Planning a trip with young children often comes with a unique set of challenges, and navigating airports and city streets with bulky strollers can be a major source of stress. Enter the Zoe Travel Stroller, a compact and lightweight solution designed to make traveling with kids significantly easier. After extensive research and firsthand experience using the Zoe Traveler during our recent family trip to Spain and Portugal, I’m excited to share a comprehensive review to help you decide if this stroller is the right fit for your family’s adventures.
We were in the market for a stroller upgrade before our European adventure. Our previous travel stroller had served its purpose, but we needed something more convenient and feature-rich. The Zoe Traveler kept appearing as a top recommendation, praised for its one-hand fold, lightweight design, and the much-coveted ability to fit in an airplane overhead compartment. The promise of hassle-free airport navigation and easy maneuverability in bustling tourist destinations was incredibly appealing.
While this review is based on our personal experience and is not sponsored, Zoe has kindly offered a discount for my readers! Use this link to receive $15 off your Zoe stroller purchase. This discount will be automatically applied at checkout.
Upon arrival, the Zoe Traveler Stroller immediately impressed us. It was remarkably lightweight, incredibly easy to push and steer, and appeared to offer a comfortable ride for our almost-four-year-old daughter. After putting it to the test across various terrains and travel scenarios throughout our two-week European trip, I’m ready to delve into a detailed Zoe Travel Stroller review, covering everything from its dimensions and features to its performance on cobblestone streets and airplane compatibility.
ruth nuss carrying the zoe travel stroller up some steps in sevilla
Diving Deep into the Zoe Travel Stroller Features
In this in-depth Zoe Travel Stroller review, we’ll explore all the specifications, dimensions, and functionalities of the Zoe Traveler. I’ll share our honest opinion of this stroller and detail our experiences using it throughout a two-week family trip in Europe. Furthermore, we’ll compare the Zoe Traveler with the Zoe Tour stroller, and analyze how it measures up against other leading travel strollers available in the market. For a quick comparison, I’ve even created a handy chart to visually break down the key features and differences.
It’s important to reiterate that this review is based on a personal purchase and is neither sponsored nor influenced by Zoe.
Zoe Traveler: Feature by Feature Breakdown
Price Point
The Zoe Traveler is priced at $249, positioning it as a mid-range travel stroller option. However, using my special link will bring the price down by $15, offering even greater value.
Effortless Setup
Setting up the Zoe Traveler was incredibly straightforward. It arrived almost fully assembled; all we had to do was unpack it and easily attach the wheels. The minimal setup was a welcome relief after a long day of travel preparations.
Compact Dimensions
When folded, the Zoe Traveler measures a remarkably compact 18.5″ x 21.5″ x 9.5″. When unfolded and ready for use, its dimensions are 40″ x 21.5″ x 24.” These dimensions are crucial for navigating crowded spaces and ensuring it meets airline carry-on size restrictions.
Featherlight Weight
The Zoe Traveler weighs in at a mere 13 lbs. Interestingly, this is the same weight as our previous travel stroller, the Summer Infant 3d Lite. However, the significantly more compact fold of the Traveler makes it feel like a completely different, much lighter, and more manageable stroller in practical use.
Age and Weight Capacity
Designed for children from 3 months up to 45 lbs, the Zoe Traveler caters to a wide age range. Initially, I was uncertain if the seat would comfortably accommodate my almost-four-year-old, Emmie, who is of average size. However, she fit perfectly comfortably and genuinely enjoyed riding in it. Even our almost-six-year-old, Charlotte, took a few turns and found it comfortable enough for short rides.
One-Hand Fold and Unfold Mechanism
One of the standout features of the Zoe Traveler stroller is its incredibly convenient one-hand fold and unfold mechanism. To fold it, you simply press the button on the handlebar and push the stroller downwards. It collapses smoothly and automatically locks into its folded position.
Unfolding is equally simple: press the same button and pull upwards. A slight flick of the wrists is needed near the end of the unfolding motion to ensure it fully locks into place. With minimal practice, we mastered the fold and unfold in seconds. My husband, Tyler, can effortlessly manage it with one hand. While I personally prefer using two hands to ensure it’s fully locked when unfolding, I can collapse it single-handedly, which is invaluable when navigating airports or busy streets.
