When you have a baby there are so many things that you think you need. One of those is a stroller and while many people are attracted to the strollers that have all of the bells and whistles, the lightweight strollers are the ones that actually get the use. That’s right, I know moms who have really nice deluxe strollers who spent too much money to invest in a good light weight stroller. These moms end up pushing around cheap umbrella strollers and wishing that they had made a different choice. Don’t believe me, check your local for sale ads and you will tons of high end full size strollers but the light weight ones never seem to come around.

When you are looking at lightweight strollers there are some things that you should consider. The following are the key points that you should check out with any stroller that you are looking at.

MSRP Price

The MSRP price of a stroller is the price that the manufacturer has set for the sale of the item. This is important to know so that you can gauge if you are getting a good deal or not.

Current Amazon Price

Checking the current Amazon price on your new lightweight stroller can be a great way to get an awesome deal. Many times retailers on Amazon choose to sell the strollers at a price that is below the MSRP. This can mean great savings for you as a consumer.

Net Weight

The net weight of the lightweight stroller is important. You want a lightweight stroller that is not too heavy so that you can easily load it into your car while you are juggling your little one, diaper bag, and purse. It is just easier if the stroller is not too heavy for you.

Carrying Capacity

Another thing that you need to check is the carrying capacity of the lightweight stroller. If you find a heavier carrying capacity you will find that your child can use the stroller for longer. If you have a lighter carrying capacity then your child is going to outgrow the stroller sooner.

Frame Type

Next you should check out thee frame type. There are many different types of frames out there that you should know about. Aluminum is a popular material for frames because it is lightweight and durable. This is definitely something that you want to familiarize yourself with.

Canopy Size

The canopy size is important on a lightweight stroller. Canopies should be big enough to actually protect your little one from the elements. If you have a canopy that is not big enough it is not going to even protect your little one’s eyes from the sun.

Canopy Windows

Canopy windows are so important for lightweight strollers. If your canopy does not have a window you can not see your little one while you are walking around. This is something that is going to be important if you have a younger child because if they are coughing or crying you can not see what is wrong. With older children it might not be as important but some children would not be happy sitting where they could not look up and see you.

Footrest Size

Each lightweight stroller has a footrest. Footrests are something that might not seem that important until it is not big enough for your child’s feet and they are dragging on the ground. In fact one of the biggest injuries that children face with strollers is that they might end up with one of their feet getting caught on a wheel. Today some strollers feature footrests that have enclosed backs which means that your child can not drag their feet on the ground. Others are still open. Knowing what the footrest is like is something that could help you to determine which option is going to be best for you.

Stroller Seat

Different lightweight strollers have different sizes of seatbacks. This means that some seatbacks might be taller or wider than others. This is one of those things that you should be sure to check out if you have a little one as it can ensure that your little one is able to grow and still fit comfortably in the seat. Some kids have longer torso than others so while one lightweight stroller might be your best friend’s favorite, it might not work as well for you.

Not all lightweight strollers offer the option to recline. If your child is not sitting up on their own yet, then you need a stroller that reclines. Even if your child is sitting up or even if you are parent to an older toddler, a reclining seat can be something that you want if you are going to use it a lot. Reclining a seat back is one way to make the ride more comfortable during naps.

The harness that is offered in the stroller is very important. Infants and young toddlers really need a 5 point harness system to maximize safety. If you have an older toddler a lap strap might work for you but I would still recommend the 5 point harness if you are going to be doing anything more active. Safety should be one of your main concerns with your little ones.

While my child does not seem to notice the difference between strollers and seat padding, I find that I feel better when she has a seat that is well padded. Today there are many different types of seat padding and some of the seats are even made with ergonomic padding that is supposed to help with healthy development.

Storage Basket Size

Depending on what you are going to use your lightweight stroller for, the basket size can be really important. If you are a shopper or someone who likes to head out on all day adventures with your stroller, then you are going to want on that has a larger basket. If you are someone who is just going to use your stroller for short walks then you might not need as large of a basket. The size of basket that you prefer is largely based on the amount of stuff that you plan on taking with you.

