We had an episode with our Quinny Buzz some weeks ago. An episode that I am not very happy about or proud of: It involved a public bus, the free verbal ruminations of a bus operator and large tire marks on my pants. Homegirl and I realized immediately that we would need a stroller that was designed with portability as a slightly higher priority than the Buzz in order to move around Manhattan.  

We had a MacLaren Triumph that was graciously given to us by friends. I had placed it on our baby registry after doing some research on better folding strollers and coming up with MacLaren (duh!). The Volo seemed too sparse; the Triumph seemed the right mix of comfort and portability. It was available in a (sort of) sophisticated midnight color, with a nicely upholstered seat and had a storage basket. I was sold. Of course, we could not use a “sit-up” stroller until 6 months after Zubin’s arrival which gave enough time for the arrival of the Quinny Zapp.

The Zapp came in a brash orange colored canvas which was slung across thick aluminum tubing. While the Triumph looks like a stroller, the Zapp looks bit like a canoe. The MacLaren fold is the classic kick and fold down to the sidewalk. It is the same height when folded, its width just folds into it. It is instantly recognizable as a stroller in either state. The Buzz has the aforementioned “canoe” look when it is set up and when you complete the 3 step fold, it kind of looks like a heavy duty carjack or some other wheeled industrial apparatus. And it is pretty heavy for its size; the Triumph is noticeably easier to lift.

Side by side they are different looking as can be: the Mac is the epitome of safe and almost dignified stroller, the Quinny is the sporty cousin without a care for standards or norms. Usage also reflects a parallel contrast: despite the physical weight handicap, the Buzz is lighter and nimbler on the wheels. It almost seems self-propelled. The MacLaren does an adequate but average job in contrast. The handles on the Zapp are a tad higher making it a bit more comfortable as well. The build quality is excellent in both. The Zapp is visually and palpably sturdier with its heavy tubing and stretched canvas. The MacLaren’s materials seem more subtle and comfortable in contrast, and the padding and the basket below give it a very traditional silhouette.

So, we net out with two capable strollers. One goes about its business extremely practically with an eye to getting the job done while the other brings a bit of style to the portable stroller mix and an emphasis on sporty in its design. Given the choice, we took the Zapp home after much deliberation and testing. We weighed all the pros and cons and well, in the end, the design just got us. I mean, just look at it.