(Mr Fox models the Smart for us in forward facing configuration)
Vancouver Dad told me the most fun part of shopping for a baby is looking for the stroller, I certainly agree. So this isn't really a review article for the P&T Smart, it's more like a stroller shopping article:Click here to skip to pros and cons
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Me and Mrs. Tester started stroller shopping a while ago, and we came up with a list of requirements:
- Newborn compatible
- Baby faces backwards towards the parent
- Baby sits high close to the parent
Right away, the Stokke Xplory seem to fit the requirements. I think Mrs. Tester took a liking to it after digging through some Japanese baby magazines. But the >$1200 price puts me in a coma, never mind the heavy 35 lb.
Compared the Stokke, the Bugaboo Frog seems almost like a bargain at $900.
I also heard some rave reviews the Orbit G2 on one of the mommy podcasts. It fits the requirements and was selling at $799 but was weirded out by the design.
We then shifted our focus on the I'coo Targo at $599 because it has a lifting feature, but she didn't like how it feels loose and flexes easily.
Next, we looked at the Uppababy Vista at $700, it is a very good stroller. It's sturdy, baby seats high, organic fibre, etc. We thought about it seriously, but I still couldn't get over the price.
At this point I thought about resetting my price expectations, I did spend $2000 on a mountain bike in my youth (got stolen). Can I really expect to get good stuff for cheap?
Reminiscing about the bike got me thinking seriously about the weight of the stroller: Since Mrs. Tester doesn't drive, she will be pushing it uphill, lifting it onto buses, etc. We have to add more requirements:
- light weight
- maneuverable
- price < $500
Which is why we ended up looking at the Phil & Teds Smart, which was selling at $380 as a combo with the Peanut bassinet. It weighs 18lbs with the seat, and 20lbs with the bassinet, which makes it 6-8lbs lighter than the Uppababy Vista.
It wasn't on our list before because it did not have rear facing configuration. But Phil and Ted just released the Verso Adapter that allows you to switch the seat around so now it is a serious contender.
We pushed it around in BabysRUs for an hour against the funky hydraulic Quinny Buzz (which was just pushed around for reference since it's 26lbs because it's not really newborn compatible), and we decided to get the Smart. Then we started scouring Craigslist in earnest and settled on $280 for both the stroller and the bassinet.
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(Rear facing configuration, complete with the optional cup holder)
(Mr. Fox and his kid in the Peanut bassinet)
Pros:
They comes in two, plugs into each side of the stroller where the seat or bassinet usually goes. You just have to insert them with the metal part pointing inwards. That wirey part is used to set the recline level on the stroller.
- Lightweight (at 18lbs it is only rivaled by the Baby Jogger City Mini's 17lbs but the Mini doesn't do rear facing)
- Maneuverable (at least in a mall)
- Stylish, suits Mrs. Tester's sensibilities for simple modern looks and dark colours
- Baby can face parent
- The Croc's like material Aerocore seat is completely waterproof, just hose it down when dirty
- The Peanut bassinet feels very comfortable
- Adjustable sunshield that follows the sun, for sunsets, etc
- Step on brakes so it doesn't scratch up shoes
Cons:
- Doesn't include rain shield ($19), bug shield
- Doesn't include rear facing adapter ($35)
- No suspension, hard rubber tires
- Doesn't feel well padded
- Doesn't include cup holder ($9)
- No console, bumper
- Doesn't fold down easily
- Only 2 recline positions for each direction
- Split handlebar
Since we are still expecting parents, we only have Mr Fox to try the stroller with. So we cannot yet say whether we can get over the cons.
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I was trying to buy the Verso adapter from TJ's, but they did not have it in stock, nor did they have a price for it so I ended up ordering from Phil & Ted's directly.
Since the shipping cost is the same ($30), I decided to get the rain shield and cup holder on the same order. I know that the cup holder will be important to the coffee addicted Mrs. Tester.
I thought about getting the Cushy Ride to add more padding and a dash of color, but decided to defer the purchase. It is important to know that if you are buying padding for the Smart, you should look for the one that fits the 2nd seat on the regular Phil and Ted sport stroller.
The Verso adapters:
They comes in two, plugs into each side of the stroller where the seat or bassinet usually goes. You just have to insert them with the metal part pointing inwards. That wirey part is used to set the recline level on the stroller.The Rain Shield
The rain shield rely on the built in sunshield to make a tent over the occupant, so you have to spread it open before putting on the shield.
Even though it was original designed to work in front facing config, it appears to work well when rear facing.
Even though it was original designed to work in front facing config, it appears to work well when rear facing.
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I made a decision at the beginning that all major baby purchases (car seat, stroller, crib) will be used, partly to save money, partly to be more earth friendly. It took me a while to get over it, since I don't usually buy used clothes or used furniture for myself (Don't know if I would classify Ikea As-Is used).
Craigslist is a great place to look for bargains, but you have to be thick skinned. I have bought many things on it over the years, and the one regret I have is that I don't walk away from a deal more often when the quality is not 100% great, or the price can be better.
When dealing on Craigslist, you had to haggle over email, there is a lot of effort spent on research, you showed up at the seller's house and you never know when will be the next time this item goes on sale. But, you have to be prepared to walk away if you want the best deal and the best quality of items.
The Smart stroller is very easy to clean because it is waterproof, we took it apart and brought the seat into the shower for thorough cleaning. I also heard on the mommy podcast that Oxyclean is a great cleaner so I picked up a bottle at BabysRUs.
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