Inside: For ease and comfort, learn how to travel with a stroller. Seven choices of best lightweight strollers below.
It was our first travel outside the country during the pandemic. We were beyond excited because somehow, travel restrictions eased. We will be seeing our family back home after two years!
I was with my sister and her daughter with special needs. Alyanna can walk, but with layovers and big airports, a lightweight stroller was a real necessity.
Read the interview of Alyanna’s mom here on how she takes care of her.
She was somehow overwhelmed with lots of people around, that she became so irritable during our first part of the journey. She was awake on the 2 airplane rides and slept only on the last one.
The lightweight stroller really helped a lot with our mobility. My sister was able to push the stroller easily, even with her daughter in it, and her carry on travel bag with the other hand.
On our first layover, our flight was delayed for two hours, thus we had to entertain Alyanna by moving her around the airport in the stroller.
Now that it’s summer, some of you have travel plans in mind. Our kids are growing fast and before they go on their own or have friends of their own, we as parents would like to travel with them while they are young so they will have beautiful memories to remember. travel with the whole family including your special child, you will have this question in your mind,” How are we able to travel with a stroller? “
No worries, there are lightweight strollers out there that are not so expensive.
I’m sure there will be lots of excitement when you mention your plans to your kids.
Which kid would not like to see Mickey Mouse in Disney World? Or the Legoland? Or enjoy those fantastic roller coaster rides or those awesome animal shows in some famous theme parks ? Or the merry-go-round for the younger ones or your special kid?
For sure, your child with special needs would be delighted to see awesome places and cartoon characters with their siblings and cousins.
Of course, we all know that some children with special needs have mobility issues because they develop late.
Related post: Special needs stroller: choosing the best for need and comfort
They learn how to walk and run much later than kids their age.
But these should not stop you from letting them explore their environment, much more traveling even to places far from home, like where you ride an airplane.
This is where your lightweight strollers will be handy and helpful. Of course you want to go places with your special kid’s comfort in mind as much as possible.
Because he or she cannot walk long distances and gets tired easily or maybe still non-ambulatory, thus a stroller will be your best friend during your escapade.
I have looked at the seven best lightweight strollers out there for your children with special needs.
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1. Bily Umbrella Stroller
Pros:
- With easy compact umbrella fold with storage lock
- Ultra light-weight and sturdy
- Easy to fold and carry
- The handles can hold some bags
Cons:
- Suitable for toddlers only
- No storage basket or cup holder
- Wheels may fall off sometimes
- The handles are too short for tall parents
2. Summer 3Dmini Convenience Stroller
Pros:
- With anti-shock front wheels and lockable rear wheels
- Multi-position recline and added seat back
- Full-sized seat and big canopy
- Can be collapsed easily
- Durable, for long-term use
Cons:
- The front wheels sometimes are hard to maneuver
- No back support, child seems like in a hammock
- The handles are low for tall parents
3. Summer Infant 3D Lite Stroller
Pros:
- Easy compact fold with carry strap
- Can recline all the way back
- Tall enough that a 6’3 person can push it without hunching over
- Made of lead-free aluminum material which makes it very lightweight and durable
- With additional padding for more comfort
- Large and roomy for bigger kids
Cons:
- Cannot be cleaned with abrasive cleaners, solvents and bleach
- The canopy sun visor is too high and cannot cover the kids’ eyes, thus not good outdoors
- The handle bars are quite tall for a short parent, thus uncomfortable for long walks
- The cup holder is small and feels flimsy
4. MacLaren Mark II Stroller
Click here for reviews
Pros:
- Features state of the art designed chassis, air craft grade aluminum hexagonal tubing for greater strength and durability
- With lifetime warranty- must register stroller with MacLaren within 60 days of purchase
- Comes with extendable waterproof/UPF 50+ sun canopy and built-in sun visor
- The breathable mesh center and panel inserts protect the baby
- The handles are anti-microbial
- With buggy ID tag and wind resistant rain cover that comes in handy when needed
- Easy to fold
Cons:
- On the pricey side
- Cannot stand on its own when folded
- Difficult to maneuver on bumpy streets or terrains
5. Portable Folding Lightweight Baby Stroller
Pros:
- One-hand folding operation
- 5-point safety harness
- Adjustable seat to let baby sit up or lay down
- Comes with a free travel bag for easy storage
- Easy to set up with one hand
- With double rear brake by feet
- Removable handle bar allows for easy moving baby in and out of stroller
Cons:
- Some say it looks cheap
- Quite big for cabins in planes ( advertised as cabin-friendly )
6. GB Pockit All City Compact Stroller
Pros:
- Fits in the overhead bin of a plane
- Can be easily maneuvered
- So light and with the aluminum frame, it is easy to handle
Cons:
- No strip or bag to carry it, quite heavy on its own
- The recline positions makes baby look uncomfortable
7.Ergobaby Metro Compact Baby Stroller
Pros:
- Grows with baby – from newborn to toddler
- 2-year warranty
- Fits in most plane overhead bins
- Smooth ride when pushed
- Comes with a rain cover
- Lightweight and easy to fold
Cons:
- Storage basket is on the smaller side
- No cup holder
- Doesn’t open easily with one hand
- Front wheels are small, thus not good for uneven terrain
My top two choices:
For me, considering the type of stroller, how small and light they are, but durable and useful but not so pricey, I recommend these two strollers:
The Ergobaby Metro Compact Baby Stroller
and the GB Pockit All City Compact Stroller
Enjoy your holiday!