Additional Storage

If you have more than one child and plan on using your lightweight stroller for family outings and such, then you might want to check out a lightweight stroller that offers additional storage. This can help you to make the most of your stroller and to really fall in love with your purchase.

Wheels

I believe that the single most important thing about strollers is the tire tread. This is something else that depends largely on how you will be using your stroller. If you plan on going through grass or areas that might not be paved then you want tire tread that is rubber. If you plan on only walking in areas that are paved then plastic tire tread might work for you. I suggest looking for a lightweight stroller that has a good amount of tread.

The bigger the back wheels, the easier that your stroller is going to be to push. Many lightweight strollers have small wheels. If you want a stroller that is going to move better then you will want to check out one that has larger sized wheels, especially in the back. Joggers and those who are going to want their stroller to move quickly will appreciate larger wheels in the front. Even if you are going off roads with your stroller you will find that small front wheels generally work fine as long as the stroller has larger back wheels.

When you are not moving, you will probably want to make sure that you lock your wheels. Releasing your wheels after they are locked can be quite tough. You do not want a stroller with wheels that are hard to release. This is something that can be so frustrating when you are out. So check out the wheel release and make sure that it is something that is simple to do.

You will also want to check out the type of wheels that are on the stroller. There are different types of wheels for different needs. Strollers that feature actual tires are better for more active lifestyles. Wheels that are larger make the stroller easier to maneuver and push. Sometimes the front wheel might not turn on some jogging strollers. If you are not jogging this is something that can be annoying and make it hard to maneuver through tight spaces.

Depending on how you will be using the stroller you might want to explore different suspension types. People who are using the stroller off roads or for a more active lifestyle, like joggers, are going to want the suspension to have shocks. If you find a lightweight stroller with a better suspension type then your little one is going to have a much smoother ride. If you choose a stroller that does not offer much in the way of suspension then your little one might be in for quite the bumpy ride when you are on the go.

Fold Difficulty

You will want to find a lightweight stroller that is easy to fold. This is actually one of the things that should be top priority as you are already going to be juggling enough without having to struggle to fold your stroller. Most moms find that it is hard to keep a stroller from rolling off while buckling a baby or young toddler into a car seat. They also find that it can be a real challenge to try and fold a stroller while juggling a baby, diaper bag, and purse.

So you want to find a lightweight stroller that is going to meet your needs and be easy to fold. A one hand fold is the way to go with any stroller. This is something that is fairly new but one of the greatest inventions to hit the stroller world. One hand fold means just that, you can easily fold the stroller with just one hand.

Available Accessories

Today the world of strollers is exploding. Some parents find that they want to be able to have cup holders or special storage options with their stroller. If you want something special then you should check out the available accessories and make sure that you are able to get everything that you want for the lightweight stroller that you choose. Some off market brands offer accessories but these do not fit on all strollers so make sure that you check for these when making your decision.

Brakes

Hand brakes are not featured on a lot of lightweight strollers. Hand brakes are most commonly found on strollers that are used for more recreational purposes like jogging strollers and those that cater to a more active lifestyle. Again, foot brakes are not common on lightweight strollers. Foot brakes are only found on strollers that have been created for the most active lifestyle. Most people find that there is no real need for them to have a foot brake on a stroller.

Finding the perfect lightweight stroller does not have to be a struggle. In fact, you can read about the different models that are out there and find out which ones are going to work best for your little one’s needs.

ZOE XL1 DESIGNER

The ZOE XL1 DESIGNER is a unique and fun stroller that will help to make all of your stroller dreams come true. This convenient and easy to use stroller offers you everything that you have been looking for and more. Plus it has one of the lightest weights in the entire lightweight stroller class. While this would lead you to believe that the stroller was missing something, as you check it out you will realize that it actually has quite a few features that other strollers are missing. This is really the same stroller as the ZOE XL1 BEST with the addition of colored wheel covers and colored strap pads so that you can jazz up your stroller to look any way that you want. It also comes with matching pads and covers so that you can swap them out and change your look as you want to. How fun would it be to be able to have your stroller match your wardrobe or your mood….with the ZOE XL1 DESIGNER this is actually possible.

