With Spring Break just a few more weeks away, we thought we’d share our favorite travel stroller, the gb Pockit. While we won’t be heading anywhere exotic and fun this year (too close to baby’s due date), this stroller should definitely be on your packing list (and the 2018 model drops on March 1st)! We have the original model and love it for both travel and everyday use as it is super lightweight, compact (seriously, it’s in the Guinness Book of World Records as the “world’s smallest folding stroller”), and all-around comfortable and easy for both child and parent. I can’t go a week without being stopped by someone in the street / subway inquiring about this miraculous contraption. Even the MTA bus driver asked me to write down the name of this stroller for him so he could get one and recommend it to his customers (as NYC requires strollers to be folded on city buses, which is usually such a pain).
By way of background, this is a minimalist umbrella stroller build for older babies / toddlers (the original gb Pockit model is recommended for ages 6 months to 55 lbs, whereas the latest gb Pockit+ can be used with car seat adapters for baby and up to 55 lbs.). Don’t expect to go off-roading, lug around toddler + a bunch of groceries, or tote multiples. We use our trusty Uppababy Vista for those more mom-umental tasks! That being said, I use the gb Pockit at least once a day to schlep to school, ride the subway, head to the park, and this has been the only stroller we’ve traveled with for the past couple of years since Bash was an infant (to read our tips on traveling with a toddler see our post here). We actually sold our initial umbrella stroller (the Uppababy G-luxe) as it just sat in the closet – it’s a great stroller with a lot more features, but just too bulky for my 5’1 frame. After a few incidents almost tripping down the stairs (even folded, it’s almost as tall as I am and I could barely bend my knees heading up and down the subway steps), I decided it was just too risky trying to manage Bash and the Uppababy G-luxe stroller by myself.
Why We Love the gb Pockit
Compact, lightweight, and can go everywhere! For city dwellers, where space is at a premium, this stroller easily stores out of sight in a closet. While I usually just use the regular fold on a daily basis, the wheels can easily be tucked in to make it even more compact. Just check out it’s dimensions for the ultra-compact fold: 11.8″L x 7.1″W x 13.8″H, that’s about the size of a laptop! When it is that small it’s easy to throw in a tote bag or stash it in the airplane’s overhead (or even under the seat!) for no more waiting on the jetbridge. We’ve even pushed it down the aisle of the plane without any issues (so long as people keep their arms and legs out of the aisle). It’s also a great space-saver in the trunk during road trips, when you’re already burdened by all the other must-have baby / kid gear.
Its compact fold plus weighing in at only 9 lbs, the gb Pockit is easy to carry around (even while holding your toddler). Seriously, stroller’s in one hand, Bash in the other, and this pregnant momma can easily manage the subway obstacle course of stairs, gaps, and turnstiles.
Drawbacks
The gb Pockit is a no-frills stroller made for everyday commuting and travel. The seatback doesn’t recline (which hasn’t been a problem for us as Bash has napped comfortably in it, though he’s usually not a stroller napper). The sunshade is extremely limited and we pretty much never use it. The underseat storage canopy is pretty small and limited to 11 lbs, so depending on the dimensions of your diaper bag, I usually just throw his toddler backpack down there with a few emergency supplies or hook my tote to the top handles (just be careful if using the handles to hold anything as it will tip easily, especially if the seat is unoccupied).
The latest 2018 gb Pockit+ offers a few more upgrades for the first time: adapters for the Cybex infant car seat, adjustable / reclining backrest, and a bigger sun canopy. Note that these added features slightly alter the dimensions (12.6″x7.8″x15″; 12.3 lbs).
Naomi
Hi Katie!
NYC mom here! I’m looking for a narrow umbrella stroller that can work for both of my kids and has a five point harness. I have a recently turned two year old and an almost four month old. I know the GB pockit isn’t recommended until six months, which is fine.
