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263 of 279 found the following review helpful:
 Good stroller, but a very rough ride on brick sidewalks Jul 16, 2009
By Jonathan Birge
There are a lot of things to love about this stroller. For me, the best thing is that it's one of the few strollers designed for tall people. The handle extends to a reasonable length for a 6'4" person. There is no through-axle, but instead an arch that gives plenty of space for your feet when walking. On other strollers I'd end up kicking the stroller when walking.
Another major point in favor of the Vista is that it allows for the baby to be rear-facing, even in the seat. This way you can talk to the little guy or girl while walking with them, and apparently research has shown this interaction to be important. I'm not sure it will ever make a difference in their development, in all honesty, but it's just really nice to be able to see and interact your kid while you're walking with them.
Unfortunately, there is one major design flaw in this stroller that causes me to knock off a couple stars: the front "suspension" is terribly designed. The spring is far too heavy, and it takes me putting my (considerable) weight on the stroller to even begin to compress the front springs. Given that the wheels are made of very hard foam, the result is that the ride is extremely harsh when the stroller is in rear-facing mode such that the baby's weight (not to mention head) is over the front wheels. This isn't a big deal on smooth surfaces, but my poor kid gets bounced around quite a bit on the brick sidewalks where we live. So much so that he was grabbing the sides of the stroller. It's so bad that I have to avoid certain streets where we live. I certainly expected better engineering from such an expensive stroller.
Another design desision which I question is the fact that even at the most upright setting, the baby is declined at a 45 degree angle, making it hard for him/her to see out.
Another reason I can't give this a better rating is that the construction is a rather low-quality in areas. For example, both our wheels wobble. In fact, the fit and finish on most of the stroller is a lacking, with rivets and attachments loose and a lot of play in everything. For example, the seat frame is in two halves, with the two aluminum parts attached to a plastic center bracket with cheap rivets. Those have come loose, and now the seat is starting to "recline" a bit on its own. All in all, a very disappointing experience to have with a stroller that cost this much. My personal guess is that when you buy this stroller, most of your money is going into paying Massachusetts taxes, as this company made the poor decision to base themselves in one of the most expensive states in the country in which to do business. (I know, I live here, too, unfortunately.)
UPDATE: After six months of use, the stroller continues to fall apart. The wheels have developed flat spots (so much for foam being more robust), and are getting more wobbly. The frame is becoming somewhat loose. Nothing that affects safety, I don't believe, but it's very frustrating to pay this much for a product so cheaply made. This is a lot of expensive aluminum held together with very cheap plastic. Our baby seems to be mostly happy with the stroller, but often strains to try to see out given the recline of the seat. Had we to do this over again, we'd go with another brand, probably the Bugaboo.
FINAL UPDATE: I've noticed that most of the reviews here, especially the glowing ones, are from parents who don't even mention how their baby reacts to the stroller. Some haven't even had their kid yet! It's all about them; they love the cupholder, or the look, or the convience of the folding. Folks, the stroller is for the kid, not you. It's great that you like it, and important as well, but the most important thing is that it works for your child. Please consider things like how it rides and the seating position, while you're also worrying about the cupholders and color.
OK REALLY FINAL UPDATE: More stuff continues to fall off. At this point, and to their credit, Uppababy has had to send us pretty much a new stroller part-by-part. The only thing that is original is the frame by now. We're worried about what will happen when this thing is out of warrantee. I will also amend my review by pointing out that the newer models (2010 and later, I believe) have a wider range of seating positions, which allows for a more upright angle for the kid. So, the only real negative remaining from my original review is that the suspension in the front is still completely pointless, and the build quality is still terrible. I'm guessing Uppababy will develop into one of the best stroller manufacturers with time, as they figure out how to build things correctly, because their design is quite nice. But I think they are still working out the kinks in their manufacturing and engineering.
61 of 65 found the following review helpful:
 Best Stroller for Tall People Feb 23, 2009
By Kristin Ellermann
Well we went to 4 different stores and tried every stroller possible.
Our Top Three Picks for tall people:
(1) UppaBaby Vista
(2) Bugaboo Chameleon
(3) Peg Perego Skate
All 3 have handles long enough for a 6'6'' guy. But, the Uppababy handles actually were about an inch or so higher all the way across and it had a curved bar at the bottom so your feet wouldn't kick it as you pushed. The other two had straight bars on the bottom that were very easy to kick.
Of the three brands, Uppababy was the only one that had solid all terrain tires instead of air filled.
