Halloween night, of course, requires a different stroller than one used for the preps leading up to it. The perfect choice--my Chariot of Fire. What a "scream"!
Reflective and orange and black, decorated with mini Jack-o-Lanterns. Positively "spooky" how it matches this "haunted house"!
In the dark of night, you wouldn't want to be "tricked" going over an unseen crack, and have all your "treats" go flying. After all, they were hard earned by this mini UPS man. And we all know how "magic" he is to StrollerLand; especially when we are awaiting delivery of our newest stroller!
These 20" air tires with suspension say "BOO" to tree roots, grass, cracks, mud, rocks...just about anything you might encounter that goes "bump" in the night.
The back of the seat has an integrated helmet space, so your little "sorcerer's" head isn't pushed forward. And look at how "monstrously" big this seat is! It is going to come in very handy later, as you shall see. "Thrills" and "chills"!
First, though, a little "trunk" or treating.
Right now, I have the stroller wheels on the Cougar. They are made out of a "frightfully" hard rubber.
But you can also attach a variety of "disguises", including a bike hitch, hiking harness, skis, or a jogging wheel!
Great for running through a graveyard! And if you don't want that ghoul to grab it, you can store it in the back when you are not using it. Just attach it to the basket with the velcro buckles and straps.
And the jogging wheel's arms can be stored in the "click n store" brackets.
You can even store the strolling wheels, right on the chassis!
And yet, they've thought of more! Suspension that adjusts to the weight of your littlest goblin.
And a quick, compact fold.
But this Cougar is fiercest on the roads.
It's no exaggeration to say that it has a "wicked"two fingered push. Whether the UPS man is running to a house, or riding inside!
A really fabulous accessory is this top cargo rack. It is "spine-chillingly" brilliant! You know how you throw Halloween sweets and little pumpkins on the top of your stroller?
Or sling jackets and bags and blankets on the canopy? Now, you have this "hair-raising" holder. No stooping down or digging in a basket like a "crypt keeper". It is so useful that it's "supernatural"! I would say this, alone, is reason to buy the Chariot. Although it's "spirited" performance is second to none.
I'm also knocked out by this "blood-curdling" covered back basket. You can hide a lot of candy in here.
Close the cover, and brother and sister won't know it's there! "Sinister"!
There is even a "ghoulishly" delightful net basket on the back for more storage.
And little net pockets on the inside of the seat for"gory goodies"!
So many places for my KitKats, yum!
You can also get a handlebar console, with bottle holders, a zippered pocket, and an ear phone port. It attaches to the handlebar, but has a strap so you can use it for a diaper bag, too. Very accessible. "All the better to eat candy with, my dear"!
There is a plethora of accessories to "dress up" your Chariot. They include a rain cover, travel bag, storage bag, cup holder, hydration cage, side fenders, jogging brake, and strobe light. With all these other strobes,we would gave blended right in!
You can use the Cougar for a very young "sprite", if you get the infant sling, baby bivy (like a carrycot) baby supporter, or bunting bag. But these are for strolling only. Jogging comes later, when your "goblin" has good head support and can sit up well. And biking is even later, when your "zombie" can wear a helmet. That's usually around a year.
Chariot has several different "thrilling"models--the Side Carrier, Corsaire XL, Cabriolet, Cougar, and CX.
The Cougar has side air vents, and tinted windows. And you can roll down the front weather covers to make it like a "cloak of midnight." There are three--a bug net, rain cover, and canopy top.
The UPS man had a "ghostly" long night. Fortunately, the Cougar seat is "fearfully" padded.
And, he's out! Amazon "package" and all!
The cockpit is huge, and will hold a "vampire"up to 75 pounds. It comes in a double, too. Color choices are "pumpkin" orange," blood" red, and "gruesome" green.
The seat doesn't recline exactly, but he is "resting in peace."
Weight: 29 lbs. (with cargo rack, handlebar, rear tires, and stroller wheels)
Seat to canopy: 24"
Seat Width: 15"
Seat Depth: 8"
Drop to footrest: 12"
Seat to ground: 12"
Length: 39"
Width: 26"
Height: 37"-42"
Folded: 42"x 24"x 12"
Cybex Ruby Review
If you have smaller children, and you probably do because you are reading this, you know that Halloween has become BUSY. There are so many preparations involved, that it is becoming like the scary Christmas. Scarecrow and ghost and witch making, card buying and sending, party planning, decorations, haunted houses, cookie and cupcake baking, and costumes. The dreaded costumes. If you have a teen-age girl, you know what I mean. This year we had to go to five, yes, five different Halloween stores to find her perfect outfit. It was a lucky thing I had my new Ruby Cybex in Twilight to navigate the animated aisles.
