The Doona Stroller may be proof you can have kids in NYC without losing your mind
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When a new celebrity baby is born, it feels like the whole world is eagerly waiting for that first heart-melting photo to drop on their Instagram feeds. As a shopping writer and toddler-mom living in New York City, I am also clutching the edge of my seat — but not to see their squishy cheeks or find out whose name is stirring controversy.
I'm waiting impatiently to see which stroller the mega-famous parents select for their young brood. Will it be a stylish Nuna? More practical UPPAbaby? A spacious Bugaboo for the two-under-twos? Or perhaps, the cult-favorite among urban parents — The Doona Stroller.
To the child-free, this probably sounds like a bunch of gibberish baby talk, and it is. But choosing the brand and model of the stroller is still an incredibly important decision, especially when you're living in a place as heavily trafficked as New York City. You're selecting the vehicle to transport your child through sweeping crowds, subway stairs, and cracked sidewalks. It's not easy.
Which is exactly why, when I saw Hailey Bieber, Kourtney Kardashian, and Jennifer Lawrence pushing their new bundles of joy around in a Doona, I was not surprised at all. Given its compact, foldable design, adjustable handlebar, and unique dual-function as a carriage and carseat, the Doona is the ultimate city companion and should be treated as such.
The Doona is also the reason why normal New Yorkers, like Commerce Partnerships Manager Frank Massaro, can use public transportation to get their newborns around the city. And, it's also why celebrities, like Bieber, Kardashian, and Lawrence, can quickly maneuver their babies in and out of Escalades without giving papparazzi a glimpse of their precious newborns.
So yes, the Doona has distinguished itself as one of the sleekest and most travel-friendly strollers on the market. But, it's greatest selling point? It makes parenting in New York City feel a little less impossible.
Amazon
Pros: Developed by medical experts to ensure an appropriate level of support for infants
Highly durable, made with premium-grade fiber-reinforced polymers and rust-free aluminum
Transitions from a stroller to a car seat in seconds — simple to strap into a car, too
Ideal size for navigating tight spaces and folds for easy storage
Cons: Best for infants and toddlers (weight limit at 35 pounds, height limit at 32 inches)
Lacks some storage space that larger strollers offer
Touted as the world's first complete and fully integrated travel system, the Doona allows parents to move from car seat to stroller in seconds. It's made with premium-grade fiber-reinforced polymers, rust-free aluminum, and a UPF 50+ sun protection and water-repellant canopy — durable enough to withstand years of parenting, and more than a few road bumps.
Size-wise, the Doona is best suited for newborns and babies. The seat was developed by safety and medical experts to support infants in their early months, offering side-impact protection and a near-flat ergonomic position with energy-absorbing materials, so your little one is properly cushioned at all times.
Dimensions: 39 x 17 x 32 inches | Height limit: Up to 32 inches | Doona Car Seat Stroller Weight limit: 4-35 pounds | Special features: Foldable, convertible, UPF 50+ sun protection, water-repellant canopy
Our Doona Stroller Review
For frequent travelers, the Doona is second to none. Considering how the stroller has set itself apart from so many competitors, we decided to give it a test run firsthand and find out what it was all about.
Frank Massaro sitting next to his baby, riding in the Doona travel system.
New York Post Composite
The Post Wanted team's Frank Massaro has been zipping his son around the city in the Doona for the last few weeks. Massaro isn't new to New York City, but he is new to fatherhood. He and his wife welcomed their first baby this Spring.
They understood that raising a baby in the big city would not be without its challenges. However, Massaro admits that he underestimated how difficult transportation and commuting would be with an extra 8 pounds on board.
'My wife and I love our Minu Uppababy 2 stroller/bassinet attachment. Like I mentioned in our stroller roundup, I love the flexibility, storage, and convenience the Uppababy affords us, and I can say it is a fantastic all-around stroller,' he shared.
It wasn't until he was tasked to test out the Doona Travel Stroller that he could see just how optimized a stroller could be for city-living.
Ease of Set-up
Right out of the box, Massaro was able to figure out how to expand the stroller and play around with all points of articulation. The stroller felt intuitive, very sturdy, compact, and did not take up much of a footprint in his home — another big draw for apartment-dwellers.
'With a quick browse through the manual, and about 15 minutes, I had the Doona fully set up in stroller mode with storage attached and felt comfortable with collapsing the stroller into the car seat mode,' he noted.
According to Massaro, going from stroller to car seat mode and back is one of the 'coolest' feelings you will have with any baby product — it will save you time, energy, and frustration. He explained that the seamless transitions are what Doona does best, and what he believes the company envisioned for its parents.
'This past MDW, I took a trip out to Long Island and traversed the subway, Long Island Railroad, and had a car seat, all in one product. That is some final boss level commuting, and the Doona handled it like a pro,' he said.
Maneuverability
Frank Massaro's baby in the Doona, navigating Times Square.
Frank Massaro
The Doona is said to handle turning and speed very well. To put this to the test, Massaro took his baby and the Doona through the ultimate challenge — going through Times Square.
'I was able to weave through and navigate the endless waves of tourists almost as easily as if I were solo. Because the Doona is small and compact, you can really feel like the stroller is a small extension of you, and as a result, have an incredible amount of control over it,' he shared.