The Uppababy had a separate bassinet, whereas the other two you convert the bassinet into the toddler seat.
The Chameleon and the Uppababy were quite easy to fold down. I felt the Chameleon was a little lighter for lifting from ground to trunk. The Skate was not too hard to fold, but there were several buttons so it took more steps than either of the other two.
I would have been happy with any of the three brands and think for tall people, any one of them would work. But ultimately, my husband just loved the extra handle space and the curved bar at the bottom on the Uppa enough to make that one by far his favorite and at 6'6'' - every extra inch on that handle bar is valuable!
Other Contenders for tall people:
(4) Quinny Buzz
I loved the buzz and it might have been my top choice if I had not been shopping with my husband. I loved the great maneuverability, the lightness of the frame, the texture of the fabric and the colors. The downsides - the handle was not as long as the three above, but it was long and I believe it would work for someone 6'4'' or shorter. It didn't have as nice a basket as the others. I did like its breaking mechanism. Overall, I thought it was zippy and easy to use and fun.
(5) Orbit
We ruled out the Orbit because I felt it was too heavy and would be hard for me to move in and out of the car, but it also had long handles. My DH thought it's breaking mechanism looked cheap, but admired the technology of its seat turning system. It looked very easy to move from the stroller to the car seat and back - if weight was not an issue for you. This would be a nifty stroller for someone with good upper body strength.
(6) Stokke Xplory
As for the Stokke - I thought it would be the tallest, but it actually wasn't. We found it hard to fold (neither shop attendant could get it closed) and it was bulky when folded. The seat material seemed cheap and like it would be difficult to keep clean. On the plus side - it would be nice to have the baby up that high and close to you. I liked the idea of the Stokke, but thought the execution was cheap.
Unfortunately, NONE of the lighter weight strollers had long enough handles and enough foot room for my husband. Very disappointing. In any case we are going for the Uppababy Vista. It was by far the best option available in the 4 stores we went through!
51 of 54 found the following review helpful:
 Amazing stroller - great improvements for 2009 Oct 29, 2008
By Edurne
"EMK"
I did a LOT of research before getting my stroller. I had decided to get the Cameleon, because I had tested the 2008 Vista and didn't like it as much as the Cameleon. I actually went into the store to purchase the Bugaboo but came out with the Vista! I saw the 2009 Vista and fell in love with it, after 90 minutes of trying them both, asking millions of questions and thinking it over and over... I decided to get this one, it was a very close call. It has a lot of the benefits of the Bugaboo, it handles just as well, but I chose it over the Bug for these reasons:
1. It's a much better value, you get a separate bassinet (I was going to purchase an extra Cameleon frame for $135 to be able to switch without swaping fabrics), and several accesories. You don't need snow tires (bugaboo's are $89) because the front tires are bigger and more rugged.
2. It's not so common, at least where I live eeeveryone has a Bugaboo. Other accesories aren't as expensive (i.e. the travel bag is $60 vs. the $160 Bugaboo travel bag)
3. The company is known for their amazing customer service. And they're very environmentally conscious.
4. With the new Rumble seat coming out next spring, it can turn into a double stroller, which means I'll get a lot more use out of it and may even be able to skip purchasing another stroller when baby #2 comes along.
5. The seat is higher, so farther from fumes, pets, and closer to table level and mom (no bending over).
6. The canopy is wonderful, really covers the sun from any angle with the pull out sun hood. Tha Bug's is pretty crappy, hence the need for $30 parasol.
7. More user friendly, you can recline the seat with one hand, and open the bumper bar from one side. And although I don't find the fold of the Cameleon hard, this one is easier (my DH was annoyed about the 2 part fold of the Bug).
Now, what I like better about the Cameleon is that is has more suspension, and that the seat can come to a fully upright position, and fully flat.
I've just had it for 2 days but I'm loving almost every aspect of it, it handles amazingly both indoors and out. We have terrible sidewalks and pavement, and it does great. I took it to Whole Foods and it fit through the tiny tiny checkout aisles easier than my Graco because it's easier to maneuver. It trully can be pushed with one hand and turns on a dime! Crowded aisles at the grocery store were no problem. It is a little less wide than the 2008 (just a tad wider than the Bug), and I walked with friends and their strollers today and we all fit perfectly on the sidewalk without bumping into each other. Also the fabrics are much nicer now and the seat is so comfy my 9 month old took a 90 minute nap in it today, in the other stroller he couldn't sleep more than 20-30 minutes. Of course the basket is great and easily accesible, I fit my diaper bag, everyone's coat and still have room to spare.
