In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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The Baby Trend Expedition has an economical price and continues to prove that it can compete with the best full-size strollers by earning more points than much of the competition. With easy-to-push and turn rubber tires and convenience features not found on all of the competition, the Expedition makes the list of favorite strollers as an attractive option for parents on a budget who might like to go off-road or for the occasional jog.
REASONS TO BUY
Easy to navigate tight places
Inexpensive
REASONS TO AVOID
Limited storage
Lower quality materials
The Expedition impressed in ourbest jogging stroller review with a performance that helped it win a Best Value award in that review, too. Though not the best for serious runners, this economical stroller proves it can handle the occasional jog with ease at a very budget-friendly price.
Editor's Note: We updated this individual gear review on December 21, 2021, to include additional information and details to guide your decision process.
A budget-friendly choice that is easy-to-push but is limited overall
A full-size option with a small fold and lighter weight that is easy to use and has features for comfort but is slightly harder to push
Good stroller but it doesn't merit the price increase over the regular City Mini
Easy to maneuver and compact for transportation but smaller storage limits errand use
Average stroller with impressive price, sturdy design, and useful features
Rating Categories
Baby Trend Expedition
Thule Spring
Baby Jogger City Mi...
Britax B-Free
Britax B-Lively
Ease Of Use(45%)
5.1
7.9
6.6
6.3
6.6
Maneuverability(30%)
8.2
6.6
9.0
7.6
6.6
Weight/Folded Size(15%)
5.5
7.5
7.0
8.0
9.0
Quality(10%)
4.0
8.0
6.0
7.0
5.0
Specs
Baby Trend Expedition
Thule Spring
Baby Jogger City Mi...
Britax B-Free
Britax B-Lively
Weight
23.7 lbs
22.7 lbs
21.6 lbs
22.4 lbs
18.9 lbs
Folded Dimensions
23.1"W x 33.1"H x 16.3"L
17"W x 15"H x 30"L
25.6"W x 11.2"H x 33"L
24"W x 10.3"H x 27"L
24"W x 9.5"H x 29"L
Capacity Limits
Minimum: 6 mo. Maximum: 50 lbs/42"
Minimum: 6 mo. Maximum: 64 lbs/44"
Minimum: Birth Maximum: 65 lbs/44"
Minimum: Birth Maximum: 65 lbs/45"
Minimum: Birth Maximum: 55 lbs/44"
Included Car Seat Compatibility
Baby Trend
Any Baby Trend car seat
None
Baby Jogger City GO, City GO 2
Britax All Britax Seats
Britax All Britax Seats
Click-in Car Seat Adapters
None
Chicco
KeyFit 30, KeyFit2 Cybex
Cloud Q, Aton M, Aron 2 Maxi-Cosi
Mico 30 Nuna
Pipa, Pipa Lite, Pipa Lite R
Baby Jogger City GO, City GO 2 Britax B-Safe 35, B-Safe 35 Elite Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 2, KeyFit 30, KeyFit 30 Zip Cybex Aton, Aton 2, Aton Q, Cloud Q Graco Snugride Snuglock 35 Elite, Snugride 35 Platinum, Snugride Click Connect 35 LX Maxi Cosi Mico AP, Mico Max 30, Mico NXT, Mico 30 Nuna Pipa Peg-Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Uppababy Mesa Clek Living
Britax All Britax Seats
Britax All Britax Seats
Strap-in Car Seat Adapters
Baby Trend
Any Baby Trend Car Seat
None
None
None
None
Recline
Deep
Deep
Deep
Deep
Deep
Storage Basket Size
Large
Large
Large
Medium
Large
Sun Shade Size
Small
Large
Large
Large
Large
One-handed Fold
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Locking Fold
Auto
Auto
Auto
Auto
Auto
Self-standing Fold
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Handlebar Height - Min/Max
41"
39"/43"
38.5"/45.7"
32"/44.5"
40"
Sandal-friendly Brake
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Included Accessories
None
Sun Shade
City GO infant car seat adapter.
