I’m excited to share my honest Zoe Traveler Review and give you all the details on this lightweight travel stroller. If you’re looking for an affordable travel stroller that’s lightweight and fits in the overhead bin of an airplane, this Zoe stroller may be the right option for you.
If you’re new here, I’m Emily, AKA The Stroller Mom. I review strollers and other baby gear from a mom’s perspective. I test every single stroller I review with my three children to help uncover the details that parents care most about.
Disclosure—This post also contains affiliate links. You don’t get charged any extra, but my family receives a small commission when you shop through one of my affiliate links, and we are grateful for your support!
Table of Contents
Zoe Traveler Quick Summary
If you don’t have time to read this entire post, here are the highlights you need to know before purchasing:
- This stroller is affordable at $249 and you can even save $15 with my code. Click the following link, and your discount will automatically apply at checkout: https://glnk.io/zlzjm/the-stroller-mom
- It’s lightweight, at just 13 pounds, making it ideal for travel or keeping in your car for on-the-go convenience.
- Fits in the overhead compartment of most airplanes, making it great for air travel
- It’s not compatible with car seats, which could be a deal-breaker for some parents. If infant car seat compatibility is important to you, consider checking out the Zoe Tour V2 instead.
- It has a one-handed quick fold.
- The canopy has a really impressive extension and can easily cover a napping child.
- The seatback isn’t very high, but my two-year-old can still lay down comfortably. The seat is sturdy, and while her head extends slightly beyond the seatback, it rests on the inside of the canopy without any issues.
Also, if you prefer a video, check out my YouTube review of the Zoe Traveler stroller:
Zoe Traveler Price and What’s Included
This Zoe Traveler retails for $249, and you can save $15 with my code. Click the following link, and your discount will automatically apply at checkout: https://glnk.io/zlzjm/the-stroller-mom.
For that price, you get a bumper bar and a parent cup holder, both of which I have been really happy with. I also highly recommend getting the snack tray!
Zoe Traveler From Top to Bottom
If you’ve seen my YouTube videos, you know I’m thorough and cover all the details that matter most to parents. In this section, I’ll walk you through the Zoe Traveler from top to bottom, highlighting key features that could help you decide if this is the right stroller for your needs.
The Handlebar
The handlebar isn’t adjustable, but that’s typical for lightweight strollers. It’s comfortable for both me at 5’5″ and my husband at 6″. If you’re looking for a travel stroller with an adjustable handlebar, the only one I know of is the Ergobaby Metro+.
The Canopy
I’ve been really happy with the large canopy on this stroller, especially with its zipper extension that can easily cover a napping child—perfect for trips to Disney World! The canopy is UPF 50+, offering excellent sun protection for your little one. However, there are a few drawbacks to keep in mind.
Aside from the mesh peekaboo window, there’s no mesh for added airflow, which could be an issue on hot days. Speaking of the peek-a-boo window, while it’s well-positioned, it doesn’t stay open on its own. So, if you’re out on a windy day, it might blow shut.
The Seat
I’ve been really happy with several features of the seat on this stroller. The seatback is short, however it’s sturdy and can hold up to 45 pounds. My two-year-old can lay down comfortably, with her head resting slightly over the seatback on the inside of the canopy. The recline is really nice, allowing for naps on the go, and while it’s not perfectly flat, it’s pretty close!
Zoe advertises this stroller for use from 3 months and up, but in my experience, it’s more suitable for a 4 or 5-month-old. When my three-month-old used it, she tended to slouch because she didn’t have good core strength. Finally, I’m pleased with how easy the buckles are to use—they’re not magnetic, but they work great!
However, there are a few drawbacks to consider. As I mentioned earlier, the seatback isn’t very tall due to the stroller’s compact folding design, so if that’s important to you, you might want to consider the Zoe Tour stroller or another travel stroller. Another inconvenience is the lack of a no-rethread harness, meaning you’ll have to manually rethread the straps as your child grows or if you’re switching between children. It’s not a major issue, but it can be a bit inconvenient.
The Bumper Bar
The belly bar is easy to swing open to let your child in and out. One thing to note, I often have to adjust it slightly to get it to click in correctly.
The Footrest
The Zoe Traveler comes equipped with an adjustable footrest that can be adjusted one-handed. Many travel strollers either don’t have a footrest or require you to purchase one separately, so it’s a nice added feature! It also has a lower footrest for taller kids at a comfortable height.
The Brake
I LOVE the brake! It is a one foot, super easy, flip-flop-friendly brake. It’s one of my favorite features next to the canopy. And the fold. Okay, there are a lot of great features…
The Basket and Storage
The basket holds up to 10 pounds (which is common for travel strollers) and is pretty small. It BARELY fits my medium size Dagne Dover diaper bag.
Thankfully, the stroller comes with or you can purchase, a few other accessories that help improve the storage situation. It comes with a parent cup holder, and there is a pocket behind the canopy that is great for storing your cell phone or keys.
If you are looking for additional storage, you can purchase the parent organizer from Zoe. However, because of how the canopy is, it’s not the easiest to access, so I end up keeping my drink in the cup holder. It does fold with the parent organizer attached, which is a plus.
