2-in-1 strollers: stroller features and selection rules

A baby carriage is an extremely important attribute that helps parents provide full-fledged care for a small child, which is unthinkable without regular walks in the fresh air. In order for the walks to bring maximum benefit to the baby, the stroller must protect it from the effects of adverse natural factors: strong wind, direct sunlight, rain and snow, and should also be comfortable, functional and safe.

The stroller must be safe and comfortable for the child, which is why the choice of this vehicle must be approached with great responsibility and understanding. In a huge assortment of baby strollers manufactured by modern manufacturers, 2-in-1 stroller models are very popular.

What is a 2 in 1 convertible stroller?

Transformers are universal type strollers designed for long-term (from the moment of the birth of the baby to his three-year-old) operation. Thanks to the design features, they are easily transformed, turning into a cradle for newborns or a stroller for older children.

Depending on the type of transformation (minimal and more complex), strollers-transformers are usually divided into two types:

1. In strollers with minimal transformation, the process of transforming the walking option into a cradle for a newborn consists in placing the back in a horizontal position and placing an envelope with a hard bottom on top of this base (there are no latches and latches on it, because the high sides of the stroller reliably hold it inside )
2. In wheelchairs with a complicated transformation, this process requires the attachment of additional parts that make up the berth. Given that they are attached with zippers and buttons, the operation is performed in minutes.

Due to the fact that the complete set of the stroller-transformer includes a voluminous hood, a mosquito net, a rain cover and a waterproof cover that protects the baby from wind and cold, it can be used for walking with a child at any time of the year.

What are the differences between transformers and strollers of other models?

• High-quality strollers-transformers are carried out so carefully that, when folded into a berth, they are practically indistinguishable from the classic strollers-cradles intended for babies in the first months of life.

What is a cradle? This is a spacious basket with high (at least thirty centimeters) sides, a deep folding hood and a hard bottom, placed on a high wheeled structure, equipped with a shock-absorbing system that softens the tremors that are inevitable during the movement of the stroller.

The main difference between the transformer and the cradle is that it can be transformed into a stroller without any problems. This allows you to operate it for at least three years.. Parents refuse a cradle that does not have such capabilities as soon as the child will learn to sit well.

• A 2 in 1 transformer is often confused with a 3 in 1 pram (they are also called modular prams). Both transformers 2 in 1, and carriages 3 in 1 belong to the universal type. Despite some external similarities, these are completely different designs. The 3-in-1 stroller comes with three ready-made blocks at once: a berth, a chair for walks and a car seat (portable).

If a 2-in-1 transformer turns into a cradle or a stroller by modifying a single base unit, then for the transformation of a universal (modular) stroller, one ready-made unit removed from the wheel base is simply replaced with another. Thanks to the use of modern technologies, this operation is so simple that the unit is replaced in a few seconds.

Another fundamental point concerns the design of the handle. In transformers, it is a cross over. Depending on weather conditions, a mother walking with her baby can easily throw a pen and put the child facing him or turn him in the opposite direction, giving him the opportunity to observe what is happening around.

The 3-in-1 modular stroller also provides for the possibility of different seating of the child relative to the person carrying the stroller, however, for this you will have to remove the walking block and set it in the right direction, which is not very convenient during a walk.

Unlike the universal 3-in-1 modular stroller, the integral frame of which retains the same position, the 2-in-1 transformer folds perfectly, it can be placed in the trunk of a car or you can enter the bus with itif you need to go with the baby to a remote part of the city.

We read in detail: What is the difference between a stroller and a modular stroller?

Benefits of 2-in-1 Strollers

• Long term of operation. Strollers-transformers perfectly cope with the transportation of babies from the first days of their life until the age of three;
• Thanks to several sitting positions, the transformer allows the child to take any position that is comfortable for him (including the almost horizontal position of the body), making the walk enjoyable and the sleep a long one;
• The seat is equipped with reliable seat belts with soft shoulder pads that securely fix the baby inside the stroller;
• Some models of 2-in-1 strollers have two sets of removable wheels. One set (with small wheels) is designed for walking on a flat asphalt surface; the other - with inflatable rubber wheels - is indispensable for moving along dirt and snowy tracks;
• The design of the hood, as well as the availability of a number of additional protective equipment (mosquito net, raincoat, waterproof cover for legs) allows you to reliably protect your baby from the effects of adverse natural factors and all types of precipitation. Existence of the cross over handle does a carriage even more convenient and reliable. Designers have provided the ability to adjust the height of the handle. This is convenient for families whose members have a significant difference in growth;
• When folded, the stroller takes up very little space.

disadvantages

• The prefabricated basket structure in some models is the reason that for walks in the winter months they have to be additionally insulated;
• The depreciation system in strollers of this type is more rigid than in classic cradles. This reduces their cross-country ability and maneuverability;
• A large weight (15-20 kg) makes some parents choose a different type of stroller;
• The high cost makes the transformer inaccessible to families with low incomes.

