By new contributor Jennifer Babich —
With my last baby being 16 months old now, I was one of the few moms still using the Snap & Go. There are so many amazing new strollers out there, but I stayed loyal to the tried and true “vintage” Snap & Go circa 2009, as long as I could safely fit my daughter into that car seat! The convenience factors outweighed my desire for a stylish stroller, especially with the dreaded “tip factor” of my umbrella stroller that I had experienced with my older kids looming ahead. By “tip factor” I am talking about what happens when said toddler inevitably wants to walk but the diaper bag hanging on the lightweight stroller would cause it to tip without the baby weighing down the stroller.
I recently tested out Skip Hop’s Grab & Go Stroller Saddlebag. This bag attaches to the side of the stroller on the diagonal and holds what you need for your outing without the risk of tipping a stroller even if the baby is not sitting. It’s the storage solution that I have been searching for over the past six years!
Features
- Insulated interior
- Extra exterior mesh zip pocket
- Secure zip top closure
- Easy to attach
- Adjustable non-slip straps fit most strollers
- Machine washable
- BPA-free & phthalate-free
- Size (inches) 16l x 6w x 10h
I was skeptical at first. Would I be able to store enough of my baby’s belongings in there? Would my stroller actually remain upright? Would my daughter’s belongings stay organized without the compartments of a diaper bag? The answers to these are- YES, YES and YES!! I was blown away by how great the Grab & Go Stroller Saddlebag actually worked!
I loaded the bag and I attached it to a Maclaren Quest- one of the lighter strollers that is great for in and out of the car, but not so great for storage. The bag was so easy to attach with secure Velcro closures in two spots. An optional third strap is available to avoid any slippage, but I didn’t need to use it. The bag looked discreet and sleek on the side of my stroller. I loaded the bag with diapers, wipes, snacks, a full sippy cup and a bottle of water, tissues, a small toy as well as my wallet, phone and keys. There was significant weight on the stroller but there was no tipping at all even when my daughter got out of the stroller and pushed it herself!
Our belongings remained organized as there are two zippered compartments. One is a smaller outer mesh compartment with a very wisely placed zipper so I could securely store my phone and keys without worrying about them falling out. The larger compartment also has a zipper as well as three elasticized beverage pockets. This compartment is insulated which is great for those of us transporting a bottle! I was once again pleasantly surprised that the cup did not leak while stored. I thought it would be on a problematic horizontal, but Skip Hop knows parent needs, and when the bag is attached the cups are diagonally placed.
Another great feature is the grab strap. Sometimes we need to park our strollers and go supervise the kids at the park, mall play area or museum. But who wants to start unpacking all of their valuables? The Grab & Go Saddlebag can quickly be removed quickly from the stroller and has an easy to hold strap that comes in very handy in these situations! Maybe a removable shoulder or cross-body strap will be included on the next model?
Overall, I was really happy with Skip Hop’s Grab & Go Stroller Saddlebag. The bag’s features were well thought out and designed. I was able to bring along everything that I needed for my outing without filling up the basket beneath the stroller- an important feature while shopping! My daughter loved that her drink was accessible and helped herself while we were walking. This bag is the answer to a storage problem many of us have – I am not the only one who has had the pleasant experience of pushing a diaper bag in a stroller with a kid walking along side!
Thank you to Skip Hop for sending a sample.
Leave a Reply