Whenever my husband (Mike) and I (Susie) visit the Brookfield Zoo, it feels like we see more strollers than animals. One we’ve been seeing a lot lately is the UPPAbaby G-Luxe. Having reviewed the Vista and Cruz recently, I figured it was time I figured out what the big deal was about the G-Luxe. I surfed over to Amazon, picked it up with free shipping, and it showed up on our doorstep around four days later in a big brown box. Let’s take a look at it together.

To give you a bird’s eye view of things, let’s start by talking about what kind of stroller the G-Luxe is and isn’t. The 2015 UPPAbaby G-Luxe stroller is a lightweight luxury umbrella-style stroller, and an update to the previous 2014 G-Luxe. It weighs 15 pounds and works well for parents who are on the move and in search of an errand, travel, and vacation stroller.

In the luxury umbrella stroller, it competes with strollers like the UPPAbaby G-Lite.

It comes with goodies like a deep recline that you can operate with one hand, an adjustable foot rest, and a single, roomy, and tall seat that’s toddler-friendly. You can use it with kids from 3 months of age onward until they weigh 55 pounds. You can’t use it with infant car seats (Mike’s reviewed tons of these if you’re in search of a good one for an upcoming baby…or two…or three), and you also can’t use it with bassinets. You get additional goodies like all-wheel suspension, stain resistant fabrics, pop-out sunvisors, tall handle bars, and an automatic lock. You can also leave it standing on its own once it’s folded. It also comes in a range of colors; I went with Ella, which is UPPAbaby speak for green.

Overall, I’d rate it as a 5 out of 5 star stroller in the umbrella category. I’m a fan of the deep recline, large canopy, and comfortable seat. The suspension is also pretty awesome, as you just don’t see those on umbrella strollers. There’s not much I don’t like on it besides the lack of 5-point harness padding and the lack of a peekaboo window.

The best price I’ve come across so far for the 2015 UPPAbaby G-Luxe stroller is here on Amazon, where I took advantage of free shipping and free returns. Depending on your state, you might also be able to get it without sales tax.

Buy the 2015 UPPAbaby G-Luxe stroller on Sale at Amazon.

Pros of the 2015 UPPAbaby G-Luxe

Good canopy with secret sunvisor. The canopy by itself isn’t anything to write home about, but that’s before you learn about the secret super-sized sunvisor hidden beneath it. It’s pretty much like watching Clark Kent turn into Superman, if Superman were a stroller canopy. It’s also SPF 50+ rated, which means your little one’s sunburn risks are quite low. The biggest drawback is a lack of a peekaboo window; you get used to that in high end reversible strollers, but remember that this is an umbrella stroller at heart.

Ergonomic handle bars. The handle bars are fixed at 42″ in height. They work decently for both tall and short parents, but it would be nice if they were adjustable. I do like the foam covering used on them; it makes steering easy.

Comfortable seat with a deep recline. The seat is 12″ wide and 27″ tall as measured from the seat bottom to the canopy top. My toddler finds it comfortable, and it does feel good under the fingers. The manual and my daughter’s rotation of juices agree that it’s stain resistant. You can also remove and machine wash the seat pad. A 5-point harness helps keep your little one in. It’s not padded, but that’s a rarity in umbrella strollers.

I like the fact that you can recline the seat in 3 positions and that you can get a rather deep recline with the lowest setting. Keep in mind that you aren’t going to get a flat recline from the G-Luxe, so this isn’t a stroller you’ll want to use with newborns. UPPAbaby suggests you start at 3 months and stop when your child reaches 55 pounds. That’s pretty standard with most single seat strollers, so I can’t complain here.

In front of the seat, your little one will quickly discover the adjustable foot rest, which is nice for when you want to encourage a nap.

Generous mesh storage basket. Beneath the G-Luxe is a surprisingly large mesh basket; I don’t typically see them this large on umbrella strollers, and was pleasantly surprised in this case. Access from the back is easy, and I was easily able to fit a decent-sized diaper bag in there.

Good wheels, suspension, and brakes. The wheels are made of solid rubber and are 5.75″ in diameter. That’s good enough to get over mild bumps and cracks in the sidewalk, but you’re not going to be doing any off-roading with this stroller beyond crossing mulch-covered playgrounds. You can lock the front wheels if you want, and you’ve got 4-wheel suspension to help smooth out the ride. You don’t see that often on umbrella strollers. There’s a parking brake that you can activate with your shoe, although it takes more force than I’d like when wearing flip flops.

Easy to fold. I like that you don’t need much effort to fold the G-Luxe. You use a pair of triggers on both sides of the stroller, and yes, you’ll need both hands to do it. The stroller locks automatically and stands on its own, which is another rarity in the umbrella stroller world. It’s 12″ wide, 8.5″ tall, and 42.5″ long when folded.

Buy the 2015 UPPAbaby G-Luxe stroller on Sale at Amazon.

Cons of the 2015 UPPAbaby G-Luxe

No peekaboo window. This is a minor flaw, but it would be nice to be able to sneak a peek at your little one through the canopy while on the go. You can always pull back the canopy, but it’s a luxury I’ve gotten used to in high-end single- and double-strollers.

Unpadded harness. This is more for your kids’ comfort than for yours, and it’s a small con, but worth pointing out.

Specifications of and Warranty for the 2015 UPPAbaby G-Luxe

The G-Luxe weighs 15 pounds and can be used with children who weigh up to 55 pounds. It’s 33″ long, 19″ wide, and has a handle bar height of 42.” The wheels are 5.75″ in diameter, and when folded, the stroller is 12″ wide, 8.5″ long, and 42.5″ tall. A 2-year warranty is offered by UPPAbaby; you need to be the original owner and the clock starts ticking the day you buy the stroller. You can read more about the warranty here.

