The stroller is one of the most used baby products that needs to withstand the elements: rocky roads, inclement weather, and your little hurricanes themselves. Yet, there are so many overwhelming considerations to make before you buy, such as it:
- Is it comfortable for baby?
- Is it comfortable for parents?
- Is it compact but also sturdy?
- How is the braking system?
- Can it be maneuvered with one hand (definitely a multi-tasking necessity)?
- Does it have a height-adjustable handle?
- Is it the safest option?
It is also easy to be tempting to stick to a stylish or trendy model, but those could sacrifice comfort with a fancy seat canopy that offers nothing in the way of protection for your child. So instead of just picking the most popular stroller at the moment, take into consideration what meets your family’s needs. And if we can offer a suggestion, enter the Chicco Bravo—a safe, heavy-duty yet lightweight stroller that provides a smooth ride, folds with one hand, is easy to clean, has plenty of storage space, and a sleek design.
What is the Chicco Bravo Travel System?
The Chicco (pronounced “KEE-ko”) Bravo Travel System includes the stroller, the KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat and the car seat base. This travel system will last you from infancy to toddlerhood and has many useful features for both parent and child making it one of the bestselling travel systems in North America.
The toddler seat has several other features that makes it a winner for parents, including an adjustable/removable canopy with a mesh viewing window, a handlebar with three different positions (38-42”), linked rear breaks that are easy to lock and release, a large storage basket, a parent tray with two cup holders, and middle compartment and a snack/drink tray for kids.
The KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat, stroller frame and base are simple to install using a lock mechanism where every piece clicks in place (“Click & Check” to ensure safety). The base is easily installed using their LATCH system. Car seats with click attachments are time savers for parents and the Chicco Bravo does not disappoint.
How We Rated
Like everything in parenting, strollers are highly individualized, so the stroller that meets your needs may not be the same stroller for another family. In general, however, Truly Mama rates our strollers on:
- Function
- Budget
- Foldability
- Size
- Ability to convert
While the Chicco Bravo Trio stroller is an incredibly versatile, it can only accommodate one child, so it does get 4 stars from us.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Can be used from infancy to toddlerhood
Easy car base installation
Mesh viewing window, perfect for extra air flow and keeping an eye on baby
Cons
Only fits 1 child
Specs: Revolutionary 3-in-1 Travel System
Safety
When we brought our son home from the hospital, we knew he was snug, safe and comfortable in his seat. The Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat had one of the top crash testing performances, and at an affordable price, you can’t go wrong.
Dimensions
- Car seat: The car seat weighs 9.2 pounds and accommodates babies from 4-30 pounds and up to 30″ tall. It also includes an infant insert that is well-padded and made of soft material. As your baby grows, you can remove the bottom insert and move the head insert up to three different positions to accommodate your growing baby. The inserts are easy to wipe down for a quick cleanup and are also machine-washable. The car seat has a five-point harness with adjustable shoulder straps.
- Stroller: The stroller weighs 23 pounds and has compact fold dimensions compared to other popular strollers (16”x 21.75”x 28”). Babies can move to the front-facing toddler seat once they have good head and neck control (around 6 months) and until they reach 50 pounds. The toddler seat has a 3-position recline that can be changed by the push of a button (even while your little one is in the seat). This seat has a 5-point harness with adjustable straps and the seat overall is made with quality, durable materials.
Cleaning
Cleaning of the car seat is definitely convenient–the car seat fabric is completely removable and machine-washable. The stroller can only be cleaned by hand, however.
“When we brought our son home from the hospital, we knew he was snug, safe and comfortable in his Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat."
Features Parents Love: Easy Assembly, Cup Holders, and Other Perks
When we were researching the best baby strollers with car seats, we really had no idea where to start. We knew we wanted something cost effective that would last many years. We wanted a stroller that was simple to maneuver and could be easily folded and thrown in the trunk of our car if we were in a rush. In terms of our car seat search, safety was our biggest priority.
After spending the majority of our evenings reading reviews on the infinite number of available strollers, there was one travel system that made almost all top 10 lists: the Chicco Bravo Travel System. Here are the features that impressed us the most
Assembly
We purchased the system from Amazon and it arrived in one box and in great condition. Assembly of the stroller was simple, thanks to the very clear instructions and figures. The entire process took less than 30 minutes.
Easy-to-manuever
Our first impressions of the Bravo system were overwhelmingly positive. The stroller moved smoothly, we could maneuver it with one hand, and the brakes were reliable.
UPF-rated canopy
We kept the toddler seat installed from the infant stage because we really liked the full canopy feature with mesh peak-a-boo window. Our son is a July baby, so this was a great feature because we could go out on walks without worrying about the sun harming his sensitive skin or overheating. I appreciated that the canopy is UPF-rated as an extra precaution.
Convenient car seat base
The base was easy to install, although we still have to tighten it every couple of weeks to ensure it doesn’t move around too much. It was helpful to have a level directly on the base to make sure it is not tipping too far forward or backward. The base on its own costs about $90, a purchase we made on top of the travel system, to ensure we have a base in each of our vehicles.
Another positive is if we ever drive with someone who does not have the base installed, the Chicco Bravo car seat can be strapped in with just a seatbelt.
Before You Buy
The most notable con to the Bravo system is the wheels. The stroller has a four-wheel shock absorbing suspension equipped with 7” front wheels and 9” rear wheels.
The wheels are made of plastic and filled with foam. What would have made this stroller even better are wheels with tread to handle rough terrain. We have tended to steer clear of dirt and gravel trails for this reason.
Additionally, if you plan to have more children or need a stroller that can hold more than one child, keep in mind that this stroller can only accommodate one child.
Final Verdict: A Big Thumbs Up for the Chicco Bravo Travel System
The Chicco Bravo Travel System has everything you would ever need in your child’s early years. It is more affordable than many other travel systems without sacrificing safety and aesthetic. And if you are a family who is tight on storage space, this narrow and tight-folding stroller is definitely for you.
This travel system is 100% mama recommended, and I’m sure anyone who takes the plunge and purchases this product will be very happy they did. It is an absolute must have for on-the-go living.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Chicco Bravo car seat face inwards and outwards on the stroller frame?
No, the infant car seat is rear-facing only.
Can the Chicco Bravo be folded using one hand?
Yes! You can fold the system with one hand, which all moms know is key since your hands are always full.
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