After all, the comfort of your special child is your best interest as well as the light load that you have to carry and keep either in your car or the airplane bin.
Our much-awaited vacation back home was a great success.
Alyanna’s grandfather had so much fun playing with her.
On our travel going back to our place, she was more at ease and comfortable. She enjoyed walking in the airport and for short distances, she even pushed her own stroller, with some backpacks sitting in there.
Well, are you ready for your summer vacation somewhere?
If you need a lightweight stroller, be sure to buy one now! It will be really helpful for you and your special child.
Also, don’t forget to bring your camera or phone ( with camera ) and capture those precious moments, the laughter and wide smiles of your kids.
Their happiness is very contagious and will rub off on you as, well.
Enjoy your holiday!
Originally published : December 23, 2019 Updated: June 6, 2024
Are you ready to buy the lightest and most comfortable travel stroller for your special child? Or your old one is already worn out and you need a new one?
Choose from any stroller above to suit your special child’s needs.
Where do you plan to visit on your holiday? Share your plans with us.
Thank you for such a great break down of each product. Its so overwhelming to find a stroller that is able to suit your needs without being crazy expensive or doesnt fit in the boot of your car.
I love that you have given a range of strollers in different price points and or forms.
Hi Clair,
Glad that I am able to help.
Marita
Thank You Marita for sharing this very important information on strollers for traveling with special needs children my Friend.
The detailed descriptions, pros, cons and features are very helpful in deciding among the 7 lightweight options that You shared.
The ErgoBaby Metro compact Baby Stroller sounds like it may be the best choice for my needs as it holds up to 50lbs!
I also absolutely love the slate grey color & that it’s quality leather!
Thank You Marita for Sharing & Caring,
Tony
Hi Tony,
Yes, the Ergo baby Metro compact baby stroller is also one of my favorites because it is durable and functional.
Although a bit pricey compared with the others, but it can also grow with your baby until he becomes a toddler, thus saving you some money in the long run.
Thanks for reading.
Marita
Hello there!
I’ve been planning to replace my daughter’s stroller and its great that I was able to compare which one I should look for.,though Hailey (my daughter with Down Syndrome) seems to be reluctant to use a stroller,(she likes to hold hands while walking)it is very useful most specially for long walks coz she gets tired after awhile and wants to be carried.
Thank you for this article.
Hi Emerald,
Glad that you were able to look at those lightweight strollers. Hailey might really refuse at first but, eventually she will get used to it.
It would be helpful for you both especially if you are always out to explore or just go around the park.
Thanks for reading.
Marita
Thanks for writing this article on this ten best lightweight stroller.
I must commend you for a well done job for taking your time to do your findings and research on all these lightweight strollers.
I really like the Besrey lightweight stroller and I’m looking forward to buy it before summer for my baby since am a single father.
I honor you for being so caring as a single dad.
The Besrey lightweight stroller would be perfect for your baby.
God bless,
Marita
Wow, you’ve really taken every aspect into consideration in this review, giving many options for those of us that need to purchase with special needs in mind. It can be hard under these circumstances to be able to find time to do all the research, and I am grateful for the effort you have put in to make life easier for me.
Hi Josie,
I’m glad to be of help.
God bless,
Marita
Thanks for sharing this insightful article on strollers, I have sometimes made a search online on strollers for my baby but this article has just helped me out. I will go for the MacLaren Mark II stroller it has a great features which can suit my baby. Thanks for the eye opener. thanks for building this website and investing time. It’s a great site.