Where to Buy the 2015 UPPAbaby G-Luxe

Whenever possible, I buy my strollers, car seats, and other baby goodies on Amazon, since their prices tend to be the lowest I come across. They also sweeten the pot with free shipping and free returns, and you typically don’t pay sales tax with them unless you’re in a state that charges it.

When it comes to high-end single seat umbrella strollers, the UPPAbaby G-Luxe is hard to beat. If you’re looking for a compact and light frame with a great canopy and deep recline, you ought to consider it. Urban and suburban parents are likely to appreciate the go-anywhere, pack-in-an-instant nature of the G-Luxe.

You can buy the G-Luxe in Sebby (teal), Ani (gold), Denny (red), Ella (green), Jake (black), or Makena (purple). You can buy a rain shield for it here and a travel bag here. The 2013 version is available at a discount here.

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If you find the information on car safety, recommended car seats, and car seat reviews on this car seat blog helpful, you can shop through this Amazon link for any purchases, car seat-related or not. Canadians can shop through this link for Canadian purchases.

Valco Baby makes one of the best double all-terrain strollers on the market right now, the Tri-mode Twin EX. When I, Susie, learned they were coming out with the Snap Ultra, a lightweight reversible stroller, I knew I was going to be draining the bank account again for a chance to see one up close. I hopped over to Amazon, did the super-shipper saving thing, and a week later, it arrived in a big, big box. Let’s see if it was worth it.

To give you a bird’s eye view of things, let’s start with what kind of stroller we’re talking about. The 2015 Valco Baby Snap Ultra is an exceptionally light, compact, and reversible single stroller. It only weighs 19 pounds but comes with wheels large enough to handle a range of terrain. You can even buy dedicated all-terrain tires and pop them on the Snap Ultra, turning it into a practical all-terrain stroller that’s comfortable just about anywhere.

As a compact luxury stroller, the  it competes with other high-end single seat reversible strollers like the Stokke Scoot Stroller V2, Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip, Mamas & Papas Urbo2, UPPAbaby Cruz, and UPPAbaby Vista.

Something else I like about the Snap Ultra is that you can add an optional bassinet to it, turning it into a pram. I’m mad about prams, and there aren’t many strollers that let you use them. I also like how much room there is to fit taller toddlers and even preschoolers, and how you can also use the stroller with newborns even without adding an infant seat or a bassinet, simply because the main seat has a deep, almost flat recline. The usual goodies are also present, including an adjustable leg rest, and 5-point harness, a nice big canopy, and a good-sized basket.

Overall, I’d give the Snap Ultra 5 out of 5 stars. If you’re in the market for a compact, incredibly lightweight, luxury reversible stroller with a bassinet option, this is one you should consider. I’m tickled pink at the fact that the wheels can be switched after already being decent-sized to begin with, and that it still comes in at 19 pounds.

The main downsides to the Snap Ultra, in my opinion, include the lack of an adjustable handle bar, peekaboo window, and suspension system. I imagine Valco Baby cut these out in order to save weight, so it might not be feasible to have all three without fundamentally changing the stroller. We’ll see.

The best price I’ve found so far for the 2015 Valco Baby Snap Ultra is here on Amazon, which includes free shipping, free returns, and no sales tax, depending on your state.

Buy the 2015 Valco Baby Snap Ultra lightweight stroller on Sale at Amazon.

Pros of the 2015 Valco Baby Snap Ultra

Big, bold canopy. The canopy is one of the most noticeable features of the Snap Ultra. It’s large and in charge, extending from the handle bars down past the bumper bar in order to give your child wall to wall coverage. There are only a handful of canopies even close to this size in this price range, so I’m very happy with it. There’s a big zipped mesh panel that serves as both a window for air circulation and also as a peekaboo window to give you a view of your child.

Padded handle bar with runaway strap. Unlike most strollers in this price range, the Snap Ultra strangely comes with a handle bar that’s not adjustable. However, it’s located at a sufficiently balanced height (41″) that both taller and shorter parents are likely to be able to use it without issue. For comparison, most adjustable handle bars range between around 39″ and 43″, placing the Snap Ultra’s handle bar conveniently in the middle range. It’s padded and has a center grip to aid in one-handed steering, although I’m always a fan of using two hands for extra control. On the right side of the bar is a runaway strap that you can loop around your wrist to reduce the odds of having your stroller get away from you unexpectedly.

Reversible seat with 5-point harness and adjustable leg rest. I love reversible seats in strollers, as I like being able to see my kids while we’re out and about–especially during the first 6 months before they can sit up independently. The seat is wonderfully sized for taller children at 12.5″ wide, 20″ deep, and 25″ tall from seat bottom to canopy height. The canopy height is one of the tallest you’ll find in a stroller these days, which makes it an excellent option if your child is one of those 80 or 90% children on the growth charts.

The 5-point harness included with the Snap Ultra is, as is the case with most high-end strollers, adjustable, padded, and features a center release-style buckle. The adjustable leg rest feels sturdy and is a fan of children everywhere. You can use the seat from birth with a child due to the deep, nearly flat recline that works well for newborns. You can recline the seat with a single hand but it takes two to raise it. The upper weight limit is 45 pounds. The recline function and levels operate equally well in forward-facing or parent-facing modes and you can fold the Snap Ultra in either seating position. A padded, removable bumper bar is also included.

