Chicco Cortina Travel System

"After a lot of research and debating, my husband and I FINALLY decided to go with this system. There were a few things that won us over. 1) We really liked that the car seat locks into the stroller and you don't need to strap it in like you do with other brands. It seemed safer and it's definitely easier, especially when you are in a hurry. We also don't have to worry about the straps wearing/stretching out. 2) The seat in the stroller lays completely flat and the foot rest flips up and locks into place almost making a bassinet type thing for younger babies. 3) The tray on the stroller comes completely off and it has a tray on top that pops off for easy cleaning. 4) The stroller is super easy to fold and open. 5) You can adjust the hight of the handle on the stroller. The one problem we have with it is the material on the car seat makes our son sweat which of course makes him uncomfortable and usually leads to crying. To me that is a pretty big con and that is why I gave it 3 stars. I think if the material was more comfortable I would give it 5 stars. I can't remember if the stroller has the same material (it isn't here) but our son enjoys it. Our son is almost 6 months old and we just got a new car seat for him last night because he is outgrowing this one, but we plan on using the stroller for a long time."

"I love this travel system even though I'm a first time parent with no other stroller use to compare to. I got the Chicco Cortina for two main reasons: Safety and ease of use. I did do a lot of research before buying this travel system. My decision was solely based on research alone. The car seat is rated #1 on Consumer Reports(well not sure if that has changed since Feb. '08). I do find the car seat to be a bit heavy but I prefer the safety aspect over anything else. I have never used the car seat on a shopping cart...it is just NOT SAFE! Shopping carts are not designed to accommodate car seats! I don't care how many people that I see doing it. A plus for premies or small babies: the car seat has removable padding under tush and behind the head. The extra padding can be taken out when the baby is big enough to use the car seat alone. Not sure why someone stated that the car seat didn't click into the stroller because mine does! FYI, the stroller has to be fully reclined to do so otherwise it won't click in. I do not have to line it up with any clips as suggested in previous rating...I can do it with my eyes closed.



The entire system is very easy to clean which I attribute to the fabric used...even the shoulder pads on the car seat are easy to clean. They may not come off to put in the wash but do come clean easily when lightly scrubbing with a wet cloth. The shoulder pads on the stroller come off and I wish they didn't b/c one of mine went missing!



I don't find the stroller difficult to stow being that I have an SUV. Sure, it's bigger than an umbrella stroller but you know that when you are buying it so I don't know why people complain about this. If you want or need a smaller stroller just get a smaller stroller. You can see them on display in the store to make comparisons with.



I also haven't had any problems with the maneuverability of the stroller...everything works as it's supposed to. I haven't had any denting problems with the wheels and they have been used on the pavement which is bumpy where I live. Replacement wheels are available directly from Chicco for $5 (not sure if that was a quote for a set or individuals as I didn't have to purchase them yet).



The stoller canopy can be moved as a whole piece, front to back, not just a retractable sun shade that covers the top portion of the stroller. For those that say this doesn't provide enough shade, get out your manuals and read them!



The storage basket is roomy and I have had no problems getting to it even when the stroller is fully reclined. Yes, it is a smaller opening but I'm not putting gigantic items in there either. I use it for small toys, a receiving blanket, bug net, a book or magazine, small purse, etc....all of which I have no problem retrieving at anytime. As for storing bulky, over packed diaper bags well get one with a long flexible strap that will fit across the handle bar. I never have to bend down to reach into the storage basket by doing it this way! And no, there is no room for a box of diapers in this basket...that's just silly! It's a stroller not a shopping cart! I amazes me that people want bigger everything but them complain that it's too bulky to store to too heavy to push/carry!



I love that the handle adjusts, the stroller is easy to collapse, the car seat just clicks into the base, the shade canopy has many positions, the basket is roomy, the ride is a smooth one (no it's not like having the inflatable tires if you are using on pavement) and probably more that I'm forgetting.



What I don't like too much is that the shade canopy and storage compartment lid (at top of stroller) make loud clicking noises when opening or closing. So if you have a sleeping baby they can be woken up as I have experienced. I have just learned to work around those faults the best I can.



I also have noticed that the fabric doesn't breath so well and that my son can get a little sweaty but only during really hot weather on strolls outside. With the air on in the car we have had no problems. I don't leave the car seat in the car alone either so that it gets scolding hot during the summer. My son usually falls asleep in the car and when it's time to take him out of the car we take the car seat and all so we don't wake him. If I'm going inside someone's house then I take the car seat in as well. I haven't found myself in a situation where I wanted to take the stroller but not the car seat during the summer months. If it's that hot outside then chances are that the baby shouldn't be outside either...at least that is what our pediatrician recommended. So I don't take the baby out in unpleasure conditions. For those reporting overly sweaty and uncomforatable children, considering the weight limit on the car seat I would say that your child is too young to be out in sauna like weather! But don't quote me...ask your doctor!



