One Mom's Stroller Odysee

[PA Princess]

For months I have been on the hunt for a new stroller for our next WDW trip in September. I have test driven all the strollers at our local BabysRus more times than you can count (it has sorta become Saturday afternoon family entertainment LOL) and I have been reading each and every thread on these boards pertaining to strollers. Heck, I even read the ones about double strollers, but I really did not need one of those.

Youngest dd is 19 months and we have a Graco Lite Rider we use at home and it is fine...dd is comfy, big basket, tray for her snack, and parent cup holders. But the stroller is heavy and folds in the most awful way, and I just did not want to drag it to Disney. DD is youngest of 4, so I have had my fair share of strollers...always on the search for that ever elusive "just right" stroller.

I really thought I was going to buy a Maclaren - I really did! No lie, I was at the point that I would stop people on the street and ask them how they liked their Maclaren stroller. I wanted dd to be able to recline and I liked the extended leg rest of the Quest. Two things gave me great pause...the tipping issue when child is removed and the price. But I tried to push those factors away, and I prepared to make my purchase.

My mother knew I was looking at strollers - everyone has known I am looking at strollers. While we were at the beach we saw a Maclaren Quest and I pointed it out to Mom and said excitedly that I was certain that was the stroller I intended to buy. Mom looked at it and remarked, "It's just an umbrella stroller."

Well, that got me to thinking...it really was just umbrella stroller I was looking at. I know, I know, the Maclaren drives better than any other, everyone loves them, and they can carry 800 pounds of kid and leap tall buildings in a single bound ;-) Did I really want to spend $150 to $200 on an umbrella stroller for a vacation????

So if not the Maclaren, then what. We have owned and loved several combis, but it seemed like once a kid hits two the strollers are too small. We did not like the Chiccos we test drove nor the other options in the stores. I visit the stroller sites regularly, and one day I just happened to stumble upon a stroller I had never heard anything about.

It is a stroller by Britax (you know the name from the carseats, so they know how to make good stuff) called an Esprit and it seemed to have all I wanted...decent basket, no tipping issues, deep recline, light weight at 12 pounds, and 1/2 to 1/3 the price of the Quest. I researched and found great reviews on the stroller, so one night I just bit the bullet and bought the stroller. I actually won it off of Ebay from babysurplus (same as Albee Baby) and including shipping I paid $65. The stroller is on the Albee site for $59.99 plus shipping.

It arrived a week ago and I am so happy with this stroller! It has a great padded seat back, it pushes awesome, and best of all dd LOVES this stroller. We have it in the house (wanted her to get used to the stroller before our trip in a month), and she loves to sit in it all the time. As well, dd 6 (who weighs 42 pounds) also fits in this stroller quite comfortably and it still pushes easily with her weight (though the stroller is only technically weighted for a max of 40 pounds and we do not intend to use this stroller routinely for older dd, but nice to know we can in a pinch.)

Sorry to go on and on, but everyone IRL is sick to death of hearing about my stroller issues, but from what I have read on this board, I was pretty certain many of you would understand my journey

 

[Groovee]

lol, I was stunned to see how expensive a McLaren is over there. Even when you convert the currency into sterling. Personally my Pliko (think the make is pegprego or something over there) has been my best buggy bar my big pram which I had when both were small babies.

 

[jnordan]

I bought my Maclaren while living in Europe (Amsterdam) and it was just as expensive as they are here . . . . . . Isn't it great when you find the stroller that's just right for you?! I just bought the Pliko and am loving it, and am having that same sort of woo-hoo feeling! In fact, I think we're finally a one-stroller family!

Have a great trip! It's just around the corner!

 

[Groovee]

I bought my Maclaren while living in Europe (Amsterdam) and it was just as expensive as they are here . . . . . . Isn't it great when you find the stroller that's just right for you?! I just bought the Pliko and am loving it, and am having that same sort of woo-hoo feeling! In fact, I think we're finally a one-stroller family!

Have a great trip! It's just around the corner!

We normally use the websites as they price match each other so you end up getting an £80 mclaren for around £40.

 

[brandylouwho]

I have the Britax Esprit too and I am loving it, just used it today at a local children's fair. DH had researched strollers online and we ended up buying this one blind off the net, couldn't find any to try in the stores around here. I had tried out a few other brands (Chicco, Jeep) that seemed so small/shallow. This one feels stable, pushes like a breeze, has shoulder straps (not just a lap belt) and my 2 1/2 yr old daughter loves it.

I only hope she still loves it after 6 long days at Disney.

I don't remember what we paid for it (we bought it last spring) I think maybe $80 after shipping from babycenter.com

So, I wonder how awesome the Maclaren's really are if they are better than this one.

 

[PA Princess]

jnordan:
Yes, finding that just right stroller has been a real high...kinda pathetic that I show it off to all who come by for a visit LOL The things that excite us moms And I can hardly believe a month from now we will be in MK - Wowee!

