Valco Ion

I recently had the pleasure of trying out the Valco Ion stroller. I’ve had several strollers in my day, but let me tell you, this one is impressive. Not only does it looks great, but it operates fantastically, and it has several features that make it superior to other strollers I’ve tried.
Out of the box, the Ion is relatively easy to assemble. It weighs 17 pounds, and the frame is made from aluminum alloy. You can use it from the time your newborn is a toddler until he reaches 44 pounds.
The handlebar of the Ion is ergonomically adjustable, so it can adjust to any height—perfect for when a short mom and tall pops are taking turns pushing the stroller, as happens often in our family. The wheels swivel in all directions, so the ride is amazingly smooth. I also love that the seat adjustment is simple and that you can adjust it exactly to your child’s needs, even opting for a full recline for naps.
The storage basket is large—much larger than many others I’ve seen—and is easily accessible. The 5-point harness is nice, although it is a little tougher to unhook than some. I think this is actually a good thing, though, because it guarantees that your toddler won’t unhook herself and climb out of the stroller while you’re moving (yes, that has happened in our family with other strollers!).
My very favorite thing about this stroller is the canopy. It extends almost to the crossbar, providing lots of shade and protections from the elements. It also allows for privacy for napping babes. Now that I’ve been introduced to a canopy so large, I’m not sure I could go back to the basic umbrella stroller-style canopy. I’m not sure how I lived without the Ion before!
The brakes are simple to use (a one-touch foot lever in the back center) and feel very sturdy. Opening and closing the Ion is simple once you’ve mastered the technique. The strollers appears to be very well made, so I’m confident that it will hold up well over time. If I could change anything about the Ion, it would be to make it so it can stand upright on its own when folded. That’s a feature I appreciate in some other strollers I’ve tried, and while I don’t necessarily miss it on the Ion, it would be nice if it had the capability.
While the Ion is as light as an umbrella stroller, it is a little bulkier than the tiny ones you see in big box stores. There’s a good reason for that, though: It’s a solid, sturdy stroller, and it can also accommodate babies that can’t yet sit upright, unlike a classic umbrella. It is a bit pricey, and I don’t love that accessories like a snack tray and cup holder have to be purchased separately, but overall I think the pros of this stroller strongly outweigh any cons. As they say, you get what you pay for, and if you have the money to splurge on this does-it-all stylish buggy, you’ll be taking home an extremely nice stroller to last your babe well into the toddler years.
You can read more info on the Valco Ion here.
Price: $399
Buy it: letsgostrolling.com