Valco Baby Tri Mode Single All-Terrain Stroller Review

The real story on Valco Baby strollers comes from the moms who use them regularly. Those moms are raving about the Valco Baby Tri Mode single all-terrain stroller, thanks to its durable frame, excellent steering, plentiful storage space, convenience options, ability to add accessories and reasonable weight for a feature-packed stroller. While you should expect to pay upwards of $400 for a Tri Mode single, I have yet to hear from a parent who regretted the price once they had the Tri Mode in their possession.

The Tri Mode is Valco Baby's single all-terrain stroller. It gets its name from the three front wheel position possibilities - swivel for everyday maneuvering, 45-degree swivel if you've got the optional toddler seat attached, and fixed for jogging or rough terrain. You can easily change the wheel position by turning a dial on the footplate.

The seat reclines all the way for newborns and then all the way up for toddlers. The max weight for the stroller is 45 lbs., but if you add the toddler seat the max weight for both is 90 lbs. A newborn head support is included with the Tri Mode single.

Three 12-inch, air-filled tires provide a smooth ride for baby. All three tires are quick-release, so you can remove them easily for storage. A tire pump is included, too.

The Valco Baby Tri Mode single stroller has lots of built-in storage. There's a big basket underneath plus side pockets and a zip-off canopy pocket.

You can make the Valco Baby Tri Mode stroller into a travel system by purchasing a separate infant car seat adapter. Several car seat brands are available. You can also purchase a bassinet to make the stroller into a pram. One of the standout features of the Tri Mode is the ability to add a toddler seat on the front, turning the stroller into a double. The toddler seat is also sold separately.

The durability and excellent steering are the best features of the Valco Baby Tri Mode single. This stroller won't be limping along within a few months of use. It steers easily with one hand on smooth surfaces and handles rougher terrain with ease. The large, air-filled tires and the ability to set the front wheel to a fixed position could even allow you to use the Tri Mode for some jogging.

I didn't have any trouble with kicking the stroller when walking quickly. The handle height adjusts, so most parents should be able to find a comfortable position with the Tri Mode. The foot brake is easy to engage and disengage.

For a feature-packed, all-terrain stroller, it's not terribly heavy. It folds fairly small for a full-size stroller, too, especially with the wheels off, which is easy since all three wheels are quick-release.

The seat reclines all the way (and an infant head support is included), so you can use this stroller from birth. The breathable fabrics should be comfortable for baby year-round. The sunshade is well-designed on the Tri-Mode - it extends pretty far down if you're walking into the sun.

Storage is average. The basket will fit an average diaper bag, but probably not a large one. There are also side pockets on the basket and another zip-off pocket on the canopy for small items.

I like that Valco Baby includes the rain cover and tire pump.

Though you must buy them separately, the ability to add the infant car seat adapter, bassinet, toddler seat, and ride-on platform makes the Valco Baby Tri Mode a really versatile stroller. The accessories snap on and off quickly, too.

You'll need both hands to fold this stroller. It's not a difficult process, but you won't be able to fold the Tri Mode and get it into the trunk while balancing baby and a diaper bag on the other hip.

While it's not the biggest stroller on the market, the Tri Mode is still pretty big when folded, so you'll need plenty of trunk space to hold it. The stroller weight, at 23 lbs, isn't bad for this type of stroller, either, but you'll notice the weight when lifting it into the trunk.

When the Tri Mode seat is reclined all the way, it's hard to get things out of the basket. This is a common problem with strollers, not unique to the Tri Mode, but can be annoying nonetheless. There is a zipper on the basket to help address the problem, but your diaper bag probably won't come out that way.

Adding accessories can get expensive. The Tri Mode starts at about $430 and includes the infant head support, tire pump, rain cover and removable nap bar, which are all great things to include on a stroller in that price range. However, if you want a sun cover ($20), car seat adapter ($40), cup holder ($15), foot muff ($60) or bassinet ($150), you'll need to spend more, and those things add up to a much pricier stroller in a hurry.

You can't use the car seat adapter and the add-on toddler seat at the same time. These accessories use the same attachment points on the Tri Mode stroller.

The Valco Baby Tri Mode single is a great stroller for everyday use. Unless you need a super-compact, super-lightweight stroller, the Tri Mode is versatile enough to adapt to almost anything you need it to do. The air-filled tires and swivel front wheel will handle urban and rural cruising equally as well, and the option to lock the front wheel in 45-degree and fixed positions gives you even more flexibility.

When it comes out of the box, it's appropriate for use from birth through toddlerhood, thanks to the full recline, infant head support and reasonable weight limit. If you want a travel system, and are willing to spend a little more, you can buy a car seat adapter and snap your infant car seat on the top of the Tri Mode, too. The optional infant bassinet is an expensive option at about $150, but allows you to turn the Tri Mode into a pram, as well.

If you think you may need a double stroller in a few years, one big advantage of the Tri Mode is the ability to purchase the toddler seat, which sits on the front of the stroller and turns the Tri Mode into a double stroller with a 90 lb. weight limit for about $80 more.

Urban parents who use public transportation often may prefer a stroller that folds a little faster and weighs a little less. The Tri Mode isn't difficult to fold, but it wouldn't be my first choice if I had to quickly fold a stroller to jump in a taxi, either.

The Valco Baby Tri Mode single is a phenomenal all-terrain stroller, so most parents consider it to be well-worth the price tag, thanks to the durability and ability to customize it to one's lifestyle. The stroller will perform well now and for many years, and, for budget-conscious parents, is likely to hold up well enough to be re-sold or swapped later on.