It was also handy on our pre-Halloween visits. Yeah, see, I'm not kidding that it has become the spooky Christmas.
The stellar thing about the 2012 Ruby is, as you can see, this amazing canopy.
You would be hard-pressed to find a stroller this small and light, with this kind of coverage.
It can ratchet forward
Slide up and down for more headroom,
And unzip for even more coverage!
Cybex calls it the "Super canopy."
It is a great stroller for big kids, since the canopy height gives you an astonishing 30" of headroom!
It has squishy foam handles, which, at 42" tall, also makes it terrific for tall parents.
The side mesh keeps your child from sweating to death in the summer,and is easy to clean.
But the seat is still decently padded for comfort.
There is a carry strap in the back, so you can sling it over your shoulder.
Has a great little cup holder, that you can purchase separately.
It has an easy fold,
and an automatic lock to keep it closed.
Then it folds down into a nice little umbrella, so you have lots more room in your car for all that candy you have to go buy.
Weight: 12 pounds
Width: 19.75"
Length: 23.5"
Height: 42"
Seat Width: 13"
Seat Depth: 9"
Seat Back: 21"
Seat to Canopy: 30"
Drop to Footrest: 9"
Seat to Floor: 13"
Folded: 41" x 12" x 14.5" (rear to front)
Back to school B-Agile
The end of the summer and the beginning of the school year usually collide with a resounding crash. But this year, school starts so early that it is more like a Titanic-sized explosion.
It's enough to make you throw up your hands in dismay!
But at least, we got the uniform shopping out of the way, with a big helping hand from the new Britax B-Agile!
It's been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If that is the case, then Britax is paying Baby Jogger a huge compliment, because they sure look similar.
They might have figured, "Why re-invent the wheel? Or maybe "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em?"
Because in all fairness, it would be very hard to beat the popularity of the City Mini. ( See my prior review of the Baby Jogger City Mini. ) SO popular, that for a long time, the supply exceeded the demand. We should all have these problems!
But if I had to guess, I would say Britax believes they were "building a better mousetrap" with their new B-Agile. Although at first glance they look identical, they are not. The B-Agile is smaller all around. Narrower, shorter, smaller wheels, and a pound less.
The seat is actually larger, though, if you compare the dimensions.
Both the Agile and Mini have suspension on the wheels. The foam tires, however, should not be considered a substitute for air tires.
The Agile has the most amazing harness adjustment. You unzip the back, and slide up the harness adjustor. That's it! Brilliant!
The fabric is a little softer, and more cotton-y. Preliminary reports from our Citizens of Strollerland indicate it is not as easy to clean as the slicker, shinier fabric of the Mini. We decided this problem could be solved by the addition of a stroller liner.
Also, our Citizens have complained of the colors. Not as snazzy as the Mini's selections. Right now, the Agile only comes in red, or black.
The big requests are for the stunning emerald green, like on the Nimble (see prior reviews), or the funky Cowmooflage. But I think the reflective trim makes for a nice contrast on the black fabric.
By the way, all of the uniforms you saw on the lap of SP 2.0 were stuffed into the Agile's basket!
So it holds a lot, and is easy to access.
There is also an arched rear axle. That helps people with long strides from kicking the back. Also, you can see the brake pedal on the lower right. Very easy to engage, or disengage.
The backs of the Mini and Agile are similar. Both allow you to roll up the fabric and expose the mesh back; wonder for hot days.
Reclines are similar, and done with a pull and drawstrings.
The canopy is a little smaller, with only one peek-a-boo window, instead of the Mini's two.
The Mini also has a mesh pocket on the back, while the Agile has a large, fabric zippered pocket.
The handlebar has a soft, squishy foam, vs. the hard rubber of the Mini's.
The fold is quite similar, in that you yank up the center strap in the seat. But you also push in the safety button on the side.
The Agile has an automatic lock to keep it closed when folded.
And, it even stands folded!
Like the Mini, you can get an optional rain cover, mosquito net, cup holder, travel bag, and a snack tray that clicks right into the Agile.
