The Best Baby Carriers and Strollers According to a Full-Time Traveling Family
As a parenting and pregnancy blogger, I've been able to try out nearly every type of device designed to help you transport a baby or child. At any given time, our three-car garage would house at least five different strollers and my closet held multiple baby-wearing carriers.
When we sold our house to move into an RV and travel the country full time, we had to pair all of that way down and be very intentional about the strollers and carriers we did bring with us. They literally had to be (more than) worth their weight and the space they would take up. (While we're exploring the country via RV, you may be flying with your baby gear and you'll need to know these airline stroller policies.)
Here are the baby carriers and strollers that have worked best for us on the road this year.
DEUTER KID COMFORT AIR CARRIER
We launched our full-time life on the road right after our baby turned 1 year old. As the year has gone on and he's grown, our needs have changed and so has the baby gear we carry with us.
One constant, though, has been our Deuter Kid Comfort Air Carrier. We reviewed it for our YouTube channel earlier this year after five solid months of use. We're now 10 months into using it multiple times a week and we still love it just as much, if not more.
Best for: This pack is for days when we know our toddler will need to be up for long stretches as we hike or navigate places that aren't safe for him to explore on foot. From Yellowstone to Maid of the Mist at Niagara, it's kept him safe and given him a great vantage point to take in the sights.
The Deuter is an investment, but it's lightweight and doesn't take up a ton of room in storage. It's comfortable enough for parent and baby to use for hours at a time.
XOXO Baby Carrier
Another great carrier that we used more frequently in the beginning of the year when our son was napping more during the day and weighed a bit less was the XOXO Baby Carrier.
Best for: This is perfect for snuggling babies close when you need your hands free. This was a go-to at farmers markets and on scenic strolls that didn't classify as strenuous hikes.
The XOXO starts at $100, and it takes up as much space and weighs about as much as a heavy sweater. It's really easy to roll up and shove in a carry-on. It's ideal for parents who want the comfort and closeness of a traditional baby wrap, but also the convenience and ease of a buckle carrier.
JOOVY ZOOM 360 ULTRALIGHT JOGGING STROLLER
At launch, the only stroller that made the cut onto the RV was our Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight jogging stroller.
Best for: We chose this to start the trip because we wanted a stroller that could navigate hiking trails, rough terrain and offer a lot of storage. This stroller is an investment, but is cheaper than some comparable jogging strollers.
It's served us well, but we noticed we were relying on it less for walks down rocky paths (because of our Deuter) and more for strolls through zoos and museums. This makes the jogging functionality of it less important while out sightseeing.
We also found ourselves pushing more than one kid on this single stroller quite often when little legs got tired.
We kept the Zoom so my husband can take the baby on long runs while he trains for a marathon as we travel.
Joovy Caboose Too Ultralight Stand-On Tandem Stroller
But, as of last month, we are now using the Joovy Caboose Too Ultralight Stand-On Tandem Stroller as our main sightseeing stroller. (Yes, our RV actually has a ton of storage room, thank goodness.)
Best for: This stroller is fantastic for sights where our 5-year-old (and even 7-year-old, sometimes) needs to rest and ride for a few minutes. Also great for anywhere we need to keep the toddler safely contained, like the Toronto subway.
The Joovy Caboose Too Ultralight folds down relatively small for being big enough to seat two kiddos. The storage basket isn't as big or accessible as the Zoom, but we still make it work.
Bottom Line
While these options are what have worked best for us, all families and travel situations are unique. It's important to look at what you'll really need your baby carriers and strollers to do for you, and if you plan to travel for a long time, you should be open to selling and replacing things that you and your family outgrow. For example, when Mommy Points' kids were little, one of her favorite pieces of baby travel gear for flying and city-use was the Doona Infant Car Seat Stroller, but that isn't as essential for full-time RV life as the Deuter Kid Comfort Air Carrier.
If you do decide to add to your collection of baby travel gear, check out the Best Credit Cards to Use on Amazon Purchases and the Best Credit Cards for Purchase Protection, just in case something goes wrong.
What's your favorite baby carrier or stroller that you take on the road? We'd love to hear about it.
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