Navigating parenthood comes with its beautiful challenges, and ensuring smooth transitions for your little one is paramount, especially when you’re on the move. A travel system—comprising an infant car seat, a base, and a compatible stroller—is designed to be a game-changer. It allows for a seamless shift from car to sidewalk, meaning your peacefully sleeping baby stays undisturbed (and even a wide-awake baby remains content!). The beauty lies in the infant car seat’s ability to attach directly to the stroller without any fuss with extra adapters. While some travel systems are integrated units where the infant car seat transforms into a stroller, most offer the flexibility of detaching the car seat. As your child grows beyond the infant carrier, the stroller often transitions into a toddler-friendly ride, extending the system’s lifespan, or it can be readily passed down to younger siblings, offering long-term value.
User-friendliness is key for these car seat and stroller combinations. They should be intuitive for not just parents, but also grandparents, babysitters, and anyone who might care for your child. Beyond ease of use, a top-tier travel system should guarantee effortless maneuverability across diverse terrains and incorporate essential safety features. These include reliable brakes, protective UV canopies, and secure five-point harnesses, all contributing to your baby’s safety and comfort.
To bring clarity to your purchasing decisions, we rigorously tested 23 highly-rated travel systems in controlled lab settings and real-world home environments with our own children. Our evaluation encompassed assembly ease, stroller design and functionality, the simplicity of car seat installation and removal in vehicles, and overall performance. Given that travel systems represent a significant investment, we also prioritized value, aiming to guide families toward durable and worthwhile options.
Our Top Picks for Best Rated Infant Travel Systems
- Easiest to Use: UPPAbaby Cruz V2 Stroller
- Best Mid-Range: Britax Grove Modular Stroller
- Best for a Smooth Ride: Graco Outpace LX Travel System
- Best Luxury: NUNA RX Car Seat Travel System
- Best Budget: Graco Modes Pramette Travel System
- Best for City Use: Doona Convertible Infant Car Seat Stroller System
- Best Handling: Chicco Corso LE Modular Travel System
- Best Jogging Stroller: BOB Gear Wayfinder Pack
- Best Lightweight Car Seat: Bugaboo Fox 5 Bassinet and Stroller
- Best Convertible: Graco Modes Nest2Grow Travel System
Easiest to Use
UPPAbaby Cruz V2 Stroller
PHOTO: Amazon
Price: $750 at Amazon, $700 at Nordstrom, View on Pottery Barn Kids
Why We Like It:
When it comes to user-friendliness, the UPPAbaby Cruz V2 travel system stands out as exceptionally easy to manage. The stroller’s near-complete assembly upon arrival was a welcome relief – simply attaching the wheels and it was ready to go. The stroller features sleek, full-grain leather on the handlebar and seatback, both adjustable to suit the comfort of parents and children alike. While the spacious cargo area is a boon for stowing a medium-sized diaper bag, its central bar might pose a slight challenge for accommodating larger, bulkier items.
Maneuverability: This stroller is impressively lightweight and effortlessly glides across various terrains. While navigating steps proved a bit challenging due to the larger tires, its light weight meant it could be easily lifted and carried when needed. A notable advantage is the toddler seat’s high weight capacity, ensuring longevity as your child grows.
Car Seat Installation: The seamless attachment of the car seat to both the base and stroller, accompanied by a distinct click sound, provides reassurance of secure installation. Similarly, detaching the car seat from either is a breeze with a simple button push. The base includes a level indicator that turns green when correctly leveled, enhancing your confidence in your baby’s safety. The no-rethread harness is straightforward to adjust, and thoughtfully included storage pockets for harness buckles add to the convenience.
But Take Note:
While it’s positioned at a higher price point, the UPPAbaby Cruz V2 justifies the cost with several valuable extras: a rain cover, a mesh bug shield, and an extendable sunshade for maximum sun protection. A minor drawback noted was the infant seat canopy’s tendency to not stay firmly in place. On a positive note for portability, the stroller conveniently folds in half.
The Details:
- Stroller weight: 35 lbs.
