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Full Featured Umbrella Style Stroller
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The Pliko P3 is Peg Perego's answer for all of us who want the features of a full size travel system with the convenience of an umbrella stroller. Made of durable aluminum, this stroller weighs in at only 16 pounds. Additionally, the one-handed umbrella fold makes it able to stand compactly on its own when folded. It is a little tricky to fold (and even trickier to unfold) the stroller one handed, but with some practice it can be done. Also, when folded part of the tray touches the ground. Once folded even the smallest of us could easily pick it up by the carrying handle and hurl it into the trunk.
This stroller has good maneuverability for its size and weight. It has all-wheel suspension, and wide double-wheeled tires. The front swivel wheels are good for curves and small spaces, while locking them makes taking on rough pavement and grass easier. The plastic wheels don't go over obstacles such as cracks in the sidewalks very well. If you are not careful this can bring your stroller to a jarring halt. One other detail about the wheels is they must be locked in order for the stroller to stand on its own when folded. This can be annoying when you are trying to stand it in the corner of oh say a restaurant, and the whole thing comes crashing to the ground because you forgot to lock the wheels.
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Another wonderful thing about the Pliko P3 is it is designed to be durable and accommodate newborn infants through 45-pound preschoolers. There is a four position recline that lays flat for newborns. The mechanism is very easy to adjust, and can be done in a snap while the child is in the seat. You can also make it into a travel system that is compatible with almost ANY infant car seat. A matching Peg Perego Primo Viaggio car seat will automatically snap into the stroller. For other brands there is an adaptor that uses a strap to extend the seat's harness over the car seat to securely attach it. The strap is quick and easy to use, and you don't have to remove the tray or canopy to use it.
In addition to being car seat adaptable the Pliko P3 has other features usually found only on larger travel systems. First, the handles are ergonomically designed for comfort, and have two adjustable heights. Second, there is a removable child tray/cup holder that is great for on the go snacking. The cup holder is large enough for most bottles and small-bottomed sippy cups. The tray can also detach and swing out from one side making it easer to get a larger baby or toddler out. Third, the canopy is large and removable with a viewing window. When the seat is in the upright position the canopy can completely cover the baby all the way to the snack tray. Although it doesn't cover nearly as much when the seat is in the flat laying position. Lastly the seat fabric is comfy and comes in a variety of attractive colors. It is removable, and washable (all-be-it by
hand, yuck!).
Right about now you are probably wondering why this stroller received only 3.5 stars. Well let's start with the basket. It is medium in size, and can hold quite a bit. The problem is it's designed to be accessible from the front so you can get to things when the baby is laying back. This means that if you want to reach in your diaper bag for your cell phone or a bottle you have to stop and walk all the way around to the front of the stroller. Plus it is difficult to get larger items in and out while fighting with your toddler's legs and feet. There is a large cross bar in the back that makes it near impossible to access from the rear.
Furthermore, accessories such as a rain cover or mosquito net are sold separately for between $35 and $40 each. Today several other stroller companies include these items in the purchase price of the stroller. If you plan on using the seat with an infant you will probably be buying an infant insert. Peg Perego does not make this product, but it will help you and your baby feel more secure. Again, many other companies provide this item. Peg Perego does offer matching diaper bags, matching Primo Viaggio car seats, and a travel bag made specifically for the Pliko P3. A parent cup holder comes with the stroller, but it does not hold anything larger than a soda can. Although, the 2007 model is supposed to have an adjustable parent cup holder that can accommodate larger bottles of water or cups of coffee.
The 5-point "freedom of motion" harness can be another bothersome feature. It is designed to keep older toddlers sitting down while letting them lean out and look around. The shoulder straps attach to the seat back with a flimsy plastic clip. The clip comes off with little movement from your child, and you have to reattach it every time you unfold the stroller. Because the shoulder straps are not permanently attached they get tangled easily. More importantly, babies and young toddlers can be flung forward hitting their face on the snack tray if the stroller suddenly stops.
Moreover, the lightweight design makes it susceptible to tipping backwards. It is tempting to hook things like shopping and diaper bags over the back handles of the stroller. This can tip the stroller even with a larger than average one year old in it. Furthermore, an older heavier toddler can tip it backwards with an all too familiar back arching temper tantrum. Don't misunderstand, the stroller is sturdy, and doesn't tip often. Nonetheless, it is something to watch out for.
Lastly, the stroller is not really equipped for use with both an infant and toddler simultaneously. The toddler footboard is inaccessible when the seat is totally reclined for an infant or when using a car seat. Even when the baby is old enough to sit up the footboard is uncomfortable for both parents and older toddlers. The compact size puts the footboard and the toddler too close to both the handlebars and the seat. There is also no good place for an older toddler to put their hands. The toddler footboard is great for leveraging the stroller up onto a curb or high door jam, but not for actually carrying a child. Allowing a child to stand on the footboard while the stroller is stationary can also cause it to tip.
Overall this is a high-quality stroller that is awesome for either the frequent traveler, or the walking everywhere city mom. At around $300 it is reasonably priced for a stylish European designed stroller (Italian). However, there are cheaper travel systems and umbrella strollers out there. It all really depends on your needs. If you are looking for a heavy-duty travel system or something to use with two children this is probably not the stroller for you. However, if you are looking for a durable and stylish umbrella stroller that has many of the convenience features of a large travel system, the Pilko P3 could be perfect.
Dimensions
Open: 40.5 (H), 35.5 (D), 21 (W)
Folded: 40.5 (H), 15 (D), 12 (W)
Weight 16 pounds
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