https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 10 May 2026 02:27:19 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2138417 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 13:49:41 +0000 NorCalWayfarer 2138417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like PPs said, make sure you analyze your lifestyle and how you'll use the stroller and what features are important to you.</p> <p>We love our UB Cruz and BOB. We live in the suburbs but are pretty active and spend a lot of time at the mountains/beach so we use the Cruz around town and the BOB for runs, hikes, etc. The Cruz was great in the beginning because of the parent-facing option and the ability to use it with the infant car seat (with the attachment). It has a pretty deep recline so I never had the need to use a bassinet (like on the Vista). UB also has amazing storage, which I love! The two strollers have been a great combination for us and I'm really glad we got both since they each serve a unique function. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2138204 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 12:04:35 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2138204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dc yoga bee: definitely helps. I have been thinking more and more how and when the stroller will be used. It's probably not all that much, but like you, I want to love it. I've been using MomStrollerReview blog as a start point for research. The Armadillo Flip and Cruz have similar features. Hopefully, I'll be able to test drive both soon. I'll have to bring a weighted doll with to get the full experience. Lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2137676 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 08:30:09 +0000 dc yoga bee 2137676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Before getting pregnant, I thought I would get the city mini. You see them everywhere, they're affordable, and look nice. But, then once pregnant, I learned the city mini doesn't have a parent facing option! That was very important to me. So, from there I went to buy buy baby one night after work when I was about 6 weeks. I test drove every single stroller. The uppa baby cruz checked all my boxes. It's easy to maneuver, fold, has parent facing option, and was sturdy. I liked the bugaboo bee, but it was way too low to he ground. I liked the orbit (by stokke I think), but it was too bulky even thought it pushed like a dream as well. The britax pushed heavily to me if that makes sense. I knew I wanted to invest in a nice stroller because I have a bad back, and won't be baby wearing all day long. Also, we drive and walk so I needed something not as heavy as the full blown uppa baby, but it also needed to be easy to manuver for me. I hope that helps! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2137665 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 08:26:16 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2137665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: we live downtown so we would pretty much walk everywhere and use the bassinet on the stroller and when she was a bit bigger the reclined seat. Fortunately when visiting family there are many willing arms ready to hold a baby.<br /> As far as when we used the car wearing the baby was easy. I never had any trouble wrapping her in a parkng lot. And by five months she'd sit in the cart happily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2137498 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 07:05:31 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2137498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dc yoga bee: when I first started researching strollers I was in love with Britax and they have those infant inserts too. Armadillo has them too. They look so comfy! What other strollers made your short list? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2137482 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 06:36:33 +0000 dc yoga bee 2137482@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: we have this on our registry so we aren't only using the car seat all the time. I think it's like $35 bucks or so.</p> <p><a href="http://uppababy.com/accessories/vista/infant-snugseat/" rel="nofollow">http://uppababy.com/accessories/vista/infant-snugseat/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2137472 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 06:07:54 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2137472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: your comment lead me to Google and what I found was a bit scary- lengthy time in car seats (when not in the car) negatively impacts the baby's spinal development and can lead to a flat head. OMG! The sites recommend babywearing instead. Did you do this? If so, when you went out, say visiting family or friends, where did you place baby when you wanted a break from babywearing and holding the baby would have been awkward for anyone? Did you travel with a rock n play or mini bassinet/ travel crib? Was it ever scary getting baby out of the car seat and into a babywearing wrap or carrier in the middle of a parking lot or driveway? Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134976 Tue, 07 Apr 2015 10:14:21 +0000 looch 2134976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Considering your surfaces, you're probably okay with those wheels...I think the best thing you can do is test drive in person.