This post is sponsored. All opinions are my own.
You may already know and love OXO Tot brand products from their sippy cups to the Sprout highchair, but they’ve recently entered the stroller game, and let me tell you, they’re coming in hot!
My 18-month-old and I recently had the pleasure of cruising in the OXO Tot Cubby+ Stroller and I don’t know who was more excited – her, for the novel pleasure of stuffing Cheddar Bunnies into a fresh, clean canvas, or me, for the absolute delight in finding a dreamy hybrid of my current two-stroller fleet.
At present, I own both a hefty luxury stroller for every day and a super lightweight umbrella stroller for day trips and travel. Straight out of the gate, I find the OXO Tot Cubby+ to provide the best of both rides. It’s solid on its wheels without feeling bulky, it has a simple, streamlined profile with tons of tucked-away little features and it looks like a million bucks with only a $399 price tag. I’m smitten.
The easiest open/close function in the game
Let’s be real, every stroller claims to have the easiest open-and-close feature: “In just seven easy steps, using both arms and both legs and making sure you have a spotter for your toddler so you can give it all the focus you can muster on four hours’ sleep, this stroller closes in a SNAP!” Ha! Yeah right!
I am here to tell you that the OXO Tot Cubby+ has no doubt the simplest, smoothest, sweat-free open/close I have ever seen in the wild. It is an honest to goodness one-handed maneuver. To open, you push a release lock with your thumb and pull up the handle (bonus points for the fact that you can’t possibly do it backwards so you don’t need to worry about opening the stroller into yourself and sporting shin bruises for the rest of your life). To close, pull the small (but totally visible and accessible) release tab and handle in the base of the stroller seat and the whole thing just collapses in a graceful, non-finger-amputating way. So simple!
The cherry on top? Once it’s folded, it stands up straight. On. Its. Own. No need to lean it up against a wall or worry it’s going to roll into traffic while you wrestle anyone into her car seat. Even if you forget to push the brake (guilty!), it will still stay put. OXO, you have answered my prayers.
Hallelujah for extra pockets
And speaking of prayers, next up on my dream stroller wish list would absolutely be some extra pockets to stash keys, phone, wipes, and a snack – the small items you want to take along on a trip to the park without lugging the whole darn Mary Poppins diaper bag.
The OXO Tot Cubby+ is for sure the first stroller I’ve seen that has not one, not two, but three (!) additional built-in pockets located in the canopy and seat back. I like to keep short outings as minimal as possible so this is perhaps my favorite feature of them all. They even went the extra mile of lining the canopy pocket in a bright color so you don’t have to fumble blindly for your black phone in a black pocket. Now that’s attention to detail, people!
Let’s talk about storage
Storage is super important for me too. Even if I’ve managed to ditch the diaper bag, a girl’s gotta have her sand toys for the park and some space to peel off those outer layers when the sandbox action heats up! And then there’s the “let’s stop for milk” plan when you inevitably remember five or six other items you need and there’s a box of cookies you totally don’t need but your toddler already ripped the box top off so now you have to buy it anyway and hide it from her and then end up eating them yourself instead of dinner after she goes to bed.
But I digress. The OXO Tot Cubby+ storage basket situation is pretty perfect. It’s not incredibly deep, so those with diaper bags resembling a small duffel might have trouble stuffing everything under there, but there is ample room for the aforementioned sand toys and grocery pit stop. An additional cool function, which I’ve never actually seen before, is a fold-out component to the basket, which adds a little extra room and easier access under the seat. When folded in, it provides extra security for loose items in the basket when walking over bumpy terrain.
Seat recline
In terms of the seat function, the recline mechanism in the OXO Tot Cubby+ is a strap as opposed to the common click-lock position, which I see as both a positive and a negative – the positive being that you can recline to any position (you aren’t limited to a few standard positions), but I did find it a bit tricky to slide the strap while my toddler was seated in the stroller.
Reclining back fully wasn’t such an issue, but tightening it back up to a seated position was not easy without cooperation from her, and we all know the (very true) stereotype about toddlers and cooperation! This was the only function where the hefty luxury brand has this stroller beat, as I did have to crouch down and put a little effort in. Not a deal-breaker whatsoever, but worth a mention as I found this to be a function more similar to a travel/umbrella-stroller design.
Other notable details
Didn’t I mention that this stroller was packed with delightful little features? The foot brake definitely gets honorable mention for being both easily-accessible and sandal-friendly. The open/close functions click audibly so you know if it’s open or locked properly (love that!).
The chest straps and buckles are super simple and straightforward to adjust, as is the cinch harness feature – one strap between the legs that you can pull to tighten the chest harness evenly. It’s a common feature for car seats, but I’ve never actually seen it done on a stroller. So smart and simple!
The stroller’s canopy comes with both an extension for really sunny days and a peek-a-boo window to check on your kiddo. The chest straps and buckles are super simple and straightforward to adjust, as is the single-pull tightening feature – no need for an engineering degree here!
Overall, I would absolutely recommend the OXO Tot Cubby+ Stroller for anyone searching for either the luxury look at an affordable price (yes!) or a size/function hybrid between a hefty everyday stroller and lightweight travel stroller (yes!). This beauty pulls double duty at an incredible price and the good people at OXO have obviously thought through and delivered on numerous details any parent would appreciate.
Win your own OXO Tot Cubby+ Stroller
One reader will win an OXO Tot Cubby+ Stroller of their own! Please use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. You must be at least 18-years-old to enter and win. The winning entry will be verified and contacted via email. Winner has 48 hours to respond. Please allow 6-8 weeks for prize delivery. US only.
What features are highest on your dream stroller wish list?
OXO is dedicated to providing innovative consumer products that make everyday living easier. At OXO Tot, everything we make – from our Sprout™ Chair to our Sippy Cups, is tested (and retested) – in real homes with real parents and children – including our own! Our thoughtful, “question everything” process and relentless attention to detail uncover the best solutions to help parents guide, nurture and care for their little ones. Learn more at www.oxo.com/tot.
This post is sponsored by OXO Tot in partnership with BabyCenter.
