I am a stroller mom. I've tried to get on the baby wearing train, but can't. Too much sweating and work to get them strapped in and I have yet to find one that doesn't completely kill my back. So the stroller life is the life for me.
Recently I was sent a new American-made travel system from Safety 1st. Made of recycled plastic, the
RIVA 6-in-1 Flex Modular Travel System is a genius design. Here is my take after using the system for a month.
Pros:
-There are six different ways to use this stroller system, to include a bassinet. This hands down would have been a game changer when Emily was a newborn. Plus high points from me for being easy to convert from sitting up to laying down with the simple squeeze of a button.
-Easy to remove washable fabric that zips on and off. Strollers get absolutely disgusting and anyone that has ever taken a stroller or carseat apart know that it can be a real chore. Not with this one! I truly hope this is the way of the future for stroller designs.
-Huge storage basket that easily fits my oversized diaper bag backpack plus a few coats.
-Super lightweight design makes it easy to get in and out of the van and easy to set up. All it takes is a simple pull and the entire stroller pops to life. When your hands are full or you are trying to make a quick stop, having a lightweight setup is an absolute must.
-A large canopy that easily covers baby and toddlers alike. One of my must haves for a travel system is a good canopy that actually does the job of blocking the sun at all stages of growth, and this one hands down does. More bonus points for the quick view window.
-The cupholders are also a plus for me as they are big enough to hold a large sized iPhone and MORE. The storage on this stroller is a winner.
Cons:
-Size wise my chunky 9 month old almost maxes out this entire carseat at 22 pounds. The carseat itself is snug and the stroller leaves little space for movement and growth.
-Because of the design, Emily was not a huge fan of how blocked from the world she was when she leaned all the way back in the seat.
-I'll be honest with you when I say that I thought something was broken or missing when I originally assembled the stroller. There was a lot of wiggle in the seat area and I was told that is normal. I personally prefer a stroller that feels like it can hold my babes past 25 pounds, and I am not sure this one instills that confidence in me.
-To get this stroller as small as possible, you have to separate the seat from the base and store them separately. I prefer a stroller that is ready to go without any assembly needed.
-Not adjustable in any way. The handle does not adjust up or down. It is one size fits all, or maybe most. I personally did not have a problem with the height but could see it being an issue for those taller and shorter.
In general, I am a huge fan of this stroller design with the bassinet feature, but feel this travel system better suits newborns and the 6 month and younger crowd. I am greatly impressed with Safety 1st in that they are using recycled materials that help make this stroller incredibly lightweight and easy to use. My hat is off to all companies that value the future for our children.
For more information on the Riva 6-in-1 Flex Travel System, click
here.
I was sent the Safety 1st Riva 6-in-1 Flex Travel System in exchange for an honest review of the product. All opinions expressed are my own. I am a stroller mom. I've tried to get on the baby wearing train, but can't. Too much sweating and work to get them strapped in...
