As a parent who values streamlined travel, strollers weren’t always my priority. Babywearing often felt like the simpler solution. However, navigating airports and new cities with two young children, including a toddler, changed my perspective. Our family trip to Israel and Malta with a 10-month-old and a two-year-old demanded a rethink. The prospect of extensive walking while carrying both kids was daunting. That’s when my search for the perfect travel stroller began, leading me to the UPPAbaby Minu.
woman pushing uppababy minu stroller through crowded street in valletta malta
Diving into the world of “pocket strollers,” I was inundated with recommendations from fellow travel-loving parents in online communities. Brands like GB Pockit+, Mountain Buggy Nano, Zoe XL1, and Babyzen YoYo were constantly praised for their lightweight and compact designs.
These strollers, often compared to umbrella strollers in terms of weight and portability, offer a unique advantage: they fold into a box-like shape designed to fit in airplane overhead bins. This feature, more than just convenience, became a game-changer for our family travels. For destinations where navigating busy streets and public transport is part of the adventure, a reliable travel stroller is now an essential part of our toddler travel gear.
The Case for a Travel Stroller: Beyond Gate Checking
Why opt for a travel stroller you can carry on board? The answer lies in mitigating the risks associated with checked baggage, even gate-checked strollers. Stories of strollers lost or damaged during flights are far too common. While gate checking reduces the chance of loss, it unfortunately increases the likelihood of damage. Airline compensation policies for gate-checked items can also be less favorable than for baggage checked at the counter, leaving parents in frustrating situations.
Protective stroller travel bags offer some defense, but the ultimate safeguard is keeping your stroller with you in the overhead bin. This also provides immediate access to your stroller upon disembarking. Gate-checked strollers, while sometimes readily available at the gate, can also be routed to baggage claim. This delay forces you to manage a tired toddler, carry-on luggage, and navigate customs without the aid of a stroller – a scenario any parent would prefer to avoid.
baby in uppababy minu stroller and toddler in an airport
Pocket Stroller Showdown: Finding the Right Fit
My quest for the ideal travel stroller involved extensive research, fueled by the collective wisdom of online parent travel groups. I meticulously reviewed countless posts seeking stroller recommendations, absorbing the experiences and opinions shared by seasoned traveling moms. The Mountain Buggy Nano emerged as a strong contender, seemingly offering the perfect balance of features and value, without the premium price tag of the often-lauded Babyzen YoYo.
However, past experiences taught me the importance of hands-on testing. A trip to BuyBuyBaby with my husband became a crucial step in the selection process. Despite its positive online reviews, the Mountain Buggy Nano didn’t quite resonate with me in person. The folding mechanism felt cumbersome, requiring two hands, and the sunshade seemed less than ideal. Trying other frequently recommended models, including the YoYo, left me similarly underwhelmed.
It was my husband who spotted the UPPAbaby Minu. Its sleek design and leather-wrapped handlebar immediately caught his eye. Initially, the Minu wasn’t on my radar, as it was mentioned less frequently in online discussions compared to other pocket strollers. Yet, upon revisiting those online groups while at BuyBuyBaby, I noticed that parents who did mention the Minu spoke of it with exceptional praise.
Intrigued, we put the UPPAbaby Minu to the test in the store. It was an instant connection. While it represented a slightly higher investment than initially planned for a travel-specific stroller, it remained significantly more affordable than the YoYo. We weighed the benefits of owning such a versatile and travel-friendly stroller, and decided to make the purchase. It turned out to be an exceptional decision.
woman wearing baby and toddler pushing elmo doll in uppababy minu stroller in front of western wall
Unpacking the Appeal: Why We Love the UPPAbaby Minu
Let’s begin with aesthetics. The UPPAbaby Minu is undeniably stylish. Its sophisticated silver aluminum frame, high-quality SPF 50+ sunshade fabric, and luxurious leather handlebar contribute to a stroller that is as visually appealing as it is functional. For parents who appreciate good design, the Minu delivers.
