Customer Reviews

The First Years Jet Stroller

5 star:		(191)
4 star:		(122)
3 star:		(35)
2 star:		(15)
1 star:		(23)

 

 

I have been looking for a while for just this stroller. I was looking for something to put in the back of the car for mall and short grocery shopping. Also I didn't want it to look cheap, it needed a sun shade and needed to fit my skinny one year old. And something under $40. Finally, this fits the bill.

The stroller was tightly packaged and all the end parts were covered with foam. The 4 sets of wheels were easy to pop on, though I probably should have turned the lights on to see the direction arrow because I ended up putting the first one on upside down. No problem, though, it was easy to follow their instructions to push a button and pop it off. It took me 10 minutes to put together with a toddler crawling all over me and it, which I categorize as a success.

Cons: the back is not breathable, so summers might be a little rough with back-sweat. Also, it claims to have recline, and although it does, it probably only reclines about 2 inches at best. I would not get this for that feature, it's pretty lame actually.

I got it in all black because I didn't want it to look dirty after a while. The stroller is good for up to 50 pounds, though honestly if my child still wants to be in a stroller when he's 7, we've got issues.

We bought the Jet to take with us when we travel by plane, after our Maclaren Quest's hood got pretty brutalized last time we flew with it (even with gate checking). A decent stroller bag is about the same price as this stroller, so it didn't make sense to use to buy a bag just to use our fancier stroller in the airport. This fits the bill. I tried out cheaper models in stores; but they weren't substantially cheaper in price, and they were much cheaper in quality.

This assembles quickly; is attractive; has a structured, non-scratchy fabric seat (rare at this price point); and it has a nifty little organizer that is perfect for holding drinks, snacks, boarding passes and IDs. It is easy to fold and open one-handed, steers nicely, and is very lightweight. It also has some sort of shock absorbing system for the wheels, which was unexpected and appreciated!

No, it's not a Maclaren. It's not plush, the shade is not really big enough to be of great help, and it doesn't recline a ton. But it's easy to use, attractive, sturdy, and well-appointed for the price. We have a 10 month old and a 4 year old. Each child fits (though the 4 year old is too tall for the harness and shade). I am tall, and the handles are great even for me, and I don't kick the wheels.

All in all, it's a great value. At this price, I won't worry about getting stroller-jacked at theme parks or this one getting gnarly in the cargo bay of an airplane. And at this level of features, I won't worry about the thing breaking, being outgrown in a year, or my kid being miserable while riding. It's not going to be my "daily driver" at home because I'm spoiled by the Maclaren's features, but it's a wonderful backup stroller for travel or Grandma's house.

[And just a footnote: we got the red one, and the seat is actually an off-white/pale beige with black space-age-looking squares, which was a relief for me! It appeared white in the photo, and I was concerned about it getting gross quickly. Not a concern now!]

The backrest on this stroller was too short for my 2 1/2 year old, and he is only 35 pounds and about 37 inches tall.
His head was hanging out of the top of the backrest with no support.

What is the point of the stroller supporting up to 50 pounds if the backrest can't even support a 2 yr old child 37 inches tall?
I don't understand how they can overlook something like this.

If it were not for the short backrest, I would of been very happy with this stroller.. but unfortunately it will be going back.
I may try the First Years "Ignite" stroller, as I called and they said the backrest is taller on that model.

I am posting this review because after receiving my jet I was disappointed that it was not more like my ignite even though the descriptions are the same and I got no decent response from the First years when I emailed!! I really wanted a boy blue stroller!

I have both.......we have the pink dot ignite and navy jet......unfortunately I owned the igngite first, so I was spoiled. But the jet is a nice stroller and better than a small umbrella stroller or the evenflo xsport we had.

The Ignite has much sturdier fabric overall and a more structured back to the seat, there is actually a metal x behind the fabric,(which makes it more flat back like your full size strollers) an inch wider seat base, almost 2 inch taller back of seat, relines 5 inches, and the locking front wheels for terrain.....it has one parent cup holder and a zippered pouch with 2 mesh pockets, but its shade does not rotate down, solid plastic grip handles, and 14 lb...I thought it was a great buy at $50 for the convenience of a big stroller in a small stroller. I HAVE NEVER KICKED THE BACK WHEELS!!! We LOVE IT!!!!

The jet's fabric feels much flimsier, the shade is smaller, but Does rotate down, seat is an inche smaller, it has 3 very visible vertical back of seat supports without the extra metal x support,(which makes a more rounded back like the umbrella strollers), only reclines a couple inches, the front wheels do NOT lock for terrain and don't have as much of a "tread" on them, the parent tray does have 4 spots for drinks with a smaller zippered pouch and 4 small mesh pockets, foam covered handles, the handles at a little different angle and are not as far away from the wheels as the ignite so you may end up kicking it I have occasionally at 5'4" and weighs 11 lbs.........

Both have the same under storage(little larger on the ignite), locking back wheels, 5 pt harness, and variable recline.......overall the ignite is just made better especially if you are looking for that 50lb!!!!

As long as you don't mind the shade not rotating down, I would go with the ignite! If you are looking for a stroller for a big kid....get the ignite not the jet.

Another great buy that makes these stroller even better is a fisher price or safe fit snack pod (depends on where you buy BRU, walmart, target)......it fits perfectly on the side for the kids to have easy access to a snack and drink for $10-12.

Back from vacation......we traveled with both strollers......I have to say both ran across gravel and grass very easy! I can say that the handles on the jet are a little closer together and i did kick it a few times....but I am used to pushing the ignite more often! The folding lock is much easier on the ignite.......I gave up and didn't even lock the jet when folded!

