ll find anywhere! No other stroller will beat its low price.

 

For parents looking for the best lightweight stroller, there are numerous manufacturers and brands that offer some excellent examples at very cost efficient prices.

Lightweight baby strollers are becoming increasingly popular with both parents and nannies due to the fast-paced lifestyle that creates a need for convenient operation in infant strollers. Prices for some of the best lightweight stroller lines can range from as little as 50 or $60, all the way up to 700 or even $1000.

The best lightweight strollers present consumers with some amazing features and extremely innovative designs with some of the more popular and well-known brands on the market today.

Some of the best lightweight stroller brands include Maxi, Kolcraft, and McLaren to name but a few.

Many of the best lightweight stroller examples incorporate high safety features such as three point and five point harness strapping systems to keep your infants safe and secure, especially on bumpy terrain.

Nearly all of the lightweight strollers for toddlers today incorporate an extremely innovative steering system and many of the best lightweight stroller vehicles actually have independent suspension systems allowing for a smooth and safe ride for your infant.

The best lightweight stroller manufacturers also understand the need for convenience and user-friendly operation with many of their lightweight strollers and the aftermarket accessories available are extremely useful for people who are constantly on the move.

There are also some very creative designs presented by the manufacturers and consumers can now enjoy some really beautiful colors and designs incorporated in both the material and the framework of many of the light weight baby stroller examples.

Best Lightweight Stroller For Toddler: – Conclusion

Umbrella strollers are recommended as a good second stroller for a toddler. If you have the budget, it makes sense to get a lightweight baby stroller. 

The convenience it gives you and the comfort it provides the baby could be worth the difference in price. Some parents buy an umbrella stroller for quick trips to the supermarket but keep a standard stroller around for daily walks.

In our opinion, it is kind of redundant when you think about it, especially when you can have the convenience of one and the stability of the other when you invest in one of the best lightweight baby strollers available in the market.

In fact it’s more practical to get lightweight strollers for toddlers.

Now, let’s narrow down the most important things to look for when buying compact, lightweight strollers for toddlers.

There is a wide choice available out there. Brand name, style, quality of material, practicality and safety features are some of the things you need to consider.