Beyond its looks, the Minu excels in practical features. The one-handed fold is incredibly smooth and intuitive, a lifesaver when managing a wriggly toddler. The stroller also features a convenient shoulder strap, a surprising omission in some other pocket stroller designs.
Like many travel strollers, the Minu offers a recline feature, essential for naps on the go. The recline mechanism is easily adjustable, even with your child seated, and provides a comfortable angle for restful sleep, though not a completely flat recline.
baby wearing bathing suit asleep in uppababy minu stroller
The under-seat basket is remarkably spacious for a compact stroller, easily accommodating a diaper bag, shopping finds, and travel essentials. An additional zippered pocket located just below the handlebar provides secure storage for your phone, wallet, keys, and sunglasses – eliminating the need for a separate stroller organizer. This integrated pocket has become one of my favorite features.
Height adaptability is another significant advantage. My exceptionally tall two-year-old fits comfortably in the Minu without her head hitting the canopy, a common issue with many strollers designed for younger children. With a generous 50 lbs weight capacity, the Minu offers longevity as your child grows. Similarly, its handlebar height is comfortable for both myself (5’8″) and my tall husband (6’4″). While he might prefer slightly higher handles, it’s a comfortable push for him, and perfect for me. Parents of shorter stature should ideally test the handlebar height for optimal comfort.
man pushing uppababy minu stroller with toddler holding elmo doll on cobbled road
Perhaps my husband’s favorite aspect, surpassing even the leather handlebar, is the Minu’s exceptional maneuverability. The stroller’s smooth ride and effortless turning radius are unmatched compared to other models we tested. The shock-absorbing all-wheel suspension plays a crucial role, especially when navigating cobblestone streets or uneven sidewalks – perfect for travel destinations like Italy!
traveling baby standing in front of impressive bell tower
Finally, the Minu stands upright when folded, a convenient feature not found in all compact strollers, simplifying storage and transport.
Minor Drawbacks: Areas for Improvement
Despite its many strengths, the UPPAbaby Minu isn’t without minor imperfections. After extensive use, a couple of points emerged.
The seat angle, when fully upright, seemed slightly reclined for my 10-month-old. She tended to slump forward, relying on the harness for support. While she didn’t seem bothered, it was a visual concern for me. This issue lessened as she gained core strength and improved posture around 18 months old. Reclining the seat slightly alleviated the slumping, but naturally, she preferred a more upright position to observe her surroundings.
Unfolding the stroller from its compact folded state could be smoother. It typically requires two hands to unlock and open, which can be inconvenient when holding a baby. While folding is effortlessly one-handed, unfolding lacks the same seamlessness.
While these are minor points based on my personal experience, online reviews occasionally mention concerns about the Minu’s durability, with some users reporting breakages after minimal use. However, my experience with the 2019 model has been overwhelmingly positive, suggesting potential improvements in later versions. It’s worth noting that some reviews referencing durability issues seem to be associated with older (2018) models.
Another point from online reviews concerns warranty coverage. UPPAbaby’s warranty may not cover damage sustained during air travel unless the stroller is transported in the official UPPAbaby Minu travel bag. This is a crucial consideration if you anticipate gate-checking your stroller, despite its overhead bin compatibility.
A further observation from online feedback is the potential for the stroller to tip backwards if a toddler pulls excessively on the handlebars, especially with a baby inside. This is a general caution with lightweight strollers. While we haven’t experienced accidental tipping during normal use, even with a toddler occasionally leaning on the handlebars, it’s a reminder to remain vigilant, particularly with a lightweight stroller. Adding weight to the back pocket could theoretically increase this risk, although we’ve never encountered this issue even with items stored in the pocket.
Lastly, the Minu, like other pocket and umbrella strollers, isn’t compatible with toddler stroller boards. Attaching a board would compromise the stroller’s balance and likely increase the risk of tipping.