You made a great choice in a MacLaren Mark II stroller. It maybe a little bit expensive but it’s all worth it.
Thanks for reading!
Marita
Thank you so much for this article. Surely i am planning a vacation trip with my family which includes my baby ( 8 months old), of cos it has been a little difficult for me and my wife to set our eyes off him for a second – as he crawls into every open doors in the house, all around the garden and so much stress in washing piles of baby clothes. A stroller is sure the best travel medium to keep my baby intact and just next to me. Smile
Thank you once again for this great post.
An 8 month old baby is really a handful. Just enjoy him for whatever he is now, they grow so fast!
A lightweight stroller is a must for travels with him.
I hope you have an awesome vacation.
God bless,
Marita
Hi there,
Going on vacation with special needs kids can be tricky, with their ever present special needs keeping you on your toes. You would want to be prepared and ready for any prospective issues that might come up along the trip.
Your list of strollers for special needs children is a lot of help. I will pick the Summer Infant 3D Live Convenience Stroller, it fits my needs correctly.
True, our special needs kids will always need us wherever we are, especially on vacations.
You’ve got the best choice of a Summer Infant 3D Live Convenience Stroller. It is really lightweight and convenient to use.
Thanks for reading.
Marita
Hi Marita,
Great post. I was browsing random stuff and came across this post. It’s really simple the way you portrait and describe every item in this post. Every kid deserve one of this stroller. they are quite simple designs and easy to use based on the description. The pros and cons are quite helpful.
Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks for reading.
Marita
Glad to find this post. Few times a year I am travelling with my kids (sometimes alone) to see my or my husbands family. Can not imagine travelling without a stroller with two kids, it’s literary impossible, especially when we are going from Switzerland to India :O . We have to change the flight and sometimes waiting for 5 hrs; I always make sleep my smallest in a stroller. While travelling, I am using only a lightweight stroller that can be easily folded.
The lightweight stroller is a big help; you can hang even your bag on it or put the most necessary things inside the basket. For those who are still hesitating I highly recommend you travelling with the stroller
Thank you for the great tips
A lightweight stroller is definitely a must for a traveling family with kids, especially if you have a special kid.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Marita
First, you need to decide whether you want to bring the stroller on the flight or not.
You should check with the different airlines to find out about their policies on bringing strollers onto flights.
It would be unfortunate for you to show up ready to fly at the airport, only to discover that your stroller is not appropriate to bring on the flight.
Airlines are usually open to families bringing strollers, either you leave it to them before you board the plane and get it back when you arrive at your destination, or if they allow it, you can bring it up like your carry on, that’s why it ‘s really important that you buy a lightweight and small one to fit the airplane bins.
God bless,
Marita
Hi thanks for reminding me of such an important item to purchase for our summer break, this is going to be the greatest summer ever with my new born bouncing baby boy. I love the Kolcraft cloud plus stroller with a large storage basket. Thanks for adding value to my summer break holiday.
Wow, I’m excited for your summer holiday with your little one.
The Kolcraft cloud plus is a good choice, with all the essentials like, a big canopy, a basket, peek-a-boo window , child tray and cup holders, plus all terrain wheels.
Enjoy your escapade!
Marita
This is a wonderful and carefully reviewed product. I actually read over and over in order to be convinced. Its only possible to have good result when all factors are put into consideration. These are wonderful set of strollers and i must say you have opened my eyes to the beauty of these lovely products. I hope to buy some of those strollers anytime soon
Yes, these strollers have been carefully chosen and reviewed so you don’t have to spend so much time yourself to find the best stroller for travel.
I hope I have given you valuable information and have helped you choose the best for your needs.
Thanks for reading.
Marita
I don’t have a special child but your passion to help them is really inspiring! Even with your very busy life, you still put a lot of effort and time to write articles like these. Not too many can realize how a little stroller could make life so easy for parents and kids alike.
More power to you!
Odette S.
Thanks Odette!
That’s my mission in life, I believe.
God bless,
Marita
Hey there,
I’ve really enjoyed reading this article as you’ve provided us with tons of valuable information. I currently own the Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Stroller as it’s very easy to carry, and can be stored in small places when you travel by road or by air. Usually in flights, you don’t get so much space. However, with this small size, it can be stored quite easily in the overhead lockers in an aircraft.
Thank you for taking your precious time in writing this blog post. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Kolcraft Cloud Plus lightweight stroller.
God bless,
Marita