Bumbleride and UPPAbaby are American stroller brands that share quite a few things in common. For instance, both companies were founded by husband-and-wife teams. Also, both brands entered the stroller market right about the same time: Bumbleride was established in 2004, UPPAbaby in 2006.
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Because my full-time job is being mom to 2 precious daughters, and I know a thing or two about strollers. Besides personal experience, I get feedback from other moms who use these strollers every day and put all that research into our unbiased stroller buying guides
- Kyli
Do their strollers share more similarities than differences? Let’s find out in this head-to-head comparison.
Table of Contents
Bumbleride: Eco-Friendly Strollers for a Happy Planet
Husband and wife Matt and Emily Reichardt are the brains behind San Diego brand Bumbleride, an eco-friendly stroller brand committed to “mindful manufacturing.” This means the company makes strollers with minimal environmental impact, but still with your little ones’ comfort and safety in mind. Eco-conscious parents will rejoice to know that they use 100% recycled polyester (from post-consumer water bottles) as well as renewable materials like bamboo for their stroller fabrics.
Bumbleride is best known for making reliable all-terrain single and double strollers. At present, they have five models available: the Era, Indie Speed, and the Indie Twin double stroller.
UPPAbaby: Stylishly Sleek
Massachusetts-based couple Lauren and Bob Monahan started UPPAbaby from an old shoe factory in Rockland, launching their first model in 2006. Since then, UPPAbaby has built a solid reputation for making strollers that appeal to parents looking for a mix of comfort, convenience, and style. Consequently, the brand is a hit with celebrities and A-listers. You could join the likes of Reese Witherspoon, Sofía Vergara, and Mark Zuckerberg when choosing UPPAbaby.
UPPAbaby currently offers two full-size stroller models, the Vista and Cruz, while it has four variants under the lightweight category (the Minu, G-Lite, G-Luxe), as well as a lightweight side-by-side stroller, the G-Link. (Know more about their full stroller lineup here.)
Now that we’ve gotten to know a little about each company’s roots, let’s take a look at some of their more popular stroller offerings.
2019 Bumbleride Era vs 2019 UPPAbaby Minu
The all-new Bumbleride Era and UPPAbaby Minu are both great options for parents looking for an everyday stroller.
The Bumbleride Era is a great companion for going around the city and beyond with your little one. Its full recline capability and reversible seat mean you can use it from birth to another 3 or 4 years. Plus, it comes with not one but three storage pockets—in addition to a deep cargo basket underneath. It’s got behemoth wheels (8.5″ in front and 11.5″ in back) that assure your precious cargo a comfortable ride whatever the terrain. The Era is expected to be available in August 2019.
The UPPAbaby Minu is a lightweight stroller that offers full-size stroller capabilities. It’s got UPPAbaby’s trademark full-protection extendable canopy, convenient parent-friendly features such as a one-step brake and fold, and a large easy-access basket for carrying all your essentials. The latest version comes in an all-new light grey shade with silver frame and chestnut leather handlebar.
- Suitable for children 3 months up to 50lbs
- One-hand action fold with shoulder carry strap, Stands when folded.Do not use abrasives
- Hand-sewn, leather handlebars with perforated pattern for extra grip
Let’s take a closer look at the Minu’s and Era’s features to see how they size up.
Weight and Dimensions
The Minu stands at a height of 41″ and is 20.5″ wide and 35.5″ long. The leather handlebar comes to about 38″ off the ground and isn’t adjustable. Weight-wise, the Minu is a breeze to carry around at just 14.8 lbs.
The Era is 40.5″ tall, 24.5″ wide, and 32.5″ long. The cork handles can be adjusted to a height as low as 26″ all the way to 44.5″. The Era weighs almost twice the Minu at 27 lbs.
Fold
True to its name, the Minu is a miniature wonder that folds to 11.5″L x 3″H. Additionally, the one-handed, one-step fold is a thoughtful touch. It allows you to tuck away your stroller while holding your baby with your other hand. Similarly, unfolding it is a breeze: just release the grey lever on one side of the stroller and voila! The thing pops open into place like a jack in the box.
The Era takes up slightly more room in your trunk at 13″ long and 29.5″ tall (although you can compress it to 10.75″ by taking off the seats and the wheels). The fold is two-step: first you fold down the seats, then the frame.
Both the Era and Minu have a standing fold, although on the Era the handles touch the ground.
Wheels
One of the first things you’ll notice about the Era are the enormous air-filled tires that measure 8.5″ in front and 11.5″ at the back. They add a couple more pounds to the stroller, but that does assure a smooth and comfy ride across a variety of surfaces, including snow. Additionally, the front can be set to swivel or locked straight (although this doesn’t make the Era suited for running). The one-step foot brakes are easy to locate and engage and are fit-flop friendly to boot.