Happy Shopping!!

I received the stroller in the mail and put the wheels on, Super EASY it only took about 2 minutes. The sun shade is a little small and the basket is hard to get to because of the bars on the back but the stroller folds up small and easy, the handles are high and PERFECT for taller people. My husband is 6'2" and can push it with ease and I'm 5'4" and I also can push it with ease.

PROS
Taller Handles
The build (nothing like cheap umbrella strollers)
Ease of putting together
Small folded down size
5 Point Harness
50 pound capacity
BREAKS on the back wheels (so many small strollers don't have them)

Cons
The basket is hard to get into
The cup holders are made of fabric which makes things somewhat harder BUT ATLEAST it has cup holders!!
Smaller Sun Shade (but come on its an umbrella stroller)

I ordered this stroller because I was so tired of lugging our huge Graco in and out of the trunk. Also, I wanted something cheaper and smaller for travel. This stroller is very light-weight and very cheap but has most of the features I was wanting. It has a true five-point harness to keep my wiggling toddler in place, a small under basket and parent drink holder, and it is a bit taller than most cheap strollers. When I first got it I had my doubts...the front wheels wobbled, and it wasn't quite as tall as I'd like. My husband and I both kick the wheels a bit. He's 6' and I'm 5'6". It is better than the cheap BRU strollers, but not as tall as the Combi. Well, it's been a few months now and I love this purchase. Truly a great value. If your wheels wobble, just keep using it a little more. Ours stopped wobbling by the second or third time we used it. Also, I traveled to L.A. and Disneyland with it, and it was perfect. So much easier and smaller than our other stroller. Gate check at the airport as always broke part of it. The rear wheel was terribly bent when we got home, but I e-mailed First Years and they sent me a new one FREE. I've spent 25 bucks on a new wheel for the Graco in the past, and I think this one even came faster. Awesome customer service.

I bought this for my nephew for when we go to the park. It was perfect except once we got to the park I started walking with him in it and the front wheels would wobble really bad about every 5 feet. It was so bad and so annoying I didnt even make it one lap around the park. I don't see any other reviews about this issue so I would hope that this isn't how all of them are, but when I took it back to the store and checked the display one it also did it. I returned it and bought a cosco one for $15 more and it's perfect, no wobbling wheels and is just made alot better. For me, it was well worth the extra few bucks!

I read most of the reviews posted and decided it was worth buying this for our trip to Hyannis in Cape Cod Mass. We live in Montreal Canada. The item was shipped to my US address in NY State just 45 minutes from where I live. I picked it up, came back and assembled it within 10 minutes. Then we packed it away and left on our trip. We used this everywhere for our 2 year old and loved it! Great height, lightweight and extremely stable. No wheel wobbles, just a rock solid stroller that both my wife and I would recommend. We purchased the black model on sale here at Amazon and even if we purchased it at full price it would be worth it.

I really wanted to LOVE this stroller. If it wasn't for the problem I had with the front left wheel wobbling every time I would go over a crack in a sidewalk when I first purchased it, I would have been a very happy camper.

I will say this...their customer service is excellent. I called and they offered to send a replacement wheel. Strangely, by the time it arrived the stroller had miraculously fixed itself. Perhaps I had not snapped it in enough? Sometimes though when I back the stroller up and then try to go forward it takes me a few tries before the wheels properly align so that I can move forward. I never experienced this before.

The only other issue I have is with the length of the straps for the upper part of the five point harness. My son is 2 1/2 years old and it is too snug on him. I expected more from a stroller that claims it has a 50 lb requirement. The reason I sold my Chicco Capri was because of this very reason, the straps were too snug for him. That aside, the bottom part of the strap, the three point harness is a good size and width so it is sufficient.

Now the pros....now that the wheels are working it really is a smooth ride. I used to have a Maclaren and hated it because of how bumpy the ride was going over crevices in the sidewalk, etc. So I'm really pleased with this. Also the built in parent console is awesome. I don't mind that the size of the canopy is fairly small because I have a sun visor that I slip on it and I get full coverage. Don't expect much from the basket...it's really small.

Overall not bad for the price you pay and my son seems very comfortable in it. It's also nice and light which is what I needed.

I would recommend this to my friends, with a little warning about the wheels. Not everyone experiences this issue, but I do know a couple of other reviewers who did. The excellent customer service compensates for this issue though.

Loved the look of the stroller but it did not hold up. Bought for my 40 pd 4 yr old for vacation. Within 2 days side seam was coming apart and by day 5 stroller hand grips were coming apart. It is a cute little stroller it just wasn't made well. Called the company from vacation and they were unwilling to help at 1st. I was afraid it would totally come apart and be unusable for the rest of vacation. After 4 phone calls and dealing with 1 rude person they agreed to overnight a new one to where we were staying. It was never sent. I returned product to amazon as soon as we got home. Pluses were cups holders and zipper holder at top. High handles and pouch holders at sides for child's drink and snack. Basket was useless because you could not get anything larger than a water bottle in or out of it. Height of back was also to small (which I knew when I ordered it). My 4 yr old was 43 inches and backing did not go up that high so if he fell asleep it was uncomfortable. Could be an awesome stroller if backing was higher and it was made better. If the seams were coming apart with a 40 pd child what would it have done the 1st day with a 50 pd child? Was very unhappy with 1st Years customer service. If you are not going to stand by your product and help when your product has fallen apart after 2 days of use why by their products?