It’s no secret that we here at eMercedesBenz love winter and taking part in as many outdoor winter activities as we can, but as the father of a two year old (with another one on the way), I’ve come to learn that outside options for my son are somewhat limited.  But as anyone that’s met my son knows, attempting to contain him to the indoors isn’t really an option.  He has more energy than anyone I’ve ever met, and he constantly needs to either be playing or be in motion.  He hates television; he’ll barely sit still long enough to read a 10-page book; but he loves to go on hikes in his pack; he loves being towed behind a bike; and he loves anything else that lets him see the world in motion.  Because of this infatuation with activity, I knew I had to have an outlet that would allow me to take my son out in the winter months.  At first, it seemed like a daunting task to take my son out in the freezing temps and heavy snow of the Midwest, but the truth is, it’s actually quite easy, provided you have the right plan of attack.  For me, this meant figuring out how to involve my son in the activities I do on an almost daily basis outside – hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing – and as it turns out, the answer was quite simple, and it existed in the form of the Chariot CX 2 X-Country Child Carrier.  How great is it you ask?  Read on to find out.

Chariot CX 2 X-Country Child Carrier

The Chariot CX 2 X-Country Child Carrier is, in a nutshell, the most versatile, well-built child carrier on the planet.  I’m already sounding overly complimentary, I know, but the truth is, there’s simply nothing else like it.  In describing the Chariot CX 2 X-Country, it’s best to to look at it as a modular transportation system for kids.  It quite simply does everything, acting as a normal stroller, a jogging stroller, a hiking stroller that you can tow behind you, a bike trailer, and in in the cold months, a winter carrier, all thanks to its modular CTS conversion system.  But before I delve into its versatility, let’s first look at the Chariot CX 2 X-Country’s core element: its chassis.

Unlike most child carriers that feature an open design, the Chariot CX 2 X-Country features a unique enclosed cockpit that can convert from completely enclosed to completely open, depending on the weather.  Think of it as a roadster for your kids.  You can drive it with the top up in the winter, but when the weather is nice, you put the top down and enjoy the warm summer air.  The Chariot is pretty much the same.  In the winter, there’s an integrated 2-in-1 weather cover and zip-down PU front window that covers the child compartment, offering quick and easy access to your kids while providing complete snow and wind proofing.  When the weather gets warmer, you have the option of rolling the front window up and letting your child enjoy the fresh air; however, there’s still a durable mesh shield in place to keep out the sun, bugs and debris (say, for instance, if you’re towing the Chariot behind your bike).  And lastly, you also have the option to roll up the mesh protection, offering complete open air enjoyment that’s perfect for warm weather walks and jogs, with a sunshade that still offers protection from UV rays.

From a construction standpoint, the entire Chariot CX 2 X-Country is built absolutely superbly.  It features a variety of fabrics including Touch-Tek reinforcement fabric, integrated premium Oxford nylon fabric, extra photo-luminescent Energlo fabric and 3M Scotchlite reflective material.  I’m not an expert on fabric selection, but I can tell you that after extensive use in a variety of demanding conditions, it’s held up beautifully, and it still looks and functions like new.  In dark conditions, the reflective materials clearly serve their purpose, as many areas of the Chariot seemingly glow in the dark.  In addition to the fabric, the CX 2 X-Country features several other features that bear mentioning as well.  The chassis itself features an external, mid-frame design thats both incredibly light and incredibly functional.  Despite its ability to hold two, the entire Chariot weighs in at a mere 30 lbs., and thanks to two quick release locks in the rear, it boasts the ability  to fold into a remarkably small surface area without any other disassembly.  Another key advantage of the external frame design is the Chariot’s cockpit.  Inside, because there’s no frame, children note a supremely spacious and open area that’s perfect for longer days on the road.  Protecting your child, Chariot has implemented a unique 5-point padded harness system, and a removable padded seat and fleece-lined interior offer a fantastic level of comfort for your little ones.  And what may be the best feature for new parents, Chariot has also developed a variety of interior appointments for new babies, including a baby bivy, an infant sling and a baby supporter, allowing you to take your child out in the Chariot from as young as a month onward (in a slower capacity, of course).

