Your first love always holds a special place in your heart. That’s the way it is with this stroller. It was a good choice. Given the same information, I’d make the same decision again. I’d recommend a different stroller is if it is highly likely that you’ll have 2 kiddos within 2 years… which we did. Our first took years to conceive and then… WAMMO! The second was quick and easy. We didn’t dream we’d have two riders at once. If you have 2 riding, then any one of the Phil&Ted’s lineup is an easy decision. But, I still do use and love the Zippy. I do not hesitate to recommend it.
The Basics
The Zippy accommodates babies from newborn to 45 lbs. It comes with a bumper bar and a snack/toy tray that interchange easily. It folds with one hand (really!) and stands upright when folded. It costs approximately $
The Raves
Easy to fold: This is the only stroller that I’ve ever tried that you can truly fold one handed. And I mean hold the baby in one arm and fold with the other. Like any stroller it does take a couple of tries before you can do it in one swift motion, but once you get it, it’s super easy. Last time I took this stroller to the Zoo, I felt like a super mom while folding my stroller with one hand, holding our 18-month-old in the other… all while sporting a big pregnant belly. The other moms were yelling after straying toddlers while using both hands to fold their buggies to load onto the train. I was the smooth coordinated one. This is a rare feeling for me. I still miss that ease when I’m pushing two buttons at once while trying not to scratch the paint or pinch any one of our 30 fingers while folding the Phil&Teds.
Small footprint when folded: The second great feature is how compactly this sucker folds! 40″x17″x13″. And, best of all, it stands upright! The footprint is 17″x13″. No need to lay it down or lean it against a wall! This is an amazing feature for a baby product: it is compact!!!
Light weight: There’s really no need to expand upon the last point; it’s a feather weight for the features it has. To make transport even easier, this lightweight, compact stroller sports a well positioned handle.
The Rants
Ride Quality: The only complaint we have (and my husband’s whining is the reason this pops to mind so quickly) is the ride quality. The wheels are hard plastic, not pneumatic - fairly standard for a regular stroller. But this does bug Mr. Picky and he frequently voices his opinion on the topic. It really doesn’t bother me or either Little Picky, but it does bug him. This was magnified when the city resurfaced a couple streets between our house and the park.
That’s it… one rant. I like this stroller. Next are what I’ll call “potential rants”
Handlebar height: The handle bar does not adjust. It works for us, but we’re both of average height - I’m 5′8″ and he’s 5′9″. If you’re significantly taller or shorter, it may not be as comfortable. I highly recommend test driving a stroller before buying one. The extra few bucks you spend buying at a brick and mortar store is well worth it, if it prevents you from buying a stroller that doesn’t fit. If you’re in the Cleveland area, I highly recommend Strollermama.
Storage: The below the seat storage is on the small side. I think it is slightly only slightly below average, but seems smaller due limited access due to the position of the cross members. If you’re stuffing a jacket or other flexible item under there, it’s not a problem. But if you’re trying to fit an entire full grocery bag, it’s not going to work. We get around this (and save a grocery bag from the landfill) by individually placing the items in the storage area. We really only use this area for grocery shopping or stuffing coats or blankets. Most of our baby gear ride along in our Skip*Hop Duo. Overall, these are a small, small disadvantages, outweighed by the other wonderful features.
Other
Despite being poorly called out in the instructions (or maybe I’m just clueless) it does recline. This is a feature I really wished it had for about a year… until I was looking at the back wondering “what does that thingy do?” Yep, it reclines. Do you know how many times we could have used that feature in the first year of life?!
We have the old 2006 model. I’m fairly certain that the fabric is not removable…but the 2009 model boasts completely removable, hand washable fabric! That’s rare find! That would that have been especially nice after a 3-sippy-cup-zoo trip! I’d love to hear tips on how to get peepee out of non-removable stroller fabric. That just gave me an idea - I should start using my PiddlePad for long stroller outings.
The Verdict
If you will only have one kiddo in the stroller at a time, this is a great stroller!
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I have the 2003 model and the fabric sure is removable and washable- call the company if you need directions on how to do it but mostly you have to unsnap it and then pull it off the bottom and then the top.
Aura - I will give it a shot! That would make me love this stroller even more!