The one knock he has against the Doona is that, due to the smaller frame, it can feel like its shock absorption is a bit lacking compared to other, bigger strollers.
'My kid has woken up because I failed to see a small pothole, and the sudden bump is something I could tell he felt in his dreams,' he explained. 'Conversely, though, I have gone over rougher terrains like gravel, and he isn't bothered despite bumping around, looking like he is escaping the temple of doom.'
Safety Features
Frank Massaro's baby riding in the Doona carseat.
Frank Massaro
Since the Doona is a convertible stroller, it has the tough task of needing to adhere to the safety guidelines for hybrid functionality. According to the brand, it's been tested to meet the strictest U.S and EU standards for car seats, strollers, and hand-held carriers.
How to Convert the Doona Stroller to A Car Seat
'As someone who does not have a car in the city, I was struggling to see just how safe the car seat could be, given that I wouldn't be lugging a latch base with me. To my surprise, when the time finally came to utilize the carseat mode, the Doona felt very secure and rigid in place,' Massaro said.
He was pleasantly surprised at just how easy it was to loop the seatbelt around the carseat, and said that he would feel confident being in the middle of rush hour, hailing a cab, and locking the car seat into place, all without disrupting the flow of traffic.
Have there been changes or improvements to the current Doona versus older models?
A close-up of the Doona x Vashtie Limited Edition print.
Frank Massaro
The only change that has been made to the Doona Travel System is the fabric, which is frequently updated to give each stroller a unique feel and look. Currently, the Doona is offered in eight colorways, as well as one limited-edition print with handwritten details designed by Vashtie.
How it Compares to Competitors
A close-up of the Doona wheels.
Frank Massaro
It may not have the storage capacity and legroom of the Nuna or Bugaboo, but if you're goal is to get around the city fast and easy, it's a clear winner in the category.
The Doona is compact and highly portable — using public transportation, eating in restaurants, or navigating Times Square-sized crowds is where this stroller thrives, per Massaro.
While he wishes that the Doona was a bit larger and came with more stock storage options out of the box, the brand does offer some attachments you can purchase to customize your approach.
What is the Doona Stroller price?
When it's not on sale, the Doona Car Seat and Stroller is available on Amazon and directly from the brand for $600. It's more affordable than some competitors like the Nuna ($900), UPPAbaby ($1,199), and Bugaboo ($1,349). Considering its dual functionality, we consider it a wise value buy.
The Final Verdict: Is the Doona Stroller worth it?
For now, Massaro would recommend the Doona to anyone who is traveling or constantly finds themselves making frequent daily trips to run errands. He says the size is just right, and the folding mechanism makes storage a breeze.
'The Doona is a great complement to my other stroller and definitely has its specific use cases for my lifestyle. Living in the city, being able to easily commute around and adapt to any means of transportation is the selling point of the Doona, and it absolutely nails down this aspect,' he concluded.
How We Tested
Massaro and his son tested out the Doona stroller for nearly a month to evaluate the complete Travel System. They traversed the streets of New York City, took the subway and the train, and weaved through one of the largest crowds in the world. For this review, we considered the ease of set-up, maneuverability, and safety features to determine if the Doona is truly worth the hype.
Frank Massaro testing out the Doona stroller on the LIRR.
Frank Massaro
Ease of set-up: While examining the Doona, Massaro found that set-up was quick and intuitive. Directions were provided, but he was able to put everything together without assistance. Transitioning from stroller to car seat took him just under a minute, even with his baby on board. Installing the car seat took a bit more time. Note: it's important to secure the seat with the vehicle's seatbelt, which can take time to get used to.
While examining the Doona, Massaro found that set-up was quick and intuitive. Directions were provided, but he was able to put everything together without assistance. Transitioning from stroller to car seat took him just under a minute, even with his baby on board. Installing the car seat took a bit more time. Note: it's important to secure the seat with the vehicle's seatbelt, which can take time to get used to. Maneuverability: Massaro took the Doona travel system everywhere — busy streets, parks, public transportation, restaurants, grocery stores, even Times Square. He felt that the Doona was highly maneuverable, due to its smaller frame and lighter build. Steering was easy with the adjustable handlebars. He did mention that the stroller was impacted by uneven ground more than heavier strollers he tested.
Massaro took the Doona travel system everywhere — busy streets, parks, public transportation, restaurants, grocery stores, even Times Square. He felt that the Doona was highly maneuverable, due to its smaller frame and lighter build. Steering was easy with the adjustable handlebars. He did mention that the stroller was impacted by uneven ground more than heavier strollers he tested. Safety features: Strollers carry the most precious cargo, so safety is pivotal. We considered the support-level and cushioning on the seat as well as the quality and type of materials for the frame (like premium-grade fiber-reinforced polymers, rust-free aluminum) in evaluating the overall durability and safety. Massaro also found that the harness was easily adjustable to properly fit growing babies, and the car seat was stable when properly installed.
This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Journalist. As a Gen Z first-time mother of one, Miska tests baby, maternity and postpartum products ranging from stylish new kids clothes to long-trusted diaper brands with her daughter. She evaluates baby- and mom-approved products for practicality and quality, and consults medical and parenting experts to weigh in on safe ingredients, usage and more. Before arriving at the Post, she covered the lifestyle and consumer verticals for the U.S. Sun.
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