Having traveled with a wide variety of strollers, I can tell you that there are many reasons why umbrella strollers make excellent travel strollers. Umbrella strollers tick many of the boxes I look for in baby travel gear – they are small, lightweight and inexpensive.
I have used my first-hand knowledge of baby travel gear to come up with this list of the best umbrella strollers for travel. To try and meet everyone’s needs, I have presented umbrella travel strollers for every budget, and have also included some which are good for travel with infants.
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Best Umbrella Strollers for Travel
In my experience traveling with babies, the best umbrella stroller for travel is one that is highly rated, lightweight and has some additional features. Some of the travel umbrella strollers in my list will even work as a travel stroller for newborns.
Gone are the days where buying an umbrella stroller means your only options are the cheap ones from Walmart. Nowadays, parents can still get a lightweight umbrella stroller under 14 pounds that has room for baby travel essentials and even reclines for naps.
1. Summer 3Dlite+ Convenience Stroller
My pick for the best overall umbrella stroller, the Summer 3Dlite+ Convenience Stroller has an extra-large storage basket plus a side pocket, a parent cup holder and a cell phone holder.
Weighs only 14 pounds and a has a carry strap
With 4 recline positions to nearly flat
Extra Large storage basket.
Oversized canopy
2. Summer Infant, 3D Mini Convenience Stroller
Umbrella strollers should be light and this one meets that mark! At only 11 pounds, this is the lightest umbrella stroller on my list, yet the Summer Infant 3D Mini still offers a multiple position recline, under seat basket and a rear storage pocket with cup holders.
Multiple position recline
Large basket under seat plus rear storage pockets with cup holders
Two-tier canopy with flip out sun visor
Recommended for babies who can sit up unassisted (around 6 months +) and up to 45 pounds
3. Jeep PowerGlyde Plus Umbrella Stroller
The Jeep PowerGlyde Plus stroller by Delta Children is a basic umbrella style travel stroller that’s easy to travel with. For one of the most affordable strollers on this list, the Jeep umbrella travel stroller has a much-improved canopy over many other umbrella strollers.
With 4 recline positions
Meets Disney size requirements
Has extendable canopy with sun visor
Recommended for babies 6 months+ and up to 50 lbs
4. UPPAbaby G-Luxe Stroller
This UPPAbaby umbrella stroller for travel is a little bit heavy at 16.3 pounds, but it can accommodate babies from 3 months and up to 55 pounds.
Easy enough to carry with the convenient carry strap.
3 one-hand recline positions
Three tier canopy with pop out sun visor
Large under seat basket
5. Dream On Me Vista Moonwalk Umbrella Stroller
The Dream On Me Vista umbrella stroller has a two panel canopy and a one-hand recline, providing a comfortable ride for your little one. It doesn’t have a full recline, so it’s recommended for babies 6 months+ and only up to 40 pounds
The mesh windows on the sides are nice for airflow
Has a peek-a-boo window so you can easily check in on your little one
Multiple position recline
With full size canopy with sun visor
6. Chicco Liteway Stroller
The Chicco Liteway umbrella stroller has adjustable backrest and canopy with visor. It’s heavier than most at 17 lbs, but I like the mesh sides for airflow. This would be a great option for a vacation with your toddler in a warm climate.
Has a 4 position recline and adjustable leg rest
Best used for babies who can sit up unassisted and up to 40 lbs.
Storage under seat plus cup holder
Adjustable, removable canopy
What is an Umbrella Stroller?
If you are a new parent, some of the stroller terminology can get confusing. So what is an umbrella stroller and what makes it great for travel?
An umbrella stroller is a stroller that has a unique fold that ends up resembling a large umbrella (think long and narrow). Typically an umbrella stroller will collapse down in the middle to bring the sides together.
What Makes an Umbrella Stroller Good for Travel?
I can speak from experience that traveling with a big, heavy, full-sized stroller can be a challenge. Umbrella strollers, conversely, make some of the best travel strollers as they are small and lightweight. These travel-friendly features make them easy to gate check for your flight, or to throw in the trunk of a car without taking too much room.
In addition, they often have a carry strap, making them easy to lug around while also holding a toddlers hand or carrying a baby.
A lightweight umbrella stroller is different than a pocket stroller which has a tri-fold, making it ultra compact and fits in the overhead bin on the airplane. Lightweight umbrella strollers and pocket strollers make the best strollers for airplane travel.
Optional Umbrella Stroller Accessories
Umbrella strollers are great for travel as they are lightweight and compact, but the flipside to that is they are usually light on features, like snack trays, drink cups, etc. The great news is that there are plenty of great add-on accessories for travel umbrella strollers that may meet your needs.
If you wish to purchase an umbrella stroller, but still want a specific feature such as a sunshade, rain cover, cup holder, etc., then check out my post on the best accessories for travel strollers.
Travel Umbrella Strollers FAQ
Does an umbrella stroller count as a carry on?
An umbrella stroller does not count as carry on. Parents can travel with a stroller as checked baggage or gate check it free of charge.
Do umbrella strollers recline?
Yes, there are several umbrella strollers that recline.
When can I start using an umbrella stroller?
While many umbrella strollers are better suited to babies who can sit up unassisted (around 6 months old), there are umbrella strollers that recline to a near-flat position allowing them to be used with an infant.
What is the weight limit for an umbrella stroller?
It’s very common to find an umbrella stroller that has a weight limit in the range of 40 to 55 pounds
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Celine Brewer is the owner of Baby Can Travel. Not only does she have years of experience traveling with babies & toddlers, but she’s helped millions of new parents travel with their babies and toddlers for over a decade. In addition to writing on her baby travel blog, she has shared her expertise on traveling with a baby or toddler by contributing to articles about traveling with a baby with the Washington Post, USA Today, the Lonely Planet magazine and Pregnancy & Newborn magazine.
Celine also writes about family travel on the site FamilyCanTravel.com, which she co-owns with her husband. Being from the Canadian Rockies, she shares her passion about her home and travel to Banff National Park and area on their site TravelBanffCanada.com.