The Minu, despite being a lightweight stroller, offers spring action, shock-absorbing, all-wheel suspension. At only 5″ in front and 7″ in back, the wheels on the Minu don’t hold a candle to the wheel proportions on the Era, although it strolls nicely on the usual city terrain (including pavement, grass, and cobblestone). The Minu has a foolproof color-coded braking system: step on the red tab to stop, then the green to go.
Seat
The Era features an infant-safe seat that reclines nearly flat and an adjustable footrest that you can raise all the way up to create a safe cocoon for your newborn. Additionally, it comes with a reversible seat and is travel system-ready (adapters are sold separately). The seat height on the Era measures 19.5″—plus you have another 6 inches of height clearance between the top of the backrest and the canopy, allowing you plenty of room for growth. Weight limit on the Era is 55 lbs.
The Era also offers multiple seating options via a one-hand adjustable buckle (although getting the seats back upright will require two hands).
On the Minu, the seat back is 18″ long and measures 25″ from the bottom of the seat to the inside of the canopy. It has a multiposition recline (which adjusts similarly to the Era, via a buckle that you pull). The seats don’t recline fully flat, though, which is why it’s recommended for use from 3 months (14 lbs) up to 50 lbs.
Canopy
The Era comes with large 45+ UPF with flip-out visors and a magnetic-flap peekaboo window. Additionally, when in full-recline mode, the top of the seat has an air vent to help keep baby cool in the summertime.
The Minu sports UPF 50+ canopies that have a pop-out visor, making it a perfect companion during bright sunny days. On top of the canopy you have a mesh peekaboo window with magnetic closure so you can take the occasional peek at baby without interrupting their nap.
Basket
Here is where the Era really shines. Parents will love the supersized storage basket that’s easily accessible from behind or in front (with the leg rest put up). There’s also a dedicated zip-up pouch for the air pump.
Owing to its smaller footprint, the Minu’s storage basket isn’t as big as we’d like it to be, but it can hold up to 20 lbs of stuff and has space enough for a medium-size diaper bag.
Extras
The Minu comes with a free drawstring bag, making it a great travel companion. As for the Era, your purchase comes with a bumper bar, air pump, and wrist strap.
Price points
The Bumbleride Era will set you back $649—quite a hefty investment, but well worth the price if you consider the number of years (and kids) it will be of service. The Minu ranges from $400 (for variants with aluminum frames) to $430 (black frames).
Bumbleride Indie vs 2019 UPPAbaby Cruz
Fashion meets function with the Bumbleride Indie and the UPPAbaby Cruz. Sporting sleek profiles and impressive features, these two strollers promise to make every day out with baby fun, fashionable, and fuss-free.
For 2019, UPPAbaby has decided to keep things as-is with the Cruz where features are concerned, although they are retiring two colors from the previous year—namely the Denny Red and Taylor Indigo Blue. That said, expect that the 2019 Cruz still sports the same streamlined sensibility that UPPAbaby is known for: clean lines, fashionable colors, and the chic premium leather handles that now come standard in all Cruz variants. Here’s the 2018 version for reference:
- This stroller is suitable for children from birth (with optional Infant SnugSeat accessory) until the child height is approximately aorund 40 inches (101 centimeter). The unfolded dimensions...
- Includes toddler seat, rain shield & bug shield-Full size front and rear facing toddler seat-180-degree recline with one hand
- Adjustable canopy with peek-a-boo window-Extendable UPF 50+ sunshade
The Bumbleride Indie has been making waves in the stroller circuit for being a perfect mix of sporty and fashion-forward. For 2019, the Indie’s one-step fold receives a much-needed update via a redesigned release trigger, making folding and unfolding a breeze. Bumbleride has also redesigned the canopies on the Indie, giving occupants better sun coverage. At 24 lbs, it is currently the lightest among Bumbleride’s stroller offerings, but loses nothing of the all-terrain functionality this company is known for. Parents will have fun keeping fit with baby in this reliable everyday all-terrain jogging stroller.
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Let’s check out more of these strollers and see which one will emerge as the better choice.
First Impressions
The UPPAbaby Cruz is a head-turner with its sleek, sophisticated look. The aluminum-magnesium frame is accentuated perfectly by the muted fabric colors as well as the elegant hand-sewn leather detail on the handles and bumper bar.
The Bumbleride Indie shares the same design sensibility as the Cruz, although it has a more ruggedly handsome aesthetic. From the three solid spokes on the oversized wheels to its chunky bumper bar, everything about the Indie screams simplicity and substance.
Weight and Dimensions
Let’s see how the Cruz sizes up against the Indie—literally speaking.
The Indie is 24.5″ wide and 37″ long. The handlebars can be adjusted to a height as low as 26″ up to 45.5″—which is great if mom and dad have quite a height difference.
