Anika Begay
| WIRED | TIRED |
|---|---|
| Convenient. Lightweight. Easy to fold and unfold. TSA approved. Equipped with cup holder. | The stroller is quite short compared to our other choices. The cup holder is easy to remove in the trunk. |
The Delta Children Icon doesn’t look like much, but I was immediately impressed with everything it offers for such a low price. The seat has good padding and feel, and it has a lap bar that you can easily grab when folded. The frame is compact, but still tall enough for my taller child. It comes with a cup holder, though it’s small and I prefer to just use it for my toddler’s water bottle, and I often have it fall off the stroller frame when I’m tossing it in the trunk, which is annoying. At 15.6 pounds, it’s a bit heavier than some of our other picks, but lighter than the Bugaboo above and still easy to carry. It has a great latch and can also stand upright. Plus, unlike the Bugaboo, you can carry it by the lap bar. The storage basket is big enough for my backpack-style diaper bag.
Delta Children says the stroller is TSA-approved to fit in overhead bins, and the stroller’s dimensions (10.9 x 16.5 x 23.6 inches) make it a bit slimmer than the Bugaboo above, though a bit larger than standard carry-on size. However, you should check your airline’s rules on strollers even at this small size. It doesn’t have infant car seat adapters or compatibility, which is a bummer. The other bummer is that this stroller is on the short side—I’m 5’4” and if I wear high-tops, I find myself bending over a bit to push this stroller.
15.6 lbs.
★ For taller parents: The Ergobaby Metro+ ($299) reminds me a lot of the Delta Children Icon, but it has an adjustable handlebar, so it’s a better choice for taller parents. (Adjustable handlebars are rare on travel strollers!) It’s also car seat compatible, so it’s best if you want to use it first, and the seat is also a bit larger, so your baby might be able to stay in it longer than with other budget strollers. While it has a sturdier frame than the Icon, it doesn’t fold or unfold as easily as the Icon or my other picks, nor is it as easy to carry. But if you’re very tall, you might be happy to trade those issues for a much easier reach.