- Car seat weight: 10 lbs. (car seat), 19 lbs. (with base)
- Stroller dimensions: 22.75 x 37.5 x 40 inches
- Car seat weight/height limits: 4–35 lbs., up to 32 inches
Best Mid-Range
Britax Grove Modular Stroller
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PHOTO: Britax
Price: $560 $448 at Amazon, View on Pottery Barn Kids, View on Britax.com
Why We Like It:
The Britax Grove Modular Stroller earned high praise from our testers, with one describing its usability as “easy breezy.” From a setup time of under 10 minutes to thoughtful features like a lumbar cushion and a one-handed fold mechanism, this stroller is designed for effortless parenting.
Maneuverability: Despite being a medium-sized stroller, the Britax Grove exhibits the agility of a compact model, particularly in turns. Its generously sized wheels adeptly handle bumps, even without suspension, and it performed admirably on both turf and concrete surfaces. The stroller felt light yet robust and of high quality when pushed with the car seat attached.
Car Seat Installation: The car seat base features Britax’s ClickTight technology, simplifying vehicle installation. It involves threading the seatbelt through a compartment in the base (which conveniently opens), buckling it, and snapping the compartment closed. This method proved to be the easiest among all car seat bases tested. Compatibility with all Britax infant seats ensures a straightforward click-in and latch-out process.
But Take Note:
The only minor inconvenience noted is the stroller’s dual-brake system with individual brakes on each rear wheel. These brakes lack color indicators to show engagement status, and both must be pressed to fully secure the stroller. Engaging just one brake prevents rolling but allows for turning.
The Details:
- Stroller weight: 24 lbs.
- Car seat weight: 9.3 lbs. (seat); 10 lbs. (base)
- Stroller dimensions: 37 x 42 x 23.5 inches
- Car seat weight/height limits: 4–30 lbs., up to 32 inches
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Best for a Smooth Ride
Graco Outpace LX Travel System
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PHOTO: Graco
Price: $300 at Amazon, $300 at Target, View on Gracobaby.com
Why We Like It:
Often, travel systems are perceived as cumbersome and hard to maneuver, but the Graco Outpace LX defies this stereotype. Its exceptional handling of bumps and diverse terrains during our tests was surprising, providing an impressively smooth ride. This is likely due to Graco’s “ComfiTech” suspension system, an innovative wavy bar beneath the seat designed to absorb shocks and minimize disturbance to your baby. Complementing this, the rubber tires further enhance cushioning as the stroller transitions across different surfaces. The system’s affordability adds to its appeal.
Maneuverability: For those with limited space or living in urban environments, the Graco Outpace LX’s maneuverability is a significant advantage. Our tester noted, “It navigated tight turns for a standard-size stroller and was incredibly easy to push across gravel, carpet, and turf.”
Car Seat Installation: Popping the car seat in and out of the base is remarkably easy. By simply reclining the stroller and removing the snack tray, the car seat seamlessly attaches to the bumper bar. Detachment from the base is equally straightforward with a button press.
But Take Note:
Assembly in our lab proved to be somewhat time-consuming, taking over 25 minutes. Despite consulting the manual, the initial setup wasn’t immediately intuitive. Design-wise, the cupholder was identified as a minor issue, lacking sufficient depth for taller water bottles, which might be inconvenient for users with larger beverage containers.
The Details:
- Stroller weight: 19 lbs.
- Car seat weight: 7 lbs. (car seat), 11 lbs. (with base)
- Stroller dimensions: 32 x 25 x 39 inches
- Car seat weight/height limits: 4–30 lbs., up to 30 inches
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Best Luxury
NUNA RX Car Seat Travel System
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PHOTO: Courtesy of Nordstrom
Price: $950 at Nordstrom, View on Pottery Barn Kids
Why We Like It:
The Nuna Mixx Next + Pipa RX Travel System delivers a luxurious experience with its sleek and attractive design, premium feel, adaptability for your growing child, and exceptional maneuverability. This lightweight travel system is constructed from soft, comfortable, and durable fabrics, underscoring its high-quality nature.
