The Best Lightweight Strollers

Kolcraft Cloud Plus Stroller

Keeping your kid comfortable and content on the go is a breeze with Kolcraft’s Cloud Plus stroller. This compact carrier is a solid choice because of its collapsible frame and sturdy wheels. The front axels feature two separate tires for extra stability over unpaved terrain. While we wouldn’t recommend it for sandy beaches, this stroller is more than capable of offroad outings. Best of all, it only takes one hand to drop this carriage into storage mode. Whether you’re a single parent on a grocery run or an actual run, the Cloud Plus is built for busy multitaskers.

Pros:

• Ultraviolet protective canopy
• Features drink and food trays for both adult and child
• Reclining seat with waist and chest buckle

Cons:

• The brakes take quite a bit of force to engage

Summer Infant 3Dlite Convenience Stroller

This stroller from Summer Infant is a fantastic alternative to heavyweight baby baskets for all-day adventures. At only 13 pounds, the 3Dlite stroller is built to keep you going longer, thanks to the aluminum skeleton and shock-absorbing wheels. Despite its portable nature, the 3Dlite is far from lacking in amenities. If you don’t want to lug diaper bags, snacks, and toys around for hours, the substantial side pocket and undercarriage storage is a perfect fit. Overall, if you’re the type of parent that wants every accessory within arm’s reach without straining your muscles, this carriage makes strolls far from home splendid.

Pros:

• Four seat reclining angles for naptime
• Up to 50 pounds seat weight limit
• Available in purple, black, gray, and green

Cons:

• The seat straps are tricky to adjust

Summer Infant 3D Pac CS Stroller

Summer Infant’s 3D Pac CS stroller redefines the lightweight stroller as a device that can capably carry children from infancy to first steps.  To start, the 3D Pac CS is incredibly compact. While most strollers only fold flat, this unit also folds in half. This design is great for transporting the carriage around the home while not in use. Despite its larger size, the 3D Pac CS is entirely customizable, featuring a removable seat and compatibility with a wide variety of car seats. This stroller’s thick wheels and functional frame will always leave you with plenty of space and stability.

Pros:

• Features an adjustable leg rest and food tray
• “Peek-a-boo” window for visibility while the visor is in use

Cons:

• The undercarriage is inaccessible when reclining the seat

Graco DuoGlider Stroller

If you need to keep up with two bundles of energy, the DuoGlider from Graco is your best bet for kid control. First, it’s a top choice for different ages because of its ability to accept infant car seats in one or both sections. These front-facing seats have translucent dividers so your kiddos can interact, and each section features footrests and trays. While this model is naturally a bit heavier than solo strollers, the front wheel suspension and smooth treads make the DuoGlider surprisingly maneuverable. Regardless of the age gap, we’re confident that the DuoGlider will keep your kids calm on bumpy roads and in the sweltering sun day after day.

Pros:

• Storage tray with lid for parents
• The trays are removable for extra space
• The rear seat reclines completely flat

Cons:

• The rear sunshade blocks cup holder when not in use

Baby Trend Range Jogger Millennium Stroller

When you’re struggling to squeeze in a workout between feeding, bathing, and playing, check out Baby Trend’s Range Jogger. This stroller is built specifically to deal with uneven surfaces and high speeds, featuring an easy-to-turn front wheel and enormous back wheels. While none of the three tires have shocks, they tout much thicker rubber treads than most of their competitors, as well as a larger radius. As far as your baby is concerned, the seat belt boasts five points of contact, a generous tray with two water bottle slots, and reinforced padding for uninterrupted naps. If you won’t settle for less than a smooth ride at any speed, the Range Jogger blows past the competition with ease.

Pros:

• Footrest light reflectors for extra safety at night
• Fantastic traction on sand
• Free of squeaky wheels

Cons:

• Requires two hands to collapse

Frequently Asked Questions

Who invented the baby stroller?

The baby stroller is an invention of William Kent, a sort of Renaissance man living in England in the mid-eighteenth century. This prototype was drawn by horses and built for a Duke’s family, and the invention was only popular amongst the wealthy for quite some time. But a couple of decades later, African American inventor William Richardson came up with several game-changing improvements, including a reversible seat. By the early twentieth century, strollers were available and affordable for all families. The first genuinely modern baby carriage, made with lightweight aluminum and a collapsible frame, was created in the early twentieth century by English engineer Owen Maclaren.

What accessories should I use with my stroller?

While baby strollers usually provide your little one with all the comfort they need, built-in add-ons for parents are not always a given. When it comes to tricking out your stroller, your top priorities should be extra storage, weatherizing, and baby accessories. For storage, your best bets are handlebar pouches, handlebar trays, and carabiner clips. Weatherizing your stroller against precipitation and pests can take the form of rain covers and insect nests, in addition to clip-on portable fans to keep temperatures down inside. Lastly, long strolls around town can leave your baby hungry and fussy. Consider adding an extra food tray for snacks, hanging stroller toys for entertainment, and a ride-on stroller board for the tired legs of older siblings.