8 Tips To Up Your Fold Up Pushchair Game

Choosing a Fold Up Pushchair

Fold-up pushchairs are a breeze to take on public transportation or fit in the back of your car. They are also very compact and lightweight making them ideal to travel with planes.

This UPPAbaby is one of the most compact folds we've ever seen. However, it comes with a few limitations, including a small canopy and no storage.

Folding Ease

When choosing a fold up pushchair, you need to think about where and how you're going to use it. If you're taking your baby on planes then a compact and light buggy is an ideal option. It can fit into the overhead luggage compartments and is small enough to be carried on the shoulder. Find an easy-to-use fold that's simple to operate while holding your baby and a handle that can be adjusted to height so parents and carers of various heights can comfortably use it. A swivel lock wheel is essential if plan to hike with your baby. It will assist you to navigate through uneven terrain. Look for features like a deep recline to allow for a comfortable nap when you're on the move and an extendable sun canopy.

Many pushchairs claim to be able to fold in one hand however, it's a good idea to test this before you buy to ensure it's feasible while being able to hold your child. The UPPAbaby G Luxe was rated highly by our reviewers, due to its innovative mechanism that transforms into a compact unit that is smaller than an umbrella. It also has a convenient compartment for keys and phones, as well as the ability to recline the seat with one touch, which is perfect for little travellers who like to sleep while on the move.

The smallest fold-up pushchairs are able to be used as early as the moment of birth. They have a lie flat seat, or carrying cots. This is great for babies who want to sleep during the day. If you intend to use your travel system from the beginning, a simple click attachment system for an Infant Car Seat is a must.

The Cybex Libelle is the smallest and most lightweight of the bunch. It folds smaller than its YOYO2 counterpart the YOYO2, (only 4cm thicker) and is easy to carry with only 6kg. It's also incredibly easy to use, using a simple one-hand fold and seat recline which is perfect for naps with toddlers. This model is also a great option for hikers since it comes with an oversized front swivel that can handle any terrain.

One-Handed Folding

It is always recommended to have a folding pushchair, whether you're walking around or using public transport or flying to a different country with your child. The pressure of managing children bags, keys, shopping bags and other essentials of everyday life while attempting to fold a complex travel system isn't a good idea and hence pushchairs with one hand strollers are often the most popular choices for parents.

Like the name suggests the pushchair that folds with one hand can be collapsed with just the touch of one button or two. Some models require more effort, or even two hands, but the ease of the process makes them still a breeze to carry and put away. They are also lightweight, making it easier to carry or to store in small spaces.

One of the best examples is the G-Luxe model from UPPAbaby. This model is among the easiest to fold with one hand in our roundup. It's as simple as pulling a lever on the chassis. It stands up by itself when folded, and is ideal for storing in the corner of a cafe or a foyer.

The Bugaboo Bee is another model that can be folded using just one hand. It's one of the first compact-fold pushchairs, and despite being bigger than others it has an elegant, simple to fold. It also has a number of great features, including a deep reclining seat and an expandable UPF50+ canopy to ensure your child is protected during sunny days.

Some of these compact-folded pushchairs are designed specifically for toddlers and older infants. However there are other options that can be used from the time of the time of birth. These pushchairs have seats that can be fully or partially lied-flat and some even include an infant car seat. MFM editor Gemma has traveled extensively with her son in the Babyzen YOYO which is among the original buggys of this kind and remains a popular choice. It's not as compact than other buggy models, but is still easy to maneuver. It fits in the baggage allowances for cabin baggage on many airlines.

Lightweight

A pushchair deals that folds down is usually very small and lightweight. This is particularly the case for umbrella-folded pushchairs which weigh less than 20 pounds. They are perfect for short walks on flat surfaces or pavements and for transportation between your car and others' houses. They're also a great option if you don't wish to purchase an all-terrain stroller and prefer to use your pushchair on flat surfaces.

If you're looking to use a compact fold-away pushchair when you're walking on muddy or sandy surfaces, consider getting an air-filled tyre. These are a bit heavier than standard tyres but they'll provide more grip and traction. It's important to note that the extra weight will increase the size of your pushchair.

Many lightweight pushchairs were designed for older toddlers and infants that could sit up on their own, but more are now suitable for babies from the time of birth. Models like the Mamas & Papas Airo have a lie-flat seating area and can be combined with an infant car seat or a carrycot (sold separately). Some compact-fold pushchairs are even designed to work with a stroller board to transform them into a double buggy. great for taking Grandma or Grandad along too.

A lot of the top lightweight strollers are easy to use. Some are open and closed at the touch of a button, while others have more intricate mechanisms, but they all take up very little space. Some have a strap on the wrist that allows you to the pushchair in place even when it's folded, and this could make a significant difference in how easy it is to move.

The 3D Lite stroller from Contours is an excellent example of a compact stroller packed with features. There's also a decently-sized basket, lots of padding and adjustable handlebars (for tall or short parents) and a massive protective canopy. It's also very lightweight and comes with a handy bag.

Compact

When selecting a stroller, you must consider the size of the stroller when folded. Some pushchairs are very compact fold, whereas others are larger depending on the overall size and features.

It is also essential to be compact if you plan to travel with your pushchair. Some models can fold down to a compact size or even into a bag making them a breeze to put in the trunk of your car or carry on an airplane. This is ideal if you plan to travel frequently or reside in a city area where you aren't able to use a larger stroller all the time.

The best pushchairs have an easy and simple folding process. The Babyzen YOYO was the first of its kind and has since been imitated but stands out thanks to its innovative design and superior functionality.

The Babyzen YOYO is perfect for travel as it has a fold that is incredibly small and only slightly larger than most hand luggage allowances. It can be used at the airport between boarding your flight and catching it on the way back.

The Mamas and Papas Airo is an ultra-compact pushchair Up To 25kg that provides more space. The seat reclines completely, and there's plenty of padding to make your child feel comfortable. It can be used as early as birth with the addition of a newborn cocoon pack or carrycot (not included).

The Ergobaby Metro+ is another excellent option for a day-to-day lightweight stroller that folds into an extremely compact fold and can be set up when not in use. However it's not as straightforward to use as other models and it can create lots of noise when you adjust the canopy, which may awake your baby.