Peg Perego’s Si Stroller is an awesome lightweight stroller that has many full size stroller features. Weighing in at just under 17lbs, this compact, easy to operate stroller is a great fit for parents who need a product that will accommodate their growing needs. From birth it can be used as a travel system with an infant seat, then a regular day to day stroller that folds up nicely for traveling.

For the last few weeks we have been testing it from one side of the country to the other!

Here is what we found.

Installation – Out of the box the Si was pretty much ready to go. All I needed to do was clip on the storage basket and open it up.

If you have problems, the Si also comes with a great booklet that shows you everything your need – step by step.

Getting Started – Unfolding this stroller is really easy. All you need to do is unclip the lever on the left side of the stroller, give it a bit of a shake and then lock the bracket in the back.

Comfort and Features – The Si offers a lot of great features not normally seen in this stroller weight class. For safety, it has a five-point harness with the 2010 version adding a bumper bar. There is a 3 position(almost flat) seat recline, height adjustable handle bars and a 2 position foot rest.

For older children, the Si has a good size seat (13inches wide) and a high canopy that will keep taller toddlers(up to 45lbs) comfy without brushing their head. When opened fully, the Si’s canopy offers some of the best coverage I have seen on a lightweight stroller. Moms who want to keep track of their little ones will also like the peek-a-boo window.

Underneath the seat is a good size storage basket big enough to hold a large sized diaper bag. The only problem with this is that the basket will drag if your bag is too heavy. For this I suggest you strap your diaper bag to the handle bars and use the storage basket for lighter purchases, if out shopping. This works well if your child stays in the stroller. But not so great if you need to carry your baby. Because the stroller is so light, a weighted handle will cause the whole thing to tip backwards once your child is removed. While this sounds simple, it’s easy to forget. I have tipped this stroller quite a few times leaving the mall trying to rush.

Travel System – 2 cables that come with the 2009 version stroller allow the Si to be converted it into a travel system. While Peg Perego strollers are normally only compatible with the Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30 Infant seat, the Si will accept most car seats that have a belt path on each side.

Folding – To avoid confusion, Peg Perego has numbered the two levers needed to close the stroller. I love this! No guess work – just pull here first and then here. Once closed, this stroller stands independently and it also features a carrying strap on the side.

This makes the Si a dream to travel with.

Cleaning – While on a recent trip, an unfortunate event ended with a whole breakfast landing on the seat of the stroller. Surprisingly enough, for the amount of food that landed on it, the stroller fared quite well. But when I got home and started to take it apart to fully clean it, I was surprised to find that it doesn’t come apart. It looks like it comes apart, but it doesn’t, unless I wanted to get into unscrewing stuff, which I don’t.

Improvements – With anything, there is always a wish list of thing you would like see improved.

I personally would love Peg Perego to make a good cupholder. The tiny one that comes with most of their strollers doesn’t many beverage cups, including my re-usable water bottle. Also, having some part of the seat come apart for easy cleaning would also be a bonus for parents who will be using this stroller everyday.

Overall, I like this stroller and I would recommend it to any parent who wants a nice looking stroller that can go anywhere.

$232.00 on Amazon

Peg Perego Si Specs:

• Width – 20″
• Seat Width – 13″
• Seat to top of Canopy – 25″
• Ground to Handle – 41″
• Stroller Length – 33.5″
• Folded Dimensions – 39″ x 13″ x 13″
• Front Wheel Size – 6.5″
• Weight – 16.8lbs – to get this I weighed myself holding the stroller and then subtracted that number from my weight alone

New for Spring, Peg Perego has a ton of new stuff coming out.

The company has virtually redesigned their whole collection after they changed their signature ‘freedom of movement’ harness to a more conventional 5-point harness on all of their products.

Other big changes include a newly re-modeled Skate, a new lightweight travel system called the Vela and a new highchair called the Prima Poppa Newborn.

Here are the highlights:

The Skate:

New for 2010, the Skate will no longer be a one-piece unit that converts into 2 pieces. For the same price, Peg Perego has designed 2 separate pieces; a bassinet for infants and a toddler seat babies 6 months and up.

The frame is an extension of the Skate Elite we mentioned last year. It has been lightened to 21lbs from 26lbs

Like the previous model, both unit are height adjustable and reversible. To help parents and take out the guess work, Peg has added pictures to the connector to show where it should be set for each piece.

Other changes:

• New 5-point harness
• Easier Fold
• Hood is transferable between the Bassinet and seat
• Handle bar is no longer telescopic

The Vela:

This new lightweight stroller weighs in at a mere 9.5lbs. It’s unique design features a pair of wheels at the front, much like an all terrain stroller. A big feature for this stroller is it’s ability to accept a car seat.

I love that it has a snack tray. You don’t see that very often on a stroller in this weight class.

The Si:

In order to make the Si easier to accommodate a car seat Peg Perego has added a bumper bar that can be adjust to support the back of the Infant car seat. New fabrics and an improved harness round out the changes for this lightweight travelsystem.

GT3:

Peg’s only all-terrain stroller is getting an interesting new feature: a second seat. The shopping basket looks to have been expanded to accommodate a ‘rear sling seat’. No weight limit has been revealed for this seat, but comparable features on other strollers have a +/- 3o lb weight limit, which may be the case here.

The Prima Pappa Newborn:

This entry level highchair will be great for parents who are low on space. The fully reclining seat lifts off to allow the frame to fold almost flat. Comes in 5 fabric patterns; 2 bandanna patterns and 3 circle print patterns.

The Aria 60/40:

While the Aria will stay a 60/40 to accommodate an infant seat on one side, It will get new fabrics, bigger tires and a narrowed wheel system, new 5-point harness system and easier to use wheel locking system.

Pilko P3:

One option for the Pilko will be a version made in new soft cotton fabric that has been designed to be water and stain resistant. Offered in Navy and Burgundy.

This year they launched 3 products that I love.

1. Tatamia Multipurpose Baby Seat – This chair was not only designed to be a comfy feeding space, but it eliminates the need for parents to buy extra gear. It does triple duty as a highchair, recliner and baby swing.

With the click of a switch the baby seat slides down out of highchair mode and doubles as a swing. It is not an automatic swing, but just a soft moving pendulum.

When not being used, the spring loaded base folds up easily so that the chair can be stored easily in a closet.

This chair is being offered in 3 colours: black, white and paloma.

2. Si Lightweight stroller – Peg’s new Si stroller is not only nice looking, but it it only weighs 12lbs.

This compact, easy folding stroller is one of a few that will also take a car seat, making it the perfect travel system for parents on the go!

Colour choices are shown right. I love that it is a mere 12 inches when folded.

3. Skate Elite – Last year’s trendiest stroller received a slight makeover for 2009.

Some new features include:

• a model that weighs 10lbs less than last year
• modified shopping/storage basket
• different folding mechanism
• 4 new colours
• 4 new accessories including a snack tray, umbrella, bassinet stand for inside the house and umbrella.

UPDATE: Peg Perego just sent me this information: Si will be available in early March, Tatamia end of March and the Skate Elite in April.