If you want a lightweight stroller that you can use for trips to the mall, the park, or running errands, an umbrella stroller could fit the bill.
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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
An umbrella stroller should be super-light and easy to fold and carry; just like a large golfing umbrella! The idea is that you can take the stroller with you in your car, on public transport, and even on an airplane, making traveling with your child a relaxed and hassle-free experience that may not be the case if you opt for a heavier, bulkier, regular stroller.
To find out more about the difference between regular and umbrella strollers, check out this helpful article.
There are so many different brands of umbrella stroller to choose from; it can be a challenge to find the right one for your needs. In this article, we take a closer look at two very popular umbrella strollers, the Inglesina Net and UPPAbaby G Luxe. We’ve compared them, so you can clearly see which one is the best choice for your lifestyle.
Table of Contents
Inglesina: Stylish, great value, practical
The Italian company, Inglesina was founded in 1963 by Liviano Tomasi who took inspiration for his strollers from the elegant carriages that he saw at the British court. That’s where the name, Inglesina came from.
The company manufactures high-quality strollers, table chairs, high chairs, and prams. And they’re all designed with the emphasis firmly on safety, protection, and comfort for your child, as well as reliability and practicality for parents.
Inglesina Net
The Inglesina Net is a very light, relatively small umbrella stroller of impressive quality for the price range. It is designed for those who want a super-light, minimal stroller that will travel comfortably and conveniently in a car trunk or on public transport. Like the G-Luxe, the Net has a traditional umbrella fold and is self-standing. It has a small storage basket and a modest sun canopy.
In a nutshell, the Net is a basic, budget-friendly umbrella stroller that has a decent range of features to accommodate a midday stroll in the park or to your corner convenience store. However, the Net isn’t built to double as your main stroller. This is primarily due to its lack of storage and comfort features for your passenger.
- LIGHTWEIGHT TRAVEL STROLLER - The Inglesina Net Stroller weighs just 11lb., features a 2-position recline, and is easily collapsible with an integrated shoulder strap; making it the perfect...
- OPENS & CLOSES WITH ONE HAND - The Inglesina Net is extremely easy to open and close, and - when folded - can stand upright on its own.
- COOL MESH DESIGN - The lightweight, yet durable, mesh design enables air to circulate; keeping your child cool in the warmest summer months. Additionally, the canopy is made from UPF 50+...
What we like:
- Smooth ride
- Lightweight at 11 pounds
- Removable, washable seat cover
- Cup holder and rain cover included
- Good value for money
What we don’t like:
- Canopy is rather small compared with UPPAbaby G-Luxe
- The stroller is designed for taller parents and won’t work well for people under about 5’5″
Inglesina Net: Features that matter
Fold and unfold
The Net has a standard umbrella fold that’s designed to be operated with one hand. Once folded or unfolded, the stroller locks into position automatically. So there’s no danger of it collapsing or falling over unexpectedly. Like the G-Luxe, the Net is designed to be self-standing when folded.
Brakes
The net has an easy set-and-release foot-operated braking system. The brakes are easy to set and are sandal and flip-flop friendly. However, the construction of the braking mechanism doesn’t feel as robust as that of the G-Luxe.
Storage
The Net has a small storage basket in comparison with the G-Luxe. Also, the access to the basket is very poor. You can only reach it from the side or the rear of the stroller, not from the front. Additionally, the basket’s capacity is up to 6.6 pounds. So, you could fit a small diaper bag and maybe a bottle inside it.
We wouldn’t recommend hanging a shopping bag on the Net’s handles. This could make it unstable, especially if there’s no child on board.
Like the G-Luxe, the Net comes with a removable parent cup holder, which fits onto the frame of the stroller near the handle.
Sun canopy
The Net has a sun canopy that is SPF 50+. The canopy is smaller than that of the G-Luxe and doesn’t have a peekaboo window. That said, the canopy does have a pop-out visor for extra sun protection, but it won’t help much when the sun is very low or on a windy day. If you want to increase the shade capacity of the stroller, you’ll need to buy a parasol separately.
Safety harness
The Net’s safety harness is pretty robust, but like the G-Luxe, the straps are stiff and can be tricky to adjust and rethread through the plastic eyelets on the seat back. That can be a challenge if your toddler is inclined to fidget!
Also, you need to adjust and connect the shoulder and waist straps before you can lock them into the buckle, making the whole operation a tad fiddly when you’re in a hurry.
Seat comfort
Unlike the G-Luxe, the Net stroller’s seat has no leg rest, and the seat back’s recline is very minimal, being operated by a zipper on either side. That makes this stroller not the best for kids who like to nap.
The seat pad is removable for cleaning, and you can wash the seat cover in your machine. One nice touch that the Net has that’s absent in the G-Luxe is a net seat, allowing for increased airflow and a cooler ride for your child on very hot days.
Like the G-Luxe, the Net is intended to take a baby from three months up to a toddler weighing up to 55 pounds.
Maneuverability and comfort
The Net is pretty easy to steer and maneuver on the flat, but it doesn’t handle rough or uneven surfaces as well as the G-Luxe, and you may experience a lot of vibration through the handles. Despite the foam covering, the vibration isn’t very well cushioned, and you will feel it even when pushing on relatively smooth surfaces.
