FOR BACKPACKERS-TURNED-PARENTS
TRAVEL TRANSPORT MVPs
BABY CARRYING, SEAT & STROLLER
Our Pick
Baby Carrier
ERGOBABY EMBRACE
ERGOBABY OMNI (360)
Support for the little one is key, but parent backs are the beasts of burden. After a long day of walking/hiking, this carrier doesn’t leave us aching.
Frugal Pick
Baby Carrier
INFANTINO
Credit to Infantino for bringing a decent-looking, competent entry to the crowded (and expensive) carrier market. Wonderfully, it even stands up to travel wearing.
Luxe Pick
Baby Carrier
TULA TRAVEL LITE
Gorgeous fabric options, packs away super small, and insanely easy to wear with a covert fanny and detachable hood.
Our Pick
Car Seat (Forward)
SAFETY 1st JIVE
Light at 8 lbs (3.6kg) and particularly handy in that it’s nappable for long-haul flights. Has a great long life with forward and rear-facing, at a great price.
Frugal Pick
Car Seat (Forward)
COSCO SCENERA NEXT
COSCO ONLOOK
7 lbs (3.1kg), not 10 lbs (4.5kg) as frequently misstated. This is as lightweight as it gets, while still meeting safety standards.
Luxe Pick
Car Seat (Forward)
WAYB PICO
A complete re-think of travel car seats, nothing is more convenient & compact. The only significant drawback is its lack of recline for long-haul flights. But if your little one can nap across your lap, the Pico can fit in the leg area of their seat.
Our Pick
Car Seat (Rear-Facing)
MAXI ROMI
Rental seats on the road, while a decent option, offer a lot of unknowns. Because of that, we like the surprisingly light (and still rugged) Maxi, clocking in at only 7.8 lbs. (3.5kg)
Frugal Pick
Car Seat (Rear-Facing)
BABY TREND TROOPER 3-in-1
Light for its size and long-lasting, thanks to its three variations by age & weight of your little traveler.
Luxe Pick
Car Seat (Rear-Facing)
JOIE MINT LATCH
Anchor tech for added travel safety. Easy to quickly pop in & out of most vehicles, which is key when you're relying on Uber, Didi, Lyft and taxi cabs aplenty.
Our Pick
Baby Cover
ERGOBABY RAIN/WIND
This is specifically designed for ErgoBaby, so you can see our bias. Check our other picks for our favorite universal covers.
Frugal Pick
Baby Cover
BUNDLE BEAN FLEECE-LINED UNIVERSAL
Love a great universal cover that can serve so many other great purposes. Great pattern offerings, too.
Luxe Pick
Baby Cover
JAN & JUL UNIVERSAL
Lovely universal cover for carriers, strollers, AND car seats. Goes where your baby goes! Awesome insulation & waterproof.
Our Pick
Foldable Travel Play Mat
GATHRE MINI+
A world map play mat that can be hung on the wall after use? Are you kidding?? Folds down for suitcase travel.
Frugal Pick
Foldable Travel Play Mat
CRATE & KIDS FOLD
Compact, circular mat with super collapsible folding for travel and just enough stuffing to cradle a toppling head.
Luxe Pick
Foldable Travel Play Mat
SMALLABLE BLOOM
The Play & Go is just compact enough to sneak into the car seat bag at gate check, it features innovative fold-up sides to keep rolling babies hemmed in. Fantastic for tight spaces at airports.
Our Pick
Plane Seat Extender
BUBBA BOARD
Simplicity = Win. Secures by flap or strap (seat pocket or tray table). If you can go discreet in a window seat, you may not run afoul of stricter airlines. Fairly compact. on a long haul flight? GOLD.
Frugal Pick
Plane Seat Extender
SUNANY/SVOPY
Look, most extenders make no sense. If they're not made for kids to crawl on, you're stuck on guard duty. The simplicity of a floor-up inflatable is great. (Just check w/ your carrier)
Luxe Pick
Plane Seat Extender
FLYAWAY DESIGNS
This company has worked diligently to win approval from airlines. Still, it's at the discretion of many carriers, so double check or better yet, call when you book.
Our Pick
Stroller (Baby)
BABY TREND SNAP-N-GO
We skip our pricey stroller and take the Snap-n-Go on big trips. It's cheap, light, and fits most car seats. Sure, airlines might cover a damaged stroller, but we don't risk it. 25 trips and going strong!
Frugal Pick
Stroller (Baby)
BABY TREND SNAP-N-GO
Yep! Our frugal pick, too. I should point out this stroller really earns its keep when we’re renting a car seat. The Snap-n-Go will securely hold almost any seat.
Luxe Pick
Stroller (Baby)
DOONA CAR SEAT & STROLLER
Highly, highly compact & specifically designed as a travel option, since it becomes a car seat when folded down. Airline, EU & USA-certifications.
Our Pick
Stroller (Sitting Up)
GB POCKIT AIR
The all-terrain version limits your need for gate checks and fits everywhere. Can’t say enough about the usefulness of double wheels on cobblestone streets.
Frugal Pick
Stroller (Sitting Up)
KOLCRAFT CLOUD+
Great for reclining. Not the most compact, but near to it. The double wheels and robust canopy offer added protection for the tiny tourist.
Luxe Pick
Stroller (Sitting Up)
STOKKE YOYO 2
Lighter than a Cybex. Foldable and, did I mention light? One-handed setup and collapse. Still feels quite sturdy.