I went into a local stroller store with my heart set on buying the Maclaren volo and ended up walking out with this stroller instead. The reasons I was going to get the Volo were
1. Lightweight--I needed a stroller to take on the subway that I might actually be able to carry up and down the stairs if i had too. Our other stroller (City Mini) is fantastic but just too heavy for me to do that alone.
2. Mesh sides. I wanted something that would be cool for summer since often I carry him in a Mei Tai but in the summer it just gets too hot. I planned on getting a universal seat liner for the winter to insulate hiis back a bit.
3. Easily steerable with one hand.
The reasons I ended up with the G Lite are
1. I picked up both strollers and this really did feel lighter--not by much but every bit helps. Ultimately with all the accessories I
2. This has a cushy seat liner that is meshy and looks cool but is also a little padded. BUT you can remove it and there is a full mesh only seat underneath, perfect for really hot days. WIth this I don't need to worry about his butt getting too cold in winter and don't need to buy an extra piece (which only adds to the price) and I can have it be even cooler on very hot days. Additionally the seat pad is included in the weight so the stroller only gets lighter if you remove it, while the Volo would just get heavier if you added one on.
3. The sun hood is not as big as with the Volo BUT it is pivotable so you can tilt it forward, the Maclaren can't do that. Because of the way the back apron on the hood is set up it is easier to peek in on your baby in the stroller--I really hated that it was so hard to see him when he was in the Maclaren. The sun hood doesn't seem like it is water resistant like the Maclaren but since I have to keep the raincover on us all the time for walking around the city it isn't a big deal.
4. I think it is easier to steer and turns more easily.
5. The basket is more accessible, though not quite as deep.
6. It folds so so so so much easier. I always get really frustrated with Maclarens and folding, I just can't seem to do it easily.
7. I like that this can stand on it's own since our apartment isn't that big.
8. It comes with a cup holder.
9. The rain hood has a mesh panel in front of their face so you can flip the vinyl up there and some fresh air can get in. I'm not a fan of vinyl stroller covers since you are basically enclosing your child in the very stuff we are trying to keep out of their toys, but they are a necessity. When it is only lightly raining I always debate about whether to use it or not. Since this sun hood really isn't water resistant it isn't really a debate with this stroller, but the lift up flap makes me feel like there is a little more ventilation going on in there. There are also holes in the rain hood which I think are odd and I'm guessing are going to be annoying in a rain storm, but my son isn't made of sugar and I'd rather him get some fresh air and get a little damp from time to time.
10. The rain hood is lighter weight than the Volo's and since I carry it on the stroller all the time this makes the stroller even lighter still.
11. Price. At my local store this stroller was 99 dollars and the rain hood 20 so all together it was $120. The Maclaren is then $10 more (it came with a rain hood, but not all do). But since I also was planning on buying a seat liner for winter it is actually a more significant amount.
12. construction. After looking at the Uppa Baby the MAclaren fabric seems kind of cheap or flimsier. On an old Volo that we inherited and were replacing (because it was falling apart) the seat fabric was falling off the hooks that attach it to the frame. I would hook it back on and find it falling off again an hour or so later. The Uppa Baby seat wraps around the frame so it seems sturdier.
13. Posture. In the G Lite the baby sits more forward in the stroller than in the Maclaren. But in the Maclaren he seemed more slouchy and hunched over. His posture was better in this stroller and it seems to have better support.
14. The brakes. I hate engaging the Maclaren brakes, these are much easier. That is a much more safer option since I use them more frequently when it isn't a pain.
And then as I pushed it home I discovered
15. Because the frame is structured so the babies weight is more toward the front of the stroller it doesn't seem to tip backward as easily. The diaper bag I had on the handle bars stayed easily with my son in the stroller and there was no threatening to tip. In our old Volo that was absolutely not true. As I was pushing it I could feel it was back heavy and might tip if I let go. I don't really recommend putting a diaper bag that heavy on the handlebars but it is nice to know this can accommodate a little more weight.
Weighing the stroller with the sun cover, rain cover, cup holder, seat liner, and maclaren organizer it weighs 10 pounds. The Volo with all these things would weigh at least 11.
Everyone is different and will feel differently about these two very similar strollers, so I really recommend checking them out in person--you might change your mind too!
