[Update to reflect adding back the 5th star]
We have now used this stroller for several months and are very happy and I feel that my initial concerns that caused me to knock off a star are still valid, but not enough to deter from a five star rating. Here are my specific updates:
-We have traveled by plane and car with this and it has performed well. I find it easy to fold and unfold, even when holding my little one.
-I have since learned that when increasing the seat recline I should not pull both straps/sides at the same time, which is very difficult. If I pull one side and then the other it is much easier to increase the seat back angle. I'm not sure why I didn't realize this before, but I had assumed that pulling each side equally would keep it 'even'. This doesn't seem to be the case. Being able to pull one side at a time also allows you to adjust the seat back while holding the baby/before putting the baby in.
-The cupholder is now off of our stroller. It continued to swing and with a water bottle in in would turn upside down and dump the bottle out. I'm not sure if this is a fluke affecting only our stroller or not. For the first time this weekend, we saw someone else with the same stroller and theirs seemed to be attached just fine. If anyone from Joovy reads this and wants to let me know, that would be great.
-I still wish there was something to keep the infant boot in. It does annoy me to constantly have to repack it in its pocket.
-While traveling I realized that to balance in a standing position, the stroller needs to be unrestricted. Specifically, don't wrap a bungee around it to tighten it up. As mentioned below, I sometimes felt it was unfolding on me when standing upright, but I've come to learn that is part of its perfectly balancing system allowing the upright standing position when folded. For me, when carrying it through the airport while traveling alone with my daughter (who was being rolled in her car seat), I found the bungee method helpful to keep it compact and close to my body, but understood that meant that if I wanted to put the stroller down that I would not be able to balance it upright. Not a big deal to me overall!
[ORIGINAL REVIEW]
In summary--> We are very, very pleased with the quality of this stroller for the cost. Our friends have also been impressed and considered buying one as a result of seeing ours in use. I am so glad we waited to buy a stroller until our LO was out of her infant seat/frame stroller system, otherwise we would have needless wasted a lot of money on a much bigger stroller that was unnecessary, cumbersome and costly.
After a fair amount of research, I decided to give the 2017 Joovy Ultralight a try. So far, we couldn't be happier. The stroller maneuvers very well and is easily pushed one handed--it does way better than I expected even on bumpier walkways. Our little one seems sufficiently comfortable and living in Florida the generous sun shade is perfect. Being tall (but with long arms), the handles are perfectly positioned. The basket underneath is neither too small or too large (keeping me from toting more than I should in the first place). Assuming that it doesn't fall apart or become harder to maneuver I will deem this a great buy given the price and the comparison products' costs. Only things worth mentioning if anyone from Joovy is reading: I found the directions incredibly difficult. It would have been better if I had realized before I got it together that there is a separate image-only sheet that does not show all the steps, but rather serves as an add-on to step by step written directions also included. This is partially my fault, but at least referencing the accompanying written directions would prove beneficial. I am not a big fan of the pull straps to raise the seat incline. Using that mechanism for reclining is fine, but going up is annoying, but not a reason for me to pick a different stroller in light of everything else going for it. Also our cupholder on the side swings/rotates; not sure if it is supposed to but definitely makes me cautious with anything other than a secure lidded bottle. I so wish there was a velcro closure to hold the infant boot in. It seems to pop out a lot. I love the carry strap and while it's a fairly easy fold, sometimes I think it's unfolding on me so I would love a strap that wraps around to better secure it for peace of mind.
Similar items that ship from close to you
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Best umbrella stroller on the market!!
This is our second Joovy Groove Ultralight. We received our first one at our baby shower in 2015. And we used that stroller until it was torn to pieces. It survived 9 family vacations, numerous plane rides, park strolls, city strolls, mall outings, being thrown up in (twice) and even survived being left outside in the (light) rain overnight!We purchased our new one 3 days prior to leaving for Disney. And the new Joovy is JUST as impressive, if not more impressive than the one we owned for nearly 4 years. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better- it did!! It has upgraded seat material, thicker harness straps, upgraded wheels, a parental cupholder, added zipper storage pocket, a bar that allows the stroller to stand upright by itself when folded down & a nice shoulder strap with a comfortable leather pad for easy carrying! The steel frame is just as good & you can tell the sturdiness of this stroller the second you pull it out of the box!And let’s not even begin on how huge the storeage basket is underneath!! While in Disney- we were able to fit a full size, adult, 3 pocket bookbag (which was completely full), a full size lunch box & 3 rain coats...all of which were easily accessible from 3 sides of the stroller! And the seat reclines almost completely flat!! After 8 hours at Disney, our almost 4 year old napped soundly & comfortably too!This stroller is one of the best on the market (in my opnion). I’ve tried the Chicco Liteway & Summer Infant 3D...both of which fell very short in comparison. The closest stroller to the Joovy was the Maclaren Triumph- for $40 extra you receive a less sturdy frame & a storage basket the size of a wipe box! All in all...I was sold on the Joovy 4 years ago...and I’m still sold today!!
