GB Ellum Stroller from Babies ‘R Us | #sponsored

GB Ellum Stroller

Stroller brands have been slowly making the switch from big and bulky designs to slimmer and sleeker designs that work for more families.  Three or more years ago I would’ve been concerned with the quality of a stroller if it was considered to be a “lightweight” stroller, but that’s not the case today.

“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Mom Central for GB. I received a gift card to purchase a GB stroller to both facilitate my review as well as thank me for my participation.”

I recently found myself exploring the stroller aisles at my local Babies ‘R Us when shopping for birthday gifts for my daughter and I was intrigued by the new Fuzion Red Ellum stroller by GB.  At first glance, I couldn’t help but notice that the euro-style, lightweight frame is very attractive looking.  I also noticed that the stroller has a short distance from the front wheels to the back wheels which is great for maneuverability.  I’m always looking for a great lightweight stroller to use for travel so, naturally, I couldn’t wait to try it out.

One concern I had before purchasing this stroller from Babies ‘R Us was the box size.  Sometimes strollers come in such a huge box so I was concerned that this stroller wouldn’t fit in my tiny car.  Much to my surprise, the box was tiny.  This is definitely something to consider when looking for a lightweight stroller to purchase.

The installation process was easy-peasy and required just a few simple steps.  After locking on all four wheels, the cup holder and the canopy, my daughter and I were ready to roll.  We took our new GB Ellum stroller on a two mile walk around the neighborhood to really test it out.  The stroller rolled nicely on the sidewalk and road and handled like a charm.

Dislikes:

During my walk I noticed a few things about this stroller that were “cons” in my opinion.  First, there is no parents pocket or compartment on top of the stroller.  I prefer to have something to put my phone in so that it’s within reach.  There is, however, a large undercarriage to store personal items.

I also found myself kicking the “kick-and-lift” button and the back wheels as I walked.  The placement of the handlebar in comparison to the wheels is a bit shorter of a distance (in length, not height) than I’m used to and got to be quite bothersome.  

Canopy – The canopy on this stroller isn’t large enough to fully protect my toddler from the sun on walks but it is plenty big enough when the infant car seat is locked in.  

Handle/Strap – This stroller doesn’t have an easy-carry handle or shoulder strap.  It’s always nice to be able to grab a handle to lift the stroller when putting it in my car.

Price – I feel that this stroller should be in the $100 to $150 range rather than $219.99.  However, I did notice that today (8/4/14) the price of this stroller went down to $189.99.  I feel like this strollers should come with an infant car seat and base for this price.  It would be a lot more attractive to the consumer and it just makes more sense to me.

My Favorite Features

Something that this lightweight stroller offers that most others do not is the compatibility feature with most of the popular infant car seats.  This stroller is compatible with the Graco Snugride Click Connect 30, Graco Snugride Click Connect 35, Graco Click Connect 40 Chicco Keyfit and the Chicco Keyfit 30.  I love the fact that I can easily pop baby # 2’s infant car seat in and be on my way.  There’s no need to bring along a different stroller base like I had to do with my three year old.

This stroller works well for infants and is great for older children up to 50 pounds.  The multi-position reclining seat and adjustable foot rests are a must for naptime, too.  In fact, I won’t ever consider purchasing a stroller that doesn’t recline.  The seat on this GB Ellum stroller comes equipped with a safe harness system and is extremely comfortable for my daughter.  The back has lots of cushion but the material allows for great airflow to keep my child cool in the summer.

I really like how smoothly this stroller rolls thanks to the smooth-ride suspension.  As I previously mentioned, this stroller works great on the sidewalk and road..  The one-touch braking system is also very nice.  I can simply apply the brake with one foot and it works for both rear wheels.

Best Used For

Normally I would recommend a lightweight stroller for travel, but because of the size of this stroller when it’s collapsed, I think it’s best used for shopping and day-to-day activities.  When I travel I prefer a stroller that has an easy-carry strap or handle and this does not have that.  However, it fits wonderfully in the trunk of my car which is why I recommend it for everyday use.