I have been on the hunt for a lightweight travel stroller for my preschooler. Needless to say, I am sick of lugging my UppaBaby Cruz V2 around. It served us well for when my daughter was smaller, but now I need something lightweight. Even though she does do a lot of walking now, I am finding that on longer walks or when it is very hot out, she really wants to be carried. She is now too heavy and big for me to carry for extended periods of time… so enter: The Bugaboo Butterfly!
I spent countless hours trying to decide on the best lightweight travel stroller. I watched every YouTube video I could find, read every article and every internet review. I ultimately chose the Bugaboo Butterfly because it looked like it could hold the tallest, heaviest child AND go in the overhead bin in many airplanes. I am trying to max out how long I can use this stroller – hoping to get through ages 4 and 5 years old with this stroller. The color we chose was desert taupe.
Some quick facts about the Bugaboo Butterfly:
-50 pound weight limit
-17.6 pound weight limit in the basket
-weighs 16.1 pounds
-36.42″ x 17.72″ x 40.31″ unfolded; 17.72″ x 9.06″ x 21.26″ folded
-included carry strap and rain cover
-multiple position recline and adjustable foot rest
-it does have a ride-along comfort wheel board for a second child (sold separately)
–Car seat adaptable (sold separately)
Now, this stroller has the highest backrest and weight limit I could find in the lightweight travel stroller category! It measures 21.5″ from seat to the top of the backrest, and then 24.5″ to the very top of the canopy from the seat. The seat itself measures about 10.5″ from the back to the front. It measures 14″ wide in the seat. It also has an adjustable leg rest, which measures also 7″, although I find I have not needed to use it.
It has an adjustable recline. This is a little annoying to move up and down when the child is in it, but it is doable. It has a very generous canopy for sunlight and then a mesh panel too to help air circulate. I found the one-handed fold to be a *little* bit harder than every video I watched. It seems like you have to push the handle bar in a little bit first to get it unlatched. Overall, though, it is a minor complaint.
Cons:
price, it is not the cheapest stroller
it does not include a cupholder or snack tray; both are sold separately. It also does not include a bumper bar – we purchased the bumper bar, but it made folding/unfolding more challenging and less compact, so we returned it.
Bugaboo transport bag sold separately – we did purchase this to help prevent damage on airplanes.
The other strollers we considered and why I did not purchase it:
ZoeBaby Zoe Traveler (but it only holds up to 45 pounds) but the price is right.
Joolz Aer+ lightweight stroller (but the backrest is not as tall, so it does not hold as tall of a child).
City Mini GT2 stroller – holds a bigger, taller child than the Bugaaboo butterfly but it is not a lightweight stroller weighing 22.4 pounds, and cannot fit in the overhead bin.
Bob Stroller – if you are looking for the stroller that holds the highest weight limit at 75lb, this is your stroller. It though is not a travel stroller.
I think the Bugaboo Butterfly stroller is perfect for travel, Disney World, Disneyland, Europe trips, and cruises! And I know I will probably get some comment about why I’m not making my preschooler walk. First, it’s none of your business. Second, when we are traveling, naps and sleep schedules are messed up. Sometimes the little one is tired and wants to be carried, but we have places to go and see, so a stroller is needed. This allows for a nap or just a place to sit (out of the direct sun, too!)
I hope my review of what I think is the best travel stroller for preschoolers helps you. Check out my review of the Disney Aulani Resort
