Comparison Gesslein S3 vs Bumbleride Indie

In strollers with this function, the seat unit can be fixed in one of two positions, to choose from: facing the parent (against the direction of movement) or facing away from the parent (in the direction of movement). Each option has its advantages: in the first case, the baby can see a familiar face and is less nervous, and when located in the direction of movement, it is more convenient for him/her to view the world around him/her.

A feature used in walking seat units where the child is sitting. The bumper bar is a horizontal handrail installed in front of the baby seat. The child can hold on to such a handrail; in addition, such a device reduces the risk of falling out of the stroller, and for additional security, the bumper bar can be supplemented with a crotch strap (see below). To make the stroller more convenient to store, transport and clean, the bumper bar is often made removable; in some models, it also serves as a carrying handle (see above).

The ability to install a carrycot on the stroller — a characteristic basket in which the baby can lie comfortably.

Carrycots are used mainly for very young kids (up to 6 – 8 months), who can not yet sit normally in seat units. And the possibility of installing such an accessory by definition is available in all universal strollers (see "Design"). Also, the replacement of the seat unit on the carrycot can be provided in pushchair models. In fact, such strollers are also universal – but they are not initially equipped with carrycots, and therefore belong to the category of pushchairs.

The type of wheels installed on the stroller.

The most popular in our time are rubber wheels, including air-filled ones. Plastic wheels are used mainly in inexpensive strollers to further reduce the cost, while gel ones, on the contrary, are considered a very advanced option. Polyurethane wheels and EVA foam-filled wheels are also widely used. Here is a more detailed description of each of these varieties:

— Rubber. Rubber solid tires, found in many modern strollers, are popular due to their affordability, quiet operation, and smooth ride over bumps. While less effective on uneven surfaces compared to air-filled and gel wheels, solid rubber tires are cost-effective, low-maintenance, damage-resistant, and suitable for various wheel diameters, including small ones.

— Air-filled. Air-filled rubber tires, commonly featured on strollers, offer a softer ride and facilitate easy maneuvering on uneven surfaces and high curbs. Despite their higher cost, they require periodic maintenance to ensure proper pressure and protection against cuts or punctures. However, users find air-filled wheels manageable, as they are thick and less prone to damage.

— Plastic. Plastic wheels, commonly featuring both tire and rim made from this material (though s...ome have metal rims), are known for their simplicity and affordability. However, they lack durability, reliability, and effective vibration dampening due to their hardness. Typically found in low-cost strollers with small wheels designed for flat surfaces.

— Gel. Wheels similar in design to air-filled tires (see the relevant paragraph), but filled not with air, but with a special gel. The main advantage of this option is its insensitivity to small punctures and cuts: coming out, the gel in the tire in contact with air almost instantly solidifies, effectively sealing the damage. In addition, such wheels are virtually maintenance-free — they do not need to be inflated. The disadvantages of gel tires include high cost and somewhat higher rigidity than air-filled tires (although in terms of softness of running such wheels are still noticeably superior to rubber and even more so to plastic ones).

— Polyurethane. Solid polyurethane tires offer excellent maneuverability, shock absorption, puncture resistance, and durability. They are unaffected by extreme temperature changes and are cost-effective, making them a common choice for various stroller types.

— EVA. Wheels made of microporous foam rubber, specifically EVA material, offer high elasticity, excellent cushioning, and wear resistance. Lightweight and puncture-resistant, these wheels provide a smooth stroller ride. However, they may stiffen in cold winter weather.

The diameter of the front wheels installed in the stroller.

At the same time, the front wheels are not as important for mobility as the rear wheels: for example, to overcome obstacles, the stroller is often lifted "on its toes" by tilting it towards itself, with only the rear wheels working. Therefore, the diameter of the front wheels may be noticeably smaller than the rear wheels. It should be noted here that the small size also has its advantages — the wheels are lighter.

Speaking of specific numbers, diameter up to 15 cm is considered very modest, 16 — 20 cm — small, 21 — 25 cm — medium, 26 — 30 cm is larger than average and more than 30 cm is large.

The diameter of the rear wheels installed in the stroller.

The larger the wheel — the better it overcomes obstacles and bumps, the more convenient it is to drive the stroller over mud, snow and other difficult surfaces. For the rear wheels these moments are most relevant: for example, when driving the stroller over obstacles, it is usually tilted towards itself, so that the front wheels are in the air, and the rear wheels have to overcome the obstacle. On the other hand, small wheels weigh less and are easier to move, they are better suited for flat surfaces. So choose a stroller on this indicator should take into account the roads on which it has to be driven. If you plan to move on flat floors, good asphalt and stroller ramps — it is worth choosing small wheels, up to 20 cm. For difficult terrain, driving on mud and snow, regular overcoming steps and curbs it makes sense to pay attention to wheels in 30 cm and larger. And the diameter of 20 — 30 cm is an average option — it is suitable if you have to ride mainly on flat surfaces, but occasionally there is a need to overcome obstacles.

The distance between the side wheels of the stroller; this generally corresponds to the overall width of the stroller. If the front and rear widths are different, the greatest distance is indicated, usually on the rear wheels; the same wheels are used to measure the width of three-wheeled models.

In general, the wider the chassis, the more stable the stroller is and the more difficult it is to tip it over. On the other hand, greater width can cause problems in tight spaces such as narrow hallways and doorways, elevators, etc. The narrowest modern strollers have a width of up to 45 cm, the widest — more than 70 cm (these are mainly models for twins or triplets , where two seats are side-by-side). Models 46 – 50 cm are also considered quite narrow, a width of 51 – 55 cm can be called small, 56 – 60 cm — medium, 61 – 65 cm — more than average, 65 – 70 cm — large.

The width of the seat installed in the stroller.

When selecting a seat, focus on the seat width, considering the child's build and allowing space for future growth, rather than the overall dimensions.

The total weight of the assembled stroller. For universal models (see "Design"), this paragraph usually indicates the weight with the seat unit installed: such an accessory is used for a longer time than the carrycot, therefore its characteristics are considered the most important. In addition, the difference in weight between cradles and walking blocks usually does not exceed 700 – 800 g (there are exceptions, but quite rarely).

Comparing similar models, a lighter stroller may offer more convenience, but it often comes at the expense of reliability or a higher price compared to a relatively heavier counterpart. It's important to note that weight varies based on the stroller type (refer to "Design"). Heavier strollers provide stability, reducing the risk of tipping over. The lightest models, weighing less than 5 kg, refer to pushchairs and single-seat ones. Models in the 6 – 10 kg are also mostly pushchairs, including variations for twins. The 11 – 15 kg range is standard for universal strollers and transformers. Models weighing 16 – 20 kg are notably heavy, while those exceeding 20 kg are rare and found among high-end double-seat strollers.