Great big basket and storage pockets. There are a pair of storage pockets behind the seat that are great for small things like keys, wallets, smart phones, and sunglasses. However, the real star of the show is the wonderfully huge and deep basket beneath the seat. I was able to fit a large diaper bag, multiple gallons of milk, and a few fruits and vegetables there from a quick store run the other day. The basket is also accessible from every side, including from the front if you raise the leg rest. I honestly find it to be one of the most impressive baskets in the compact luxury segment.

Larger tires than the competition with all-terrain tire option. Each tire is made of a durable rubber. The front tires are 8″ in diameter while the rear tires are 10.” You can swivel or lock the front tires. These aren’t all-terrain tires, but they’re definitely big and tough enough to be used on grass, dirt, mud, or even the crazy sidewalks of Chicago. They’re also larger than many other tires you’ll see in the compact luxury segment. Here’s a quick comparison to the last several reversible-seat strollers I’ve reviewed:

Mamas & Papas Urbo2 – 6″ and 7.”
Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip – 6″ and 7.5.”
Stokke Scoot V2 – 8″ and 10.”
UPPAbaby CRUZ – 6.5″ and 8.25.”
UPPAbaby Vista – 6.5″ and 8.25.”

The jury is in; the Valco Baby Snap Ultra has some of the largest wheels you’re going to find in a stroller this size, and they’re definitely the largest you’ll find in a premium stroller that comes in at under 20 pounds.

However, if the tires aren’t big or rough enough for the trails you plan on hitting, Valco Baby’s got you covered. The truly outdoorsy will want to pick up a set of dedicated all-terrain tires that are air-filled and ready for just about anything. They can be switched with the standard tires in a few seconds and then you’ll have yourself a fully capable all-terrain stroller. Very cool. You can pick them up here on Amazon.

Compact fold and included rain cover. You’ll need both hands to make the fold work, but once you’ve got the hang of it, it’s impressive. You can fold up the Snap Ultra with the seat in either a forward-facing or parent-facing configuration. The stroller locks automatically and can stand on its own. When folded, it’s 11.5″ high, 20.5″ wide, and 33″ long.

A nice goodie you get with the Snap Ultra is an included rain cover. I find rain covers useful for adding a bit of warmth as well on cold days, although I didn’t test mine since May isn’t exactly a cold month when you’re in the Midwest.

Optional bassinet and travel system. It’s no secret that I’m a fan of strollers that include bassinet options; it’s one of the reasons why the Bumbleride Indie is my favorite single stroller and the Indie Twin is my favorite double stroller.

Now, unless you buy a stroller like the Indie 4, you’re not going to get a bassinet included with the stroller itself, but many high-end luxury strollers are including the option to buy them, and the Snap Ultra is one of those strollers. I love bassinets because they let you lay your baby perfectly flat, without exception, without compromises, and a flat position’s the best position for a baby that’s not in your arms. The optional bassinet for the Snap Ultra has a nice soft mattress, a snug and cozy boot cover, and a panel in the canopy to allow for additional airflow. You can pick it up with free shipping and returns from Amazon here.

If you want to go the more traditional route, you can hook up a range of infant car seats (most of which Mike has reviewed here) to the Snap Ultra to make a travel system. A few examples of seats that will work with the optional car seat adapter include the Chicco KeyFit 30, Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30, Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35, Cybex Aton 2, and Britax  B-Safe 35.

Buy the 2015 Valco Baby Snap Ultra lightweight stroller on Sale at Amazon.

Cons of the 2015 Valco Baby Snap Ultra.

Fixed handle bar. The lack of an adjustable handle bar is an odd feature to leave out in a stroller. I’m not sure why it was done except to potentially shave off a bit of weight. That said, the height works well for a range of parents, although it’s not quite as convenient as an adjustable bar.

Lack of suspension. This is an issue I didn’t notice at first due to the large tires that ship with the Snap Ultra. However, if you frequently use the stroller in parks and trails, you might find yourself with sore hands unless you’re willing to invest in the all-terrain tires. It didn’t bother me, but it might bother you.

Specifications of and Warranty for the 2015 Valco Baby Snap Ultra.

The Snap Ultra weighs a deliciously light 19 pounds and can be used from birth until 45 pounds. The handle bar is fixed at 41″ and the seat is 25″ tall. The front / rear tire dimensions are 8″ and 10″ respectively. The stroller is 30″ long and 20.5″ wide overall.

Valco Baby offers an original owner 1 year warranty. The clock starts ticking on the day the stroller is purchased. You can read more about the warranty here.

Where to Buy the 2015 Valco Baby Snap Ultra.

Whenever possible, I buy my strollers, car seats, and other baby goodies on Amazon, since their prices tend to be the lowest I come across. They also sweeten the pot with free shipping and free returns, and you typically don’t pay sales tax with them unless you’re in a state that charges it.

When it comes to high-end single seat reversible strollers go, the Valco Baby Snap Ultra has plenty to offer in a field that includes solid alternatives like the Mamas & Papas Urbo2, Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip, Stokke Scoot V2, UPPAbaby Cruz, and UPPAbaby Vista. The impressively-large tires, class-leading light weight frame, and attractive bassinet option make it a stroller well worth considering for urban or suburban parents.

You can buy the Snap Ultra here in Blue Denim (the color I reviewed), Black Night, Grey Marie, and Mulberry Wine. You can buy the bassinet here. You can buy the multi-infant seat adapter here. Canadians can buy the Snap in a range of colors here.

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If you find the information on car safety, recommended car seats, and car seat reviews on this car seat blog helpful, you can shop through this Amazon link for any purchases, car seat-related or not. Canadians can shop through this link for Canadian purchases.