The stroller arrived fully assembled, requiring only a quick glance at the instructions to unfold it—a remarkably easy process. The cargo area is adequate for a diaper bag, though slightly larger dimensions would be preferable. Thoughtful details such as a leather carrying handle, magnetic buckle holders to keep straps conveniently out of the way, an adjustable handlebar, and no-rethread harnesses enhance user experience. Additionally, the UPF 50+ water-repellent canopy includes an extendable sunshade, a flip-out eyeshade, a ventilation panel, and a peek-a-boo window, ensuring baby’s comfort and visibility.
Maneuverability: The stroller’s suspension system ensures a smooth ride, complemented by rubber wheels offering excellent traction. Its overall lightweight nature contributes to effortless maneuverability in various settings. We appreciated the stroller’s ability to fold with the toddler seat attached and the one-touch brake, providing secure stops.
Car Seat Installation: The car seat is impressively lightweight, weighing just over 7 pounds, making it easy to carry and transition between the base and stroller. Attaching and detaching the car seat from both base and stroller was simple and could be accomplished one-handed with a button press. Both the infant seat and toddler seat can be positioned to face forward or backward on the stroller, adding to its versatility.
But Take Note:
Vehicle installation of the car seat base proved to be more challenging compared to other tested systems. It took approximately 30 minutes and required consulting the manual and instructional videos. We discovered that a specific angle was needed for successful LATCH system engagement, making it more complex than other options tested.
The Details:
- Stroller weight: 28.5 lbs.
- Car seat weight: 7.6 lbs. (without base); 25.4 lbs. (with base)
- Stroller dimensions: 23.75 x 32.75 x 45.5 inches
- Car seat weight/height limits: 4–32 lbs., up to 32 inches
- Stroller age/weight limit: Birth to 50 lbs.
Best Budget
Graco Modes Pramette Travel System
PHOTO: Amazon
Price: $300 $240 at Amazon, $300 at Target, View on Gracobaby.com
Why We Like It:
The Graco Modes Pramette Travel System stands out as one of the most affordable travel systems on the market without compromising on essential features. It provides a smooth ride and ample storage capacity. The fabric quality is commendable for its price range, and the spacious cargo area easily accommodates baby and parent necessities. Additional features like a phone holder, cup holder, reclining toddler seat, and adjustable canopy enhance its value proposition.
Maneuverability: This lightweight stroller boasts excellent gliding capability, rolling smoothly across various terrains and easily lifted over curbs, even with a 20-pound child and a diaper bag in tow. Its wheels demonstrated efficient cornering and navigation through simulated curvy paths in our lab tests.
Car Seat Installation: Installing the car seat base in a vehicle using the LATCH system is straightforward. The infant car seat felt secure and reasonably lightweight at approximately 10 pounds. Attaching the car seat to the base is intuitive, while detachment is slightly less so (the button is located under the canopy). However, the seat readily clicks in and out of the stroller frame, providing audible confirmation of secure attachment.
But Take Note:
We encountered minor challenges during stroller assembly and toddler seat detachment. The buttons on either side of the stroller seat require two hands to operate. Additionally, the handlebar is non-adjustable, and one-handed stroller folding is not possible.
The Details:
- Stroller weight: 20.9 lbs.
- Car seat weight: 9.8 lbs. (without base)
- Stroller dimensions: 23.5 x 34.5 x 44.75 inches
- Car seat weight/height limits: 4–35 lbs., up to 32 inches
- Stroller age/weight limit: Up to 50 lbs.
Best for City Use
Doona Convertible Infant Car Seat Stroller System
Price: $550 $519 at Amazon, $550 at Target, $550 at Nordstrom
Why We Like It:
The Doona distinguishes itself as a unique one-piece stroller and car seat. It seamlessly transitions from a car seat to a stroller in mere seconds, featuring fold-down wheels and a telescoping handlebar. This convertible design is a significant space-saver, making it ideal for those frequently using ride-sharing services or public transportation. We highly recommend it for families seeking a quick and uncomplicated solution for short trips from car to destination.
Maneuverability: Despite its 17-pound weight, the Doona impresses with its ease of maneuverability. It offers a smooth glide on most surfaces, although its lack of suspension raised concerns about performance on rougher terrains. Its compact and narrow profile is advantageous for navigating crowded urban spaces and tight corners. While the stroller is easy to clean, it lacks a storage basket or cup holder, and the seat does not recline.
