Inglesina Zippy Light Stroller Review
A few weeks ago, if you had asked me, “What makes the perfect stroller?” I’d probably have told you: a comfortable ride for baby, lightweight and easy to transport and flexible enough to be used from babyhood through the toddler stage. And, hey, if it can look good while doing it all? So much the better. Now, if you ask me what makes the perfect stroller, I’d simply say this: “the Inglesina Zippy Light.”
Since adding the (beautiful!) Italian Zippy Light to my baby products lineup, I’ve quickly discovered it checks all of my must-have lightweight stroller features—and then some. With a 4-year-old, 2-year-old and an infant, I have tested my fair share of strollers, and for a buggy in the “compact stroller” category, the Zippy Light is a clear winner.
First, let’s talk size because—let’s be honest—in the world of strollers, it matters. The newest version of the Inglesina Zippy Light has an even lighter foldable frame than the original, weighing in at just over 15 pounds. Despite its minimal size, it is suitable from birth (it’s car seat compatible with some CYBEX, Maxi-Cosi and Nuna models via a separate car seat adapter, making it a travel system option) and can be used for kids up to 55 pounds. Thanks to its small footprint, the Zippy Light offers impressive functionality and easy strolls down even narrow aisles or crowded sidewalks.
High quality six-inch hard front wheels have a 360-degree swivel feature, ensuring great navigation, but they also lock with the click of a button, allowing the Zippy Light to take bumpy playground mulch and grass like a champ. While the stroller is primarily built for flat surfaces versus all terrain, built-in suspension helps absorb some of the shock and keeps my guy comfy when traveling over bumpy terrain. The single handle bar makes it easy for me to steer with one hand, which is a definite bonus when trying to carry packages or corral my other kiddos while out in public. A foot brake located on the exterior wheel flips up and down to keep the stroller in place, and I have no problem moving it into and out of position while wearing slides—a definite perk for flip-flop lovin’ moms.
Like any parent, I only want to the best for my babies, and thankfully comfort is key with the Zippy Light. The seat is roomy—ringing in at a width of 13 inches—and offers plenty of head clearance. Even my tall 4-year-old doesn’t get close to hitting his head on the canopy while sitting upright. The padded shoulder straps and five-point safety harness offers four height positions to grow with your child, and the calf rest is also adjustable. A footrest located at the front of the stroller provides optimal riding comfort.
And, speaking of comfort, this stroller envelops its tiny rider in luxury. The fully washable fabric feels silky to the touch and is probably the reason why my guy conks out within seconds of settling into his new ride. Fortunately, the stroller’s reclining backrest feature has got him covered. With a pull on a lever located on the back of the seat, the seat drops down into three pre-set position reclines. The lowest setting is nearly flat, making it ideal for use with newborns. The only drawback: The most optimal position for my guy is halfway in between two presets, but because of the seat design, you can’t customize the angle.
While the Inglesina Zippy Light scores high marks in comfort for baby and ease of use, those aren’t the only reason to pick this ride for baby. The stroller is weather-ready—the extendable canopy is one of the biggest on the market and has built in sun protection (SPF 50!) and peek-a-boo window. Other strollers that I have tried that are good for on-the-go are not so great for keeping a little one out of the sun. But the Zippy Light is a game-changer when it comes to sun protection in the ultra compact stroller category. The sun shade offers tons of coverage, with a built-in visor and an extra panel that can be unzipped for even more shading. The “hidden” panel makes the canopy so large it can be pulled all the way down to cover my mister’s creamy white toes even while fully reclined. The canopy also includes a mesh window, but the angle makes it a little tough to see baby without stopping to bend down. In the event that you want to keep all eyes on baby or just let some fresh breezes flow through, you can remove the canopy via button snaps on the rear.
Other perks of the Zippy include a large rain cover to help shield baby from wet and windy weather and a cupholder. The under-seat storage basket is roomy, offering plenty of storage capacity. With a little maneuvering, I am able to fit my large backpack-style diaper bag into the compartment, but I am still getting used to accessing the basket from the sides rather than the front or rear.
Thanks to its many perks, the Inglesina Zippy Light has quickly become my everyday buggy for getting around town (or just around our neighborhood). Packing it up is an equal pleasure. The folding mechanism turns the stroller from the usable position to ready-to-stow in under five seconds flat. The one-handed compact fold is a two-step marvel. Simply push down on on the easily-identifiably lever (it’s colored red and marked with a “1”) and pull up on the adjacent handle (marked with a “2”). The stroller collapses into a sleek self-standing package, much like the shape of a collapsed umbrella stroller. It tucks easily into my trunk, leaving plenty of room for groceries or other baby gear, and can even slide under the seats in the main cabin of our tiny sedan. It even stands on its own for easy storage! When I am ready to use my guy’s ride again, the stroller pops up with a one-handed unfold so we’re ready to head out again in comfy style
And, speaking of style, let’s talk looks. It’s no secret: the Inglesina Zippy Light is a head-turner. Maybe it’s the luxurious fabric or maybe it’s the sleek design. Whatever it is, I feel stroller-chic pushing this thing—even when I’m wearing yoga pants and a ponytail—and for that alone, the Zippy Light is sure to be a go-to in my baby products arsenal for a long time to come.
Price: from $350
