Travel systems are great for everyday use from birth into those early toddler years, but as your child grows taller and heavier, they can start to feel bulky and sluggish to push around.
What makes your best baby stroller in the first couple of years probably won’t be the same as they get older. That’s why plenty of parents switch to a lightweight stroller during those later toddler years.
Lightweight strollers are sometimes known as ‘Umbrella strollers’ because of the way many of them fold to create a long, thin shape… just like an umbrella. There are, however, plenty of lightweight strollers that fold over like larger travel system strollers.
You might not be able to do anything about your child getting heavier, but you can make life a bit easier by opting for a lightweight and nimble stroller instead.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at what makes a great lightweight stroller and bring you our top picks.
Table Of Contents
Our top three lightweight strollers
Lightweight stroller features
Lightweight and umbrella strollers are designed to be as lightweight and functional as possible, meaning a lot of their features are more basic than others.
But there are plenty of other features that set them apart from each other.
Travel systems have the carrycot, car seat and toddler seat functionalities (and sometimes with the options of having them forward and rear-racing), but in order to be as light and simple as possible, umbrella strollers usually only have a single forward-facing toddler seat function. There are some on the market that will allow both the forward and rear-facing positions, but they’re not particularly common.
The seat itself can also be more simple. Lightweight strollers at the higher end of the market may still have padded, comfy seating, but some of the budget versions might not have any padding at all.
Some brands say their strollers can be used from birth because the seat fully reclines. However, we would advise against using lightweight strollers for babies because their reduced weight and smaller bulk offer less protection for newborns.
Any decent jogging stroller will have an all wheel suspension system to ensure a smooth ride for your little one over bumpy and uneven terrain. And some models will actually have an adjustable suspension system that allows you to switch from a softer ride for everyday use and a firmer rider for jogging.
As they’re usually more compact, with smaller frames and less bulk in the seats themselves, umbrella strollers are also the lightest in class. They tend to weigh less than 9kg (20lbs), with the majority weighing less than 6.8kg (15lbs).
If travel systems are more basic than jogging strollers when it comes to wheels and suspension, then lightweight strollers are certainly another level of basic.
Like travel systems, the vast majority of lightweight strollers sit on four wheels (or four sets of two wheels) made from either plastic or hard rubber. We don’t want to say that you’ll never find a lightweight stroller with air-inflated tyres, but we’re yet to see one.
Suspension systems are rare but not unheard of, and are generally only found on the more expensive options.
Like all strollers, umbrella strollers have a foot-operated parking brake close to the back wheels. As you’ve probably guessed by now, you won’t find umbrella strollers with deceleration brakes.
Lightweight strollers are perhaps more likely than any other category of stroller to have two, separate handles instead of one continuous handlebar. You can certainly still find plenty of options with one handlebar, it’s just that you’ll find more two-handlebar strollers here than anywhere else.
They are also less likely to have adjustable or extending handlebars, but can be found.
Lightweight strollers use a five-point harness because we’re only dealing with toddler seating positions. It consists of two straps over the shoulder, two around the waist and the single strap between the legs fitting into a central buckle.
Again, they’re often more basic than other categories. So they might have less padding on the shoulders (and maybe even none at all on the really cheap ones), while the material itself might not be as smooth.
The 10 best lightweight strollers
1. Joie Nitro
Editor's Review
“We bought this stroller to take abroad with us and it was perfect for what we needed and at a great price. It is lightweight, quick and easy to fold down/ pop up and must be comfortable as my daughter napped in it every day”
Our 'Best Overall', the Joie Nitro is easily one of the best umbrella strollers on the market, loved by thousands of parents, experts and review sites alike. It’s slightly heavier than some of its rivals but that offers a sturdiness while still being light and nimble to steer and move around. The all wheel suspension provides a good ride on most surfaces, and there’s plenty of adjustment in the seat recline and calf supports. The dual handles sit nice and high, making it comfortable to use for taller dads.
Suitable from - Birth* to 15kg (3-4 years)
*Joie says the Nitro can be used from birth in the fully reclined position
Key features
All wheel suspension
Adjustable calf rest
ShoeSaver™ brake
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“I got it while we were on holiday for my 3 year-old, was a little small for her but got the job done. It's a practical, lightweight and easy to use while not too sturdy”
Our pick as ‘Best Budget Umbrella Stroller’ and an Amazon’s Choice product, there’s not much to split this Graco TravelLite Compact and the Joie Nitro. There are plenty of similarities between the two, such as the fully reclining seat and adjustable calf support. The Graco TravelLite does come with the bumper bar as standard, but doesn’t have any suspension so the ride isn’t as good as the Joie.
