Have you ever seen a family having a nightmare at an airport – or feared it could be you?
One kid sat on a Trunki refusing to move, another climbing on a luggage trolley, and all while mum or dad carries a screaming baby?
Not every family holiday offers such mayhem, but one small way of mitigating the chaos is by getting a stroller small enough to stow in the overhead luggage compartment, so at least you can put the baby down while you’re queuing at the gate.
They are rapidly becoming a must have item, with mums in my baby group comparing notes on whether models such as the Ergobaby Metro + or Babyzen YOYO 2 offer the best value and functionality.
New contender the Joolz Aer+ was released in February this year, as an update to the popular Joolz Aer which has been around since 2021.
Need to know
Cost £449
Weight 6kg
Suitable from Birth if the cot attachment is bought, or six months with the standard stroller
Maximum weight of child 22kg
Buggy height 1.05m
It’s a lightweight buggy which can be folded up and down with one hand, and is small enough to be taken into the plane cabin with you so you don’t need to check it in.
Having successfully taken it on three flights, I can say it was a sanity saver.
The first flight was nerve-racking, in case it would not fit into the luggage compartment despite the claims.
But not only did it fit in fine, but we could even push it down the plane aisle until we reached our seat, then fold it up neatly after boarding. We also managed to stash a baby carrier inside it to maximise space, as it still folds even with some things in the storage underneath.
Most importantly, our baby also gave it the metaphorical thumbs up (as he has not yet mastered the pincer grip) and is happy to be pushed around and nap in it.
Back at home, we have a Bugaboo Cameleon 3 which is great for ‘off road pramming’ like going on an expedition to the park beer garden, which requires navigating a dirt track.
But the limits of a bulky buggy/pram like this quickly become clear when trying to take it anywhere, as it takes up almost the entire boot and is tiring to lug around.
The Aer+ has three settings for how far the seat reclines, so baby can either lie back almost flat or sit up in it like a chair. There is a generously proportioned sun shade with UPF 50+ protection, which also has some mesh at the back to allow air flow if it is down fully.
It is also compatible with some car seats including models from Cybex, Maxi Cosi and BeSafe, if a separate attachment is purchased.
A standard buggy comes with a carry pouch for easy transportation (you can just sling it over your shoulder), a rain cover and the buggy itself. Separately, a carrycot, leg rest, bumper bar and footboard for an older child are also available to buy.
The stroller also easily folds down to a compact size with the carrycot still in place, with some airlines even accepting the whole pram as hand luggage, though it’s more likely to be taken into the hold with the cot attachment.
The only time I wished I had something else was when I took it out on a longer walk and it flatly refused to move on a gravel path due to the thin tyres so I ended up carrying it.
To deal with this I now take a baby carrier with me too if I’m likely to be on rougher ground (my favourite is Lenny Lamb as it keeps a good M-shaped leg position).
The pram is stylish as well as functional, available in colours including ‘mighty green’, ‘lovely taupe’ and even black leopard print ‘chic renaissance’ as well as the standard grey, black and beige.
Joolz are also eco-conscious, with the fabric on each stroller made from 100% recycled PET bottles that are crushed into pellets and then made into polyester yarn – which also makes the fabric easy to clean.
Based in Amsterdam, the company also has its eye on style and recently partnered with fellow Dutch brand Filling Pieces to release a limited edition of another of their strollers with patches sewn on and a pair of baby trainers.
The Aer+ is fun and agile to push around (when not on gravel). At the airport I saw several other babies in travel strollers, but they looked tighter and less comfortable than this one, which at first glance just looks like an ordinary, even luxury, pushchair.
It is one of the best pieces of baby kit I’ve seen, and I’d probably give up going anywhere that wasn’t in walking distance if I still had to play car Tetris every time I put a big pram in the boot.
Joolz Aer+
What’s good?
- Stylish and designed for ease of us
- Lightweight and can be stowed in standard cabin luggage rack
- Smooth and responsive to push around on flat surfaces like pavement or in an airport
- Trying to reduce carbon footprint with recycled plastic fabric
What’s bad?
- Not great on rough terrain
- Perhaps not as comfy for baby as a big seat or bassinet
- Sometimes needs a bit of a shake to fully unfold
from News – Metro https://ift.tt/OsjXb1y
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