Is this stroller narrow enough to push through the subway turnstiles? I currently have a Cosco Umbrella stroller that we picked up at Target. If the wheels are aligned facing straight ahead, the stroller can go through the turnstile. I first push the stroller up to the turnstile, then tip it backwards so that the front wheels are in the air and push it a bit further to allow the handles to go under the turnstile. Then I can pass through the turnstile myself. It works, but one thing I don’t like, besides it not being suitable for the baby, is that it only has a lap belt. If we hit a bump on the sidewalk my son’s torso is lunged forward–not very safe. And if he throws a tantrum, the lap belt isn’t much of a restraint.
I want something that I can sit the infant in if, for instance, if I need to set up my toddler’s potty and assist him in the public restroom. Or a stroller that can be collapsed and allow my hands to be free if I have to stand on a crowded bus while wearing the infant and holding my toddler’s hand. Or if I encounter stairs, I’d probably walk my two year old up the steps if I’m wearing the infant as opposed to carrying him inside the stroller (I did that while pregnant, but I have to draw some limits for safety). I could go on, but I think you get the picture. 😀
Also, the basket, while small, would be great to help with the tipping issue when the stroller is unoccupied. I’m ok with the limitation as my current stroller doesn’t even have a basket.
Please let me know what you think and if you have any other suggestions. Thanks!
Katie
Hi Naomi! So glad to hear from another fellow NYC mom! I’m in the same boat now with 2 kiddos to manage (now 4 and 1). Honestly, I’ve never even tried to fit the stroller through the subway turnstiles! How ingenious of you! 🙂 We always either go through the doors or, if I’m by myself, I fold up the stroller and carry baby Ava down (Bash can manage the stairs by himself). I’ll have to test out going through the turnstile with the GB Pockit next time and get back to you on that. But honestly, it’s really just easier for me to fold it up before we enter / exit and carry along with baby / kid vs. carry the whole stroller with kid inside (I’m just way too short to make it work). We’ve been taking the bus from school a lot this year and the GB Pockit is super easy when they inevitably make you fold up the stroller. I’ve even had a few bus drivers ask me about the stroller, haha! It’s not a one-hand fold (you need 2 hands to hold each handle to collapse down), but it’s really quick and I can do it in a pinch while baby wearing and I’ll have Bash hold onto my arm. I’d say, if you’re planning to use the stroller primarily for your older child and baby wear, then the GB Pockit is great – lightweight and compact for navigating city transportation.
I also really like the UppaBaby Minu, which I got primarily for my daughter since it’s a compact stroller for infants plus and compatible with our UppaBaby Mesa carseat (I just couldn’t haul the UppaBaby Vista – aka: “the SUV” + carseat around by myself anymore). It folds up into a similar small, square-like package (good for short people!). I think it’s a one-handed fold; I still need a second hand to move the initial lever (small hands I guess), but once the lever is pushed, it’s a simple, one-handed push and lock to collapse down. It’s a little heavier and bulkier to carry than the GB Pockit; a lot easier to travel on the bus. But it’s also quite a cushier ride with a deeper sunshade, more padding in the seat, bigger recline angle, and a much bigger underseat storage area (compared to the GB Pockit). It’s pretty versatile and I use it with Ava alone, with Bash alone, or with either kid while I’m wearing Ava or Bash can walk / scooter. We’ve also traveled with both the GB Pockit and UB Minu together. You have to check / gate check the Minu, whereas the Pockit can fold down to fit under the seat or in the overhead. We’ve also stuck the Pockit under the Minu when we have baby Ava in the Minu and Bash wants to sit and our backs are hurting too much from the carrier (haha!).
I love both strollers and it would be hard to decide between them for me. I think if you are navigating subway stairs frequently, GB Pockit because it’s lighter and more compact. If it’s more bus, Minu is easy and a little bit of a cushier ride for the baby / kid. I’d double check the car seat compatibility for both – that could be the swing vote! 😉
Good luck with the stroller hunt! Let me know if you have any more questions.