Eddie Bauer Trail Hiker 3-Wheel Travel System #Review

As anyone who has either had a baby or has adopted a baby can tell you two of the most important pieces of baby gear to have on your registry are the carseat and the stroller. Of course the carseat is important for obvious reasons, one being that you can’t even leave the hospital without one. The stroller is important because let’s face it, without it you are going to be lugging a baby, a diaper bag, and whatever else around with you all the time, and unless you have some crazy arm muscles you are going to get tired.

Having a travel system that includes both the stroller and a carseat with the base is so convenient, especially when they are tiny. I recently had the opportunity to review the Eddie Bauer Trail Hiker System. This travel system includes one of the 3-wheeled strollers as well as a car seat with the base.

Despite the size of the box being rather intimidating, the stroller was actually pretty easy to put together. My husband who never reads directions was able to put it together pretty quickly and easily.

One of the first things I noticed about this stroller was how easy it is to fold and to reopen. A lot of the 3-wheel or jogging strollers either don’t fold, or when they do they are still pretty bulky. Another great thing is after the stroller is folded, it still stands up on its own. This makes it so much easier when you are loading it and unloading it.

Another thing that makes this stroller a little different than other 3-wheeled strollers or jogging strollers is that it includes both a child’s tray and a parent’s cup holder. I’m not sure if the makers of similar strollers think that the people who buy their product only use them for jogging (thus the lack of tray or cup holder) and overlook those of us who like them for the ease or use, or what.

The child’s tray has a nice deep cup holder which can accommodate a variety of bottles or sippy cups. What is nice though is that the tray can actually unsnap if you are using it in a situation where you don’t need the tray, or perhaps if you are using it for jogging. In addition, the parent tray has two cup holders as well as a covered compartment where you can store your cell phone, car keys, or iPod.

There are three locks on the stroller, one on each wheel and one on the front wheel. The lock on the front wheel can keep it from swiveling back and forth, such as for jogging or on especially rough terrain.

Another nice feature of the stroller is that the seat reclines and is adjustable. You just squeeze the buttons and the bead will slide up and down in order to adjust how much the seat reclines. This is really nice for when little ones want to take a nap while you are out and about. I have to say though, the bead system isn’t my favorite way of adjusting the seat. Although, compared to some of the other systems where you have to hunt for a latch, this isn’t too bad.

I really like the carseat and base that came with this travel system. When you have a little one, having multiple bases for multiple cars can be a lifesaver. Instead of having to reinstall a seat every time you want to take a different car you can instead just buy multiple bases and the carrier latches in. There is also a built in level that ensures that the bases installed correctly. This seat is slightly larger than many of the other seats on the market (4 to 35 lbs. and up to 32″).

The carrier also snaps easily into place on the stroller, so you don’t have to worry about the carrier bouncing out on rougher terrain. The fact that you can easily transfer the carrier from the base to the stroller makes it perfect for sleeping babies!

Probably E’s favorite part about the carseat and stroller is the fact that it has an adjustable canopy on both the seat and the stroller. That way, if the sun is in his eyes while we are in the car, I can just adjust the canopy so that he is shaded. Both canopies also meet in order to completely cover the baby while he or she is in the stroller. This is especially good for very small babies whose skin is susceptible to the sun.

The Eddie Bauer Trail Hiker 3-Wheel Travel System currently retails for $249.99 and is available exclusively at Target. Here are the specifications:

Stroller

• 3-wheel design for superior maneuverability
• Adjustable handle
• Parent assist tray with two cup holders and covered storage
• Child tray with cup holder
• Multi-positional seat recline
• Large storage basket
• 2-section adjustable canopy
• 5-point harness
• One hand fold and stand
• Accommodates children up to 50 pounds

Infant Car Seat:

• Rear-facing: 4 to 35 pounds and up to 32″
• Side impact protection
• Removable infant head support
• Adjustable, stay-in-car base
• QuickClick attaches car seat to stroller with one click
• Easy-to-read level indicator during installation
• LATCH equipped
• Meets or exceeds Federal Safety Standards

Overall, I was impressed with the design and the quality of this travel system. Not only does it look good, but it also rides smoothly. I would definitely recommend this system for anyone who might be expecting a baby, or to give as a baby shower gift!

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