Hopefully,
these comparisons will help you to decide which one will work better
for you. But they are both nice, so I'm sure you'll be happy with
whatever you choose!
Weight: 16 pounds
Width: 22.5"
Length: 34"
Height: 39"
Seat Width: 15"
Seat Depth: 10"
Seat Back: 21"
Seat to Canopy: 27"
Drop to Footrest: 9.5"
Seat to Floor: 16"
Folded: 22.5" x 11.5" x 29.5"
Board rider space: 8" on the diagonal
BABY JOGGER POD
Two Peas in a Pod
Ever since we got the Baby Jogger Pod, the kids can't keep their hands off it.
They insisted we take it to the fireworks display, even though we already had another stroller.
Which was OK anyway, since we normally have a gaggle of children trailing along, wherever we go. So it's always nice to have an extra seat, for tired little legs.
Not to mention that the "glow in the dark" reflective material is a great idea at night for our night strolls.
"Have you ever seen such a cool ride, man?" No! I can't believe it!"
The kids call the Pod "Their little house." And they like riding in it with the dark bug net/sunscreen zipped up. I guess it creates a "womb-like" experience.
Another thing they like about it is the very high weight limit--100 pounds! So you can cram a couple of older kids in there. They might look squished, but they don't complain.
And you can still even push it, without straining your wrists!
The Pod does have two harnesses, for two children. But, you can re-thread it to make a single center harness, if you only have one rider. Ingenious!
You can make the handle higher or lower, by flipping it around. So tall parents don't have to stoop. and short parents don't have to put their arms in an awkward position. Neither is a very fun way to push a stroller!
As you can see, the bench seat is nicely padded, with a breathable fabric. There are also side mesh cupholders, see it there, in black? No recline, though. So your child has to be really tired to nap.
The mesh above the seat makes it more comfortable for a child wearing a helmet--which is a must if you are biking.
The addition of the handbrake is great. Especially going downhill, when momentum builds with the weight of two children.
The side windows open, to allow more air flow. They provide nice rain protection, and there is an optional front rain/wind cover you can get. So now you can stroll/jog/bike 365 days a year!
Here is the rear storage compartment, with a toggle closure. It actually unzips on each side, if you need more room.
Speaking of closing, the Pod has the famous "one hand yank up the strap to fold", which has made Baby Jogger about the most popular stroller in the universe!
Of course, the versatility on it is amazing. We use it mostly in stroller mode. That features two 8"inch rubber wheels,
and 20" rear air tires.
But you can use it as a jogger (not for little babies, of course) by easily switching out to the 16" front air tire. And if you want to attach it to a bike, switch out the front to the trailer tow bar.
Which means you have a "three in one" stroller, whoo hoo!
Just remember that when you order the Pod, you are only getting the chassis, and rear tires. You have to order the front wheels or trailer tow bar separately. But whichever kit you choose, grab it while the weather is still nice, and enjoy the rest of this glorious summer!
Baby Jogger Pod
Seat Back: 15"
Seat to canopy: 24"
Seat Width: 21" (single bench seat)
Seat Depth: 11"
Drop to footrest: 6"
Seat to ground: 14"
Length: (Stroller Mode) 34"
Width: 28.25"
Height: 37-42"
Folded: 31"L x 28.5"W x 20"H
Mamas & Papas Luna Mix
Last Day of School Luna
No doubt it's a bittersweet time. Perhaps transition always is. The end of one grade, with the promise of yet a higher one coming. Sandwiched in between, the anarchy of summer. Bedtimes are discarded; schedules disregarded.
But a new stroller means *I* maintain my rituals. And what a way to end the school year with a bang!
The long-awaited, for me anyway, Mamas and Papas LUNAMIX!!!! Don't you just love it! Orchid, with a patterned seat insert, and contrasting denim canopy.
As we peruse the last report card, sign the final yearbooks, I am thankful that I have this ointment for disappointment.
There are a lot of strollers that look good online. But remember, pictures will tell you little, if nothing, of their performance. If you don't have a specialty store near you that carries your coveted buggy, you can't try it out for yourself. And for me, this was the case with the Luna Mix.
I fell in love with it when I first saw it at "The 2011 BIG Stroller Roll-Out!" I only pushed it around a little. It's a lot different when I actually put a stroller through the paces on the "SQ Obstacle Course."
And I am happy to report that the Luna Mix turned in a stellar performance!
