When travelling with children, space is always at a premium, particularly if you’re going abroad. The one thing we could all do with scaling back is the size of the stroller. Yes, they can go in the hold if you’re flying, but there’s always the risk of loss or damage, making your week or two in the sun more calamitous than calming. We’ve tested the perfect cabin approved stroller – Libelle from Cybex – that will keep your little one’s wheels rolling during your globetrotting adventures.
What’s Hot
+ Super compact so it fits easily in airplane overhead bin
+ Easy to fold and unfold
+ Rain cover is included
What’s Not
– Bumper bar not included but is available separately
– Seat doesn’t fully recline for younger babies
Cybex Libelle is among the most compact travel strollers on the market. When folded, it measures a tantalisingly tiny 50x35x25 cm and weighs just 6kg. That makes it compact enough to be taken on a plane as cabin baggage with most carriers flying from the UK.
It might fit the bill in terms of size, but what about the rest?
Usability
The standout feature of Libelle when it comes to usability is just how easy it is to open. Simply lift the clip, grab both handles, open them outwards and flick. It will take a couple of tries to perfect the fluid movement, but it really couldn’t be easier. It’s just as simple to fold, but don’t forget to tuck in the small footrest for the most compact fold.
Once folded, Libelle is free-standing, which is great for storage. The frame creates a helpful carry handle, so it’s easy to pick up and move around or stash in the car boot or the overhead bin on a plane. A specific travel bag with a shoulder strap is also available to make it even easier to carry when folded.
The brake is applied as the stroller opens, so it won’t roll away when you set it down or an over-eager toddler clambers in. Releasing or applying the brake is easy as the rocker-switch style peddle is mounted on the cross beam at the back of the stroller. You can operate it using the flat of your foot – a definite winner if you’re wearing flip-flops or sandals.
Comfort
The seat of the Libelle stroller reclines using a toggle sliding mechanism, but it is minimal, only reclining far enough to create a napping position, which is why it is only suitable from 6 months upwards. Car seat adaptors are available separately, so you can use the stroller with your Cybex car seat until your Mini Joe or Jane is big enough for the stroller seat itself.
One unfortunate side effect of the incredibly compact stroller is that the seat doesn’t have particularly thick padding. During our testing, Mini Joe seemed to be perfectly comfortable but could become a little uncomfortable if sat in the stroller for an extended period of time.
The straps cover a good size range and are easy to adjust. Once the height is set and the top buckles are neatly hidden away under padded sleeves secured with poppers, the main straps can tightened and loosened using the same mechanism as the straps on a Cybex car seat
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Cybex Libelle has a foldout sunshade, but for a travel stroller that will likely be taken on sunshine-filled holidays abroad, it is disappointingly short, providing only minimal shade, particularly to smaller children. A clip-on parasol can resolve that problem, but that’s one more thing for the suitcase, and there isn’t a matching one available from Cybex.
A bumper bar doesn’t come as standard, but one can be purchased separately, which looks to clip easily into the frame. If you intend to use the Libelle as an everyday stroller, this could be a wise investment, allowing your toddler to pull themselves forward. The sides of the stroller in grabbing range of little hands are fabric, making it difficult for them to lean forward to see around, which is something that Mini Joe revels in.
Storage
Under the Cybex Libelle, you’ll find a reasonably shallow fabric basket. While it’s probably not going to be large enough to carry everything you might need for a day of sightseeing, it will easily cope with a mid-sized nappy bag and all the essentials. Another plus is that the basket is easily accessible, with the rear bar and small front lip keeping everything safely stowed inside.
How does Cybex Libelle handle?
In order to keep the Cybex Libelle so stunningly small, the designer opted for fairly small wheels back and front. This can make the ride a little jittery, but Mini Joe seemed relaxed and comfortable during our testing thanks to some suspension on the single swivel wheels at the front.
Libelle is very lightweight, which helps with manoeuvrability and makes it easy to push across most surfaces. The swivel front wheels can’t be locked in a fixed position, so particularly rough ground or sand will likely be a little more challenging.
The placement of the handles is a bit different, with them placed at right angles to the main frame, but the stroller is light and easy to push. You’ll be unable to stop yourself using the push buttons on the end of each handle (part of the folding and unfolding mechanism) as if you’re a fighter pilot or playing a video game, but that novelty will pass…eventually. We hope.
Cybex Libelle cabin approve stroller: the verdict
Although this compact cabin approved stroller has many positive aspects that make it an excellent travel option, it’s not perfect. The limited recline and small sunshade might make it less appealing to parents of younger children, but we still think it’s a winner.
If you’re travelling with toddlers, are looking for a compact option to leave with grandparents, or have limited storage in the car or at home, Cybex Libelle cabin approved stroller is an excellent option. All of the fabric parts are fully machine washable, and the frame feels sturdy and durable, so you should get many years of compact travel from this pint-sized pushchair.
Model Tested: Cybex Libelle cabin approved stroller
Price: £260
Average Joes Rating: ★★★★★