Also, the Net has front wheel suspension only, and that coupled with the shallow recline and lack of leg rest can compromise on comfort for the passenger.
Accessories
The Net has a few useful accessories, although you will need to buy these separately.
There’s a drape-over rain cover to protect your little one from the rain and wind. For added sun protection, there’s a nice parasol that comes in four bright colors to match your stroller. Given that the canopy is quite small, the parasol is a handy, fashionable addition that you can move into different positions to give more precise coverage.
Color range
The Inglesina Net comes in a good selection of pretty, bright colors that add a stylish touch of fun to the stroller. Choose from pink, red, light green, orange, and black.
UPPAbaby: Stylish, practical, and intuitive
UPPAbaby was founded in the U.S. in 2006. The company manufactures intuitively designed, high-end products that are stylish and sleek, with all the features that are important to parents such as safety, comfort, and practicality.
Although UPPAbaby strollers are not the cheapest on the market, they are extremely popular thanks to their superior quality and intelligent design. The consensus among parents who have an UPPAbaby stroller is that they give you excellent value for money and are built to last, which is good to know if you’re planning on growing your family.
UPPAbaby G-Luxe
The UPPAbaby G-Luxe is a high-quality umbrella stroller that comes in at a very reasonable price, especially given how many neat features it offers for a stroller of this type.
The G-Luxe has full suspension for a super-smooth ride, will stand upright when folded for easy storage, and has plenty of the features that parents love, including a convenient shoulder carry strap and a removable, washable seat pad.
- Suitable for children from 3 months to 55 pounds
- One-handed actuated recline and adjustable footrest
- Large stretch knit canopy with extendable UPF 50+ sunshade for great sun and wind protection
What we like:
- Robust yet stylish lightweight stroller
- Very compact and freestanding when folded
- Easy to fold
- Removable and machine washable seat pad
- Four-wheel suspension
- Shoulder carry strap
What we don’t like:
- Only suitable for children aged over three months
- Can’t be pushed one-handed
- The safety harness is very stiff and can be tricky to adjust
UPPAbaby G-Luxe: Features that matter
Color range
The G-Luxe comes in a pleasing selection of bright colors, including red, blue, and yellow, as well as more subdued tones of grey and black. Whatever color you choose, you’ll be stepping out in style with this stroller!
Maneuverability
The G-Luxe is very lightweight at just 13 pounds. Also, the back and front wheel suspension system makes the stroller a breeze to push on sidewalks, over grass, curbs, and onto public transport. You can easily lift the stroller with its passenger up a few steps, and the thoughtfully designed, elevated rear frame ensures that you won’t stub your toes.
That said, thanks to the G-Luxe’s rather traditional design, you can’t steer it with one hand, which can be a drawback if you have a toddler who likes to walk for some of the way and you need a hand free to guide them.
Seat comfort
The G-Luxe’s generously proportioned seat pad is comfortable, and the seat can be reclined easily. There’s also an adjustable footrest that’s a big plus for a toddler’s comfort and safety. The seat cover is removable. Plus, you can wash it in your machine without fear of the fabric shrinking or losing its color.
The stroller is designed to take a three-month old baby up to a toddler weighing up to 55 pounds.
The all-important fold
A major plus of the G-Luxe is that the folding mechanism is operated by a simple hand-operated trigger, rather than with your foot. This feature makes the stroller super-quick and easy to fold.
Unlike many umbrella strollers, the G-Luxe stands up by itself when folded. That’s great news if you live in a small apartment and your storage space is limited. You can also place the stroller upright and folded in your hallway or a corner of your lounge without it damaging or marking your walls.
Transporting the stroller when folded
The G-Luxe is super-light, making it easy to manage, even with a baby or toddler in one hand. The stroller comes with a handy carry strap, enabling you to carry it over your shoulder when you need to.
Storage
Umbrella strollers typically don’t have a tremendous amount of storage space. That way, they can be kept as lightweight as possible. However, the G-Luxe’s two-handle design makes it stable enough to carry a small bag on the handle without fear of tipping. The underseat shopping basket has an 11-pound capacity that’s perfectly adequate for a few essentials.
Included Extras
The G-Luxe isn’t the cheapest stroller of its class. As a result, it includes a few nice extras that you’d expect for the price.
There’s a large, pull-out sun canopy that gives your child SPF 50+ protection on hot, sunny days. There’s also a rain cover to keep your little one dry and sheltered from showers.
You also get a removable cup holder that can be a lifesaver for coffee addicts.
Car seat compatibility
Unfortunately, neither the G-Luxe or the Inglesina Net is compatible with baby car seats. If you want something that you can attach to a baby car seat, you may be better off choosing a lightweight travel system or convertible stroller.
Wrapping it up
If you’re looking for an inexpensive, stylish umbrella stroller that has a few nice, basic features, the Inglesina Net could suit you. The Net is a bare-bones, budget-friendly stroller. And, its features make it ideal for quick trips out on hot days, with a breathable seat and four-panel canopy.
However, if you have more money to spend, the UPPAbaby G-Luxe might be the better option for you. The G-Luxe is more expensive than the Net. However, it does have better suspension, a larger/comfier seat, and a sun canopy with more coverage. The overall impression is that the G-Luxe is made to a higher specification than the Net and will provide you with years of regular service. Whereas, the Net won’t stand too much heavy use.
