The First Years Jet

Safety

Good basic safety features. The Jet comes with a five-point safety harness, but some parents say the buckle is too easy for toddlers to open. The Jet has rear brakes that lock independently.  The stroller has a manual lock to keep it from opening when folded.

Ease of use

Simple assembly. Owners describe the First Years Jet as easy to assemble out of the box, easy to fold and unfold and small enough to keep in the back of a car for anytime use. It's described as easy to push on smooth surfaces.

Lifestyle features

Well featured for the price. For an umbrella stroller in its price range, the First Years Jet is equipped with a surprising number of features, and multiple owners report that they have found a great value in this stroller. The Jet has a parent console that holds drinks, keys, and other small items as well as a small, under-seat storage basket that most parents like, but that some say is difficult to access when the seat is reclined. The Jet draws particular praise for its higher handle height that makes pushing more comfortable for taller parents. However, some users complain about kicking the back of the stroller. It's super light at just 11.5 pounds, and folds up small enough to fit in most car trunks.

The seat on the Jet has a partial recline and is recommended for babies from 6 months and up. It has a 50-pound weight rating, though some parents complain that the backrest is not tall enough for taller kids. In fact, many parents say it does not fit bigger children well, but others say they don't think their child will be riding in a stroller when he or she weighs 50 pounds, so they don't take that into consideration. Parents describe the Jet's seat as comfortable for their children with fabric that feels good and is nicely padded. The adjustable, removable canopy is small, but parents say they don't expect much coverage in an inexpensive umbrella stroller. One highly recommended use of the First Years Jet by both owners and experts is as a travel stroller, particularly for airline travel. It's very lightweight at just 11.5 pounds and folds small for easy transport. It can be gate-checked easily. At its price point, experts say parents shouldn't worry too much about it being beat up in the sometimes rough and tumble world of baggage handling.

Some parents and one expert reviewer note that the Jet's front swivel wheels do not lock in the forward position, which can affect maneuverability in certain situations, but it seems to do fine on smooth surfaces.

Customer service

The First Years brand strollers all carry an industry standard one-year warranty. There are dozens of owner comments about First Years' prompt, polite customer service.

Bottom line

Parents describe the First Years Jet as practical, light and easy to use. It's versatile and great for travel or trips around town and is comfortable for both parents and children. It's not unusual to see comments from parents who own more than one Jet. It's not a heavy-duty stroller, and the canopy is almost useless, so if that's important to you, this isn't your stroller. But if you want a durable, inexpensive stroller for travel or everyday use, the First Years Jet may be a great choice.