Benefits of strollers for tall parents
Purchasing a stroller that has been specifically designed with taller human beings in mind will reap the following benefits daily:
- Absolute comfort while pushing due to zero compromise in terms of posture and body position of the parent.
- Taking the time to choose an extra height stroller, in the long run, prevents all risk of back ache and other back related injuries as a result of repetitive strain.
- Strolling is intended to be a relaxing activity. With a well-designed stroller, you’ll be able to ensure both the relaxation of your child and yourself. This makes it a welcome and exciting activity to do together, as opposed to just a one-sided experience.
Yes, you’re making this decision to benefit your health, but remember you can give your child more attention when you don’t have to face unnecessary challenges such as a sore back. So this choice is for both you and your child.
Features to consider while choosing a stroller for tall parents
All you really need to do now is make a selection from our list of top-picks and find the best one for you. While we agree they’re all great in their own way, you may have specifications of your own that you’d like included. These criteria will help you single out the features that you feel you really need and help lead to the best value for money for you & your child.
Weight capacity
A sturdy and reliable stroller depends on how much of child weight the unit can hold at a given time. Be sure to ask yourself:
- Does my child fit the weight category laid out by the stroller company?
- Will the stroller in question perform equally as well with a heavier child, as with a lighter child? Remember, your child will grow.
- Is there any evidence of more wear and tear when used with children of a certain weight?
Some strollers require regular upgrades as children move through different growth phases. Types include:
- Newborn and infant compatible strollers or bassinets
- Toddler equipped strollers with car seat compatibility
- Children aged four and under requiring more spacious designs
- Convertible strollers that can be a mixture of the above, or adjust to include space for more than one child.
Dimensions
Since the stroller will be a place your child will spend a vast amount of his or her time, it makes the pressure of selecting the right one even greater. Consider the age, size and weight of your child & find the stroller that has dimensions that will be most compatible. Strollers come in literally all shapes and sizes. Some have dimensions that are fixed while some are adjustable.
Make a point of examining the dimensions of the stroller when it is open as well as when it is folded. This will give you a good idea of what to expect in terms of storage and portability.
Weight
Keep in mind that a baby stroller is something you, yourself, will have to handle multiple times a day: unloading, unfolding, setting up, collapsing, repacking, lifting. The tasks are endless and a lightweight stroller can make a huge difference in easing all of this.
Therefore, be sure to carefully consider the weight of the unit before purchasing. Compare it to objects of similar weight and assess whether or not you think you’ll cope. Weight is also a crucial factor if you’ll be using the stroller while jogging. The
Joovy Zoom 360 stroller is designed ultra-lightweight purposely for this experience.
Adjustable handlebar
Particularly with taller parents, an adjustable handlebar can be the selling point of the stroller. Regular or lower height strollers need this feature in order for the stroller to become compatible with your own height. The Baby Jogger City Mini mentioned earlier is a good example of an adjustable handlebar.
However, some strollers these days are made extra tall already, thus making an adjustable handlebar pointless. Take a look at the specifics of the entire unit before ruling one out because of its lack thereof.
Reclining positions
Because children go through more need cycles in a day than the moon does in a year, a stroller needs a variety of reclining positions to match. Typically, walks outside start with a wide-awake and curious baby & end with one who is fast asleep. The seat needs to accommodate this. Be sure to check the reclining options built into the stroller you’re considering.
Foldability
Only you will know just how big or small your stroller needs to fold in order to be of acceptable convenience to you. Optimized foldability is typically a standard feature with all strollers, the difference being that some fold up flat, and some fold inward like an umbrella.
External construction and interior comfort
A good stroller should be hard and durable on the outside while soft & comfy on the inside. The make and materials of the stroller will give a good indication as to the overall durability & what the unit will be able to withstand. This is of particular importance to any parents who plan on traveling with it.
Inside it’s all about the child. Are the seats soft? Are the buckles padded? Is the sun out of their eyes? Interiors are important and can mean the difference between a happy child or a severely uncomfortable one.
Take into consideration that this will also be a place where your child will spend a significant amount of time sleeping.
A badly constructed stroller with unusual angles in the interior can strain the body of a little person in numerous ways. Opt for interior quality over exterior aesthetics every time!
Seat belts
You’d assume this to be a standard feature in stroller manufacturing but it surprisingly is not. Double over-body strap belts are recommended as they’re the utmost in safety for a stroller that is on the move. Some cheaper variations may just include a lap tie, which is not very safe or reliable.
Extras: canopy, cup holders and onboard storage
Take a look at all the exciting extras that can add to your strolling experience. As we mentioned before, you’ll be using these things every day and you need to enjoy them too. Canopies are important because they offer both protection and privacy. Cup holders are something more personal for the parents, as is the onboard storage compartments that will hold all the bits and pieces you can’t leave home without.
Warranty
Warranties with strollers are sometimes nonexistent and sometimes surprisingly long. It really all comes down to the brand that you’re dealing with and the price range of the stroller in question. If warranties are of value to you you’ll want to look at the higher end units that offer a more guaranteed, long-term experience.
been going back and forth on a simple stroller for an older child. My daughter is almost five so she doesn’t “need” a stroller, but she also can’t walk miles at a time while on vacation. I have a city jogger, but its more bulk than I want at this stage.
I can’t find much online in terms of parents who are in a similar dilemma. My daughter is 45″ and 50lbs, she’s taller than what most stroller companies label their stroller for, and is almost at the peak for weight. The problem is that her head hangs back off the stroller seat if she naps or wants to rest her head, and her feet drag while strolling. I returned the iglesina net bc of how close it was to the ground, but I LOVED the seat back. the g-lite was not as smooth with a heavier child in tow, so that was out even though I liked its seat too.
I ended up making my own hack…I went with The Volo for its simplicity and ability to accommodate taller kids, plus its super small and light footprint. I made a hammock of sorts, with a velcro closure, to wrap around the frame at the very top of the seat back. this allows an additional 4-5 inches of head space so her head won’t flop around. The Volo sits high enough off the ground that her feet still have room to comfortably lay on the foot rest.
Hi Issysmom!
Sounds like you’ve come up with a pretty great solution. The Volo is pretty good for taller kids – though I’m finding it a bit difficult to imagine how that velcro hammock works, so I’m not sure how comfortable that is!
We’ve actually got an article on strollers for big kids, which you can find here: https://wisepick.org/best-stroller-for-big-kids/
I think the Joovy Zoom 360 might work really well for your daughter, based on her height and weight, and I believe it sits higher than the Volo, so she should find the foot rest comfortable as well.
Hope that helps! Would love to hear your thoughts if you get round to trying the Joovy Zoom or any other stroller.