Design Fails: Common Travel Stroller Flaws and How to Fix Them
, by Artorias Tse,
9 min reading time
With your baby with you for short outings or long trips, a travel stroller often feels like the best possible companion at hand. In fact, modern baby strollers designed for travelling purposes have become crucial for almost every on-the-go parent. You can easily and effortlessly navigate airports, streets, and other destinations while keeping the little one comfy and safe.
However, many travel strollers, even the best ones, are prone to design flaws that cause problems and frustration. They can range from folding difficulties, improper storage, poor manoeuvrability, and lack of comfort to safety concerns. This guide looks into some common design flaws of travel strollers while offering insightful solutions to fix them.
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Difficulty in Folding
Struggling to fold/unfold the stroller assembly has been one of the most frustrating issues for parents. It also feels embarrassing when you desperately try to open/close the pushchair in public. A well-designed travel pram should collapse/fold easily to become compact enough for quick storage.
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Issues
Complex Mechanism ā Some strollers require multiple steps with both hands to make the fold. It's impractical when holding a baby or juggling a bag.
Bulky Size/Oversize ā Some travel pushchairs remain bulky and consume much space even when folded. It makes them difficult to store in tight/narrow spaces.
Stubborn Locking ā Certain strollers feel complicated enough to enable their locking into place after folding. And it often leads to instability when they are transported.
Fixes
Simple One-Hand Fold ā Always buy travel strollers with designated and specified easy folding with one hand. Check the collapsing mechanism yourself, especially when holding the baby or other items.
Compact Dimensions ā The folded design must be reduced to a small size that can easily fit into storage. Look for strollers with compact folding umbrellas, whether overhead compartments or car trunks.
Secure Locking System ā The stroller should enable automatic locking when collapsed to compact. A faulty model without locking can barely prevent the stroller from accidentally unfolding during transport.
Design Fail - Poor Maneuverability It's one of the critical features for travelling parents, especially going through busy/crowded areas. Poor steering leads to difficulty pushing/moving/turning on uneven sidewalks or at airport terminals.
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Issues
Small Wheels ā Small-sized (relatively tiny) and plastic-made wheels always struggle to cope with a harder turn/change. You can't expect the pram to run smoothly on rough or cobblestone streets.
Rigid Front Wheels ā Some strollers may have front wheels that don't swivel. Front-wheel swivelling is a standard feature that enables easy navigation. You can't make any sharp turns easily without this feature.
Uneven Weight Distribution ā Improper weight distribution can cause a stroller to tip over or become difficult to steer. Apart from faulty design, essentials in the storage basket may lead to this problem.
Fixes
Large Wheels ā Always start with large-sized wheels. Larger wheels enable steady, quick, and simple turns whenever needed. For a stroller with tiny ones, change them with large ones as soon as possible.
Front Swiveling ā Choose strollers with built-in swivelling for all wheels or at least for the front ones. The flexible wheel movements allow better handling and steering to ensure smooth rides on uneven roads.
Suspension System ā A built-in suspension immediately absorbs shock/impact from bumps for comfort and maneuverability. for budget-conscious purchases, focus on wheels to confront the resulting force.
Weight Distribution ā Stick to a well-balanced design by repositioning the seat/frame weight to ensure further stability. Don't overload the basket with too many or dispersedly heavy baby-care essentials.Ā
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Inadequate Suspension and Comfort
Travel strollers often skimp on suspension in favour of a lighter design, resulting in a jarring ride for the child. A lack of suspension can make it uncomfortable for babies, especially when travelling over uneven surfaces like gravel, dirt paths, or airport floors.
Issues
Hard Seats ā The stroller seat may have hard plastic or minimal cushioning. And they can offer little to no comfort for babies on longer trips.
Lack of Stability ā Most travel strollers don't have enough shock absorbing capacity as full-featured strollers, resulting in a rough/bumpy ride.
Limited Reclining ā Some travel prams only include a shallow recline. It's not exactly an ideal support for younger infants who often lie flat.
Fixes
Enhanced Stability ā Strollers should be designed with absolute robustness and stability to dissipate all the shocks/impact from rough handling.
Cushioned Seating ā Every travel stroller should provide enough padding throughout the seating area to keep babies comfortable during long rides.
Better Reclining ā Your chosen design should offer more versatile reclining with sufficient adjustments, including full-flat recline to allow sleeping.