Whenever I (Susie) get a chance to review high-end strollers, I often end up comparing them to our Bumblerides (the Indie and Indie Twin). However, after having had the chance to review the Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip recently, I had to get a closer look at the Urbo2, by the same company. A friend of mine recently bought hers online and I convinced her to let me borrow it for the weekend. It’s stunningly attractive.

To help you conceptualize it, it’s basically a compact luxury stroller, and it competes with other high-end single seat reversible strollers like the Stokke Scoot Stroller V2, Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip, UPPAbaby Cruz, and UPPAbaby Vista. In short, it’s a pretty cool stroller. Here are the details.

Quick Review of the 2015 Mamas & Papas Urbo2 Stroller

The 2015 Mamas & Papas Urbo2 is essentially a compact, lightweight, high-end stroller with retro design flourishes and a reversible seat that reclines deeply enough to be used with newborns. It’s the kind of stroller that turns heads when you go by, because it looks good.

The reversible seat is a roomy and padded one, and the Urbo2 can easily be turned into a travel system by fitting an infant car seat into it (and Mike has reviewed a ton of those here). Something I love about the Urbo2 is that it’s one of a few strollers on the market with a matching bassinet option. I’ll have more details on this in a bit.

Changes in the Urbo2 compared to the original Urbo include the addition of front-wheel suspension to smooth out the ride on the small wheels, as well as the addition of a bumper bar that’s covered in (faux) leather. The frame is classy, shiny, and delightfully narrow, and because of how little space the stroller takes up from one side to the next, it’s quite maneuverable, even in crowded environments. You can fold it up rather easily to stuff it into a subcompact-sized trunk (and if you’re curious about fitting 3 car seats into small or big cars, check out the 3 across guides later on), and the Urbo2 also features a much larger canopy with much better ventilation.

Besides all of this, even though looks aren’t the be-all, end-all of things, they do matter, and the Urbo2 is a good-looking stroller. It got a lot of attention when we tried it out at IKEA this weekend, although I barely noticed since I was admiring it so much myself. It feels good to push, to run your hands over, and it’s not even that much work to lift, as it weighs just 20 pounds.

Overall, I’d give the Urbo2 5 out of 5 stars. If you’re looking for an urban or city stroller that you’ll have no trouble picking out in a crowd, this is the stroller to get. The fact that you can pair it with an infant seat or a bassinet makes it very newborn friendly, which also increases the amount of time you can spend using it, whether when you’re going to the mall, the park, or simply around your neighborhood. 

The main drawback to the stroller, in my opinion, is the wheel size; I’d like them to be larger. I’d also like to be able to fold the Urbo2 up even when the seat is reversed and facing me. Besides that, it’s a solid stroller.The cheapest price I’ve found so far for the 2015 Mamas & Papas Urbo2 is here on Amazon, which includes free shipping, free returns, and no sales tax, depending on your state.

Buy the 2015 Mamas & Papas Urbo2 stroller on Sale at Amazon.

Pros of the 2015 Mamas & Papas Urbo2.

Large canopy. Mamas & Papas, like Baby Jogger, knows how important it is to make a full coverage canopy. I love that about them. The Urbo2 canopy can extend fully to the stroller’s bumper bar, which means your little one doesn’t need to feel the sun if s/he doesn’t want to.

Something else I like in the canopy is that the included peekaboo window is large enough for you to get a good view of your baby, yet also opened and closed through a magnetic closure. This means you won’t risk waking up your baby when sneaking a peek during a nap. If this is your first baby, trust me on this. You don’t wake a sleeping baby.

Reversible seat. The reversible seat is one of the best inventions in stroller history, along with the bassinet. To put it simply, I like being able to see my baby sometimes when walking him, and this makes it easy. The seat is 12″ wide and 24″ tall as measured from the bottom of the seat to the top of the canopy. Being able to see your little one wherever you go while you’re on your first walks after the delivery is an awesome thing. Well, depending on how sore you are, you might not feel awesome at first, but believe me…it gets better.

The seat is plush, comfy, and thanks to its nearly flat one-hand recline, you can make it flat enough to use with a newborn straight from the hospital. The seat is designed to be used from birth until 50 pounds. Naturally, it includes a padded 5-point harness to keep your little one snug and safe wherever you go. I can’t remember the last time I saw a stroller without one, but I figure it’s always good to mention. And even though it might sound shallow, I do enjoy how the fabric print on the padding matches the print on the canopy. It’s little touches like that that make the Urbo 2 stand out.

Beneath the seat is an adjustable foot rest that you can lift and drop, creating a pretty flat surface for your little one if that’s your goal. I’ve found it handy for quick diaper changes at the zoo when Mike and I didn’t want to brave the bathrooms.

Adjustable handle bar with runaway strap. To me an adjustable handle bar is about as basic as an adjustable seat height in a car; it should be in every stroller. Mike and I have different heights and it just makes sense to make strollers that accommodate those kinds of differences. It telescopes from 38″ above the ground to 41.” The handle bar feels good in my hands and has the same leather-like material that covers up the bumper bar. A runaway strap was added to the bar with the Urbo2; it’s handy as a way of holding on to the stroller if you’re jogging, although I wouldn’t try that with this stroller.

Smooth tires and all-wheel suspension. The tires on the Urbo2 are made of a hard rubber and have a 6″ diameter in the front and a 7″ diameter in the back. You can swivel or lock the front wheels, and a quick release button is now included on the front wheels to make them easier to store or clean. The rims are silver-toned and stylish, and work well with the chrome frame and all wheel suspension. The previous Urbo had suspension only on the rear wheels, so this is a step up.

