Best Umbrella & Lightweight Strollers For Travel [2024]

Choosing the best lightweight stroller isn’t easier than choosing the first stroller at all. Mostly because there are plenty of crappy and poor light strollers, that are rather for dolls than kids. You don’t want that kind of stroller for your baby, right?

This article is not a substitute for medical advice or consultation. It contains affiliate links.

I’ve tested literally dozens of strollers to make my list of the best lightweight strollers in 2024 and show you only high-quality, safe and reliable models.

Some of them are suitable from birth, while others can serve you as a second stroller when your child is at least 6 months old. Few of them fold up so tiny that you can even take them on board on many airplanes!

And what’s the most interesting finding: some of these light strollers are suitable for daily use and can serve you as your only stroller!

Here’s a short summary of my research on single strollers under 17 lbs. Below you can find more detailed reviews.

Ranking: What Is The Best Lightweight Stroller For Travel In 2024?

I present you my ranking of the best lightweight strollers for toddlers and infants in 2024:

1. Ergobaby Metro Plus (now 10% OFF!)

This is the first lightweight stroller by Ergobaby, upgraded last year, which quickly became parents favorite. I have no doubts it’ll still be very popular in 2024.

What makes it worth recommendation for traveling parents?

• This stroller folds up easily with one hand – which takes literally a few seconds.
• Ergobaby Metro folded dimensions are: 21.3″ x 17.3″ x 9.8″ and it fits in overhead compartments on many airplanes. You won’t have problems with fitting it behind the driver’s seat in your car or under your seat on a train. What you will love about the fold is how neatly it looks – it’s flat and the fabric doesn’t stick out (as on many other lightweight strollers).
• It’s portable thanks to a lightweight design – it weighs only 16.9 pounds! And with a convenient handle you can easily carry it around.
• With backpack-style travel bag, getting through the airports and bus stations is much easier. Here you will get a FREE travel bag for your Metro (value of $30!) with code METROBAG. You can also get there other useful accessories like adapters that allow you to attach an infant car seat to the Metro+. This means that you can travel with this lightweight stroller even when your baby is a newborn.

What’s noteworthy, Ergobaby Metro+ has ultra-padded seat which is really cushy and comfy for the little passenger. It’s one of the richest padded seats I’ve seen. It’s not a flat and stiff backrest, like on other travel strollers! The padding is plush, cozy and holds the baby really well, so he/she doesn’t slide out of the seat.

Such a deep padding is a rare thing among lightweight strollers so it’s a big plus! Metro is truly a high-quality lightweight travel stroller.

The canopy has good size – it’s very similar to YOYO2’s and City Tour 2’s canopy, and of course bigger than GB Pockit’s hood. Last year it has been redesigned and reinforced, so now it stays in place better.

Metro has one-piece handlebar – which lately gets more popular among lightweight strollers than two separate handles. Thanks to that parents can push this stroller with one hand and steer it without any problems, especially on flat ground.

Of course as other lightweight strollers for travel, this one also has small wheels. They work best on city streets, pavement, and paths in park, and of course they are perfect for indoor use: at the mall and airport.

It’s worth to notice that Ergobaby Metro+ Stroller is equipped with shock-absorbing rubber tires and a spring suspension system. It doesn’t mean that you can take it off road, but thanks to this equipment it doesn’t get stuck in every crack in a sidewalk.

Last year the brand also reinforced the frame and upgraded wheel bearings so now the Metro pushes more smoothly.

The newest Metro+ works with some of the infant car seats (from brands like Nuna, Cybex, Graco and Chicco). Adapters are sold separately.

If you’re looking for comparison BABYZEN YOYO vs. Ergobaby Metro or you’re hesitating between Baby Jogger City Tour 2 vs Ergobaby Metro Plus – just keep scrolling and you’ll find tables with specs below👇

2. BABYZEN YOYO2

This is an example of more advanced lightweight stroller that has many features which make using and riding really convenient.

• It can accommodate a passenger up to 39.7 pounds;
• The newest model has improved independent suspension built in all 4 wheels for more comfortable ride and single front-wheel-design which makes it easy to push and maneuver;
• Spacious storage basket underneath the seat with weight limit of 11 lbs, therefore you can be sure all of your baby’s gear will fit there;
• YOYO2 has very nice, extendable canopy with UPF 50+ protection. According to many parents it gives wonderful coverage;
• This small and light stroller is compatible with many popular infant car seats but you have to buy an adapter;
• YOYO2 is a good long-term investment. It can be used from birth with the Newborn Pack – a small and light carrycot (check it here). The newest YOYO has one more option for newborn baby: Bassinet. This is a completely new accessory. If you want to use your lightweight stroller for newborn, and provide your little one with the safest and coziest place for naps on-the-go, the bassinet is your best choice (choose the bassinet in your favorite color here).