It takes up less space than my Graco in the trunk, and since it stands when folded I don't have to bend over. It's also lighter than a lot of other Bugaboo-ish strollers and other full size strollers. Really, for all it has, 24 lb is a very decent weight (it's only like 2 lb heavier than the Cameleon).
Now what I don't like, and the reason I'm not giving it 5 stars:
1. The seat recline: It doesn't come to fully upright and my baby hates this. I've read a lot of reviews for the previous model and this one is a common issue, I cannot believe they didn't think of improving this for the 2009. At the store it didn't seem so bad, but now my baby looks really reclined to me, and since the bottom of the seat is also at an angle it's hardo for him to pull himself up using the bumper bar. I was actually awake half the night wondering if I made the right choice because of this. I hope my baby get's used to it soon, or I'll have to put a pillow or something behind him. This is the main issue I have with the stroller.
2. The ride is bumpier than I expected (although it is way way better than our Graco and my friends' Pliko P3's). I wish it had more suspension and the wheels were less rigid to absorb more shock.
3. This is a minor issue but the rain cover doesn't fit the bassinet, they should make a cover for the bassinet. I'm thinking of buying the Mutsy one, I think it should fit the Vista bassinet. Oh, and as with every high end stroller the cup holder is extra ($25).
I do, overall love this stroller and I hate myself for not getting it sooner (but then of course I wouldn't have the 2009!)
17 of 17 found the following review helpful:
Great for tall parents and perfect for 'heavy users' Sep 24, 2010
By K. Goeldner
"new mom"
I did a LOT of reasearch before we bought a stroller. We were willing to spend some 'big' money, but only if it was going to be a stroller that we could use for years to come. We had a couple challenges as well: my husband is 6'5, and I am 5'6 and we needed a stroller that comfortable for either of us to push (without crouching over short handles for hubby). We commute daily by bus and train, and live in a walk-up so needed something that would withstand lots of use, big shopping trips, etc. This stroller has been everything I hoped it would be and more.
In the early days, the bassinet was a life-saver because I could unclip it, take it up the stairs with baby still sleeping, and then come back to unload groceries, fold the stroller, etc. As our daughter grew she initially liked sitting up facing us, and then preferred to watch the outside world... so the ability to flip the seat around is really nice.
We've now had it for two years, and it is still in excellent shape. The one piece that broke in two years--the part of the basket that flips up when you fold it--was completely our fault, and UppaBaby was great about helping us get a replacment even though we are outside the US, and had to get creative about postage.
What we like:
- adjustable handles for different size parents
- a HUGE underneath basket
- no cross bar for long strides to kick when walking
- despite the regular mashing of raisins and cheerios, the material is still in good condition and easy to clean (although I suggest you put the whole chair in the bath and hose it down, rather than trying to take the cover off the frame)
- Bassinet worked as a bed for the first 4 months (tall parents have long babies, so we didn't make it to 6 months that the manufacturer says is possible) and fits a standard 'moses basket' stand
- very easy to maneouver, even one handed and fully loaded
- extremely durable over all (wheels have lasted us 2 years, but probably need replacing now)
Things that might bug you:
- Heavier than many strollers (but very manageable). For me, that just means sturdy. I don't worry about going up & down curbs or into trains. We use an umbrella stroller when we fly, and I hate how flimsy it is!
- The break is a bit sticky, especially in early days. I kept thinking I was breaking it... I wasn't.
- Folding it requires learning "the trick"... I suspect this is user error. I find lots of strollers hard to collapse.
I LOVE this stroller and recommend it all the time. We have baby #2 on the way now, and have gotten the boogie board for our daughter to ride once the baby comes.
21 of 22 found the following review helpful:
Love the Pram, but not worth the money since you spend more time using the child seat Sep 03, 2010
By Patrick's Mom
This is the first review I have ever written for anything but I really wanted to communicate my experience with this stroller. First, as another reviewer mentioned, when selecting a stroller make sure you read reviews from parents with a couple months/years experience with the product- not expectant moms and dads. I made that mistake. I also went and tested the stroller myself at a store while I was expecting and loved it. It is beautiful, eco-friendly, has a great basket, pretty colors and drives really well.
Now that I have a three month old I realize that this stroller does not fit our needs. It is a shame that I spent all of that money (plus bought attachments and the travel bag) and I am considering selling it. For my review I would like to point out that I live on an island with poor sidewalks, strong sun and high humidity. I am not going to tear the stroller apart, but there are some things I think you should know before buying this stroller.