Suitable from - Birth* to 15kg (3-4 years)
*Graco says it can be used from birth in the fully reclined position
Key features
Adjustable calf support
Fully reclining seat
Detachable bumper bar
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“It has its drawbacks and limitations (and definitely isn't suitable as your everyday stroller), but the Pockit Air is an absolute no brainer if you do a lot of travelling. I used to hate having to take our stroller to the oversize luggage drop-off at the airport. So being able to take this on the plane with us, and it being so light and easy to carry around has been a game changer for me."
There’s absolutely no competition in the race for the label of ‘Best for travel’. The gb Pockit Air is unrivalled in its specialist class. Weighing less than 5kg, it folds down smaller than some handbags, which makes it fully compliant with airplane carry-on luggage size requirements to help alleviate some of the stresses of travelling through the airport with a young child.
Once you’re at your sunny destination, the seat is made of a breathable mesh fabric which helps your little one to stay cool (or as cool as possible, depending on where you go!). There is a small, flat sun visor which is handy if the sun is directly overhead, but pretty useless the rest of the day.
At £160 ($200), it’s certainly a lot more expensive than most lightweight strollers so isn’t worth forking out on for one holiday. But if you’re a frequent holidaymaker, it’s definitely worth it.
Suitable from: 6 months to 22kg (4-5 years)
Key features
Ultra lightweight
Super compact fold
Airplane carry-on luggage compliant
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“Lovely stroller, lightweight, good storage space underneath, big shade, easy to assemble and easy to fold/unfold. The only thing I found strange is the back folds in the middle and could be a bit flappy and I thought it's broken but watched videos on YouTube and it come like that, but still found it strange.”
The Graco Breeze Lite2 is arguably a lightweight travel system - it looks more like a travel system stroller, it’s bigger and bulkier, and can carry a car seat. But it doesn’t have a carrycot function and doesn’t come with the car seat, so it’s definitely not a travel system. And at just 6.5kg it’s definitely a lightweight stroller.
Suitable from: Birth* to 22kg (4-5 years)
*Graco says it can be used from birth with the seat fully reclined
Key features
Car seat compatible
Single handlebar
Super lightweight
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“This stroller is perfect for walks on even terrain and for days out with your child. It is small and manoeuvres really well. It is small enough to fit in the closet by our front door but also big enough to hold a very full diaper bag in the lower compartment.”
The Kolcraft Cloud Plus has three great things going for it. It’s really cheap (around £55/70), it’s one of the lightest around (5.8kg/12.8lbs) and it has easily one of the biggest storage baskets on the market. The basket is so large, in fact, that taller dads will probably find themselves kicking it as they walk or having to alter their stride. The Cloud Plus also features a nice, large sun canopy, and parent and child drinks and storage trays (although just don’t try to fit your phone in there).
Suitable from: 6 months to 22kg (4-5 years)
Key features
Huge storage basket
Large sun canopy
Parent and child storage trays
PROS
CONS
- Ride is really wobbly on any rough surface - not sure it actually has the suspension it claims
- Not a particularly compact fold
Editor's Review
“The thing I’m most pleased with is how manoeuvrable this stroller is. It glides like butter and you have the option of setting all four wheels on swivel or straight. It’s a little clunky to fold and unfold… Also the backboard is a bit stiff.”
The £80 ($100) price tag puts the Safety 1st Step Lite in the realms of the Joie Nitro and Graco TravelLite Compact. And while it has some nice features that they don’t - like the rear storage pocket for your phone, wallet, kets etc, and a moveable cup holder that’s actually big enough to hold a coffee cup steady - it does fall behind when it comes to day-to-day use. The mechanism used to recline the seat can be quite stiff, while the folding system can be difficult and clunky.
Suitable from: 6 months to 22kg (4-5 years)
Key features
Parent storage pocket
Large cup holder
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“Highly impressed with this stroller. It is lightweight for its size and easy to open and close. The bottom storage was an added bonus. We used this everywhere we went on vacation. This will now be a permanent stroller for my vehicle.”
One of the cheapest strollers on the market and an Amazon’s Choice product, the Summer Infant 3D Mini Convenience costs just a little more than £40 ($50). It’s also one of the lightest at 4.9kg (11lbs), meaning it somehow rivals the gb Pockit Air for weight. It also comes with a handy, fabric cup holder and zipped storage bag that sits near the handlebars.
Suitable from: 6 months to 20kg (4-5 years)
Key features
Super lightweight
Fabric cup holders and storage bag
Super compact fold
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“The stroller itself is very sturdy and doesn’t feel or look cheap. I found the three wheel to be much easier to manage and manoeuvre than my regular four wheel stroller.”