Folding BABYZEN YOYO2 is pretty simple and after that we can use the strap to carry the stroller on a shoulder. Folded stroller takes up a little space and is very convenient to store or transport. It is very popular among parents traveling with their kids, because it fits in overhead compartments on many airplanes. Its folded dimensions are: 20.5” x 17.3” x 7.1”.

This stroller weighs only 13.6 lbs which is not so much, as for such a good-quality and well-equipped stroller. It has reclining seat with soft padding and recently redesigned harness which is now easier to adjust. In my opinion, this is the best lightweight stroller on the market right now, considering its useful features and compact size for travel by plane or using public transportation.

Keep in mind that this is a lightweight stroller with small wheels so it may be challenging to go over thick grass or harsher terrain. But I’ve seen so many parents with it in Greece and Italy, where the streets are old, cobbled and quite bumpy. So it’s definitely travel-approved!

YOYO is quite an expensive lightweight stroller. Before you order it, make sure it meets your needs. Take a minute to check what parents who own this stroller think about it, by reading customer reviews here. You can also learn more about it in my full review of BABYZEN YOYO which includes a comparison of YOYO2 and the previous model YOYO+.

A lot of parents have been asking me about the differences between Ergobaby Metro Plus vs YOYO 2 so here is my comparison.

Ergobaby Metro vs Yoyo

3. GB Pockit Plus All City

My ranking of the best lightweight strollers 2024 wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t include GB Pockit Plus All City. This new version includes all the features that previous versions of Pockit didn’t have.

GB Pockit Plus All City version is compatible with infant car seat, as well as the bassinet Cot To Go, so this tiny travel stroller is actually suitable from birth. It’s so practical to get a lightweight stroller for newborn baby, because you only spend money once!

Now let’s talks about the most important features: weight and fold size. It weighs 13.2 lbs which means it’s about 3.7 lbs heavier than the original Pockit which is a noticeable difference. But it’s still very lightweight and easy to carry.

You’re probably wondering if all those upgrades have affected fold size. Fortunately GB Pockit Plus All City is still ultra-compact after folding and only slightly differs from the original GB Pockit (13.4″ x 7.9″ x 16.5″ instead of 11.8″ x 7.1″ x 13.8″).

You’ll still be able to travel with this stroller, take it as carry-on on most airplanes, put it behind the driver’s seat or fit in a small car trunk. You can even store it under the table in a restaurant or simply fit it in your handbag.

It’s truly amazing that this compact stroller makes traveling with toddlers and newborns so much easier!

Although Pockit Plus All City has suspension in the front wheels, it’s still a small and lightweight stroller – so it won’t handle off road trails, and may get stuck on bigger cracks.

If you want to read more about GB Pockit Plus All City features and see more photos – check my full review.

4. Baby Jogger City Tour 2

For over 2 year Baby Jogger City Tour has been one of my favorite lightweight strollers, but its new improved version has just taken its place!

This upgraded model – City Tour 2 – has all the features that parents were asking for: deeper seat and usability from birth (compatibility with infant car seats and bassinet).

If you’re looking for a lightweight stroller that is suitable for newborn baby, but you’d prefer something cheaper than YOYO+, MINU or Cybex Twist, then this is the perfect option.

It has padded seat with multi-position recline. The seat goes to near-flat position so it provides comfortable space for snooze on the go. Maximum capacity is 45 lbs.

The feature that distinguishes City Tour 2 among lightweight strollers is adjustable footrest. It makes naps on the go even more comfy.

There is also big expandable canopy that protects baby from harmful sun rays (UV 50+). It has nice peek-a-boo window.

City Tour 2 folds with one hand into a small pack. Then you can fit it into a travel bag that is included with the stroller. And since it weighs only 14 lbs, it’s super convenient to carry around! Thanks to such a compact fold the stroller meets carry-on regulations for most of the airlines. Auto-lock keeps stroller closed.

I just love how easy it is to store and transport this stroller! And it comes with a travel bag included for free!

Baby Jogger City Tour 2 has one more big advantage. It has one classic handlebar, instead of two handles like many old lightweight strollers. Thanks to that, you can push this stroller with one hand.