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Popular models

• “Hauck." Transformers 2 in 1 of the German company "Hauck", having excellent cross-country ability thanks to large inflatable wheels, are designed for almost four-year life. A well-thought-out cushioning system ensures the wheelchair is smooth. Brakes are located on both sides of the front wheels. The width of the seat does not hinder even a child dressed in voluminous winter clothes.

• “Cam”. The strollers of the Italian company Cam, which meet all safety requirements, are very functional and comfortable for the child. Their design provides for four positions of the back and two for the foot stand. If desired, they can carry even five-year-old babies.

• “Baby Care”. Polish transformers 2 in 1 of Baby Care brand, endowed with all the advantages of strollers of this type, are distinguished by special comfort and spaciousness of a berth. The cradle is perfectly insulated, and a deep hood with a visor will reliably protect the baby from bright sunlight, cold and bad weather.

Also pay attention to brands: “Happy Baby”, “Tutis”, “Tako” “ALIS MATEO“, “Bebe-Mobile”, “Lonex”, “Mutsy“, “Concordia” in online stores BABADU and Obstetrics

Selection rules

When choosing a 2-in-1 transformer stroller, first of all you need to pay attention to:

• Weight. Having received information from the seller about the mass of the model you liked, you should try to lift it right in the store and ride it around the trading floor. After this test, you can make the first conclusions about whether you can afford such a vehicle. At the time of assessing your physical capabilities, several more circumstances should be taken into account: the floor on which you will need to lift the stroller; is it possible to leave her in the staircase at least until her husband returns home; the presence of the elevator (as well as its dimensions and reliability);
• Frame material. The most durable are steel, the most reliable are cross ones. It is advisable to refuse plastic;
• The size of the wheels. When choosing a stroller, you should know that large wheels have the best cross: they are not afraid and poorly cleaned (the most difficult time for walking with the baby is the period of late autumn, winter and early spring), and a bumpy road. Small wheels (in addition, they will always get stuck in slush or in the snow) are afraid of strong shaking. Fast enough, they will begin to creak and loosen. Before you go to the store, you need to measure the width of the doorways in the elevator and in your apartment and compare the result with the width of the wheelbase. Perhaps the model you like does not fit into the dimensions of your home;
• Wheel material. Rubber wheels are good for use in the warmer months. Thanks to their excellent cushioning, the stroller will roll smoothly without causing the baby any discomfort. In winter, they will begin to bog in the snow, while plastic wheels will pass through it without any difficulty. The possibility of replacing the wheels can be consulted with the seller;
• Depreciation system. Preference should be given to a stroller whose basket is suspended not on springs, but on belts. Thanks to the soft suspension, the maneuverability of the vehicle improves: it is easier to turn, overcoming curbs and all kinds of elevations;
• The presence of a portable cradle. With its help, a baby who has fallen asleep can be taken out of the stroller and brought into the apartment without interrupting his sleep. Having gone on a visit with the baby, you don’t have to worry about where he will sleep when he gets tired. Thanks to the cradle, which increases the thickness of the stroller walls, the baby will be much warmer during a winter walk;
• Handle design. It is better to choose models that have a height adjustment: transformer strollers usually have a lower landing, so it will not be difficult for tall parents to increase the length of the handle.

READ ALSO: 5 main criteria by which a baby stroller should be evaluated

Typical reviews

Anna:I am delighted with our Rico Driver stroller. I have been using it for almost two years. Despite its solid dimensions, the heavy weight and difficulty of entering the elevator, this stroller provided my baby with maximum comfort.In winter, it is warm and spacious even in bulky overalls, and in summer the baby is reliably sheltered from precipitation and is invulnerable to mosquitoes. By patency (through curbs, dirt, snowdrifts and sand) I can compare it with a real SUV.

Vyacheslav:I want to talk about the Happy Baby stroller Ultra. In general, a good model: not too heavy, rather maneuverable, it is not difficult to leave the entrance with it. For a walk on smooth asphalt, it is very good, which can not be said about the way up the mountain along a road dotted with mounds and pits. In this case, the front wheels are turned across, after which it can be difficult to continue driving.

Svetlana:Very happy with the Baby Merck stroller: stylish, comfortable, trouble-free. Each mechanism works flawlessly. Love the design.

Alla:I think Verdi Max’s stroller is perfect and I can’t find a single flaw. Beautiful, maneuverable, comfortable, functional. Thanks to the large wheels, it perfectly overcomes any obstacles. The baby in it is safe and very comfortable. Recomend for everybody.

Galina:I got a good impression about the Marimex Ross brand transformer. Pros: good cross, room for the baby, a convenient flip handle with height adjustment (it makes it easy to control it with me, the little one, and my giant husband). Cons: creaks; on rough roads, sometimes drifts to the side, very heavy.