The release of the new Phil and Teds Smart buggy has been so long awaited that some were certain that it would never happen. The Smart would fade into everyone’s distant memory. It would go down in history as a European stroller myth never to be spotted on our shores. However, Phil and Teds USA has come through and finally released the Smart Buggy in the U.S surprising even us retailers. Now the burning question all of us are wondering is will the Smart be as smart as first thought, or will it fall short of supposed brilliance.
First let’s break for a vocabulary lesson and define the word smart. For those of you who don’t know, and excuse me those who do, smart in other parts of the world is actually a synonym for good-looking.
Doesn’t he look smart? Referring to your handsome husband dressing up to take you out for cocktails.
Of course, here in the U.S we equate the word smart to matters of the brain.
My second grader is so smart! He got a hundred on his spelling test!
Most of the time, the rest of the world might use the word brilliant in place of smart to refer to their second grader. Clear things up? Good. So using both definitions of the word smart, what makes the Smart so Smart?
The Smart Buggy is smart (in the U.S definition of smart) because it is versatile. There are few lightweight strollers on the market that are so versatile, giving parents the option for a bassinet, and a car seat adapter, and a toddler stroller seat. Many of the fully featured system strollers, such as the UPPAbaby Vista or the Bugaboo Frog are heavier, in the 20-30 lb range. The Smart does it all in just over fifteen pounds.
Phil and Teds tells us that the Smart is the complete compact stroller system. Let’s compare it to other lightweight stroller systems. At 15.5 lbs, the Smart Buggy might just be one of the lightest most versatile and complete systems on the market. Compared to the Baby Jogger City Mini hovering around 16 lbs, or the Bugaboo Bee + at just over eighteen, the Smart is bassinet compatible. Neither the Mini or the Bee + are, putting them off to parents of newborns who seem to prefer a heavier ride with a cushy bassinet such as the UPPAbaby Vista. The all new Bumbleride Flite, at 13 lbs is carrycot and car seat compatible but lacks heavily on storage. The wheels on the Smart are a definite upgrade to the Flite and the Bee +, although the suspension on the Bee + is incredible. It is yet to be determined how smooth the ride will actually be on the Smart. Like the Flite, the Smart comes with three seating options including a newborn bassinet, the peanut. The Smart system is available as a bundle with the peanut or without. Although it would be nice if it did, the Smart seat does not reverse, making the Bugaboo Bee + the only lightweight stroller in it’s class with a reversible stroller seat.
The technology on the Smart is also, well, smart (brilliant!) The seat on the Smart buggy is a sort of an engineering marvel, and it will be interesting to see how consumers react to the shape, size and technology of the seat. The seat, a molded bucket seat with a two position tip recline lacks any sort of leg supported or molded footrest. There is no fabric. There is only Aerocore. Aerocore technology, made to be comfortable for a child in any season is also very hygienic, wipeable, hypoallergenic, UV resistant, waterproof, as well as cushioned and supportive. The seat is also well ventilated through the back. Phil and Teds Cushy Ride pads are available for $29.99 in a variety of colors to make the seat more inviting to smaller infants. The seat is suitable from about 4 months old and on up to fifty pounds which is a good deal considering the length of use. 
Now onto looks, or smart as the rest of the world sees it. When you seek out the sleek aluminum frame, sexy black and silver lines, the Smart is good looking. It’s larger wheels make it sit up from the rest of the umbrella stroller world. It actually looks like nothing else on the market. This is a whole new realm of stroller for Phil and Teds, who are known for inline single chassis double buggy’s, pneumatic tires, and rough and rugged design. The Smart is a smashing city stroller. It is an on the go stroller and a travel stroller. It is for someone who wants it all; comfort of a pram on the go, lightweight design, car seat compatible and no fuss but it actually looks…smart!
More to come on the Smart from Strolling in Style!
The Phil and Teds Smart buggy will retail for $249.99 . It will retail as a bundle with the peanut for $359.99. Car seat adapters will be an optional accessory.
Tags: Lightweight Strollers, Phil & Teds, Smart Buggy, Travel Strollers