Britax vs Uppababy: Trustworthy Traveling for the Toddler

 Britax and UPPAbaby are two popular manufacturers of children’s gear, including strollers. These companies both produce high-end, good quality strollers that sit within the upper price point.

In this article, we take a closer look at the travel systems that are offered by both these stroller manufacturing heavyweights. The information we’ve provided will enable you to decide which of these strollers gives you the most bang for your buck and would best suit your family’s needs and lifestyle.

First of all, just what is a travel system?

What is a Travel System?

Few parents can afford to buy several strollers, so it makes sense to find one that can multitask.

A travel system can be used from birth to toddlerhood, allowing your child to ride in safety and comfort, regardless of their age.

Travel systems allow you to connect bassinets, car seats, and carrycots to the stroller chassis. Often, these accessories are sold separately, although some manufacturers do offer them as part of a package.

Some travel system strollers are compatible with any kind of car seat, whereas others only take their own brand or certain models.

Now, let’s introduce the two companies we’re featuring in this article.

Britax: Safety, Quality, Reliability

Britax is a well-known British company that manufactures a range of kids’ stuff, including car seats, high chairs, and strollers.

The company first appeared back in 1930, making safety equipment for cars and other motor vehicles. Now working with German experts, their headquarters are based in Leipheim. This is where the majority of their car seats are now manufactured.

Safety is the Britax watchword. So, when you use a Britax car seat or stroller, you can rest assured that your child will be comfortable, safe, and protected no matter what you might encounter on your journey.

UPPAbaby: Innovative, Inspired, and Designed from Experience

UPPAbabyis a U.S. manufacturer that appeared relatively recently in 2006. Since that time, UPPAbaby has gained a massive following among parents who love its smart stroller designs, high-quality products, and excellent value for money.

UPPAbaby strollers give you plenty of features and a comfortable, safe ride for your passenger. Likewise, all the company’s strollers are also well-made, robust, and reliable, offering you excellent value for your money.

If you buy an UPPAbaby stroller, you can be sure that your purchase will last you a lifetime.

Britax Affinity vs. UPPAbaby Vista

The Britax Affinity and the UPPAbaby Vista are both high-quality strollers that are designed to grow with your family. Here’s the low-down on both options. 

Britax Affinity

The Britax Affinity comes with a silver, black, or white chassis and a huge array of bright colors to choose from.

The Affinity can take a Britax car seat or an Affinity Carrycot, making it a great choice for a growing family. For example, the integrated car seat adapters make the switch from a stroller to car seat a breeze. There’s also a special seat liner that makes the seat units suitable for use for a newborn.

The stroller also features a super-compact fold for convenient storage and portability. The adjustable rear suspension and integral front suspension give not only a wonderfully smooth ride but an easy push as well.

Click this link to check out a video of the Britax Affinity in action.

Car seat compatibility

Car seat compatibility is essential for a travel system. The Britax Affinity is compatible with the following car seats:

• Britax Baby-Safe Car Seat
• Britax Baby-Safe SHR II Car Seat

Additional extras

In its standard form, you can choose from three frame colors, silver, white, or black. Included with the stroller, you’ll receive a from-birth covered seat insert in super-soft fabric, and you also get a rain cover.

However, you will need to buy a color pack if you want to customize the stroller. The color pack includes a canopy, apron basket liner, buckle pad, shoulder pads, and a seat liner.

Other accessories that are available for separate purchase include a carrycot, matching changing bag, and matching footmuff.

Handlebar

The Affinity has an adjustable handlebar that can be rotated and locked into one of seven different positions over a 180-degree angle. You’ll find a comfortable pushing position, no matter how tall or short you are, and the “hands upright” setting is ideal for times when you need a little extra oomph.

Also, Britax has added rubber bumpers to protect the leather handlebar cover in the event that it comes into contact with the ground when the stroller is folded or freestanding.

Storage

The Affinity has a large basket that’s big enough to carry a large diaper bag and your grocery shopping comfortably.

