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Overwhelming – it’s a word that seems to pop up a lot when you’re expecting a baby. Even the simplest of decisions feel monumental as the weeks pass quickly, and your due date becomes more than just a circle on a calendar.
For example: choosing a stroller. Easy, right? Well, maybe five years ago when there were only three or so to choose from, but today? The choices. Oh the wonderful choices! But where to start?
We say, go to the experts, so we sent our The-State-of-the-Mom correspondent, Jessica Bern, to the world-famous, celebrity baby hot spot, Juvenile Shop located on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, Calif. (Check out our video for an entertaining look at the state of the modern stroller.)
Juvenile Shop prides itself in providing fine products and impeccable service to their customers since 1938. Current owner, Lauren Logan, and her extremely knowledgeable staff treat celebrities, such as Katherine Heigl, Ellen Pompeo and Nicole Richie, like regular moms and regular moms like celebrities.
“Our customers are average moms to us, no matter how famous,” said Lauren. “Our goal is make every parent’s shopping experience as enjoyable and as easy as possible.”
One main team player in achieving this goal is 15+-year Juvenile Shop veteran and go-to stroller guy, Roger Hicks. Dealing with “challenging” customers like our correspondent, Jessica Bern, comes with the territory. His smooth-talking stroller-ese calms mom’s harried nerves as the due date rapidly approaches.
“It’s great that there are so many stroller styles to choose from. It allows moms to pick just the perfect one for their family, but it can get overwhelming,” (there’s that word again) said Roger. “I’m here to point them in the right direction.”
Since most of us aren’t lucky enough to hop a flight and visit Roger personally, he offered a breakdown of his favorites:
Best Overall:
This coveted title goes to the Bugaboo brand – pick one, any one – it’s an investment for some for sure, but it’s “money well spent.” Features vary depending upon the model, but all push beautifully, boast incredible suspension and handling, and are worth your time weighing the pros and cons of purchasing this brand.
Retail Price: Bugaboo Bee $529 / Bugaboo Frog $759 / Bugaboo Cameleon $880
Best Value:
For those not quite prepared to go the Bugaboo route, there is the City Mini by Baby Jogger. With its gigantic canopy, excellent maneuverability, roomy and well-ventilated seat, high handle and accessories galore (including a liquid holster that sways with the movement of the stroller – brilliant), this is the stroller that came up in conversation over and over again as a great product. And with a weight capacity of 50 lbs., this is one stroller that is made for the long haul. Retail Price: $230.
The Baby Jogger City Mini also lands in first for Easiest to Fold (huge!), and Best for Two Kids – City Mini Double. Price for City Mini Double: $400.
Best Jogging Stroller:
It’s time to get moving with the BOB Revolution. This stroller features a 12-inch front wheel that casters for improved maneuverability and handling, or it can be locked out for safer running or off-road use. It also has excellent suspension with rear-wheel brakes for easy locking and reliability, quick and compact folding, and roomy seat and storage space. Price: $390.
Lightest:
Let’s face it, lots of features are incredible, but if you’re running through an airport or hoisting a stroller into an SUV, sometimes size is the number one concern. Roger’s answer: the UPPAbaby G-Luxe. At 11 lbs. it’s the lightest full-size umbrella stroller with an infinitely adjustable recline that ranges from upright to 120 degrees. It also offers an extended SPF 50 pop-out sun canopy for extra protection against UV rays, and a hand-level folding trigger – no foot action required – an absolute necessity for flip-flop loving moms. Price: $160
Roger also recommends the Maclaren Quest Sport – with its adjustable 5-point safety harness, 4-position reclining seat and ability to carry your child up to 45 lbs., the umbrella stroller has definitely come a long way for your baby. Price: $245.
Best Carseat Combo for Infants:
Graco Travel Systems have evolved immensely since their advent in the ’90s – new styles, new colors, more accesories, you name it. The Juvenile Shop currently features the “tried and true” Graco Metro-Lite Stroller Platinum which securely holds the Graco SnugRide car seat (sold separately, price: $89-159). One huge benefit of the Graco car seat – it’s the only one to universally fit into most other manufacturer’s stroller systems. Price: $160.
