Originally published in September, 2019. Updated in February, 2025.
Confession time: I wasn’t always a stroller enthusiast. The thought of lugging around another piece of baby gear, especially while navigating airports and unfamiliar streets, used to fill me with dread. Babywearing was my travel style of choice. It felt simpler, more streamlined.
However, life with two little ones changed my perspective, and fast. The idea of tackling a big trip to Israel and Malta with a 10-month-old and a spirited 2-year-old made me seriously reconsider my stroller aversion. I knew we’d be doing a ton of walking, exploring ancient cities and bustling markets, and the reality of wearing both kids was, well, daunting.
woman pushing uppababy minu stroller through crowded street in valletta maltaNavigating the charming, yet crowded streets of Valletta, Malta with the UPPAbaby Minu Travel Stroller.
That’s when my quest for the perfect travel stroller began. I dove headfirst into the world of compact, lightweight strollers, seeking something that could be both a lifesaver on our adventures and small enough to not feel like a burden. Spoiler alert: I found it. And it completely changed how I view traveling with young children.
My research led me down the rabbit hole of “pocket strollers.” These strollers were constantly praised in my online parenting travel communities. Moms raved about their beloved GB Pockit+, the dependable Mountain Buggy Nano, the family-friendly Zoe XL1, and the iconic Babyzen YoYo .
These strollers all promised the holy grail of travel with kids: lightweight design and compact foldability. Unlike traditional umbrella strollers, travel strollers, often called pocket strollers, are engineered to fold into a more box-like shape, specifically designed to fit into an airplane’s overhead bin. The degree to which they achieve this “overhead bin compatibility” varies between models.
For any family embarking on adventures, especially those involving air travel, a travel stroller is more than just a convenience; it’s become an essential piece of gear, right up there with my toddler travel essentials!
The Perks of Choosing a Travel Stroller
You might be wondering, “Why not just gate-check a regular stroller?” It’s a valid question. For years, parents have relied on gate-checking as a stroller strategy. However, there are compelling reasons why bringing a travel stroller onboard is a superior choice.
The horror stories of strollers lost or damaged during flights are plentiful. Gate-checking, while seemingly convenient, actually increases the risk of damage. And frustratingly, many airlines offer less compensation for items damaged during gate-checking compared to checked baggage. It’s a gamble many parents have unfortunately lost.
While protective stroller travel bags offer some buffer, the ultimate peace of mind comes from knowing your stroller is safely stowed in the overhead bin. This eliminates the worry of damage in transit and ensures your stroller arrives when you do.
The immediate usability upon disembarking is another huge advantage. While sometimes gate-checked strollers are waiting at the plane door, it’s just as common for them to be routed to baggage claim. Imagine navigating customs, wrangling tired children and carry-on luggage, all without a stroller. With a travel stroller safely tucked overhead, you’re ready to roll the moment you step off the plane.
baby in uppababy minu stroller and toddler in an airportThe immense convenience of having a travel stroller immediately available in the airport.
Diving into the World of Travel Strollers: A Comparison
My quest to find the perfect travel stroller was fueled by countless hours spent in online travel groups. I meticulously read through post after post, absorbing the collective wisdom of parents who had been there, done that, and pushed every stroller imaginable.
Certain models kept surfacing repeatedly, consistently praised for their travel-friendliness. Among them, the Mountain Buggy Nano initially stood out as a strong contender. It seemed to strike a balance between features and affordability, avoiding the premium price tag associated with the seemingly perfect Babyzen YoYo.
Learning from past experiences of stroller-buying regrets based solely on online reviews, I knew I needed to test drive these contenders in person. A trip to BuyBuyBaby with my husband in tow became a crucial step in the process.
This hands-on experience proved invaluable. The Mountain Buggy Nano, while well-regarded, didn’t quite live up to my expectations in person. Folding it felt clunky and required two hands, the sunshade seemed flimsy, and overall, it just didn’t feel like “the one.” I proceeded to test out other popular travel strollers recommended in the Facebook groups, including the coveted YoYo, but none truly clicked.
