Discovering the Metro Compact City Stroller by Ergobaby, a super light and very compact stroller for babies 12 months and older
When our daughter became more mobile with her crawling and initial clumsy cruising and walking attempts, it came with a change in our needs with regards to her stroller. While beforehand the only focus had been on her sitting comfortably, having great suspension, with the capacity for the back rest to recline all the way down to a laying position, our lifestyle changed and we went on more trips that involved the car to discover more parks, I took public transport more often to go to parent-kid cafés on rainy days and I also took more trips to visit people who live in other cities. In short, a lighter, more travel-friendly solution was needed without having to compromise on the comfort of my child. Then, I got the chance to do a product review of the Metro Compact City Stroller by Ergobaby and immediately fell in love.
Click here to check out the stroller on the Ergobaby website.
This stroller weighs only 14 lbs./6.3 kg. This allows you to effortlessly lift the Metro Compact City Stroller by Ergobaby into car trunks, upstairs/downstairs and literally anywhere else you may need to go. This was a great plus for me, as I live in a city and use the subway often. Whereas I used to feel kind of trapped when the elevators were out of service and didn’t feel comfortable balancing a bulky stroller on an escalator, it was very liberating to have such a lightweight stroller by my side that I am able to carry upstairs with my daughter in it without having to rely on someone else’s help, which may or may not be available.
It folds to be extremely compact and actually fits into the overhead compartment on airplanes. Or, the much more common everyday situation: you can take this stroller into a café or are able to place it in the wardrobe area of a restaurant without it intruding on anybody (yeah!). That’s great news for anyone who ever had to leave their stroller outside a venue while it was raining. The Metro Compact City Stroller by Ergobaby really squeezes into the tiniest spaces. So, if you have to store your stroller in your home or are visiting friends or family and want to avoid blocking their entire hallway with a bulky stroller, this is a great solution.
It comes with an integrated handle that enables you to carry it like a bag and to do so with ease. So, if you are ever faced with the situation of having to carry your child in one arm and the stroller in the other, the Metro Compact City Stroller by Ergobaby is perfect for that. That’s actually one of the features I quickly learned to love about this one, as our daughter is a hyperactive ball of energy who will wiggle relentlessly when you pick her up until she is back on the ground and can resume all those very important exploration tasks she seems to have on her never-ending to-do list.
Now, I hear there are babies and toddlers that have the patience to stand or sit next to their mom while they unfold the stroller without giving in to their great curiosity and instantly taking off. My daughter is NOT one of them. The second her tiny feet touch a solid surface, she is on the move. There is just too much to see, to discover, to touch, to ever stand still and wait. Normally, you will need both of your hands to fold or unfold a stroller of any style. Not so with the Ergobaby. You can hold your energetic child in on hand and fold the stroller with the other. Game changer!
If you are in the market for a compact, light stroller like this, you will soon discover that most of them make you compromise in terms of how adjustable they are. The Ergobaby doesn’t. The back reclines all the way down into a full horizontal position and the leg rest adjusts as well. We got the stroller when my daughter was 10 months-old and would instantly fall asleep after we walked home from a parent-kid-café or a mommy meet-up. Therefore, being able to lower her from a seated to a comfortable sleeping position was very important to me in order to allow her to have her much needed down time.
This brings me to the multi-zone padding of the stroller. Again, you will be very pleasantly surprised by the cushioning this one offers. I would say though that while the suspension is certainly better than with other comparable products, it is still less than with larger, bulkier strollers, so you will definitely have to compromise here. Again though, if you compare it with strollers in the same category, it is definitely superior. This is why I would recommend using this stroller from month 12 onwards and not as your very first buggy/seated stroller when your baby is around 6 months old (even though Ergobaby advertises it as such), as it would put too much pressure on the back at that age. It is probably also not the right choice to take on uninterrupted, multi-hour walks. Though I have to yet meet a one year-old anyways who patiently sits in the stroller for several hours without getting itchy feet. Since my daughter turned one, I have almost exclusively relied on the Metro Compact City Stroller by Ergobaby and have not once regretted it.
I know, so far it sounds like I am wearing my rose-colored love glasses. There are, however, also a few downsides that I would like to mention. The biggest one is probably the buckle system. Ours broke twice, both times at the exact same spot, around the button you need to push to open the harness. Customer support luckily replaced it both times and were really helpful. Apparently, we weren’t the only ones with this challenge, as I was told they were updating the buckle system.
Strollers in that weight category are typically not suitable for silently sneaking up on people. So, if you wanted to integrate that into your secret second job as a spy, forget about it, as the wheels are a bit noisy when you push the stroller. However, since that seems to be the case with all strollers in this weight category, I wouldn’t hold it against Ergobaby, simply because it is by far superior to other lightweights in terms of its compact size when folded and its comparatively great back support.
The storage basket is roomy in theory, but in reality it is a little challenging to stuff any larger item underneath it. So, I had to compromise in terms of my ability to use it for going to the grocery store and storing all the shopping underneath the seat. The stroller makes up for it with a back pocket with a zipper, which allows you to store your diaper changing kit or water and snacks.
This is also not the right stroller if you live in snowy Alaska, as snow gets easily stuck between the wheels and in the wheel suspension system.
Pros of the Metro Compact City Stroller by Ergobaby
- Lightweight (14 lbs/6.3 kg)
- Ultra-compact size
- High maneuverability
- Fold and unfold with one hand
- Full recline and adjustable leg rest
- Surprisingly ergonomic and back-friendly (multi-zone padding)
- Large sun canopy
- Back pocket with zipper
- Backpack for the stroller for traveling or storage
Cons of Metro Compact City Stroller by Ergobaby
- Buckle system
- Suspension in comparison to larger, bulkier strollers (hence I wouldn’t use it before the child is at least 12 months-old)
- Wheel noise (though on par with strollers of that style by other brands)
- Small storage basket
- The wheels could be thicker and more robust
Stroller product review summary
This is a great product if you are in the market for a stroller buggy that is light and compact enough to lift in and out of your car with ease, travel with (by train, plane or car) and if you need to carry the stroller upstairs. I would, however, only recommend it from age 12 months onwards due to the suspension. All of the cons I listed are more or less typical for strollers of that style; however, they are mostly cons compared with larger, bulkier strollers. Compared to other lightweight, compact strollers, the Ergobaby Metro Compact City Stroller is definitely the primus inter pares amongst all of them and my absolute favorite.
If you are currently pregnant and searching for your first stroller, click here for my stroller checklist on how to find the best solution for your family and here on tips for getting mobile.
Disclaimer: The product was provided for free for review.