Before my little one was born, I perused the stroller aisle at my local BabiesāRāUs with little knowledge under my belt about what would make a good stroller. So, the travel system with the cutest pattern (a Graco FastAction Fold Click Connect in Happy Hedgehog) won out. Fortunately, I had unknowingly chosen one of the best, and most reasonably priced, travel systems on the market. Baby loved his infant car seat and I loved being able to click in and go!Ā
As time went on, baby outgrew his infant seat and I began to use the stroller by itself. Although the Graco stroller had some excellent features (see below), my LO hated not seeing me because he faced forward. He would crane his neck up as far as he could and stare at me pitifully. Well, I took pity. After doing extensive research (we are talking 60+ hours), I finally landed on a 2015 Uppababy Vista. The 2014 model didnāt quite do it for me, as it was missing several key features. Although its steep price tag puts it in the āluxury strollerā category, this may be one of the best baby purchases I have made so far.Ā
Which type of stroller is for you? Read on to find out!
Pros of the Graco FastAction Fold ClickConnect Stroller
Inexpensive! With the stroller, car seat, and car seat base, it runs between $150-200.
Has great storage: Two cupholders, a place to store keys/phone, good sized storage basket, snack tray, and cupholders for baby.
Folds with one hand and stores very compactly. It fit so well in the back of my Honda Fit!
You can fold the stroller with a reasonable amount of baby gear still in the storage basket.
The harness is straightforward and easy to use.
The tires will never go flat.
Cons of the Graco FastAction Fold ClickConnect Stroller
Definitely not the smoothest ride. Baby is going to feel those bumps and curb hops. I would not recommend this stroller for a trip to Europe or other cobblestone-happy regions. Indeed, you may be the only person on that continent with such a travel system. If you like the āfanny pack and American flag bandannaā look on vacation, though, by all means, take the stroller along. *wink*
The canopy does not extend, so there are many times when baby is not shaded from the sun.
There are a limited number of recline settings. At times an extremist, my LO never seemed happy with any of the options. He always wanted to be either more reclined or more vertical than possible.
The stroller is not reversible, so baby will always be facing forward.
The brakes are not very flip flop friendly.
Because there are double wheels in the front, it does not do very well in tight spaces. Turn on a dime, it does not.
It has a slightly obnoxious Velcro peekaboo window that is sure to wake baby from a slumber if opened.
Pros of the 2015 Uppababy Vista
Flip flop friendly brake. Perfect for those Texas summers (Texas springs, falls, and winters, too!)
Comes with a bassinet, which is the only one on the market that has been tested and approved for overnight sleep for newborns. Great space-saver if you are in a small house or apartment.
Reversible! For me, this is the most important part. Baby can face you or the wide world.
Has multiple recline options, ranging from completely horizontal to completely vertical. Perfect for napping babies and alert babies alike!
Has a huge extendable canopy with UV protection. No matter where that pesky sun is, there is always a way to protect babyās sensitive skin and eyes.
Has a wonderfully quiet magnetic peekaboo window. Itās the little things, you know...
Can convert to a double stroller when the time comes. It even offers the option to add a rollerboard for an older child. The possibilities for configurations with the bassinet, seat, rumble seat, and rollerboard are endless!
Folds smoothly and has an automatic lock to keep it folded.
When you want to reverse the seat, the parts snap in and out, well, in a snap!
Can be folded with the seat in place, unlike most other luxury strollers. Keep in mind that the seat must be in the forward position to do so.
Has a huge storage basket under the seat. Perfect for grocery shopping or a large diaper bag.
The handlebar has multiple settings for the petite and Amazonian alike.
Such a smooth ride. One-hand maneuverability that will allow you to pop onto curbs like a pro. With the handle bar extended fully, this is even easier given the extra torque. This stroller truly turns on a dime. I was worried at first because it is slightly wider than the Graco, but I can honestly get in and out of smaller spaces with the Vista. Also, dirt roads and cobblestone are a cinch. The strollerās suspension is a force to be reckoned with.
No flat tires. The wheels have great suspension and there is no need to worry about filling them with air.
Fits in the trunk of my Honda Fit. It does take up more space than the Graco, but it will fit when configured correctly.
Can be used for light jogging and it has front wheel locks.
Comes in super cute colors. My husband (of all people) insisted we spend the extra $50 for the Georgie blue color. Several of the new colors cost a bit extra because of the black metal frame (or so the company says). The Georgie has a lovely sheen to it and it is a very high quality material.
Once folded, it can stand on its own.
Comes with a rain cover and mosquito net for the stroller. Perfect for those outdoor excursions with baby. Do you think he might be ready for Lollapalooza next year?
If you do a lot of traveling, it is possible to buy a smartly-designed travel bag for the stroller that includes insurance if something happens to the stroller during travel. Not pointing any fingers at the airlines, but yes, it would be covered if it was damaged during air travel as well. The Libertarian in me thinks this might be a good purchase when dealing with the TSA. Thatās all Iām saying.
Cons of the 2015 Uppababy Vista
It certainly doesnāt win the award for cheapest stroller. The 2015 runs around $820-860. If you shop around, you can get a slight discount. I ordered mine via phone through a Colorado-based company called StrollerDepot. They gave me a nice discount, and there was no shipping (or sales tax, since I am in Texas). I have also heard that you can order it in person atĀ Bed Bath and Beyond with a 20% off coupon.
The brake can be a bit loud if baby is sleeping.
In order to fold the stroller with the seat in place, it must be forward facing. It does take a little bit of experimentation to find out the best way to configure it for trunk storage.
No cupholder. Ugh! I know it is a small investment, but you would think they would spring for a place to store your water bottle! I currently have Think King Stroller Hooks on mine to hang my CamelBak bottle. If you want an organizer, I hear the Britax cupholder works better with the Vista than the Uppababy cupholder. I will let you know if I cave and decide to get one.
The harness straps are not the most user-friendly. They sometimes come loose on their own, and they occasionally disconnect from the back of the stroller. That being said, there is no re-threading necessary to adjust the fit of the harness and the buckle snaps together easily.
The ugly warnings for the harness are glaringly posted on the outside of the shoulder pads. I know, I know. Safety first. But still...Couldnāt they put them somewhere slightly less conspicuous?
My husband complains that the belly bar scratches the side of the stroller frame when it is not clicked in. I tell him that it should always be clicked in, anyway, but he says he thinks it happens when he is adjusting our LO. This is entirely possible.
It doesnāt seem to lay evenly on its side when being stored. This can be annoying if it isnāt situated in the trunk correctly, especially when making many stops and starts.
Sometimes part of the large storage basket is blocked by the strollerās footrest. This will depend on the angle of the footrest and the recline position of the seat.
Does not fold easily with items in the storage basket. You will need to remove the items before storing the stroller.
I hope this article helps in your quest for a stroller with the perfect balance between price and quality. Check back soon for a review of LOās new convertible car seat!
