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.

As a new mom, one of the most daunting decisions you’ll face is choosing the right car seat. Talk to your friends or search the internet and you’re inundated with opinions on which brand and style are the best. The buying process only gets more confusing when you step into a baby store, as the options can be overwhelming.

If picking a car seat isn’t enough of a challenge, you then need to pick a stroller, which again presents you with a huge assortment of options.  And if you have more than one child, finding a stroller that accommodates different ages is even more difficult.

So how do you decide what car seat and stroller is right for you? For me, the most important things I looked for were the perfect combination of safety, function, and style. In my case, the brand that best fit my needs and requirements was a travel system from Orbit Baby.  It’s a completely customizable system that lets you tailor your stroller and car seat in one convenient package, and it’s flexible for both one child or multiple children, even of varying ages.

In my case, I opted for the Orbit Baby G2 car seat (it’s since been upgraded to the G3 with all the same great features in upgraded fabrics) as well as Orbit Baby’s Double Helix stroller frame.  I’ll tell you about each individually.

Orbit Baby G2 Car Seat

The Orbit Baby G3 Infant Car Seat

The Orbit Baby G3 Infant Car Seat is a stylish, great-looking car seat that offers state-of-the-art safety features. Orbit Baby is known for their technology-driven designs, and the G3 is a prime example of the time and effort they’ve put in. Their car seats have passed the most stringent of safety tests, including the side-impact tests.  While this is often an overlooked rating when buying a car seat, almost half of all car accident fatalities for children under 8 occur from side-impact collisions. Because of these staggering numbers, Orbit Baby took additional steps to ensure maximum protection for your baby. Taking safety a step further, Orbit Baby only uses products that are BFR free, as they’ve been found to be toxic to both humans (especially children) and the environment.

Functionally, the Orbit Baby car seat is the bet car seat I’ve ever used.  Once the Orbit Baby G3 base in installed in your car – which is a 60 second process, thanks to Orbit Baby’s brilliant StrongArm mechanism – you simply set the car seat straight in onto the base, and you then rotate to connect.  Yes, you read that right – no more leaning in and twisting the car seat to get it lined up to lock it in.  Simply set it straight on the base, turn, and you’re done.  Not only does it guarantee that you have perfect installation every time, but when you’re putting the baby in and out over and over, the ease of getting the car seat in and out is truly a back saver.  As for carrying the G3, the unique soft handle differs from conventional hard handles, making it more comfortable to carry than conventional car seats.  I can’t tell you how many people have stopped me and complimented the handle, and after using it, I’d never consider going back to a hard handle again, it’s that good.  Lastly, another feature I love is the integrated UV shade, which extends the main sunshade to provide 100% protection from the sun and elements.

Orbit Baby G2 Car Seat and Double Helix Stroller

The Orbit Baby Double Helix Stroller Frame

But as much as I love Orbit Baby’s car seat, what makes the Orbit Baby travel system truly remarkable is its integration with Orbit Baby’s strollers, which comes in both a single or the double helix design (I have the double).  Like the car seat base, the stroller allows you to dock the car seat and rotate to lock. It is what Orbit Baby calls SmartHub technology. This works not only with the infant car seat but with the bassinet, toddler and stroller seats as well. So as your family grows, so does your stroller.

In my case, because I plan on expanding my family in the near future I opted for the stroller and Helix Plus upgrade kit, which turns the stroller into a double stroller that again works with all of Orbit Baby’s seats. You can use the double helix design with two car seats, with a combination of a car seat and toddler seat, etc.  There’s even a Sidekick Stroller Board that attaches to the side of the stroller for older children to catch a ride.

One of my favorite features of the stroller (in addition to its seating flexibility) is the ability to fold it with just one hand, which when you add in its compact folded size, makes the stroller easy to pop in and out of the car for  quick trips. The stroller also offers your child a 360 degree view of the world thanks to a rotating seat that allows you to point your baby in any direction.

And lastly, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I love the style of the Orbit travel system. The design of both the stroller and the car seat were done with clean lines, leaving out any unnecessary pieces to clutter the look. Color options for the stroller base are either black or gray, and the seat comes in black, mocha or ruby.

Having spent over 6 months with my Orbit Baby car seat and stroller, I’ve taken it with me on trips to New York City where it’s traversed overly crowded bumpy sidewalks and to the country for more scenic, off-road excursions, and I’ve yet to be disappointed with the car seat or the stroller.  I’m also looking forward to adding on the double helix addition, as it’s flexibility means no matter when my next baby comes, I know I’ll be prepared.

There are few companies that truly understand great design.  Apple, of course, is one, as their designs are simple and clean yet still boast more functionality than bulkier, more cluttered products.  And in the world of strollers, there’s Quinny.  If Steve Jobs and Jony Ive had teamed up to create a stroller, this would be it.  Their Moodd stroller has beautifully clean lines that are enhanced by its white frame, and yet hidden in its design are numerous smart, well thought out design features and functions.

Let’s start with the basics.  The Quinny Moodd stroller is a birth to 3 1/2 stroller that will quite literally take you anywhere. For ease of pushing, it’s fitted with two large rear wheels and a single, lockable wheel in the front. For city strolling and easy maneuvering, leave the front wheel unlocked, and the Moodd is easily the most maneuverable stroller I’ve ever used.  When the terrain gets a little rougher or you’re going on a long walk in one direction, lock the front wheel for perfect straight line pushing.  As an everyday, around town stroller, the Quinny Moodd is simply perfect to push.

