The Phil and Ted stroller (Sport) is all the rage with young urban parents. It is good looking, comes in bright, snazzy colors, and it's from New Zealand! The Phil and Ted also boasts a truly unique design. It can be converted from a single stroller to a double stroller, and also reconfigured to carry toddlers, infants, or a combination of both. The idea is that the stroller grows along with a growing family. It works like this:
For your first child, the stroller is used in single mode and the seats recline so that the newborn may lie completely flat. As the child grows to a toddler, the seat adjusts so she can sit upright as in a regular stroller.
When your second child is born: the stroller is used in double mode, with child #1 sitting upright in front, and the newborn lying fully reclined in the rear.
As the newborn grows, you can purchase an extra seat that snaps on to the back - and presto - you have a standard inline double stroller - i.e. one child seated in front, the other child seated behind.
The Phil and Ted Sport is the latest version of two earlier strollers: the "Explorer" and the E3. The company has steadily improved the design adding new features and correcting old problems. They also produce the Phil and Ted e3 Twin which is a side-by-side stroller (with children sitting beside each other). The Twin is not nearly as popular as the Sport whose inline design easily gets you in and out of narrow spaces.
The Phil and Ted Sport is a good choice for everyday use: The inline design and swivel wheels make it very manoeuvrable and great for shopping. Handlebars are adjustable, and there is the ever-popular bumper bar for kids to grab hold of. The frame is lightweight aluminium and wheels are quick release for easy storage. However, the small front and back tires limit the stroller to smooth surfaces - no jogging or off-roading here! In addition carrying capacity is a bit of an issue, unless you purchase extra bags sold separately. These 'Pannier Bags' are like pouches that hang on either side of the stroller giving you extra storage.
The main complaint that you'll hear about the Phil and Ted Sport is the price. You can expect to pay about $400 for the stroller plus an additional $90 for the back seat attachment. Competing strollers in this price range are Bob Revolution, Mountain Buggy Urban, and Baby Jogger City Series.
Despite the price, a new Phil and Ted Sport may not be a good choice if you are planning to have more than one child. (In fact 75% of families have another child a few years after the first one!). So if you have one newborn and can't decide between a double or single stroller, the Phil and Ted Sport may be the safe choice for you. Happy Strolling!