The Urbo2 is easy to steer, even when it’s fully loaded with a baby and a basket full of diapers. We tried it out in the Woodfield Mall in Chicago (well, the suburbs, anyway), and it performed admirably. That said, this definitely isn’t an all-terrain stroller; you’ll want to stick to sidewalks, grass, pavement, and dirt trails at the most if you don’t want to deal with bumps.

The parking brakes are red and by the rear wheels; you can activate them with your feet, shoes, or flip-flops without trouble.

Compact fold, included rain cover, included insect net.  The Urbo2 has a two-handed compact fold that’s pretty easy to pull off. You turn the seat so it’s forward-facing first. Next, you push the side buttons and collapse the stroller until the automatic lock clicks in. When folded, the stroller is 11″ tall, 21″ wide, and 33″ long, which is quite small. Technically the fold is a standing one, but it’s not a stable one, so I wouldn’t rely on it.

I’m always a fan of free goodies thrown in my stroller companies, especially when spending a good amount on the stroller to begin with. The Urbo2 includes a free rain cover that’s been redesigned since the original Urbo. I turned the hose on mine in the garden and it kept my phone dry in the seat, so I’m calling that a win. They also throw in an insect net, which, by the way, works even better as a shade for sleep.

Optional bassinet, optional footmuff, travel systems. I’m a big believer in bassinets for infant-friendly stroller transport. Unlike travel systems, which rely on car seats, which you aren’t supposed to leave infants in whenever possible, bassinets are actually good for your baby, since they allow your baby movement and the ability to lie flat, which is the best lying position for a newborn or any other baby who hasn’t yet developed head control. The optional bassinet looks great and is large enough to be functional. It basically turns the Urbo2 into a pram, which means your baby can comfortably and safely sleep while you leave together for a walk, and it also means you get to see your little one while you’re out together.

Another neat optional accessory for the Urbo2 is a footmuff. It’s basically a giant sleeping bag for your baby, and yes, it matches the rest of the fabric print. It feels soft outside and inside and is also wind and water resistant, making it a good choice for keeping your baby nice and toasty when out for a brisk winter walk.

Finally, the traditional travel system is still definitely an option with the Urbo2. You simply pop out the included seat and insert the infant seat. You’ll also need an adapter, but once you’ve got it, you can use the Urbo2 with a range of seats, including the Primo Viaggio, Cybex Aton 2, Mico Max 30, and other infant seats Mike has reviewed here.

Buy the 2015 Mamas & Papas Urbo2 stroller on Sale at Amazon.

Cons of the 2015 Mamas & Papas Urbo2 stroller.

Wheel size. The wheels are easily the biggest drawback to the Urbo2. They work well for their size, and I definitely had no problem using the stroller as designed on intended surfaces, but if you’re planning on doing a lot of park or trail exploration, you’ll want to look for an all-terrain stroller instead, like the Indie or Indie 4 if you want a built in bassinet.

Specifications of and Warranty for the 2015 Mamas & Papas Urbo2 stroller.

The Urbo2 is 22″ wide, 39″ long, and weighs 20 pounds. It can be used with a child from birth until s/he weighs 50 pounds. The handle bar is adjustable between 38″ and 41″ while the seat offers 24″ of height.

Mamas & Papas provides a 2-year warranty for the Urbo2. The clock starts ticking on the purchase date. You can read more information about the warranty here.

Where to Buy the 2015 Mamas & Papas Urbo2 stroller.

Whenever possible, I buy my strollers, car seats, and other baby goodies on Amazon, since their prices tend to be the lowest I come across. They also sweeten the pot with free shipping and free returns, and you typically don’t pay sales tax with them unless you’re in a state that charges it.

As far as high-end single seat reversible strollers go, the Mamas & Papas Urbo2 is a solid addition to a field that includes alternatives like the Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip, Stokke Scoot V2, UPPAbaby Cruz, and UPPAbaby Vista. It’s quite possibly the most attractive stroller on the market today, and that’s saying something, considering how much style has come into the stroller market in the last few years.

You can buy the Urbo2 here in Navy Blue, Chestnut Tweed, Donna Wilson Foxleaf (the color I used in this review), Black, Teal, Atticus, and Camel. You can buy the bassinet in Chestnut Tweed here or in Donna Wilson here.You can buy a Primo Viaggio car seat adapter here and a Maxi-Cosi adapter here. Canadians can buy the Urbo2 and a range of bassinets here.

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If you find the information on car safety, recommended car seats, and car seat reviews on this car seat blog helpful, you can shop through this Amazon link for any purchases, car seat-related or not. Canadians can shop through this link for Canadian purchases.

Stokke AS is a Norwegian company most parents in the US may not have heard of, but in Europe, they’re one of the most popular children’s furniture manufacturers around, and have gained quite a following around the world, and in the US, for their Tripp Trapp adjustable high chair (which I’ll review soon). This review, however, is about the Stokke Scoot Stroller version 2, which I (Susie) had a chance to borrow for a weekend. In short, it’s a compact luxury stroller that’s definitely worth a look at if you can afford it. It competes with other high-end single seat reversible strollers like the Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip, UPPAbaby Cruz, and UPPAbaby Vista.

Quick Review of the 2015 Stokke Scoot Stroller V2

The 2015 edition of the Stokke Scoot, also known as the V2, is simply a refresh of the Scoot, which is one of the best lightweight compact luxury strollers on the market with a built in reversible seating option.

The major changes to be aware of between the new and old Scoot are larger, beefier wheels in the new Scoot and a more useful handle bar. The wheels aren’t big enough to turn it into an all-terrain stroller like our Bumbleride Indie, but they’re definitely big and sturdy enough to make the Scoot a feasible choice now for mall visits, grocery runs, park trips, or pretty much any kind of pavement if you’re in a suburban or urban environment. This difference alone makes it worth it.

