Compact Stroller

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HrPsPpRhp4

When trying to decide on a compact, folding, lightweight stroller for our travels I found that there were many to choose from. The BabyZen Yoyo+ stood out as my favourite and I’m so pleased to be able to write my thoughts on it here. One of the winning factors of the Yoyo+ being that is fits into aeroplane hand luggage and we should be allowed to take it on board with us. Flying to the Maldives we found the included use of stroller in Dubai airport (when flying with Emirates you can just pick them up at the airport and use them) a brilliant idea, ditching it at the end just as we boarded that to be able to replicate the same only bringing it with us will be great.

Main Features

• Fits into overhead aeroplane storage when folded – H52 x W44 x D18cm
• It has a shopping basket which has been made a little bigger in the latest models
• Four wheel suspension
• The fabrics can be washed
• The canopy has a UPF of 50+
• Comes with a rain cover
• It’s a very tall stroller with the handle bar at 106cm
• Only 6kg in weight, so very lightweight
• Can be used from newborn with the newborn nest (which you buy separately) although without its suitable from 6 months – a weight of 18kg
• Comes in a multitude of colour choices, I picked grey
• Can fit car seat (with additional attachments bought separately) – Cybex, BeSafe and Maxi-Cosi Pebble and Pebble Plus all compatible
• One handed fold

When it arrived it came in two separately boxes, one fabric pack and one frame – immediately I knew I was in for an assembly job and crossed my fingers there would be some reasonable instructions to follow. The instructions were mostly visual which is a shame but after a little while I managed to put everything together, the stroller felt very stable and sturdy which was nice. The stroller comes with a rain cover included and a travel bag to place the stroller in once folded down. These were nice little touches, you can pay extra for a few options like a sun shade fold out umbrella, drink holder, car seat adapters, footmuff, mosquito net and the newborn nest. When folded down it has a handy strap attached which makes carrier it very easy, it’s very light and I was really pleased at how easy it was to fold.

The wheels have a little suspension to them which will be great for travelling as sometimes you do have to go down little cobble streets and you don’t really want them to feel every bump – particularly if they are happily asleep! Certainly not designed for off-road terrain but provides an extra buffer. Speaking of sleep the stroller has a great recline which can be done with a strap at the back of the stroller. It’s not the easiest method I’ve seen on a compact stroller but it’s definitely okay.

One of the big advantages I feel is the height of the handle bar, we picked the Stokke Xplory as our main travel system when Ariella was born because it had a really great height to it you can check out my review of it here. The BabyZen Yoyo+ also is very high compared to other compact strollers and is ideal for any taller parents, coming in at 106cm it’s quite reasonable and comfortable to push.

 

Price wise you can buy the BabyZen Yoyo+ for £369, the additional newborn nest is £155 extra and if you want to add car seat adapters you’ll need to buy them at £39.95. It’s certainly not the cheapest foldable compact stroller on the market but it’s very stylish and has a tiny fold, so it’s ideal for those looking to travel with it. The quality does seem to reflect the price too, it certainly feels like it’s been designed well and considered fully. The padded seating is really thick and looks comfortable to be sitting on and there is a safe five point harness with shoulder straps to click them into, a single button releases the harness so it’s very quick to get a child out of.

The downsides to the stroller in my view is that the handle bar does not have adjustable sizes, if you are shorter than you may want to consider something else unless you are happy to hold it lower down. Also it does not have a bumper bar and the footrest is not adjustable. Finally the brake while functionally is excellent, it’s a little small – I think if you were using the newborn setup then it would be quite hard to see. It would also be great if it just came ready made, but I guess that wouldn’t be as efficient and maybe then there wouldn’t be such a large range of colours to choose from.

I definitely feel like the BabyZen Yoyo+ holds itself proud within the compact travel stroller market, it caters from birth to childhood and if you are looking for a travel stroller then this is the one! I can’t wait to roam the street of Barcelona with it. Perfect!