Baby Trend Expedition Double Review

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Ease of Use

The Expedition is harder to use than some of the best double stroller competition, despite having lots of features parents want. During the testing of each testing metric, we perform a sub-set of detailed testing that is weighted and makes up the total metric score.

Ease of use is important because it impacts your daily experience when using the stroller.

Fold and Unfold

The Expedition is relatively easy to fold, requires two hands to fold, has a manual locking mechanism, and self-stands. It takes four steps to fold (including safety straps release) and requires bending down about halfway, but it isn't complicated or involved. Unfolding is more difficult because it tends to want to fold back up as you unfold it, and the size makes it somewhat unwieldy. It only has two steps, but it does require both hands and some patience.

Storage

The Expedition has divided under-seat storage. It can hold two large diaper bags, but the strap divider prohibits anything larger. The bin has a weight allowance of only 5 lbs, so it limits what you can put inside. The bin has access from the rear and some from the sides, but the top and front lack access.

Each seatback has a large mesh pocket, and we like the location for quick access items. We couldn't find a weight allowance for the pockets, but the thin mesh will be self-limiting and could stretch or rip if you aren't careful. We like that the pockets have a string to tighten the opening and are adjustable. It also has a parent console with two cup holders and a covered storage tray; it is arguably the best parent's tray in the review.

The passenger seats have mesh pockets inside that are fairly wide and fit some sippy cups. The Expedition has 2.75-inch deep cup holders high and behind the baby's head in front of the handlebar. The holders have a closed design, and taller or heavier items can fall out while strolling, and the items could potentially land on the baby.

Harness

Harness ease of use affects your experience each time you put your child in the stroller. The Expedition sports 5-point harnesses in each seat. The harness can be difficult to buckle, but unbuckling is even harder because the button is hard to press. The straps spring away from the buckle, which speeds up the unbuckling. Adjusting the straps is only average, as the upper straps tighten with a single pull while the lower straps require significant maneuvering. Shoulder height adjustment is a rethread design with three positions, and the crotch strap is only adjustable in length.

Brakes

The Expedition has double-action brakes that require the depression of two pedals. While this style isn't the end of the world, it does leave room for error if you forget to press the second pedal. Double-action brakes are more commonly found on inexpensive strollers. The brakes are difficult to set and release and are not sandal friendly (a disadvantage that might leave parents reluctant to set both sides).

Maneuverability

Maneuverability is where this stroller shines, performing better than much of the competition. This is impressive, given the large price difference.

The best in the group are far more expensive, have rubber tires, and only score slightly higher.

The Expedition did a great job on flat surfaces, but it is somewhat wide. The rear wheels tend to get stuck in narrow spaces because they stick out past the frame. We had difficulty with the wheels getting caught on floorboards, and we couldn't get it through a 34-inch doorway with a 32-inch opening. Pushing off the beaten path is also easy, and it moves well over grass and gravel. The larger wheels make it easy for this jogger to make it over uneven surfaces.

Transporting and Storing

Being able to lift and carry your stroller is important, depending on how you plan to use it. Your choice might also be impacted by the size of your home or car space allocated to the stroller.

Weight and Folded Size

The Expedition weighs 30.6 lbs, making it the lightest jogger in the review and one of the lightest doubles overall. The heaviest stroller is 39.7 lbs.

The Expedition is 18,401 cubic inches when folded, which is on the larger side but still below the average of 18,900, and it could be reduced slightly by removing the front wheel.

Kid Ride

We think parents should consider the comfort and convenience of the stroller they choose with attention to form and function that impact the ride.

Seat

The Expedition does not have an adjustable leg rest, but the padding on the rest feels nice. Both seats have the same recline adjustment, and it requires two hands and is fairly involved. The recline has infinite positions, which will allow each little one to have the recline angle they need to be cozy.

Sunshade

The Expedition has one canopy. This canopy is small and doesn't extend far enough to cover the leg rest on the seat. It offers ventilation, and it has one medium-sized mesh peek-a-boo window with a hook and loop closure on the cover. The canopy can be rotated forward, but this limits overhead protection.

 

The photos above show the Expedition with the seats upright and canopies closed and fully open, and seats reclined.

Quality

The Baby Trend brand is usually the least expensive in almost every gear category. For strollers, you tend to get what you pay for, so it isn't a surprise that the Expedition provides below-average quality compared to the more expensive options.

The fabric is only so-so for quality, but the padding under the fabric is decent. The piping on the leg portion is raised and feels like it would chafe. The canopies are made of heavier, more durable fabric, with softer canvas on the seating areas. The mesh peek-a-boo window is harder to snag than it looks, but the storage bin is relatively flimsy.

The frame on the Expedition is solid, but it looks flimsy and cheap. It has a lot of plastic components, and there is flex. The overall fit and finish are on the flimsy side. The tires are pneumatic rubber, and the wheels are spoked. The wheels are described as bicycle wheels, which sounds impressive, but we had trouble with the wheels and the rubber staying on. All the wheels had trouble with the rubber falling off at one point or another. The tubes are fine, and they didn't go flat, but it was a hassle and annoying. We suspect the average parent won't know how to fix this and might end up at a bike shop paying money.

The handlebar is stationary and has a smaller diameter which is never a good thing for something you may need to hold for a longer duration. It has a rubber cover, which we don't like as much as foam for comfort and heat reasons. There is a divide in the handlebar with a plastic portion that sits on the ground when it folds and stands. This means it is challenging to push with one hand.

There is no suspension which is a shame for a jogging/all-terrain stroller, and we think short-sighted. However, we can almost forgive this for the price, given that the tires are rubber, and the sling-style seats should make the ride somewhat more comfortable.

Car Seat Commpatibility

The Expedition does not work with any infant car seats from any brand. This means children will need to be independently sitting with full head and neck control before using this stroller.

Ease of Setup

Setup for the Expedition is average, with a setup time of 9:20 minutes.

The documentation is also average, with a multi-language format that is hard to use. The assembly requires a crescent wrench and a Phillips head screwdriver. Most of the competition does not require tools.

Twins

The Expedition doesn't accept any infant car seats, making it a poor choice for infant twins. For parents looking for an instant option for newborns, this stroller will not fit the bill, as children need to be at least six months to ride. However, because it has equal seating for both passengers, it could be a good solution for price-conscious parents of older twins and children of multiple ages. If saving money is the plan, most families can still save money by choosing this option for older children and a frame stroller for infant children in our favorite car seats. Both strollers together total close to $300, still a very budget-friendly combination and below most double options that accept two infant car seats.

Should You Buy the Expedition?

If you want a smooth-moving stroller for two that you can take off-road without a hassle or go on the occasional jog, then this budget-friendly double is the one for you. While it has some sub-par features like a smaller single canopy, we think you get a great deal in this lightweight stroller for the price, and we believe it is hard to find a better choice for a similar price.

What Other Double Strollers Should You Consider?

If budget isn't a concern or you have more to spend, we wouldn't necessarily choose the Expedition over the easier-to-use and higher-quality doubles like the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 Duallie and the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double. Both options have a slight edge on maneuverability, but more importantly, they have more useful features like larger canopies, better storage, and adjustable tracking and handlebars.