Car Seat Installation: Initially, we found attaching and detaching the seat from the base slightly challenging. It requires pressing a button on the base, which is not immediately intuitive but becomes simpler with practice. A similar learning curve was noted for wheel release, but once mastered, operation becomes straightforward.
But Take Note:
The Doona’s low handlebar can be ergonomically awkward, and its lifespan is limited compared to other systems—a replacement stroller will be needed once your child exceeds the 35-pound weight limit.
The Details:
- Stroller/car seat weight: 17 lbs.
- Stroller dimensions: 17.3 x 23.6 x 26 inches
- Car seat and stroller weight/height limits: 4–35 lbs., up to 32 inches
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Best Handling
Chicco Corso LE Modular Travel System
PHOTO: Amazon
Price: $580 at Amazon, $582 at Target, View on Chiccousa.com
Why We Like It:
The Chicco Corso travel system is notable for its stylish design, practical extra features, and a stroller that handles exceptionally well across nearly all terrains. Its trendy aesthetic, featuring mixed colors and leather accents, is visually appealing and packed with conveniences such as a parent cup holder, a detachable child handlebar, and an extended canopy for comprehensive sun protection. The generous cargo space is also a significant advantage.
We appreciated the stroller’s user-friendly, one-handed fold, which one tester remarked “can be managed even while holding a baby.” The system adapts as your child grows, offering a comfortable toddler seat that can be positioned forward or rear-facing, providing excellent value for its price.
Maneuverability: This travel system maintains seamless movement even with a car seat and a fully loaded cargo area. It handles surprisingly well on most surfaces, with only minor difficulty encountered on uneven sidewalks.
Car Seat Installation: Vehicle installation of the car seat base using the LATCH system was quick, taking only minutes. Attaching and detaching the car seat from the base was effortlessly achieved with one hand, and all components felt robust and secure throughout the process.
But Take Note:
A key point to consider is that this system requires a separate adapter to attach the car seat to the stroller. While this adapter is included, assembling the car seat and stroller and connecting the car seat to the base necessitates two hands.
The Details:
- Stroller weight: 18.7 lbs., 24.8 lbs. (with toddler seat)
- Car seat weight: 10 lbs. (seat), 18.5 lbs. (with base)
- Stroller dimensions: 34.5 x 24.8 x 42.8 inches
- Car seat weight/height limits: 4–35 lbs., up to 32 inches
- Stroller age/weight limit: 50 lbs.
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PHOTO: Parents
Best Jogging Stroller
BOB Gear Wayfinder Pack
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Price: $850 at Amazon, View on Bobgear.com, View on Albeebaby.com
Why We Like It:
The BOB Gear Wayfinder Pack is designed for both everyday use and fitness enthusiasts, offering comfort and specialized features for jogging and running. It includes a hand brake, wrist strap, Velcro-closure mesh peek-a-boo window, an adjustable canopy, and a parent cup holder. The zippered cargo area is particularly useful for runners, preventing items from falling out during jogs.
Maneuverability: Despite being a robust jogging stroller, the Wayfinder Pack is surprisingly easy to maneuver. Even with the front swivel wheel locked—a setting typically challenging for jogging strollers—it remained effortless, a point highlighted by our tester runners. The stroller navigated turns and various surfaces with ease, and its suspension ensured a smooth ride, even on gravel. A key feature appreciated by joggers is the locked front wheel’s ability to slightly pivot left or right for weaving through crowds, maintaining straight-line stability when needed.
Car Seat Installation: The car seat, when combined with its base, is heavy, weighing nearly 20 pounds, and we found snapping it into the base challenging. Once installed, however, the entire unit felt secure and stable.
But Take Note:
Adjusting the car seat straps may require removing fabric, a process that can be cumbersome and time-consuming. Folding the stroller is also more involved due to its durable, feature-rich design.
The Details:
- Stroller weight: 31.1 lbs.
