Pamo Babe Oxford Cloth Compact Umbrella Stroller

Try and walk halfway through a mall with a toddler, and most parents will wish they had a stroller. If you’re visiting a theme park or walking across town on vacation? They’re absolutely essential.

Unfortunately, parents can’t always take that big, full-featured stroller along on vacation. Hence the need for an umbrella stroller — so called because the most compact ones can fold up to roughly the size of an umbrella. Mind you, it’s not exactly a legal term, and you’ll find products that profess to be umbrella strollers in a wide variety of sizes and fold-up configurations. But there’s one main trait they should share, and that’s portability.

Before you start shopping for an umbrella stroller, consider its cargo. Keep in mind that many lightweight strollers won’t be suitable for children under 6 months old for the same reason you can’t just strap them into a seat belt: The baby can’t sit upright on their own. If that sounds like your child, check the product guidelines carefully to make sure there’s enough support padding in the seat. For maximum safety, get a stroller with a five-point harness no matter what their age.

Now, back to portability. After you’ve taken into account the size of your child, consider the size of your trunk. The less space you have to work with, the more compact you’re going to want your stroller to be. Some models can actually outdo the “umbrella” size standard and collapse down small enough to be carried in a large purse. Whatever configuration it’s in, make sure that you can assemble it easily, and that it’s durable enough to keep your child secure.

Next, think about the terrain you plan to encounter. If you’re strolling around the city, you won’t need to expect too much out of your wheels. On country roads, however, those tires can make all the difference. In general, the best wheels will swivel, although fixed wheel setups might be a bit more durable. If you plan on encountering a lot of loose gravel, avoid complicated “double-wheel” setups. Loose rocks tend to get jammed in between the tires.

Finally, look for those little amenities that can make a big difference. Cup holders are always a plus, whether they’re for you or the child. Canopies are standard, but the bigger, the better if you’re living in tropical climes. And of course, busy parents will always find a use for storage space. Make sure there’s at least a little room under the seat for a diaper bag or other essentials.

• Once you’ve got your new stroller, take a little time to make sure that you can fold and unfold it quickly. Your child may want to help, but stroller setup is not the time — most strollers have too many “pinch points” that can be hazardous for little fingers.
• If you want to keep your trip a little more stress-free, get a stroller with a relatively solid canopy. Not only will it provide more protection from the sun, you’ll be able to clip objects onto it. A miniature fan or dangling toys are just a couple of good examples.