Then, my husband spotted the UPPAbaby Minu. He was instantly drawn to its sleek design, particularly the leather-wrapped handlebar (a detail he has a weakness for, apparently!).
Initially, the Minu wasn’t on my radar, as it wasn’t mentioned as frequently as other travel strollers in the online discussions. However, a deeper dive back into the groups, conducted right there in BuyBuyBaby with a baby peacefully napping on my chest, revealed a dedicated contingent of Minu enthusiasts. Those who had tried it, loved it.
So we put the UPPAbaby Minu to the test. And we immediately understood the hype. The smooth fold, the quality feel, the thoughtful features – it was undeniably impressive. While it was a bit pricier than we initially intended to spend on a travel stroller, it was still significantly more affordable than the YoYo. After weighing the advantages of owning such a versatile and travel-ready stroller, we decided to take the plunge.
It turned out to be one of our best parenting gear decisions, ever.
woman wearing baby and toddler pushing elmo doll in uppababy minu stroller in front of western wallMaking family memories at the Western Wall, Jerusalem, with the UPPAbaby Minu travel stroller effortlessly handling the ancient terrain.
Unpacking the Love: Why the UPPAbaby Minu Became Our Go-To Travel Stroller
Let’s be honest, aesthetics matter. And the UPPAbaby Minu is undeniably a beautiful stroller.
The sleek silver aluminum frame exudes quality. The sunshade fabric not only feels luxurious but also offers UPF 50+ protection. And that premium leather-wrapped handlebar? It’s a touch of sophistication that elevates the entire stroller. I’m not ashamed to admit that the Minu’s stylish design was a definite plus for me.
But beyond its good looks, the Minu excels in functionality.
The one-handed fold is a game-changer for busy parents. Folding it while holding a squirming baby is surprisingly easy and intuitive. The stroller clicks securely into its folded position, and the convenient carry strap allows you to pick it up and go without missing a beat – a true mom juggle win! The integrated shoulder strap, a feature surprisingly absent in some other travel strollers, adds another layer of portability.
Like most quality travel strollers, the Minu offers a recline feature, essential for on-the-go naps. The recline mechanism is a smooth slider that operates quickly and easily, even with your child in the seat. While it doesn’t recline completely flat, the angle is more than sufficient for comfortable snoozes.
baby wearing bathing suit asleep in uppababy minu strollerNaptime bliss by the pool, thanks to the comfortable recline of the UPPAbaby Minu travel stroller.
The under-seat basket is generously sized, especially for a travel stroller. It comfortably accommodates a diaper bag, shopping totes, or whatever else your adventures require. And the genius little pocket located just below the handlebar is one of my absolute favorite features. Perfectly sized for a phone, wallet, keys, and sunglasses, it eliminates the need for a separate stroller organizer.
close up of back pocket on uppababy minu, full and with mask hanging outThe incredibly convenient back pocket of the UPPAbaby Minu – a lifesaver for keeping essentials within reach.
My exceptionally tall 2-year-old was another important consideration. Many travel strollers we tested had canopies that bumped against her head. Unacceptable! The UPPAbaby Minu, however, offers ample headroom, even for taller toddlers. With a weight limit of 50 lbs, we know we’ll get years of use out of this stroller.
Height-adjustable handlebars are a rarity in the travel stroller category, but the Minu’s handlebar height worked well for both my 6’4″ husband and myself at 5’8″. While he might have preferred it slightly taller, it was significantly more comfortable for him than most other compact strollers we tested. I’m unsure how it would fare for very petite parents, but for our average to taller heights, it’s perfect.
man pushing uppababy minu stroller with toddler holding elmo doll on cobbled roadEffortless strolling for tall parents and comfortable headroom for growing toddlers with the UPPAbaby Minu.
