The Mockingbird stroller has officially hit the streets, and I’ve spent the last 3 weeks putting it through its paces. What makes this stroller stand out? For one, it’s a beautiful, high-quality chariot worthy of any mortal spawn. And two, it’s being sold direct-to-consumer for $350.
A direct-to-consumer stroller? Brillant! (Or WTF does that mean?)
Before we jump into all the different ways I tried to abuse it tested it out, here’s a brief business lesson: direct-to-consumer basically means the manufacturer sells directly to you, reducing costs by cutting out the middle-man. Think Warby Parker, Casper Mattress, Dollar Shave Club or Glossier. It’s a great opportunity to purchase a higher quality product for a fraction of the cost since you’re buying it before mark-up. Yeet! (Did I do it right?)
Bringing high-quality strollers to the people.
The base cost of the Mockingbird stroller is $350, which is a damn steal of a deal. Now I know $350 isn’t nothing, and there are plenty of great strollers out there that cost less, but considering the quality of what you’re getting, it’s well worth the cost.
What makes the Mockingbird stroller a boss?
I did not go easy on this puppy. From moderate trails to beaches and regular city sidewalks, I put miles on this stroller with very few complaints. It’s a great stroller for someone who is moderately active and lives in a city or suburban area with mostly paved sidewalks. It handles bumps and curbs as well as anything, but isn’t really designed for rough dirt paths or excessive off-roading. It fit in the back of our Subaru Forester, though even folded up it takes up a fair amount of space (as most strollers of this size would do). It’s also super customizable, with different options for fabrics and colors, and has a ton of accessories if you want to get fancy.
Will it work for multiple stages of childhood?
As long as you opt for either the car seat adaptor (which is said to work with most infant car seats), the carriage accessory (a bassinet), or the infant insert, this stroller can be used from infancy through toddlerhood.
What about an option to make it a double?
The double can be purchased as a bundle (base and two seats) for $495, or the second seat can be added at a later date for $120.
Things I’d change if I were queen of the world
- The folding mechanism is in the middle of the handlebar, making one-handed pushing a little tricky
- I’m a sucker for a 1-step folding process where the end result is flat. To achieve a flat fold, the seat has to be removed. Not a huge deal, but something that’s different than say the City Select which can fold flat in one step.
- Not great for small spaces since you have to store the seat and base separately, or deal with a slightly more boxy end product.
Things I Love
- Made of high-quality materials, doesn’t feel cheap
- Smooth ride
- Can easily flip the seat to face you or to face out
- Giant basket underneath – can fit two cats or one three year old (do not try this at home.)
- Sunshade is huge, easily attaches/detaches, keeps kid cool – totally amazing
- Simple to fold
- Light and easy to put in the car
- Sunshade and peek-a-boo window covers connect with magnets instead of Velcro
- Flip flop friendly brake
How does the Mockingbird compare to the Uppababy Vista?
Both of these are great strollers with an option to add an additional seat, but there are some differences. For the sake of simplicity, here’s how the two compare on a few key factors based off the single seat option with the latest models. All info is from their respective sites.
| Mockingbird | Uppababy Vista V2 | |
| Price | Starts at $350 | Starts at $929.99 |
| Weight (including frame, seat, basket and canopy) | About 26.5 pounds | 27 pounds |
| What does it come with? | Frame, adjustable seat, bumper bar, wheels, canopy, and a sun shade. | Frame, bassinet, toddler seat, bumper bar, basket, wheels, bug and rain shield. |
| Car seat adaptability | $30 car seat adaptor connects with Britax, Cybex, Evenflo, Chicco, Graco, Maxi-Cosi and Nuna. | $45 car seat adaptor connects with Chicco, Clek, Cybex, Maxi-Cosi and Nuna. Uppababy Mesa without adapter. |
| Where it’s manufactured | China | China |
Would I Recommend the Mockingbird Stroller?
Overall I’m super pleased with this stroller. It feels and looks like it should cost more than it does, and absolutely fit into our wild, chaotic, outdoorsy life. For families who have space to store it (like a garage or hallway where they can just park it at the end of the day), I’d absolutely recommend it.
Do you have a question that wasn’t addressed in the review? Ask away and we will try to help!
If you’d like to buy one, you can find them on the Mockingbird site.
I know you already mentioned the wheels – but I have to triple check 🙂 we live near a beautiful trail with gravel roads and use it allllll the time, do you think it’s able to handle that? Or more suitable for pavement?
Wait…so in order to fold it to put it in the back of your car, you have to remove the seat?? I’m…shocked…and suddenly scared to get it!
I’m due in November with my 2nd, and my 1st is a 4 year old with long legs… how comfortable would this be for him? I’m thinking of getting the double just in case we go somewhere (like Disneyland) where he might get tired of walking and may need a seat. Or would you recommend I just get the single and a universal gliding board?
