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If you’re looking to invest in a travel stroller, you need something with a bunch of features: Lightweight, durable, available to store overhead on a flight, and easily modifiable, to name a few. Nontoxic strollers also level up on materiality and construction to make the whole experience safer and more comfortable — both for you and the baby.
Why would you consider a nontoxic stroller?
Babies spend a lot of time in their strollers. It’s a confined space that their skin touches directly (and, on top of that, they might touch or even nibble on the fabric or frame). Strollers often use plastics, chemical treatments, and synthetic foams, among other materials, usually to make their products waterproof, flame-retardant, stain-resistant, and lightweight. But these materials can off-gas (release volatile organic compounds, a.k.a. VOCs) or transfer harmful substances like microplastics.
Low-toxicity or certified “clean” strollers minimize the use of harmful substances (including PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” as well as VOCs), particularly in the cover and padding around an infant’s face. Natural fibers can also reduce contact irritation compared with synthetics.
What should you look for in a nontoxic travel stroller?
There are several factors to consider — and your criteria will sometimes differ from that of a bigger, bulkier stroller:
- Materials: Look for GREENGUARD Gold certified fabrics for low chemical emissions, organic natural fibers like cotton or wool, certified recycled fabrics, and/or verifications that strollers are free from PFAS and other toxins (including OEKO-TEX and GOTS). It is worth noting, though, that no stroller is completely free of synthetics and chemicals, and there isn’t a single way to be “non-toxic.”
- Weight: How heavy is the travel stroller? Lightness is especially important here, since you want to be able to hold it with one hand (or across a busy airport terminal) if needed. Travel strollers have improved markedly in the last decade or so, particularly in this regard.
- Compatibility: If you’re still using a car seat for your baby, make sure that your stroller is compatible with it. Having to buy extra pieces — or deal with extra setup — so that the carrier will stay in place is extremely frustrating.
- Age/Weight Restrictions: How old, or heavy, can a child be and still fit inside the stroller? Unlike larger and heavier options, your child might outgrow a travel stroller faster — that’s often the tradeoff for a smaller, lighter model. But some of these strollers will go all the way up to carrying a 50-60 pound child.
- Folding: This is partially about how compact the stroller is, but that’s only one piece of it. Think proactively about how you want the stroller to work: is there a handle for you to lug it around when it’s folded? Does it close with a single push of a button, or is it more complicated than that? Does it snap shut or do you have to manually fold it together?
- Overhead Fit: Many of the options on this list are IATA-compatible, meaning that, when folded, they fit inside an airplane overhead bin. The brand will usually note it on the webpage, but you can also compare the folded dimensions to the airline’s specifications. Always check your airline’s size and weight requirements before you travel; very small planes can have minimal or no overhead storage, for example.
- Storage: A travel stroller could double as your everyday stroller, since it’s easy for one person to manage. But you’ll want to factor in whether there are pockets, cup holders, and storage for your essentials like keys and wallet. This storage is also super-important when you’re on the go.
- Capacity: This comes into play when you have more than one baby or child: for one of our options, the stroller can actually accommodate more than one child, otherwise you might need to explore larger strollers.
Our criteria:
Our team has spent years researching sustainable travel strollers and testing models for their functionality. For this guide, we researched the best strollers available today, compared craftsmanship and value, and read through thousands of customer reviews to curate our favorite options for every budget (with prices starting at $20). We update this guide regularly with new brands and styles that meet our criteria below.
- FUNCTIONALITY | Each of these brands offers a variety of features, most especially folding and stowing capabilities but also including things like storage, ease of access, weight, and durability.
- SAFETY | We check official safety certifications, test the product ourselves (including key features like the harness and brakes), and check for product recalls.
- NONTOXIC MATERIALS | There are a variety of ways a stroller can be nontoxic or low-toxic, from using recycled plastic water bottles to testing their chemical off-gassing. But each of these is demonstrated to be high-quality as well as thoughtfully crafted.
If you’re interested in nontoxic materials beyond strollers, we reviewed the best pack n’ plays, car seats, and strollers for you.
