Phil and Teds Review!

As a new mom I definitely made the mistake of thinking that I needed to get everything that was advertised for my baby... you know, that's what good moms do! This included getting my Chicco travel system (car seat and stroller in one). I loved that the car seat snapped into the stroller and for the first few months it worked great. The dowsides- it was bulky, cheaply made and wouldn't grow with our family. Honeslty, after about 5 months we rarely every used the Chicco again! I would definitely buy a Chicco car seat again- it had the best safetly rating at the time, I loved the pattern and it was the lightest car seat on the market when we bought it.

When we first got the stroller in January! Trying it out and falling in love step by step! (The handle bar fold down in the lock position)..

Once we started TTC I started researching double strollers and was pretty disappointed with what I was finding... I wanted something I could push around a store in the mall without knocking things over, or not fitting through the door! So, I found the Phil and Teds Dash stroller. It's a single stroller that converts to a double with a couple clever adaptations. The biggest selling point to this stroller was that it was a single stroller! A double stroller is something that has a very short season, but in the end you're gonna want a dependable single stroller that you love! I also love that it's a stream-line double- meaning that when you add the second seat it doesn't add any length or width to the stroller! LOVE LOVE LOVE this!

I found the Dash on Zulily for $360 (after tax and shipping) including the doubles kit and a bassinet (both sold seperately). You can find it on Amazon right now for $499 including the doubles kit (ya, i got a prettyfantastic deal on this stroller!). I have seen it on Zulily a couple times after I bought it, so keep you eyes out for it! Or maybe search on Ebay or Craigslist? I had to buy a car seat adapter for our Chico car seat ($30 on amazon) and a cup holder.

What I LOVE about the stroller-
-It was very easy to put together, the instructions were clear and there was a video on the Phil and Teds website that was very helpful.
-The stroller is very easy to maneuver- I can steer it with one hand.
-The tires are like bike tires so they can handle un-even sidewalk (which there is a lot in our neighborhood!) like a champ.
-After getting the hang out it, the stroller folds and unfolds very easily- the Chicco definitely takes the cake on folding easily!
-I have used the second seat a handful of times (when out at the mall or on walks with friends) and I love it. The stroller doesn't fold with the second seat on, but it's super easy to attach. Maddie loves the second seat too. I was thinking she wouldn't because you can't see forwards in the second seat, but she always climbs into it when I have it on the stroller and has never complained about riding in it. The second seat is smaller than the front seat, so I will probably put little brother or sister in the back, unless MK pitches a fit! :)
-The stroller seems very comfortable for MK. Unlike the Chicco which didn't have a ton of padding, the Phil and Teds has a very thick cushion seat that also detaches for easy washing (super awesome with a baby!). My Chicco was a pain in the butt to wash.
-It is very sturdy. There's no plastic on it, except the handle bar... my Chicco was riddled with plastic that got scratched easily and was not super durable.
-The basket at the bottom of the stroller is huge,and even with a kid in the back, can fit a lot... although I have to make sure MK can't get to my bag since she'll take her snacks out of it! :)
-Now, I haven't used the stroller consistently with two kids yet, but I love that I have a couple options to tote around two babies.

Option 1- add the second seat.

Option two- put second set on front, recline front seat and put baby in bassiness laying down under the second seat.

Option 3- car seat on top, MK in the back in the second seat.

What I don't love about the stroller-
-The cost! Although, if we had gotten this from the very beginning we would have saved ourselves $180 on the Chicco stroller! I guess I would much rather spend a little bit upfront (especially when mom and dad were both working!) on a stroller that grows with your family.
-There's no cup holder that comes with the stroller. You can buy several accessories for the stroller (the cup holder and car seat adapter are the only ones I've gotten) on Amazon and they aren't super expensive, but I hate that they didn't include it originally. Which mama doesn't have a drink with her when she's out and about with the kiddos?
-It is heaver than my Chicco, but I'm ok with that, it serves a better purpose than my Chicco and is much sturdier!
-Mike says sometimes he hits his shins on the second seat- but remember, he is a GIANT (6ft 6in tall)! I haven't ever had a problem with that, and I consider myself pretty average height for a girl (5ft 6in). He has just adapted his stride and it isn't much of a problem now.


In summary, I pretty much am kicking myself for not getting this stroller in the beginning- especially seeing how easy the car seat adapter is! But, we live and we learn! It's a rookie mistake. Want to know another rookie mistake? Paying more for the Chicco car seat that can hold a 30lb baby! See picture for why this is hilarious!

my 28 lb toddler in the car seat that can fit 30lb! :)

This was a super long post- let me know if you have any questions about the stroller I can answer for you!

Love,
K Vog

p.s: I wasn't compensated for my review! It's just my honest opinion of a product I've grown to love!