None
None
Setup Time
5-10 minmin:sec
1-5 minmin:sec
5-10 minmin:sec
5-10 minmin:sec
5-10 minmin:sec
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
For 26 years plus, Baby Trend has developed gear for juveniles. Since the beginning, the company has designed budget-friendly products for growing families. Baby Trend developed the first sit-and-stand stroller and the Snap-N-Go stroller. They make a variety of gear for babies from a diaper pail and infant car seats, to high chairs and strollers, and everything in between.
Performance Comparison
The large child's tray on the Expedition makes this stroller look a little uneven.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
The Baby Trend isn't as easy to use as most of the competition in large part due to features that tick a box but don't work as well as we hoped.
The lock on the Expedition is not designed to keep the stroller snuggly compact.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Fold and Unfold
This Baby Trend has a two-handed fold with no auto-lock or carry handle, but it can self-stand. It is a three-step fold and average compared to the competition. After releasing the side safety slides on the frame, it has a one-hand pull from the seat bottom.
The second step in the folding process of the Expedition is pulling up on the release holds on each side of the frame simultaneously.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
You can make the overall package smaller if you remove the front wheel, leaving you with two parts to carry. The heavier weight and sticky release handle make it harder to fold, and the leg rest sticks out, making it cumbersome. Unfolding requires two hands and two steps, not including the safety straps, and you need to be careful when opening it, so it doesn't tip over.
The double action brakes on the Expedition can occasionally skip across the gear teeth and feel like they are engaged when they aren't.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Brakes
The brakes on this stroller are average in their difficulty to set and release. They are double action and require both sides to be set independently. Double action brakes have a higher chance of being set improperly because both need to be engaged for the stroller to be parked. Parents might forget to do one side or choose not to if they are in a hurry.
The storage basket of the Expedition has a small weight limit that makes it somewhat useless.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Storage
The Baby Trend has a large storage bin, but it only has a maximum capacity of 5 lbs, making it somewhat useless. You can access the storage bin on the Baby Trend from the back and sides, and we managed to fit our extra-large diaper bag through the back opening, but with a 5 lb weight limit, it will need to be almost empty to meet the bin limitations.
The parent tray on this stroller has two cup holders and a closed storage compartment that can hold most smartphones, even larger ones. While it is nice that the Expedition has cup holders, there is a safety concern because they are located high on the stroller behind the baby's head and are shallow. This means items can fall out and onto the child's head. We found that most water bottles did topple out during testing, and most landed on our fake baby.
The cup holders on the Expedition are fairly shallow, and the compartment can't hold larger smartphones.
The child's tray on the Baby Trend can move to the side to get baby in the seat or can be removed entirely.
It also has two zippered pockets on the back of the canopy. The maximum allowed weight in the parent tray and pockets is 6 lbs, oddly more than the under-seat bin. The Baby Trend also has a child's tray (above right) with cup holders and a shallow snack tray. The cups won't fit some sippy cups or standard water bottles. The tray opens to the side for easy seat access. It is also removable.
The back seat of the Expedition does not recline flat enough for true napping comfort.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Sunshade
The sunshade is small, especially when you compare it to the very large sunshade on the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0, and it has no SPF rating, but it has ventilation and a peek-a-boo window. The window is mesh and small, but so is the shade. The shade won't cover the knees of older toddlers, and there is little side protection, but the canopy can rotate forward for additional sun protection.
The 5 point harness on the Expedition can become a 3 point by unclipping the shoulder straps. This makes the harness less safe and we do not recommend it.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Harness
This stroller has a 5-point harness that is hard to get on and off.
It has height-adjustable shoulder straps and an adjustable crotch strap that are not padded, but it is sort of challenging to get the parts of the buckle lined up correctly, and it is stiff to buckle and release.
The recline toggle on the Expedition is easy to use, but not as nice as the push button options.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Seat
The Baby Trend has a one-handed recline to lower, but it needs two hands to raise it. It has two adjustable side straps with infinite possible positions. The seat has added ventilation when reclined, and it does not have an adjustable leg rest, but it is padded for comfort, and the footrest is wide.