You can access the basket easily when the seat is in forward-facing mode. When your child is sitting facing you, you can get to the basket from the front of the stroller. Another nice addition is the basket liner that you’ll receive with the color pack. The liner fits via press studs and lines the bottom of the basket, giving a pleasing finishing touch.

Handling and ride

The Affinity has two 6-inch diameter, EVA front wheels, and two 12-inch air-filled rear tires. Furthermore, these tires combined with the front and adjustable rear suspension gives your passenger a super-smooth ride even over uneven ground.

 The Affinity’s brakes are also foot-operated and are flip-flop-friendly. The red-for-on and green-for-off pedal makes it easy to see at a glance whether the brake is engaged or not.

Theft protection system

Britax is the very first manufacturer to introduce a theft protection system for their stroller.

The Affinity’s chassis bears a sticker with a code number that can be registered at  https://code-no.com/. Once you’re registered, you can report that your stroller has been stolen. That way, if thieves advertise your stroller on the secondhand market, potential purchasers can see right away that the stroller is stolen.

Seat

The Affinity’s seat has a padded liner that molds itself to the contours of the seat for extra passenger comfort.

The generously proportioned seat is also reversible and comes with a fully adjustable five-point harness with adjustable shoulder straps and a central release button that’s reassuringly toddler-proof.

Furthermore, you can even adjust the seat across four positions, including fully reclined. Unfortunately, the release triggers can be a little fiddly to operate. For example, you have to squat down to access the release triggers, which could be an issue if you’re wearing a long coat on a wet day!

Likewise, there’s an adjustable footrest for toddler comfort that’s covered with mud-repellent, wipe-clean plastic where dirty feet will sit.

Canopy

The Affinity has an impressive canopy that has lots of appealing features, including a sunshade extension, zip-out ventilation section in the rear, and a peek-a-boo window with a silent magnetic closure.

Although the canopy is generous, it doesn’t quite compare with the UPPAbaby Vista’s massive sun canopy with UV extension shade extended.

Fold

The Affinity can be folded quickly and simply, either with the seat removed or with the seat in the forward-facing position.

There’s also an auto-lock feature, and a carry handle too for easy portability and storage.

UPPAbaby Vista

The UPPAbaby Vista is designed to grow with your family. You can use the stroller from newborn to preschool age.

The Vista is a versatile stroller that you can convert from a single to a double by using adapters that you buy separately. You can also transport three kids if you add a piggy-back board. Unlike the Affinity, you can configure the Vista so that both children sit facing outward, avoiding the scenario where the child sitting on the bottom position has no view.

The Vista is easy to maneuver, handles like a dream, has a massive storage basket, and a super-large canopy too.

When it comes to style and chic, the Vista competes easily with the Affinity thanks to a new range of colorways that UPPAbaby has introduced. Also, the upgraded frame is powder-coated to protect it from scratches.

To see a video of the UPPAbaby Vista in action, take a look at this video.

Car seat compatibility

The UPPAbaby Vista is compatible with the following car seats:

• Maxi-Cosi
• B-Safe iZi Go
• UPPAbaby Mesa
• Graco
• Chicco
• Peg Perego

Handlebar

The handlebar is covered with chemical-free leather that can easily be wiped clean, and it coordinates beautifully with the bumper bar.

The handlebar is fully adjustable for a comfortable push, regardless of your height. The leather cover on the handlebar is hand-sewn, and the perforated pattern provides important extra grip.

Ride and handling

The Vista has a smart suspension system that enables the stroller to perform extremely well on most surfaces, on the flat, and on hilly terrain. Although the ride and push that you get with this stroller are not as bump-free as you’d enjoy with a jogging stroller, it still handles and maneuvers well.

You’ll find the Vista easy to turn one-handed, and your passenger will appreciate the smooth ride he’ll enjoy even over cobbles, grass, and uneven sidewalks. However, you should know that steering the stroller is considerably more difficult with more than one passenger on board.