What I liked: This pram attachment is excellent for an infant. It is flat and this is recommended for a young spine. Plus at that age they are napping so often it is great to have such easy access to a flat surface. We used this to take walks and even around the house. I was also able to navigate it (without my husband) to the beach! There is a great basket under the stroller that will hold a ton of stuff. I loaded it with all of my beach gear including a beach chair and umbrella tucked underneath and the basket worked great. The wheels handled the slightly packed sand very well. (not the super fine sand by the dunes, but please show me a stroller without an engine that would do that!) The tires have been great. I also can navigate stores very well. The turning radius has been a pleasure and I am not worried to go into a china shop with my Uppababy. The pram mattress is soft and firm for an infant and the pram top will come down to get a better look for the baby. I purchased the 2009 model and wish it had more sun protection. I have read the 2010 has an extended sun shield. In my case, I was able to buy a $15 sun shield to tie onto the frame for added protection. There is also a handle on the top of the pram that allows parents to hang a toy or mobile. I did not realize how handy this would be as an expectant mom, but after Patrick arrived, we loved it because he enjoyed looking at the chimes we hung for him. The fabric on the mattress was organic which is nice, but it was very hot for our climate. A standard cotton pillow case fit very nicely over the mattress and was cooler for our son. Overall I have great things to say about the stroller while you are using the pram attachment. The problem is, your baby will only be in this attachment for a couple months. My son was 10 pounds at birth and grew appropriately for his size. Therefore, he outgrew the pram within 10-11 weeks. At this point, I moved him into the attachment for the older child. This is where I started wishing I would have done more research about the Vista. Before I go on, I would like to point out that my attachment was broken and I did not realize it until we started to use it. I called Uppababy and they have been great about getting me a replacement frame for the older child attachment- no questions asked. Excellent customer service!
What I am not so crazy about: The stroller attachment for the older child will be used much longer than the pram, so I should have investigated this more thoroughly. In addition, I planned to buy the rumble seat and use this with my next child, but you can not use the rumble seat and pram together, so for baby #2, I may not even use the pram. This is upsetting because this was my favorite part of this stroller investment. So back to the the stroller attachment... The biggest problem that I did not think about as an expectant mom was that the seat never goes flat. Why is this important? Three reasons.
1.) My son's spine and back muscles are still not strong enough to support him upright at 10 weeks. Even the reclined position it too high for him and he falls over. He looks so uncomfortable. He is too big for the pram and too small for the stroller.
2.) If you are out and need to change a diaper or clothing, it would be very convenient to have a fully reclined chair that you can use to change your baby. The Uppababy does not fully recline because the child's legs are at a 90 degree angle so it is really hard/unsafe to change in the stroller. With the Uppababy I have to take the baby out and find a location to change him- sometimes when you are out and about, this can be a challenge.
3.) One tip I picked up from reading about sleeping babies is to always put their down first when you are transferring them while they are sleeping.(Expectant parents-remember this!) In other words if your child is asleep in your arms and you go to put him/her down, put them down feet first. This prevents them from feeling like they are falling. This is so true with my son, but it is impossible to do this with the Uppababy Vista bc the legs are permanently at a 90 degree angle. With the stroller I can not seem to put him into the stroller without waking him up.
This next points may not be important to everyone, but they were to me. The frame's bars are more of an oval in shape. Living in a hot/humid climate, I am unable to attach a clip on fan and clip on umbrella to the stroller. I know this may not matter to some people, but in the hot weather this was important for me. Also, the stroller does not have anyplace to hang a mobile or toys above the head of the child. That is a shame because the longer I can keep my son entertained, the longer I can be out. There is a bar that goes in front of the child by their hands but I find this bar very hard to open and shut. I am not sure if this is bc it is broken or just poor planning. Finally the colors are beautiful, but the material is very hot and my son literally leaves sweat marks in the stroller. He wakes up very sweaty and unhappy. He is only 3 months and I can not imagine how he will feel when he is older and larger.
Some of these points may not relate to everyone because all parents will have different needs, but the most important thing to remember is how will this stroller treat your child. I think many parents look for strollers when they are expecting and don't think about some of these things bc we are not used to thinking about baby yet! It is important to think about how it will effect the baby. Trust me, if baby is not happy you will not be using the stroller so what good is it then! Don't get too caught up with the great pram but think about the stroller because that is a much longer piece of this investment.
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