</p> <p>We didn't for our first stroller and I ended up buying a second, and eventually a third. The thing is that there is no stroller that will do everything, from be a full size with a basinett to a lightweight umbrella you can take on a plane...you may need more than one at different stages. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134950 Tue, 07 Apr 2015 10:00:51 +0000 Cole 2134950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I can totally get that, and let's face it sometimes with baby stuff we wind up in love with something and that is what makes it a great choice for us. If I were in your shoes I think I would look at the baby jogger versa and the Cruz too but I know the versa is heavier, I think 26 pounds. </p> <p>Good news is I don't think you have a terrible option on the table! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134943 Tue, 07 Apr 2015 09:55:41 +0000 dc yoga bee 2134943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: My plan is like @BadgerMom. For this much money, it will be our only stroller until she is 2 or so, and needs one of those umbrella strollers for when she gets tired! I plan to use it on all types of streets, although I don't see myself using it on sand! I live in an "old town" and there are cobblestone streets everywhere. I still see these strollers out and about in full force lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134935 Tue, 07 Apr 2015 09:52:01 +0000 BadgerMom 2134935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a Cruz like @dc yoga bee: We also do a lot of driving and it has been our only stroller so far (LO is 10 months). We also bought the car seat adapter clips ins and I'm sooooo glad we did. Despite what I thought before I had LO, I did NOT want to have to take him out of his car seat when we went places. LO was a sleepy newborn that loved his car seat, so it was his happy place. I used our Cruz ALL. THE. TIME. when we were out a about. Usually instead of a cart on quick trips to the grocery store and Target. Now that we're using the stroller seat exclusively I do find it a little bulky. Eventually I think we'll get a lightweight umbrella stroller, but probably not in the near future. We haven't found our Cruz too inconvenient yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134933 Tue, 07 Apr 2015 09:51:04 +0000 avivoca 2134933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've always loved the Armadillo strollers, but they are a bit out of my price range. I ended up with three strollers: a BOB Revolution (used only for running), a Bumbleride Flyer (not sold anymore), and a Snap-n-go. I really like the look of this stroller: <a href="http://www.bumbleride.com/strollers/flite" rel="nofollow">http://www.bumbleride.com/strollers/flite</a>. It comes with the universal carseat adapter and it offers a snack tray at an additional cost. I don't know if it's something you would be interested in, but of all my strollers, the Bumbleride is my favorite. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134931 Tue, 07 Apr 2015 09:49:55 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2134931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: EVA tires, which looks like it's a step down from air, but better than plastic. The stroller has all wheel suspension and the two XT models feature 9" rear tires and 6.5" front tires. The surfaces to get the park- paver brick driveway, then road (we don't have sidewalks in the development), then sidewalk, road, grass or sidewalk path to the park. Out &amp; about mostly road parking lots, sidewalks, brick paver pedestrian crossings. The surfaces are smooth for the most part. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134911 Tue, 07 Apr 2015 09:41:53 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2134911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dc yoga bee: do you think the cruz will be your only stroller? </p> <p>@2littlepumpkins: nope, so far Mama &amp; Papas has not developed any accessories like cup holders, bumper bars, or snack trays for the Armadillo line.</p> <p>@oliviaoblivia: I need to borrow a LO to figure out how exactly I would use a stroller. For Mat Leave I envision using it to go for a walk twice a day at least. Maybe grocery shopping too unless I can break my every other day at the store habbit. </p> <p>@Cole: the other "only" stroller at a better price point that I definitely like is the B-Agile, but the most upright position is still quite a recline. I'm researching the Valco Snap Ultra (reversible seat) and Baby Jogger's City Lite (travel system option). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134878 Tue, 07 Apr 2015 09:27:06 +0000 looch 2134878@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What are the surfaces of the roads you'll be travelling on like? It was important to me that I had air filled tires on my stroller, they made for a smoother ride than the hard plastic wheels...those would be a deal breaker for me, not sure from the photos what kind they are? