Phil and Ted’s showed their revised version of their currently unpopular Smart stroller at the ABC show in Vegas last week. This stroller will the Smart V2. Last year as some of you may recall, they debuted a Smart V2 prototype that we loved!
Well it turns out that they completely revamped it in the past year and it really does not resemble the stroller we saw last year at all. The current version is still an umbrella stroller with 4 wheels but that is about the only resemblance.
The new Smart V2 has a croc-like material seat with a very minor recline that has to be reclined from the front of the seat and is not super easy to do. The canopy is a silky protect-a-bub like material that can be ratched fully foward. For $249 you get the chassis, seat and canopy. The seat can be removed to add a carseat adaptor or bassinet so they say it is “newborn compatible.” Really? If your child actually wants some padding you have to buy the cushy vibe-type padding as an additional accessory.
The stroller is supposed to weight 13 lbs but we weighed it in at at full 17 lbs. Honestly with the lack of recline/cushioning/features for that weight, most parents would be happier with an UPPAbaby G-Luxe, Maclaren Quest, Baby Jogger City Mini or the Peg Perego Si. We can’t see the selling point of this model unless you just want something a bit more unique.
P.S. We removed the photos on this blog entry after a request from Phil and Ted’s which we totally respect. Sorry if you missed them! We also wanted to mention after talking to Phil and Ted’s that this is still a stroller “in the works” and you might see many more changes before it comes out in 2010. We look forward to them!
um, is the seat is “crock like” i’d have to keep it away from the dog! he loves crocks! the seat looks pretty small too.
Thanks for such a frank review of the stroller. It’s good to hear the downsides of a product. I never understand, though, why a stroller that can accomodate a baby with a carry cot would have such minimal recline in the toddler seat- it makes it virtually unusable for the stage inbetween newborn/infant and toddler! Hope they work hard on getting this right before releasing!
I was at ABC show and thought the Smart was outstanding! A real step forward and so different from other compact strollers out there. I absolutely loved the aerocore seat, what an innovation for the industry. This stroller does everything a Maclaren or Bugaboo does (and more) at a great price. Can’t wait to see it in store.
I am confused.. What do you mean by 2010? This is already for sae at least in one NJ store.
This does NOT do everything a Bugaboo does: It is a huge minus that the seat cannot be reversed.
I loved the photos some months ago but the actual stroller looks too much like many of its competitors and, apparetly, the weight is not a selling point, either, as it is vertainly not “feather light.”
Too bad.. Had they stuck to the prototype, I would have bought it. As it is , the bar at the rear as been lowered, which means I would hit it with my legs when walking fast. This, to me, is the biggest change since the prototype.
HI, does anyone know a store selling them yet? PISHPOSHBABY.com says they are but there website is under construction for 2 more weeks. thanks!
I’m not sure how you could think the Smart does everything a Bugaboo does. It doesn’t have a reversible handle or seat and it doesn’t have larger wheels for rougher terrain or a fully reclining seat. As for doing everything a Maclaren does, I guess that depends on which Mac model you are talking about but I wouldn’t totally disagree there.