Nuna TRVL Review: Is the Lightest Stroller the Best for Travel?

Who is the Nuna TRVL for?

The Nuna TRVL suits parents who want a stroller they can fold with one hand while holding a baby, and who already own or plan to buy a Nuna PIPA car seat. Nuna lists it at 13.6 lb without the canopy and arm bar, so it is easy to lift into a trunk or carry up a flight of stairs. It works from birth when paired with a PIPA series car seat, and the stroller seat takes over once your baby sits up on their own, usually around 6 months, up to 50 lb. That makes it a real everyday stroller for city families, not only a travel one. It costs $575 at Nuna's US site, which is a lot for a single-seat stroller with small wheels. If it will be your only stroller for rough sidewalks or long walks, a model with larger wheels may suit you better. If you want a light, tidy stroller for errands, visits to grandparents and flights, it fits well.

How does the TRVL ride and steer?

Nuna lists progressive suspension at the front and rear wheels, plus front swivel wheels that lock for straighter tracking. BabyGearLab measured 6.5-inch front and 8.5-inch rear wheels and scored the Nuna TRVL 9.0 out of 10 for maneuverability, describing easy turns on flat ground. Locking the front wheels adds stability on uneven ground but widens the turning circle. On moderately rough surfaces the same reviewers found the ride slightly bumpier, though still better than most travel strollers. In plain terms, the TRVL is a smooth city stroller. Pavement, shop floors and airport corridors are where it works best. Gravel paths, cobbles and cracked sidewalks are where the small EVA foam wheels will let you feel the ground. Steering is one-handed, which helps when you are carrying a coffee or holding a toddler's hand. BabyGearLab lists the handlebar height at 41.5 inches, which suits most adults but may feel low to very tall parents. There is a single foot brake.

• Maneuverability8.9 / 10
• WheelsProgressive front and rear suspension, front swivel wheels with locks, quick-release wheels (EVA foam)

How big is the TRVL when folded?

Nuna says the Nuna TRVL self-folds when you press a button on the push bar, and it then stands on its own. Folded, Nuna lists it at 24 x 20.25 x 11 inches with the arm bar removed, and 13.6 lb without the canopy and arm bar, which add about 1 lb. BabyGearLab weighed the complete stroller at 15.6 lb and measured the fold at 27.2 x 20.5 x 11.3 inches, which it called above average in size for the travel class. Nuna says it may fit an overhead bin depending on the airline, but BabyGearLab reports it does not meet IATA carry-on guidelines, so plan to gate-check it. The included carry bag helps with that and lets you carry it hands-free. Reviewers also noted that there is no carry strap on the stroller itself and that the folded canopy can touch the pusher's hands.

Is the TRVL comfortable and safe?

The seat has a one-hand, multi-position recline and adjustable calf support. BabyGearLab scored kid comfort at 7.1 and called it average: the seat reclines but does not lie fully flat, which is why Nuna points newborns to a PIPA car seat. The canopy is UPF 50+, water repellent and has multiple windows, though reviewers found the mesh window smaller than on some rivals. A no-rethread five-point harness with a self-locking magnetic MagneTech buckle keeps buckling quick. Nuna also says the stroller is GREENGUARD Gold certified for low chemical emissions. The weight limit is 50 lb, higher than many travel strollers, so a bigger toddler can keep riding. The seat suits short trips and errands better than long naps. If your child sleeps in the stroller for hours, a seat that reclines flatter may be a better fit.

How much storage does the TRVL have?

Nuna describes an easy-access basket but does not publish a weight limit. Babylist and BabyGearLab put it at 10 lb, which BabyGearLab calls smaller than average. That is enough for a light jacket, wipes and a small bag, but not a full diaper bag plus shopping. Most parents will end up carrying a bag on their shoulder or hanging one from the handlebar. The included carry bag can hold a little extra when you pack the stroller away for a trip.

Does the Nuna TRVL work with a car seat?

Yes, but only with Nuna's own. The Nuna TRVL connects directly to PIPA series car seats with no adapters, so you click the seat on and go. That gives you a travel system for the first months, when the TRVL's own seat does not lie flat. Nuna recommends using a PIPA seat until your baby can sit up unaided, usually around 6 months, and only then switching to the stroller seat. BabyGearLab lists limited car seat compatibility as a drawback, because other brands are not supported. If you own a Cybex, Chicco or Graco seat, this is not the stroller for you. If you are choosing your gear from scratch, pairing the TRVL with a PIPA seat is a tidy, lightweight way to cover the first year. Nuna also sells the TRVL lx with a PIPA Urbn seat as a bundle from $800.

Nuna TRVL vs Stokke YOYO3 vs Bugaboo Butterfly 2 Plus

Stokke YOYO3: Lighter and carry-on sized at about 13.7 lb, and costs $499. Bugaboo Butterfly 2 Plus: Another travel-focused compact stroller to compare on fold and price.

How we rated the Nuna TRVL

Six criteria, weighted by how much they shape everyday life. Read our methodology.

1. Maneuverability 20%8.9
2. Fold & portability 20%9.1
3. Comfort & safety 20%8.1
4. Storage & practicality 15%7.6
5. Build & durability 15%8.7
6. Value 10%7.7

Weighted total8.4— Very good

Nuna TRVL full specifications

What to buy instead

• Lighter and carry-on sized at about 13.7 lb, and costs $499.

  Stokke YOYO3

  8.6 — Excellent. 13.7 lb, folds to 20.5×17.3×7.1 in, $499.

• Another travel-focused compact stroller to compare on fold and price.

  Bugaboo Butterfly 2 Plus

  8.7 — Excellent. 16 lb, folds to 9.6×17.6×21.8 in, $579.

• A light everyday stroller to compare if you do not use Nuna car seats.

  Stokke YOYO3

  8.6 — Excellent. 13.7 lb, folds to 20.5×17.3×7.1 in, $499.