Traveling with toddlers can be an amazing experience, but let’s be honest, it comes with its own set of challenges. One of the biggest hurdles? Managing tired little legs on long days of exploring. That’s where a reliable travel stroller becomes a lifesaver. For parents seeking the perfect blend of lightweight design and robust functionality, the Bugaboo Butterfly often tops the list. After extensive research and hands-on testing, I dove into the Bugaboo Butterfly to see if it truly lives up to its reputation as the Best Travel Stroller For Toddlers.
We all know the struggle of lugging around bulky strollers, especially when navigating airports or crowded tourist spots. My Uppababy Cruz V2 served us faithfully in the early years, but as my preschooler grew, I yearned for something more compact and travel-friendly. While my daughter enjoys walking, longer distances or hot weather quickly lead to requests for piggybacks – a delightful proposition until you’ve been carrying a toddler for an extended period. Enter the Bugaboo Butterfly, promising a lightweight solution without compromising on features.
Bugaboo Butterfly stroller in desert taupe color, folded and standing upright.
My quest for the best lightweight travel stroller for toddlers involved countless hours of research. I immersed myself in YouTube reviews, devoured articles, and scrutinized online feedback. The Bugaboo Butterfly emerged as a frontrunner, lauded for its ability to accommodate taller, heavier children while still fitting into many airplane overhead bins. My goal was to find a stroller that would last through ages four and five, and the Butterfly seemed to tick all the boxes. We opted for the Desert Taupe color, and here’s a breakdown of why this stroller might be the perfect travel companion for your toddler too.
Bugaboo Butterfly: Quick Facts at a Glance
- Weight Capacity: 50 pounds
- Basket Capacity: 17.6 pounds
- Stroller Weight: 16.1 pounds
- Dimensions Unfolded: 36.42″ x 17.72″ x 40.31″
- Dimensions Folded: 17.72″ x 9.06″ x 21.26″
- Included Accessories: Carry strap and rain cover
- Features: Multiple recline positions, adjustable footrest
- Optional Accessories: Ride-along comfort wheel board for a second child, car seat adapters
One of the standout features of the Bugaboo Butterfly is its impressive backrest height and weight limit within the lightweight travel stroller category. The seat back measures 21.5″ to the top of the backrest and extends to 24.5″ to the canopy top. The seat depth is approximately 10.5″, and the seat width is 14″. The adjustable leg rest adds an extra 7″, although I haven’t found it necessary for my toddler yet. These dimensions are crucial for parents of growing toddlers who need a stroller that will comfortably accommodate them for years to come.
Close-up of the Bugaboo Butterfly stroller seat and canopy, showing the recline feature and mesh ventilation panel.
The Bugaboo Butterfly also features an adjustable recline, which is essential for on-the-go naps. While adjusting the recline with a child in the seat can be a bit fiddly, it’s manageable. The stroller boasts a generous sun canopy with a mesh panel for ventilation, ensuring your little one stays comfortable even on warm days. The one-handed fold is touted as a key feature, and while it took me a few tries to master, it is mostly straightforward. The slight push needed on the handlebar to unlatch it is a minor learning curve, but overall, the fold is compact and convenient for travel.
Bugaboo Butterfly stroller folded compactly and being carried with the integrated carry strap.
Drawbacks to Consider
No stroller is perfect, and the Bugaboo Butterfly does have a couple of downsides:
- Price Point: The Bugaboo Butterfly is definitely an investment. It’s not the most budget-friendly option in the travel stroller market.
- Accessories Sold Separately: Essential accessories like a cup holder and snack tray are not included and must be purchased separately. Similarly, while we opted for the bumper bar, we found it hindered the stroller’s compact fold and ultimately returned it.
- Transport Bag: If you plan to gate-check your stroller, the Bugaboo transport bag is also sold separately, adding to the overall cost. We purchased it for air travel to protect the stroller from damage.
Travel Stroller Alternatives Considered
During my search for the best travel stroller for toddlers, I considered several other models:
- ZoeBaby Zoe Traveler: Attractive price point, but with a lower 45-pound weight limit.
- Joolz Aer+ lightweight stroller: Sleek design, but the backrest height is shorter, potentially limiting its lifespan for taller toddlers.
- City Mini GT2 stroller: Can accommodate larger and taller children, but it’s significantly heavier at 22.4 pounds and doesn’t fit in overhead bins, making it less ideal as a true travel stroller.
- BOB Stroller: Boasts a high 75-pound weight limit, but it’s not designed as a travel stroller and is much bulkier.
Final Verdict: Is the Bugaboo Butterfly the Best Travel Stroller for Your Toddler?
For families who prioritize lightweight convenience, compact fold, and features that cater to growing toddlers, the Bugaboo Butterfly is an excellent choice. It’s ideal for navigating airports, exploring theme parks like Disney World or Disneyland, embarking on European adventures, and even cruises. While the price is a premium, the Butterfly’s features, durability, and longevity make it a worthwhile investment for travel-loving families. It offers a comfortable ride for your toddler, convenient portability for you, and the peace of mind knowing you have a stroller that can handle your travel needs.
So, is the Bugaboo Butterfly the best travel stroller for every toddler? Perhaps not universally. But if you’re seeking a top-tier, lightweight, and feature-rich stroller for your travel adventures with a toddler, the Bugaboo Butterfly is definitely a leading contender and earns my strong recommendation.
