Update: The Cruz v2 is new for 2020 with almost all features upgraded – the only downside is it’s about 4 lbs heavier than the old Cruz (now it weighs almost the same as the Vista) so take that into consideration when shopping for your stroller!
I’ve gotten a lot of questions on the stroller and carseat systems that we chose and why. After researching and testing a number of options, we went with the UPPAbaby Cruz stroller for everyday use and the Babyzen Yoyo stroller for travel, tight spaces like restaurants and car trips. And with both of these, we use the Nuna Pipa carseat. We chose this carseat as it came the most highly recommended to us – it meets more stringent European safety guidelines (exceeds domestic safety standards), has some useful features like a retractable magnetic sunshade and a stability foot on the carseat base, plus it works on both of the aforementioned strollers with converters (UPPAbaby converter; Babyzen converter). Update: Almost 2 years later, I can say we’ve been VERY happy with these choices, and the Nuna Pipa infant carseat served us well with both strollers through the first year (will be used again for baby #2!).
Babyzen Yoyo
(see my detailed Yoyo stroller review & Colugo comparison)
The Yoyo design is amazingly portable and compact, and could work as your primary stroller if you live somewhere with well-paved pathways and you’re ok with a smaller undercarriage basket (I used stroller hooks on the sides of the Yoyo frame to help carry more). You can spring it open with one hand and it folds up small enough to be stored in an overhead airplane bin, with a carrying strap that you can sling over your shoulder.
On top of the basic stroller frame, you can get either a newborn bassinet attachment (for 0 to 6 months) or a seat fabric attachment in interchangeable colors (for 6 months and up). We found we did not need the newborn bassinet – we almost always just popped the Nuna Pipa carseat onto the stroller using the adapters! We keep the Yoyo in our car trunk and have used it on countless trips. The wheels are durable and agile for a compact stroller, but during Boston winters with the addition of snow and slush on top of uneven brick sidewalks and cobblestone, I will say it isn’t ideal as a year round everyday stroller.
UPPAbaby Cruz vs Vista
Amongst the two popular UPPAbaby strollers (a Boston favorite brand!), we went with the smaller Cruz over the Vista as our everyday at home stroller because it’s lighter for me to carry, and a better size for our limited storage space and navigating narrower paths (the Vista is heavier and much wider framed). The Cruz is still notably bigger and heavier than the Yoyo, though, with larger wheels and generous undercarriage space for our city grocery trips by foot.
If you plan on having more than one child close in age, then the Vista is definitely a better value (most of our friends have this one!) than the Cruz since it converts to seat two little ones plus lets a third ride along on a board attachment. The Vista also comes with the baby bassinet included, which needs to be purchased separately for the Cruz. We did buy the bassinet separately BUT almost never used it with the stroller – similarly with the Yoyo, we just popped on the Nuna Pipa carseat using the adapter when Nori was 0 to 6 months old!
UPDATE: Another reason to love UPPAbaby is their complimentary stroller tuneups in major cities! We have had our stroller cleaned and wheels replaced free of charge by their specialists during a Boston tune up. Check their website for a list of dates and locations and plan ahead because these slots get booked up quickly!
I rarely get to see both of my brothers, so it’s been a treat for all of us to spend some time together this week. They wanted to take Nori out for a stroll, and it felt good to actually brush my hair and teeth and get out the door for a reason other than doctors checkups! Simple flats + button-down dresses have been my go-to combo these days for nursing-friendly outfits. The higher waistband on this particular dress from Nordstrom creates a flattering silhouette, while the generously-cut fit and flare skirt accommodates my low-hanging postpartum belly. For fit reference, I’m currently about 108 lbs (5 feet tall) and wear a size 2 petite in this dress. It’s 97% cotton / 3% spandex, lined throughout the torso, and has side pockets and a removable sash belt. The color also pairs equally well with the leopard slide sandals that I reviewed in this post!
You can’t really see it, but here’s the Nuna Pipa carseat on the UPPAbaby Cruz using a converter:
My brothers fighting over who gets to watch and push the baby ; )
Thank you to Nordstrom womenswear for partnering on this post.
