We have and still do travel a lot with this system!
Written: Jul 08 '07 (Updated Aug 26 '09)
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Pros: great system -too many pros to name (see review!)
Cons: none
The Bottom Line: This stroller and car seat system has been wonderful for us and we haven't had any problems with it. We recommend it highly!
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| djningr's Full Review: Graco Passage - Bancroft Travel System Stroller |
Why this travel system?
When I was in my last trimester before having my son my husband and I went looking at strollers and car seats. Of course in the pregnancy state I was in, I was wanting it to hopefully match the pack and play and the swing that we had received already. We knew Graco was a reliable name and we liked the ease of the products that we had tried out in Babies R Us so we decided we wanted to get the Graco Bancroft Travel System. We like that it all came in a set and that the car seat and stroller could even be used together as well.
The car seat
Weight and height
This car seat is meant to be used with babies that are between 5-22lbs and are no more than 29"tall. The manufacturer says that babies must meet both of the requirements to sit in this seat and be safe.
How to secure the child
This seat has Latch connectors that are used to install the base. We decided that we wanted someone who was certified in installing car seats to make sure ours was secure so a friend of ours (who was certified) secured our bases in our cars for us. Once the bases are secured then you put the child in the car seat and attach the child into the 5-point harness system. To make sure that the child is secure you adjust the harness heights through the back with the harness tighteners. You make sure that it is snug over your infant's shoulders. The chest harness should be buckled right at an infant's arm pits. The crotch strap connects to both of the side buckles to complete the 5 point harness system.
Safety check
To do a safety check on the child make sure the straps aren't twisted and pull on the straps from the front. If they stay snug with the child then the child is secure.
Other features:
This car seat has a head rest pillow (which came in handy the first month or two when my son was so little). It is meant for extra support to keep their head and body comfortable.
The car seat can also be used on planes.
The seat can be put on top of the stroller for stroller rides (more on that later in the review). The seat should only be used with the Graco Bancroft stroller that is part of this system.
Cleaning- taken from the instructions
Seat pad
Can be washed on a delicate cycle and drip dry. No bleach.
Infant restraint metal and plastic parts
Can be cleaned by wiping with a mild soap and water solution. No Bleach.
Harness straps
May be spot cleaned or replaced.
Buckle
May be cleaned with a damp cloth.
Extra Bases
One base comes with the travel system. We bought another for $40 for our other car.
Extra tid bit
We also found that for the winter months that JJ Cole Bundle Me fit well on it and kept our son warm.
Our experience with the car seat
We have had no problems with the seat. Our son used it until he outgrew it at 9 months old. We found that it kept him very secure. He was always very happy in his car seat and appeared to be very comfortable. The handle for carrying the seat is very comfortable (no extra curves in the handle) and the ease of use has been great. We did have to clean the seat several times and stains come out and the seat still looks brand new.
On to the stroller!
The second part of the system is the stroller. Oh, how we love the stroller! We are still getting use of the stroller. We have used it just about everyday for the past 13 months. The stroller can be used with the car seat (rear-facing) on top for little ones or without (forward-facing) for an older infant.
Height and weight requirements
The child using the stroller without the car seat should weigh no more than 40lbs and be no taller than 43". This spring our son tried out the stroller on its own without the car seat (because he had outgrown the car seat) and loves the new view from there.
About the stroller
The stroller is 20lbs and the handle height is 40" tall. My husband is 5'10" and I am 5'5" and we are both comfortable pushing this stroller.
The stroller has brakes on the rear wheels. Above the brake area is a storage area. The storage area is 24"x 12'x 9". (I can usually fit a diaper bag and my purse). The weight limit for the storage area is no more than 10lbs. The seating area for the child has a tray that opens to the child's right or parent's left. The tray has room for toys and a cup holder on the side. There is a canopy that goes over the seating area that covers all of my son except for his legs. The canopy also has a window so I can peek and see him without pulling the canopy back. The canopy has pockets on the side (2 lb weight limits on each side). The parent's tray on top has two cup holders with a 3"x 5.5"x 2" compartment in the middle (good for keys or a cell phone). The weight limit on the parent's tray is no more than 3lbs which Graco says is to prevent tipping.
The stroller can fold by pulling a button (on the handle) to the right, twisting the handle, and pulling the stroller open with the other hand. I can do it one-handed when necessary, but it is much more difficult (especially if I am holding my son who is wiggling). When the stroller is folded up it stands which makes it easy to put behind doors and takes up much less room.
Use of the stroller
The intended use of the stroller is to be only used at walking speed.
The stroller can be used with the car seat when the child is young. Since I had a summer baby I would put him in the car seat and click the car seat onto the stroller top. Then you can cover the child with the car seat canopy and the stroller canopy so your newborn doesn't get burned and you can still go for a walk. I did this a lot last summer.
The stroller is also great for when your child gets older and is able to use the stroller without the car seat. My child loves looking at everything on our walks, but sometimes a toy on the tray is needed too. There is also a reclining feature on the seat that can lay all the way down and the feet part can hook onto the tray to make a pocket to keep your child warm.
The ride of it... is it smooth?
Yes, the ride is smooth when pushing this stroller. The stroller is easy to push on sidewalks, much harder in sand... but it can be done. The wheels are 7" around and do a good job of keeping the ride good for my child.
Cleaning
Most of the stroller is easily cleaned with a damp cloth over the plastic. The seat pad is removable and can be machine washed on a delicate cycle and drip dried (NO Bleach). We personally haven't needed to wash the seat pad to this point.
Putting it in the car
Since this stroller can easily fold up it can fit in the back of most cars very easily. I have a Toyota Corolla and it fits in my trunk just fine with lots of room to spare. This stroller is easy for traveling!
The final verdict on this travel system
This is a great travel system! We have enjoyed the use so far and since my son is only 22lbs we expect to be able to use the stroller for awhile (especially since my son loves his stroller rides!) We love it and have found no problems with the stroller or seat which is a lot of relief for first time parents!
For more information:
Contact: www.gracobaby.com or
1-800-345-4109
Now over 3 years later...
We have had this system for a few years and have now used it for a second child as well. My daughter used the car seat until her first birthday since she didn't outgrow the height and weight requirement. She rode very comfortably in the seat and never had a problem falling asleep in the seat either.
The stroller has gotten a lot of use as well. We used the stroller for my son until his 2nd birthday and by then he was ready to be done with it for good. He always liked riding in it and it covered him well from the sun on walks outside. My daughter also has loved this stroller and at almost 14 months old she still rides in this stroller a lot when we go outside. She is very comfortable in the seat and somehow manages to put her feet up on the tray while being strapped in. It is funny, and also great to see her so relaxed in the seat. It is not uncommon for her to fall asleep sitting up in the stroller either.
Overall we have been very happy with our purchase and despite being used almost everyday the wear and tear is minimal. This is definitely a good buy!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 180
Age Range of Child: Other
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Epinions.com ID:
djningr
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 in Kids & Family |
 in Kids & Family |
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Member: Jackie
Location: Michigan
Reviews written: 369
Trusted by: 72 members
About Me:
A wife and mommy are the best jobs I've ever had!
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