Ok. I've read the various scattering of comments on these two strollers and I thought I would bring it up (again) and get a dad's point of view.

Has anyone used both the Perego and Runabout? Which one did you like better? I also saw the TripleDecker from doubledeckerstroller.com.

It's a terribly tough choice to make an investment of this size without getting to at least see these things in action.

==============
Connor, Chloe, & Gwynne - 3 Precious
miracles born 11/03/03 @ 25W

See our babies at http://
360.yahoo.com/jasonnferris

All we have to decide is what to do
with the time that is given to us

I have both the 2000 model year PPand the 2001. The 2000 is the old style with the fixed wheels, and the 2001 and newer have the double sets of wheels that turn.

I like the 2001 becuae it is very easy to take the seats off and fold down, however the cheap cardboard/plastic undercarriage of the storage compartment continues to get caught in the frame when folded. My DW loves it becuase it is much easier to turn. We keep this one in the van for trips to the mall.

However, we also really like the older style becuase it is very easy to push and wih the bigger wheels rolls over uneven and grassy terrain much better than the newewr model. We use this for our walks to the park and trips around the neighborhood. It also has a nicer steel frame basket underneath.

The "easy to push" verusus "easy to turn" may be an issue you face deciding between the PP and the Runabout. Also, the Runabout does not come with storage - that is an additional expense, and the atachments that I have seen didn't seem to be that big.

Our three are 29 months and weigh 32 pounds and are 36-37 inches and fit in the PP just fine. I think that the PP is rated to 40 pounds and the Runabout to 50 pounds per child (not sure on this point).

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Mike

Proud Daddy of Kate, Michael, Xander 2/01

Regards,

Mike

Proud Daddy of Three

Have have owned both the newer model of the Peg Perego and a Runabout. We prefer the Runabout but let me give you my opinion of advantages of both:

BUT I would go with a Triple Decker instead of a Peg if you plan to get a Runabout someday.

Peg advantages:
1. New model (2001 or newer) seats can come off and you can put TWO (not 3) Peg Perego Primo Viaggio (sp?) infant carriers on the frame of the stroller (leaving you to only have to carry one by hand) This is really handy when they are babies and you are going to the dr. office and such.
2. The seats come off and you can fit it all in the trunk of a car or inside a mini-van or SUV.
3. The seats just about lay flat, so you can put really little babies in it.

Peg Disadvantages:
1. Once they reach a certain size/weight, it seems really top heavy like it may tip over if on a slope.
2. It get increasingly difficult to push as their weights go up.
3. You have to put it in the vehicle with you b/c there is no carrier for the back of the car.
4. Child's views are restricted...especially with canopy tops on the seats
5. Feels flimsy

Runabout Advantages:
1. VERY easy to push and turn.
2. Can be put on the carrier behind the car as to not take up cargo space.
3. Durable and sturdy
4. Kids have good views as the seats are stair-stepped.
5. Can accomodate a rather large child and still be stable....will outlast the Peg for sure by age of child.

Runabout Disadvantages:
1. Not well suited for new-borns (we started using ours at about 10 months or so)
2. Pretty large
3. Draws a LOT of attention b/c it looks crazy
4. Can't put it in most vehicles (bummer when it rains....but you can get a cover for it)

Like I said, I prefer the Runabout. My main reasons are: The ease of pushing/turning, and the fact that it will be able to be used for a few more years.

If I were to go back and do it over again. I would be the Triple Decker for the infants then get the Runabout at about 1 year (or whenever they outgrow the Triple Decker. If you are not familiar, the Triple Decker is a frame that holds three infant carriers....it is awesome! We really never used the seats on our Peg very much b/c we preferred to put the infant carrier in the frame so we were not having to transport kids from one seat to another. The Triple Decker solves this problem.

The re-sale is tremendous on strollers. We sold our Peg for almost what we paid for it brand new. The Triple Deckers also are very quick to resale. I advise you to get the Triple Decker now, and sell it when you are ready for a Runabout. You should come close to making enough of the Triple Decker to pay for the Runabout.

Tripdaddy
Father of Sam, Rob, & Trey

We received a used oler model Peg Perego when the babies were born and was great when they were little. Now with the babies approaching 30 lbs each it is getting harder to push and to turn. If I had it to do over, I would get the Peg Perego or J Mason (el-cheapo) carriage for the first year and then invest in a run about and a hitch.

At this point it doesn't make sense to get the run about, I don't think we'll get that much more time out of a stroller. Maybe another 6 - 9 months at most.

Jonathan
Dad to Al 18), Dan(16)
and Aidan, Zachary, and Jillian (9-01)

Jonathan
Dad to Ally(25), Dan(23),
and Aidan, Zachary, and Jillian (8)

We started out with the older model Peg Perego then upgraded to the current model. As the kids got bigger, it became harder to turn & with the smaller wheels it would not go "off road" very easily. We then sold the Peg & got the Run About, which we love.

If we had to do it over again we would get the Triple Decker & then the RunAbout when they out grow the TD. With the TD you avoid having to take kids in and out of their carseats.

Justin
Husband to Susan
Dad to Kimball, Karissa, Kelsey 11/22/00 34wks.

Justin
Husband to Susan
Dad to Kimball, Karissa, Kelsey 11/22/00 34wks
Emily - 11/8/2005

TripDaddy sums it up pretty well. Let me expand on one of his points. We tried to put the triplets in our Runabout at about two months. They screamed alot. At about 4 months, they began to enjoy their rides. Now, we go on a nightly walk. We used to have blankets for cushion since it's a hard plastic seat; now we don't. We still use those half circle head/neck stabilizers to help keep 'em from drooping too much.

My favorite Runabout feature is the giant three wheels. You can go anywhere (across grass, through the woods) and not worry about getting stuck or busting a wheel.

I'm a Runabout fan.

Greg
Father to Christine (6), Sam, Courtney and Katrina (03-03-03)

I agree with Tripdaddy on the TripleDecker - our girls are almost 10 months now, and DW and I both love the TD for it's ease of use, and how easy it is to fold up and put into the van. It is very lightweight, so she has no problem using it by herself to take the babies out shopping, doctor's, etc. I like it so much I have been trying to think of a way we can use it after the babies outgrow it, by finding different seats that can snap in and out easily. If we need to get another stroller, we know it will have a great resale value, so we don't worry about that too much. To be honest, I can't imagine an easier system to carry the babies around for the first year.

Steve
Proud dad to Dana, Valerie & Madeline
10/2/02

Steve
Proud dad to Dana, Valerie & Madeline 10/2/2002
And Carly! 2/22/07