I believe that no one will every find the absolute perfect stroller unless they can afford a small fortune...however, even then I don't know if those more expensive strollers are worth the money. I read people complain about those too. Overall, as individuals we all have different likes and dislikes, different needs and wants in a stroller and it just comes down to what flaws (that you consider a flaw) you can live with! The biggest problem that people who complain seem to have is that they are buying a stroller for looks or based on another persons recommendation without doing the reasearch."

"Received this travel system (off registry) for baby shower and have used it since day one!



What I love:

-The colors..very gender neutral!

-Totally user friendly!..it's SO easy snapping the car seat in & out from the base in the car to the stroller!

-The stroller seat reclines all the way back to easily accommodate a sleeping baby

-The straps in the car seat are adjustable as well as the stroller handle bar

-The stroller ride is very smooth..my fiance brags it's the "Cadillac of strollers"

-Safe, solid, quality made product!



What I don't love:

-The fabric in the car seat/ stroller make my son sweat really bad!

-When using the car seat in the stroller (or the seat in the stroller is reclined all the way back) there is very little room to access the storage basket, defeating it's purpose. >>My suggestion buying a diaper bag you can hang over the handle bars

-The visor/ umbrella on both the car seat & stroller are not as adjustable as i'd wish

-Does not fit into the front of a shopping car as most other car seats seem to

-Although expected, the stroller is bulky..so compact cars be extra careful when loading it in & out to not scratch/ ding it up

-Lastly, I wish the car seat held more weight as my son is on the larger side..he's almost outgrown it and is not even 6 months old



Every product has it's pros & cons...overall I WOULD recommend.

Hope this helps!"

"We absolutely love this travel system!!! And we love that it is super safe for our little boy!!



We didn't have this purchased when we brought our son home from the hospital, but quickly went out to get it soon after! We had a Graco car seat given to us by a friend, but our son didn't seem as comfortable in it. The first time we put our son in this car seat, he looked super comfy! He fell right to sleep :) The fabric is great and easy to clean. The only complaint about the fabric is that our son sweats especially when he's sleeping...wish it was more breathable. The straps are really enjoy to adjust as he grows!



Also, the stroller is great!! It turns on a dime! My sister has an Evenflo travel system that cost them around $170. She thought we were crazy for putting this much into one, but once she pushed our stroller through a store, she was super jealous! She now says that she would definitely put the extra money into a Chicco system if she had it to do over. She tells everyone in the family that she wishes she would have bought this system. The only complaint I have about the stroller is that I wish the straps were more like the straps on the car seat.



Chicco makes a KeyFit 30 too! Our son is 7 1/2 months old and is going to have to move up to a convertible seat soon...I only wish Chicco made one of those :/ I sort of wish he could stay in his Chicco seat longer, but honestly it gets super heavy once they reach 20 pounds. So we aren't really using the carrier much now, but it's great to use when they are younger!"

"I absolutely love the stroller and infant seat!



The infant seat is a little heaver than others but I feel that the positives outweigh the negatives! It's so easy to click into the base! The handle can be used in an upright position while driving. Which is really nice due to the fact that my husband is so tall that just the little extra room from the handle not being down lets him move the seat further back than if the handle was down. The handle is SO easy to change positions too! I am a nanny and have used the Graco infant seat with some of my charges and actually have a difficult time changing the position of the handle!



My little one started crying every time I put him in the seat. I solved that problem by changing the strap heights.



True you can't put the seat on the top of a shopping cart but since it's advised never to put the seat there I wouldn't do it anyway! I put the seat in the cart itself and it actually rocks my little one to sleep!!



The stroller is great too! It is so easy to fold and put in my Honda Pilot. Yes, it's a little heavy but how easy it is to maneuver and fold once again outweighs the one negative thing I have to say about it. As for it taking up room in the back I really don't have a problem. I just lay it on its side and that frees up a lot of space. The one thing that I have found out though is that you need to empty any items in the basket before folding or else the contents in the basket will spill out onto the ground.



I love it and plan on using the system for as long as possible!"

"I really love this product. We have it in the "explorer" color. My son loves it as well, he's a big boy and is still very comfortable in it. (he's 9 months, 20 lbs and 28") Unfortunately we will soon have to move him to a convertible car seat as he is getting too big. But we will continue to use the stroller.



Car Seat Pros:

- Safe (really great ratings)

- Easy to get him in and out of and easy to get in and out of the car

- the strap (5 pt harness) can be loosened and tightened making it super easy to adjust and get him out.



Car Seat Cons:

- when placed in the stroller you really can't get to the basket. The seat back of the stroller has to be all the way down for the car seat to latch correctly.

- it's pretty heavy, granted I have a 20lb kid in there, but still it can get heavy to lug around.

- it doesn't sit conveniently in the front of a grocery cart. The only way I feel safe putting the car seat in the stroller is if it's in the main basket. Not so good if you have a long grocery list. This could be because it's not considered all that safe to place a car seat in the "seat" position of the cart - they may have done this on purpose.

- I love that the handle has 3 locking positions but I would like to see it only require one hand to change the position. You need 2 hands - one on each side of the handle to move it up or down - again this may be a safety issue.