A notable advantage is that the Zoe Traveler can stand upright independently when folded. This self-standing feature is incredibly useful, allowing you to set it down without it immediately falling to the ground, a small but significant convenience in busy travel scenarios.
the zoe traveler stroller collapsed standing upright
Integrated Carry Handle/Belly Bar
Another brilliant design element is the dual-purpose belly bar, which also functions as a carry handle. Once the stroller is folded, you can easily lift and carry it using this bar in one fluid motion. This seamless transition from pushing to carrying is a significant advantage and sets this stroller apart from many others we’ve used.
Reliable Brakes
The brake system is centrally located on the rear axle, easily accessible and simple to engage and disengage with a foot press. The brakes are responsive and reliable, providing peace of mind when parked on inclines or busy streets.
Not Car Seat Compatible
It’s important to note that the Zoe Traveler is not designed to be car seat compatible. If car seat integration is a crucial feature for your needs, the Zoe Tour, discussed later, might be a more suitable option.
Extended Sunshade
The adjustable sunshade on the Zoe Traveler provides excellent coverage, extending almost fully forward, significantly further than many other travel strollers we’ve used. A peek-a-boo window at the top allows you to check on your child without disrupting their rest.
Reclining Seat for Naps on the Go
The stroller features a recline of up to 140 degrees, making it suitable for comfortable naps while on the move. The recline is adjusted manually using a strap at the back of the seat, allowing for customized positioning between upright and fully reclined. While our daughter doesn’t nap frequently anymore, she did doze off comfortably a couple of times in the reclined position during our trip.
Adequate Storage Space
The Zoe Traveler offers a decent amount of storage with an under-seat basket. While access is easier from the back than the front, we found it sufficient for storing sweaters, water bottles, and other essentials. Additionally, a small Velcro-closure pocket on the back of the seat is perfect for a phone, hand sanitizer, or a small water bottle.
Detachable Cup Holder
The stroller includes a detachable cup holder that attaches to the side of the handlebar. However, this was the only feature we found somewhat lacking. The cup holder detaches quite easily, and unfortunately, we lost ours on just the second day of our trip. This might be an area for improvement in future designs.
Secure Harness and Straps
The Zoe Traveler utilizes an easy-to-use 3-point harness system. The shoulder straps are adjustable, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit for children of varying sizes.
Color Options
The Zoe travel stroller comes in a range of 7 color options, with 4 currently in stock at the time of writing. While my initial preferences were Ocean and Black, we opted for Clay as the others were out of stock. Surprisingly, the Clay color grew on me, and I found it to be quite stylish and unique, standing out from the usual stroller colors.
Available Add-ons and Accessories
The Zoe Traveler includes essential accessories like a detachable cup holder, under-seat storage basket, and belly bar. For additional convenience, customers can purchase accessories separately, including a snack tray ($35), stroller organizer ($35), stroller storage backpack ($50), shoulder carry straps ($20), and a machine-washable seat liner ($40).
Zoe also offers bundled accessory packages. The Zoe Mini Bundle ($65) includes shoulder carry straps, a stroller organizer, and a storage bag. The Zoe Essentials Bundle ($165) features a rain cover, snack tray, mesh storage bags, storage backpack, and an entertainment/iPad holder.
Exceptional Maneuverability
The maneuverability of this stroller is truly exceptional. The single handlebar design allows for effortless one-handed pushing, a huge advantage for multitasking parents, especially coffee enthusiasts! This one-hand maneuverability was a significant upgrade from previous travel strollers that required two hands to steer effectively. While navigating curbs or bumps, applying slight pressure to the handlebar to lift the front wheels was necessary, but it was a minor adjustment.
Wheel Performance
The wheels performed well, offering a smoother ride than our previous Uppa Baby G-LINK and significantly better than the Summer Infant 3d Lite. While Zoe offers all-terrain wheels as an upgrade, these are only compatible with the Zoe Tour stroller, not the Traveler model.
Cobblestone Conqueror? Zoe Stroller in Europe
A major concern before our trip was how the Zoe Traveler would handle European cobblestone streets. Testing this at home was impossible, so it was a genuine test during our travels. Overall, it performed admirably. While not perfect, and there were moments when wheels got caught in crevices, this is expected with any travel stroller on such uneven surfaces. Considering its price and category, the Zoe Traveler performed as well as could be reasonably expected on cobblestones.
