Chicco C6 Review - Chicco Capri Review

The Chicco C6 umbrella stroller, also called the Chicco Capri stroller, is a decent, low-priced option if you're looking for a basic, lightweight stroller for older babies and toddlers. It's not a travel system or a full-featured stroller, but for the price, the Chicco C6 stroller can certainly get you where you need to go, and will do that fairly stylishly, too.

The Chicco C6 Capri stroller is lightweight, weighing only 11 lbs, thanks to the aluminum frame. The weight limit for the stroller is 37 lbs. It has a small basket underneath the stroller seat, and like most umbrella strollers, the Chicco C6 Capri has a compact fold that won't take up much trunk space.

The seat reclines, but not all the way flat, so like most umbrella strollers, you'll need to wait until your baby can sit up pretty well before using the Chicco C6. This stroller has a 5-point safety harness, and also features a sunshade that can be removed entirely if you don't need it or want to lighten the stroller even more.

In terms of portability, the Chicco C6 Capri rolls around on eight plastic wheels with front and rear suspension. The front wheels are set to swivel but can be locked into place. When baby isn't in the stroller, the Chicco Capri can be carried over a shoulder with the built-in carry strap. For longer journeys, a travel bag is also included.

For an umbrella-style stroller, the Chicco C6 is pretty full-featured. While the basket is rather small, most basic umbrella strollers don't have a basket at all, so including one is a plus. You can fit a small purse or a diaper clutch in the C6 basket. The sunshade is also a nice inclusion, and it's plenty big to keep baby in the shade most of the time. I like the five-point harness with strap pads, too. With strollers that don't recline fully, the shoulder straps really help prevent babies from slumping forward at nap time.

The steering and suspension put the Chicco C6 stroller above most other budget umbrella strollers, though. This stroller maneuvers easily, and on smooth surfaces can even be steered with one hand. It's no all-terrain stroller, but the Capri gives a smooth ride in the mall and handles reasonably well on rough sidewalks. Baby will feel the big bumps, but the suspension system does help absorb some of the small ones.

The stroller frame is lightweight but sturdy enough to hold the average toddler. The seat space is a bit wider than some other popular umbrella strollers, so if you've ever found yourself complaining that umbrella strollers are too narrow, the Chicco C6 may be a better choice.

The fold mechanism on the Chicco C6 isn't fancy, but it works well enough. You'll need both hands to fold it. Unfolding can be accomplished with one hand, but you'll need to push down on the locking mechanism with your foot, too, before baby gets in. The Capri stroller folds small enough for compact car trunks - the folded dimensions are about 8x10x42.

While this stroller is sturdy enough to handle a 35-lb toddler for the time being, the light aluminum frame doesn't feel like it will hold up to be used by multiple children. For less than $100, that's a sacrifice some are willing to make. The C6 is certainly more durable than a $20 umbrella stroller, but it likely won't make it to the resale pile after a few years of hard use.

The basket is definitely too small for an average-size diaper bag. If you need to carry a lot of supplies with you, plan to cart them over your shoulder.

The two-position recline is nice, but without a full recline this stroller isn't appropriate for babies who can't sit up unassisted, and there's no option to attach an infant car seat.

The handle height doesn't adjust, and tall parents may find that they kick the wheels or axle when walking quickly. I was able to kick the bottom of the stroller when walking at a fairly fast pace, with long strides, and I'm only 5'6".

If you're looking for something beyond a very basic umbrella stroller but don't want to step up a lot in price, weight and features to a full-size stroller, the Chicco C6 Capri is a good choice. It's solidly in the umbrella stroller camp in terms of weight and size, but competes with lower-end standard strollers on features such as the basket, recline, sunshade, suspension and maneuverability. The price is well under most standard strollers at about $70, but that's still quite a bit more than basic umbrella strollers.

Taller parents will want to check this stroller out in person before buying. Since the handle height is fixed, there's no good way to adjust if you find yourself kicking the axles while pushing the C6 stroller. You can find the Chicco C6 or Capri in stock at most Babies R Us stores, so testing it out in person is fairly easy.

If you want a basic travel stroller, the Chicco Capri is a great choice. It's durable enough to handle most city terrain, and the shoulder strap and travel bag make it very easy to tote along with you in the car or when you travel by plane.

If you're hoping to buy one stroller to make it through several children, or you want to resell the stroller when you're done with it, the C6 may not be the best choice. The durability isn't unique to Chicco, however. That's something you'll likely find with any stroller in this price range.