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79 of 81 found the following review helpful:
 A great lightweight stroller with USABLE features Feb 13, 2011
By Margaret Zordan
I spent so long researching strollers and went through so many choices, including Chicco, Maclaren, Cybex, and Maxi Cosi. Ultimately, for price and features, I decided on the Aprica Presto.
One of the big concerns of moms is the recent recall of many umbrella-type strollers (every Maclaren made from 1999 till 2010 for instance) due to the risk of finger amputation. Maclaren's hinge caused 12 finger amputations! While they are currently producing a new hinge, I was not interested in buying from a company that permitted so many children to be injured (since 2004). I wanted a hinge mechanism that was safe for my child. This did require some sacrifices, but my baby is worth it!
The Aprica is NOT a one-handed fold. This is due to its design, which is safer than most one-handed folds. The fold can be sticky and confusing, but the one review that stated it could "not" be closed is totally over the top. In truth, I figured it out with no help while viewing it in the store in less than 5 minutes. With roughly 5 more minutes of practice at home, I've been able to master it pretty easily. There is a center pull-arm that you pull up on to begin the release of the stroller. Then you fold it flat and lock it. I wish it self-locked, but it does not. Those are the negatives.
The positives far outweigh the negatives. For one, unlike Maclarens, it has a really usable and LARGE sunshade. It also has a functional USABLE bottom basket! This is so rare in umbrella strollers! Even with the seat reclined, the basket can be accessed from the side of the stroller pretty easily. My large diaper bag and purse fit in the basket. Part of the reason the basket is so easily accessible is because the child's seat sits much higher than most other strollers. This is great for several reasons; one, it gives the child a better point of view. My daughter is able to really see the world and other people much better. Two, it is SO much easier for me to reach in and out of the stroller to get her out! Three, it makes it much easier to wheel her up to a table. She's not too short when we go to dinner in her stroller, like many other umbrellas. Finally, a taller seat means that it's a great stroller for mid-to-tall parents. You are less likely to catch your own feet as you push this stroller.
The stroller is rated to 70 pounds! There are three height adjustments on the 5-point harness to hold children of varying sizes. The recline is not 100% flat, but this stroller is not meant for infants, so it has been good for my daughter so far. It also handles like a dream. I've been able to use it one-handed on flat and bumpy surfaces. The front wheels lock so you can drive it (for instance, I locked the front wheels while driving it on sand). The seat is super comfy and this was the only stroller my daughter actually smiled in when I tested it.
Overall, I am very happy with my purchase. Do not let the ease of the folding mechanism deter you - you can do it and it is so much safer. With a taller more comfortable seat, pretty color choices, and a real usable basket and sunshade, this is the umbrella stroller you want. Don't fall for marketing and fancy names - I love my Aprica Presto!
22 of 23 found the following review helpful:
Greatest Stroller for Tall Parents Jan 19, 2011
By Alley Vance
Finding a stroller that is comfortable for tall parents to push/walk behind is difficult. This stroller is the best! It was taller than every other lightweight stroller in stores. The way the supports are made in the back give room for longer strides also. The quality of the stroller itself is absolutely great, comprable to all the nicest most expensive strollers! I highly recommend checking this stroller out, especially if you're a taller parent. It is also set up great for travel with a carry strap (for when its collaspsed), lightweight, easy to fold and unfold. Comes with a rain guard that we use as a wind guard in cold weather. This stroller really holds up. It battled ice, slushy snowy conditions and came away with out a scratch or loose screw.
As for baby the seat is padded, breatable and has an adjustable recline to sit up feature. Cargo space below is very durable and the whole stroller wipes clean easily.
40 of 49 found the following review helpful:
 Lots of measurements = not for tall kids! Jun 29, 2011
By Elizabeth M. Callahan II
I'm going to give you my initial impression. We will not be keeping this stroller b/c it is too small for our 3 yr old (whose head hits the canopy top).
Seat - The seat bottom is 19" off the ground. The seat back is 18". The maximum seated bottom to crown (top of head) height for your child to comfortably sit in this stroller is 21" - which our average sized 3 yr old is larger than. Seat width - 13". The main complaints from our children trying this out were the seat angle, which cannot be brought upright beyond approx. 45 degrees (although it can be laid down more flat for younger babies). NOTE: THE MANUAL STATES THE MAX CHILD HEIGHT FOR THIS STROLLER IS 45" (obviously people vary in where they carry their height but our kids tend to have very long legs and shorter torsos and this still didn't work for them, though they are both under 45" in height). The extreme 70 lbs weight limit doesn't matter when our 35 lb toddler is too tall to fit under the canopy (and no, we do not have freakishly tall kids - very average).
Removable padding - The mesh contains foam {heavily offgassing fumes - it scares me to think of the chemical content and flame retardants used in this model}. There are 2 pieces, one for the head and down the middle back, the other for the seat bottom. The back piece is .5 cm thick, the bottom piece is 2 cm thickness. The nice part is that these are REMOVABLE and there is a standard nylon/polyester stroller fabric underneath with built-in padding. If I were to keep this, I would toss out the offgassing extra padding.
Canopy - It folds out into 3 sections, one of which you can peel back to view your child through a mesh fabric layer {much preferred to the traditional toxic PVC window}. The drawback is that the canopy resembles something out of alien vs. predator {or in toddler talk - a rolly poley}. You cannot pivot the canopy forward as it is anchored in the back by T strap and connects to the seat back with a mesh fabric - allowing plenty of ventilation (which you will need with the aforementioned offgassing foam padding). It locks on either side to retain shape and the 3rd section folds back and under the canopy much like Maclaren or UPPAbaby.
