<p>Thankfully, my wife and I come prepared. The <a href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1QRC69X” target=”_blank”>Bugaboo Butterfly travel stroller</a> is a godsend when <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/g45246206/best-jogging-strollers/” target=”_blank”>running around with small humans</a>. It opens quickly and easily, it’s light and portable, and it holds kids up to fifty pounds. That means even though my two-year-old daughter is usually the one hitching the ride, when my five-year-old son’s legs get tired (or a sibling rivalry inevitably rears its head), he can hop in there, too. </p><p>All of which is to say that when the Koenig clan finally does arrive at the gate, all four of us are in relatively good spirits—even the two year old. The Bugaboo is a great get, but there are a number of other travel strollers out there that could be a good match for you and yours. Read our full breakdown of the varieties we’ve tested and reviewed.</p>”/>
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Best Overall Travel Stroller
Bugaboo Butterfly Stroller
Best Overall Travel Stroller
Bugaboo Butterfly Stroller
Pros
- Comfortable seating
- Good storage space
- Wheels glide over any surface
Cons
- Footrest is a bit flimsy
The Butterfly is aptly named, as it feels like it is actually floating over the ground, even when on grass and gravel. The seat must be especially comfortable, because my two year old surely would have let me know in no uncertain terms were it not. The cargo space on the Bugaboo is good enough for emergency drinks, snacks, Mom’s bag, and Dad’s travel hoodie.
Opening and closing the Butterfly is a cinch, and with Irish blood on both sides, my kids appreciate the sun canopy as well. The stroller is small enough to keep as a carry-on, but if you do decide to check it, be sure to fold up the footrest so it doesn’t get damaged in transit.
| Size Open | 9″ x 36.5″ x 40.3″ |
|---|---|
| Size Folded | 9″ x 17.75″ x 21.25″ |
| Weight | 16 lbs |
Comfiest Stroller
gb QBit+ All-City Stroller
Comfiest Stroller
gb QBit+ All-City Stroller
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Pros
- Comfortable
- Maneuverable
- Easy to fold
Cons
- Overbuilt equals heavy, no shoulder strap equals cumbersome
There’s not much to dislike about the All-City stroller, and that includes its price point, which is a good chunk less than the Bugaboo’s (right in the $300 range, depending on when and where you shop).
This is a stroller with comfortable padding in the seating area and folding mechanisms that won’t induce public meltdowns (from dads, not toddlers). It’s also rather maneuverable and has a silky ride that is really impressive. The only bona fide knock against it is that at 17.6 pounds, it’s pretty bulky, and without a shoulder strap, heaving it around is a real workout.
| Size Open | 33″ x 17″ x 42″ |
|---|---|
| Size Folded | 17″x 10″ x 23″ |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs |
Pros
- Good bang for your buck
- Surprisingly sturdy
- And surprisingly stylish
Cons
- Folding lock is a bit finicky
For an item that costs around $100, the Classic Stroller from babyGap can take a beating. That’s a pleasant surprise for those of us dads who tend to hulk out on things from time to time. (Hi, it’s me. I’m the problem, it’s me.)
This stroller also has a comfortable seat with a five-point harness and a sun canopy overhead with a peekaboo window so you can keep an eye on Junior. The only thing not to like about it is that the folding lock on the bottom-right side takes a little getting used to, which might annoy impatient dads… Not that I know anyone like that.
| Size Open | 31.5″ x 20.7″ x 42.9″ |
|---|---|
| Size Folded | 17″ x 10″ x 23″ |
| Weight | 15 lbs |
Easiest Stroller to Carry
Contours Itsy Lightweight Travel Stroller
Easiest Stroller to Carry
Contours Itsy Lightweight Travel Stroller
Pros
- Extra light
- Fits in a backpack
Cons
- Doesn’t recline
The most minimalistic of the strollers on this list, the Contours Itsy Lightweight Travel Stroller reminds me of something my wife says every time I float the idea of buying a new car. She points out the window at the old beater in our driveway and says, “Does it still roll?”
This stroller has no cupholders and limited storage space. It also doesn’t recline, which might be an issue for bigger kids. But it does, in fact, still roll—rather smoothly at that. And at just 12.3 pounds and $170, this will be a sensible option for many.
| Size Open | 32″ x 18.20″ x 39″ |
|---|---|
| Size Folded | 10.5″ x 11″ x 22″ |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs |
Best Stroller for Twinning
UPPAbaby G-Link V2 Stroller
Best Stroller for Twinning
UPPAbaby G-Link V2 Stroller
Pros
- Easy to maneuver
- Comfortable seats
Cons
- Not a carry-on
Before I had kids, I used to think I wanted twins. What a sweet and innocent child I was. One kid at a time has been plenty for me, and for those dads in the trenches with twins, you have my respect.
