Pros: Stroller handle adjustment Durable Steers very well
Cons: Not ease to fold stroller Needs better storage/cup holder for driver Car seat -a little heavy
The Bottom Line: This system is for me right now, but it may not be for everyone - especially a first time mom. Sometimes I love the travel system, sometimes I hate it!
miller1611's Full Review: Chicco Cortina Travel System - Discovery Stroller
I had a Graco Travel System five years ago with my first son and I wore that thing out! I really could have continued to use it when I had my second son in February, but in four years “baby stuff” changes so much - I just wanted something different.
I chose the Cortina Travel System by Chicco. The first thing that caught my eye, was man that thing is cool looking. The stroller and car seat make up for a cool and hip, edgy and modern looking way to transport your kid!
After deciding that one was what I had my heart set on, I started doing research and found that most people really liked the system. I even stopped people on the street and asked them and I never heard anything negative about the product.
Features from Chicco The Car Seat *KeyFit Infant Car Seat, #1 Rated Infant Car Seat in America! *Energy-absorbing foam for improved side-impact protection *Secures baby from 4 - 22 lbs *Removable newborn insert for smaller babies *Thickly cushioned seat pad and five-point harness for maximum comfort *Spring-assisted level foot, bubble levels, and “Center-Pull” adjustment for easiest installation. Cortina Stroller *One-hand fold and automatic storage latch *Multi-position, fully reclining seat with “Memory Recline” *Parent and child cup holders and large storage basket *Adjustable leg support, removable canopy, and all wheel suspension For use from birth to 50 lbs My Five Points about the Car Seat *It truly is ease to install the base into your car. It is quick and easy to take out and throw into another vehicle if need be. *The seat itself seems comfy for baby and the handle rotates all the way around the seat to set it up for lounging in the house. *My main gripe - It is so darn heavy! I don’t remember my first son ever being so heavy to carry around in the car seat and I know that I am much more in shape this go around. I can’t figure that one out. *The strap adjustment for my first son was so darn confusing that I always had my husband do it. These straps on this Chicco car seat adjust with the push of a button. *When locked into the base in your vehicle, you simply lift up on the orange lever in the back of the seat and lift the car seat out. Very simple (but again, it is heavy).
My Six Points about the Stroller *The best thing about the stroller is the canopy. It truly keeps wind, rain and sun off of baby. It has a 180 degree range of motion so you can open it near the babies head or feet. *The other good thing is the was it steers. It moves really smoothly and is easily moved with one hand. On the other hand, my wheels have started squeaking and my husband feels for the money we paid that they should never squeal at all. We need to spray them with WD-40. *The reason we bought the travel system - My husband is over six feet tall and I am 5-4, so the adjustable handle on the stroller makes it sooo much easier for my husband to use it. The handle adjusts to three positions! *The thing I HATE is that the storage basket under the seat is NOT LARGE. If you are a shopper you are out of luck. I can get my purse and diaper bag in the basket and that is all! And if the seat is lounged all the way down, forget getting anything in the basket or out of the basket. *I love the fact that there are cup holders for the child on the front of the stroller, but for the adult, there is one cup holder on the left side and an opening for storage on the left. There isn’t much of anything you can get in there. Forget getting a set of keys AND a cell phone in there. And the cup holder on the left is not deep enough for a bottled soda. It tips over. *Lastly, the folding of the stroller is pretty tough, especially if you have had a c-section or if you are a first time mom. You have to hold the stroller tray near the bottom while using the handle on the top to release the stroller for folding. It is awkward and difficult the first few times. I have often wondered if people watched me in the parking lots and wondered what in the world I was doing.
In the end, I have been pretty happy with the Chicco Travel System, but I am not sure it would be for a first time mother. There are too many things that would not have been easy to deal with if it were my first time.
For me, I wanted something hip and cool and easy to navigate and that - the stroller is. The car seat is pretty good, except for the heavy part (I am 5-4 remember and I wonder if manufacturers of travel systems my their products for people at least 5-6 or taller).
As far as the Chicco car seat being rated the #1 car seat in America - I can see that, but not the stroller. It still needs a little improvement.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 300
Age Range of Child: 0 to 12 Months
Chicco Cortina Travel System in Discovery, the aluminum frame Cortina stroller with one-hand fold comes loaded with extra features you and baby will e...More at Toys R Us
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.