Just like other lightweight strollers, this one has small wheels that work best on flat surfaces.

Check out my full review of Baby Jogger City Tour 2 stroller to find out more about it and make sure you’re making the right choice.

And if you’re hesitating between Ergobaby Metro Plus vs Baby Jogger City Tour 2, here is my comparison with the most important differences.

Ergobaby Metro Plus vs Baby Jogger City Tour 2

5. UPPAbaby MINU V2

You’re a fan of UPPAbaby brand, but you can’t have full-sized stroller like VISTA or CRUZ, yet need something suitable from birth? UPPAbaby MINU will be perfect solution for you.

This high-quality lightweight stroller is compatible with infant car seats, as well as allows to attach special bassinet for newborn baby (all sold separately). At the same time, it weighs only 17 lbs and features pretty compact fold – ideal for small apartments and cars.

UPPAbaby MINU comes with a standard toddler seat which, according to manufacturer, is suitable from 3 months. It offers quite deep recline (it’s not near-flat though). I like the extendable, large canopy with UV sun visor that provides good amount of shade for the baby. Of course there’s great peek-a-boo window with magnetic closure, like on UPPAbaby VISTA and CRUZ.

Another great thing about MINU is one-hand folding which is a piece of cake. Moreover, it comes with a shoulder strap for convenient carrying and storage bag – big plus! It’s not only easy to store, but it also makes traveling with baby much simpler.

MINU’s fold is compact (11.5″ x 20.5″ x 23″) but may be a little too big for carry-on luggage on most of airlines.

Although MINU has small wheels, it handles slightly rough surfaces like cracked pavement or gravel paths. All-wheel suspension makes the ride comfy and smooth, however I would not recommend this stroller for bumpy terrain. Oh, and there’s flip flop friendly parking brake. It’s probably the easiest to use brake among all lightweight strollers!

As for a lightweight stroller, UPPAbaby MINU has really decent storage basket with capacity of 20 lbs. You will fit there your medium-size diaper bag seamlessly.

Keep in mind that MINU is stable and strong and won’t tip on its own, unless you hang something heavy on the handlebar (which may cause the stroller to fall backwards).

Read more about new UPPAbaby stroller features and performance in my MINU review.

I get tons of questions like: “What is the difference between: Ergobaby Metro Plus vs UPPABABY MINU?” and “Which stroller is better: UPPABABY MINU vs Ergobaby Metro?”. If you’re also one of those parents looking for this comparison – here it is!

Ergobaby Metro vs UPPABABY MINU V2

6. GB Pockit

Probably everyone has heard about famous GB Pockit at some point. It is Guiness World Records most compact stroller! It features the smallest fold in the World: 11.8” x 7” x 13.8” which not only easily fits in overhead compartment on airplanes, but also fits in mommy’s bag so you could carry it effortlessly (9.5 lbs!!), when your baby prefers to walk. According to many parents this is the best lightweight travel stroller.

Thanks to GB Pockit size you won’t even realize you have a stroller in your luggage! Since you can take it on the plane, you don’t have to stress it gets destroyed or waste time on waiting for it after landing.

The seat is suitable from 6 months up to 55 lbs and has nice padding, however it doesn’t lean down. According to many parent recline would be a tremendous change, and manufacturer decided to add this features to the new model GB Pockit+ which I described above.

Under the seat there is a small basket. Although it has 11 lbs capacity, it won’t accommodate large diaper bag, rather a few essentials. For me the biggest disappointment is the sunshade which is small and weak and doesn’t give protection from sun and wind.

The stroller is light as a feather, but very sturdy and stable for this size. GB Pockit works best on flat surfaces, however it can handle small bumps thanks to lockable front swivel wheels.

Other parents also like the wheels as they roll nicely, but sometimes get stuck on harsher terrain and bigger cracks.

Despite its small size, GB Pockit can easily accommodate even a 6 year old child. In fact many parents use it for travels with older kids who can walk, but sometimes still need a ride in a stroller.

At the moment I’m writing this, GB Pockit has a few THOUSAND reviews on Amazon. It’s unbelievable. Below you can see the list of main pros and cons, based on parents reviews. And if you wanna learn even more, read my in-depth review of Pockit Stroller.

7. UPPAbaby G-LUXE

This is one of the umbrella strollers that I recommend. It weighs only 16.3 pounds which makes it so easy to carry on a shoulder. But what’s noticeable – it folds differently than other lightweight strollers – not like an accordion, but rather like an umbrella. You won’t be able to take it as carryon, but it’s perfect for road trips, travel by train or bus and visiting Disney.