If style matters to you, however, the Scoot still delivers with its clean Nordic design, sleek feel, and understated colors. Practically, some of the great features that debuted in the Scoot and made their way to the Scoot V2 include the large canopy, deep recline, adjustable foot rest, and sensibly-sized and readily accessible basket. The Scoot is also one-hand foldable, which is still one of the best features strollers ever developed.

Unlike some of its competitors in the compact luxury market, there isn’t a bassinet option for the Scoot, but you can buy a “Soft Bag” that’s newborn-friendly and makes a bassinet-like space right in the seat. Naturally, you can also switch out the seat with an infant car seat (Mike has reviewed a ton of those here) to make a travel system. You can fit a child from the newborn stage until s/he weighs 45 pounds in the stroller.

Overall, I’d give the Scoot V2 5 out of 5 stars due to the wheel upgrade. It did come with a slight weight upgrade from 23 to 25 pounds, but the wheels make it worth it. The main drawback to the stroller, in my opinion, is the lack of a one-handed recline function. I’d also like to see a full bassinet option. The cheapest price I’ve found so far for the 2015 Stokke Scoot V2 is here on Amazon, which includes free shipping, free returns, and no sales tax, depending on your state.

Buy the 2015 Stokke Scoot V2 stroller on Sale at Amazon.

Pros of the 2015 Stokke Scoot V2 stroller.

Good, large-enough canopy.  I’m a sucker for functional canopies, and the one in the Scoot V2 doesn’t disappoint. It’s not the biggest I’ve ever seen, but it’s definitely big enough to keep your children out of the sun without looking like you deployed a parachute on top of them. It’s larger than the one in the original Scoot with a larger pop-out sun visor. It’s a two-panel style canopy that can be extended all the way down to the bumper bar, which means your kids don’t need to see the sun if they don’t want to.

There’s a middle mesh window you can unzip so your little one gets better air circulation when you’re both out and about in the middle of summer, and you also get to use it as a peek-a-boo window. There are also a pair of small mesh windows on the sides of the canopy for additional air circulation if you place the seat in its lowest recline position (more on that later).

Adjustable handle bar. If you’re like Mike and I, you and your partner aren’t going to be the same height. I love when stroller companies get that and allow you to set your own handle bar height. The one in the Scoot V2 rotates on an axis and spans between 36″ and 42″ in height above the ground. If you’re a tall or short parent, you’ll love this.

Reversible seat. One of the definitions of a luxury stroller these days seems to be that it features a seat you can turn so you can see your child. It’s great for both bonding and for keeping an eye on your wee one. The reversible on the Scoot V2 helps with both of these tasks, and due to its relatively high position on the stroller’s frame, it brings you closer to your child. As a result, it doubles nicely as a high chair at restaurants, and will be far better constructed to boot.

Dimension-wise, it’s friendly for taller children due to the good amount of head room it gives older ones, measuring 24″ tall from seat bottom to canopy top, and is around 11″ wide.

There is a 3 position recline in the V2 compared to a 2 position recline in the original Scoot. You maneuver the recline through straps; you recline the seat by unlocking the straps and moving the seat down. Adjusting the seat up means reinserting the straps and lifting the seat. The method makes sense once you use it, but it’s still sort of clunky, especially if you’re dealing with a sleeping child. I’d prefer to see a recline based on a lever system instead. That said, I’m definitely a fan of how deep the recline is, as it makes it safe for newborns. The seat itself can be used with children from when they’re born until a child weighs 45 pounds, and all recline positions are available whether the seat is forward- or rear-facing.

Padded 5-point harness. As is standard in nearly every stroller these days, you can strap your child in the Scoot V2 with a 5-point harness. It’s padded and adjustable with a nice strong center release buckle. There are 3 positions for the harness and it doesn’t take much effort to adjust them from the seat back.

Adjustable foot rest. There are a pair of foot rests available for the Scoot. The first is built into the frame and is designed for older children while the second is attached to the frame and can be adjusted up an own depending on the height of your child. It’s a unique design that’s different from the typical adjustable leg rests you see in most strollers.

Large basket. There’s a decent-sized basket beneath the Scoot. It’s large enough for a diaper bag and a few jugs of milk or other groceries. I found it pretty easy to reach from both sides as well as from the back.

Bigger tires and wheels. I’m definitely a fan of the upgrade in wheel and tire side. The tires are made of a durable rubber and are filled with foam. They aren’t quite as shock-absorbing as air-filled tires, but they do a good job and never need to be refilled. The front tires are 8″ in diameter while the rear tires are 10″ wide. The front wheels can be locked or allowed to swivel. The tires do a good job on sidewalks, through grass in parks, or in pretty much any urban environment I could find in Chicago.

Parking brake and all wheel suspension. The all wheel suspension helps when smoothing out bumps on the pavement while the foot-activated parking brake between the rear tires helps you keep the Scoot from scooting when you don’t want it to.

One handed fold. The single hand fold is a feature every stroller should come with, in my opinion, and it’s great to see it on the Scoot. You do it in two steps. The first is to bring up the seat bottom and the second is to fold the stroller in half by pulling the lever beneath the stroller. The seat stays in place and can face forward or toward you before you fold it up. The whole thing folds up into a pretty compact space given its size, but you can still remove the wheels if you need even more space. The stroller still stands once folded and locks automatically.

Goodies and extras. Three neat things included are a cup holder, a rain cover, and a bug net. The rain cover and bug net are almost always separate accessories in luxury strollers, and it’s nice to see them thrown in here.

