The stroller checklist for active parents on the move.

Walk into any baby shop and you can find advice on buying a stroller. The thing is, if you’re an active person looking to find a stroller to take your baby out and about in, there are a few more considerations you might need to make.

The following list will be a good place to start. Here are the things you’ll need to look out for the most. By jotting a few notes down and taking this list with you, you can ensure that you buy a stroller that’s going to handle all your active demands.

Weight is important

The hard thing about weight is that you want a stroller that’s light and maneuverable, but you also need a stroller that isn’t going to fall over at the first sign of wind. With weight, there are no hard and fast rules, although finding a stroller that isn’t sluggish is certainly prime consideration. With this is mind, keep an eye out for light-weight materials that are also strong. Which brings us to another thing…

Build quality is essential

If you’re going to be out and about a lot, not to mention jogging, then it makes little sense to spend less money in pursuit of a cheap deal. The obvious reason, of course, is that you get what you pay for, but there are lots more reasons besides which the baby shop and online articles are sure to fill you in on.

For example, why spend half the money on a stroller that might break in its first year when you could spend the whole amount and have one that will keep together for the next baby you might have? When you consider how many curbs you’re going to need to get up, and how much abuse those wheels are going to take, build quality becomes less something you can compromise on and more something that needs to be of prime concern.

Rugged is good, and adjustable is even better

Big, sturdy wheels are where it’s at with an active mum’s stroller. And even if you only intend to go on a few long walks, having a stroller with a height-adjustable handlebar is a very wise move indeed. Sit’n’stand strollers are pioneers in selling innovative baby gears and will definitely have something best suited for you and your baby.

Not only will this make life much easier and more enjoyable for both you and a taller partner, but it’ll enable you to experiment with different heights to see what best suits your jogging style. You wouldn’t buy running shoes without paying careful attention to these things, so make sure you look around and see what’s on offer from different brands.

Pockets can’t be done without

OK, you’re planning to jog or fast-walk, but what about the numerous times you’re just walking around enjoying the weather? For these occasions, and those times that the sun picks up enough to have a picnic, pockets and storage options are a prime concern.

There are no rules here, but it is always a good idea to make sure you have somewhere handy to keep your baby’s bottle, a handbag and also some room for shopping underneath. And do your best to find a stroller where the storage space is reasonably secure, as it’s no fun having shopping spilling everywhere when you suddenly break into a faster pace.

Fashion is great, but practicality wins above all else

With such a vast range of options available, the baby shop might seem like it wants to sell you a dozen different fashionable strollers. How do you avoid buying the wrong thing? Well, don’t fall into the trap of purchasing what you see all the other mums getting. For many reasons, following trend is a bad idea when it comes to your baby.

Don’t forget about your baby’s comfort

If you were getting in a fast car, you’d want it to be comfy, right? Much as you want a jogging stroller that fits your lifestyle, it’s always wise to spend time investigating how comfortable your baby is going to be. This might sound obvious, but it’s easy to get caught up in pockets, wheels and getting the best bargain.

Find a stroller which is comfortable for baby, great-looking and a good price, and by the time you arrive at the baby shop you’ll be half-way there.