Airplane Overhead Compartment Compatibility: Myth or Reality?
The claim that the Zoe Traveler fits in an airplane overhead compartment was a significant selling point. Having read this repeatedly online, I was keen to verify its accuracy and airline acceptance in practice. Our trip involved 7 flights with 4 different airlines, providing ample opportunity to test this claim.
Iberia (operated by Level), Vueling, and Air Europa all allowed us to bring the stroller onboard, and it indeed fit easily into the overhead compartments of these aircraft. Ryanair requested gate checking in Seville, but surprisingly, we were allowed to bring it on board for our Ryanair flight from Porto. Successfully carrying it on board for 6 out of 7 flights is a strong success rate. However, it’s crucial to remember that while it can fit, airline staff discretion plays a role, and policies can vary. As with all international travel, especially on budget airlines, flexibility and tempered expectations are advisable.
Pros and Cons: Zoe Traveler at a Glance
We are genuinely delighted with the Zoe Travel Stroller. It’s a substantial upgrade from our previous travel stroller and a purchase we are thrilled with. While our older daughters didn’t require it daily on our recent trip, it was invaluable on travel days and long city exploration days. Moreover, it became our luggage trolley in airports, carrying carry-on bags with ease – a benefit we will miss when stroller days are over!
Our 3.5-year-old was comfortable, and the stroller’s setup and fold were incredibly convenient on the go. Navigating European towns often meant encountering stairs unexpectedly, and the Zoe Traveler’s easy collapse-and-carry feature made these situations manageable. The self-standing fold is a fantastic feature, and avoiding gate checking on most flights simplified travel days significantly. Its performance on cobblestones and uneven pavements was as good as a travel stroller could be – not flawless, but never frustrating, which is a key factor. Our only minor issue was the easily detachable cup holder.
Zoe Traveler vs. Zoe Tour: Choosing the Right Zoe Stroller
When considering Zoe strollers, the main comparison point is the Zoe Traveler versus the Zoe Tour stroller. The Tour, priced slightly higher at $259, is also designed to be compact and streamlined but is marginally larger than the Traveler. A significant advantage of the Tour is its car seat compatibility. Additionally, the Tour offers the option to upgrade to Zoe’s all-terrain wheels, which would be ideal for navigating uneven surfaces like cobblestones. This wheel upgrade is not available for the Traveler. However, the Tour, as far as I know, does not stand upright independently when folded.
If you need a more versatile everyday stroller with car seat compatibility, the Tour is a strong contender. The option to upgrade to all-terrain wheels further enhances its adaptability for various terrains. However, from a travel perspective, the Tour’s slightly larger folded size might be a minor drawback. Given our frequent flights, the more compact fold of the Traveler was a priority for us. The Tour also offers the flexibility to add a second seat at the front, growing with your family’s needs. For ultimate compactness and streamlined travel, the Traveler is the better choice. If you prioritize stability on uneven terrain and car seat compatibility, the Tour, especially with all-terrain wheels, is preferable. Our friends used their Zoe Tour with all-terrain wheels in Italy last summer and were highly satisfied with its performance.
Zoe Twin Double Stroller: For Families with Two
For families with two young children, the Zoe Twin stroller is worth considering. I wish I had known about it when my children were younger! This lightweight double stroller is an excellent travel option for two kids. A friend owns one and highly recommends it.
Remarkably, the Twin stroller even has the option to add a third and fourth seat, a unique and impressive feature for larger families.
Travel Stroller Comparison: Zoe Traveler vs. the Competition
Here’s a quick comparison of the Zoe Traveler (and Zoe Tour) against some of the most popular travel strollers on the market: the Nuna TRVL, the Bugaboo Butterfly, the Baby Jogger City Tour, and the Babyzen YoYo.
chart comparing the best travel strollers on the market
I believe I’ve covered everything in this comprehensive Zoe Travel Stroller review! If you have any questions, or if you decide to purchase a Zoe stroller, please let me know about your experiences!
Exclusive Zoe Stroller Discount Code
Don’t forget to use this link for $15 off your Zoe stroller purchase! This discount is automatically applied at checkout.
Further Reading for Family Travel Tips:
30 Tips for Traveling Internationally with Small Kids
26 Lifesaving Tips for Traveling with a Baby
5 Reasons to Plan an International Trip with Your Kids
Things to do in Paris with Kids
