I remember standing in the airport security line with my 8-month-old daughter, a diaper bag on one shoulder, and a full-size stroller that felt like it weighed more than she did. By the time we reached the gate, I had already decided: our next trip would be different. That is why I started looking at compact travel strollers, and the Baby Jogger City Tour 2 is the one that ended up in our trunk.
If you are trying to decide whether a compact travel stroller is worth the money, here are the ten reasons that convinced me, plus the honest downsides nobody mentions.
Skip the airport wrestling match with your stroller
The Baby Jogger City Tour 2 folds small enough to carry with one hand, so you can keep your eyes on your baby instead of your gear.
Amazon Check Today's Price on Amazon →It folds small enough to count as a carry-on
The whole point of a compact travel stroller is that it fits where a full-size stroller cannot. The City Tour 2 folds down to a package that slides into the overhead bin on most flights. That means no waiting at the gate for a stroller to be brought back up, and no worrying that it got banged around in the cargo hold. On our flight to Nashville last month, I slid it into the bin above our seats with the carry-on beside it, and it fit without me having to shove or angle it. The flight attendant even nodded at it, which felt like a small victory after years of wrestling gate-check tags.
You can carry it with one hand
When you are holding a baby, the other hand is usually full. The City Tour 2 weighs about 14 pounds, and the carry strap makes it easy to sling over your shoulder. I have walked through two airports with June on one hip and the stroller on the other, and I did not feel like I was doing arm day at the gym. The first time I tried it, I was skeptical that a strap on a stroller could actually be comfortable, but it sat on my shoulder the way a tote bag does, and I did not have to readjust it once between the parking garage and the check-in counter.
It sets up fast when you need it
The fold is a simple one-hand motion. You do not need to bend over, fiddle with latches, or read the manual again. I have done it in a crowded airplane aisle while people waited behind me, and nobody had to wait long. The first time I unfolded it in our living room, I timed myself just to see, and it took about ten seconds. That matters when you are standing at the baggage claim door with a baby who is done sitting still.
It fits in the trunk with room to spare
We drive a 2019 Honda CR-V, and the full-size stroller took up most of the cargo area. The City Tour 2 leaves room for the diaper bag, the groceries, and the dog's travel crate. For everyday errands, that extra space matters more than I expected. Last week I loaded it next to a week's worth of groceries and a bag of dog food, and I still had room to see out the back window. With a full-size stroller, I used to play a game of Tetris every time we went to Costco.
It is light enough to lift into the overhead bin
At around 14 pounds, this is not a featherweight, but it is light enough that I can lift it over my head without help. That matters when you are traveling alone with a baby and the flight attendant is not allowed to lift it for you. I am 5-foot-4 and not particularly strong, and I managed it on our Nashville trip while holding June in the other arm. I would not want to do it ten times in a row, but once per flight is fine.
The seat reclines for naps on the go
Travel days wreck nap schedules. The City Tour 2 has a multi-position recline, so June can sleep sitting up or lying back. I have watched her doze through a long layover in this stroller, which is more than I can say for the hard airport chairs. On our way home from Nashville, she fell asleep about ten minutes after we cleared security, and she stayed down for a full hour while we waited at the gate. That hour of quiet made the whole trip feel worth it.
The canopy actually covers the sun
The canopy on this stroller extends farther than I expected for such a small frame. On a sunny afternoon at the Knoxville zoo, June stayed in the shade the whole time. That is a small thing until you are trying to keep a baby comfortable in the heat. I pulled the canopy out to its full extension around 2 p.m., when the sun was directly overhead, and she did not squint or fuss once. With our old stroller, I was always draping a blanket over the top to block the sun, which meant she could not see out.
It handles better than a full-size stroller on smooth floors
I was skeptical that a small stroller could push well. But on airport floors, museum floors, and store floors, the City Tour 2 glides. The front wheels swivel, which makes tight turns easy in crowded spaces. It is not built for off-road trails, but that is not what it is for. At the Knoxville museum last weekend, I steered it one-handed through a crowded exhibit while holding Eli's hand with the other, and I did not bump a single display.
It keeps your hands free for the important stuff
A compact stroller means you are not constantly managing a giant piece of equipment. You can hold a coffee, answer a text, or grab your toddler's hand while the stroller rolls beside you. With a baby and a 5-year-old, I need all the free hands I can get. On a typical morning walk to the mailbox, I push the stroller with one hand, hold Eli's hand with the other, and still manage to carry the mail. That was simply not possible with our full-size stroller.
It grows with your baby
The City Tour 2 is not just for infants. The seat holds children up to a higher weight limit than I expected, so it will still be useful when June is a toddler. That makes the price easier to justify, because you are not buying a stroller you will outgrow in six months. I checked the manual when we first got it, and the limit is high enough that I expect to use this stroller for years, not months. That is the kind of math that matters when you are budgeting for baby gear.
What I'd Skip
A compact travel stroller is not the right choice for every family. If you do most of your walking on gravel trails or uneven sidewalks, a full-size stroller with bigger wheels will serve you better. The City Tour 2 is happiest on smooth surfaces. Also, if you are looking for a stroller that does double duty as your everyday ride, you may find the smaller wheels and lighter frame less comfortable for long neighborhood walks. And if your baby is a newborn, check with your pediatrician before using any stroller that does not offer a fully flat recline. For us, the tradeoff was worth it, but it is a real tradeoff.
I have walked through two airports with June on one hip and the stroller on the other, and I did not feel like I was doing arm day at the gym.
Make your next trip the easy one
The Baby Jogger City Tour 2 is the stroller I reach for every time we leave the house. See today's price and read more parent reviews on Amazon.
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