Wheels - The wheels are larger than comparable umbrella strollers, but are smooth with no ridges for traction. I did notice wobble slightly in comparison to UPPAbaby which stayed grounded on turns and swiveling.
Appearance - I want the photographer who took the manufacturer images to do my glamour shots! LOL In real life this fabric does not have anywhere near the satin sheen that it shows in the photos posted. It is closer to the texture of the airline pillow covers (yes, the disposable ones) rather than like it appears online.
Footrest - The footrest is flexible rubber, always hard to tell by photos so...
Reflectors - Straps and light reflectors on sides of the stroller are great for evening strolls.
Storage - Holds medium sized bag, the cross bar supports above it restrict size, but it is sturdy material like Graco offers. It is also removable with snaps. The maximum bag size to fit down there is about 15" x 12" x 8" and you have to squeeze it in from the side - there is no back access to the storage.
Weight - This feels similar when lifting to a Graco Metrolite, though the pull behind and stand upright alone features are improvements in helping to transport.
Raincover - Included
Cup Holder - NONE.
Parent storage - NONE.
Overall, I cannot recommend this stroller because it is NOT going to work for your child as long as you will need a stroller and that's really wasteful. Unless you are going to have a very short, petite child or one that is going to walk hours and miles on end before age 3...you will end up tossing this one and buying another one. Based on length of use and reviews, I would recommend the UPPAbaby over this Aprica. Same price, better functioning, better longevity based on reviews, and our 5 yr old can sit comfortably in the UPPAbaby just as much as our baby and toddler. Think LONG TERM and go for specs on height (not weight), sun protection, and MAYBE reclining (depending on the baby, our kids never cared to recline past 3-4 months of age). This just isn't the "one" for us. Hope this helps you! Good luck!
9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
 GREAT STROLLER Mar 14, 2011
By war
I had tried one of these in a store on vacation, compared to my MacLaren Triumph (which is old) and I love this!! The sun shade is very large, a good 6 inches longer than the MacLaren sun shade. The wheel brakes being step on pedals are much easier to use than the side kick style on the Triumph, and the basket underneath is very sturdy. I personally like the height of the handles, it is made for taller people. I am only 5'6" and I love the height. The raised seat is AMAZING for getting bigger kids in and out of especially if you have a bad back. Additionally, my daughter loves being higher up, she can see better and interact better with everything around her. The stroller is incredibly easy to control and lightweight. I have read reviews about the closing mechanism and it is quite different from the MacLaren system and take a little getting used to. Instead of having a pedal you step on to initiate the folding, this has a handle you pull up on. While pulling up the handle, you need to make sure the latch that locks the stroller open, come free from the bar it latches too. This does sometimes require 2 hands, especially when you are first getting used to using the stroller. I have now gotten it down and can do it one handed for the most part. Once the stroller is folded, again there is a latch that you need to push into place on its bar to lock the stroller shut. I know others have been bothered by this, but I'm fine with it. I have to say, I went from my daughter screaming and flailing to not get into the MacLaren to her asking to stay in this stroller. I loved the MacLaren for when she was younger and she did too, until she wanted to interact with adults and her surroundings more. I would say this stroller is perfect for 1 years old and up, and the MacLaren for younger than a year.
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Great lightweight stroller for the price Aug 30, 2011
By C. Abella
"amazon junkie"
I paid $115 for the Aprica Presto in grey. If you look around, you'll see the brown or green ones available on some sites for as low as $80. The price says it all: this is a mid priced, lightweight stroller and you get what you pay for. Yes, you can find pricier strollers with one handed folds that have cup holders and storage pockets and nav systems and tivo and babies that steer and push themselves...blah blah blah...but, let's be honest: no stroller will ever be good enough for some people. I've been through 4 "lightweight" strollers. I have 1 kid. Ridiculous, right? Every stroller has its pros and cons.
For the Aprica Presto, its pros are: it looks good; it's light; compact standing fold; decent undercarriage storage; it looks good; maneuvers easily; good umbrella coverage; nice high handles; and it looks good. Did I mention how good it looks?
The cons have been summed up pretty well by other reviewers: no extras like back pockets or a front safety bar; the stupid crotch pad slides off; the 5 point harness is a 4 step process rather than 2; and the seat is at a slight recline at the most upright position.
I'm sick of buying more strollers since nothing is ever good enough. Luckily, all the issues I have with the Presto are easy enough to fix:
1. I only used the back pockets on my other strollers because their undercarriages were such a pain to get to. The presto's undercarriage is pretty accessible, wide, and higher off the ground so I don't really need the back pockets.
2. To my surprise, baby didn't really mind not having the front bar. In his other strollers he likes to kick back with his feet resting on the bar so I thought he would miss it; but, since he didn't seem to care it was missing, neither did I.
3. I safety pinned the crotch pad to the center strap so it doesn't slide off.
4. I used small zip ties to semi-permanently attach the top straps to the side straps, so buckling Baby in is a 2 step process like most other harnesses.
5. Baby likes to sit straight up, so I used a small bungee cord attached to each end of the side frames to hold up the back of the seat. Now it sits up straight so it's aligned with the frame.
I'm not sure why people complain so much about the fold? I read the instructions and tried it out. It only took one try to figure it out. It's pretty simple. Why do people have such a hard time?
All in all, a great, handsome stroller. Perfect for throwing in the back of the car or traveling with and it's easy to push.
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