1. Nuna VIAA Cabn Stroller
Best for | Style
Price | $550
Specs | L 33.5″ W 16.5″ H 41″ (unfolded), L 20.5″ W 16.5″ H 9.5″ (folded), weight 16.3 lbs, can accommodate a child weighing up to 50 lbs
Fits in overhead bin | Y
Founded in Amsterdam in 2007, Nuna is known for its streamlined and smartly designed baby gear. The brand also has impressive certifications, including GREENGUARD and GOTS, and their highly rated car seats are popular among parents. As for strollers, their offerings range from larger and multifunctional to the most minimal and compact travel models. Their VIAA Cabn Stroller is a fan favorite and also falls into that latter category: the ultra-compact IATA-compatible cabin stroller comes in three colors and is chic and minimal. It also folds down in seconds and weighs a minimal 16.3 pounds for easy packing and storing. The canopy is water-repellent and UPF 50+ to shield your baby from the sun, with rear ventilation during hot days. You can easily customize the recline angle and armbar position for their comfort (especially as they get bigger!).
It’s one of the simpler constructions on this list, but that doesn’t make it basic. There’s a basket underneath with storage capacity of up to 22 lbs for a diaper bag or other supplies. There’s a simple braking system on the rear brake, and front- and rear-wheel suspension to make the ride less bumpy. If you happen to be looking at one of their infant car seats, they’ll click right into the VIAA.
2. Mockingbird Travel Stroller
Best for | Features
Price | $399
Specs | 21.5″ tall x 18″ wide x 10″ deep (folded), weight 17.7 lbs, can accommodate a child weighing up to 50 lbs
Fits in overhead bin | Y
Founded in 2019, Mockingbird is known for its luxurious and relatively affordable strollers (reviewers especially love their Single-to-Double 3.0, also known as their “everyday workhorse”). Their new Travel Stroller, which is available starting September 1, is meant to be the on-the-go companion to a larger and more substantial model. It comes in five pretty colors — which, honestly, is an underrated aspect that not every brand thinks about — and has a bunch of features. The one-second, one-hand fold is an absolute breeze, and the stroller has a shoulder strap for easier carrying. It’s IATA-compliant for airplane storage, and it’s got a basket below and “parent pocket” in the back.
The actual stroller is also designed for comfort and ease. It works with more than 50 car seats (which is a relief if you have more than one or aren’t sure which model you have). The extra-large canopy is protected for UPF 50+ and has an extendable panel for extra sun protection. There’s adjustable ventilation on top and back; the seat liners are mesh and there’s a “peekaboo” window so you can keep looking at your baby even when the panel is fully extended. It’s also got an all-wheel suspension, adjustable footrest, and “infinite” recline that goes from all the way flat to all the way upright. It’s deeply customizable, in other words, as well as eminently comfortable.
3. UppaBaby Minu v3
Best for | Investment
Price | $500
Specs | 34.5” L x 18” W x 41” H (unfolded), 10” L x 18” W x 21.5” H (folded), weight 16.7 lbs, can accommodate a child weighing up to 50 lbs
Fits in overhead bin | Y
Thr premium baby gear brand UppaBaby has more expensive strollers than others on this list, but the “cost per use” is low: if you’re going to be using your stroller a lot, in other words, it’s well worth the investment. (Before you even make your choice, the brand has a stroller selector quiz that’ll help you compare options based on what you need.)
The Minu V3 is just as rugged as the brand’s bigger and bulkier options, with six cool colors to choose from. It’s IATA-compatible, GREENGUARD Gold certified, and compatible with a bunch of UppaBaby car seats. It works from the moment your baby is born — unlike some travel strollers, which are only usable once an infant is a little bit older. There’s also impressive attention to detail, with leather and aluminum materials to help with longevity. The stroller has a basket that holds up to 20 pounds’ worth of stuff, a zip-out and extendable canopy that offers UPF 50+ protection, and adjustable modes for recliner, seat cushion, and leg rest as your baby gets bigger. It’s a stroller built for the long haul, in other words, with all the options to customize as you go.
