Chicco Cortina KeyFit 30 Travel System
$153, $330 with car seat, Chicco, Target
Overall score: 3. It's a middle-of-the-road stroller at a midrange price.
Value: 3. For the price, you get what you'd expect to get.
The basics: 22 pounds. Good from birth to 50 pounds. 21 inches at the widest point when it's unfolded. Collapses to 32 by 13.5 by 20 inches.
The extras: The Cortina Travel has an one-handed-folding mechanism and an automatic storage latch. The fully reclining seat also features a special "memory recline," which "remembers" the last position of the seat before it was folded. The adjustable-leg-rest, canopy, and all-wheel-suspension features round out the stroller.
Folding and storage: It can be awkward at first, but with a little practice, the folding mechanism is uncomplicated to use and can be done with one hand. The latching system helps to keep the stroller fully collapsed. Like many comparable full-size strollers, it is still large when folded.
Pros: The Cortina is a practical stroller. The frame and parts, though plastic, seem strong. The seat fabric is machine washable. The five-point harness helps to keep squirmy kids secure. Parent-testers liked that the seat reclines almost flat. The canopy is water resistant and can be moved in front of the child to keep them dry. The removable child's tray and the upper tray for parents help to keep everything organized, and the stroller has an average amount of storage. It maneuvers well on smooth ground, even one-handed. "It's perfect for things like going to the mall or for a walk around the neighborhood," said one tester. Plus, the price is right. "For what you're getting and at the price you're getting it, I have no complaints," added our tester.
Cons: It's a nice-looking stroller, but it's not "posh." If you want to feel like the cool family in your neighborhood, the Cortina isn't for you. "It has all the important things, it just doesn't have any pizzazz," said one tester. Parent-testers were also disappointed with the size of the folded stroller. The stroller is tricky to store due to the width of the wheels, so you're going to want to keep this one in the garage. Like similar models, the Cortina's problematic to hoist into the trunk, and it doesn't leave much room in a small sedan's trunk. Plus, stairs are demanding because of the stroller's weight. Two people can handle it just fine, but it's too heavy for one. Testers also said that it is hard to maneuver over rocky ground, on grass, or in snow. The wheels aren't heavy-duty, so they won't handle rough terrain or inclement weather as well as other models do. The Cortina also loses points on the seat's upright positions: It doesn't sit all the way up and it's uncomfortable for a young baby to reach the tray. While the storage features seem substantial, one mom said that a few of her things fell out and got lost. "It's oddly shallow for a stroller basket," she noted.
Who will love this stroller? Practical, suburban families (read: no public transportation!) that are looking for a functional, well-made stroller at a manageable price but aren't concerned with having the newest, coolest stroller on the block.
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