Cute baby in pink travel bag
Real-World Travel: The Minu in Action
My initial expectations for the UPPAbaby Minu were high, anticipating its convenience for travel. However, its real-world performance exceeded even my optimistic projections.
Airport Navigation
The Minu’s airport maneuverability is a game-changer. Especially when combined with a lightweight travel car seat, like the Cosco Scenera Next, airport transits become significantly less stressful. The Cosco Scenera Next, in particular, is a fantastic companion to the Minu. Its lightweight design (around 7 lbs) and budget-friendly price make it ideal for air travel. Remarkably, the Cosco Scenera Next car seat fits snugly and securely within the UPPAbaby Minu stroller seat, creating a makeshift travel system.
baby in cosco scenera next car seat in uppababy minu stroller, front angle
baby in cosco scenera next car seat in uppababy minu stroller, side angle
We utilized this car seat-stroller hack throughout airport journeys. Upon exiting taxis or airport shuttles, we’d simply place the car seat (with baby secured inside) into the Minu and proceed through the airport. The baby remained comfortably in the car seat until security checkpoints.
Navigating airport security with the Minu is relatively smooth. We’d remove the baby, send the car seat through the conveyor belt, and quickly fold the Minu to place it on the belt as well. After security, the car seat-stroller combination was reassembled for effortless airport transit.
At the gate, despite pre-folding the stroller, gate agents often requested stroller tags. While sometimes complying with tagging, we consistently carried the folded Minu onto the plane without issue. Its compact folded dimensions fall within standard carry-on size restrictions, ensuring overhead bin compatibility. While gate agents might sometimes question carry-on strollers, the Minu’s dimensions technically qualify it as carry-on luggage.
Overhead Bin Compatibility: Does the Minu Really Fit?
Yes, the UPPAbaby Minu has consistently fit in the overhead bins of every airplane we’ve flown on, including budget airlines. While it’s always advisable to check specific airline and aircraft dimensions, the Minu is designed to be exceptionally compact. In fact, it’s smaller than many standard carry-on suitcases.
Detailed dimensions of the folded UPPAbaby Minu, illustrating its compact size for overhead bin storage.
folded uppababy minu with wine bottle for size reference, about half as tall as the minu
side view of unfolded uppababy minu
measuring stick behind high point of minu showing 42.5 inches
The UPPAbaby Minu’s folded dimensions are approximately 20.5 inches (width) x 11.5 inches (depth) x 23 inches (height). It weighs a mere 14.8 pounds (including wheels and frame).
Exploring Destinations
During our travels, the Minu proved invaluable. Combining it with a baby carrier provided flexible transportation options for both children, allowing us to travel surprisingly light. The compact Minu and a fabric meh dai wrap (suitable for both baby and toddler) were our essential travel companions.
woman in sunglasses smiling with baby on back in carrier and toddler in uppababy minu stroller in a bus stop
While my husband worked, I navigated Tel Aviv independently with both daughters, relying on public buses. The Minu’s one-handed fold was a lifesaver when boarding buses. Quickly folding the stroller while holding the baby made bus travel manageable, a feat that would have been significantly more challenging without the Minu’s compact design.
Everyday Use at Home
Surprisingly, the UPPAbaby Minu has seamlessly transitioned into our everyday life beyond travel. It now resides permanently in our car, occupying minimal space. Its lightweight nature makes it effortless to lift in and out of the car. The under-seat basket is practical for errands and shopping trips. While not designed for large grocery hauls, it’s perfectly suited for daily tasks.
Despite my initial preference for babywearing, the Minu’s convenience often makes it the quicker and easier choice for everyday outings.
While I can’t definitively declare the Babyzen YoYo “perfect” or definitively rank the Zoe XL1 against the Minu in terms of value, I can confidently say that for families who frequently travel with babies and toddlers, a pocket stroller is essential. And for our family, the UPPAbaby Minu has become a beloved and indispensable travel companion.
woman hugging toddler and baby in stroller in front of gate of mdina
Do you have questions about travel strollers or alternative recommendations? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
