When it comes to traveling with a little one, the last thing parents want is a heavy, large stroller to lug around along with everything else we need (which is basically anything ever made for a child!). We came across the GB Pockit Stroller, which in 2014 earned a Guinness World Record for being the most compact option on the market, and we knew we had to test it out. So, we took our 16-month-old on an adventure around the city to see if the umbrella stroller (meaning it folds up like an umbrella) was a win. Did the product make our life easier, or did it fail us in our travels? Read on to see what we thought.
Design: An award-winning design, but with a few areas for improvement
The Pockit is said to be the smallest stroller currently available, measuring an incredible 11.8 x 7 x 13.8 inches when folded. In addition to the Guinness World Record, this travel-ready stroller also won the iF Design Gold Award, a prestigious global-wide recognition for design excellence, in 2016. So basically, this stroller is killing it on the design front. The compact size is the biggest pro for the Pockit. Weighing in under 10 pounds, we found the stroller extremely easy to carry wherever we were traveling. It can fit in the trunk or backseat of your car (without having to rearrange everything), in the overhead compartment on a plane (major!), and on public transportation such as the bus or subway (and bonus: it can even stand alone when it’s folded). Another pro for us is that this stroller held up during our adventure around the city. We were a bit concerned about how it would do on bumpy sidewalks and walkways given its size and weight, but we were pleasantly surprised with its sturdiness. Now, while we loved everything about its size and portability, we did have a few areas for improvement. The first is the sun canopy. It’s fairly small and didn’t give our toddler much coverage and protection when out and about—pretty much defeating the purpose of it. The storage basket is really small and can only carry the essentials (a wallet, wipes, some snacks, and water)—definitely not a large diaper bag or shopping bags from running errands around town. We tried hanging our normal diaper bag on one of the padded handlebars, but it really weighed down the one side of the stroller. If you are taking the stroller out, it’s better for short trips when you don’t need everything with you and where you’re not planning to pick up a lot of things when you’re out. This model also doesn’t recline, so it’s not the best if you’re planning on having your little one nap on the go. The Pockit+ (a different, more expensive model from the same company) does recline, so you may want to look into that option if this is a must-have for you!
Safety: JPMA-certified
This stroller is manufactured compliant with U.S. safety standards. We were happy to learn that it is also certified by the JPMA (the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association), which is the voice of the industry on quality and safety for baby and children’s products. (We contacted the JPMA directly to confirm.) Additionally, the stroller has some basic safety features including a five-point harness, lockable front swivel wheels, and a rear-wheel parking brake that works with the tap of a toe. One con was that it was difficult to adjust the straps to fit our toddler perfectly. It always seemed a bit loose, which didn’t make us feel totally secure. This should be an easier adjustment.
Setup Process: No assembly required
This is by the far the easiest stroller to set up. Why? Because there is literally no assembly required! Yes, you read that right. We simply took it out of the box, unfolded it in two easy steps (unfold the wheels to the side and pull up on the handles to stand up the stroller), and we were ready to go. When folding it back up, we had to first fold the sun shade down, then lock the front wheels, press down on the white buttons on the stroller handles, and push the entire stroller down. Once it was collapsed, we could then fold it inwards (making it even smaller) and lock it with a latch. It does take a few times to get it all down perfectly, but it really is super straightforward. There is even an easy tutorial video from the brand for reference if needed.
Age Range: Ideal for children 6 months and up
Because there is no infant insert and the stroller isn’t able to recline, this stroller is designed for a baby that can hold his or her head up unassisted. The age recommended by the brand is 6 months and up. The weight limit is 55 pounds, which is typically around 5 years old, so you can get several years of use out of this stroller.
Ease of Cleaning: Seat cover can be removed for a quick cleanup
Another great feature with this stroller is that the seat cover can be removed from the stroller for easy cleanup. Once you remove it, you can simply clean with a damp cloth using mild soap and water and wipe dry, or for bigger messes, throw in the wash (according to the brand, the temperature of the water should be less than 80 degrees). A major plus after a day of snacking in the stroller!
Price: Not the cheapest, not the priciest
Travel strollers typically range from around $80 to close to $300, and the Pockit Lightweight Stroller has an MSRP of $249.95. You can typically find it for less than that, so we think it’s not a bad deal given its incredible size and portability.
Pockit Stroller vs. Summer Infant 3Dlite+ Convenience Stroller
When looking at other strollers at a similar price point to the Pockit, the Summer Infant 3Dlite+ Convenience Stroller stood out. Available for less than $130, this stroller reclines and has a larger canopy, a storage pocket in addition to a storage basket, and even a cup holder for parent and child. It’s a few pounds heavier than the Pockit and doesn’t fold up to be nearly as small, but if some of these features are more important to you than size, this is one to check out. For families who love to travel, the GB Pockit Stroller is definitely a good option. It makes life a lot easier when getting around town and is a win with storage space for those who lack it.