UPPAbaby updated this stroller three years ago and it’s been very popular and highly-rated since then. That’s why I decided to included it in my list of best lightweight strollers for 2024 once again.

The seat is nicely and softly padded. What’s really great is that seat fabric is removable and machine washable so you don’t have to worry about stains.

It also features pretty deep recline which, according to manufacturer, is suitable for baby from 3 months. To lower or raise the seat you just need to press a button – you can do it easily with one hand, while holding your baby with other hand. There is also an adjustable leg rest. One-hand recline and adjustable leg rest are two rare features among lightweight strollers. Huge plus for G-LUXE for having those functions.

This umbrella stroller’s seat is quite roomy and deep, and there’s a long backrest and lots of head room. It has also a high weight limit (55 pounds), which mean this UPPABABY is comfortable for tall toddlers and older kids.

There is also an extendable canopy with SPF 50+ protection. The frame is made of aluminum which makes the stroller very light. Yet, it feels robust and stable. There is an easy to use parking brake – press red pedal to stop and then press green pedal to unlock the wheels. No lifting = no more ruined pedicure!

As I mentioned at the beginning, G-LUXE has different type of fold mechanism. Because of that it’s not as compact as Pockit or YOYO. It doesn’t fold up into a package, it rather folds like an umbrella stroller. It’s pretty slim and still easy to store at home or in a car trunk.

However, not all parents like the folding as it’s quite stiff especially at the beginning, tricky to figure out and you always need two hands to close the stroller. But it’s something you can easily get used to.

UPPAbaby G-LUXE has single front wheels which don’t get stuck on gravel that much! There’s also all-wheel suspension for baby’s and your comfort.

But keep in mind, this is not all-terrain stroller (just like all other lightweight strollers), so it vibrates when going over bumps.

Moreover, G-LUXE is not suitable from birth, because it doesn’t recline flat and it doesn’t work with infant car seats.

Need more information about UPPAbaby G-LUXE? Here’s my full review!

8. Safety 1st Teeny Ultra Compact Stroller

This is the cheapest stroller in my whole ranking, still very decent quality. Perfect for travel with toddler, strolling around neighborhood and running some errands in the city.

If you don’t want to splurge on umbrella/lightweight stroller, or can’t afford YOYO or MINU, this is a great choice.

It features one-hand fold – you just need to push the button on the handlebar and the stroller folds down neatly. And thanks to pretty lightweight design (15 lbs) it’s easy to carry it around or load in the car trunk.

Fold size is compact too: 22.75″ H x 18.75″ W x 9.75″ D – which is smaller than UPPAbaby MINU!

Now, a few features that make it comfortable for infants and toddlers: the seat is supper cushy with deep padding and fairly deep recline (it’s not fully flat tho, and not suitable for babies without good neck control).

There is a calf rest which I think comes in handy with taller kids, and a sunshade with peek-a-boo window. I wish it was a bit longer tho!

The wheels are not the biggest, and they are a bit plasticky, but for sidewalks or going to the playground they are totally fine! I mean, for this price you can’t really complain!

I like that it has quite roomy storage basket, which is not a common thing for lightweight travel strollers. So you’ll be able to fit all your essentials when you’re out for a day full of sightseeing or a day in amusement park.

The purpose of this article is informative. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice or medical care. Remember: safety first! Consult your doctor/pediatrician in case of any doubts. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. This article contains affiliate links.

Sources:

• Pictures of BABYZEN YOYO+ belong to BABYZEN. Source: https://www.babyzen.com
• Pictures of Pockit and Pockit Plus All City belong to GB. Source: https://gb-online.com
• Pictures of Ergobaby Metro belong to Ergobaby. Source: https://ergobaby.com
• Pictures of UPPAbaby MINU and G-LUXE belong to UPPAbaby. Source: https://uppababy.com
• Pictures of Baby Jogger City Tour 2 belong to Baby Jogger. Source: https://www.babyjogger.com
• Pictures of Safety 1st Teeny belong to Safety 1st Brand. Source: https://www.facebook.com/safety1st

Hello Moms! I am Zooey. I am a wife and a mother of three amazing kids: almost 5-year-old Haley and 2-year-old twins Jesse and Matthew. I am a jogger, cooker and blogger.

If you have a question or a comment, do not hesitate to write to me! 🙂