Umbrella strollers make parenting life so much easier. They’re lightweight, convenient, and ergonomic. They can also be just as comfortable as traditional strollers–at least, they are for smaller children. Sadly, most umbrella strollers aren’t up to the challenge of carrying larger passengers.
Don’t worry, though! Our in-house expert on kids & babies, Jenny L. Brown, has come up with a couple of recommendations for parents who want the convenience of an umbrella stroller without compromising on sturdiness or safety.
Read on to see which umbrella strollers we currently recommend for larger kids, and to learn what makes them different from the competition!
Best Umbrella Stroller For Big Kids (2018): Our Reviews
Joovy New Groove Ultralight Umbrella Stroller
“There aren’t many umbrella strollers which can handle big kids, even among the pricey models, so it’s particularly impressive that Joovy have produced one that’s so affordable! While I think the UPPAbaby is better in a lot of ways, it’s also twice the price of the Joovy. So, if you’re looking to save money without putting a bigger kid in danger, this is the umbrella stroller for you!”
Pros:
It’s very affordable. You can grab one of these for half the price of the UPPAbaby. It’s a significant price difference, and it’s one of the reasons we’re so impressed by the Joovy. Sure, the UPPAbaby is premium in every regard, but the Joovy provides the basics of the umbrella stroller experience for a low price and without sacrificing sturdiness.
It’s the only budget-priced umbrella stroller we’ve found that’s suitable for big kids. The Joovy is rated for kids up to 55 pounds/44”! It may not be as rugged as the UPPAbaby, but the aluminum frame is quite sturdy and feels safe.
It has all the basic amenities you expect: a UPF 50 canopy that folds in and out of place, plus dual cup holders and a storage pocket. No real frills, but nothing key missing either.
It only weighs 14 pounds. That makes it about a pound lighter than the UPPAbaby, even though they have the same weight rating. This might not be quite as light as some other umbrella strollers, but it’s certainly a heck of a lot lighter than your average single.
One of the nicest things about the Joovy is its deep recline angle. Most umbrella models don’t go nearly as far. There’s even a bassinet mode, which means you can use it straight from birth.
It handles surprisingly well for a budget model, and has basic suspension to take some of the bumps out of the ride. That’s particularly important when you’re dealing with a bigger kid!
As with any good umbrella stroller, it has a simplified folding mechanism and breaks down into a convenient bundle. It comes with a shoulder carry strap for public transport.
Taller parents will definitely like this one: it has higher handles than most other umbrella models, and noticeably so.
Cons:
Folding mechanism isn’t as good as UPPAbaby’s. We don’t have any real quibbles, but we’ve heard from a number of parents who hated it. Some people needed two hands, or another person to help, which rather defeats the point of an umbrella stroller. There are multiple steps, and it’s easy for fabric and straps to get in the way and cause a headache.
You certainly do make some sacrifices to save money with this one. Compared to the UPPAbaby, it has fairly light construction. Things like cup holders are noticeably cheap plastic, and the fabric stains easily. This definitely won’t be your last stroller, though you should get decent mileage out of it.
There are also some design flaws: the storage pockets are inside, so the more you carry, the less room your child will have. It also doesn’t sit straight up all the way.
UPPAbaby G-LITE Stroller
“UPPAbaby’s updated G-LITE stroller is one of my favorites in any category. It’s ergonomic, reliable, and almost unbelievably light for its weight ratings and size. I think it’s the best umbrella stroller on the market for parents with older, larger children to transport. You’ll pay about twice the price of the Joovy to get one, but it’s more than worth the investment!”
Pros:
The UPPAbaby is one of the very best umbrella strollers, period. The fact that it can hold larger kids is just an added bonus! It has an excellent folding mechanism that’s truly one-handed–no foot required, either. As far as we’re concerned, it exemplifies the convenience of this format.
It’s comfortable without adding any extra weight. That’s a tough balance to strike, so we think this model is particularly impressive for doing it so well. The mesh seat material is lightweight but still feels strong and is easy to maintain. It’s nice and breathable, and there’s a secure 5-point harness attached.
It’s very adjustable. There’s a zipper recline feature, and it’s easy to adjust the footrest and straps to suit your child.
The UPPAbaby is almost ludicrously light. Its aluminum frame is sturdy without adding weight, and it’s actually more rugged than the Joovy! It has the same 55-pound capacity as the Joovy but shaves off about 4 pounds. The whole thing is only 11 pounds in total.
All the components are well-made and well thought-out. That’s what you want in a premium stroller, after all!
It handles and steers impeccably. This one’s an absolute joy to bring around town! It has complete suspension and lockable front wheels.
The UPPAbaby has much more storage than the Joovy, despite being so much lighter. It has an easy-access basket with a 10-pound capacity. The best thing is that using your storage space doesn’t sacrifice your child’s comfort (unlike with the Joovy).
As you’d expect, it has a shoulder strap for easy carrying. This one’s actually fairly pleasant to carry that way, too, since it’s so darn light!
Cons:
This new version is incredibly lightweight, but the downside of the new design is that it doesn’t stand up on its own when it’s folded. It’s a minor inconvenience, but certainly something to know before you buy.
Unlike the Joovy, it doesn’t recline completely or have a bassinet mode.
It’s expensive. The UPPAbaby is about twice the price of the Joovy.
Conclusion
Which of our recommendations is the best choice for you?
The decision is fairly simple, thankfully! It all comes down to how much money you’re prepared to spend. If you can afford the UPPAbaby, we strongly recommend going for it. If you have a tighter budget, stick with the Joovy. It’s that simple!
What’s Next
You can find out more about the strollers we’ve recommended in this guide by clicking on the links above. That’s the easiest way to check ratings, current prices, and color options. You can also head over to our homepage to find convenient links to all our buying guides, including many more stroller recommendations!
Abby Larson