Optional Softbag. The Scoot unfortunately doesn’t come with a bassinet, which is a shame, since it’s best to have babies in flat positions when they’re newborns and a bassinet allows you to do this while looking at your baby while you’re on the go. A number of the Scoot’s competitors either have bassinet options or bassinets included, such as the Bumbleride Indie 4. That said, the Scoot has an available Softbag accessory that’s essentially an insert for newborns. You slip it into the seat and it’s sort of like a bed. Your baby will outgrow it in a few months, but for those initial months, it’s a pretty neat idea. You can buy it here.

Optional travel system. It’s easy to make the Scoot V2 a travel system simply by removing the built in seat and adding an infant car seat instead. If you have the Stokke iZi Go X1, you can use that without an adapter, since it’s compatible out of the box. If you buy an adapter, you can use the stroller with infant seats by Nuna, Cybex, Maxi-Cosi, and Peg Perego, such as the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35.

Cons of the 2015 Stokke Scoot V2 stroller.

Clumsy strap recline. The strap recline is my least favorite part of the Scoot V2. It works, but it’s not nearly as convenient as having a simple one-handed lever recline system instead. I’m hoping to see that on the Scoot V3 whenever Stokke comes out with it.

Lack of bassinet option. Again, this is a relatively minor quibble, but as a strong believer in the utility of bassinets, I’d like to at least see an option to use one with the Scoot.

Specifications of and Warranty for the 2015 Stokke Scoot V2 stroller.

The Scoot weighs 25 pounds with its seat included, and has a 45 pound weight limit for one child. The handle bar spans 36″ to 42″ in height, and the interior height in the seat is 24″ from the seat to the top of the canopy. The stroller is 21″ wide and 30″ long, and comes with 8″ tires in the front and 10″ tires in the back. When folded, it’s 28″ long, 12″ tall, and 21″ wide.

Stokke includes a 3-year warranty for the original owner that starts ticking when the stroller is originally purchased. You can read all of the details about the warranty here.

Where to Buy the 2015 Stokke Scoot V2 stroller.

Whenever possible, I buy my strollers, car seats, and other baby goodies on Amazon, since their prices tend to be the lowest I come across. They also sweeten the pot with free shipping and free returns, and you typically don’t pay sales tax with them unless you’re in a state that charges it.

As far as high-end single seat reversible strollers go, the Stokke Scoot V2 is a solid competitor to alternatives like the Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip, UPPAbaby Cruz, and UPPAbaby Vista. You can buy it here in Black Melange, Aqua Blue, Purple, Red, Slate Blue, and Soft Pink. You can buy it here in Urban Blue. You can buy the Softbag in a range of colors here. You can buy the Car Seat adapter here. Canadians can buy the Scoot and a range of car seat adapters here.

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If you find the information on car safety, recommended car seats, and car seat reviews on this car seat blog helpful, you can shop through this Amazon link for any purchases, car seat-related or not. Canadians can shop through this link for Canadian purchases.

Mamas & Papas is a little known company in the UK that makes pretty awesome strollers for Americans, including the Armadillo, which is one of the more popular small strollers among families in our neighborhood. Well this year, they recently came out with the Armadillo Flip, which does everything the Armadillo does while throwing in a reversible seat. It’s been flying off the shelves in local stores, and I (Susie) had to find out why.

 

Quick Review of the 2015 Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip stroller

A big part of what makes the Armadillo Flip awesome is because it works well in urban environments. It doesn’t weigh much, it doesn’t take up much space, and it’s easy to fold with one hand, which makes it easier to keep your baby or toddler safe while doing so.

As a result, if you’re a busy parent who makes frequent use of public transportation, you’ll appreciate having a stroller that doesn’t take up much room on the bus or train, or in a taxi or on a sidewalk or…you get the idea. The Armadillo flip is just 22″ wide, which opens up new possibilities for getting through store aisles, fitting into small elevators, or weaving through cars in a Trader Joe’s parking lot.

Features I like in the Flip include the large basket, 5-point harness, and awesome reversible seat that you can set to a near flat recline, making it a great newborn stroller. You can use it with a child from the day s/he’s born until the day s/he weighs 50 pounds. If you want a travel system, all you need is an infant car seat adapter.

The Flip weighs 20 pounds and I’d give it 5 out of 5 stars due to its functionality as a compact, light, and versatile single urban stroller. The main cons for the stroller include the lack of an adjustable handle bar and bumper bar. The  cheapest price I’ve yet found for the 2015 Armadillo Flip is here on Amazon, which includes free shipping, free returns, and no sales tax, depending on your state.

Buy the 2015 Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip stroller on Sale at Amazon.

Pros of the 2015 Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip stroller

Generous canopy. The Flip comes with a ridiculously large canopy–in a good way! It’s one of the largest canopies I’ve ever seen, and it gives that in our Bumbleride Indie a run for its money. It stretches from the handle bar to the bottom of the seat if you want it to, and it also includes a pop-out sunvisor. The only issues I see with it are that you can’t unzip the canopy and there’s only a plastic peekaboo window instead of mesh, so you don’t get as much circulation when the weather gets warm as you otherwise would. However, the closure on the window is magnetic, which is great for allowing you to see your little one without waking him or her up. And as I’ve noted, but will note again, the canopy is amazingly huge. Also, a rain cover is included, which is great. Most stroller companies out there will make you pay an additional $50 or so for one.

Reversible, deep reclining, and tall seat. The Armadillo Flip seat is a comfortable, tall, and roomy one. It’s 12″ wide, 20″ deep, and measures 24″ from canopy top to seat back. There’s a generous amount of padding in the seat that makes it fun to sit in, and you can use it from birth until a child weighs 50 pounds.