Groovee:
My dh was also stunned when he first saw the price of the Maclaren I wanted, but I convinced him it was the best and we had to have it. Now he is thrilled with the savings and the new stroller.

brandylouwho:
Another positive review for the Esprit - cool! I agree that another plus of this stroller is the roomy seat area...really reminds me of the Quest in that aspect. The four point harness is very nice and so easy to do both on and off - sorta makes sense I guess that a carseat manufacturer would do this part well. I was not fond of the Quest clasp (preferred the one on the Triumph and still confused why the 2 are different). I am telling you, I have analyzed each and every detail of these strollers!

I think this stroller is a perfect fit for us right now, and I hope in the future as well. I know many have gotten many years of good service from Maclaren, so I know that will be an area to see if this one performs as well. That is truly the only area I can imagine that could turn out in the end to be better than this stroller.

 

[mom2redheads]

That's a great price. Are the handles higher for tall people like the Maclaren?

 

[tacomaranch]

I am so happy you found the right stroller. We are right now doing the same thing but we don't have any stores near us. Closest is 2 hours away! So I am going online also.

I need a stroller for my 3 yr old who is autistic but likes to be in a stroller for the comfort.

What is the max weight for the esprie? I can't afford a Mclaren so I need something under $100.

Thanks for the great review!

 

[PA Princess]

mom2redheads:
"Are the handles higher for tall people like the Maclaren?"

I think they are, but I am only 5' 2". But I find both the Maclaren and the Esprit have handles that are just comfortable for me to push (if the handles bent to adjust like our Gracco, I would probably bend them down just a wee bit). My dh is 5' 10" and he finds the Esprit to be very comfy to push and the "perfect" height. HTH

tacomaranch:
"I need a stroller for my 3 yr old who is autistic but likes to be in a stroller for the comfort.

What is the max weight for the esprie? I can't afford a Mclaren so I need something under $100."

I know it is unnerving to buy a stroller you have not test driven. I think that was a big part of the reason I leaned toward the Maclaren...at least I knew exactly what I was getting.

The esprit is very comfomy...padded, wide seat. My 6 year old says it is very comfy and my 1 year acts as if this is true for her as well. I think a 3 year old would be very comfy in this stroller.

The max weight for the Esprit is 40 lbs according to the manufacturer. My dd6 is 42 pounds and 44 inches, and she is comfy in the stroller and I can still easily push her. However, hard to say what long term use of a larger child would do to the stroller. HTH

 

[tacomaranch]

Dear PA Mom,

I am so going thru what you are right now! I truly don't know which one to buy the Britax or the Quest. I can't go try them out because I live in a very rural community and the closest babies R us is in SLC almost 4 hours away.

I will have to buy online or off ebay. The price the Maclearn is just so staggering as you know. I don't know if it would be worth it but everyone just raves about them. Honestly, we don't have that kind of money for a stroller but I would if it would make DS comfortable.

I am still on the fence but must decide soon. Thanks for the great thread and I didn't mean to hijack this, I just really am walking in your shoes and hope I can make a sane decision.

 

[llqool]

we actually have 4 different strollers. the maclaren triumph was our latest purchase and it could honestly replace all of the other strollers except for the Graco Duoglider (double stroller). i know it was 100 bucks for essentially an umbrella stroller, but it is so sturdy and easy to use that i use it for all types of situations. our Chicco cost half the price, but compared to the Maclaren, it's a piece of garbage. my husband won't even push it or our single Graco stroller, he hates them so much! i would get rid of them, but we have 2 toddlers who at times require a stroller.

so i guess what i am saying is that sometimes it's worth paying more for quality, even though it "hurts" to fork over that amount of money!

now if only Maclaren would make a really good (front to back) double stroller...

 

[antsss]

I just bought the Britax Esprit in Red at Buy Buy Baby on sale for $49.99! I needed a stroller to bring to Disney for my 3 yr old but didn't want to spend lots of $$$. I really like it.

 

[MyZoeJane]

Oh, greeeeat. NOW you post this! I've got a Maclaren Quest AND the Peg Perego Pliko P3. I love them both, though. I really do. I would have liked to have paid less for them but the Quest is perfect for non-travelling use and the Maclaren, well, I bought it for our upcoming Disney trip in October but I've already used it at Great America and so far so good! (Except it DOES tip backwards if I have too much hanging on the back when DD gets out. I have to take my bag off the back before she gets out and then put it in the seat once she does.)

I took the Pliko to Disney in January and although the thing drives like a Cadillac, it's still not compact enough to get on and off the busses multiple times per day.

I'll keep the Britax in mind, though, for ladies in my mom's group who are contemplating stroller purchases!

 

[mytwotinks]

I was just getting ready to order a Maclaren volo for my turtle er I mean daughter to use on our trip to DW next month. Now I am going to check this out. The volo is going to be about $100 after shipping on Ebay.