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Weak/Unstable Frame
The frame of a stroller holds the key to stability and durability. Some travel strollers may suffer from flimsy or poorly designed frames, leading to problems like tipping, wobbling, or wear and tear.
Issues
Flimsy Construction ā Cheap materials can make a stroller frame less durable, increasing the risk of excessive wear over time.
Instability ā Some strollers are prone to tipping, especially when a child leans too far forward or when the stroller is overloaded.
Poor Quality Control ā Manufacturing defects, like misaligned parts and weak joints, can compromise the overall structural stability.
Fixes
Stronger Materials ā Stick to high-quality materials like aluminium or carbon fibre to enjoy improved durability and superior frame strength.
Wider Base for Stability ā Design the stroller with a wider wheelbase to prevent tipping. It's especially handy when loaded with bags or other items.
Rigorous Quality Control ā Thoroughly check whether each stroller part, as well as the entire assembly, meets safety and durability standards.
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Lack of Storage Space
One of the most recognized drawbacks is associated with limited storage capacity. Models either have minimal under-seat baskets or no storage options, requiring you to carry all the essentials separately.
Issues
Small or No Storage ā Some travel strollers barely have enough space to store a small diaper or shopping bag.
Difficult-to-Access Storage ā Even with a storage basket, the items may seem difficult to access during reclined or folded states.
Fixes
Large-Sized Baskets ā Find strollers with a notably large, more accessible under-seat basket to carry more items.
Additional Pockets ā Add extra storage pockets on the back of the handlebars to keep essential items close at hand.
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Poor Safety Features
Safety remains at the apex of everything with your baby in a stroller. Some cheap strollers paid little to no enough attention to this critical aspect. Even the slightest design flaws can compromise the baby's safety, from inadequate harnesses to weak brake mechanisms.
Issues
Weak Harness ā Several strollers use flimsy or poorly designed five-point/three-point harness systems. Some don't even include this must-have feature. And your little one has nothing to secure the body.
Inadequate Brake ā Lots of budget-conscious designs skip brakes on wheels. With a travel stroller, you must have strong and engaging brakes. Even faulty or difficult-to-use brakes present more dangers.
Unstable Frame ā A poorly designed frame can tip, roll away, break apart, or suddenly collapse. The risk is high with your little one leaning forward, making strong moves, and adding external weight.
Fixes
Improved Harness ā Travel strollers should feature an easy-to-adjust 5-point harness system. Better skip the 3-point harness. Also, take your time to learn and strap the baby securely.
Reliable Brakes ā Your stroller should have at least front wheel brakes to prevent tipping/rolling by itself. Make sure to have an easy-to-use brake system that locks securely with one foot.
Tipping Prevention ā Again, choose a stroller with a well-balanced design and a low centre of gravity. And it enables full stability against leaning forward or any external attachments.
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Inflexible Canopy
Ultra-compact travel strollers may have small or poorly designed canopies. Your little one gets easily exposed to sunlight, rain/snow, and wind blows. It's a serious problem that causes direct health issues.
Issues
Too Small ā Most of the strollers come with very small canopies without providing enough shade. It's especially applicable to babies who are very sensitive to the UV or cold.
Non-Extendable ā Some canopies aren't extendable, prohibiting you from making some changes. It leaves babies exposed to the sun, even when parents try to adjust the position.
No Ventilation ā Prams without enough ventilation on the canopy or back panel can lead to heat buildups. And your baby becomes subjected to unbearable warmth during summer.
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Fixes
Large and Extendable Canopy ā Choose a stroller design with sufficiently large and extendable canopies. It should provide full sun coverage, particularly for babies with delicate skin.
Built-In UV Protection ā Incorporate fabric that blocks UV rays into the canopy design to ensure absolute protection from the sun. Always look for UPF 50+ rated fabrics for the cover.
Ventilation Windows ā Add mesh or ventilation windows in the canopy to improve the overall airflow. Not many options include this feature to keep the baby cool during warmth.
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Wrapping Up
Mistakes are more or less inevitable with stroller purchases. And the first mistake starts with not knowing what feature to have and what issues to avoid. Choosing the best travel stroller requires high attention to detail and a good understanding of the common design flaws. Otherwise, your purchase will end up impacting your strolling experience as a parent.
The issues and fixes are more like guidelines to know what to check and avoid during purchase. You can solve some problems as a parent through DIY solutions, another practical guide from MAMAZING. No stroller is perfect, but you can avoid getting yourself and the little one into trouble by making an informed decision during your initial purchase.