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134874 Tue, 07 Apr 2015 09:24:35 +0000 dc yoga bee 2134874@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Our Uppa Baby Cruz is yellow, and looks just like that almost! We live in a large suburb minutes outside of DC, but will mostly be driving. The cruz is 22lbs with seat and frame, and we got adapters for $30 for the car seat. I love that it's rear or forward facing, and pushes like a dream. I would just try it in the store, see how you like it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134669 Tue, 07 Apr 2015 01:22:13 +0000 PurplePeony 2134669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Your neighborhood sounds a lot like mine -- we have a park/playground a few blocks away and there are some shops and restaurants in a little downtown area, but for most stuff we have to drive to other neighborhoods. We started out with a City Mini GT and infant seat adaptor, which was great at first. Honestly, I hate getting LO in and out of the carseat and will actually avoid doing errands that make me have to do it more than once or twice, so I was a lot happier back when we could just pop the infant seat in and out! </p> <p>We would have been fine with the GT as our only stroller, but back when one of the baby gear sites was having a crazy sale on the last-year model of the Uppababy G-Luxe, I snagged one. I love it. It's soo light and easy compared to the GT (which is still only around 20 lbs). The G-Luxe lives in the car and the GT stays home because we use it almost exclusively around our neighborhood (rough and uneven sidewalks, grass and other surfaces, nature trails, etc). We switch them if we know we'll be driving someplace with more challenging terrain because the G-Luxe doesn't handle it very well. But we use them both a lot. I can't imagine carrying DD to the park (we go at least once a day on the weekends, sometimes twice) -- it was fine when she was little but she's just too heavy and active now. And there's no way I'd put her in the car for a 3-minute drive there.</p> <p>The only thing I don't like about our strollers is that they don't flip, so once we stopped using the infant seat we no longer had a parent-facing option. It has worked out okay but I miss seeing DD when we walk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134603 Mon, 06 Apr 2015 21:48:09 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2134603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like the teal one! I actually have looked into it for baby #2 since lo1 didn't have a "real" stroller except a cheap one that didn't last. She had a snap n go, a BOB, then a maclaren umbrella stroller. I just think I will end up giving in and getting another maclaren (ours is not in great shape anymore.) As for the bumper bars, I don't think those are a big deal. Snack trays are nice to have (can these be bought separately?) but not necessary. Snacks can be given in a variety of containers, pouches, whatever. Update us on what you end up doing! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134559 Mon, 06 Apr 2015 21:01:38 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2134559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Kind of measley storage on both of them. I prefer the teal though.<br /> A flat recline was important to me. I don't like having babies on car seats all the time so having a bassinet or flat recline was important to me.</p> <p>It really is a personal choice though and very much dependent on how you'll use your stroller. Mine is my car and has high mileage so it needs to perform. If you'll only use of occasionally you'll have very different needs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134552 Mon, 06 Apr 2015 20:56:48 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2134552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I can't wait until the XT hit the stores in my area because I totally want test drive those bad boys! </p> <p>@anbanan15: that's good to know about the Tula being cooler. I like the teal better too! The yellow one also comes in a teal :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134545 Mon, 06 Apr 2015 20:53:34 +0000 BananaPancakes 2134545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have an uppa baby vista and gluxe, and I regularly use them both. We could get away with just the vista, but that sucker is heavy and big, and I don't always want to lug it around. My husband heavily prefers it and will load it up if he's with us since he hates pushing the gluxe. </p> <p>I never had an interest in the strollers where you use the infant carseat, and I don't feel like I missed out by not having one. I don't recall him ever falling asleep in the stroller, anyways. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134540 Mon, 06 Apr 2015 20:47:47 +0000 anbanan15 2134540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh and if I voted between the two strollers just by looking at them I would pick the teal. I like the overall look of it and the larger sun shade </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134539 Mon, 06 Apr 2015 20:46:50 +0000 anbanan15 2134539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: We are in PA, so it can get it. The few times my son was in the stroller he actully got hotter than the carrier. We have the same issue with the car seat. I had an Ergo with my son and got a Tula with my daughter and the Tula is so much better/cooler. I do think a lot of baby products are trial and error and what works for one person or even baby may not work for another! