The Mamas&Papas Armadillo is a modern-looking lightweight stroller that is designed for busy parents who like to run errands or go to the park, or a shopping mall.
With so many great features like a huge canopy, roomy seat, large easy-to-access basket, and adjustable leg rest, the Armadillo has created a huge buzz.
It has been named the best urban stroller by many parenting websites.
Since its release, it has also received many awards including The National Parenting Center, The Cribsie Awards, The Bump – Best Of Baby Awards, and National Parenting Publications Awards. How cool is that?
I absolutely love the deep one-hand recline that provides plenty of room for a child to stretch. The EVA tires and all-wheel suspension will create a smooth ride in case you hit a bump. Parents who travel a lot will love the easy one-hand fold and small footprint. It’s even smaller than City Mini and Britax B-Agile.
The narrow frame (20″ wide) will allow you to navigate narrow store aisles with ease. The stroller is super compact and should fit in the smallest trunk. Most importantly, it weighs ONLY 17 lbs!
That’s right, this is a serious competition for the favorites like City Mini and B-Agile. It can accommodate a child from birth and up to 50 lbs. You CAN also use it with a car seat turning it into a travel system.
For parents who want to buy ONLY one stroller, the Armadillo could be the one. It has a sleek design and is full of luxury features. There are also four other models in the Aramadillo family: Armadillo XT, Armadillo City, Armadillo Flip, and Armadillo Flip XT.
OVERALL
I gave it 5 out of 5 stars because I really feel like Mamas & Papas listened to the parents and created a great high-quality stroller. I also noticed that Mamas & Papas have really analyzed the competition because, in their overview video, they keep comparing the Armadillo model to City Mini and B-Agile.
That shows you that they were not trying to create just another OK stroller, but wanted to create an AMAZING product. Of course, there are a few things I would to improve like a non-adjustable handlebar and no ‘follow the sun’ canopy. I also would like for the cup holder and bumper bar to be included.
The Armadillo was on backorder for the first few months after the release date, but now it retails for around $289. It comes in 5 beautiful colors with a cool black frame.
BTW, I noticed that a black frame is a new trend that many companies are doing. I like that new look. The rain cover is also included, but there is no cup holder or bumper bar.
Buy Mamas & Papas Armadillo Stroller »
Features
CANOPY
It has a large canopy with a small pop-out sun visor that will provide your child with full sun protection. It also has a small peekaboo window made out of clear plastic with a magnetic closure instead of a noisy Velcro.
There is a small toy loop on the inside of the canopy, that you can use to hang small toys for your baby. Mamas & Papas are really thinking about small details. I truly think that Armadillo has one of the best canopies on the market.
HANDLEBAR
The non-adjustable handle bar is located 40″ from the ground and is covered with foam. There is a convince grip in the middle for one-hand navigation and a short run-away strap for additional safety.
SEAT
The seat is 12″ wide with 20″ seat back and a measurement of 24″ from the back of the seat to the top of the canopy. The seat can accommodate a child from birth and up to 50 lbs.
What I really like about this seat is that the back of the seat is made out of hard plastic that will always maintain its shape and provide your child with max support. The seat has an infinite one-hand recline operated by a strap system.
Usually with the strap system, you will need both hands to bring the seat back. Not with this one! You can easily bring the seat back with ONLY one hand by pulling on the straps.
HARNESS
It has 5 point padded adjustable harness with a center release buckle.
FOOTREST
You can easily adjust the leg rest by pulling the lever underneath. It has two positions: horizontal and angled down. This is a great feature for smaller babies.
They will be able to stretch their little feet and sit comfortably. Also, it creates a great bed-like environment in case your child want’s to take a nap.
BASKET
The basket is not only large, but is accessible from all four sides. The sides are made out of stretchable mesh making it easy to get in. If the foot rest is up, you can get into it from the front. You should be able to fit a large diaper bag with no problems.
Parents with long legs will be happy because the crossbar is located much higher than on most of the strollers creating more leg room.
BRAKE
There is a single pedal located on the right rear wheel. It is flip-flop friendly. A light press on the pedal will lock and unlock both of rear wheels.
