Silver Cross Pop
$250, Silver Cross, AlbeeBaby.com
Overall score: 2.5. It's light and compact, but the rickety ride drops the Pop's score down a bit. Plus, you can get similar strollers for much less.
Value: 2. It's not worth the $250, but if you can get it on sale for less, it's a decent everyday stroller.
The basics: 15.4 pounds. Good from 3 months to toddler. 20 inches at the widest point when it's unfolded. Collapses to 41.3 12 by 9.5 inches.
The extras: The lightweight Pop features four-wheel suspension, dual ergonomic handles, and a convenient shoulder strap. The large canopy is UV protective, and it comes with a large, ventilated rain cover.
Folding and storage: Folding the Pop is similar to folding the popular Maclaren Quest. It's quick but takes two hands. The automatic latching mechanism is incredibly helpful. Unfolding it is effortless as well. Once it's collapsed, the stroller isn't much larger than an umbrella stroller. It fits into a small trunk and can be stored in a hall closet.
Pros: By far our parent-testers' favorite feature was the Pop's size for storage. Urban parents didn't have to dedicate valuable apartment space to the stroller, and suburban parents could toss it into the trunk of a small car. Going up and down stairs was simple enough, even with one person. "The streamlined frame makes it easy to grip to carry it onto the subway or bus," said one tester. Testers liked that the stroller didn't take up the entire sidewalk. The rain cover keeps little ones dry, and the fabric repels water. The comfortable seat is a cinch to recline and clean. A little water and a quick scrub cleaned up soggy, mashed animal crackers. Plus, the footrest can be elevated, so it's more comfortable for small babies. There isn't a ton of storage, but it is enough for a purse and a couple of toys or a small diaper bag. Testers also liked that they could hang additional things from the dual handles.
Cons: The Pop maneuvers well, but any bumps in the sidewalk are felt. The wheels have trouble on anything but level, smooth ground. Testers found that the rickety ride was prone to wake up sleeping children. They also said that they had little control when trying to steer one-handed. One tester found that talking on the phone while steering was problematic. There isn't a cup holder either, so a quick morning walk, coffee in tow, was more stressful than relaxing. Parent-testers also expressed concern over the traction of the wheels and said they wouldn't be comfortable taking the stroller over slick surfaces. "I wouldn't recommend this stroller to parents living in places where it snows or rains a lot," one mom cautioned. The seat does recline, but not fully. Testers were also frustrated with the harness, which is awkward to fasten and unfasten. "It got stuck and wasn't easy to release," one mom said.
Who will love this stroller? Families that are looking for a compact, lightweight-but-sturdy stroller, don't carry a ton of extras, and aren't concerned with rough roads.
Continue: EvenFlo Aura
