Posted by Cora Richardson
25 days ago

Is this baby stroller easy to fold for travel?

We just had our first baby. It's exciting but tricky. We travel a lot. The stroller we have is bulky. Hard to pack in the car. We tried a few times. It got stuck once. In the airport. Very stressful. We need something lighter. Easy to fold. For planes and cars. Amazon shows many options. But reviews are mixed. Some say they break easy. Our baby is 6 months old. We want safety first. Comfort too. Budget is around $200. Not too fancy. Just reliable. Any recommendations? We've returned one already. Didn't like it.

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Eloise Howard avatar
Eloise Howard 🥉 171 rep
23 days ago
Top Answer

Hey Cora. Congrats on the new baby, that's such an exciting time, even if travel makes things a bit tricky with all the gear.

I get how frustrating a bulky stroller can be, especially when it gets stuck at the airport. After checking out those options, I'd suggest the Dream On Me Coast Rider Stroller because it's designed for easy travel with its lightweight build and one-hand fold that makes packing a breeze for planes or cars. It prioritizes safety and comfort for your 6-month-old too, and it fits right in your budget.

Some folks mention the storage basket is on the smaller side, but it still holds essentials well, and overall it's a reliable choice that should make your trips less stressful.

Kathryn Reed avatar
Kathryn Reed 🥉 211 rep
23 days ago

Hey, congrats on the little one, traveling with a newborn sounds like a real adventure mixed with some chaos. I've been there with my own kids, always lugging around stuff that wouldn't cooperate in tight spaces like car trunks or airport gates. Definitely go for something super that model that folds up quick with one hand, makes life so much easier. Safety-wise, check for sturdy frames and good harnesses to keep your 6-month-old secure and comfy during those trips. And yeah, stick to that $200 range and there are reliable options out there that won't break after a few uses. Returned one myself once. Hated it.

I’d focus on a true one-hand one-step fold that self-stands and weighs under 15 lb; in your budget, the Summer 3Dlite and Kolcraft Cloud Plus are reliable, and the GB Pockit folds tiny for planes but rides rough and has a small canopy. Prioritize a 5-point harness, a latch that locks the frame closed, and front wheels that can lock straight for uneven surfaces. Quick tip: measure your trunk opening and practice the fold in-store with one hand while holding a bag, then gate-check it in a cover so it doesn’t pop open.

Kimberly Ross avatar
Kimberly Ross 🥉 166 rep
25 days ago

We returned our first one too and what finally worked was choosing on fold first and everything else second. If it closes in one motion and locks itself and and you can grab a built in handle without pinching, the airport dance gets much easier.

Weight helps but balance matters more. Under 13 pounds is great, though a well balanced one a bit heavier can still feel effortless over a long terminal walk. For a six month old confirm the seat is rated for that age, uses a real 5 point harness, and keeps them upright enough to see without slumping. In this price range the ride on rough sidewalks is not plush but indoors and parking lots are fine. Measure your trunk opening and compare to the folded size before buying. For flights plan on gate checking and ask staff where to leave it so you are not stuck clogging the jet bridge while it refuses to close, learned the hard way.

Paul Moore avatar
Paul Moore 🥉 301 rep
24 days ago

I remember when our first was about that age, and we were constantly on the move, dealing with a stroller that felt like wrestling an octopus every time we tried to fold it, especially in a crowded airport where everyone's staring and you're sweating bullets. What helped us was focusing on models that are under 15 pounds or so and with a fold that's intuitive and doesn't require two people or a engineering degree to figure out. For comfort, look for padded seats and adjustable recline, keeps the baby happy on long hauls. Safety first always, so five-point harnesses and stable wheels are key, and don't forget to read up on real user experiences about durability since some do wear out fast but others hold up great through multiple trips and we ended up using ours for years, yeah, totally worth the hunt within your budget.

Rey Abbasi avatar
Rey Abbasi 🥉 189 rep
24 days ago

Do the one arm drill to confirm you can fold, lift, and stand it closed without fuss. Pick a light model with a true one step auto lock and standing fold, compact secure latch for gate check, sturdy hinge, strong brakes, five point harness, good recline and canopy, then stress test the fold at home before the return window.

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