WHEELS
It rolls on four EVA tires with 6″ wheels in the front and 7.5″ wheels in the back. The front wheels are swivel, but can be locked straight for rougher terrain.
The small wheels are designed for flat surfaces and are great for running errands around the town or going to the mall.
The all-wheel suspension will help to absorb some of the bumps if you decide to tackle grass, mulch or sand.
FOLD
The fold is super easy. It’s two steps, but you can do them with one hand. First, push the handle bar forward. Next, pull on the strap located in the back of the seat and the stroller will fold. Done!
It has a VERY compact fold with dimensions of 21.6″W x 28.3″L x 11.8″H. For comparison City Mini is 24″W x 31″L x 10″H. This stroller should fit in the smallest trunk with no problem. It has an automatic lock and can stand on its own when folded.
If I compare the fold with City Mini or B-Agile, this fold is better because the seat is folded inside and is protected from all the dirt.
TRAVEL SYSTEM OPTION
Despite weighing only 17 lbs, Armadillo has travel system option. It works with most popular infant car seats like (you just need to get the right adapter):
- Cybex Aton/Aton2/Aton Q
- Nuna
- Maxi Cosi Citi/Pebble/Cabriofix/Mico
- Graco Snugride Click Connect
- Chicco KeyFit 30 (top rated car seat. I had it and absolutely loved it!)
RAIN COVER
It comes with a rain cover.
Cons
-No bumper bar. I wish there was a bumper included.
-No cup holder. I would like to see a cup holder being included.
-Non-adjustable handle bar. It would be nice to have an adjustable handle bar for shorter or much taller parents. It would also set it apart from City Mini and B-Agile that have non-adjustable handle bar as well.
Video Review
Here is a great video review from NessaLeeTV.
Here is an overview video from Mamas & Papas.
Specs
Stroller weight: 17 lbs
Weight limit: 50 lbs
Folded dimensions: 21.6″W x 28.3″L x 11.8″
Handle bar height: 40″
Seat to canopy height: 24″
Front wheels: 6″
Rear wheels: 7.5″
Overall length: 30″
Overall width: 21.6″
Warranty
Mamas & Papas gives a 2 year warranty from the date of purchase.
Available colors
For 2013 the Armadillo model is available in 5 colors: black, lemon drop, blue fizz, stripe, and coral pink. All of strollers come with sleek black frame.
Where to buy it
You can get Mamas & Papas Armadillo in one of the five beautiful colors for around $289. Since this is a new luxury stroller, I didn’t see any good sales on it. But, I think for what you get, the price is very reasonable.
This looks like the perfect stroller! However, does it pose a problem for toddlers or older children who want to sit up more erect? Thank you!
Can you get a bumper bar for the armadillo?
also which one would you recommend, armadillo, b agile or city mini? Thank you! and I love your site!
Hi Perla. Thanks for visiting my site. Armadillo does NOT have a bumper bar. Unfortunately, this is not one of the accessories you can buy. It would be nice to have a bumper bar especially because most of the four wheels strollers have one. And I think it would like nice with one. Out of the three you listed it would be between Armadillo and B-Agile for me (B-Agile is better than City Mini, so City Mini is out). Both strollers are a great choice, but it dependence what is more important for you. Armadillo has an adjustable leg rest, while B-Agile doesn’t. B-Agile has slightly larger wheels, but there are only three. Do you care if it’s four or three? The price: Armadillo – $279 vs B-Agile $216. If you ask me about the style, I think Armadillo is so much prettier. B-Agile looks very casual. B-Agile will handle the terrain a little better because of the wheels. If I was looking for a second lighter stroller I would definitely go with Armadillo. If this is was my ONLY stroller, I would probably go with B-Agile because of the wheels. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have more questions!
Perla, I’m torn between the Armadillo and City Mini Zip! Also, there is a new, even lighter Armadillo City, but I don’t think it has the car seat capability. Love the fold on them, but I really wished I had known about these since my baby was born. He is now in the umbrella stroller category, so I’m not sure he’d like these heavier strollers, even though they fall in the lightweight category. I’m looking at the Mountain Buggy Nano, but it’s a two-hand fold.
