Mutsy 4 Rider Light
$545 without bassinet, $770 with bassinet, Mutsy
Overall score: 3. Well made and well designed, but its large size and lack of included accessories are drawbacks.
Value: 3. For what you're paying, you should be getting all the bells and whistles.
The basics: 19 pounds. Good from birth to 55 pounds. 24.8 inches at the widest point when it's unfolded. Collapses to 42 by 24.8 by 11.8 inches with wheels, 39.4 by 20.5 by 9.5 inches without wheels.
The extras: Mutsy's original stroller features a sturdy frame and large swivel wheels. The stroller comes with a canopy, bumper bar, and hand pump for the wheels. If you're willing to shell out a bit more money, the company also offers some unique accessories, including a shopping-basket attachment, dinner tray, and even a step-up board for tired older siblings.
Folding and storage: As long as you don't mind using both hands, this stroller is one of the uncomplicated to fold and unfold out there. While the frame is large even when collapsed, it can stand on its own and fits into a closet or hallway.
Pros: The 4 Rider Light handles more like a luxury SUV than like a typical stroller. Its large wheels glide over bumpy sidewalks, grass, and even gravel. Sleeping babies stay asleep, even when being pushed over a rocky path. Rain, snow, and sleet aren't issues for the 4 Rider Light. The stroller corners like a dream. Testers delighted in the fact that they could open a door that pulled toward them with one hand while navigating the stroller smoothly through the door with the other. The storage capacity of the stroller is adequate, and parent-testers appreciated that the basket, which sits toward the steering side of the frame, is readily accessible. Plus, this stroller is built to last: The metal frame is thick and strong, and the seat and the bassinet fabric is tough, dries quickly, and is no trouble to clean. The bassinet even comes with a soft, removable cover that can be tossed into the wash. "I could see the 4 Rider [Light] lasting for years," said one tester.
Cons: Mutsy's classic stroller fared better with our suburban testers than our urban testers. Urban testers were concerned with the massive 24.8-inch back wheelbase width. It takes up most of the sidewalk. "It's great for trips to the park, but it's not going to fit into a bodega," said one mom. Another downfall is the weight of the stroller. The frame alone is 19 pounds, and it's a large frame. Our urban testers were so put off by the size of the stroller that none were comfortable attempting public transit. Even taking it down the stairs of a walk-up was difficult with two people. When the stroller is fitted with the bassinet, there's no natural place to grip its back, so it is uncomfortable to lift. One mom was disappointed that more accessories weren't included with the stroller. A rain shield and a cup holder are going to cost you, and at $545 you should be getting it all.
Who will love this stroller? Suburban families who aren't reliant on public transportation and are looking for a sporty, well-made, well-designed stroller for outdoor activities.
