One of the more frequent questions we get at A Room Of Their Own is how to choose the best stroller. When first time parents look at the number of brands and model choices available, it can be confusing and stressful. But it doesn’t have to be if you keep some basic ideas in mind regarding your geographic location, your lifestyle, and your current and future needs.

Where do you live?
For families that live in the city, choosing the right stroller may actually mean choosing more than one stroller. Urban life usually means more walking, so a good heavy duty walking stroller may be your best option. But if you regularly use the subway or bus, a compact, lightweight umbrella stroller may be a good choice for those occasions. But you need to keep in mind that while umbrella strollers are convenient, they may cramp your infant, especially when they are dressed in bulky clothes. And because they don’t have a suspension system or much support, the ride is usually not very comfortable for your child, so you will probably want a second, more traditional stroller for longer walks around the block and in the park.

In the suburbs, a good walking stroller is also important, but another key consideration will be what kind of car that you drive. Suburban life for most young families involves a lot of short duration car trips – to the grocery, to the mall, to church, to grandparents. And that means a lot of folding and storing the stroller, and getting it in and out of the car. In this situation, you will need a stroller that will fold easily and compactly so that you can get other necessities in the trunk.

If you live in the country, you might need a stroller that can handle rougher terrain, so a stroller with larger air-filled tires and a good suspension becomes an important consideration. We offer all-terrain strollers that let you push your child on a variety of surfaces, from uneven sidewalks to gravel drives to unpaved roads and other off-road terrain.

Let your lifestyle be your guide.
For most families, a traditional four-wheel stroller with the features you need is a good choice. But how active you are, and how often you plan to use the stroller become an important part of your decision criteria. The more active you are, the more you should consider things like suspension, wheels, and extra features for convenience.

If you’re a runner or like to go on brisk walks, you might choose a three-wheel jogging stroller or heavy-duty walking stroller. Jogging strollers come with hand brakes, non-swivel or lockable front wheel, and larger, air-filled tires. In this case, the larger tires make it easier for the person who’s pushing, and the air in the tires helps provide as smoother ride for your infant. A longer, high handlebar provides more space for your legs and feet to avoid bumping into the stroller’s frame.

If you do jog or like to take brisk walks, you should always use a wrist strap attached to your wrist to keep the stroller from getting away from you if you fall or trip. And please keep in mind that most manufacturers suggest that a child should be 8 weeks or older and have some head support to withstand the potentially jarring ride.

What is your family like today, and what will it be like tomorrow?
Do you want a stroller made specifically for an infant or for a toddler? Do you plan to have more children? How soon? These are some of the questions we ask in order to help you make a best decision for your family.

A seat-carrier frame can be a good choice for newborns because they can’t sit up without support and thus can’t ride in a standard stroller. These lightweight frames have no seat of their own; you simply attach the infant car seat when strolling. But remember that the frame cannot be used as a stroller once your child outgrows the infant care seat. Other options for newborns are combo strollers and travel systems. These options are a combination carriage and stroller, and allow a bassinet or infant car seat to be snapped into the stroller until your baby can sit up. They can help you to comfortably move a sleeping baby without disturbing them. After your baby can sit up on its own, you can use the stroller without the bassinet or car seat.

If you plan on having more children, you may want to consider a tandem stroller that can be adapted with additional seating. Tandem strollers differ from side-by-side strollers as they have one seat directly behind the other, and are the same width as a single-passenger model. This allows them to more easily fit through doors and store aisles. But there are some cons to consider, as tandem models can be tricky to steer and maneuver over curbs and are often quite heavy.

Other considerations.
Who will be pushing the stroller? If the person who will be doing most of the pushing is above or below average height, you’ll want to pay attention to the height of the handlebars. Some strollers have adjustable handlebars, and you can buy attachments for others.

Where will you store it? If space is tight, either in the trunk or in the home, a more compact model is essential.

What special features are you looking for? Rain covers? Cup holders? Extra storage pockets? There are lots of choices to consider.

How much do you want to spend? Many parents are tempted to just buy the cheapest model that will fit their needs, but then regret it when the stroller breaks after just a few months of use. On the other hand, we don’t want you to spend a lot of money on a stroller and end up hating it because it’s not what you need after all. We try hard to understand your needs by asking these and other questions, and then encourage you to try the stroller out in the store before purchasing.

Our goal in everything we do is to work with you to make the right choice for your personal situation.

We wouldn’t want it to be any other way!