It's kind of a cross between the Baby Jogger City Mini, and Valco Latitude. Or maybe a Valco Ion/Joovy Kooper with a single handle. It's a nice "mix" of features that work for both indoors and outdoors, and for small or bigger children. So it's a pretty good all around stroller, if you only want one.
I've been hearing a lot of complaints lately about baskets that are hard to get in to. But as you can see, this one is pretty easy to access.
There is a front napper bar that swings open, extendable leg rest, and deep recline.
Best of all, it is called Luna "Mix", because you have the option of mixing different color seat pads, footmuffs, and canopies.
The handle is height adjustable, with an astonishing 18" range. There is suspension on all the wheels, which is another reason it does so well outdoors.
The fold is small and compact, and you can pop off the wheels for an even smaller fold.
So "pop off" to get yours today, and enjoy your summer strolling!
Mamas and Papas Luna Mix
Weight: 17. 5 pds.
Width: 23"
Length: 32"
Height: 26"-44"
Seat Width: 14"
Seat Depth: 9"-18"
Seat Height: 18"
Seat to Canopy: 24"
Drop to Footrest: 11"
Seat to Floor: 19"
Folded: 30" x 23" x 15"
JOOVY KOOPER
Will she or won't she? That's what the crowd wanted to know. We checked our watches, and held our breath, as the minutes ticked by.
But I digress...because after all, this is supposed to be about what stroller we took. The logical choice--the "One Of", all denim, groovy Joovy Kooper!
It's simply smashing! I'm so sorry they weren't able to make more. Softest denim ever.
And look how great the denim Skip Hop looks on the back!
Not that you really even need it. Because the Kooper is chock full of pockets.
There are two on the inside, for sippy cups, bottles, toys, etc.
A huge zippered pocket on the back. Joovy wasn't able to make more of these denim ones, because they couldn't get enough of the right fabric.
But, you can still get the Kooper in 5 other colors. Still get the same great humongous canopy, easy to access basket, umbrella fold, ergo foam handles, and deep recline.
And then, she appeared!
And the crowd goes wild!
It all started Thursday night. Selena Gomez was on the Jay Leno show.
She joked around, answering questions about BF Justin Bieber, her new movie, upcoming album and tour, and ending TV series.
Suddenly, after the show, she was rushed to the hospital. A collective gasp was heard throughout the tween and teen world. What was wrong? Would she be OK? Well enough to tour? The first concert was cancelled, and re-scheduled. And then she went back to the hospital again. So that is why her appearance today was a big "If", and everyone was cheering mightily for her, to show support.
When she took the stage, her "magic" began. It was 4:00 sharp. Extremely punctual; very impressive.
And just as promptly, at 4:10, it was over. I'm not so sure she was all better, as the rest of the Media was reporting. But, God bless her, she did her best. The children were enthralled, and the Joovy Kooper was brilliant.
Take it to a mall near you!
Joovy Kooper
Weight: 17. 5 pds.
Width: 21"
Length: 26.5"
Height: 40 1/4"
Seat Width: 15"
Seat Depth: 8"
Seat Height: 18"
Seat to Canopy: 24"
Drop to Footrest: 11"
Seat to Floor: 16"
Folded: 46" x 13" x 12"
BOB REVOLUTION SE REVIEW
BOB at the Beach
I live in "3 B" country. Oh sure, you'll see the odd Quinny Buzz and Zapp, Mountain Buggy, Uppa Baby Vista, and Maclarens, of course. But by and large, around these parts, the big "B's", as I like to call 'em, are the dominators.
So we were eagerly awaiting the long anticipated 2011 Revolution SE, which had been shrouded in secrecy..
It's the first time BOB has updated the Revolution in several years. Not that they needed to; at least based on it's popularity around here. But I was really looking forward to this plum. So stunning!
The changes BOB made to the Revolution SE pretty much address all of the complaints I heard about BOB, over the years.
The first thing you notice is that the overall look is sleeker and more streamlined; a nice update.
Here at the beach, you notice a lot of BOBS with faded footrests. The sun is pretty strong around here. But the new plastic tip will hopefully make that a thing of the past.
The seat is much more padded now, and sits more upright. Some people thought the older style seat was too laid back, too hammock-y.
Some also thought that the narrow wheelbase of the old Revolution made it prone to tipping. The SE addresses that issue, adding two more inches of width.
