Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Joovy for the ScooterX2 as a Joovy Mom Blogger. However, all opinions are my own.
Once I became pregnant with Preemie I suddenly became very aware of all the double strollers we would anytime we were out and about. Constantly I found myself leaning towards a specific stroller that could convert from a one-seater to a two-seater with an added second seat, sold separately. It was also very pretty, and I caved. Even though I looked for the best deal I could find, which happened to occur during a Black Friday event and provided the second seat for free, it still cost us an arm and a leg. I rationalized that it was a worthy invest that would be used until it couldn’t.
I was wrong. Despite the hefty price tag and the shiny looks, it became a pain in the butt when traveling. It took up too much space, and it had to be taken apart completely to be placed in the trunk. On one particular trip we had to even leave it behind because we simply didn’t have space for it. What’s the purpose in having a double stroller when you can’t even use it when you need it most on a vacation. And forget traveling by plane with it, that could never happen. And since the seats are positioned at two different levels, Em having to sit at the bottom as she is bigger, never wanted to and insisted in sitting in her sisters chair.
Although they are far from being twins, naturally one wants what the other has. And just like most Mama’s all I want is my sanity intact. Therefore this stroller simply wasn’t going to work for us any more.
Meeting with a friend one day, she’s got twins and uses a double stroller, I had the opportunity to try out her stroller with my girls. It was a side by side jogging stroller which happened to be made by the same company as my double stroller, and cost an arm and a leg. Besides, she doesn’t even jog, so why the jogging stroller? Style and fashion.
Enter the ScooterX2 by Joovy
Determined to find a similar stroller, not one necessarily for jogging, but just as stylish and fashionable, I had come across the Joovy ScooterX2. It was like an exact replica of the more pricey stroller, but with many better features for our life style. It wasn’t available for review when I wanted it, so I (un)willingly placed myself on the wait-list. Much to my surprise my turn came and it really couldn’t have come at a better time.
When the Joovy ScooterX2 arrived to the house, Papa got to work putting it together. It was pretty simple and easy to put together. The front wheels click right into place, as does the front bumper guard bar. The rear wheels, brake system and axle went in just as smoothly. All in all the stroller was ready in under 5 minutes for the girls to use, and they jumped right in. Well Em climbed in and I placed Preemie inside. They were equals at last, whether sitting or laying, side by side. They could hold hands, they could share toys and Mama was going to finally get some peace.
The next day we packed up the stroller with all the essentials needed. There was a few things blocking the hallway needed to reach the front door. Papa easily lifted the front of the stroller, without the girls in it just yet, and I kept my hands on the handle to move the stroller over the items. It was so light and easy to lift, I can’t believe it only weights 7 lbs more than a single “lightweight” umbrella stroller I have. We strapped the girls in and took a walk around the neighborhood.
Em got so comfortable she decided to take her shoes off and kick up her feet. Good thing the stroller has the bumper bar because apparently it makes for a great foot rest. The girls were easily able to share their toys and talk to each, and Em even gave her little sister a hug. I didn’t realize until that moment just how separated they really had been all this time in their other stroller.
And it gets even better from there. Let’s start at the top. The over-sized canopy is double the size of most canopy’s and has an extended sun shade, which is retractable. Living in sunny climates or windy ones, it is sure to come in handy. A peek through window allowed me to see and check the girls at all times without stopping the stroller to walk around to the front of it, or disturbing them. It window has a shade which secures easily to keep it from flapping, and when in the closed position velcro to stay in place.
The seating capacity is incredible. Each seat can hold a baby from three months old all the way up to 45 lbs, per seat for a total weight of 90 lbs. The seats recline independently, perfect for when only one wants to take advantage of nap time. Reclining the seats is as simple as using two fingers to pull down on the locking mechanism. You can adjust the position to any degree, locking it in place by simply releasing the mechanism. The seats recline to an almost lay flat position at a 149 degree angle. To put the seats back up, simply slide the mechanism up while holding the guiding straps, it slides with ease and locks in any position going up or down.