Similar to the Graco BreezeLite 2, the Century Stroll-On may look more like a travel system stroller, but weighing less than 7kg (15lbs) and its compact size certainly puts it in this category. Made from recycled materials, it’s available as a three-wheel, four-wheel or double stroller with lockable front wheel(s) to make those rougher terrains that bit easier to navigate.
- Wheels - Three-wheel puncture proof tyres, with dual front wheel
- Upright size - 86.3 x 61.9 x 101.6cm (34 x 24.4 x 40”)
Suitable from: 6 months to 22kg (4-5 years)
Key features
Made with recycled materials
Lockable front wheels
Comes in three or four wheels, and a double stroller
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“The stroller is great, I’ve had other BOBs in the past and haven’t been disappointed.”
The Dream On Me Coast Rider is a truly unique option, barely resembling a stroller at all. The unique frame design not only offers lightweight manoeuvrability, but also the option to convert it into a push-a-long rider and a scooter. There is an adjustable handlebar which many of the others on this list don’t. It’s probably best suited to travelling, making the gb Pockit Air its closest rival on this list but for less than half the price.
Suitable from: 6months to 20kg (4-5 years)
Key features
Unique frame shape
3in1 stroller, scooter, rider functions
Guard rail support
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“So awesome someone stole it. I loved this stroller and had great plans for us. However, someone stole it out of my car and our time was cut short.”
At the other end of the budget, we have the Thule Spring Compact costing a whopping £320 ($400). The three-wheel, compact framed stroller takes Thule’s jogging stroller comfort and ride quality, and puts it into a lightweight city stroller. The larger tyres and front wheel suspension offer a smooth ride over most surfaces, supported by the lockable front wheel. It also has a UPF 50+ UV, vented sun canopy that protects against low sun, which is arguably the best around.
Suitable from: 6 months to 29kg (6-7 years)
Key features
30% smaller than most three-wheel strollers
UPF 50+ UV vented sun canopy
One-hand, self-standing fold
PROS
CONS
Things to consider when buying a lightweight stroller
Use
Parents usually buy an umbrella stroller when they’re child is getting a bit older, bigger and heavier. While the child may be under the weight limit of their existing stroller, the extra weight of the stroller itself can often leave it feeling heavy and sluggish to move around.
But their getting older and heavier also coincides with them walking more and more, and so some parents just want something that is light and easy for occasional use.
You may also want an umbrella stroller for travel. Even if your child isn’t an older toddler yet, having something that is cheap, light, nimble and easy to carry around is much more preferable to a travel system stroller on your travels.
Budget
Umbrella strollers are usually the most basic type of stroller that is reflected in the price, more often than not. The bulk of the market sits in the mid-range, costing roughly £60-100 ($75-125). However, your budget options can cost as little as £30 ($37), and your more premium choices costing over £100 ($125). There are some alternatives that are more specialised, for travel for example, that can cost upwards of £160 ($200) and beyond.
More than one child?
If you’ve got twins, you’re in luck because you can get double umbrella strollers.
However, if you’ve currently got a toddler and you’re already pregnant or planning to have a second child soon, you might be better off sticking with a travel system that can accommodate children of different ages like the UPPAbaby Vista V2, which you can find in our guide to the best travel system strollers.
FAQs
How long can my child use a lightweight stroller?
Lightweight strollers can be used as soon as your child can sit up unaided (usually around six months), just like the toddler seat on a travel system.
Some of the smaller, lighter ones on the market have a maximum weight capacity of around 15kg (33lbs), which is roughly three-and-a-half to four years old. But there are plenty that take up to 22kg (50lbs), which is around 4-5 years old.
The seats themselves do tend to be smaller than in travel system strollers, however. So while your child might be below the weight limit, the older and larger ones may find it a bit uncomfortable.
Can lightweight strollers be used off road?
They can. Whether they should is another matter though. Lightweight strollers certainly aren’t made for lumpy, bumpy surfaces. They often have small, hard wheels and rarely have a suspension system. So yes, you can take your lightweight stroller off road… but it’s not going to be the easiest thing in the world for you to push on, and your child is going for a bumpy ride.
Which lightweight stroller is best for tall dads?
Lightweight strollers are far less likely to have extendable or adjustable handlebars, which can be problematic for taller dads that don’t want to slouch over as they push their child along. The Thule Spring Compact is probably the best on this list for taller dads, but it is by far the most expensive. If you’re looking for something a bit cheaper,
The Safety First Step Lite is the tallest on this list at 111cm (48.3”). We’d recommend avoiding the Kolcraft Cloud Plus - you’ll be kicking the back of that storage basket all day long.
