This gorgeous Kelly green just screams Emerald Isles and shamrocks. So, what better choice for St. Patrick’s Day, which is also SP 2.0′s birthday, than this new Britax B-Nimble!

It is the latest incarnation of the Blink, which I reviewed previously (http://strollerqueenreviews.blogspot.com/2009/10/pompeii-had-no-time-to-blink.html).

Upgrades on the Nimble include the new Click & Go integrated infant car seat adapter, automatic chassis lock, and a removable, reversible seat liner.

A raincover, cupholder, and universal car seat attachment strap is now included as well.

Oh, and of course there are new colors, like this divine green, chic black, and silver and the whimsical cow print (Did I really just use those adjectives? ACK! I’m turning PR! Well at least I didn’t stoop to the hackneyed ‘iconic’.)

The Nimble is a good travel stroller. It has a back shoulder strap, decent recline, and compact umbrella fold.  And I really, really love the long leg rest.

The new car seat adapters are handy for zipping through the airport. But instead of the old travel bag, there is now a rain cover. That’s a really handy thing to have, if you are traveling to an unpredictable environment. By the way, even if you don’t live in a wet climate, the rain cover makes a great windshield. And if it’s sunny, the canopy is generous, with a peekaboo window and retractable visor.

The B-Nimble is pretty stable. That means if you hang bags on the back, which we are all not supposed to do, but do anyway, it won’t crash backwards. That leaves the net basket free to fit more bags, jackets, blankets, shopping, etc. There is also a big pocket for more storage behind the canopy.

Oh, and you can pop the new seat pad right off for washing. Another really handy feature to have when you are away from home.

So be nimble, be lucky, be green, and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Britax B-Nimble

Weight: 16.5

Width: 19″

Length: 26″

Height: 41″

Seat Width: 13″

Seat Depth: 9-15″

Seat Back: 19″

Seat to Canopy: 25″

Drop to Footrest: 9″

Seat to Floor: 14″

Folded: 41″ x 11″ x 13″

Errands and quick trips. Doctor’s and drug stores. May not be glamorous, but it’s something we all must do. And we’ve had our fair share of the latter this winter! Of course, babies and toddlers complicate the process. But a good stroller makes it sooo much easier, and faster.

Ergo, the Pliko Mini was born. If last year’s Si’ was the equivalent in size and weight to the original Pliko, of about a dozen years ago; this year’s Mini hearkens back to an even earlier era, that of the Sprint. It was one of Perego’s earliest umbrella strollers. Pretty bare bones, but small and light. It was ideal for public transportation, or for carrying up and down stairs.

Since then, strollers in general have become bigger and heavier over the years. Much of this has to due with additional features–bigger canopies, bigger wheels, bigger baskets, snack trays, more seat padding, height adjustable handles, deeper reclines, legrests, etc. But some of it also has to due with moving manufacturing to China, and the more widespread use of cheaper, heavier grade alloys in the frames.

But, Perego has been the first manufacturer to announce their departure from China back to their Italian homeland. So it makes sense for them to return to their retro, lightweight roots, too.

Which is not to say that the Mini is bare-boned, because it really isn’t. Especially compared to umbrella strollers of yore. It has a nice sized basket.

Pretty good recline.

Which is done by side levers. Much easier than a drawstring.

Good sized wheels with suspension.

Decent sun canopy,

Peekaboo mesh window, for air circulation, or checking on baby.

Long legrest, which is great for napping, or smaller children.

Wow.

Height adjustable handles, for taller parents or caregivers.

Awesome.

5 point harness.

And that wonderful, quick fold that made the Pliko so indispensable to a generation of parents and children.

And it stands folded. Extremely convenient, and easy to store.

A right hand side carry handle makes it great for travel.

Best of all, it’s the lightest stroller that Peg has offered in years.

Because let’s face it, who wants to lug a heavy stroller around to the doctor’s office,

or bank,

ATM,

Chiropractor,

 

or Irish dance competition.

And the seat is even big enough to hold all StrollerPrincess’ trophies!

 

 

Roses are red,

violets are blue,

this P3 is Iris,

I love it, don’t you?

My first stroller was a Peg Perego Pliko (actually second, but my first was a Silver Cross, and that was a pram, so technically, I am correct.) I remember how the salesperson enthusiastically showed how to fold it and unfold it. To close it, you pulled up on the levers, then yanked on a lower handle.