- Car seat weight: 9.3 lbs. (car seat), 10.2 lbs. (base)
- Stroller dimensions: 28.1 x 24.11 x 16.9 inches
- Car seat weight/height limits: 4–30 lbs., up to 32 inches
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Best Lightweight Car Seat
Bugaboo Fox 5 Bassinet and Stroller
PHOTO: Bugaboo
Price: $1,099 at Amazon, $1,099 at Target, $1,100 at Nordstrom
Why We Like It:
The Bugaboo Fox 5 Stroller is engineered to be compatible with the exceptional Bugaboo Turtle Air by Nuna car seat (sold separately). Our evaluation of this car seat with the Bugaboo Fox 5 system revealed a thoughtfully designed, simple, and lightweight travel solution. The stroller is also lightweight yet robust, offering an optimally sized under-storage basket, snack tray, and cup holder. While it is a larger stroller, considering indoor storage space is advisable.
Maneuverability: Our tester effortlessly maneuvered the Bugaboo one-handed, navigating sharp turns and doorways with ease. Even with cargo in the seat and basket, it maintained agility across all terrains. The brakes are highly responsive, allowing for immediate stops.
Car Seat Installation: Our testing of the compatible Bugaboo Turtle Air by Nuna car seat and recline base is ongoing. Installation requires adapters, which are included. A color-coded chart on the reclining base indicates the appropriate position based on the baby’s weight, with easy adjustments as needed. While the car seat base installation involves several steps as per the manual, it ensures a very secure fit once completed.
But Take Note:
Converting the bassinet to a seat is complex, necessitating two adults. Our testers found this task quite strenuous. However, this conversion is a one-time process. Despite claims of one-handed folding, we found two hands are required for effective folding.
The Details:
- Stroller weight: 22.97 lbs.
- Car seat weight: 7.06 lbs. (car seat)
- Stroller dimensions: 36.6 x 23.6 x 41.3 inches
- Car seat weight/height limits: 4 to 32 lbs., 15.7 to 32.6 inches
- Stroller age/weight limit: Birth to 50 lbs.
Best Convertible
Graco Modes Nest2Grow Travel System
PHOTO: Amazon
Price: $490 at Amazon, $490 at Target, $400 at Walmart Affiliate Program
Why We Like It:
The Graco Modes Nest2Grow is a versatile three-in-one travel system, functioning as an infant car seat carrier, infant pramette, and toddler stroller. We appreciate its practical features, such as an expandable cargo area suitable for day-long outings—particularly beneficial for city residents who walk to stores. It also includes parent and child cup holders and a snack tray. Adjustability features include seat height modification, and while the fabric texture is somewhat rough, its appearance belies its affordable price.
Maneuverability: The stroller glides smoothly over various terrains and is surprisingly easy to lift up stairs. It feels lightweight without a child, and folds for vehicle trunk storage or discreet keeping, though two hands are needed for folding.
Car Seat Installation: With manual guidance, car seat installation was generally straightforward, although stroller assembly was slightly challenging. Installing the car seat base via the LATCH system was easy and felt secure even with seat belt installation. Attaching and detaching both car seat and toddler seat from the stroller was seamless. The car seat is notably lightweight at 7.5 pounds, making it ideal for frequent carrying.
But Take Note:
The stroller can feel slightly heavy to push, especially with a child in the infant seat, and it is on the larger side for strollers.
The Details:
- Stroller weight: 21.96 lbs.
- Car seat weight: 7.5 lbs.
- Stroller dimensions: 38 x 26.77 x 41.85 inches
- Car seat weight/height limits: 4–35 lbs., up to 32 inches
Other Notable Car Seat and Stroller Combos
We also assessed these car seat and stroller combinations, and while they weren’t top selections, they merit consideration.
Our Testing Process for Best Rated Infant Travel Systems
Parents editors, staff, and real parents undertook comprehensive testing of 23 car seat and stroller combinations in our testing lab and in real-life scenarios over an extended period, with reassessments at two-month and six-month intervals. We evaluated each car seat both independently and as part of a travel system, focusing on these key attributes:
- Ease of Assembly: We assembled each stroller, noting the required components and whether the process was straightforward or complex.
- Vehicle Installation: We measured the time to install the car seat base using seat belts or the LATCH system, assessing the ease of clicking the car seat into and out of the base. We noted if these actions could be performed single-handedly and if they caused excessive seat movement that might disturb a sleeping baby.
