What is the teeny-tiniest stroller-type buggy available?

[Saffron]

Little Saff (18 months old) and I will be doing some long-distance travelling on the train by ourselves later this summer. I'm looking for the teeny-tiniest, lightest weight possible collapsable stroller-style buggy. It needs to fold up small, really small, ideally like an umbrella. And it needs to be light enough to wave frantically in the air while I'm running for our connecting train with Little Saff in a sling and tote bag around my neck. Does such a thing exist?

[Bluemum]

I was looking for the same and on very long internet research on the topic, the lightest, good quality one I thought it was worth investing in was the maclaren volo. But I'm curious to know if there are other options out there.

[Otta]

This one was on the Apprentice a year or 2 back, and I thought it looked brilliant for travel.

[edanna]

There are some v cheap v light looking pushchairs on the Argos site. They could be rubbish though. I was going to get a volo but didn't because the seat doesn't recline so if your child falls asleep they can slump forward. It depends how much you are bothered about other features.

[Saffron]

Had a quick look at the Argos sight. A problem springs up immediately. Many of the lightweight pushchairs, even reputable brands like M&Ps, are only listed for children up to 15 kg. My daughter is already 15 kg! Oh dear. The search becomes more challenging!!

[snowboarder]

The quinny zapp I think folds super small. No recline though. All the umbrella fold buggies (maclaren etc) although light are long when folded.

15kg seems to be the standard weight limit in most pushchairs. I am certain I see heavier children all the time in maclarens etc.

[snowboarder]

Or this?

http://www.quicksmartbaby.com/the-original-backpack-stroller/

[bluesuperted]

We have bought the Obaby Escape (?34 including postage) for our upcoming trip to the states. We are a slinging family so have only tested it out on two trips and it was fine and it's very lightweight. For ?30ish you can't go wrong and the reviews on Amazon were very favourable. Not sure about the upper weight limit but have seen them around with large children in (age 3+) and my son is 11kg and has loads of room. Bless his heart he is so unused to buggy travel that he looks like he's about to go on a rollercoaster when I put him in it - such excitement, poor deprived slingbaby!!

[Ruth_Baldock]

Quinny zap extra reclines, I think. Maclaren volo v light, doesn't recline. Maclaren quest light too, does recline.

[jollybaby]

My niece in Australia had a quick smart - she looked pretty comfortable in it and she was nearly 4 when we last visited.

[clrky501]

Hi I dont drive and use public transport a lot-basically anything is difficult until your child can walk/support him/herself whilst you deal with buggy.Definaltely NOT Quinny Zap-I had one-folds very small and light but you cannot do it with one hand.I ended up with Mamas and Papas cheapest stroller-think it was MAMU1-lightweight umbrella fold and never looked back,although I think McClaren Volo is very similar weight and size.Even the lightest still feels heavy though !!

[chantelle]

for some reason these cheap light strollers are really common in the U.S., where you can get them for about $10! My mother has a great one that is light as a doll's buggy, and she has had my 5-year old niece in it (on long walking trips when she needed a break) so weight isn't a big issue either. I imagine the ones that say 15 kilos here could actually accomodate a lot more. I haven't seen one that has been light enough for my tastes though yet - this is just the sort of thing that would make going into town with my 3 year old with lots of train and tube stairs a lot more bearable. I do sometimes take our Mclaren xt and fold it up and carry it while he walks up the stairs, but it's still pretty darned heavy for a pregnant lady.

[nicolemodesti]

Quinny Zapp has been brilliant for us as a general stroller and when we travel. We got it when our boy was 9 months old and he's still using it at nearly 3(well when he decides he doesn't want to walk or scoot!). It didn't bother us that it didn't recline and it didn't seem to bother him either if he fell asleep. It's been brilliant on various trips abroad as well as long trips to Australia. The folding part isn't one handed but it is still quick and easy. Very lightweight and folds small.

[mrs f]

Not he question you are asking I know but I've just got back from Cornwall on the train by myself (it certainally felt long distance!!) my tactic was to head for the disabled space & park the buggy (bugaboo chameleon with car seat) and sit next to it as those seats are always unreserved... I don't know if that's possible on your journey but I found it really useful as I was able to load up the buggy

[Saffron]

Great tactic. I've also found that it's always worth asking if the station has step free access. Many stations do, but it's not always well sign-posted.

Waterloo station here in London is the worst offender. There is a large and easily accessible step free area at the top of the station by the taxi rank. It's just not well sign-posted at the bottom of the station where I'm always running to catch mums with their buggies before they try to haul them up that awful double flight of steps at the bottom of the station!