My previous lightweight stroller was a total impulse buy.
It happened while I was at a large chain store walking around the baby section—I saw a pretty picture on a box with a low price and thought “Why not?” Well, now that I've spent a little time with my new stroller, the Inglesina Avio, I think I could write a book about why not. (Don’t worry though—I’ll just stick to a few paragraphs.)
As soon as I pulled it out of the box, I could tell that the Avio was very user friendly. Without even reading the manual I was able to pop it open with a push of a button and intuitively knew to click the lower back bar into place with my foot to lock it. My daughter was already scrambling to get in, but the baby bumper bar was impeding her progress. I thought we were headed for meltdown city, but then I noticed that I could pop the bar off of one side and swing it out of the way quickly. A swiveling bar is a big bonus for this mom of a very independent “I do it myself!” two year old who needs a clear path for climbing in.
Everything about riding in the Avio looks comfortable, from the wide roomy seat and the padded five point harness to the leg rest that can be extended for babies or toddlers to prop up on in case their legs hit the edge of the seat in an awkward place. The canopy is one of the largest I’ve seen, and can extend all the way over the front of your child for maximum weather protection. The seat also reclines flat, which is a great feature to have when your baby falls asleep. I was initially concerned about the under basket access, because when I reached down from behind to put something in, it wouldn’t fit through the lower bars. But then I realized that there were large spaces on the sides of the basket, and when I loaded my stuff from that direction, I was easily able to stow what I needed. And I’m not going to lie—the sturdy cupholder attached to the back was high on my list of pros. I’d had more than one outfit ruined by the flimsy fabric cupholders of strollers past.
But for me, the number one most important thing about a stroller is a smooth ride. It doesn’t matter if the set up takes you less than five seconds—if it’s hard to push, it’s a pain in the neck. And I knew that my neighborhood’s uneven, root-broken sidewalks would really put the Avio to the test. They did indeed, and the Avio rolled like melting butter on a hot skillet. This was the most outstanding improvement from the old stroller. The Avio’s large wheels navigate bumps with total ease. Also stellar is the one piece handlebar, which makes singlehanded pushing possible. This is fantastic for times when I need an extra hand for opening doors or holding my older child’s hand.
I love that the rear brake positions are labeled with “Go” and “Stop.” (I use the reminders more times than I’d like to admit here.) And when it's time to pack it away, there is a handle on the back that you simply lift up to collapse the whole thing into a compact freestanding unit. It holds up to 55 lbs., which will easily accomodate up to preschool age and older and can be used with a carry cot. (Adapters sold separately.)
All of that, plus a great bright blue pop of color for the fabric makes this lightweight stroller the total package: Pretty to look at, and perfect for strolling. See you later, impulse buy. Hello, Avio!
(P.S. Ireally love this cool video Inglesina made about the Avio!)
Price: $499
To buy: Inglesina.com
