In partnership with Mockingbird.
I have a confession: when I’m at the zoo, one of my absolute favorite pastimes is to check out all of the strollers. It’s kind of like people-watching, but with a twist. I think you can tell a lot about a parent by the stroller they drive! There are boujee strollers, there are athletic strollers, there are compact umbrella strollers, there are wagon strollers for the whole squad… the list goes on. One stroller in particular caught my eye last zoo trip… the Mockingbird Single-to-Double Stroller ($450). Like every other millennial parent, I quickly began researching the stroller on our search engine of choice: Instagram, of course. What I found on their social media surprised me…
We like
- Super-easy, guided assembly
- Grows with your family to support up to 3 children
- Multiple configuration combinations possible
- Great price point for a luxury stroller
- Huge storage basket underneath for all of the stuff you bring along everyday
- Easy, one-handed fold down process
- 30-day risk-free “test drive” of the stroller
We don't like
- Other parents say their 4-5 year-olds don’t fit well under the canopy (but they love the Riding Board!)
- Second sibling seat is only sold separately
- Some of the packaging could be more sustainable
Meet Mockingbird
Mockingbird isn’t your average baby-gear brand. On a mission to “empower parents by supporting you… and offering well-designed products that provide real value,” it’s clear that the Mockingbird team wants the best for you and your family – and for your wallets, too. Many new parents are subject to serious sticker-shock when shopping for baby gear, especially strollers. Many “luxury” strollers, including the single stroller I first got for our firstborn, are well over $1,000. While I’m a little embarrassed to admit that, I’m certainly not too proud to admit that when it came time for our second kiddo, I was not excited to spend that much again. The team at Mockingbird understands this, which is why they revolutionized the stroller – and the prices of “luxury” strollers, too.
2-in-1, Double the Fun
As I alluded to before, I made a very critical parenting mistake my first time getting a stroller: I did not get a stroller that converts to a double. While I do love that stroller, my second came along much faster than I anticipated, leaving us with no real option other than to get a new stroller that is convertible to support both kids. Even if you don’t think you’re going to have a second kid, take it from me… you’re gonna want a stroller that supports two kids. Even if it’s just for playdates and cousin time, it’s still so unbelievably nice to have when you do need space for two.
The very first thing I noticed about the stroller, aside from the fact it was a double, was that it looked really sharp. With nice leather around the handles, as well as different, tasteful colors on the shades, I really liked the way it looked. When I learned more about it on Instagram, I found that there are actually five different color options for the shade, as well as limited edition color drops, and two options for the leather color and inside canopy patterns. I thought this thing was pretty configurable already, then I learned there are over 19 configuration combinations for you to choose from with Mockingbird’s accessories. From one seat to a Bassinet to even two seats and a Riding Board, the possibilities for your growing family are there.
Every parent knows that another test of a truly “good” product is the assembly. I have assembled high chairs, toys, furniture… you name it… both for reviews and for my personal use… and there have been some items that feel like it’s just not worth the hassle to assemble. The Mockingbird Stroller is NOT one of those items. Assembly was super easy, taking me under 15 minutes start to finish, including unboxing and breaking down the boxes for recycling. I hate reading instructions, but Mockingbird does such a wonderful job providing three different guided options to users for assembly. I chose the most hands-on method using an interactive Facebook messenger chat to assemble. It was clear, full of videos and GIFs to guide me, and went at my pace. When I went to install my second seat a few days later, it was equally as easy to adjust the pieces for the second seat. And… drumroll please… it was all done tool-free!
We like
We don't like
The Neighborhood Stroll Test
I was super excited to take this for a test spin around our neighborhood, so I rounded up my dogs, kids, and husband in our freezing midwestern November weather for a test drive. There’s a difference, you see, between admiring a stroller from a distance and actually using it day-to-day with your kids. When I strapped my son in, I noticed the straps were thicker than other strollers I’d tried. They felt more secure – like he wasn’t going to be able to slip his shoulder out like he’s done so many times before. We also put a ton of stuff in the basket underneath, which holds up to 25 lbs. It is seriously a massive basket – I dare you to try to fill it!
My son is coming up on being 2, and while he’s not big, I can see the complaint I’ve read from other parents that their 4 and 5-year-olds no longer fit in the seat. This isn’t because of a weight limit (each seat is weight-rated for up to 45 lbs), but rather that their kids are too tall and don’t fit well under the canopy. For this, the brand suggests getting a Riding Board for your bigger kiddo to enjoy the stroller, too.
I do also love the fact that the canopy is extendable with UPF 50+, as well as a mesh panel for optional airflow. While it’s not the weather for extra airflow where I’m at right now, I know our 90+ degree days at the zoo come June and July will have me grateful for that feature. Finally, I live in a very urban environment where we don’t have a ton of extra space to store our stroller, so the ability to compact it is also a key feature I needed. The frame can be easily collapsed with one hand (and even your parents will intuitively get how to do it, too). It also locks into place when folded for a compact, sturdy storing position. This latch is big time for the car, especially if you don’t drive a huge SUV or truck!
Luxury – Without the Luxury Price Tag
All things considered, this stroller doesn’t just talk the talk… it walks the walk. Its simplistic design that allows for a multitude of configurations, the accessible price-point, and the style of it make it a true winner in our book. If you’re looking to level up your stroller game for your growing family, look no further than the Mockingbird Single to Double Stroller. Happy strolling, parents.
TREAT YOUR FAMILY TO LUXURY AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE WITH MOCKINGBIRD’S REVOLUTIONARY STROLLER.