For you guys, the Uppababy G-Link V2 Stroller is a very solid choice. I think of it as the Cadillac of travel strollers—comfortable, smooth, and (obviously) rather large. It’s actually too big to keep as a carry-on, so be prepared to check it. But realistically, there is very little not to like here.
| Size Open | 27.5″ x 28.5″ x 42″ |
|---|---|
| Size Folded | 40″ x 20″ x 14.5″ |
| Weight | 22 lbs |
Best Stroller for City Dwellers
Babyzen YOYO2 Stroller
Best Stroller for City Dwellers
Babyzen YOYO2 Stroller
Pros
- Folds up small
- Smooth ride
Cons
- Not great off pavement
Since I’m a full-fledged suburban dad now, car seats are my current worry. But I lived in cities for twenty years of my life, so I am very sympathetic to space concerns. The best travel stroller out there for the urban denizens among us needs to be small and easy to maneuver—enter the Babyzen YOYO2.
This zippy little thing is great for weaving through armies of commuters on busy city sidewalks. It also folds up teeny, and at 13.7 pounds, it’s an easy carry with a padded shoulder strap. The only downside is that it’s not fond of rough surfaces, which is not really a big deal as long as you avoid New York City potholes.
| Size Open | 33.8″ x 17.3″ x 41.7″ |
|---|---|
| Size Folded | 20.5″ x 17.3″ x 7.1″ |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs |
Smoothest Handling Stroller
Silver Cross Jet 3 Super Compact Stroller
Smoothest Handling Stroller
Silver Cross Jet 3 Super Compact Stroller
Pros
- Eats up all terrain
- Folds up like a rolling suitcase
Cons
- Very little cargo room
You know that feeling when you’re cutting wrapping paper and the scissors begin to glide? That’s how it feels to push the Silver Cross. It’s also got a five-point harness and an adjustable footrest, plus it fully reclines. The sun canopy is workable if not the largest I’ve seen.
A fun trick is that this stroller folds into a little rolling-suitcase-looking thing—the leather-wrapped bumper bar turns into the handle. The main drawback here is that cargo space is at a bare minimum. The Silver Cross Jet 3 is best thought of as the roadster of travel strollers.
| Size Open | 35.4″ x 17.7″ x 39.5″ |
|---|---|
| Size Folded | 7.08″ x 11.81″ x 21.65″ |
| Weight | 13.6 lbs |
Best Stroller for Flying with Infants
Doona Infant Car Seat and Stroller
Best Stroller for Flying with Infants
Doona Infant Car Seat and Stroller
Pros
- Versatile
- FAA approved
- Great for infants
Cons
- Low weight capacity
Traveling with infants—and really doing anything with infants, now that I say it out loud—has an added degree of difficulty. Gently put: You’re going to want all the help you can get. That’s why I like this entry from Doona. It doubles as a car seat and stroller, so it gets high marks for versatility. It is also ready right out of the box for newborns (many other strollers need to be adapted for kids under six months). And, best of all, for you cosmopolites out there, it’s approved by both U.S. and European authorities for air travel.
The one issue with this stroller is that its max weight capacity is thirty-five pounds, so your child will likely outgrow it quickly. But it’s great to save for a second kid or to share with friends.
| Size Open | 17.5″ x 32.4″ x 39″ |
|---|---|
| Size Folded | 17.5″ x 26″ x 22.5″ |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs |
What to Consider When Buying a Travel Stroller
Don’t just trust our picks; see how we graded them.
Movement When you’re pushing around one, two, or (godspeed) three-plus kids, you want the stroller to make it easy on you. If you’re in the city, you only need it to be good on sidewalk asphalt and epoxied airport floors. If you’re in the burbs, gravel and dirt might come into the equation.
Weight When it’s folded up, you want it to be easy to handle. This is especially true for carry-on strollers.
Storage Everyone in the family has essentials: Baby’s snacks, Dad’s drink, Mom’s in-flight melatonin. A good stroller gives you space for all of it.
Ease of use Is it difficult to fold? Does it fit in an overhead bin? Is the carry-strap sufficient for its size? Stuff like this is important.
Versatility This is critical when you’ve got multiple kids and the older ones like to campaign for stroller privileges. What is the weight limit? Also, if a stroller can recline, it’ll be more comfortable for bigger kids.
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