Car Seat Compatibility
The Expedition is only compatible with the Baby Trend car seat, and there are no adapters available for other brands.
Ease of Setup
The Expedition took us close to 7 minutes to put this together, but it was our second time, so it's only fair to say it was closer to 8 the first time.
The documentation for this stroller is average, but it seems to be an improvement from previous versions. The instructions and pictures are average, and it doesn't require any tools to set up.
The wheels on the Baby Trend are similar to bicycle wheels and are pneumatic and made of rubber.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Maneuverability
The Baby Trend has its most impressive score in the maneuverability metric.
This is an impressive score for a stroller that, in all other ways, is startling average.
The front swivel wheel on the Expedition can be locked to limit movement for running and rougher terrain.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Expedition rolls easily and turns nicely, but not as excellent as other options. It managed smaller spaces better than the Baby Jogger strollers, but it is a little tippy when you turn fast or sharply. The swivel front wheel allows it to move well, and it only requires one hand. It also performs well for off-road and rougher terrain, rolling easily over grass and gravel.
The Expedition is easy enough to fold, but makes an odd shaped package with a child's tray and big front wheel that get caught going into and out of the trunk.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Weight and Folded Size
The Expedition is about average for weight and folded size.
It weighs in at 23.7 lbs which is lighter than the average for the group but still more than 6 lbs over the most lightweight strollers. This stroller has a folded size of 12,463 cubic inches.
The Baby Trend did not score well for quality with the lowest score in the group, but it did tie with strollers significantly more expensive that the Expedition.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Quality
The quality of this Baby Trend is on par with its lower price tag. The Expedition has a steel frame with several hinge points and plastic connectors.
It is a solid frame but looks cheap. The overall fit and finish of this stroller are straightforward and adequate. Unfortunately, everything feels sort of cheap.
The Expedition has a mesh peek-a-boo window that closes with two hook and loop connections.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The fabric on the seat is a softer canvas with a suede-like material on the upper area of the seat where the baby's head goes. The sides of the seat are a slicker material that looks cheap but is easier to clean than the canvas in the head region. The storage bin is made of the same material as the sides of the seat, with strips of mesh down the sides (like that found in the window).
The wheels on the Expedition are pneumatic and rubber. It is a bicycle-style wheel that has a lot of play when attached to the frame. We don't consider this a deal-breaker, but it does speak to the overall quality and attention to detail on this stroller and will probably lead to vibration and wobbling over time. The handlebar is not adjustable and sits at 41 inches. Testers liked the ergonomic shape, but the height might be a problem for shorter parents.
The Expedition has no suspension and impacts the passenger's comfort and ability to roll without the baby being jostled. The large air-filled tires help a little, but it is hard to compete in comfort without suspension. It also has a seat with minimal padding and a harder back that isn't as nice as the sling-style seats found on most of the competition.
Should You Buy the Baby Trend Expedition?
For a very low-cost stroller, the Baby Trend Expedition offers fantastic maneuverability. In fact, the Baby Trend's maneuverability score is right up there with some top-ranking strollers in our review; it even beats a good chunk of the competition. However, besides that feat, it's basic and offers no-frills. Its handlebar is not adjustable and sits at 41 inches, and this might be a deal-breaker for parents of varying heights. But, if you're using a Baby Trend car seat, basic meets your strolling needs, and you're on a strict budget, we think you'll find the Baby Trend Expedition satisfactory.
What Other Full-Size Strollers Should You Consider?
Keeping budget in mind, the Baby Jogger City Mini 2 is a compelling alternative. It does not match the Baby Trend's maneuverability, but, it's a step up in all other testing metrics, and if you're planning on daily walks with your baby, a more well-rounded stroller, like the City Mini 2, can bring a more pleasurably strolling experience. Unfortunately, it is not suitable for jogging, so if you want a budget-minded full-size you can jog with, the Expedition is your stroller of choice.