For a unique choice, Roger recommends the Orbit Baby System. It includes everything you need the day your baby leaves the hospital: the infant car seat, stroller frame and car base. But wait, the stroller can be transformed by adding the bassinet (sold separately), and as your child gets bigger, the toddler stroller seat (sold separately) can replace the infant car seat. Finally, the toddler car seat (sold separately), which utilizes your original car base, also has the bonus convenience of docking onto your stroller. Serious mileage for your investment. Price: $900.
Another favorite is the Peg Perego Si. This lightweight, practical, Italian-made stroller is ideal for travel and quick trips with its adjustable handles, large hood featuring a sun visor and large basket. It also folds compactly and stands alone. Pair it with the Primo Viaggio SIP car seat (sold separately) that attaches easily to chassis, and you have a complete system that any parent would love. Price: $250.
Some other excellent stroller options Roger recommends (see video) are:
Stokke Xplory Complete – company-touted as “like a high chair on wheels,” your baby has the option of facing you or the world, has a reclining seat and a smooth ride. It offers ease of movement in small spaces, ease of folding, and the fact that the stroller is an attention grabber, makes this somewhat extravagant purchase an option for thoroughly modern moms. Price: $1,200
The UPPAbaby Vista – this “quality” stroller offers such features as a reversible seat and 4-position seat angle adjustment including new upright position, and one button telescopic handle-height adjustment. The initial purchase includes both bassinet and seat, completely interchangeable and requires no fabric swapping, as well as a convenient zip-in weather shield and mesh bug shield. Another excellent feature, both the bassinet pop-out ventilated sun shade and seat sun shade offer SPF 50 sun coverage. Price: $670
Phil and Teds Dash – a great option for on-the-go parents, the Dash features an intelligent handle with a hand brake and seamless folding mechanism. This ultra adaptable Inline Buggy also grows as your family’s needs do, from lie-flat newborn to up right 5-year-old. Price: $550 single / $650 double
And one last piece of advice for those of you with more than one kiddo or more than one on the way – you might want to check out the Combi Tag-Along brand new this Spring. This innovative design brings you two single strollers that can be linked together as a double. Attach the front of one stroller, to the back of the other, and the two strollers become one. And with a quick release, the two separate, giving you individual strollers, each with 45 lb capacity. Price: $350.
Once relegated to almost an afterthought, strollers have now evolved into a modern motherhood fashion statement with fabric and color combos to fit every mom’s style. While the choices can be dizzying, keep in mind the utility aspect of your stroller, as in how much it weighs, how it handles and how easily it folds, can greatly impact your daily happiness.
No matter where you shop, remember this – take time to really figure out your individual needs and budget before you hit the stores. Each brand of stroller is as unique as that new little bundle you’re anxiously expecting.
(The products listed can be found at most local large retail and high-end stores, as well as at Juvenile Shop’s online store, where they offer top-quality items at competitive prices.)
[...] this qualify as “evidence”? Lee over at momswithoutblogs has created a new site called, [...]
This video is HILARIOUS…not to mention informative. Obviously, I’m totally making the right choice not to have a kid now. I’ve shared this blog with my sister-in-law, who has a new young lady in her life (yes, a baby). She’s hungry for information for new moms.
FANTASTIC LEE! Jess is hysterical, and the site looks so terrific!
I am so proud of and excited for you!!!
xoxo
That was so exactly what I needed. A laugh after a laugh after a laugh. Felt like I was shopping with you, Jess. Let’s do that again!!!
PS That baby didn’t look at all like you. I’m suspicious.
Roger was great and too bad he wasn’t available (seriously – all the good ones are gay or married). I think my favorite part was when Jessica asked which was prettier, the stroller or her. Personally, I think the stroller was trying too hard. I sense Daddy issues and choose Jessica – all the way.
Is it possible that in the years since my kids grew out of strollers, things got even *more* complicated? Back then – in the Paleolithic Era in parenting years, I guess – there were Graco, Peg Perego, Maclaren, and something that begins with an S.
I’m glad for current expecting moms that you researched this so thoroughly. And — congrats on the new site! It looks great.
Great site! Loved Jessica’s video. Funny, informative and entertaining. Nice job, Jessica [you look great, BTW!]!
so flippin funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And I have decided that my next kid will simply have to walk, because Jess just sold me on the above ground pool.
You ROCK! THIS is the real deal, Lee. You’ve got something awesome here. Seriously.
This is so true. And hey, I actually watched all the way to the end – that rarely happens.
