phil & ted’s excellent strollers

Cross-Posted from Wet Coast Women.

When we were expecting our first we got quite giddy about all the ‘stuff’ you can buy for your baby.   We happily purchased a very pricey European stroller called the AT Raider, by a company called Bebecar.

This was 7 years ago and was basically the HUMMER of strollers.  Huge air filled tires, sturdy  but flexible frame.  We loved it.  It was well used between Adam and then Caitlyn.

Despite knowing that we wanted a third, having all this STUFF cluttering up our house began to wear on me.  I started getting rid of the baby stuff, and that included the stroller.

So when we WERE expecting we knew we not only needed new car seats, but a new stroller.    HOWEVER.  This was our third child and frugality was becoming the term du jour in our abode.     Also…space as in ‘we have none!’

I poo pooed the giant jogging strollers.  I poo pooed the pricey ‘trendy’ one’s.   EVEN said NO to my dear friend who kept offering over and over the use of her stroller.  ‘You will love it!’ she said. ‘It is fantastic.’

“Oh no…we are fine!” I foolishly replied.

So we kept shopping and looking.

We eventually did get a good deal on a ‘travel system.’  This pleased me because it got the car seat AND stroller all in one on sale package.  And the car seat was fine.  And the stroller is fine.  Nothing wrong with it.   Except with three kids in the car..it doesn’t fit.   And the teeny plastic wheels bug me and make for a very bumpy ride on the trails when we go EVERY SINGLE DAY TWICE to pick up the kids from school.

Then one day when visiting my dear friend, as we were leaving she hustled that stroller straight into the back of my car.   Yes.  It fit.  Easily.

I felt very foolish.  I felt very foolish for not saying yes to her offer in the first place.  And for just not putting out the dollars and buying one for ourselves in the first place.

Smack on forehead moment, indeed.

The stroller is one of those three wheeler wonders by a company called phil & ted.   I think it is the Sport Model, like this one.

It is truly a wonderful and versatile stroller.  It is light weight.  Folds down easily and flat and again…has no problem fitting in the back of my car (Chrysler Pacifica).     Our infant car seat sat on it just fine and now that my daughter is growing fast and furious she is  loving sitting up right in it.

The straps are nice and high and secure too, so no chance of falling out.  They are also easy to use.   I find so many of the 5-point harnesses to be very finicky.

I love that you can have complete control of the stroller with one hand.   I didn’t really pay attention to my dear friend, when she tried to explain this to me..but now..with two big kids and sometimes a dog…this stroller is a LIFESAVER.

Now, they are not cheap.  BUT…it is comparable to many of the high end one’s out there.  The accessories are not cheap either….I haven’t been using it every day yet as I need a rain cover and their covers appear to retail at TJ Kids, for around $45!!  Compared to $17 I spent on a Graco Rain cover.

Crocodile Baby on West 4th sells them and their accessories as well as a great variety of similar types.

If your budget allows, OR if you can find one second hand, OR have a dear friend like I do, I would highly recommend this stroller.

And just and FYI! This review was purely just me recommending a great stroller.  I haven’t been paid or provided the product.  It is just me trying to be helpful!