That’s a good question. I feel like the single with a stroller board would work but you know your 4-year old’s stamina better than I do. 😉
I love your review! Flip friendly and a basket can hold a rambunctious 3 year old? Check, check! 4th baby in 6 years and this stroller looks like it answers all of my needs. I’m waiting for them to release the standing board for older children and then I will definitely be purchasing!
Also, check out a universal stroller board like the one from Lascal or Guzzie + Gus. They are both great.
I love your review! I’ve been looking for real mom reviews of the mockingbird and you answered my major questions. Is it fit flop friendly and can my rowdy 2 and 3 year old climb into the basket? Silly questions, I know but these are my real world issues with strollers. I’m expecting my 4th in November. I need a stroller that can safely keep my newborn, hold my 2 year old, entertain my 3 year old- the basket climber, and have a place for my 6 year old when she’s tired. This is it…I hope!
Yes, the brake is flip-flop friendly (if that’s what you’re asking) and I would say that the basket is generous enough to hold a sassy toddler. I don’t know how comfortable it would be, but I think they could get in there.
When making a double is there still the option to use and infant carrier and one regular seat? With a 2 1/2 year old and a newborn I like the option of leaving the baby in the carrier if she’s fallen asleep on the drive.
Yep, you can use the seat for the toddler and use either the seat, car seat or bassinet for your newborn.
Hi! What material are the wheels? Are they rubber or plastic? And it seems it doesn’t come with a child’s tray accessory – does that feel like a miss to you or not necessary? Thanks!
My guess is that they are Polyurethane. Rubber air filled tires are typically (but not always) used on jogging strollers. They add to the smooth ride but they also add weight and the extra pain of flat tire potential. You’re right, it doesn’t have a tray. Personally, I didn’t find a tray helpful – I found my kids didn’t use them and it affected the fold – but other people really like them in the toddler stage.
Hello,I have been looking at the Mockingbird single to double along with the Baby Jogger City Select and the Contours Tandum. Do you have any recommendations on which of these would be more friendly to travel with? I have a two year old and a baby due in 6 weeks. I want to get my order in and am doing my best to select a stroller that will grow with my family and be easy to use both everyday and for getting through an airport.
That’s a hard choice. All three are great strollers and they are all nice and nimble for airports. The one notable difference in the contour is you can fold it with both seats on which might be a bonus in an airport. That said, you get a lot of stroller for a good price with the Mockingbird so if you don’t mind a tight window I’d keep it the running (it might be delivered just a week before your baby is born with the pre-ship). The City Select is a premium stroller that will have nice resale value if you ever decide to sell it down the road.
Great information! I am curious about the additional carriage accessory. Do you know if you can use it as a regular bassinet like you can the uppa baby vista? Thanks!
If you are asking if it can be popped off and used alone, then yes. 🙂
Where can I preorder the single to double? I couldn’t on their website! 🙁
You can find it here: http://shrsl.com/26hkk 🙂
What is the weight and height limit? There’s also some kind of skateboard look a like, how does that work and what is the weight limit on that as well? What is the height of stroller when folded without the seat and with the seat?
I know that the weight limit is up to 50lbs but I would check their site to find out the nitty gritty on measurements.
Hi! Thanks for all the info. We have the baby jogger city mini but our curious little guy likes to sit up straight and be able to look at both sides while strolling around. Do you think the mockingbird will work better for him on that aspect? Thanks again!
Hey Vanessa! Hmm, hard to say for sure. This seat seems a little more reclined than the city mini, but it’s up higher so the view is better. I found my kiddo just sat up and looked around when he wanted to, and leaned back and napped when that suited him better. He also really loved that I could flip the seat so it faced forwards or backwards depending on the view. Let me know if you have other questions!
Love that you pointed out that the brake is flip flop friendly! I can’t count the number of times I nearly broke my sandals or my foot trying to release the brake on my Graco with my first. I’m already sold on Mockingbird, just waiting to order until closer to my guess date so I can take full advantage of the 30 day trial.
It’s a small detail but it can make such a difference. Let me know what you think of it once you get it!
Mockingbird did say they are working on a second seat option but are not sure if it will be an attachment or a new stroller . I’m hoping for an attachment
Good to know. Thanks!
How much is the carseat?Does it have to be mocking bird carseat or can use any carseat with adaptor ?
They don’t make a car seat but they do make an adapter that fits with a ton of seats including the Britax® B-Safe 35™, Chicco® Keyfit 30™, Evenflo® Embrace™, Evenflo® Nurture™, Graco® SnugRide® (30,35,40), and Nuna® PIPA™ (not the Lite or Lite LX) car seat models.
We’re very happy with our Mockingbird stroller! Glad to hear the word is getting out.
This stroller looks awesome! Totally wish we had something more sleek like this when our kids were younger!
Hahaha $350 “bargain” price for a stroller!! Not when you’re broke from 4 kids! I’m perfectly content with my little Graco Pace that I got for $65 from Target and actually looks pretty similar to this… and my Graco Ready2Grow double stroller that was $150 🙂
The Graco is a great stroller but it’s definitely in a different category. I’m happy you like it, though! 🙂