Chariot CX 2 X-Country Child Carrier

As fantastic as the Chariot CX 2 X-Country’s chassis is, it’s greatness is equally matched by the ingenuity of its CTS modular system.  The concept is really quit simple – the CX 2 X-Country features a total of 4 attachment points (two in the front; two in the rear), and depending on what activity you’re about to undertake, you can attach different components via these points.  So, for instance, if you’re about to go for a run, you simply attach the two 20-inch wheels in the rear along with the single-wheel running attachment up front.  If you want to convert the Chariot into an everyday stroller, you simply swap the front running wheel with two individual stroller wheels.  And if you want to take the Chariot out in the snow, you remove the front and back wheels, attach the two Rossignol skis in the rear attachment points, and you insert the aluminum tow bars into the front two attachment points.  In total, you can choose from five conversion kits:  the strolling kit, the jogging kit, the bicycle trailer kit, the hiking kit, and the cross-country skiing kit.  Best of all, conversion to any new kit takes literally 30 seconds once you’ve done it before, and require no tools.  You simply use the quick release buttons, and the rear axles and/or front attachments slide directly off.  You can’t get any simpler.

How great is the Chariot CX 2 X-Country?  I said it at the beginning of the article and I’ll say it again:  it’s simply the most versatile, well-built child carrier on the planet.  I’ve had my son in one since he was six months old, and he absolutely adores it.  I’ve trained for a triathlon with him; I’ve ridden 100-miles with him; and I’ve gone on 20+ mile runs with him.  No other child carrier can come close to this versatility and comfort for my son.  Thanks to the ski attachment, I can finally take him out in the winter as well, which he loves equally as much.  I’ve taken him cross country skiing, snowshoeing and hiking, and the Chariot has performed equally as flawlessly.  It simply glides through the snow, and as you can see from the photos, I just had it out in a fresh 12-inches of powder.  The design works brilliantly in the winter, because the clearance between the skis and the bottom of the chassis allows the snow to pass through.  I had my son in the carrier for about an hour in 15-degree temps, and I could barely pull him out of the carrier when I was done, as he was having such a good time.  If that’s not a testament to the greatness of the Chariot, I don’t know what is.

Chariot CX 2 X-Country Child Carrier

If you’re a parent and want to be active, you can’t get better than Chariot CX 2 X-Country.  It’s the best at what it does, which is allow you to get outside with your children and take them places you never could have taken them otherwise.  It’s one of those things that once you have it, you don’t know how you ever lived without it.  Pricing for the Chariot CX 2 X-Country is set at about $950, and the various attachments are sold individually, allowing you to select the functionality for the specific activities you’re interested in.  Also, it’s important to note that to note that everything I said pertaining to the Chariot CX 2 X-Country applies to the Chariot CX 1 X-Country as well – the only difference is the CX 1 is for one passenger, whereas the CX 2 is for two.  The features of both are identical, so if you only have one child, the CX 1 X-Country is equally as great.

If you’d like to learn more about the Chariot CX X-Country and its full list of features and attachments, you can head over to the official Chariot Carrier website for the full details.  If, on the other hand, you’re ready to take the plunge and buy your own, you can do so directly at REI.com, where they sell both the Chariot CX 1 X-Country and Chariot CX 2 X-Country.

If you could design the perfect stroller, what would it look like?  If you’re anything like me, you’d want a stroller that you could take anywhere, whether city streets or off the beaten path. You’d also want a stroller that would allow you to take your child along with you on your favorite activities, whether it’s a walk, a jog, a bike ride… even a x-country ski trip in the winter.  But beyond its functionality, you’d want a stroller that provided exceptional comfort for your little one while offering the highest level of safety wherever your adventures take you.

It sounds like a lot to ask from one stroller, but for the adventurers among us, it already exists, and it happens to come from the stroller brand that I’ve used for almost 5 years:  Thule Chariot.  Their strollers are less of what you’d consider a traditional stroller and more of a multifunctional child carrier, designed to let you go almost anywhere and do almost anything with your little one in tow.

When I first bought a Chariot, I went with a Chariot Cougar 1 (which I loved), and as soon as I was pregnant with my second child I upgraded to a Chariot CX 2.  Now with a third child arriving I again turned to Chariot to ensure I stayed as active as possible with my little one, and after much deliberation, I chose the new Thule Chariot Chinook 1.  It’s a carrier perfect for a huge variety of outdoor activities that looks great, is safe, and is incredibly functional.