Stroller Pros:

- VERY easy to open/close

- the wheels are really smooth and have never gotten stuck (which would make it difficult to push)

- ADJUSTABLE HANDLE!!!! this is a huge one for us because my husband is tall (6'3") it makes it so comfortable for anyone - short or tall - to use.

- cup holders/compartments - for both baby and adult are great - baby has a removable tray for easy clean up and easy in and out.



Stroller Cons:

- basket. if you're using it with out the car seat it's no problem but like I said before it's hard to get to with the car seat in it. (What I did to combat this problem was to put the diaper bag in before I put the car seat it. then I left the zipper of the bag open and facing out, this way I could reach into the bag without having to take the bag out of the basket.)

- the wheel tread seems to have worn down - but I've put A LOT of miles on my stroller.



It may seem like i have a lot of negative comments here but I truly love this stroller/car seat combo! My mom calls it the Cadillac. It's extremely safe and my baby has always been comfortable, so that's all that really matters to me!



Happy Shopping!"

"I had a Chicco carseat with my first son and sadly got rid of it after he outgrew it. Well, when we discovered we were having another baby boy, my first choice was Chicco again. These carseats are wonderful, SAFE, and very easy to use! When I saw the new Luna print, I knew that I had to have it. It is so much more beautiful in person. I was excited to see that when I bought this last week that they also have the playard and highchair in this print as well. Not sure why they don't have it on the website yet but it is available in our local Babies-R-Us. It is perfect because it's not a bright bold babyish print like most strollers have on them. This is very neutral and just a classic print.



Overall, I am so happy with this travel system. And YES, if you are trying to decide if it is worth the price...It is absolutely worth it because these strollers last FOREVER!! I still have my Chicco stroller from my first son as well and we bought it over 3 years ago!"

"I love this travel system. I used the stroller almost everyday. It opens and closes so easily and I can manuver it with one hand. The stroller fits in the trunk of my Jetta with some room to spare. I love the clicking locks. I hear the clicks and I know that my baby is safely in the car or stroller. The harness on the car seat is very easy to open and close and the pull cord for tightening the straps is easy to pull and release. This product would have recieved 5 stars if the harness in the stroller fit my baby better."

"I absolutely love this travel system. I have it in a different color (grey/lime green), what impressed me the most is it's ease of use. 1.Installing the car seat base is a breeze, whether you have a LATCH, or use a seat belt. It's the only car seat I have and move it from car-to-car almost every day. 2.Opening/closing the stroller with one hand, well,you need a leg too; but it's still is pretty easy. 3.It rides smoothly almost everywhere, and the baby seems to be comfy. 4.I've traveled with it on planes 3 times already and had great trips. 5.My baby was only 6lb and he was very secure in it from the beginning. He's 7months now and he'll be OK for a little longer.



Only a few things I don't like: 1.The fabric get hot (I live in FL), not burning hot, but uncomfortable. I cover it with a blanket when I leave the car and it helps, but it's the main reason why I don't give it 5 stars. 2.When the carrier is in the stroller you have to recline the seat all the way, making the basket hard to access. 3.The carrier is a little heavy, especially with a 20lb baby in it (we'll be buying a new car seat soon). 4.The website claims it can go on sand; not really, I had to push with all my might to get it to move. Not taking it to the beach again!



Overall, the things I don't like are minor, I still love it and would reccommend it to everyone!"

"This stroller is wonderful. I didn't realize how wonderful it was until we took a trip to Texas and the airlines lost our stroller! Since we were without a stroller we had to go shopping for one again. When I was testing all the strollers again I realized what a gem we had with Chicco. The sunshade is perfect. It has a viewing window, which I think is a must to watch my little man. It is large enough to cover him when I go walking at sunset so the sun doesn't get in his eyes, and it is retractable to cover him at any angle. The under area storage basket is HUGE! It will hold many, many, many shopping bags! (which is a plus for us girls!) The parent's tray is great because it holds my water bottle/coffee/whatever plus there is a little compartment that I always put my keys and cell phone in for easy access. My diaper bag fits well on the stroller handles and never tips over! The seat reclining mechanism is perfect! It easily reclines or sits back up (and it reclines completely flat for his naps or a quick diaper change on the go!). It is a lot easier to use compared to that "cinch and pull system" of other brands. The car seat snaps in the stroller with one click, and one click into the car. The only complaint is to raise or lower the handle bar for the car seat you have to push both sides of the handle bar buttons in, so if i'm holding my baby it is a little tricky! But it's probably for safety reasons. And sometimes the "one touch closing system" gets a little sticky and takes a couple tries. I spent long hours researching on the internet and testing out strollers in the stores. This one does not dissapoint. It looks beautiful and is a wonderful buy!



If you are wondering, we bought another Chicco but the Trevi this time, since my son is old enough now where we don't need to use the travel system. But Chicco is still the brand for us!



My picture doesn't really show the stroller...but isn't he cute??"