The Vista’s tires are large, measuring 8-inches at the front and 11.5-inches in the rear. Although the tires are not air-filled, they still perform well over uneven terrain, including stones, cobbles, grass, and gravel. The front wheels are lockable to give more stability when you’re pushing the stroller over bumpy going.

Brakes

The right-handed footbrake is quick and easy to operate and is flip-flop-friendly.

Newborns

The UPPAbaby Vista can be used for a newborn thanks to its compatibility with the infant car seat and carrycot. Also, the bassinet is approved for overnight sleeping, provided you use it with the special bassinet stand, which is sold separately.

Seat

The toddler seat that’s included with the Vista is suitable for infants from three months of age and older and has a weight capacity of up to 33 pounds. The seat’s generous proportions and high canopy also allow plenty of room for growing toddlers too.

The seat has multiple recline options and can be easily adjusted using just one hand, unlike the Affinity. You can also adjust the harness height and footrest position to accommodate kids of different sizes.

The seat is reversible, so you can choose to have your child facing you or looking out at the view, whichever is best for you and your little one. When the stroller is in the double configuration, using the bassinet, the baby has to go underneath the toddler seat.

Also, a rumble seat for a second toddler is available, but that must be bought separately.

Fold

The Vista is relatively quick and simple to fold, and you can achieve this with or without the toddler seat attached to the stroller. Although the stroller is cumbersome and heavy to carry, the auto-lock feature makes it easy to store and fit in your car trunk.

Canopy

The bassinet features a pop-out sunshade made from UPF 50+ fabric that tucks away neatly underneath the canopy when not in use. There’s a zip panel on the rear of the canopy that you can open to provide increased ventilation on hot days.

The toddler seat also has a huge, extendable sun canopy that gives superb sun protection coverage. Like the bassinet, the toddler seat canopy has a pop-out sun visor.

Storage

The Vista has a massive storage basket, that’s pretty much the biggest you’ll find on a stroller of this type. In addition to this, the basket can also carry up to 29 pounds of stuff! You can get at the basket from all angles, and the spring-loaded front opening gives you easy access to your things.

Also, you’ll find two extra storage pockets at the front of the stroller where you can keep smaller items and carry bottles upright so that they don’t leak.

Accessories

The following accessories can be purchased separately:

• Cupholder
• Car seat adapters
• Infant snug insert
• Footmuff
• Piggy-back board
• Rumble seat
• Travel bag

Included with the stroller, you also get a carrycot, bumper bar, two rain covers, and two insect nets.

Britax B-Ready vs. UPPAbaby Cruz

The Britax B-Ready and the UPPAbaby Cruz are two very popular strollers, but which is the best option for you?

UPPAbaby Cruz

The UPPAbaby Cruz is a travel system that can be used with the manufacturer’s bassinet and car seat.

It also has a lightweight reversing seat and is suitable for use from birth right through your child’s toddler years too.

The Cruz is lighter in weight than UPPAbaby’s Vista stroller and is ideal for parents who are on-the-go. Likewise, you get all the features offered by a full-sized stroller but in a more compact package. The Cruz sits somewhere between the manufacturer’s G-Luxe model and the premium Vista stroller when comparing weight and features.

Unfortunately, the Cruz doesn’t have a bassinet, and you also can’t use a rumble seat. That said, this is a well-made, top-end stroller that makes a great vehicle for cosmopolitan families who live an active lifestyle in a primarily urban environment.

To get more information on the Cruz, you can visit our in-depth review here. 

Britax B-Ready

The Britax B-Ready is a travel system stroller that first appeared in 2013 and has continued to gain in popularity, rapidly becoming one of the best-selling strollers around. Subsequently, the B-Ready is loved by parents for its versatility, range of features, and versatility.

The 2017 edition of the B-Ready can be used as a single or inline tandem stroller. Furthermore, it also offers an impressive amount of 12 seating configurations. This stroller is ideal for you if you have one child and are planning on adding to your family at some time in the future.