Thule Chariot Chinook 1

My husband and I are both triathletes and regularly participate in bike races, and I can wholeheartedly say the only reason this is possible is because we take our kids along with us for training. Since my two older kids are still in the CX 2, the Chinook 1 was the perfect addition for the new baby, as it allows me to continue my complete fitness routine with my new baby and my husband to bring the other two kids well.  Best of all, because the Chinook 1 easily converts from a jogging carrier to a conventional carrier, it doubles as the perfect city stroller when my two kids are walking.

When looking at the Thule Chariot Chinook range, the first thing you’ll notice is that it comes in either a single (holds up to 75 lbs) or double (up to 100 lbs) configuration. If this is your first child and you plan on having more in the future, I would recommend going with the double from the start, as Thule Chariot carriers are built to last through all of your children. If you’re confident that seating for one is all you’ll need (as I was), the Chinook 1 is perfect.  Whichever size you choose, it’s important to note the features and benefits remain the same.

At its heart, the Chinook is designed around an anodized aluminum roll cage which creates a safe environment for you kids while keeping the weight down.  In the rear, two large and easily removable wheels can traverse nearly anything, while a single pivoting wheel in the front rotates 360 degrees and makes tight turns a snap. The pivoting wheel can also be easily be locked out for running or folded up (or removed) for biking with the optional bike attachment kit. I tend to leave mine attached when I bike as I often find myself parking my bike and heading to a farmers market or park.  If street and bike use isn’t enough, there’s even an additional winter kit you can purchase which lets you replace the rear wheels with a pair of skis and a tow bar up front, perfect for cross country skiing or a winter hike/snowshoeing trip.

Thule Chariot Chinook 1

Comfort was an obvious focus when designing the Chinook carrier as it offers reclining seats with removable extra seat padding and adjustable suspension, which if you’re heading out during nap time is an ideal way to keep your little one happy and asleep.  For infants, it includes a perfect support system, as the Chinook offers tremendous cushioning and head support, and there’s a five point harness system to keep your child securely in place.  There are also several window options built in that you can choose from depending on temperature, sun, etc. There are full window vents on the side that can be opened to cool the interior; there’s a front window that can be rolled up partially or fully; and there’s a second mesh shade that keeps your kids protected from bugs while still offering the fun of open air. When you’re not using the sunshade or screen, they simply roll up and have straps to keep them in place. In the winter months with colder temperatures I use a hot water bottle along with the Thule Bunting Bag and the enclosed design keeps my kids toasty warm even in the coldest weather.

In addition to the excellent head support infants, one thing I love about the Chinook is that it comes with everything you need for your babies first year of strolling including an infant car seat adapter and cargo bag that hooks on to the back of the carrier for additional storage. My only additional recommendation would be the bunting bag in the event you are planning to use the stroller in winter. It straps perfectly into the Chinook and can be used for children up to 2 years old.

Now that you know it can go virtually anywhere while keeping your little one comfortable and safe, what else can the Chinook offer?  The answer is ease of use. With all of the features it comes with, you might think that the Chinook is hard to set up and overly bulky, but in fact, it’s incredibly simple to use and folds quite well.  When your Chinook first arrives it will take you around 10 minutes to unpack and set up, as the large rear wheels and and handle bar click on easily and tool free. The reason this is so important is that not everyone has a large enough vehicle to accommodate the Chinook in one piece, so for those of you with limited trunk space, the Chinook is still a great option, as it can be folded to a manageable size in less than a minute. Another awesome feature is the ability to fold the Chinook with one hand, because as I’ve found, it’s always nice to be able to keep a hand on your other children when you’re in a busy environment.

In the end, I cannot recommend Thule Chariot carriers enough. With my Chinook, I’ve been able to continue doing all the activities I did prior to children, with the added benefit of being able to share it with them.  For anyone that wants to get or stay active with kids, you simply can’t beat a Thule Chariot for their fantastic performance, comfort and safety, and I wholeheartedly recommend them to active moms and dads everywhere.