Price

The MSRP of the ZOE XL1 DESIGNER is $179.99. If you purchase this stroller from Amazon then you can save a little bit of money and pick it up for just $169.99.

Net Weight

The net weight of the ZOE XL1 DESIGNER is just ten pounds which makes it fall into the ultra lightweight category that few high performance strollers fall into. In fact most of the strollers that fall into this category are so basic that people do not like them.

Carrying Capacity

This stroller can hold children up to fifty pounds. While this is not the heaviest weight at which a lightweight stroller can hold a child, it is close to the heaviest weight. You will be able to use this stroller for quite some time since it is rate for infants who are six months to children that weigh fifty pounds.

Frame Type

The aluminum frame on this stroller help to keep the weight light. The advantage of the aluminum is that it offers the stability of other larger, high weight strollers. This means that you get more than what you might imagine out of this stroller that is going to be both durable and functional.

Canopy Size

The canopy on this stroller is also very large. In fact it is so large that you can actually move a hidden part to almost completely protect your child from the sun. This means that you do not have to fight with your child to wear sunglasses as you are out and about.

Canopy Windows

This stroller does not have canopy windows. This is not a big deal for some parents but for those who want a window to see their child while they are walking, it can be a huge inconvenience.

Footrest Size

The footrest on this stroller is also nice. It features enough space for your child to rest their feet but not much more. In fact this is one of the smallest footrests that you will see. It does have the additional seat coverage in between the bottom of the seat and the footrest.

Stroller Seat

The stroller seat has some padding and features a five point harness for maximum safety. This five point harness straps have some padding which makes them more comfortable for your little one.

Storage Basket Size

The storage basket on the ZOE XL1 DESIGNER is HUGE. This basket can easily hold your shopping bags, diaper bags, and more. This is something that you will especially love if you have older children as you can pack enough stuff for all of your kids in the stroller’s easy to use basket.

Additional Storage

One of the things that is especially nice with this stroller is that it features a nice large pocket on the back of the canopy where you can store your things like keys, your wallet, and cell phone. It is a great pocket for you to utilize so that you can find your items of need more conveniently.

Wheels

The wheels on the ZOE XL1 DESIGNER are smaller and smooth. This means that they are not the type of wheels that you would use if you were recreational. Instead they are the perfect wheels to maneuver through everything that you will encounter in the city. In addition if you find that these wheels are ever broken you can send them back to have them replaced or repaired completely free of charge as they have a lifetime warranty. In addition to this you are going to appreciate that the wheels will come off of the stroller.

Fold Difficulty

One of the things that really draws owners to this stroller is the functional easy one hand fold design. This is so much more than what many strollers offer as you can easily fold it with one hand into a position that requires no effort while you move your child to safety. If you want you can also grab the stroller and carry it after it has been folded.

Available Accessories

Another thing that you are going to love about the ZOE XL1 DESIGNER is that it offers you the chance to have accessories without paying an additional fee. The stroller actually comes with a travel bag, parent cup holder, child cup holder, snack tray, and padded belly bar. These accessories mean that your child is going to be able to have what they want with this stroller and you won’t have to pay extra as you would with many other strollers. There are also colored wheel caps that will keep your wheels not only protected but also clean while you are using the stroller, no matter how much you use it. You can also purchase additional pads and colored wheel caps so that you can change out the colors of your stroller as you want to. This is convenient and something that you will be able to appreciate if you want your stroller to always be in style with your fashion choices. It can eliminate the need that some moms have for strollers that are different colors.

Brakes

This stroller features a nice easy to use one foot brake system. This means that you do not have to worry about struggling with the brakes when you need to use them.