Toddler Essentials for Traveling Abroad
Carrier: Needs to be quality/durable, hold up to 35-40lbs, easy to get Brin in and out quickly, comfortable to wear for long periods, if needed.
Stroller: Needs to be compact, light, easy to open and close (will be very important for the Metro), have spots for both boys to ride, good wheels to withstand the rough streets of Paris, rain cover option is a plus.
Carriers:
When I started my research only two options really caught my eye for toddler-specific carriers: Baby Tula and Sakura Bloom. I have seen both of them on Instagram for some time now and I know a few moms who use their products. I don’t use a pack style carrier often…for everyday baby wearing I prefer my WildBird sling, but for my city travels it’s not the best or most convenient choice.
Baby Tula- Founded by a wife and husband team whose growing family and love for traveling led them to create a better way to carry their babies.They offer 8 different style of carrier from infant to preschooler, and a sling option as well.
Tula Toddler Carrier–
Pros—Back and front carrier options, ages 2-6, 25-60lbs, breathable and lightweight material, great for longer adventures, perfect for new and seasoned baby wearers, easy to adjust fit, free shipping on carriers, 90-day return window, 1-year manufacture flaw warranty. Good price point and they also offer a number of discounts, including 15% off for first time shoppers on their website and a “hero discount” for service members, nurses, teachers, first responders, and students.
Cons– Mainly I wish they had more plain fabric options. They are all a bit loud for me, and don’t love the black strap that goes the length of the shoulder fabric. Those very minor dislikes aside, it looks like a really comfortable carrier for the wearer and toddler, plus it would easily grow with them as well.
Price-$159-169
Where to buy– Through their website, Babytula.com and local boutiques in many countries.
Sakura Bloom- Also a wife and husband team based out of San Diego, California. Inspired by their travels, they set out to create a baby wearing system that worked for many caregivers and their babies. They work with a lot of artisans around the world, and their philanthropy and desire to give back is a big part of what they are all about. They have 2 carrier styles and a sling.
Scout- Front and back, 7-45lbs, minimalist design, fits all body shapes and sizes, unpadded belt for extra security. Price-$198-240
Onbuhimo- Front and Back, 15-35lbs, high back wearing, lightweight, doesn’t wrap around waist so no strap there, hiking and adventure approved. Price-$240-280
Pros- All their carriers and wraps come in beautiful colors and fabrics. Most of their carriers come with a reinforced leather shoulder strap option, but they can be fabric only and cruelty-free, if desired. These carriers are versatile and highly functional, but they also compliment your outfit. This might not be the main focus when looking for this type of product, but it is still very fashionable and easily fits in at comfy or more dressed up outings; for me, that is a plus.
Cons- I don’t have many, probably aside from the price point but I also feel that is justified given the quality of materials they use.
Where to buy- Direct from their website, Sakurabloom.com. Free shipping on orders $75 and over.
Overall, I am impressed by these brands. They both have great products that they are so passionate about, and their carriers check off several of my boxes. The carrier I will be purchasing for this trip is the Sakura Bloom Scout. It has everything I am looking for, plus with the added waist strap I think it will really help in those longer carrying situations that may occur. Another big perk is the ease of getting Brin in and out quickly, which will be a must when using the Metro. I truly think the Scout will be a great addition to my travels and I’m excited to try it out.
Strollers:
I want to offer a high, medium, and low-end option for a lightweight collapsible stroller; one that could help provide easy, safe transportation. These are the four strollers that I thought would be best for city living with two toddlers.
Mountain buggy–
Created by a dad who wanted to take his kids on adventures in all terrains. This 25-year-old business is designing and building products for parents with active lifestyles.
Nano duo– This is my higher-end option offering a 20 lb. double stroller with compact fold, side-by-side seating, strap for easy carrying when folded, full laying seat option, and car seat attachment accessory. It comes in 6 colors and has a 4.8/5 rating on Google review.
Where to buy- You can purchase directly through their website, Mountainbuggy.com or Amazon
Price- $549
Joovy-
Another father-founded company created out of a desire to bring quality products to market that would help families with their everyday baby gear needs. Joovy has a range of products, not just strollers, and is a brand we already like and use in our home.
Caboose S Too Ultralight– This is my middle option offering a 23 lb. double stroller, a front/back seat design, with the front seat being for up to 3 months, 45 lbs. and the rear seat being for up to 6 months, 45 lbs. It offers a front sunshade with canopy that extends for suncover in the rear. This stroller has 3 rear options, seat, bench, and stand. The seats also recline for relaxing and napping on the go. The Ultralight has a 4.5/5 rating on Google reviews and comes in 5 different colors. Joovy’s website offers no-questions-asked 30 day returns and free shipping.
Where to buy- You can order their products for many major retailers and their website, Joovy.com and Amazon.