- Stroller Integration: We evaluated how seamlessly the car seat integrated with its stroller, noting if it easily clicked into place and if the process required one or two hands.
- Design Quality: We considered the weight, features, adjustability, and overall dimensions of both car seats and strollers.
- Maneuverability Assessment: We tested stroller maneuverability across various terrains in lab and real-world conditions, including concrete, grass, and rocks, assessing stability, shakiness, and ease of navigating steps and curbs.
- Cleaning Ease: Testers followed manufacturer guidelines to clean car seats at least once during the testing period.
- Value for Money: Post-testing, we surveyed testers to gauge their perception of the travel system’s value relative to its cost, asking if they considered it worth the price or overpriced, and if they would purchase it at full price or only on sale.
Our Experts on Infant Travel Systems
We consulted with safety experts to identify essential safety features and considerations for selecting a car seat and stroller combination:
Factors to Consider When Buying a Stroller Car Seat Combo
Beyond personal considerations like budget and brand preference, these factors are crucial when choosing a stroller and car seat combo:
- Age, Weight, and Size Limits: Most car seat-stroller combos are designed with a 35-pound weight limit for the infant car seat (always verify specific limits for your chosen brand). Systems with detachable infant car seats allow stroller use for older infants without the car seat, exceeding the 35-pound limit.
- Stroller Size and Portability: Assess your lifting capacity when considering stroller options. Opt for a lightweight model for easy vehicle loading and unloading. Choose a stroller that folds compactly for storage in tight spaces or car trunks, enhancing overall portability.
- Maneuverability Features: A stroller should be easy to push and steer. Look for features that enhance maneuverability, such as suspension systems and durable tires, which are especially important when carrying a child and car seat.
- Installation Guidelines: Adhere to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) safety guidelines when installing the infant car seat base. Securely install using either seat belts or the LATCH system, ensuring zero movement at the base. Infants should remain in rear-facing car seats as long as possible, until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Consult certified car seat technicians for installation verification or assistance, available locally or virtually at cert.safekids.org.
Is Buying an Infant Car Seat and Stroller Together Worth It?
Travel systems offer significant convenience for active families and caregivers, streamlining transitions between car and stroller. If you frequently run errands or take your baby out, a travel system saves considerable time and effort. For less frequent outings, purchasing separate car seats and strollers remains a viable option.
How to Use Infant Car Seats and Strollers Safely
Avoid assumptions about intuitive use. Always thoroughly read manuals and assembly instructions for both car seats and strollers to ensure correct setup and usage. Many parenting products include QR codes for digital manuals on your smartphone.
Here are additional safety tips:
- Ensure Ergonomic Fit: Verify the stroller’s handle height is comfortable for the primary caregiver to prevent back strain. Also ensure easy, strain-free operation of all features. For families with multiple children or frequent folding needs, consider one-hand operable travel systems.
- Master Safety Features: Prioritize car seat safety by ensuring easy-to-use safety features. Improper car seat installation can compromise safety in crashes or sudden stops. Similarly, for strollers, check for clearly indicated brake locks, audible “click-in” car seat installation confirmation, and level indicators. Also, check for potential pinch hazards in buttons or levers.
- Proper Harnessing: All U.S. travel systems include a five-point harness. Safety experts recommend consistently using the harness even when the car seat is outside the vehicle.
- Limit Sleeping in Strollers: While occasional napping in properly installed infant seats is acceptable, the AAP recommends a bassinet attachment for safe napping during extended strolling.
- Product Registration: Register your car seat stroller combo to receive safety recall notifications, also available at the Consumer Products Safety Commission’s (CPSC) site.
Who We Are
Chaunie Brusie, RN, BSN, a labor and delivery nurse turned health and parenting writer for Parents and mother of five, extensively covers parenting products, including car seats, strollers, and travel systems. Her preferred travel system, the Baby Trend jogger, reflected her active lifestyle during early motherhood.
Anja Webb, Associate Editor at Parents, brings eight years of editorial experience and a background in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies, offering nuanced insights into modern family issues.
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