Why the "Best Stroller" isn't the Best for Everyone
- AlboApproved
- Jul 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 8
# A Stroller Saga for Parents Who’ve Seen Too Much
🛍️ Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you buy through them — at no extra cost to you. That money goes toward keeping this blog running and keeping me from rage-folding another stroller.
Choosing the best stroller for a growing family isn’t just about brand loyalty. It’s about knowing what will make your daily life easier after the baby registry hype fades and reality kicks in. Here’s what worked (and didn’t) for us after two kids, multiple strollers, and one gate-check disaster.
🛞 Why We Thought the UPPAbaby Vista V3 Was It
When we had our first child, we went all-in on the UPPAbaby Vista V3. We knew we wanted two kids, and the Vista felt like the obvious choice. It’s a premium stroller that could grow with the family. It offered tons of configurations and glided smoother than our kid's bedtime routine.
Reasons We Loved It:
Clicks effortlessly with the Mesa car seat.
Converts for two kids without looking like a DIY bike rack.
Suspension is buttery smooth.
Plenty of accessories for future upgrades.
For a while, we felt smug rolling around with it — until the trunk struggle began.
🧱 The Downsides: Bulk, Weight, and Trunk Space
As soon as our son outgrew the infant seat (lightning fast), the Vista shifted from hero to headache. Unless you have a full-size SUV, this stroller will devour your trunk space. It’s not light either. Folding and lifting it in and out of the car felt like training for a CrossFit competition we never signed up for.
Living in the suburbs, we’re in and out of the car constantly. That made the Vista a bit of a beast to deal with, even though it still technically worked for our needs.
✈️ The Travel Stroller Phase: Minu V3 vs Joolz Aer+
To lighten the load, we tried the UPPAbaby Minu V3. Honestly, it was awesome:
Folded down easily.
Handled beautifully.
Had way more storage than you'd expect from a travel stroller.
If it hadn’t broken after one flight (thanks, gate-checking gremlins), we might still be using it. I’d honestly rate it equal to the Aer if it had survived.
So, we switched to the Joolz Aer+ — and found our new favorite.
While the undercarriage storage is smaller, it is still serviceable. The Aer+ folds one-handed, travels like a pro, and feels just as smooth in real-world pushing. It’s now our go-to for daily errands and travel.
🔍 Which Stroller Is Best for Your Setup?
Your Situation | Stroller Recommendation |
Want a premium stroller that adapts to multiple kids | Vista V3 – the go-to for sidewalk warriors and second-baby planners |
You drive a lot and hate lifting a beast | Joolz Aer+ – sleek, sturdy, and always ready |
🧠 Final Thoughts on the Best Stroller for a Growing Family
There’s no “one stroller to rule them all” — only the one that fits your real life.
If you’re mostly walking with space to spare? The Vista V3 is incredible.
If you’re constantly loading in and out of the car? Joolz Aer+ will save your back (and your mood).
If you want something in between? The Minu V3 was this close to being perfect.
The truth? Your stroller will be used more often than any other piece of baby gear. Choose one based on how you actually live, not just how it looked on the showroom floor.
🧰 Want to See What Else I Actually Use?
I don’t just toss out gear recommendations like a baby throws puffs. Everything I mention is something I’ve personally used, tested, and stress-sweated over.
So if you're curious about:
What car seat I used.
The air purifier that saved us from allergy doom.
Or literally any other parenting gadget that didn’t suck...
👇 Check out *AlboApproved Essentials. A hand-picked list of the gear that made it past my B.S. filter. No fluff. No filler. Just stuff that worked for us — and might just save your sanity too.
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