Where to start when choosing a pushchair
A pushchair is transport your family will use every single day for two or three years. So the question of how to choose a pushchair isn't really about colour — it's about how you actually walk: to the park on foot, from the car into a shopping centre, or from the lift on the ninth floor. As a manufacturer, we recommend describing your typical route first and only then reading the spec sheet.
Types: full-fold or umbrella
Two main folding designs define a pushchair's character.
- A full-fold (book-style) chassis folds into a flat pack, stands on its own, has a sturdier frame and a deeper recline. This is the choice for long daily walks and letting your child nap outdoors.
- An umbrella fold collapses narrow and upright, weighs less, and is ideal for the car, metro and travel. The backrest usually offers a smaller recline range.
Among the VELANO strollers you'll find both types — choose by your scenario, not by which shape is trendy.
Weight and manoeuvrability
Every extra 500 g matters when you carry the pushchair up to your flat daily. Under 7 kg counts as light; 7–9 kg is a versatile all-rounder. But weight means nothing without balance: check that the chassis doesn't tip backwards when you hang a bag on the handle.
Wheels: rubber, EVA or air-filled
Wheels determine how smooth the ride feels.
- Rubber and EVA — puncture-proof, quiet, perfectly fine for tarmac and cobbles.
- Air-filled — softer on grass and snow, but need occasional inflating.
Lockable swivel front wheels are essential: unlock them in the shop, lock them on rough roads.
Recline and from-birth use
If you plan to use it from the first months, the backrest must lie almost flat (up to 170–175°) and the footrest should rise level with the seat. That creates a flat surface for a newborn to sleep on. Check the hood too: a deep, UV-protective canopy shields little eyes in summer.
One-handed folding
A test worth doing in store: fold and unfold the pushchair while pretending to hold a baby in your other arm. If it takes two hands and a knee, it will wear you down day after day. A good mechanism clicks first time and has a lock against accidental folding.
Winter and summer: all-season use
For a four-season climate, adaptability matters. In summer look for a mesh ventilation window and a removable, machine-washable mattress. In winter you want an insulated footmuff, a rain cover in the box and enough ground clearance so wheels don't sink in snow. An all-season pushchair saves you the cost of swapping models seasonally.
Safety: where you must not cut corners
Safety isn't a single feature — it's the sum of small details. First, check for a double locking mechanism against accidental folding: one primary catch and one secondary safety latch. The harness should be five-point, adjustable to the child's height, with soft pads that don't chafe the neck. A single brake linked to both rear wheels is best — one push of the pedal locks the pushchair on a slope. Look at the materials too: the fabric should carry a conformity certificate and have no harsh smell. As a manufacturer, we always advise asking to see the product's documents — it's a quick way to weed out low-quality counterfeits.
Your child's comfort: the details that decide it
Your child spends hours in the pushchair, so their comfort shapes your peace of mind. A deep hood shields from sun, wind and rain; ideally it drops almost to the bumper bar and has a peek-a-boo window so you can check on baby without leaning over. A soft but breathable lining matters in summer — unventilated synthetics overheat. A bumper bar in front gives support and a feeling of security; a removable one helps when seating an older child. An adjustable footrest supports the legs as the child grows. These details seem secondary in the shop, yet they decide whether your child sleeps on the walk.
A few more things to check
- A five-point harness with soft pads — safety first.
- A height-adjustable handle for both parents.
- A basket rated for 5 kg or more for shopping.
- Removable fabrics for washing.
Once your child sits confidently, take a look at the VELANO high chairs — the next step in everyday comfort. And for safe sleep at home, bed guards are worth adding. A well-chosen pushchair lasts for years and gets handed down to siblings — so the time spent choosing pays for itself.