Very funny! This is video I would and WANT to watch!!!
very cute video! jessica was great.
and i love that rog admitted he had the old school graco for both his kids….’tried and true’, not to mention way-the-heck-cheaper than the other options!
OK, that was really, really funny. Jessica is hilarious. And Roger? Loved him. So good, Lee.
Love it – and love the ending. Very clever. Please do a piece on moms who shop for baby gear with an advisor … I think that would be fantastic.
This video is hilarious! I’m not looking forward to buying a stroller, but I am looking forward to shopping for one! Thanks for the video.
Too funny and so true! Strollers are getting crazy! Thanks for the laugh! Your baby is precious!
Good idea.
This video is just as funny now as it was the first time I watched it!
I love your video…it was hilarious and I agree. Strollers are way out of control in pricing.
stopping by your site from thegotomom
I think it’s clear that consumerism is getting out of control. Who’s really being served by these luxe strollers, the infant, or the parents’ egos? Why not bring simplicity back.
This was very helpful for a new mom to be! So many choices out there.
The red stroller was for 3 kids at once?!
I like the review! The video is hilarious though it’s a little intimidating at how many choices we now have!
Great Video! So funny.
Awesome video that I just had to forward it to the husband right away! Great concept!
That is a very cute/funny video! It was actually very helpful and informative also! Thanks!
Thanks for the jogger stroller tips, I covet.
I feel just like her. I’m in the middle of researching strollers and such now and it is SO confusing!
This is hands-down the best information I’ve seen on strollers! And, so entertaining!
Love it !!!!!
I love the video and the website is really nice!! I love the style and over all the content!! Very nice!!
They may be fancier but they will last longer than the ones I bought over 8 years ago. I could barely make it over a cracked sidewalk with the oldies. Now these strollers have tires that are nicer than my Town & Country.
When my son was born $100 stroller would have been upscale. The ones in the video were way nicer.
The video is hilarious! Thanks for being informative but not dull!
oh my word – this is HYSTERICAL!! Thank you for putting to words (and humor) how I feel about the daunting search for the right stroller as a mom-to-be! (found this site from http://www.savvysassymoms.com)
What a HOOT! Loved watching the video and a very humorous way to be so informative. I would love to win this for our family is having to new addititons witin a month of each other.
That is so funny!! Good job =)
Great video! Jessica cracked me up and I loved what a pro Roger was with those strollers.
Love the part about needing to find the husband after the stroller
sibabe64 at ptd dot net
You were right about the video being funny! Love how you pulled the baby doll out of your bag and put it in the stroller LOL. I’ve gotta have one of these because I love the colors, the design is awesome, love how compact it is, it has ample padding for comfort for the baby, love the storage underneath. I also love how easy it folds up and is light weight so it would be so much easier to pick up and put in the vehicle.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
Great video and awesome stroller
Okay, I feel old! You talk about (6) six years ago and none of this stuff existing – ummm try 22 years ago! I know! I KNOW! I’M ANCIENT!
Okay, more coffee came out my nose (ewwww) then should have – ’cause your ‘slingshot comments’ had me in tears… (yes I am in the office too – strange looks my way from my co-workers too)
I am lost in the sea of baby stuff – my daughter who is expecting her first, a single mom and 22 – well we are learning together.
I say we take a “baby” like you had out shopping with us too – although i don’t think we’ll try the “breastfeeding” ROFL!
BRAVA!
Loved the video and would love the stroller for my daughter-arriving September 2010! First time mom and only want the best for her
This video is hilarious! It’s been a long time since we’ve purchased a stroller and so much has changed. This video is helpful and funny the website is really neat too. I’m so glad to have stumbled across this site!
Video was great. I would run at those prices, but those strollers are state of the art. Gave me a good laugh for the day.
[...] with Savvy Sassy Moms, for her “Bump Month” featuring all things baby. To promote the stroller video I produced, we are giving away a Bugaboo Bee! To the tune of $700! So if you need a stroller or know someone [...]
Thank you! All this shopping has been driving me mad. Love the Bugaboo Bee!
Boy can she run
The Bugaboo brand is what I want to go for.
But I love the car seat/jogging stroller combinations as well! Great post, thanks for sharing!
This was by far the funniest stroller video I’ve ever seen. There are so many strollers that are so expensive. I had no idea!