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134538 Mon, 06 Apr 2015 20:46:32 +0000 Foodnerd81 2134538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: can you go someplace where you can actually try out the stroller and see how easy it is to fold and how heavy or bulky it seems? Other than that I don't have any advice since I can't really speak to being in and out of the car like that. But I still say to get an infant car seat and stroller adapter. :)</p> <p>Oh and for the parent facing thing- I personally loved it and had my Lo facing me until over a year. But most of my friends seemed to turn them earlier and they were all just fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134522 Mon, 06 Apr 2015 20:36:58 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2134522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: We live in the burbs, but it's busy like a city. There's a small neighborhood park about a 7-10 minute walk from us. There are nature trails nearby, but not walking distance. We use our car to go everywhere- grocery store, library, mall, dry cleaners and restaurants. If we were up for a 20-25 minute walk to some of these places we could do it, but there's so much car traffic and pollution I'd rather drive it. When we go to outdoor events/ festivals the terrain is all over the place: smooth pavement, grass, and sand. The stroller for the most part would be in an out of a car trunk. </p> <p>@anbanan15: I'm not sure baby wearing will be a viable stroller replacement. The weather is hot for most of the year and the big stroller hood would better shield the baby. Whats your weather like? Plus I think Mr. Lime, me and baby and may overheat with babywearing like @sorrycharlie: noticed with her LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134429 Mon, 06 Apr 2015 19:26:58 +0000 Foodnerd81 2134429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: what is your lifestyle like? Your stroller needs are pretty different if you live in a city and walk everywhwre, or take public transportation, or live in the suburbs and drive everywhere and will only walk in stores or on paved paths. </p> <p>I agree 22 lbs is pretty heavy for traveling with it- my UB vista is 26 and it's sort of a beast! But I almost never fold it and it's been in our car all of four times, maybe, since we live in the city and walk. </p> <p>And to me, the infant seat that clicks out of the car and stroller is worth it's weight in diamonds. My baby used to always wake up if I took her out of a seat or stroller. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134419 Mon, 06 Apr 2015 19:17:11 +0000 sorrycharlie 2134419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's hard to know ahead of time. I had a city mini single with car seat adapter and used it more times than I can count - and once she was out of the infant seat, too. I wore her occasionally but we both run warm and she liked having her own space. I agree that getting them in and out of a convertible sucks - esp if they're sleeping! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134378 Mon, 06 Apr 2015 18:17:12 +0000 anbanan15 2134378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, if I had to do it all over again I wouldn't even get a stroller. Two kids later and our City Mini was only used a handful of times with our first (probably way less than 10). My second has yet to ever be in a stroller at 16 mo and DS was never in it after LO was born. I doubt I will use it with number 3 either or with any of the older siblings. My vote is to invest in some babywearing goods and save your money. A stretchy wrap for the NB stage and a Tula are all you need. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134302 Mon, 06 Apr 2015 16:11:30 +0000 Cole 2134302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree that it's hard to know exactly what you will prefer. I would still get a bucket seat either way, I never used mine with the stroller but it was helpful when it was cold to have a snuggly way to get her in and out of the car. I really, really like having the parent facing option. I walk several times a week for 6+ miles with a friend and both of our babies still face us and it is easier to interact with them and catch their mood before they melt down and her baby is over a year. I think 22 pounds is a bit heavy for only stroller but still doable. I will say, at the price of the flip I would start considering other strollers though. The snack bar isn't a deal breaker at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/armadillo-strollers#post-2134268 Mon, 06 Apr 2015 15:29:05 +0000 ShootingStar 2134268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>22 pounds is still fairly heavy. What I've learned about strollers is that you never really know what you want/appreciate/need until you're actually using them.</p> <p>For me, I loved being able to lift out the carseat and pop it in the stroller. DS always falls asleep in the car and I miss being able to not disturb him. Convertibles are a giant PITA to get kids in and out of it. On the other hand, I didn't love needing an adapter for our stroller. We had a last minute infant seat change because the one we picked out that snapped into our stroller didn't give me enough leg room. </p> <p>The other thing that was important for us was having him face us. He hated it when we first tried to use a stroller that wouldn't face me, and I had to take him out and wear him instead. But now that he's older, the front facing is fine, and we get way more use out of our b-agile because it's so much smaller and lighter than our b-ready. </p>