As all parents of tiny tots know, the amount of baby gear needed to get by on a day-to-day basis is mind-blowing. Not only that, but when planning a trip, many families realize there’s a whole other list of travel products they need. Traveling with a baby or toddler can be overwhelming––especially when it comes to lugging around a travel crib and all the other necessary gear and luggage. That’s where travel strollers come in. The Mountain Buggy Nano Travel Stroller promises parents relief with its compact, lightweight, and easy-to-use design, plus a wide range of features. So, how does it actually perform? To find out, I tested the Nano myself with my 12-month-old son. Keep reading for a detailed review.
Setup Process: Easy enough
Out of the package, the Nano Travel Stroller comes with four wheels that were extremely easy to attach by myself—they just click into place. Also included was an instruction manual, as well as a care and warnings manual. I thought both were easy enough to understand. The stroller itself is easy to open and close. When folded up, it’s compact and can stand upright on the wheels. It also comes with a satchel cover for storage and travel. Unfortunately, however, it’s pretty difficult to get the cover back on the stroller after attaching the wheels.
Design: Lightweight yet sturdy
The Mountain Buggy Nano Travel Stroller has a plastic frame, EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) wheels, a retractable sun canopy (covered in weather-proof fabric), and a cushioned seat with plenty of storage underneath. This stroller also has a convenient carrying handle, a shoulder strap, and various safety features (more on that below). Weighing 13 pounds, this stroller is lightweight but not flimsy at all. It’s also compact when folded up but as large as a standard stroller when unfolded, with a handlebar height of 38.5 inches. Additionally, this stroller was designed to be maneuverable, with 5.5-inch wheels that swivel all the way around. During the testing period, it was a breeze to push this stroller on straight stretches as well as around tight corners. Also, my neighborhood has lots of abrupt sidewalk curbs, but with this stroller, that wasn’t a problem. Color options include black, nautical, and ruby, while pattern options include Year of the Rat, Year of the Pig, Year of the Dog, and Year of the Rooster. (The stroller is mostly black––color options are for the canopy cover.)
Age Range: Accommodates a growing tot
According to the manufacturer, this stroller is suitable for children up to about 5 years of age. More specifically, it can accommodate children between 4 and 44 pounds. My 12-month-old, 25-pound child fits perfectly in the Nano Travel Stroller, and there’s plenty of room for him to grow. The label on the stroller says that it’s not recommended for children under 6 months of age. However, this is only without an attached car seat or newborn carrycot. Fortunately, the Mountain Buggy Nano Travel Stroller is an excellent solution, as it’s compatible with several popular infant car seats (which are listed on the manufacturer site) via a buckle system. This is convenient for families who are traveling with infants who can’t yet be strapped directly into the stroller. Mountain Buggy also sells a newborn carrycot attachment for those who don’t want to use their car seat.
Safety: Certified and secure
The manufacturer lists safety certification codes for the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. This travel stroller has quite a few safety features, including a convenient foot pedal that locks and unlocks the wheels. It also has a velcro strap, which can be held by hand or attached to a stationary object so that it doesn’t roll away. The reclined seat has built-in safety belts with straps that go over the shoulders, around the waist, and between the legs.
Portability: Perfect for travel
This stroller is easy to carry up and down stairs and load into a car. I found it comfortable to carry using both the handle and the shoulder strap. Folding it up was also a very quick process. In the folded position, the dimensions are 12.2 x 20 x 22 inches—meaning it meets the carry-on size regulation for airline luggage, which makes it ideal for airplane travel. Lifting it into my car was effortless, and it takes up much less space in the back than my standard stroller. Unfolding the Nano Travel Stroller is pretty easy to do one-handed with a swift movement. With that said, I wasn’t able to fold it up one-handed while holding my child. This would be inconvenient if I were in an airport without another adult.
Price: Somewhat steep for its category
With an MSRP of approximately $200, the Nano Travel Stroller is priced on the high end for a travel stroller. In my opinion, most travel strollers should be under $100 because they’re secondary to a family’s primary stroller. Having said that, I do think it’s worth buying for families who travel frequently. Also, in some instances, it might work as both a primary and travel stroller.
Competition: Plenty to choose from
Interested in reading more reviews? Check our list of the best travel strollers. The Mountain Buggy Nano Travel Stroller is a lightweight, compact, easy-to-use, and well-made product. Although it has a relatively high price tag, it should last for a few years and is worth buying for families who travel often.