The basket seems a bit bigger, and more accessible, on the SE.
I wish it wasn't 2.5 pounds heavier. But at least the feather light, responsive steering has stayed the same. Ditto the springy, adjustable suspension..
I personally like the newer, thinner handlebar. Feels better in my hands, easier to grasp.
I always liked those little side pockets inside the seat. Glad to see they are still there.
The two-buckle back strap recline system now allows for more positions.
One change I don't quite get is that the wrist strap was moved from the bottom axle, to the handlebar. (Maybe so you could see the red buckle, that latches the Revo closed?) It's always a good idea to keep that on your wrist, especially if it's windy. But with the strap up on the handle bar like that, it is easier to flip the stroller backwards, if you fall down.
The canopy is still huge, with a bigger peekaboo window..
As is the seat! It's wonderfully big---measuring up to 16" at the widest point!
And, by popular demand, there's now an integrated accessory adapter; which makes it a breeze to snap in a snack tray, or infant carrier!
Just one word of caution from the manufacturer; please don't run with infants under 8 months old. And ESPECIALLY not in car seats! The higher center of gravity makes any stroller prone to tipping. Not a risk you want to take with your precious progeny.
Weight: 25.5 pounds
Width: 24"
Length: 36" (from front wheel turned inward to back wheel)
Height: 40.5"
Seat Width: 14"- 16"
Seat Depth: 8"
Seat Back: 20.5"
Seat to Canopy: 23-25""
Canopy to handle: 8" (board rider headroom)
Drop to Footrest: 8.5"
Seat to Floor: 22"
Folded: 38" x 24" x 16"
Quinny Zapp Xtra Review
Extra! Extra! May Day! May Day!
I once reported on a May Day demonstration in Mexico. Thousands of people crowded the town square, protesting working conditions. In that country, it is known as International Labor Day. In this country, May Day saw me dancing around a Maypole with a wreath of flowers in my hair. As a little girl, of course. I still don't know why. Except I'm thinking it was probably one of those pagan flower goddess holidays that was co-opted and watered down for modern times.
Now we seem to have random celebration or festivals, basically a good excuse to get out and enjoy the spring weather. And what better buggy to "weather" the crowds, than the new Quinny Zapp Xtra!
As StrollerQueen readers know, I have long been a Zapp fan. LOVE the pinkie steering, cool look, and small fold.
There were a couple of features that citizens of Strollerland wished the Zapp to have. Namely, a recline, and a reversible seat. Well, Quinny has waved it's magic wand and "poof", wishes granted!
There is a huge demand for lighter weight reversibles out there. Especially since more and more people are learning that sticking car seats in strollers is not such a good idea.
So
this new Xtra helps fill that big niche. It is probably best to use it
in reverse mode for a younger baby, though. Because in that position,
the seat doesn't sit very upright.
The seat is very easy to recline and reverse. For both, you just
pull down on the back lever. It's the same to reverse the seat, except
that you also pull out a little lever on the right. Note, too, the
linked brakes, and good sized basket.
You have to pop the seat off to fold the Xtra. But it is easy to do. And having a separate seat adds a couple of pounds to the package. Which is to be expected.
The egg shape of the seat means it's still nice and wide. Definitely one of the bigger seats out there.
Of course, you can use the seat forward facing, too, for toddlers.
With a 50-pound weight limit, the Zapp Xtra is still very easy to push with heavier children.
Another nice new feature on the Xtra is the extended canopy. Still has the side peekaboo windows.
It seems like most manufacturers are offering bigger canopies for 2011. Which means those extra, giant, floppy overlays may become a thing of the past. They are useful, but it is always easier to not have to deal with additional pieces.
Speaking of which, the travel bag and rain cover that used to come with the Zapp is now, well, extra. Other additional accessories are the cupholder, and footmuff. Car seat adapters are included.
The reclining, reversible Zapp Xtra, with 4 wheels, is the only version that will be sold in the U.S. It's available now, so rush to get yours! :)
Weight: 21.5 pounds
Width: 23.5"
Length: 26"
Height: 40"
Seat Width: 15"
Seat Depth: 9"
Seat Back: 21"
Seat to Canopy: 24"
Drop to Footrest: 11"
Seat to Floor: 17"
Folded (chassis only) : 27" x 7" x 13"
MAMAS & PAPAS CRUISE REVIEW
Easter Cruise