Perhaps my husband’s biggest praise for the Minu, even surpassing his admiration for the leather handlebar, is its exceptional maneuverability. The ride is remarkably smooth, far superior to any other stroller we tested. The shock-absorbing all-wheel suspension is a game-changer, especially when navigating uneven terrain like cobblestone streets – essential for our upcoming trip to Italy! The Minu turns on a dime, making navigating crowded sidewalks and tight spaces a breeze.
traveling baby standing in front of impressive bell tower
Finally, the Minu stands upright when folded – a seemingly small detail that makes a big difference for storage and navigating tight spaces. Not all travel strollers offer this convenient self-standing feature.
Minor Drawbacks: Things to Consider About the Minu
No product is perfect, and even our beloved Minu has a couple of minor drawbacks. After extensive use, these are the things that occasionally bother me.
The angle of the seat, when fully upright, wasn’t ideal for my youngest around 10 months old. She tended to slump down and lean to the side, relying on the straps to stay somewhat upright. While she never seemed bothered by it, it was a slight concern for me. This improved as she gained better core strength and control around 1.5 years old. The seat angle was perfectly fine when reclined, but naturally, when awake, she preferred to be upright and engaged with her surroundings.
smiling baby slumped over in uppababy minu strollerThe slight seat slump in the UPPAbaby Minu, noticeable for younger babies when fully upright, though not a bother to the child.
Unfolding the stroller from its compact folded position isn’t quite as seamless as the fold itself. It typically requires two hands to unlock and open it, which can be a minor inconvenience when holding a baby. It’s not a major issue, but it lacks the one-handed magic of the folding mechanism.
Those are my only personal complaints. However, in researching travel strollers, I did come across some Amazon reviews mentioning concerns about the Minu’s quality and durability, with some reporting breakage after minimal use. I honestly haven’t experienced any such issues with my 2019 model. It’s possible UPPAbaby addressed earlier concerns with material upgrades in later versions. It’s worth noting that some reviews mentioning quality issues seemed to be related to the 2018 model.
Another point raised in Amazon reviews is UPPAbaby’s warranty policy regarding air travel damage. It’s been reported that the warranty may not cover damage incurred during air travel unless the stroller is transported in the official UPPAbaby Minu travel bag. This is something to be aware of if you anticipate gate-checking your Minu frequently.
One final, albeit common to lightweight strollers, point is the potential for tipping. A reviewer mentioned the stroller tipping backward, and I did experience this once when my toddler tried to “push” the stroller with the baby inside by pulling down on the handlebars. Her weight pulling down on the handles was enough to lift the front wheels and cause it to tip (thankfully, I caught it immediately). This is a possibility with any lightweight stroller, especially when a heavier child is in the seat and weight is applied to the handles. However, under normal use, even with a fully loaded back pocket adding weight to the top, we’ve never experienced any tipping issues. Still, vigilance is always recommended with ultralight strollers.
Lastly, unlike some larger strollers, you can’t attach a toddler stroller board to the Minu, or any travel stroller of this type. The added weight and altered balance would likely make tipping a real concern.
Cute baby in pink travel bag
How the Travel Stroller Transformed Our Family Trips (and Everyday Life)
I had high hopes for our travel stroller, anticipating it would make our trips easier. But the UPPAbaby Minu exceeded even my optimistic expectations. It wasn’t just good; it was transformative.
Airport Navigation, Simplified
Having a stroller in the airport is, simply put, game-changing. Especially when you’re also managing a car seat. And especially when that car seat happens to fit perfectly into the stroller frame! We discovered an amazing UPPAbaby Minu car seat hack:
baby in cosco scenera next car seat in uppababy minu stroller, side angle Our travel car seat of choice, the Cosco Scenera Next, is incredibly lightweight (around 7 lbs) and budget-friendly (under $50), making it the perfect companion for air travel.
We’d transfer our baby, still buckled in her car seat, directly from the taxi to the stroller frame, and she’d happily stay put until airport security. It was seamless.
It’s important to note that the Minu isn’t designed to accommodate a car seat in this way; it’s just a fantastic and surprisingly secure hack we stumbled upon.
