Strollers for tall parents?

[uskiku]

I'm 5' 11'' and DH is 6' 3''... I really really like Peg Perego Pliko P3 MT stroller, but when we where in BRU a few days ago and test-drove the stroller, the adjustable handles did not seem to be that comfy, height-wise (especially for DH). I've heard that Venezia is better in this regard, is this true? Can you recommend any other strollers for tall parents? We've got Graco Snugride infant carseat and we drive a small car (Nissan Sentra), so we're looking for a compact and light-weight stroller.

TIA!

[magdesilver]

The maclaren and kidco strollers have the tallest handles. The maclaren global buggy is the only Mac to take an infant seat, but they are coming out with an infant seat frame that you might be interested in. I think the kidco lifestyle might take a carseat, too. It's better for baby to not be in the carseat all the time- better to get a stroller with a full recline (maclaren techno has it) and put baby directly in the stroller.

[uskiku]

Thanks so much for your reply, Magdesilver! Just took another look at Mclarens and they seem very nice. Is the basket big enough and does it fold easily?
I'm definitely not going to leave the baby in the carseat for long; that's one reason why I decided not to go with a "travel system" -- thanks for pointing that out though! -- but DH is thinking that there might be a few occasions when it would be handy to strap the carseat in the stroller. I've read that you can do that with Graco Snugride and Pliko P3.
The Pliko P3 handles are not tooo short, but just an extra inch or so would make it a bit more comfortable, if you know what I mean...
Oh goodness, I feel like I'm taking a test with all these decisions and I really hoped to be done with tests and exams after I got out of college! ;)

[jh124]

I'm 6' and DH is 6'4". We went with a Graco Metrolite. We "test drove" a lot of them in BRU before settling on this one.

[Daniel's Kitty]

I would go around BRU and test drive them all till you find one you like. Just make sure it will fit in the car.

[magdesilver]

The P3 and Venezia are both at BRU so you can test the Venezia there, it has a bar handle instead of the handlebars so you might find it easier (or harder). I'm not a fan of gracos/evenflos/etc. but that's just me so I won't comment on those. I think you can get much more for your money, and maclarens and pegs both have excellent resale value if you end up wanting to pass it on at some point.
The Maclarens are also at babies r us to test. They don't have as nice of baskets but they are more lightweight strollers so that's why. Also, the Maclarens are tippy so if you hang stuff off the handle and then pick your baby out of the stroller the stroller will tip backwards- it's inherent in it's design. How about a zooper? The zooper swing (I have one and love it!) has adjustable handles, lots of the features of the P3, and takes the carseat as well. I'll pm you the link to pictures of mine. The 2005 models can be had for a great deal right now, much less than the P3 and it comes with all the accessories (cold weather boot, sun shade, rain cover).

[uskiku]

Thank you for your replies, Daniel's Kitty and jh124! We did try out everything our local BRU had in store, but nothing looked significantly better than Pliko... The selection was pretty scarce -- guess it was the slow "post-Christmas everything's gone before the new models hit the market" time.

Mag thank you!! :) Your zooper looks great! I'm on a look-out for the 2005 models; as you pointed out, they are all on sale right now... Off to check out the zooper prices!

Everyone, thanks so much again!

[EJH]

I have the Venezia. I'm 5'9 ...the height of the handle is okay, better than most I suppose. It's definitely taller and more comfy with the carriage facing away from you. Make sure it's comfy for him to walk behind too, I know some people complain about kicking the stroller when you have long legs...I've noticed that problem slightly with this stroller. Overall though it's a nice choice for tall people. I felt like the Pliko was more comfy myself .... not sure why.

Good luck!

[uskiku]

Thanks, EJH!! I was really hoping someone with a Venezia would come forward! That's really interesting about you finding Pliko more comfy... I would describe my feelings about the Pliko height exactly the same way -- it's OK. As you can see, I'm just second-guessing my choice! Oh, and that's an excellent point about kicking the wheels; didn't even think of that! Thanks!! :)

[EJH]

Not sure what it is about the Pliko that I found to be a better fit ... but we got the Venezia for some other reasons in the end. Definitely have him spend some time walking around BRU with it before you purchase it :) .

[bamboo]

Zoopers have tall handles, and are great strollers. DH and I are both 6 feet tall and have one and it's quite comfortable to use (though DD won't ride in the stroller with me anyway ;) )

[jp'swife]

I'm a towering 5'6 :rolleyes: but my DH is 6'4.
We bought the Bugaboo Frog and absolutely LOVE it! It is a great stroller for taller folks!

[Mrs.Chappy]

we have teh maclarren techno XT
and its great for my 6'3" hubby b/c of the extendable handles.

[uskiku]

Thanks SO much, ladies, for your recommendations; I honestly don't know what I would do without CC! :)
We decided to go ahead and get the Pliko in Blumoon (AlbeeBaby has a great sale on right now for the 2005 models and we just couldn't pass up on that price), but I'm sure your advice will be invaluable for all tall parents-to-be who use CC (uh, pardon the unintended rhyme here ;)) -- thanks so much again!

[BusyBee]

My DH is 6'-6" (I'm 5'-5"), so I spent a lot of time searching for a tall stroller and/or handle extensions. Even those with adjustable handles aren't tall enough. And if it was tall, it didn't recline all the way, which I wanted, too. Although I really liked how compact the Pliko is, we got the Venezia, and love it!

It was a little taller, and DH preferred the one horizontal handle-bar (as opposed to the Pliko's umbrella handles)

We used the Snugride carseat with it too (But I'm not sure how well it would fit in your trunk, though.)

My favorite thing about the Venezia is that the handles flip to the other side, so baby can be facing you, or facing out. It is about 41" tall max with the baby facing forward, and little lower (about 1") the other way - DH prefers to have baby facing us, and he doesn't mind the height that way.

[Pink_Converse]

I know you already found one, but for others, my DH is 6' 6" and he was comfortable "driving" the Chicco Cortina at BRU.

I also saw and extender thing on babystyle.com if you find your stroller handles aren't tall enough.

http://a940.g.akamai.net/7/940/449/0002/www.estyle.com/images/product/16029_MID_r.jpg