phil&teds Vibe Stroller: I’m feeling it!

I’m totally feeling the phil&teds Vibe Stroller , imported from New Zealand by Regal+Lager. It’s the higher-end version of their very popular inline buggy (which they are now selling the Classic, Sport, Dash and Vibe versions of it). Click here to read my recent review of the Sport. Parents love this inline buggy because it can accommodate from one to two children, with the addition of their doubles kit and still has the footprint of a single stroller.  It can be configured 4 ways (newborn, toddler, toddler/baby and toddler/toddler- the last two ways with phil&teds doubles kit). The number one new feature is that the Vibe folds with the doubles seat on!

Celeb fans of phil&teds are: are Holly Hunter, Mary-Louise Parker, Brooke Shields and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Click Continue Reading for the rest of the phil&teds Vibe review & a free gift with purchase

phil&teds listened to what the parents wanted and made some terrific improvements to their already fabulous inline buggy.

Updated Features:

1) The Vibe Stroller folds with the doubles seat attached. While the fold is a little different with the doubles seat than the regular fold, it is a big improvement. Even installing and removing the doubles seat is easier, due to a new slide and click method of installation. 

2) Generous sun canopy — seems to be around 50% longer. Since my toddler is very fair skinned, I was thrilled about that. You can even tilt it down to keep sun out of little eyes (it’s not attached to the back of the stroller, just the frame). There’s no sun protection for the rider in the toddler double seat mode, but Protect A Bub has a shade specifically for the use with the doubles seat in the toddler mode, called the Back Seat Tandem Sunshade. There is also a UV cover (called the Sunny Days Cover) that will zip on easily to the sunhood to provide even more protection (and you can get a version that will also cover the doubles seat). 

3) The frame is now made of lighter tensile aluminum, instead of steel alloy (which shaves a pound or two off the stroller weight).   

4) The one-touch brake is now on the parent handlebar, instead of the rear axle. Much easier to use. Just push in the little red button to apply to brake. To release, press the black rectangle button.

The Seat
The Vibe, like the other phil&teds’ strollers, comes with a standard 5-point harness. The top straps drape over the shoulders and are connected to the waist straps. The waist clips insert into a clasp, which is in the middle of a padded crotch strap.  Kids will find the seats very cushy due to the included seat pads (available in red or black). I actually would love to sit on these comfy pads!

Adjusting the shoulder harness has to be the coolest type I’ve ever seen, stroller wise.
Simply push up the padded cover, grab the strap and unclip it, then pull the top part out and choose which slot you want to pull it through, and then re-clip. 

The recline system is slightly different from that of a standard stroller. For a flat recline on the regular seat, just unclip the one back strap and pull it to the left side. 

The Frame
The frame is made of a lightweight tensile aluminum that shaves a little weight off of it (and looks really cool). While the Vibe, at 22 lbs, is heavy for a single, it is very light for a double. It was easy to take in and out of my trunk — just make sure the inside of your trunk is clean (I didn’t want to get the beautiful red pads dirty — even though they are easy to clean).

This stroller can be folded two ways, without and with the doubles seat.

To fold without the doubles seat off: 

First, fold handlebar down and make sure front wheel is in swivel mode. Then release fold locks, on each side. Then depress the red safety lock. The Vibe will fold backwards (reverse book fold). You can lock the frame and secure it by closing the fold locks.

To fold with doubles seat on:

Again, fold handlebar down and make sure front wheel is in swivel mode. Release doubles kit spring locks (but do not remove doubles kit).  Pull the fold locks up, then depress the red safety lock. Tilt doubles kit towards the front of the buggy, lift front seat up and slide doubles seat underneath, and then close the fold/safety locks.

The Ride
The suspension is smooth and the push is easy.  When you put the stroller together, make sure the wheel guards are properly installed (the first time we put it together, the wheel guards were not in the right position and I felt a difference in the push).  Once they were installed properly, the Vibe effortlessly glided to the park and back.

We got so many stares at the mall as we strolled in the toddler/baby configuration.  However, there is a lack of storage space when the stroller is in toddler/toddler mode.  Their new Vibe Base Bag will give you some storage for essentials – it fits over the rear axle.  You could also use some pannier bags or take a roomy backpack.  I love that two kids can ride comfortably and since it is a tandem, there will be no problem fitting in store aisles (just be creative about storing your purchases). 

Final Thoughts

Pros
Folds with doubles seat in toddler/toddler mode
Good sun canopy
Doubles seat clicks in and releases easily

Cons
Limited storage once the doubles seat is in the toddler/toddler mode
Heavy if you are using it as a single stroller (but light if you are using it as a double)
Loss of storage basket when using doubles kit

Tip Test (Empty stroller with weighted diaper bag hanging from handlebar)
5lbs: No change — it didn’t tip any easier backwards
10lbs: Stroller started to tip, it couldn’t take more 10lbs

Buy Yours
You can get your Phil&Teds from Barebabies.com.

CBB Deal: Exclusive for CBB Readers: With purchase of phil&teds Sport or Vibe Stroller, get a free J. L. Childress Bottles N Bag (a $19.99 value). Put the stroller and the J. L. Childress Bottles and Bags bag in your cart, then use code: cbbfreejlbnb at checkout. It will take off the $19.99.