REASONS TO BUY
Very nappable
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy and large
Harder to transport
Chicco Liteway Review
Average stroller that is harder to carry, stow, and push on rough surfaces
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Our Verdict
The Chicco Liteway is a heavy option with a classic umbrella fold included in our best travel stroller review. It has the lowest weight and folded size score, which significantly hurt its overall score and rank. In short, the Chicco is a disappointing stroller that looks good on paper but fails in comparison with similar products. The Chicco feels like a good buy with a lower list price, but some of the similarly priced competition would be better options with higher overall scores. However, the Chicco did manage respectable results for maneuverability and ease of use, both of which are important for an umbrella product but more commonly found in other stroller styles. These results make the Liteway a possible option for those who value ease of use and push over lightweight and have a limited budget with little wiggle room.
Editor's Note: This product review was updated on December 16th, 2021. We now provide information on what we would recommend and a more detailed comparison between products.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Chicco is the largest baby brand in Europe as part of the Artsana Group, a holistic lifestyle company with products for everything from baby feeding gear, which appears in our best baby bottle review, to cosmetics and medical supplies. Founded by Pietro Catelli, Chicco (kee-ko) develops juvenile products for pregnancy up to preschool and is sold in over 120 countries.
Performance Comparison
A shoulder strap would make carrying the heavy Chicco easier than the handle it comes with.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Weight and Folded Size
With a weight of 17.9 lbs, the Liteway is a heavier lightweight stroller, with few in this review weighing more. This stroller folds to 7,196.70 cubic inches making it one of the heaviest and largest in the group.
Ease of Use
While the Liteway is one of the easier options to use, none of the competition is truly easy to use, so the results are less impressive.
The Chicco is larger than many parents might be looking for in an umbrella stroller that is supposed to be easy to transport and stow.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Fold and Unfold
The Liteway has a typical umbrella fold that works with one hand. It has an automatic lock, but it doesn't self-stand, so it needs to be held upright or stored somewhere with enough length to accommodate it. The Summer Infant 3D Lite has the same fold style, but we aren't huge fans.
Brakes
The Liteway has double action brakes that are easy to release and sandal foot-friendly, but a little harder to set with a stiff pedal that requires a lot of pressure. We also worry that parents won't take the time to set both brakes before letting go of the stroller.
The storage bin is easy to use, but only with the seat back upright.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Storage
The storage bin on the Liteway has a weight allowance of 6.6 lbs, and we fit our medium size diaper bag inside. It is easy to access unless you want to use the bin with the seat reclined. It also has a removable parent cup holder.
The Litway canopy is on the smaller side and nas no peek-a-boo window.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Sunshade
The Liteway canopy is medium and doesn't state its UV protection. It lacks a peek-a-boo window and isn't large enough to offer the best protection from sunlight, but it is easy to open and close.
The Liteway has a multi-part buckle and shoulder pads you'll need to remove to adjust.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Harness
The Chicco has a 5-point harness with a two-piece buckle. You have to remove the shoulder padding to adjust the straps, and the rethread includes unhooking the shoulder straps from the lap strap and threading through the appropriate height slot on the seatback.
The Liteway has a convoluted by easy to use adjustable leg rest.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Seat
The Liteway seat reclines almost flat, but it has an audible click at each level that might wake some children. It has a padded adjustable footrest with a strange adjustment because there is a piece that holds the leg rest and a separate lever to lock it in place with yet another button to release it. All of the adjustments are easy to use and in the same place, but it feels convoluted.
Important note about umbrella strollers. We do not recommend using them with infants who are younger than six months. This style of stroller is not designed for those under six months, with features that offer bare minimum support. Younger babies do not yet have the needed head and neck control required to avoid potential injury from rolling over uneven surfaces. If you want to use an umbrella stroller with your infant, we recommend products that work with approved car seat carriers attached (see comparison chart). Also, you should secure baby with a properly fitted harness, and check on them regularly as you stroll to ensure they stay contained in the harness straps.
Ease of Setup
The Chicco took us 5:16 to assemble with no tools and an average manual.
Maneuverability
While this stroller is easy enough to push and turn, it struggles when you take it off the road hurting its test results for maneuverability. Even with the locking swivel wheels, this stroller is hard to push and difficult to turn when you head out on grass and gravel, making it a poor choice for switching terrains at a park.
The Liteway is neither impressive nor disappointing for quality with a score that feels like what you would expect for a stroller of this price.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Quality
The Liteway has average quality and is a reflection of the materials and construction used to make the Liteway. With exposed connection points, rivets, and uneven stitching, it fails to excel or truly shine.
Should You Buy the Chicco Liteway?
The Chicco Liteway is not particularly small or lightweight when compared to options like the BabyZen Yoyo2, but it does have better ease-of-use features than many options in this price range, and it may offer a more comfortable seat for little ones. It is the best quality stroller you will find in this price range, and if you don't mind having a larger and heavier package, it may be a good choice for families who plan to use it more frequently. However, the heavy weight of the stroller really hurts its overall score and almost defeats the purpose of having a “lightweight stroller.”
What Other Umbrella Strollers Should You Consider?
Many of the umbrella strollers in this $100 price range have similar features to the Chicco, but very few of them stand out among the competition. A similar but lighter option is the Summer Infant 3D lite.
Manufacturer Video
—
Juliet Spurrier, MD & BabyGearLab Team
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