MAS in his Mountain Buggy Urban Elite
First off, let me say that I don’t really think you can get by with one stroller or one baby carrier anymore than you can get by with one pair of shoes. Sometimes you need a sandal, sometimes you need a sneaker and sometimes only a rain boot will do.
In the best of all possible worlds you’d get a lightweight stroller for hopping on and off subways, a rugged jogging stroller for marathon training (see how funny I can be?) and a chichi but durable Bugaboo for urban restaurant and shopping excursions.
But. Financial circumstances being what they are, forced to make a compromise Ebronis and I were when MAS entered the world.
So we bought a Mountain Buggy jogging stroller. Because I had—still have—this idea that I’m going to get back in shape this summer by training for the NIKE 10k. Not that I really have all that much more to lose—skipping the entire third trimester was a really great way to forgo the whole mommybody thing. (And no: I don’t recommend it as a strategy: a 2.5 pound baby is a frightening thing.
Back to the stroller.
Things I love about my Mountain Buggy Urban Elite:
The rugged wheels handle the often-crappy Brooklyn streets & sidewalks without once jostling the baby awake.
A swiveling front wheel makes turning city corners a breeze but it also locks into place for stability on long runs.
The water bottle holder puts a cold drink at my fingertips.
The seat is extra comfy and MAS has no trouble napping out.
The entire seat and sun canopy snap off for easy cleaning.
The $50 car seat clip meant I never had to wake MAS when going from car to stroller to apartment. (If you have a colicky baby like I did, you’ll understand the true value of such a feature.)
Things I Hate About My Mountain Buggy Urban Elite:
Since it weighs in at 23 lbs there’s no way I’m lugging that thing up or down any subway stairs soon.
The wide wheelbase makes for a stable ride over a variety of terrain but also means I can’t get into certain narrow Brooklyn storefronts.
There’s no coffee cup holder. (Hello people: caffeine is the only antidote to infant-induced sleep deprivation. Sheesh.)
Keep in mind that this thing is the SUV of strollers: its overall appearance is mountain bike meets REI fashion. Not surprisingly, maitre d’s see us coming & cringe. Some, like the folks at Chestnut, mask their chagrin so well they deserve a medal for the effort.
Given all the above we’ve decided to purchase a second lightweight stroller for subways & restaurants. A used Maclaren, for example: 11 pounds or less & folds into near nothingness.
Got one?
