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Micralite Toro
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Getting tired of seeing the same old luxury stroller systems every where you go? Do you want a stroller that is new and gives you that snob appeal for owning the newest set of baby wheels that hasn't overpopulated our streets? Then, the Micralite Toro could be the stroller for you!
Micralite, a UK based company that started with its award-winning Micralite Fastfold in 2003, has recently launched its next stroller, the Toro, to the dreamy land of luxury stroller systems.
The Micralite Toro is a luxury stroller system complete with a lightweight chassis, a toddler seat, and a fabulous bassinet. The stroller is available separately if you want to skip the bassinet. With its complete aluminum frame, the Toro weighs in at only 18 1/2 lbs, one of the lightest luxury strollers on the market. (The bassinet is an additional 10 lbs.) It has a unique one-handed fold that is not only fast and easy to do but leaves the stroller standing upright in a compact package when folded making it a great stroller choice for public transportation. The fold is great because unlike other luxury strollers, you don't to remove the seat to fold it. The patented "fastfold action" fold brings the front wheels tight to the frame so it's one of the tightest folds in its class.
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The Toro sports a set of 12-inch air filled tires in back and a wide set of 5 1/2 inches swivel wheels in front. The front swivel wheels have the ability to lock straight and the back tires have a one-step, easy-to-apply braking bar that locks both wheels at the same time. The large rear tires and wide set front tires give the Toro amazing maneuverability. It tackles all different terrain, making playground mulch, grass and gravel no problem! This stroller basically glides along with little effort, turns on a dime and pushes with one hand easily.
Following the trend of other luxury strollers, instead of just the back of the seat reclining, the entire Toro seat reclines back easily keeping its wide "v" shape. There are three recline positions including a completely horizontal position that we would consider a flat recline. The unique recline requires two hands but we love that it is so smooth and easy to do. Unfortunately, the seat doesn't reverse which we would like with our new babies, but as our babies grow, they prefer to look out at the world anyway.
The Toro seat is generously sized and has a weight limit of 40 lbs. For safety, there is a padded, 5-point harness that has two positions to grow with your child. The seat is 12 inches wide and has a seat back to canopy measurement of 22 inches tall, fitting our 3 1/2 year old (40 inch tall) tester comfortably without hitting her head on the canopy. The only problem we see with a taller or older child is that the footrest is short and in order to keep her feet up, she will have to bend her knees at a 90 degree angle. This is a problem only with children that are approaching the top age and weight limit.
There is a large canopy with a flip out sun visor that shades the child sufficiently. There is a small shopping basket underneath the seat that is not only impossible to access from the back of the stroller but is difficult to access from the front of the stroller when the seat is fully upright. The basket will hold many loose baby essentials but barely holds a small diaper bag. We end up hanging our diaper bag on the handles.
The unique u-shaped handlebar makes maneuvering the stroller a breeze but may not be ideal for super tall parents. The handlebar is adjustable but not easily because you have to use a tool (that is included) to loosen two screws to adjust the angle. It's not hard to do and even though our husbands love tools, they prefer a quick button to push to adjust the handle to their preferred height when they are out and about with baby. Also, since the angle of the handlebar is only adjustable, we'd like to see the height adjustable (telescoping handle) for a more comfortable stroll for our taller parents. If you are not much more than average height, this will not be an issue. But if you are tall, you might want to test this stroller out before purchasing, as the height of the handle mixed with a longer stride may cause you to kick the back of the tires.
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There is an included bassinet/carrycot good for up to 20 lbs that gives you that celebrity pram feature. The detachable bassinet is not only beautiful but can be brought into the house for a lovely Moses basket.
In order to change from toddler seat to bassinet option, you have to remove the seat fabric, canopy and bumper bar. Once those pieces are removed, you are left with a frame that has two side attachment pieces for the bassinet to click into. These attachment pieces can also be used with a Maxi Cosi infant car seat to turn your stroller into a travel system. (You can also purchase an additional car seat adapter that works with the Graco Snugride and Safeseat.) The steps to go from toddler seat to bassinet or bassinet to toddler seat can be time consuming but not an issue if you leave it in bassinet mode while your baby is small and then convert it to toddler seat as your child grows.
Keeping in line with other luxury stroller companies, Micralite neglected to give us the cup holders, baby and parent trays we multi-tasking moms long for. Maybe just one holder for our Starbucks is all we ask!
Included accessories include: a matching foot muff, zip-on rain shield, Maxi Cosi car seat adapters, air pump and the removable bumper bar. The bassinet/carrycot comes with the Toro Newborn System or can be purchased separately. Optional accessories sold separately include: Graco Snugride/Safeseat adapter, sun/bug shield, winter warmers, travel bag and colorful seat pads.
The Toro is an amazing, head-turning stroller that in our eyes is really four top-notch strollers in one: newborn stroller, travel system, toddler stroller and all-terrain stroller. With its lightweight frame, bassinet option, compact and amazingly easy fold, this luxury stroller system can be your one and only stroller to take you from newborn through your entire stroller years.
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