I really like the width of the seat on the volo. I have a combi that is just too narrow and snug for the heat of Sept. Is the britax seat wide like the maclaren?

 

[PA Princess]

mytwotinks:

Yes, the seat on the Britax is wider like the Maclaren (and prior to this stroller and one other, we were complete Combi people...have owned 3, so I know what you mean about narrow). In fact a narrow seat is a fault I had with several strollers, and I really find the Britax to be comparable in width and roominess in the seat to the Maclaren Quest, so IMHO a bit roomier than evn the Volvo.

 

[mytwotinks]

mytwotinks:

Yes, the seat on the Britax is wider like the Maclaren (and prior to this stroller and one other, we were complete Combi people...have owned 3, so I know what you mean about narrow). In fact a narrow seat is a fault I had with several strollers, and I really find the Britax to be comparable in width and roominess in the seat to the Maclaren Quest, so IMHO a bit roomier than evn the Volvo.

O.k., I had just convinced myself to spend the $100 on the Volo and now I am wondering what to do?!?!?!?! The Britax would be $30 less, but my dd is just at the weight limit. The mesh fabric on the seat of the volo seems great to keep from getting too hot and to dry out fast if we get wet. I don't know what to do now. What kind of fabric is the seat of the britax? I wish it came in more girly colors or at least something a little lighter that wouldn't absorb so much heat.

 

[PA Princess]

mytwotinks: I can so empathize with your struggle

I say go with the Volvo. If you were prepared to spend the money, and the Volvo has the features you want. The reason I say this is since your child is near the weight maximum...better to have a stroller that you can use for a while. With a 1 year old, I really wanted the features of the Quest and the Volvo just did not fit our needs or I may very well have bought a Volvo. And who knows...in 3 years when she is 4, I may find myself buying one of those My poor husband knew better than to even ask if this was the final stroller we would buy LOL

As for tha fabric...hard to describe and I do not have the stroller right here to read the tag. It is a non-absorbent type material...seems like it will repel moisture and dry easily (though certainly not on the level of mesh). Reminds me of something that would be used for a backpack. I agree about wanting more girly colors. This is one time I knew the stroller would only be used for a girl, so I would have loved to pick a girly style...we have the blue blaze.

 

[mytwotinks]

mytwotinks: I can so empathize with your struggle

I say go with the Volvo. If you were prepared to spend the money, and the Volvo has the features you want. The reason I say this is since your child is near the weight maximum...better to have a stroller that you can use for a while. With a 1 year old, I really wanted the features of the Quest and the Volvo just did not fit our needs or I may very well have bought a Volvo. And who knows...in 3 years when she is 4, I may find myself buying one of those My poor husband knew better than to even ask if this was the final stroller we would buy LOL

As for tha fabric...hard to describe and I do not have the stroller right here to read the tag. It is a non-absorbent type material...seems like it will repel moisture and dry easily (though certainly not on the level of mesh). Reminds me of something that would be used for a backpack. I agree about wanting more girly colors. This is one time I knew the stroller would only be used for a girl, so I would have loved to pick a girly style...we have the blue blaze.

I probably will buy the volo. Even though dd is 4, I will probably use it a couple of times during the year and on our vacation (hopefully dw!!) next year. She really does walk like a turtle! She looks at her feet like a baby who just learned to walk. It is easier to push her (she would rather ride anyway) than to feel like I am dragging her around by the arm all day!

 

[loveswdw]

We are currently thinking about a new stroller for DS2.5. He's around 35 lbs and a little over 3 feet tall though so I'm wondering how long he'll be able to use it before he outgrows it. We currently have a Combi Savvy and it was WONDERFUL! The perfect stroller for Disney. But now he's just too big for it. His feet drag the wheels and he just looks uncomfortable. Plus its really hard to steer now that he's bigger. I hating giving up the Combi.

We have the Britax Wizard car seat so we definitely trust Britax. I looked on their website and the Esprit is not listed. I guess this stroller is on closeout. The only one they have on there currently is called Preview. Its around $130. But did a search and found the Esprit on a bunch of different websites.

Another question, how compact folding is the Esprit? Our Combi is a snap to fold and unfold and its so compact its fantastic for the plane and buses and trams. Does the Esprit fold small? TIA!

 

[PA Princess]

loveswdw:

I understand your feeling for the Combi...we have always loved ours. I was SO tempted to buy another Combi, but in the end we did opt for the Esprit.

Yes, it does fold easily and compactly...though different from the Combi. It is a longer stroller over all with higher style handles, so even when folded it is longer...if that makes sense. The stroller weighs 12 pounds so it is light to carry and has a handle for easy carrying. I think it will be easy to manage on buses and trams.

Yes, it does appear that the stroller is on its way out...based on the price reduction and availability at the discount retailers. I am not sure if this is a fault of the stroller or simply lack of marketing. Who knew Britax made strollers? I did not. Good luck on your stroller hunt!