The Baby Jogger City Tour 2 is a lightweight travel stroller that folds to airline carry-on dimensions and offers a full flat recline suitable for newborns. However, Kid Travel found that the fold mechanism often fails to latch securely unless significant downward pressure is applied, creating a safety risk during transit. The design also includes a loud Velcro peek-a-boo window that can disturb sleeping children, forcing parents to leave it open and compromising privacy. This model fits families prioritizing compact storage and air travel compliance over robust latching security or quiet operation.
Full review
Travel dimensions and carry-on compliance
Its 56 x 40.3 x 18 cm folded footprint makes it suitable for overhead bin storage on flights, addressing a primary need for families who travel frequently with young children. The stroller weighs approximately 14 pounds or 6.5 kilograms, keeping it in the lightweight category that distinguishes it from bulkier full-size models.
While the folded dimensions are generally compliant, MadeForMums notes that actual acceptance on board can still vary depending on airline staff and specific aircraft configurations. The manufacturer recommends removing the wheels to ensure the stroller fits within the strictest size allowances if there is any doubt about cabin space. This flexibility in packing allows parents to avoid checking the stroller at the gate, which reduces the risk of damage during transit.
Seat comfort and recline capabilities
The City Tour 2's full flat recline is a significant upgrade over the original City Tour model, which was restricted to children aged six months and older because its partial recline was insufficient for infants. The adjustable leg rest adds further comfort by accommodating growing legs during longer walks or naps.
The short seat back means taller babies may find their heads touching the top of the canopy while seated upright. The fabric on the seat is described as hard-wearing and easy to clean, but dailybabyfinds criticized its nylony feel for lacking breathability, noting that it can make children sweat during warm weather.
Fold mechanism complexity and latching issues
The folding process requires a specific sequence of actions: pressing a safety slider on the handlebar, pushing down to collapse the frame, and then pulling a central locking mechanism at the base. BabyGearLab describes the fold as a one-hand operation that auto-locks but does not self-stand, and Kid Travel found the stroller not the easiest to fold. The internal components are built from metal rather than plastic, contributing to a sturdy feel during deployment.
However, BabyGearLab lists 'Fold doesn't fully lock' among its reasons to avoid and reports that the stroller frequently partially deployed when lifted by the handlebar instead of the folding handle. kidtravel reported that unless significant downward pressure is applied after folding, the latch fails to catch, leaving the stroller prone to accidentally unfolding in a car trunk or overhead bin. This unreliability forces parents to manually push and adjust the frame every time they pack it away, which can be frustrating when managing a child simultaneously.
Canopy design and ventilation flaws
The stroller is equipped with a large canopy that provides UV 50+ protection and covers most of the seat area. However, the sun shade stops short at the knee level when the child is seated upright, leaving their legs exposed to direct sunlight during midday walks. This limited coverage can be a drawback for parents who prioritize full-body sun protection without using additional accessories.
A more significant complaint concerns the peek-a-boo window on the back of the canopy. The window uses a loud Velcro strip that makes a sharp ripping noise when opened or closed. kidtravel and YouTube reviewer Emily specifically highlighted this as a major downside, noting that the sound is startling enough to wake sleeping babies. This design flaw forces parents to leave the window permanently open for airflow, which compromises privacy and leaves the mesh vulnerable to debris.
Maneuverability and wheel performance
The City Tour 2 rolls on four EVA foam wheels, with five-inch front wheels and six or seven-inch rear wheels depending on the specific variant. These smaller wheels are designed for smooth urban terrain like pavement and airport terminals rather than rough trails. The front wheels feature suspension that absorbs small bumps, making it a pleasure to push through crowded spaces.
Despite its agile steering, BabyGearLab found that the stroller performs below average when pushed off paved roads onto grass or uneven surfaces.
Handlebar height and storage limitations
The handlebar is positioned at a comfortable height for average-sized adults but lacks adjustability, which may be too low for taller parents. The rubberized grip provides good traction, but the central fold button is quite prominent on the bar itself. BabyGearLab warned that this placement can cause the stroller to accidentally deploy if a parent grabs the handlebar while trying to carry it by the separate top strap.
Storage space is another area where the compact design creates trade-offs. While BabyGearLab found the basket spacious enough for large diaper bags, dailybabyfinds reported that it occupies almost all available room with just a standard shoulder bag. Additionally, hanging items on the handlebar is strictly prohibited because the stroller's lightweight frame tips backward easily when weight distribution shifts to the rear.
Brake system and harness usability
The braking mechanism uses a wire-activated pedal located at the right wheel. Unlike higher-end models, there is no adjustment screw to compensate for cable stretch over time, meaning performance may degrade without professional maintenance.
The five-point harness features breakaway buckles that allow conversion to a three-point configuration by removing shoulder straps. While BabyGearLab found the padded leg rest and overall seat construction to be high quality, they criticized the harness adjustment system as fiddly compared to competitors. The buckle pads are not attached to the webbing and constantly slide down during use, requiring frequent repositioning to keep them comfortable for the child.
Strengths
- +Compact fold meets airline carry-on size guidelines (56x40.3x18 cm)
- +Lightweight design at approximately 14 lbs or 6.5 kg
- +Full flat recline and adjustable leg rest for infant comfort
- +Sturdy metal frame with smooth one-hand folding mechanism
Watch-outs
- −Fold does not always latch securely, requiring manual adjustment
- −Velcro peek-a-boo window is loud and can disturb sleeping children
How it compares
The Baby Jogger City Tour 2 is lighter at 14 lbs than the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 (16 lbs) and Joolz Aer 2 (14.2 lbs), but it lacks the full suspension found in those models, which may result in a rougher ride on uneven terrain. Unlike the Colugo Compact+, which has no newborn compatibility, the City Tour 2 offers a full flat recline suitable for infants from birth.
Rating sources
Counts as 4.68/5 in our score — this publisher's 5 scores on the site average 4.80, so its scores are adjusted down to compare fairly with other publishers.
Our 4.7 score is the average of the 1 scored review above, each adjusted for how strictly its publisher scores; 6 more reviewed it without printing a score and are not in the average. More about methodology.