Quinny Moodd Stroller rear facing seat

Beyond the basics, Quinny’s Moodd is extremely versatile and easily adjustable. To start, the Quinny Moodd can be fitted with either a Quinny Bassinet (the Dreami or the Tukk), making it a perfect choice for newborns and up, but just as impressively, the Moodd is compatible with almost any car seat on the market, thanks to the Multi-Model Adapter.  If you don’t want to use either a bassinet or car seat, Quinny’s standard reclining seat can be used from birth on up, providing a one size fits all option as well, and it works wonderfully.  For newborns or tired toddlers, recline the seat and adjust the footrest up for a perfectly quiet afternoon stroll.  To give your child a better view, turn the seat facing forward and let them take in the world.  Rotating the seat is incredibly quick and easy, as is making adjustments to the seating position.  And while your child is riding in perfect comfort, Quinny thought about your comfort as well, making adjusting the handlebar height to perfectly fit you so easy and accessible you can adjust as you go.

Quinny also considered safety in its design, incorporating a UV +50 sun shade that extends down to protect even the fairest of skin. And for days that are anything but sunny, the rain cover and repellant fabric come in extremely handy. The fabric used on the Moodd is especialy worth noting, as chances are something is going to get spilled or mud is going to be tracked in on little feet. The fabric on both the seat and the bassinets are easy to clean, keeping the Moodd looking like new no matter how dirty things get.

Quinny Moodd Stroller reclining seat

Storage wise, the Moodd comes with an integrated shopping basket that can hold up to 11 pounds, and if you’re headed to the farmer’s market or plan on doing a bigger amount of shopping, I recommend the Quinny Box that attaches between the split rear wheels as well as the matching Zapp Xtra cupholder for your morning coffee or fresh squeezed juice.  For everyday use, the Quinny Moodd modular storage has everything you need to stow your goods while you take your child on the go .

There’s no question that you’ll first fall in love with the Quinny Moodd based on its design, it is as much art as it is a stroller. But with it’s one button unfolding, its customizable options, smooth and easy steering and it’s brilliant design features, you’ll come to love your Quinny Moodd for so much more than its beauty.  For those that love great design and are looking to minimize their amount of baby gear, the Moodd is exactly what you’ve been looking for.

In a world where technology is a part of our everyday lives from the moment we wake up to the time we go to bed, it only makes sense that a stroller company adapted that technology to create the most advanced stroller ever built.  That company is 4Moms, and their Orgiami Stroller is packed full of the latest tech gadgetry, starting with a self charging battery that charges as you push.

“Why do you need a rechargeable battery on your stroller?” you ask.  For starters, it powers the daytime running and pathway lights on the stroller, ensuring no matter what time of day, your stroller and baby can be seen, while also giving you a better view of your path.  Even more impressively, the battery charges your cell phone or mobile device, so you don’t find yourself in the middle of a walk or shopping trip with no where to plug in. But the lights and integrated cell phone charger are just the begining of the 4Moms Origami’s brilliant features.

4Moms Origami Stroller, front

Anyone that’s ever used a stroller knows the biggest hassle of using one is the process of folding and unfolding it.  To open and to collapse the 4Moms Origami, it’s truly as simple as pushing a button. No locking or unlocking parts with your feet, no twisting handles at the same time as you turn – the power fold and unfold takes away any guesswork on whether you have the stroller set up right or collapsed fully, all with the push of a button.  It’s not only brilliant, it works flawlessly, and eliminates one of the biggest nuisances when using a stroller.  The Origami also folds in three dimensions, which means once folded, it notes a much smaller footprint than other similarly sized strollers.  This is a huge plus for anyone tight on space either in their home or vehicle.

It’s important to note that when designing this function, 4Moms didn’t overlook the fact that sometimes, as parents, we can be slightly absentminded.  And for those of us that find themselves having a forgetful day, there is an alert that reminds us if the baby is still in the stroller.  In the event you ignore the alert, the Origami will simply override your request and not fold itself, thus ensuring the safety of your child.

4Moms Origami Stroller, rear

From there, the fun gadgets continue, as the 4Moms Origami’s high tech design includes an LED screen that is incorporated into the handlebars. Displayed on your stroller screen is the time, outside temperature, steps you’ve taken and how far you’ve traveled – making workout tracking simple and automatic.  The LED screen is also where you’ll see the baby display that reminds you that despite your content and quiet baby, they’re still in there, safe and sound.

As for what ages the Origami is suited for, it comes set up for infants 6 months and up, but prior to that, there are two options. Because I regularly take walks around the neighborhood with a younger baby, I use the Origami Bassinet. It clicks in easily into the base and can be used from newborn up to 6 months. It’s fitted with an oversized sunshade for protection from the sun during any time of day along with an easy carry handle, foot muff and super soft cushion liner. If you often find yourself in and out of the car, there’s also a car seat adapter that works with most Graco car seats.  Once they’ve graduated from the bassinet, the Origami notes a super comfy seat in your choice of five fun colors, with a fabric that’s both comfortable and easy to clean.

4Moms Origami Stroller with bassinet, side

Beyond its technology, I have to admit that I’m a huge fan of the 4Moms Origami’s overall design. The stroller has 6″ wheels up front and 9″ wheels in the back with all wheel suspension, making city use a pleasure thanks to its comfortable ride.  The split design of the rear wheels with high hanging storage prevents you from kicking the stroller during fast-paced walks.  And unless you find yourself on a shopping spree, there is plenty of storage for everything you need, with cup holders, storage pockets and the removable hanging storage bag all providing ample space to store your children’s and your personal items.

When deciding on the perfect stroller for your family, it’s important to find a stroller that suits you.  And if you’re looking for the most technologically advanced stroller perfectly suited to your busy city lifestyle, the 4Moms Origami is without question the stroller that needs to be at the top of your list.