If you are looking for an umbrella stroller, it means you’ve had enough of the big traditional one. You need something that is light, easily maneuverable and doesn’t take up too much space – an umbrella stroller. These are also great companions for any trip with your kids. So what characteristics does it have to have, to be perfect for travel? The ones that will come in handy in your everyday life as well. Here’s what you should look for and you can thank me later:

By the way, I’ve realized I have no photos of our umbrella stroller. This is the best you get. But I’ll make sure we take some on our next trip.

Yes, I am taking a stroller for a four year old. Trust me it’s a no-brainer.

Here are our tips on finding the right umbrella stroller:

• Weight – umbrella stroller should be light, otherwise you can just stick to your regular stroller. When traveling every kilo counts. If you want to practice weights, go to the gym. With a tot, heavy bags, you don’t need another thing, you’ll have trouble lifting.

• Folding – how does it fold? I don’t want to feel like I am operating a space ship with so many things to press and pull. I want it anyone can do it simple – not you need training to operate this complicated. Preferably I can do it with my foot. People with kids know exactly what I am talking about – since you are usually maneuvering a fussy kid in your hands, all you have left is feet.

I definitely don’t want to be worrying about missing my flight because the stroller won’t fold.

• Storage – how much space does it take? If you can’t really make it much smaller than you shouldn’t be buying it – you already have a stroller that you have trouble fitting anywhere.

Traveling with a tot feels like touring with a superstar. You too could easily fill up a tour bus with all the things they need.

So, you really need the stroller to become as small as possible, to have the possibility to remove the wheels and can fit just about anywhere. Then you still have room left for all the other “necessary” stuff.

• Features – it’s the little things that count, right. Here is what makes a difference. Umbrella strollers used to be very simple, nothing more than a place for a kid to sit on and even that didn’t look too appealing. Now a days they are way more comfortable for the child and have features that will come in handy for you.

A must is definitely a storage basket under the stroller, meaning you get a 5 minute break from carrying things around.

Think also about a good canopy – for protecting the child from the sun, can the seat recline – for more comfort when the kid finally falls asleep, which in my experience is about five minutes before reaching your destination. And they will wake up the minute you stop. Only your friends’ kids sleep in a stroller without them pushing it around like crazy.

• Maneuvering – how easily can it be pushed? Can you do it by using just one hand, so you can have that cup of coffee you have been dreaming about all morning? You need a stroller that it’s easy to navigate through the streets, in the zoo, on the subway, in the park or in a museum – so that nothing stops. Except the kid – who refuses to be in the stroller at that particular time.

• Easy Maintenance – look for a stroller that can easily be cleaned. Preferably you can take it off and put it in a washing machine or just wipe it off with a wet wipe – that you carry around since the delivery.

• Price – I should have put that one first. And run it all? No way. You know how much you can spend. If you have a good traditional stroller that covers most of the above mentioned characteristics you could get a second hand umbrella stroller, just for travels.

There you have it. Now, all you have to do is strap that I don’t want to want anymore, but I want you to carry me kid into your perfect umbrella stroller and you are good to go. Pro tip – food usually works.

[tweetthis]Umbrella strollers also perfect for travel? Yes, please. But how do you convince the kids? [/tweetthis]