Hi Katrin! Thank you so much for your prompt response and advice! originally I was just looking for a new umbrella stroller, but after some research I am thinking on something that I can fly with but also use every day! just so I can retire my older strollers. My baby is already 7 months so I don’t really care about car seat adaptors and all that. So I have to say that weight (as long as I can bring it on the plane cause we travel a lot), good recline and big canopy are my priorities. Would you recommend any others? Thank you again!
My baby is also mostly on the umbrella stroller that’s why I am in the search of a mix of both, something light but also comfy that we can take on a plane…. so many choices!! :)
Not to speak for Katrin who is the authority on the subject, but what about something like the Mountain Bug Nano! I love the flip-flop friendly pedal brake, fold, reclining seat, etc. It has bungee cords that attach the car seat and even though you don’t need it, it makes it easy to lug around the airport (we bring our car seat when we travel instead of renting one). It comes with a carry tote and folds in HALF to fit the overhead compartment for domestic flights! I found it after getting tired of seeing all these umbrella stroller wheels dirtying up their canopy! That’s what led me to find the Nano, the City Mini Zip and Armadillo. The canopy is not as large as the Armadillo and it is a two-hand fold, so this is where you have to weigh out what is important to you!
Hi Golden. I agree. Nano is another amazing stroller. The canopy is small, but the older the child the less you care about the canopy. My daughter is two now and she hates when I put canopy down, so we don’t really use it. Very tough to choose. I would say it all depends on personal preferences and your lifestyle. Katrin
Thank you!
Hi!
Is the armadillo good for new born baby?
And also can i attach any car seat brand and any car seat adapter to this armadillo?
Hi! Any ideas on deals/sales on the Armadillo? Read somewhere that this brand doesn’t do discounts but still hoping for a miracle. Would it still fold with a JJ COle BundleMe attached to it? It’s compatible with such winter foot muffs right? Thanks!!!
Is there a double version of this stroller? I really like it!
Thanks for the great review, Katrin!
How does it compares with Valco baby Snap 3 which you compared with city mini and B-Agile?
Snap vs City Mini vs B-Agile Comparison Chart:
Do you think the Sola stroller they make is comparable? better? worse?
Since the peak a boo window is plastic and the back does not have mesh like the B-Agile does this stroller feel like a sauna in the heat? Is this one good for babies in hot & humid climates?
I was wondering that too, it must have an insert or something. I cant see a newborn flopping around in the wide seat?!
I know it’s been a while since you posted this, but I got an Aramdillo today at BRU on clearance for $89. Apparently the smaller stores are no longer carrying them so they are clearing them out. If you’re still looking for that miracle call around to some BRU stores! Now I just have to find a snack tray that will fit. :)
Hi Tiffanie. The mesh is a great thing and I definitely would love to see Mamas&Papas adding it to Armadillo. When it gets very hot it does feel like sauna. I try to stay inside on those days.
Dear Katrin,
I would like to draw your attention to a major error in this review. My wife and I have suffered a good deal of angst due to the following information being inaccurate and unreliable: “It can accommodate a child from birth and up to 50 lbs.”. According to the Amazon link provided above, the Armadillo has a “Maximum weight recommendation [of] 33.1 Pounds”.
The Mamas & Papas site states, “Age Guideline: Birth – 15kg.”.
Please address this error so that no other parents have to experience the same disappointment and loss of precious time that we did.
Hi Finn. I am not sure what site you are looking at. Armadillo stroller is suitable from birth and up to 50 lbs. Information on Amazon is very often incorrect. Here is a link to Mamas&Papas site for you: http://us.mamasandpapas.com/lightweight-strollers/armadillo-stroller-black-liquorice/invt/2241j60x1
Hi, Katrin,
Thank you for your reply. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to my comment. I followed the link you provided to the mamas & papas’ US site and I readily concede that it says “Age Suitability: Birth – 50lbs approx.”. I apologise for calling your review into question to the extent that your review is based on the us.mamasandpapas.com site.