The recline is adjustable in 3 positions and in the lowest is close to flat, which makes it work well with newborns. In contrast, when it’s in the most upright position, it’s a pretty upright seat, which makes it easy for kids to see out of the stroller well. The recline can be adjusted with one hand thanks to a smooth lever.

Easily adjustable leg rest. The leg rest in the Armadillo Flip can be adjusted easily. If you want it up, you push it up. If you want it down, there’s a lever beneath the leg rest that you squeeze while pushing down. When the seat is reclined to its lowest position while the leg rest is lifted to its highest, it’s almost like a bed, which makes it great for both naps and diaper changes.

Padded adjustable 5-point harness. It’s pretty much impossible to find a good stroller without an adjustable 5-point harness, but it’s still nice to see one as comfortable as that in the Armadillo Flip. The harness can also be adjusted to a height low enough to fit newborns, which is great, since not all strollers with “newborn-friendly” reclines actually have newborn-friendly harness designs.

Fixed handle bar. Something to be aware of in the Flip is that the handle bar isn’t adjustable, which could be a drawback if you’re exceptionally tall or exceptionally short. It’s fixed at 40″ off the ground and has a foam covering. There’s a thicker grip in the center to make it easier to push with one hand and there’s an additional runaway strap you can put around your wrist to keep the stroller from getting away from you. It’s a good safety feature if you’re the worrying kind, like I am.

Good-sized basket. The basket is nice and wide, even though it isn’t the deepest I’ve ever seen. The sides are made from mesh and you can get to it easily from the front, back, or sides. I was able to fit a large diaper bag and a few jugs of milk there.

Foot-activated parking brake.  There is a parking brake by the right wheel that you can activate with your shoe, flip flop, or foot if you’re barefoot. The brake locks both rear wheels.

No-flat tires with all wheel suspension. Speaking of the wheels and tires, something great about the Armadillo Flip is the fact that you can’t get a flat tire with it because the tires aren’t filled with air! They’re EVA tires, which basically means they never need refilling or maintenance yet provide a cushion level comparable to that in air-filled tires. The front tires are 6″ in diameter and the rear tires are a bit larger at 7.5.”

You can lock the front tires or allow them to swivel. Because the tires are on the smaller end, you won’t want to try off-roading with this stroller; it’s definitely not an all-terrain stroller. That said, you can still venture off the sidewalk into gravel, mulch, wood chips at a playground, or grass. And of course, they’ll do a fine job on any smooth surface, such as in a mall or supermarket. Suspension is available on both front and rear wheels.

Single hand fold. I was able to fold the Armadillo Flip with one hand while I held a bag of groceries in the other. When they say one hand fold, they mean it. Mamas & Papas advertises it as the most compact fold in its stroller class. While I’m not sure what class that is, I’m still impressed.

A bonus is that the seat can be in its forward or rear-facing position when you fold the stroller up; you don’t have to make sure it’s in the traditional forward-facing position for a fold. When folded, it’s 30″ long, 22″ wide, and 10″ high, which is definitely on the smaller end for a reversible stroller. You can make it even smaller by popping off the wheels. And at 20 pounds, it won’t take too much effort to get on a bus or in the back of a car.

Optional travel systems and pram conversion. As with most high end strollers, you can form a travel system by switching out the regular seat and inserting an infant car seat and an adapter. Mike has reviewed a ton of car seats compatible with the Armadillo Flip, including the Cybex Aton 2 and Chicco KeyFit 30. The Cybex and Maxi-Cosi adapter is available here while the Chicco adapter is available here. You can also convert the Flip into a pram through the optional Mamas & Papas bassinet (which they call a Carrycot). These are commonly used throughout Europe because they allow you to see your baby all the time while keeping him or her completely reclined, which is the best position for a newborn. The bassinet is usable from birth until your child weighs 20 pounds, and is available with free shipping here.

Cons of the 2015 Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip stroller

Fixed handle bar. This is an understandable omission for a light weight stroller, but I still miss it.

Small wheels. You shouldn’t plan on doing off-roading in this stroller; save that for a true all-terrain stroller like the Bumbleride Indie, my favorite single stroller.

Lack of a bumper bar or child tray.  I’m not sure why this isn’t included, as many kids like to eat when they’re on the go, especially on long trips to the zoo or to the park. Oh well. This is part of what keeps the weight down, I know.

Specifications of and Warranty for the 2015 Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip stroller

The Flip weighs 20 pounds and can be used with children from birth until they weigh 50 pounds. When folded, it is 30″ long, 22″ wide, and 10″ high. The handle bar is fixed at 40″ in height while the seat height is 24.” The front tires are 6″ in diameter while the rear tires are 7.5″ in diameter. It is 22″ wide and 36″ long when in use.

A 2-year warranty is available from Mamas & Papas; the clock starts ticking from the day you purchase the Flip. You can read more about the warranty here.

Where to buy the 2015 Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip stroller

Whenever possible, I buy my strollers, car seats, and other baby goodies on Amazon, since their prices tend to be the lowest I come across. They also sweeten the pot with free shipping and free returns, and you typically don’t pay sales tax with them unless you’re in a state that charges it.

When it comes to high-end single seat reversible strollers, the Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip is a good choice. You can buy it here in Teal Tide, Coral Pop, Sand Dune, and Black Jack. You can buy the carrycot bassinet in Teal Tide, Sand Dune, and Black Jack here. Canadians can buy the Armadillo Flip, car seat adapters, and the carrycot bassinet here.

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If you find the information on car safety, recommended car seats, and car seat reviews on this car seat blog helpful, you can shop through this Amazon link for any purchases, car seat-related or not. Canadians can shop through this link for Canadian purchases.