Zoe Traveler Infant and Car Seat Compatibility
Zoe says you can use this stroller with an infant starting around 3 months. However, I found it was better closer to 4 or 5 months. My three-month-old was just a little too slouched over for my liking, and I prefer a bassinet or car seat until then.
This stroller is NOT car seat compatible, which is probably a deciding factor for many of you. If you are looking for a car seat compatible stroller and want to stay in the Zoe family, I recommend the Zoe Tour v2.
Zoe Traveler Folding, Unfolding, and Ease of Use
This stroller features an easy one-handed fold. When you first get it out of the box, you’ll need to play with it a bit to get the hang of it. As someone who tests strollers frequently, I can say there’s almost always a learning curve with new models, and this one is no exception. The folding mechanism is simple—just push one button, and push the stroller into itself. It even stands on its own, which is amazing!
While you can carry it using the bumper bar, I found myself missing a carrying strap. However, I discovered that Zoe offers a carrying strap for just $10 on their website, and it’s well worth the investment. If you ever travel alone, I highly recommend getting it. As you probably know, it’s a challenge to juggle all your belongings, plus your kids’ things, without a carrying strap when scrambling through the airport.
Opening the stroller is incredibly smooth. Just pick it up by the handle, push the button, and it flings open with ease.
Maneuverability & Performance of the Zoe Traveler
This stroller is made for busy airports, city streets, and a trunk-to-store lifestyle. It does great in those areas. But please keep in mind that this is not an all-terrain stroller. We ask a lot from our strollers, and there really isn’t one that is a one-size-fits-all. It doesn’t have a ton of suspension or all-terrain wheels, so it’s not the best for uneven surfaces, but with that, you get a really compact stroller.
Zoe Traveler Specifications
- Weight: 13 lbs
- Seat Weight Capacity: Up to 45 lbs
- Storage Basket Weight Limit: 10lbs
- Open Dimensions: 40″ x 21.5″ x 24″
- Folded Size: 18.5″ x 21.5″ x 9.5″
- Recline: 140 Degrees
- Age Recommendation: 3+ Months
- Car Seat Compatibility: None
- Seat Dimensions: 11″ (width) x 9″ (depth)
- Seat to Canopy Height: 23″
- Seatback Height: 16.5″
- Handlebar Height: 40″
- Front Wheels: 5 3/8″ x 1 1/8″
- Rear Wheels: 6 1/4″ x 1 1/4″
What Accessories Are Available for the Traveler?
- Snack Tray (My personal fav!)
- Stroller Travel Bag Backpack
- Stroller Organizer
- Carrying Strap
- Seat Liners
- Rain Cover
Other Strollers You May Be Considering
The Zoe Traveler is a great travel stroller, but you are probably considering other options. Here’s some high-level information on
Zoe Tour V2
- If you like Zoe Strollers but are looking for car seat compatibility or more of an everyday stroller, this is a good option.
- For only $10 more, you get a taller seat back and a bigger basket, but it does not stand up when folded and will not fit in all overhead bins.
- Check out my full review of the Zoe Tour V2 on YouTube
Bombi Bebee V2
- Another great budget-friendly stroller option.
- Weighs more and is not as compact as the Traveler. Better suited for daily use.
- Check out my full review of the Bombi Bebee V2 on YouTube.
UPPAbaby Minu V2
- I love the UPPAbaby Minu because it can be used from birth with a bassinet or car seats.
- It is almost double the price of the Zoe Traveler though
- It also is not nearly as compact and is about four pounds heavier.
- Check out my full review of the UPPAbaby Minu V2 on YouTube.
Nuna TRVL
- The Nuna TRVL was one of my first travel strollers. You’ve probably seen its show-stopping one-handed fold!
- It, too, is almost double the price of the Traveler.
- It is not as compact as the Traveler and doesn’t fit in as many overhead bins.
- It is made with higher-quality materials and is compatible with Nuna PIPA infant car seats.
- Check out my full review of the Nuna TRVL on YouTube.
Bugaboo Butterfly
- The Bugaboo Butterfly has taken over the throne from the Babyzen Yoyo as the king of travel strollers.
- It is almost double the price of the Traveler.
- It has a very tall seatback, making it a great option for older toddlers who still like to nap in their stroller.
- It has an easy one-handed fold and is compact, fitting in most overhead bins
- The seat position is not as upright as some of the other options, which can be annoying for older toddlers
- Check out my full review of the Bugaboo Butterfly on YouTube.
Joolz Aer+
- It is almost double the price of the Traveler.
- 10-year transferrable warranty, which is unheard of!
- Made with high-quality materials.
- Tall seatback and fits in an overhead bin
- The zipper recline is VERY inconvenient, especially when in a hurry
- Check out my full review of the Joolz Aer+ on YouTube.
Who is the Zoe Traveler Best For?
Buying a stroller is a big decision. The Zoe Traveler is ideal for families seeking a light weight stroller that fits in the overhead bins of an airplane. It offers many of the same features as its more expensive competitors but at a more reasonable price point. This makes it a great everyday stroller, especially if you’re using it in a trunk-to-store lifestyle rather than on all-terrain surfaces. However, if you need car seat compatibility, this may not be the best stroller for you.
One last thing to highlight, Zoe offers free shipping on stroller purchases and has a 30-day trial period (meaning free returns). You can check out Zoe’s return policy here.