The Cruz is the same length as the Indie, although the Cruz has a narrower profile at only 22.3″ wide. It has a base height of 40.5″, with the telescoping handles bringing its max height to 43″.
As for weight, the Indie is surprisingly lightweight for an all-terrain jogging stroller at 24 lbs. The Cruz is only slightly lighter at 21.5 lbs.
Fold
Both the Cruz and Indie get high marks from parents when it comes to ease of folding. The Indie is equipped with an easy one-step fold via levers located on either side of the frame. However, carrying this out needs some bending to engage the auto lock. When folded, the Indie stands at a height of 30″ and about a ruler’s length at 11.5″.
The Cruz folds similarly to the Indie, via triggers located just at the bottom of the handles. Folded height on the Cruz is 36″ while the length is 17″—which is sadly not as compact as we’d like.
Both strollers stand upright when folded.
Seat
The seat on the Indie measures 14.5″ across and 9″ deep, with a seat back height of 19″ that seats taller kids with no problem. It’s travel-system ready and accommodates most baby car seats. Moreover, the seats can be angled a multitude of ways via the single-lever recline, redesigned this 2019 to be easier to operate. With the seats at the lowest level, you can tilt the footrest all the way up to convert the seats to a bassinet-style cocoon for newborns.
The Cruz has a narrower seat at 12″ but is deeper than the Indie by a half-inch at 9.5″ and has a base seat back height of 21″. It is reversible and has a one-handed multiple recline option as well as an adjustable leg rest
UPPAbaby recommends using the Cruz from 3 months up to 50 lbs. (But you do have the option of purchasing a bassinet or the Infant SnugSeat accessory for your newborn.) You can also use it with their Mesa car seat (or, with adapters, other brand car seats) to convert it into a travel system. The Indie, on the other hand, can be used from birth and has a max weight limit of 55 lbs.
Canopy
The canopy on the Cruz is huge and offers full SPF 50+ sun protection. Pop-out sunshades likewise provide full-coverage protection from the sun’s glare while magnetic peekaboo windows allow you to take a peek at your sleeping occupant without disturbing their nap. A great feature on the Cruz is that you can manually extend the canopy height to allow more headroom for taller toddlers.
The new Indie now sports a higher UPF 45+ canopy, a great improvement that gives taller kids more headroom. That and the fact that it completely folds down make it ideal for shielding your little one from the sun. Additionally, you get magnetic peekaboo windows, pop-out sunshades, and a removable back panel that provides ventilation when using the seat in infant mode.
No products found.Storage
Parents love strollers with plenty of storage options, and we’re no exception. We love how the Indie comes with a zip-up pocket (for your keys and phone) as well as two easy-stow pockets at the bottom of the seats that can hold your tumbler, tablet, and a variety of other stuff. Your little one gets her own sippy cup-slash-snack holder too. The storage basket at the bottom is a winner for its easy access and 29-liter capacity, plus it has a dedicated zip-up pocket for the air pump.
No products found.The Cruz likewise sports a massive storage basket underneath the seats capable of holding up to 30 lbs of stuff. One thing we miss? Storage pockets at the back of the seat, which are noticeably absent from the Cruz, though you can purchase an UPPAbaby parent organizer separately. It does have two pockets built into the storage basket, which can hold your drinks, phone, wipes, and other miscellaneous items.
Wheels and Suspension
The all-wheel suspension Indie comes with three 12″ air-filled tires that tackle a variety of terrains with effortless ease. Despite its heft and size, parents praise the Indie’s ease of maneuverability and one-handed push capability. The front wheel can be set to swivel or locked straight for jogging. The foot brake is hard to miss and easy to engage and disengage, although it can be a bit of a challenge if you’re wearing flip-flops.
The Cruz sports a pair of 6.4″ wheels in front and a larger pair of 8.5″ wheels at the back, all equipped with shock-absorbing suspension. The wheels are made of foam, so you don’t need to worry about getting a flat, although understandably it doesn’t offer as smooth a ride as the Indie. It also sports a fit-flop friendly one-step locking system.
Extras
Your purchase of the Indie comes with an included air pump, wrist strap, folding bumper bars, and shoulder pads. The Cruz meanwhile comes with a bumper bar, rain shield, and bug shield.
Price Points
The Indie retails at $549, while the Cruz ranges from around $440 to $580. Quality doesn’t come cheap, eh?
For a more in-depth review, check out our review of the Bumbleride Indie here and the UPPAbaby Cruz here.
Wrapping Up
Comparing Bumbleride and UPPAbaby strollers may seem like comparing apples and oranges, but differences notwithstanding, these two unarguably make some of the most eye-catching strollers out there. Not only that, they also make sure to pair excellent style with incredible functionality. So whichever you choose, you’re sure to pick a winner.
