Cosco Altura
$65, Cosco, Strollers.com
Overall score: 3. It's got its flaws, but for the price it's a nice stroller.
Value: 3.5. It's not a luxury stroller by any means, but it's got good features and is well made compared with models in its price range.
The basics: 18.9 pounds. Good 4 months up to 40 pounds. 19.5 inches at the widest point when it's unfolded. Collapses to 33 by 14 by 19.5 inches.
The extras: The Altura features a one-handed-fold-and-stand mechanism. The full-cover canopy has a viewing window, and the child's tray is outfitted with an extralarge cup holder.
Folding and storage: Folding the stroller with the mechanism on the handle takes a while to get used to. After some practice, it's quick enough. It folds up into a pretty compact size. It's not an umbrella-style stroller, though, so it will take up some room in the car trunk and hall closet.
Pros: Parent-testers were pleasantly surprised by the Altura. The price is great, especially for a second stroller. "I have to say I wasn't expecting much, but it's got a lot of benefits that my bigger, more expensive stroller doesn't," said one tester. The stroller has plenty of storage and the basket is deep enough to keep things from falling out. The shade is large enough to block sun from a child's eyes, and its helpful viewing window allows parents to keep a watchful eye on forward-facing babies. Urban testers also felt that it's light and narrow enough to take on public transportation but offers more storage and durability than your average umbrella stroller. Plus, testers said it is easy to steer, even with one hand.
Cons: The seat only reclines into two positions, and is unfit for very young babies. Plus, it's not very soft. "It feels a bit like cardboard," said one tester. Testers also found that while the seat fabric is a cinch to clean, it looks as though it will wear quickly. "It's not heavy-duty," a mom said. While the stroller handles well on smooth surfaces, the wheels aren't able to handle grass or uneven terrain well. Testers also said that they would hesitate to take the Altura out in the rain or snow. And, while the parent storage tray is a nice feature, the cup holders are an odd size.
Who will love this stroller? Parents looking for a secondary stroller that's inexpensive and lightweight, but who need something a bit more substantial than your average umbrella stroller.
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