Cheap Umbrella Strollers

Inexpensive umbrella strollers: good for quick trips

Most parents say a cheap umbrella stroller is a necessity -- particularly for short trips or trips to spots where you wouldn't want to leave your expensive stroller behind (like the stroller parking sections at amusement parks). However, even inexpensive umbrella strollers have been edging up in price and features, trying to steal a page from Maclaren's book when it comes to style.

The 11-pound Kolcraft Tour Sport (*Est. $50) is "probably the most feature-rich and sturdy umbrella stroller" in its price range, says Heather Corley, About.com's guide to baby products. It has a padded, reclining seat, a cupholder for the grownup and an adjustable sun canopy -- three amenities you won't find on super-cheap, $20 discount-store strollers. Corley also notes that the Kolcraft has a wider seat than some cheaper strollers, and she names it one of her top 10 lightweight strollers in an undated article. Users at Amazon.com give the Kolcraft stroller an average rating of 4.5 stars (out of 5) in 13 reviews. Parents there especially appreciate its light weight, compact folded size, smooth steering and nice tall handles, which mean they don't have to hunch over to push the stroller. One prominent expert review source calls Kolcraft the best budget stroller brand on the market. The Kolcraft Tour Sport is the Best Reviewed budget stroller among our sources.

Reviews say the Kolcraft Tour Sport does have some drawbacks, but these are common to most budget strollers. The Kolcraft has a lower weight limit (35 pounds) than pricier models, and it has only a three-point harness -- straps that buckle around the waist and through the legs -- which parents say a wiggly older child could escape, unlike the five-point harness with shoulder straps you'll find on more expensive strollers. The Kolcraft has a rear storage bag, but the manufacturer advises putting no more than 3 pounds' worth of stuff in it to avoid tipping. One major expert source pronounces Kolcraft strollers sturdy, but not quite as durable as pricier strollers. A couple of parents on Amazon.com say the Kolcraft Tour Sport's backrest seems a little low, especially for tall children.

For a higher price, the 11-pound Chicco Ct0.6 (*Est. $75) offers a five-point harness and a small storage basket underneath. Otherwise, its features are similar to the Kolcraft's -- it has a canopy, reclining seat and 37-pound weight limit. About.com's Corley recommends this stroller alongside the Kolcraft, and another reliable expert review source recommends the Chicco Ct0.6 as a good lightweight, inexpensive stroller for taking on an airplane or short mall jaunts. The Chicco Ct0.6 also gets an average of 4 stars (out of 5) with more than 150 reviews posted at Amazon.com. Parents mainly say it's compact, relatively easy to maneuver and a good value. However several owners caution that the Ct0.6 stroller's short handles don't work well for taller parents and that people with long legs might find themselves kicking the stroller while they walk.

The First Years offers two inexpensive strollers that get good user reviews: The First Years Ignite (*Est. $60) and The First Years Jet (*Est. $45). Both have a five-point harness and hold children up to 50 pounds. Both include a parent tray with a cupholder and zippered pouch, along with side pouches and a storage basket underneath (although reviews say that is too small to be of much use). Both recline slightly and have an adjustable canopy. The difference? The Ignite has knobby tires, front-wheel swivel locks and a slightly larger, heavier frame than the Jet (14 pounds versus 11 pounds). The Jet stroller gets mostly glowing reviews at Diapers.com and an average of 4 stars (out of 5) with 80 reviews posted at Amazon.com. However, some users complain that the Jet's backrest is too short, the wheels wobble or the Jet has fallen apart. The beefier Ignite solves these problems, according to users at Amazon.com, where the Ignite gets an average of 4.5 stars with 75 reviews posted and is easily the favorite inexpensive stroller.