Customer Review | “We live in NYC and love our Minu for days we need to take the train, visit small shops/cafes and of course travel. It’s easy to navigate in crowds and also manageable to carry when necessary!” – Nicole H. (Read more reviews.)
4. Zoe The Traveler
Best for | Budget
Price | $279
Specs | 40″ x 21.5″ x 24″ (unfolded), 18.5″ x 21.5″ x 9.5″ (unfolded), weight 13 lbs, can accommodate a child weighing up to 45 lbs
Fits in overhead bin | Y
This mom-run company Zoe The Traveler focuses on designs that work for real-world parents — so the focus is practicality and usability. Their strollers are generally considered a great value for the cost, and you can use their comparison chart to identify exactly what you need; their The Traveler stroller is considered one of their most high-value products. It’s a bestseller for the price (and the cheapest on this list), as well as for the fact that it only weighs about 13 pounds. It’s also verified by the Baby Safety Alliance, certified GREENGUARD Gold, and “Disney-approved,” meaning it meets the measurement requirements needed to gain entry to the parks. The brand notes that this is the stroller for you if you travel often, particularly for cross-country or flight-heavy trips, and notes that it easily fits into overhead bins.
There are two colorways available, as of this writing, and contains features like deep recline (for mid-travel naps!) and the ability to purchase a compatible snack tray for meals on the go. Their one-handed fold is apparently super-easy, and it’s self-standing when folded. FYI, the stroller only has capacity up to 45 pounds (as opposed to 50 pounds for some other models on this list).
Customer Review | “I looked at a ton of different strollers for our trip and was so glad we purchased this one! It folds down easily and pops open with one hand, reclines comfortably for our kiddo, and fit in the overhead bins on all of our flights (except 1 that was a smaller plane). It moved just fine through the airport and all around the town we were traveling in! My only regret is not getting it sooner. It’s lightweight and easy to pack so we use it quite a bit even for just day trips. 11/10 would recommend!” – Paiton B. (Read more reviews.)
5. Bombi Waggle
Best for | Two kids
Price | $399
Specs | 38.50” X 24.0” X 24.0” (unfolded), 24.0” X 23.0” X 18.0” (folded), weight 36.9lbs, can accommodate two children weighing up to 110 lbs total
Fits in overhead bin | N
Bombi, the eco-conscious baby gear brand, has a bunch of sustainable strollers and wagons. Their Waggle is a fan fave, and justifiably so: it’s an ultra-compact, all-terrain stroller wagon that seats up to two children and is absolutely designed for travel. While the Waggle doesn’t fit in an overhead compartment, it’s still one of the most compact options on the market. Reviewers have absolutely taken them traveling and raved about the ease of access. It moves just like a stroller, including easy steering regardless of whether you’re pushing or pulling. And it folds up to just about the size of a lightweight stroller, too.
The Waggle’s made from 100% recycled plastic bottles (about 40 bottles per wagon, with no single-use plastic in any of their packaging) and is suitable for kids from 6 months up to 55 pounds each (so, 110 pounds total). It’s got six pockets, four cup holders, an add-on storage basket, and a bunch of ways to mix accessories and configurations to customize your settings. The design makes it easy to navigate busy streets and sidewalks thanks to a slim design. This would be a nice step up from a single travel stroller when your little one (or ones!) gets bigger.
Customer Review | “We are so in love with this wagon!! Bombs truly thought of everything—sun shades, storage baskets, snack trays, and soooo many cup holders!! It rides smoothly on different terrains and there’s so much space. My daughter loves the lower openings on the sides so she can get in/out herself! The Waggle is a must for all the summer activities.” – Kacia F. (Read more reviews.)
Featured image is from Mockingbird
Katherine J. Igoe is a writer and editor who covers fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, with sustainability at the core of her work. She’s written for The New York Times, The Cut, InStyle, etc., and been a contributing editor at Cosmo and Marie Claire.
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