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For tall parents, look for a handlebar that goes up to at least 43 or 44 in and plenty of room for your stride behind the rear wheels. For petite parents, the lowest setting matters more than the highest. Of the full-size strollers we compared, the Silver Cross Reef 2 and Nuna MIXX Next reach the highest, and the Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew goes the lowest.
The range is only half the story, though. Kick space and how the stroller feels at your height matter just as much, and those are easiest to check in person.
Handlebar heights compared
| Stroller | Handlebar range (ground to handlebar) | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Cross Reef 2 | 39 to 44 in | Tall parents; households with different heights |
| Nuna MIXX Next | About 41 to 44 in | Tall parents |
| Bugaboo Kangaroo | 38.9 to 42.5 in | Average to tall |
| UPPAbaby Vista V3 | About 39.5 to 42.5 in (100 to 108 cm) | Average to tall |
| UPPAbaby Cruz V3 | About 39.5 to 42.5 in (100 to 108 cm) | Average to tall |
| Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew | 36.2 to 42.5 in (92 to 108 cm) | Petite parents; households with different heights |
Figures come from manufacturers and major retailers. Brands measure in slightly different ways, so treat a difference of half an inch as a tie.
For tall parents: check kick space, not just height
Most tall parents' complaint isn't the handlebar. It's kicking the rear axle, the basket or the brake bar with every step. A handlebar that extends upward doesn't always move back, so a tall setting can still leave your feet hitting the frame.
- Walk normally. Push the stroller at your usual pace for 20 or 30 steps, not a shuffle around the store. If you shorten your stride to avoid the frame, that's the answer.
- Check the brake. A foot brake that sits between the rear wheels is easy to tap by accident with a long stride.
- Look at the handlebar angle. A handlebar that angles back gives you more room than one that goes straight up.
- Load the basket. A full basket can sag toward your shins.
For petite parents: the bottom setting and the lift
If you're under about 5 ft 3 in, a handlebar that's too high pushes your shoulders up and makes it harder to see over the canopy. Look at the lowest setting first. The Fox 5 Renew's 92 cm minimum is noticeably lower than most strollers here.
Also think about the lift. Petite parents often find the fold and weight harder than the push, especially getting a stroller into an SUV trunk. Check the stroller's weight with the seat on and how high you have to lift it. Our best full-size strollers guide lists weights for each model.
Two parents, very different heights
If one of you is 6 ft 2 in and the other is 5 ft 2 in, choose the widest range rather than the highest top. The Reef 2 and Fox 5 Renew both cover a wide spread. Check that the handlebar adjusts with one hand, quickly, because you'll be doing it every time you swap.
Finding your height
A good starting point is a handlebar close to your waist, so your elbows are slightly bent and your wrists stay straight while you push. From there, adjust for comfort. Some people prefer it a little higher for long walks.
A rough guide, depending on your build:
- Under about 5 ft 3 in: you'll likely use the lowest one or two settings. Prioritize the minimum height.
- About 5 ft 4 in to 5 ft 11 in: most full-size strollers fit. Choose on other features.
- 6 ft and up: look for a top setting of 43 in or more, and test kick space.
The two-minute test
- Set the handlebar where it feels natural, then try one setting up and one down.
- Walk 20 to 30 normal steps and notice whether your feet touch anything.
- Push with one hand, the way you will when you're holding a coffee or a phone.
- Fold it, lift it to the height of your trunk floor and put it down again.
- If two of you will push it, both do the test.
Our Richmond, Burnaby and Ottawa stores carry many of these strollers. Call ahead and we'll let you know which models are on the floor that day, so you can try them at your height. You can also browse all full-size strollers.