Price $289
Graco-
A well-known American brand that stretches globally with its broad spectrum of infant and toddler gear. Graco is an almost 70-year-old brand that started with baby swings and now has just about any baby product you are looking for.
RoomFor2 Click Connect Stand and Ride Stroller– This is my lower-end option offering a 26.5 lb. double stroller with standing or seated second rider. This stroller also offers a car seat function for the front seat. This model does not have a rear buckling, forward facing seat—just a bench rear-facing seat and standing bar. It comes preassembled and has a one-handed folding function for quick break down and set up. This stroller has a 4.3/5 rating on Google reviews.
Where to buy- You can purchase many Graco products at most major retailers and at Gracobaby.com.
Price $127-159 depending on where you purchase.
Joolz-
This is a collective effort company based out of Amsterdam. They are driven by their desire to bring functional, stylish, and high-quality products to families of all shapes and sizes. They strive to make all their products in an environmentally conscious way without sacrificing their standards, durability, or design.
Aer-This is my second higher-end option and you will definitely see why! The Aer is a 13.4lb single stroller and is only 8 inches wide when collapsed. It comes with a strap for quick and easy carrying on the go. It is designed for children older than 6 months, and up to 50lbs. The Aer features an easy one-handed fold down for quick storage and the seat is designed specifically with lounge and comfort in mind. Another great perk is their high handle for the taller parents out there. When you purchase this stroller, it also comes with a rain cover and travel bag. This is a fairly earth-friendly brand from what I’ve gathered. They are extremely dedicated to their environmental impact and because of that all the fabrics on the strollers are made from recycled plastic. And if that isn’t cool enough, for every stroller purchased, a tree is planted in Colombia in a place they call their “birth forest.” The stroller is also backed by a lifetime warranty and has an amazing score of 4.8/5 on Google reviews!
Where to buy- You can buy their strollers at many baby boutiques and through there website,Joolz.com and Amazon.
Price $429.
The Joolz Aer was a last minute add but I am so drawn to it, despite it being a single stroller. I am just blown away by its lightweight design (only 13.4 lbs!) and it folds up more compact than any other stroller I have seen. The ease of carrying this stroller around the city has made me consider how we could make it work for us. Hear me out, Len can ride in the seat when he needs a break from walking or its safer for him to ride. At that time, Brin could ride on my back in the carrier or walk a little bit himself. Maybe I’m crazy for thinking this could work but each time I see a video of this stroller breaking down into its tiny self, my mind starts to rationalize it more and more.
BabyZen YoYo2–
The YOYO² stroller was one that I found extremely last minute. I was having a lot of second thoughts after I bought a duo side by side stroller. As I continued to watch other traveling families on Instagram, I kept seeing the YoYo2 stroller and began to reachout to ask for more information. I also visited their website and was very happy with what I saw and read about. The Yoyo2 is a very compact lightweight stroller that folds almost completely flat for easy storing/carrying, and weighs only 13.6 lbs. It folds and unfolds in seconds, can be worn on your shoulder, and carried just about anywhere. It’s ideal for the metro, bus, to put in an Uber or taxi and definitely great for air travel gate to gate! The stroller also has extra features like a seat extender for taller riders, a yoyo+ board that connect to the stroller for a second rider to sit or stand as well, both sold separately.
Where to buy- You can buy the stroller and accessories at bouquets listed on their website and also on Amazon.
Price- $529
With that, it might be extremely tough to have only one child able to ride and the other needing to be carried. Also, I personally like having my boys side by side so they can interact and also help each other with snacks and toys. We have the Bugaboo Donkey 2 for our at-home stroller and love it. I can’t recommend it enough. I think for ease of travel, especially alone, a stroller that’s very light, collapses easy, and is compact is ultimately going to be the best. Of these 4 options I’m leaning towards the Joovy Ultralight. Since I have other Joovy products, one being their jogger, I feel confident in the quality and longevity this stroller would have. But I would be lying if I said the Joolz isn’t looking more like an option everyday. I guess I don’t have a “for sure” answer on which of these two I will be purchasing so…
PURCHASED- The Babyzen YoYo2 stroller, extended seat and Yoyo+ board is what I ended up purchasing. After much back and forth on how to get around Paris the safest and most efficient, the Yoyo2 just met all the markers for me. The price tag is very high but I think the ease of getting both boys around the city, up and down the metro stairs, and days of lots of walking; this will be the best option with the least amount of headache. I know it would be so nice to be able to strap both boys into a stroller for safe keeping, but the sidewalks are narrow and the grocery stores will simply not be aquipt to have a wide stroller gliding through their doors and aisles. With the Yoyo2 at least Len will have the Yoyo+ Board to rest his feet and take a little break and Brin will be able to ride and even nap if needed in the fully extending seat. We have already tried it out on walks around our neighborhood and love it so much!
More to come….