But his biggest glee was saved for the grand opening. It was one quick shake, and voila, it flew open.

I traveled with it everywhere, as one is wont to do with one child. And never once was it worse for the wear. You could load it down with bags, and it never tipped. The quick umbrella fold was perfect planes, trains, and taxis.

It had a nice deep recline, and an extendable leg rest. Such a nice napping bed for all day outings.

But the two features that really got me were the HUGE canopy. So many times it came in handy for sudden downpours.

And then, there was that incredibly unique feature–the rear steps for another child to catch a ride! Even at that time, I told my DH, I will never, ever, part with this. This is the most useful piece of baby gear that we have. In fact, I better get two, just in case they discontinue it!

Of course, they didn’t. And years pass; fashions change. The navy dots and stripes were unique at one time, but, well, now there were new and fresher colors out. Plaids became popular. And adorable patterns. There were ones whose names we never knew, so we made them up. The Van Gough- like “Starry Night”. The Scarecrow “Fall Pliko.” The pastoral scene “Farm Pliko.” The “Frog Prince”, “Easter Bunny”, and “Martians.”

The solids became en vogue. A few more I had: the red, yellow, and blue “Primary Colors”. The red and silver “Metallic.” Mint green “FreeStyle”. Burberry-esqe “Moda”. Orange “Hip Hop.Vibrant, matching framed “Mod Blu”. “Polka Dot “Revi Black.”

Yes I, as with most citizens of Strollerland, was never without a P3 in the stable. Although the colors changed, the good ol’ P3 remained largely the same. Still able to carry 99 pounds of two little ones, still a universal favorite of most babies, (the seat is very padded, and very upright), still light and practical.

Nice big basket, with side access.

Hinged snack tray.

Cupholder, that can be placed in 4 different locations!

height adjustable handles,

peekaboo window with mesh vent,

good sized wheels.

The latest Pliko is called the “P3 Compact.”

Because, it boasts a 20% smaller fold.

Now the hardest part now is trying to decide which yummy color to choose for 2011. The soft leather trimmed “Paloma”, or choclately “Java”? The exquisitely elegant “Pois Grey”, or “Pois Black?” The vivid scarlet “Geranium”?   Or this year’s hottest colors–the lavender and royal purple “Iris”?

I bow to the trend.

One trend the Peregos are bucking is the move to manufacture all strollers in China. Recently, Mr. Lucio Perego told me that he agonized over closing his factories in Italy. He said many of his employees had been with him for decades. They were like family, and he couldn’t bear to bounce them out of their jobs. And so, they said “Ciao” to China, and kept the  Italian factories open for business.

One day, the Pliko will be retired, as will SP 2.0′s cupid costume. Happily, that day is not today. Happy Valentine’s Day, Strollerland!

P3 Compact Peg-Perego

Height:                                  41-43″

First, there is that aforementioned big seat. Big enough that my 9 year old could sit in it, my 12 year old could sit in it, and even *I* could sit in it!  Not only that, but even with those big kids in it, it was shockingly easy to push. Hardly felt the difference between them and SP 2.0.

Weight:                            18 lbs.

Seat Back:                       18″

Seat to canopy:           25″

Seat Width:                    16″

Seat Depth:                      9.5″

Drop to footrest:          8″

Seat to ground:            15″

Length:                             29″

Width:                               24.5″

Height:                              41″

Folded:                              28″L x 25″W x 9″H

For more 2011 models, or for help choosing a stroller, go to StrollerQueen.com

Weight:                                   32.5 lbs.

Seat Back:                               23″

Seat to canopy:                    23″

Seat Width:                             23″ (single  bench seat)

Seat Depth:                             10″

Drop to footrest:                  12″

Seat to ground:                      12″

Length:                                       33″

Width:                                         30.5″

Height:                                        40″

Folded:                                         50″L x 23″W x 20″H (with wheels and handlebar)

38″L x 23″W x 12″H (w/out wheels and handlebar)

To see all the 2011 models, go to Strollerqueen.net And if you want me to help you choose your own stroller, go to Strollerqueen.com

Weight:                                 14 pds.

Seat to canopy:                  23″

Seat Back:                            21″

Seat Width:                         14″ bottom, 8″ top

Seat Depth:                         10″

Drop to footrest:               10″

Seat to ground:                  18″

Length:                                  27″

Width:                                   15″ rear, 24″ front,

Height:                                   37″-45″

Folded:                                  15″L x15 “W x 43″