Travelling with children can be very stressful, given the management of a stroller. Many parents ask, “Do I need a travel bag for the stroller?” While this may not sound like a farfetched question for some, a stroller travel bag can ease travelling with a stroller and shield it from damage.
What is a Stroller Travel Bag?
A stroller travel bag is designed to allow you to carry your stroller when travelling. These bags are made from durable materials and come in many styles. Some are padded for maximum protection, while others are waterproof to shield the stroller from rain and spills.
Stroller travel bags usually come with handles or straps to ease carrying the stroller through busy airports or train stations. Essentially, there are two broad categories of stroller travel bags:
There are two main types of stroller travel bags:
- Padded bags: These are usually more protective and are recommended if you have an expensive stroller or if the stroller must endure rough handling in transit.
- Unpadded bags: These stroller travel bags are usually lighter and easier to transport but do not offer much protection from minor bumps and scrapes.
A travel bag also helps you keep your stroller clean. The airport conveyor belt and cargo hold might be very dirty, and having the stroller protected in a travel bag will also keep it free from dust or grime.
The Benefits of Using a Stroller Travel Bag
1. Protect Your Stroller from Damage
One of the biggest reasons to use travel bags is their protection. When travelling by air, you can never be sure your stroller will be safe while loaded onto the aeroplane or stowed away in the cargo hold.
A travel bag can protect your stroller against scratches, dents, and even broken parts caused by rough handling. This is especially important if your stroller is expensive.
A high-end stroller can cost hundreds of dollars, so the last thing you want is for it to become damaged on your travels. Even a budget stroller can get some extra protection. Nobody wants to arrive at a vacation destination struggling with a broken stroller that barely works at all.
2. Ease of Transport
Travelling alone with a child can be challenging, especially when carrying luggage, a diaper bag, toys, and something to keep them well-fed between destinations. Adding a stroller to this mix only makes the task more daunting. Why make life any more difficult than it already is? A stroller travel bag makes carrying your stroller safer and more comfortable.
You can attach handles and straps; some travel bags even come with wheels, making it easier to transport your stroller while walking through an airport. Some stroller travel bags can also be worn like a backpack, leaving your hands free to ensure your child doesn’t accidentally wander off or carry something else.
Carrying or rolling your stroller right next to you can be incredibly valuable if you’re going through a crowded airport (or any other crowded area with your luggage).
3. Hassle-Free Airport and Cabin Experience
Travelling to the airport can be difficult. Air industry personnel will likely request that you gate-check your stroller or store it in the cabin to ensure its accessibility. If your pushchair size is cabin-approved, you may be able to bring it on board as long as it can be stored in the overhead compartment. A stroller travel bag makes fitting your stroller into the cabin or gate-checking it hassle-free.
Upon arrival at your airline’s gate, they may check to ensure your stroller meets size requirements. A travel bag will assure them that yours is the right size. Gate-checked strollers are often stored with everything else, from passengers’ cabin carry-ons to actual luggage, in the cargo hold.
The lack of a travel bag can subject your stroller to potential bumps and scruffs, which can mess up the mechanics of an otherwise smooth stroller. Whenever you pack your stroller inside a travel bag, it is neater and smaller by nature, and any airport staff or security personnel you have to work with will appreciate that.
When a Stroller Travel Bag Is a Must
You Have an Expensive Stroller: A travel bag makes sense if you’ve invested in an upscale stroller, as this affords safety against scratches, dents, etc.
Frequent Traveler: If you travel frequently for business purposes along with your little one, your stroller faces wear and tear. A travel bag provides extra assistance to help it get some lifetime by keeping it safe during transit.
Can You Get By Without It?
That said, not every parent will need a travel bag. If your stroller is not expensive, a travel bag might not be worth it. Given that you don’t travel much, it might be better for parents with cheaper strollers to take the gamble of damage.
How to Choose the Right Travel Bag for Your Stroller
Once you have selected that bag, selecting one suitable for your stroller and which deodorizes your travelling needs is vital. The following are some of the major features to look for
1. Size and Compatibility
Not all travel bags can be the same size, so choose the one compatible with your stroller. Some bags are explicitly meant for certain brands or specific stroller models, while others are adjustable to fit various models.
2. Durability and Padding
If the toddler stroller is very special and easily breakable, go for the ones with good padding and soft materials to protect against possible bumps and drops. A less padded, more flexible bag will be okay for light strollers or short trips.
3. Handles, Straps, and Wheels
Look for a bag with comfortable handles, shoulder straps, fully secure backpack-style straps—or even wheels. Any wheeled or travel bag can save you a lot of trouble navigating the airport.
4. Ease of Use
The last thing you want to do is run out of breath while pulling your suitcase, especially if it is not user-friendly. Select a travel bag that is very easy to zip and unzip, especially once you have been ordered to make a mad rush through security checks or boarding arrangements. Quick-fold strollers go hand in hand with user-friendly bags.
5. Weatherproofing
If you are flying to a place where the weather can sometimes get unpredictable, consider investing in a water-resistant travel bag. It will provide a dry car seat for your child, should the one you carry get thrown into nasty weather during transit.
Conclusion
The question becomes: how frequently do you travel, how valuable is the stroller to you, and how much peace of mind do you want while negotiating around an airport or train station?
A stroller travel bag is recommended for parents planning to fly with small children and want peace of mind and protection for their stroller. If you think it will make travelling easier for you in the future, give it a shot!
