Friday, March 11, 2011

Not Just for Grandmothers - The Ignite Stroller

Update on 2/23/14 - I first wrote this article in 2011 and it continues to be one of my most popular posts as people searching on "stroller for grandma" find it.  It was a great stroller and had outstanding reviews on Amazon.  It most unfortunately has been discontinued but I can now recommend its replacement - The First Years Jet Stroller.  I am not changing the writeup as I haven't had a Jet stroller to test but the link at the bottom of this post and in the sidebar now feature the Jet stroller.  I am leaving the link to the Ignite just in case you absolutely must have it.  Since it is manufactured discontinued it is listed at a very high price.  Grandmothers enjoy - and get your own stroller - one that is good and sturdy but isn't a whole "transportation system."


It’s beginning to look a lot like Spring around here and so my thoughts are turning to outdoor activities. We live just a block and a half away from a county park and bringing my grandson to the park, walking around the lake, playing at the playground and walking home is a favorite activity of ours. Usually we let his mother come too. The weather has been warming up so we already got to do that a few times.
The transportation?  My daughter has a stroller which is comfortable for Zach but weighs a ton. collapses in a rigid position and barely fits in our trunks and takes a good deal of manipulation to get it in. I bought a super flimsy umbrella stroller for $5 at a garage sale which is okay for a short trip but it can’t be used for everything – especially a “sturdy” walk in the park.
The other day a large package arrived from UPS containing a The First Years Ignite stroller. Wow! What a perfect item for me to review!  Every Grandmother who sees her young grandchild often should have her own stroller.  But let’s face it we really don’t want one that weighs a ton and hurts our back getting in and out of the trunk. And alas, my $5 model doesn’t fit the bill either. But…. This Ignite stroller by The First Years may just be perfect for grandmothers.


Here’s my list of what I like about the Ignite:
1. It was super easy to put together. My husband took about two minutes. That, in itself, was a great start.

2. It is lightweight but not flimsy. It only weighs 14 pounds. When you push it, it doesn’t feel like you are pushing a ton nor does it feel rickety like my $5 one does.

3. It folds up easily, umbrella style, and it is easily transportable without taking up your whole trunk.

4. It has a euro style frame and although lightweight it looks comfortable and sturdy.

5. It has sitting and reclining positions, a foldable canopy, handle bars at a comfortable height, a small canvas zipper container and cup holder between the handles and a lightweight shelf under the seat.

6. It’s rated for 50 pounds so it should last as long as you need a stroller.  Lots of other stroller say up to 35 - 40 pounds so this may be more important than you think.

7.  It has really nice steering and doesn't stick.

And the best part….

Zach loves it!  When he first saw it he walked around, pushed it, patted it and climbed in. He had me take him for a ride around…and around…and around….the dining room table. He didn’t want to get out. Since then, we’ve been to the park and back.  This picture of him above tells the story.

I am thrilled to have this stroller and I highly recommend it for parents – but especially for grandparents. I know that it is the perfect match for my needs – especially after experiencing stroller at either end of this one.  After I wrote this review I checked out the reviews at Amazon and ToysRUs and found out that it was highly rated by parents - especially those who have had other strollers - for many of the same reasons I mention.  It was frequently mentioned as being great for travel - something parents and grandparents both love to do.



Thanks Learning Curve/TheFirst Years for bringing this stroller to market and for sending me one to review.
You can order the stroller at Amazon and have it shipped right to your door.  Click below.

3 comments:

Susan Adcox said...

Is it easy to fold up? I've had the experience with my grandchildren's strollers of not knowing where to push and where to pull to get the stroller to collapse. This can be quite critical, especially when you are trying to get yourself, your grandchild and the stroller into the car in the rain!

Marion Conway said...

Susan,

What a great question! I hate to admit it but I had not yet even tried to fold it up as it has so far only been used from the house on walks to the park and I had not put it in the car yet.

But now I have folded it up and I am happy to report that it was very easy. The release catch is orange so you don't have to examine it closely to find the release and you just pull it towards you and the fold works very easily.

I know what you mean about how difficult this can be because the catch on my $5 umbrella stroller is hard to release. But it is a snap on the Ignite.

Unknown said...

What a timely post! I am a bit anal-retentive and I tend to look WAY into the future.

I nannyed a little girl from 3 mos. to 19 mos. of age. I used her mother's Snap 'N Go stroller in the beginning, since I could leave the baby in her infant car seat. In the end, though, her daughter got tired of sitting in such a reclined position, so I found an inexpensive stroller at a resale shop.

Unfortunately, although it was very lightweight, the handle was just TOO low and I was never comfortable pushing it.

Unless I find a MacLaren or Chicco stroller in a resale shop or on Craig's List, I think I will check out this stroller you suggest!

Thanks again!