Mountain Buggy Nano Stroller Hack: Toddler Carseat

Adding an easy to use FAA approved light toddler carseat making traveling with a toddler simple

Toddler Carseat

One of the main pros for the Mountain Buggy Nano was the universal attachment of an infant carseat without the hassle of carseat attachments. However, what happens when your toddler grows out of the infant carseat? Here is a hack using a lightweight, easy to use, TSA approved toddler carseat.

To Purchase Toddler Carseat, or Toddler Carseat 2

Mountain Buggy Nano Stroller Hack: Sun Canopy Lift

Getting the Sun Canopy that Rests on the Handlebar off of your hands

Lifting the Canopy

The seat back and sun canopy is one of the tallest options in the travel stroller field; however, when it is not in use, and fully retracted, the sun canopy falls onto the hands of the person pushing the stroller making it one of the biggest annoyances for owners. This little hack lifts the canopy ever so slightly off of the handle bar. Another bonus is it serves as a nifty hook, too.

To Purchase Handle/Hook

Mountain Buggy Nano Stroller Hack: Child Cup and Snack Holder

A hack to allow for easy storage and access of your child's favorite snacks or drinking cups.

Dual Snack and Cup Holder

A hack that allows you to easily attach a snack and cup holder to your stroller. For easy placement, you can put the cupholder off to the side of the stroller although it makes it for a bit harder to reach for the child. For easier access by the child, you can attach the holder to a belly bar. Separate compartments makes for easy separation. Spill proof snack container, and machine washable make the snack and cup holder easy to use and to clean. The main drawback is that the stroller cannot fold with the holder attached. See below for other folding-friendly options.

To Purchase Snack and Cup Holder

To Purchase Grab Bar

Child Cup Holder

A Cupholder hack that allows gives your child a place to rest their drinks within arm's reach. This cupholder attaches to the Grab Bar, but the holder can be pivoted as you lift and lower the belly bar! The cupholder can also be positioned easily either on the left, side, or front. The attachment to the belly bar and it's ability to pivot also allows for your stroller to be folded with the belly bar and the cup holders attached (although it will not engage the automatic lock). Only downside is it doesn't have a snack holder section. This cup holder does not attach to the stroller without the grab bar attachment.

To Purchase Grab Bar

To Purchase Cup Holder

Child Snack Tray and Cup Holder

This cupholder and snack tray provides a great pivot cover without affecting the cup holder. The holder has to be attached on the side and fitted properly with the additional of some extra fabric, or foam on the piece that attaches to the stroller. Unfortunately the stroller can't be folded with the tray attached. 

Mountain Buggy Nano Stroller Hack: Belly Bar or Grab Bar for Child

A handle bar for your little one to hang on to, or a place to attach toys galore

Belly Bar or Grab Bar for Child

The Mountain Buggy Stroller came out with its own attachable handle bar and snack tray; however, reviews have been mixed about it. 

This hack allows for a simple belly bar addition to your own stroller. The handlebar lifts up for easy on and off of the stroller,  and allows for a place to easily attach cup holder, snack trays and also toys. The best part is the stroller can fold with the belly bar attached, although it will be hard to engage the auto-lock. The bar comes in cloth cover and faux leather and is soft and easy to clean. 

To Purchase Grab Bar.

Mountain Buggy Nano Stroller Review & Stroller Hacks

A Review and a list of Potential Hacks for the Mountain Buggy Nano Stroller

Mountain Buggy Nano: Small enough for carryon and overhead bins, but full featured enough for everyday use. An universal carseat strap makes for even simpler travel, and a tall seat back makes it perfect for older toddlers and taller children.

Best for: Lots of travel, especially trips that necessitates a carseat too, or families with an infant and a toddler or taller children.

Handle bar: Non adjustable, single handlebar covered in foam. The tall canopy, when not extended, rests on the hands of the person pushing which is rather annoying to some (see hacks below for fix).

Cup holder: None, but see hacks below.

Sun Canopy: Not extendable and not full coverage, but larger than the average travel stroller. The higher canopy makes it useful for taller children and does not block their vision. The final flap is ajustable to be pushed in or pulled out. The tall canopy, when not extended, rests on the hands of the person pushing which is rather annoying to some (see hacks below for fix).

Peekaboo Window: None, although v1 had a mesh back that allowed for quick peeking at your child

Seat: Might seem small, but it is not shallow.

Seat Back: One of the taller seatbacks amongst travel strollers. Great for older and taller children.

Recline: Great recline, but the seat does not sit completely up either.

Seatbelt: Easy to use. only 2 straps to deal with and not 5 separate pieces.

Belly Bar/snack tray: None, but see hacks below

Foot Rest: Adjustable footrest

Basket: OK for a travel stroller. Hard to access larger items from the back, easier from the front with the leg rest moved up.

Wheels: No suspension, but thicker wheels allows the stroller to take the cracks and bumps with greater ease. The V1 wheels were much thicker than the V2 wheels.

Weight: Average for the world of travel strollers.

Fold: Two handed, two step fold. For full compactness, you have to remove the wheels which gets pretty annoying. The fold is cumbersome, but with practice it becomes second nature. An extra step is needed to secure the canopy in the folded position, otherwise there is the risk of the canopy flapping open when carrying which is quite a pain. 

Unfold: With practice, the unfold can be done with one hand must more easily than the Yoyo, Zoe XLC, or GB Pockit

Carry strap: Small attached strap that is minimal enough to not get in the way but just enough for proper carrying.

Carry Case: A snug fitting carry case that exposes the wheels and is quite a pain to put on.

Stability: Pretty stable and much less tippy than the ZOE XLC or the Babyzen Yoyo

Suspension: None

Maneuverability: Easy to turn and can push with one hand, although not as responsive as the Babyzen Yoyo

Price: $$ Midrange for most compact strollers. 

Hacks:

  • Parent Cupholder--Add a console that doesn't affect the fold or the carry

  • Child Snack and cup holder--to keep them full and content

  • Belly Bar--Add a bar for your child to grab on to and for you to hang toys on.

  • Stroller Storage--Add a second stroller in the basket for the potential older sibling who might need a ride

  • Canopy Hack--Get the canopy lifted off of the handlebar and add a useful hook along the way

  • Toddler Carseat--Making it just as easy to travel with an older child

Final Thoughts:

  • Compact enough for a travel stroller, yet full featured enough for everyday use
  • The frustrations and lack of simplicity of the fold doesn't make this the first choice for frequent folding
  • The universal carseat strap, and ability to store a second stroller in the basket, along with the great recline, tall seat back, and adjustable leg rest makes this stroller ideal for a family with multiple children of different ages. It will grow easily with a family and be more comfortable for taller children.
  • Larger wheels makes it capable of handling tough terrain even if it is not the smoothest ride in the compact stroller market

To Purchase a Mountain Buggy Nano