#g-luxe

This is not a post about strollers. This is about A stroller. But for you to truly understand the love I have for my UPPAbaby G-Luxe, first I must briefly introduce you to the ghosts of strollers past. When my son, Ollie, was born 20 months ago the Graco car seat used with the “Snap N Go” frame was like his lazy boy on wheels. He spent a solid chunk of time snuggly nestled into that seat, as I walked and walked the streets of our Brooklyn neighborhood, trying to coax him into sleep and keep myself sane.  I mostly loved that whole set up. He was uber safe in there, well-protected from the summer sun and tucked away just enough so that when we encountered the sweet but overly-friendly old lady in the grocery store, I didn’t have to worry about her grabbing at his chubby cheeks or exposed toes.  And the giant basket below allowed me to load up on groceries while still hauling around a 15 lb. diaper bag. But pushing that thing down the streets of Brooklyn? Kinda impossible. It’s just not meant to be your go-to cruising stroller.  Enter Stroller #2, which need not be named by brand. Stroller #2 is the boyfriend that you might even introduce to your parents but you know in your heart, he’s just not the one. With Ollie at the ripe old age of 3 months, it felt too soon to consider an umbrella stroller and so we searched the interwebs for the best deal, used what remaining gift cards we had, and secured Stroller #2. From Day One my kid was just not into it. Maybe he was too far off the ground, maybe the sun shade was too big, blocking his view from the outside world. And adjusting the straps? Let’s just leave it there. There was constant whining with Stroller #2, which made for a lot of SWS (snacking while strolling) in an effort to keep him quiet and us rolling along. And so, from the moment I purchased Stroller #2, I was in the market for Stroller #3. My poor husband.

Buying an umbrella stroller was the light at the end of my “nothing is good enough” tunnel. When Oliver was 9 months olds, he was big enough and sturdy enough for us to take the plunge. I wanted lightweight, easy to stroll, manageable on the subway. I wanted something that could take on the mean streets of Brooklyn (smug faced hipsters refusing to change course for an oncoming stroller and bodegas with two step entries). I asked my mommy friends and sisters-in-law, read countless online reviews, and appealed to the neighborhood listserv in search of a solid recommendation and I was told I had two options: 1. the UPPAbaby G-Luxe (Not to be confused with UPPAbaby Vista, which, while an excellent stroller option, is most certainly not lightweight or easy to fold) or 2. a Maclaren. Ok, but which one? Both seemed very lightweight and similar in price. Few people could really point me in one direction and after a few dizzying nights comparing and contrasting, my husband demanded I make a decision. Not because Ollie was desperate for a new ride but because he was sick of the heavy sighing from where I sat at the computer. So, I finally bit the bullet and went for the UPPAbaby G-Luxe and never looked back. Here’s why:  the stroller has an adjustable recline, which means your kid can nap (or not nap) on the go – a huge plus. The very lightweight aluminum frame is super easy to open and just as easy to fold up. – no extra set of hands needed. This is helpful on a daily basis but also makes it an ideal stroller for traveling – use it in the airport or throw it in the grandparents’ car. And as a bonus, the stroller has a shoulder strap, which makes it manageable to carry when your toddler refuses to sit in it and instead insists on walking (at the slowest pace possible while stopping every ½ second to explore…more on that another time). Another perk? The sunshade has a UV panel, which gives us crazy mamas just a little more piece of mind. And let me say, it was love at first stroll for me and the little monster. That first walk down the main drag in our hood was heaven. It was so easy to push! I swear I heard the birds chirping and the air smelled sweeter (i.e. pizza, coffee).  Ollie was quiet. And if he wasn’t quiet, he was happily babbling. I’m telling you, in his eyes (and maybe mine too), he had gone from a church van to a top-down convertible and all of a sudden the streets were his. He was closer to the ground and his legs were free to move about. Same goes for his arms. Strapping him in was a breeze and the sunshade blocked the harsh overhead light but still allowed for him to take in the sights.

Do I have any complaints?  Only minor. The stroller has a pretty small storage basket but the good news is that hopefully, by the time your kid is ready for an umbrella stroller, you’re also travelling with less stuff – fewer diapers, less emergency outfit changes, not as many cold packs for milk. You will try to compensate by hanging things (a purse, grocery bags) on the handles. Don’t do that. If your child is not in the stroller, weighing it down, the stroller will (definitely) tip over and you will lose your iced coffee to the playground pavement. I’ve been there, several times.

The moral of the story is that while it took me many months to get it right, I finally landed my dream stroller. Was it expensive? For sure - $189 to be exact  - but worth it? It really was. Especially as a city mom, who must use a stroller to get from point A to point B, this stroller makes all the difference and absolutely made my life easier. I’m pretty sure that if Ollie could sign his name here, as an endorsement for the UPPAbaby G-Luxe, he would. But don’t hold your breath. He’s good but not that good.