Cybex Libelle - Travel Stroller Review

If you told me three years ago I would own four different strollers/trailers, I would have laughed at you. It sounds ridiculous, right? Okay, hear me out. If you are active and on the go, you need at least a few different strollers for different reasons. Our UppaBaby Vista v2 is the perfect everyday stroller. It's clunky but there are so many features that make it the perfect everyday stroller (huge storage basket, adaptable for two seats, large sun canopy, great infant bassinet and adjustable toddler seat). For running, I needed a true jogging stroller, something with a single lockable front wheel, and something that is smoother and off-roads a bit better. We also have a bike trailer that converts to a two kiddo running stroller and ski sled and I take this out on a run sometimes when I want a covered shelter for him.

What I was missing from my insane lineup of strollers was the ultimate travel stroller. Something that folds really small, is really light, and can easily be thrown in the car or on a plane. We have plans to travel to Europe this summer and needed something I could carry on the airplane and maneuver through tight European cafes. And so, my quest for a traveler stroller was born. I did a ton of research and wrote an entire post about travel strollers (complete with a chart where you can compare the features that are important to you). I narrowed my choices down to two strollers (the Babyjogger City Tour 2 and the Cybex Libelle). I ended up keeping the Cybex Libelle and now that we have been using it for a few months, I wanted to share my review. 

CYBEX LIBELLE

There was one big reason I landed on this stroller and that is just how small it folds up. It easily folds and then has a "tri-fold" where it folds not just up but inward, making it really compact. It fits in your standard reusable shopping bag and for me, this compact fold outweighs any negatives around the stroller (and there are some...). I also love the color, the extendable footrest, and how easy the stroller is to push and fold. It is so small that I can throw it in the truck under his seat and it can be stored under the table at a restaurant. The break is really easy to use and is flip flop friendly. This stroller lives in Adam's truck and because it is so compact, we can fit two adults, two dogs, one car seat and this stroller all in the cab. There are some add-on accessories you can buy separately and so far, we purchased the bumper bar (I think the rain cover is next). While I know this stroller will get a lot of use abroad, it is so much easier to throw in the car on everyday errands. 

It's not the cheapest option, it's currently prices at $299 (check the current price on Amazon here) but it's an investment that has made our lives a bit easier which is all you can ask for as you transition into parenthood. 

Statistics

• $299
• Weighs 13.7 pounds
• Supports up to 55 pounds
• Six color combinations 
• One-hand recline
• The following accessories can be used with the Libelle: Car Seat Adapter, Rain Cover, Bumper Bar, Travel Bag, Summer Seat Liner, Gold Footmuff, Snøgga Compact Footmuff. 

Pros

• Adjustable footrest
• Compact three-way fold
• easy "flip flop friendly" brake

Cons

• Sewn-in shoulder straps
• Lack of full recline
• Bumper bar and a lot of accessories sold separately
• Cost
• Small storaage basket/no top pockets

There are a few things I knew going in that I wasn't going to love, and a few things I found along the way. These are common to almost all of the travel strollers as once you start to go down in size, you lose some luxuries.  I knew it didn't have a full recline and that this would not be a great option for naps on the go. It does recline a big, but it does not go completely flat. The basket on the bottom is small but enough to store a few essentials.  There aren't any pockets by the handlebars, but this is easily fixed with a stroller caddy add-on. It does not come with a bumper bar and that has to be purchased separately. The one thing I discovered that I don't love is the sewn-in shoulder straps. It makes the straps harder to adjust and I wish they were easily removable like most stroller pads.  It isn't the cheapest option, but it also isn't the most expensive. It's an investment and I'm really hoping it lasts for a while.