At security checkpoints, we’d simply lift the car seat out, send it through the conveyor belt, quickly fold the Minu, and send it through as well. The process was remarkably smooth and stress-free. If airport security with a baby is a source of anxiety for you, I highly recommend checking out my tips on navigating airport security with a baby.
Post-security, it was back into the stroller/car seat combo for easy airport navigation. At the gate, we’d pre-fold the stroller, always slightly apprehensive about gate agents insisting we check it (a common concern for parents of travel stroller owners!).
While gate agents did tag our Minu at every airport, we were always able to successfully carry it onto the plane. Sometimes we’d let them tag it, then discreetly fold it and carry it on anyway. Other times, we’d proactively show them how compactly it folded and state our intention to bring it onboard, which was always accepted. Ultimately, the Minu’s folded dimensions are well within standard carry-on size limits, so there’s technically no reason for airlines to refuse it. Just remember, it will count as your carry-on item!
But Does the UPPAbaby Minu Really Fit in the Overhead Bin?
Yes! In our experience, the UPPAbaby Minu has consistently fit in the overhead bins of every airplane we’ve flown on, including budget airlines. While it’s always wise to double-check specific plane dimensions if you’re particularly concerned, the Minu is actually smaller than many standard carry-on suitcases these days.
I admit, I was a bit nervous on our initial flights. But the worst-case scenario is simply being asked to gate-check it, which, while not ideal, is still a viable option.
UPPAbaby Minu folded dimensions:
folded uppababy minu with wine bottle for size reference, about half as tall as the minu…or, for a more relatable visual, picture it next to a wine bottle. And for a sense of its unfolded size:
measuring stick behind high point of minu showing 42.5 inchesAt its highest point, the Minu measures approximately 42.5 inches. The UPPAbaby Minu weighs in at a mere 14.8 pounds, fully assembled.
Exploring the World, Stroller in Tow
The Minu truly unlocked a new level of freedom on our travels. Between the stroller and our baby carrier, we always had a comfortable and convenient way to transport both children. And incredibly, we still managed to travel light, relying only on the ultra-compact UPPAbaby Minu and a lightweight fabric meh dai wrap that could be used for either the baby or toddler.
woman in sunglasses smiling with baby on back in carrier and toddler in uppababy minu stroller in a bus stopConfident and ready to explore Tel Aviv independently with two little ones, thanks to the versatility of babywearing and a travel stroller.
During our Tel Aviv trip, while my husband was working, I ventured out to explore the city solo with both girls, relying heavily on public transportation. The Minu was an absolute lifesaver. Being able to quickly approach a bus stop, pop the baby out, and effortlessly fold the stroller one-handed to carry onto the bus was invaluable. Navigating public transport with two young children would have been significantly more challenging, if not impossible, without the Minu.
Travel Stroller Benefits Extend to Everyday Life at Home
Remember my initial stroller skepticism? The UPPAbaby Minu completely shattered that.
It now lives permanently in my car, taking up minimal space. Its lightweight design makes it effortless to pull out for errands. The basket provides enough room for shopping bags for quick trips. While it might not be ideal for a massive grocery haul, it’s perfectly functional for everyday outings.
While I still cherish babywearing, the stroller often proves to be the faster and more convenient option, especially for quick errands or when my toddler’s legs get tired. More often than not, I find myself reaching for the Minu.
While I can’t definitively declare the Babyzen YoYo as the “perfect” stroller (it didn’t quite win me over in person), or definitively say if the Zoe XL1 is almost as good as the Minu for half the price, I can confidently state this: if your family frequently travels with a baby and/or toddler, investing in a travel stroller is a game-changer. And for our family, the UPPAbaby Minu has earned a permanent place in our travel gear arsenal (and our car!).
woman hugging toddler and baby in stroller in front of gate of mdinaExploring the historic Silent City of Mdina, Malta, made infinitely easier with a reliable and lightweight travel stroller.
Do you have questions about travel strollers, or perhaps a different recommendation you swear by? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
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