I used to think that lightweight umbrella strollers were a necessary evil; All parents eventually need them but no one looks forward to using them. Not anymore, I don’t. With the release of the new Blink Stroller, Britax absolutely nailed the lightweight and portable stroller market and shows yet again that they can do more than make quality stafety seats.
With an active toddler and a baby on the way, it’s just not feasible to carry a two year old for any distance, which means we are still heavily reliant on strollers when we are on the go, and will be for quite some time. But, never again will I be forced to use one of those awful umbrella strollers that are so flimsy and poorly made that they are essentially a single-use product, and instead can completely avoid the dreaded “umbrella stroller” altogether. Now, with the Britax Blink lightweight stroller, I find that we are far more portable as a family and haven’t sacrificed our comfort and features in the process.
In fact, the Britax Blink has done the unthinkable and actually replaced our workhorse of a travel system, something we swore would never happen. With so many features crammed into such a small package, it just didn’t make sense to cart around extra weight and lose so much of our compact sedan’s trunk space, so the Blink just made good, practical sense for daily use.
With so many reasons why we’re raving about the Blink, it’s going to be hard to keep this section to a reasonable size, but I will try to keep it concise. Raves:
*All-wheel suspension means that baby has a smooth ride even over the roughest pavement and packed dirt and gravel, and if they should fall asleep with the smooth ride, you will absolutely love that the Blink has a great full recline complete with an adjustable leg rest which is my daughter’s favorite feature.
* Super quick fold and unfold makes getting on your way easier than ever
* The Blink has a tall seat-to-canopy height and a 55lb weight limit, which means that even older toddlers and children can ride comfortably
* Sturdy frame is a much higher quality than the traditional lightweight stroller and feels solid even with children onboard
* Clever fold release mechanism allows you to step down on the lever to fold stroller, instead of having to use your toes to flip a lever up (hello, sandal season)
* Larger canopy and visor with a great peek-a-boo window to check on baby, which is something all other umbrella type strollers seem to be lacking
* Decent basket and cool little pocket on back of stroller help carry a good amount of gear, sippies, purses and more that is easily accessible when the stroller is in its upright position (just remember not to overload the stroller handles, especially when the stroller is empty)
* Nice padded handles are easy to steer and comfortable to grip, even for long periods of time
* Ever push a stroller and find yourself kicking the back with each step? Really, nothing is worse than having to do half strides or walk hunched over to avoid kicking your baby. With the Blink from Britax we all had plenty of foot clearance as we walked and were able to actually walk like normal – and even power walk without stubbing our toes
* And, the number one reason I’m raving about the Blink: The handle height. At only 5’10” I have never, ever found a lightweight stroller other than the Blink that I didn’t have to stoop to push (hubby at 6’3” has an even worse time, which makes him extra grateful for the extra height on the Blink handles). The great part is that my much shorter sisters also agree the handle height is comfortable for them, which means everyone is happy to help push.
I absolutely love the way the Blink handles, especially in tight spaces like crowded markets and trips around town. While you won’t find air filled tires or other luxury features that the other full-size Britax strollers have, it is perfect for the parents who need a sturdy and well thought out stroller for zipping about town. And, no matter what you might think, you will need a lightweight, portable stroller at some point – the trick is finding one that has all the necessary features like the Blink does.
Blink Stroller Features from the Britax Website:
*Tangle Free, Five-Point Harness with three harness heights for a snug and secure fit
*All-Wheel Suspension provides for a smooth ride
*Clever Fold Release Mechanism allows you to fold the stroller without scuffing the tops of your shoes or feet
*Compact Fold is handy for quick trips and packs well for long excursions
*Heavy Duty Construction with 55 lbs child weight capacity
*Large Canopy with Visor blocks wind, rain and harmful UV rays from child's sensitive skin
*Layback Recline with Adjustable Leg Rest offers customized sleeping positions for all children
*Lightweight Stroller is easy to maneuver in stores and in-and-out of the trunk.
*One-Foot, Linked Rear Brake locks both rear wheels with one step
*Portable Carry Strap enables you to carry the stroller while keeping two hands free – perfect for airport travel with children and carry-on luggage!
*Practical Storage Pouch is the perfect place to keep your most frequently used items like keys, wallet, phone, etc…
* Price: $149.99
If you are in the market for a lightweight stroller, I would highly recommend the Britax Blink stroller as the perfect mix between a luxury ride and the traditional umbrella stroller. However, if you are looking for a complete travel system, Britax also has you covered with full size strollers that can accommodate the Britax car seats. My only wish? That the Blink came in a double stroller option as I have a feeling my daughter is going to enjoy riding in the Blink for quite some time and won't want to give it up when we have another little one. I have heard rumors that Britax has recently introduced the B-Ready, which sounds like the coolest single-to-double stroller ever and I’m hoping to see one in action soon to report back. If it's anything like the Blink, I'm sure we'll be raving about it, too.
A big thank you to Britax for sending their Blink lightweight stroller to be reviewed along with all the trunk space and portability it has offered us. All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.