The seats also have something I have NEVER seen in another stroller. Each seat has two (2) mesh pockets inside. Perfect for storing toys, books, and bottles and/or cups. Right there within easy reach so your child can learn some independence of their own by retrieving what they need. The bumper bar is also removable if you prefer to not have it on there. My kids happen to enjoy holding it, mouthing it or putting their feet up on it.
When it comes to safety the ScooterX2 has you covered. Each seat has a 5-point harness which is light reflective and fully adjustable. Including the bottom strap that has the buckle. There is nothing worse than when the bottom strap cannot be adjusted. I once had a stroller like that and found my children always sliding out to one side because the bottom strap was simply too long. It was awful. Seeing the adjustable buckle made me about as happy as a kid in a candy store. It’s the little things that matter. The comfort shoulder pads are always a plus for squirmy kids.
I was worried about the foot brake system and really do prefer hand brake systems, but the simple and easy to use one step foot braking system really won me over. I realized I had overrated the complicated hand brake, especially since no one seems to know how to use it.
When you are juggling two kids closing a stroller or taking it apart for storage is no easy task. With the ScooterX2 all you need is one hand free thanks to its one-handed folding feature. At the middle of the handle bar simply depress the button and twist the bar towards you and BAM, the stroller is collapsed. Weighing in at just 28.1 lbs, its lighter than even some single strollers. It folds flat, like onto itself, saving you mucho cargo space in your trunk. No separate seats and frames to deal with, positioning and repositioning, ultimately playing Tetris, only to find you simply don’t have space for anything else. In it’s folded position it measures a compact 17″H x 30″W x 37″L. It doesn’t take up a lot of space when it’s open either, so I am storing it in the house instead of the garage.
No need to fold the stroller when entering a store, or for that matter to have someone hold two doors open because at just 30″ wide, the ScooterX2 will go right through most standard doorways. Even my home front door.
The basket is HUMONGOUS. I mean it’s like really, really BIG, with twice the storage of regular doubles. We can easily store their diaper bag, my bag and plenty more without struggling to stuff things into it. Access to the basket is easy, even when the seats are fully reclined, so you don’t have to disrupt a napping child.
Joovy was really thinking about the needs of parents when they designed this stroller. Can you name any other stroller that has an integrated parent organizer? I can’t, except for the ScooterX2 which offers two large zippered storage pockets as well as two cups holders. No more struggling to hold your drink and try to steer your stroller. Your hands are free to relax on the long comfy handle bar and stroll on.
The wheels are durable and easily handle the weight of the children, plus the items in the storage baskets due to their sealed bearing. The front wheels are double wheeled giving the stroller extra stability, since Em is old enough to climb in by herself, I don’t have to worry about tipping.
It’s lightweight, it’s got neat parent friendly features, awesome child friendly features, and is all around an awesome stroller. The best part of all, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg. It wasn’t until I pulled the link for the ScooterX2 stroller that I realized it’s price was an extremely affordable $229.99. Normally I don’t mention pricing in my posts, but I was really astounded at just how affordable this stroller is. I honestly thought it was priced at more than double.
I can’t wait to use it for Halloween. Since we got the fun and bright Orangie it’s really going to stand out while we Trick-or-Treat with the girls, who happen to be dressing as Anna and Elsa…sisters to the end! These Princesses are going to be driven around in their stylish ScooterX2 pumpkin chariot.
The ScooterX2 really has it all. It’s available in fashionable colors like Greenie, Orangie and Black. It’s looks scream style, its features are family friendly and the quality far exceeds its reasonable pricing. It really is no wonder that it made the Best of Baby Strollers list for the 2012 edition of Find The Best.
Joovy is always coming out with fun, stylish new products for Mama’s to fall in love with! So be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay on top of the latest and greatest innovations.
Check out our other Joovy reviews: Joovy Boob Baby Bottle
Disclosure: This is part of a sponsored collaboration with Joovy. All opinions are 100% mine. I received product samples like the one mentioned above to facilitate this post. Regardless, I only share products that I truly believe in and use for my family, that I feel will be a good fit for you the reader. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.