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Ask Shelly: The best stroller for travel to Europe with a toddler?
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A worthy travel stroller takes cobblestones in stride. Photo by Shelly Rivoli.
I received a letter from a mom who is getting ready to take her family, including her 1.5-year-old daughter, on a trip to Bosnia to visit extended family. Since the topic of travel strollers and cobblestones comes up from time to time, this will hopefully help a number of you facing the same dilemma as you plan your family vacation to Europe with a baby or toddler. She writes:
“I’ve been there many times and I’m pretty familiar with international travel but I need your advice on a stroller... It is a long, long process to get there, 1 hour to get to Chicago, 9 hours to get to Germany, 2 hours to get to Croatia and 2 hours to get to Sarajevo…Last time the travel stroller that we took with us just totally fell apart on us while we were there. We literally had to tape the wheels just to keep them on. For whatever reason strollers in Bosnia are VERY hard to some by so it’s not as if we can buy one there, European mindset I guess they have prams for infants but nothing for kids once they learn to walk.
"Anyway, here is what I’m looking for and I was wondering what your recommendation would be, I need a stroller that: folds, reclines, has heavy duty wheels (cobblestone streets), has a storage basket. I would also add lightweight but I’ll trade the heavier weight if I have to for the other stuff. Since the stroller will get completely trashed when we’re there because we walk everywhere I don’t want to spend $250 for something that will get thrown away in a month. I know I’m asking a lot here but any suggestions? Thank you so much!”
For the scenario described, I'd suggest taking a look at the Maclaren Triumph, which is a stroller that should not only survive the trip (we’ll hope!) but you will make good use of back at home. It’s lightweight at only 11 lbs., has a reclining seat for snoozing during airport layovers and afternoon walks, a small basket for sundries, and a shoulder carrying strap which will come in handy as you schlep luggage and deal with all of the “stairs and no elevator” situations you’re likely to encounter in Bosnia—and much of Europe for that matter. You can sling it over your shoulder and still hold your daughter’s hand as you climb.
But one of the best things going for the Maclaren Triumph in this scenario are its thicker, rubbery wheels and durable fittings that stand up to cobblestones (note that the less-expensive Maclaren Volo’s wheels are not so substantial). The foam grip handles also absorb some of the shock making it more pleasant to push over bumpy terrain.
At around $175 new, Maclaren Triumph’s aren’t cheap, but they do hold up well in general, as proven by the number of used Maclaren Triumph Strollers you can find for sale in good condition. In fact, for your best deal you can check your local Craigslist.org site or local baby gear reseller. If you prefer to start fresh with a brand new stroller, look for sales and year-end closeouts (deals on last year’s model) on eBay or at any of these sites:
Another option you might consider is one of Combi's lightweight and compact models, such as the Savvy (shown above) which stood up to many cobblestones in our travels. For more info on Combi's best travelers and other recommended travel strollers, check out the travel stroller pages at www.travelswithbaby.com.
Good luck!
Related articles:
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Before booking an overseas flight with your baby, read this
Entertaining children on airplanes—before they even leave the ground
Flying with toddlers... without car seats
Questions for Shelly? Send an email to examiner (at sign) travelswithbaby (dot) com.
Shelly Rivoli is the author of the award-winning guide Travels with Baby: The Ultimate Guide for Planning Trips with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschool-Age Children.
Subscribe to Shelly's "Travels with Baby" column for the latest updates and advice.
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