Buying a stroller: Which stroller is the right one?
When buying a stroller, you should consider a few criteria so that you and your offspring can be happy with it for a long time. Our checklist shows you what you should consider and how to find the perfect stroller for your child.
Would you like to buy a stroller and do you spend a lot of time in nature and off-road, for example? Then stability is very important. On the other hand, if you are very dependent on the car and mobility, an easily collapsible model is more of an advantage for you. We asked 600 mothers what they use the stroller for most and which stroller models they prefer.
Index
ToggleManoeuvrable in the city with a stroller?
In our major MomaSquad survey, we asked 600 moms where they use their strollers most often. More than half of the mothers (51%) regularly take their child to go shopping or to go shopping. When you’re out and about in stores, whether it’s the supermarket or H&M, it’s essential that you can handle the stroller easily. It should be manoeuvrable and compact so that you can easily get between the rows of shelves or dodge in narrow aisles. In addition, prams prove to be great storage space miracles for shopping and shopping. Here you can store fruit, vegetables and clothing well and do not have to carry extra bags or a backpack. A buggy is often particularly useful in these cases .
Does the stroller fit in the car?
Many mothers (37%) stow the stroller in their car at least every two weeks. If you have to be mobile or travel frequently, you should make sure that it can be folded up quickly and easily. It’s no use buying a device that can be folded to the size of a handkerchief, but you despair of the “folding technique” and have to do it almost manually. So make sure that folding it up is easy and quick. However, the stroller must also be easy to stow away and must not take up all the space in the trunk. You can test both criteria in the shop. Just try to fold the car there and stow it in the trunk. So you won’t experience any nasty surprises at home.
Often with the stroller in the area?
Almost 72% of the mothers surveyed go for a walk with the stroller on a daily or weekly basis. The terrain and nature require a stroller that is robust and protects the child well from wind and weather. Good tires that can withstand stony paths, forest paths or asphalt roads are also important. Small wheels are not an option here, but large pneumatic tires turn the stroller into a small “off-road vehicle”.
Sports with children?
The sporty mothers who do sports with their child in the pram are rather rare (only 6% of the mothers surveyed use the pram “often” or “very often” to do sports), but they are particularly attracted to one Wagon that has good wheels so as not to stumble on the slightest bump at a certain speed. Furthermore, it should be easy to steer, since the increased speed of pushing also requires a faster reaction here. Heavy steering will only get in your way here. This is comparable to the power steering in a car, which can be used to take a direction very quickly with little effort. Transferred to the stroller, a well-adjusted steering axle can be turned more quickly and protects you and your child from stumbling or collisions while running.
Buying a stroller: These are the criteria you should pay attention to
- Take your time when buying: Try out which car you can get along with and whether the favorite fits into your own car.
- Weight: If you often have to carry or transport the stroller, you should choose a light model. In the latest test by Stiftung Warentest, the Bugaboo and Brio are the two lightest models.
- Size: Children up to about three years old should fit in a good pram: around six months lying down in the carrycot or carrycot and later sitting in the seat, which can be placed horizontally for sleeping. The trolleys must be suitable for children weighing at least 15 kilograms. Strollers that can hold up to 20 kilograms are even better.
- Backrest: The backrest should be higher than 50 centimeters. With older children, there is otherwise the problem that they cannot support the back of their heads.
- Wheels: Carts with four large wheels work best on bumpy trails, like in the woods or on cobblestones. In the city, rather small, swiveling front wheels are an advantage.
- Three wheels: Three -wheel models should only be pushed at walking pace. They are not suitable for jogging or inline skating. In addition, the single front wheel could buckle on curbs and cause the car to tip over.
- Check used strollers: If you buy a stroller on the internet or at the flea market , in most cases you don’t know the history. It’s more of an advantage to ask friends around. Check for breaks and that the strap, latches, sliders and brakes work. The user manual should also be included. Unfortunately, spare parts are only available to a limited extent.
- Car seat: Baby car seats also fit in most frames – but only certain ones. So let us advise you in advance. Except for the manufacturers Maxi-Cosi, Quinny and Brio, the necessary adapter costs extra. Zekiwa and Hauck don’t offer any at all. The car seat is practical for short trips, but should not be a permanent solution. He forces babies into a rigid posture.
- Complaint: If prams are marketable, the manufacturers do not violate applicable regulations. In the event of an increased level of pollution, you therefore do not have the right to return or exchange vehicles that have already been purchased. However, according to Stiftung Warentest, the pollutant content should be as low as possible. Under certain circumstances you could approach dealers and providers and hope for their goodwill. Under certain circumstances, they exchange loaded components.
Other important tips
- Washing: Before you inaugurate a new stroller, you should definitely wash the removable textile covers – this can reduce the pollution somewhat.
- Maintenance: After a walk in the rain, you should park the car in a dry place at home and wipe off the rainwater. Stiftung Warentest also recommends oiling the car’s joints from time to time.
- Safe driving: Your child should always be buckled up in the stroller. When shopping, the basket should not be overloaded or anything heavy should be hung on the handle. Otherwise the car could tip over.
Where to park the stroller?
The criteria should be well considered, also with regard to the question of where to park your stroller. Do you have a lot of space in the garage where a large stroller fits in? Then you can definitely consider buying a large, stable stroller or sibling stroller. Does the stroller have to be in the narrow hallway? Then it should be as small as possible or collapsible into a small format. You also have to consider whether you first have to carry it up several floors to your apartment or whether your apartment and front door is rather narrow or wide. If you don’t want to torture yourself, buy a lightweight stroller that you can carry up the stairs.