When used as a single stroller, the B-Ready can take a child weighing up to 55 pounds. The second seat on the doubles kit has a 35-pound weight limit. The second seat can be fully reclined, and the stroller can be folded with both seats still attached, unlike many other double strollers where you have to remove one or both seats.

The B-Ready also has a height-adjustable handlebar and a generous underseat storage basket too.

You can watch a manufacturer’s promotional video of the Britax B-Ready at this link.

Britax B-Ready: A Closer Look

Configuration

Although the B-Ready is not technically a double stroller, it does have double-seating capability. In a bunk-bed style arrangement, the B-Ready can carry the older child in the bottom seat, while a smaller car seat can be fixed at the upper level. This arrangement has the advantage over a traditional side-by-side, double stroller in that it takes up less floor space.

The B-Ready is classed as a travel system stroller, as it can accommodate both a bassinet and a car seat without the need for additional adapters or attachments. Simply click the bassinet into place, and you’re good to go.

Seat

Like many high-end strollers, the B-Ready boasts a molded seat. That means that when the seat is reclined, the seatback can’t be angled independently of the seat, so the whole seat moves. For your child to ride safely in the main toddler seat, he must be at least six months old.

However, you can use a car seat until your infant can hold his head up independently. The B-Ready also has a Click & Go system, enabling you to quickly connect any Britax infant car seat or bassinet with the B-Ready seat.

Also, the B-Ready can carry a toddler weighing up to 55 pounds, and the second seat that comes with the doubles kit will take up to 35 pounds in weight.

As you would expect from a car safety specialist, the B-Ready’s safety harness is cleverly designed and very easy to adjust, without the hassle of re-threading the harness straps. There’s also an adjustable footrest ensures more leg support and comfort for your toddler.

Fold

Despite its bulky appearance, the B-Ready folds quickly and simply, even with two seats attached. There’s no need to bend down or twist yourself to achieve the fold; simply pull the level that’s thoughtfully sited on the side of the handlebar.

With just one simple pulling motion, the B-Ready folds in half so that you can stand it on its handlebar for space-saving storage. Unfortunately, this is a bulky stroller that will take up lots of space, which could be an issue for you if you have a small house or apartment.

Canopy

The Britax B-Ready has a large canopy that’s made from breathable material that provides ample shade and UV 50+ protection against the sun’s damaging rays. Also, there’s a ventilated peek-a-boo window for additional air-flow.

Silent magnetic closures help to keep the window flap down so you won’t need to worry about noisy Velcro when checking on your sleeping child. These magnetic corners keep the window flat secured down.

If more shade is required, there’s also a pop-out visor. Furthermore, to keep your child comfy whatever the weather, a rain cover is included that you can store in one of the two seatback pockets.

Ride and handling

The Britax B-Ready has highly durable, foam-filled tires that will never let you down by getting a puncture while you’re out and about.

The four-wheel suspension system and large tires  ensure a smooth push and a comfortable ride for your passenger.

Although this is a sturdy, sizeable stroller, it still turns on a dime, and the newly added central rubber grip on the handlebar means that the B-Ready can even be maneuvered one-handed. Unfortunately, you can’t push the stroller one-handed when it’s in doubles mode because of the extra weight of the second passenger and seat, although it still maneuvers pretty well.

Brakes

The brakes on the B-Ready are sited on the rear wheels and are linked. You can lock the brakes with just one step, making this stroller perfect for moms who like to wear flip-flops. There’s also a clear color indicator too: red for engaged, and green for disengaged.

Storage

The B-Ready comes with a generous underseat storage hamper that you can access from every side of the stroller. The basket can be unzipped from the front, even when the doubles seat is used, and your second passenger’s feet and legs are resting in the basket.

You’ll also find additional storage pockets behind the main seat.

Final thoughts

Britax and UPPAbaby are both manufacturers of luxury strollers. However for price, the Britax vehicles tends to be more expensive.

If you’re looking for a convertible stroller that also has travel system capability, look no further than either of these brands. On balance, the UPPAbaby strollers are generally a little lighter to handle, and you get a few more useful accessories and features for your money than you do with the Britax versions.

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