My wife and I are based in Australia and we had been had been looking at the http://www.mamasandpapas.com site along with some Australian sites that sell Mamas & Papas strollers. I have investigated further and I think I have the explanation for the disparities to which I refer. I have been informed by the agent for Mamas & Papas in Australia that the “Age Suitability: Birth – 50lbs approx.” is a reference to the maximum weight accommodated during product testing. There seems to be a different approach taken in the market to which the http://www.mamasandpapas.com site caters as its Product Information for the Armadillo Pushchair states “Age Guideline: Birth – 15kg (approx 3 – 4 years old)”. This seems to be true for the Australian site: mamasandpapas.com.au, where it states “Age suitability: birth – 17kg (approx 3 – 4 rears (sic.) old)”.
The upshot of all this is that we went with the US information and purchased an Armadillo stroller yesterday for our 15 month old, 13.4 kg (29.5 lb) son for a very good price. The stroller seems great and we are very happy with it and we are hoping that it will last our growing son a long time after he reaches 17 kg (God willing). We would not have ever known about this product but for your review, and we would not have purchased it if you hadn’t replied to my comment and caused me to undertake further research. So thank you very much for your concern and your integrity.
Regards, Finn
Hi Finn. I am very happy I was able to help.
Hi, im somewhat torn between this mamas and papas armadillo and the Babyzen yoyo 6+.
I want ease of operation, compact, comfortable, I would love the option of parent and foward facing but it seems this is a pricey luxury. Unfortunately any purchase I make will be a blind purchase as I will be buying online. Baby is 15 months and 11.8kg. He’s quite tall also.
Any opinions will be welcome. Thanks
nimbo
Hi Nimbo. I would definitely go with Armadillo because it has better wheels and suspension in my opinion. It’s also less expensive. Armadillo Flip has a reversible seat and retails for only $499. I would recommend buying both strollers on Amazon, testing them at home and returning the one you don’t like :). I’ve done it many times.
Hi Katrin,
I bought the armadillo a few months ago but haven’t fallen in love with it yet. I’m traveling to Australia from the us with my son who will be 18months then. Do you think its a good travel stroller? Have you found a universal snack tray that would fit and a parent console? The reason I haven’t fallen in love with it is because my son looks so uncomfortable in it, he is always leaning/slouching to one side. He is now 14months. We used it about a month ago and he was still leaning, any suggestions? An infant insert? I want to love this stroller. I love everything else about it. I just know he will need a snack tray and I will need a parent console on this trip and something for him to be more comfy. Thank you
Hi Carly. I think that it’s a great stroller for traveling. Very compact. You should definitely get an insert for him. It’s a very roomy seat that will last you for a long time. The lack of accessories is very frustrating. There are plenty of universal parent organizers, but I have not found an universal child’s tray.
Hi Katrin, I am 6 month preggy and I have tried to do a detailed research on the stroller i need to buy which has led me to beilive that a stroller that suits my needs might not exist. I wish to buy a stroller which is easy to operate, easy to travel with (so, has to be lightweight and compact). So, i thought i will buy an umbrealla stroller. However, I have realized that umbrealla stroller wouldnt have a good suspension. Since, we live in India, i would actually need a stroller which has a good suspension since we have a lot of uneven roads. Also, I intend to travel to Europe with the baby..so, a stroller has to work on unevenen surfaces, cobbled streets. Does that mean I should buy an all terrain stroller which makes the stroller bulky? i might buy a Graco if it suits my requirements or a Bugaboo Bee if that suits my requirement. I mean i am not brand conscious. However, my budget extends to 500-600$ only if i cant find anything in the range of 200-300$. It will be great if you could help me out with the type of stroller i need to buy and the brand since i need to buy the stroller online. We only get Graco, Chicco and Mc Laren in India.
HI Ishani. This is not easy. Most of the time light compact strollers don’t have all-terrain wheels. The lightest and most compact stroller with all-terrain wheels that I can recommend would be Baby Jogger City Mini GT. It has very deep recline for a newborn, huge canopy, large basket, one-hand very compact fold and weighs 21 lbs. I know that this is not the lightest one but your baby will fill comfortable. Another great choice would be BOB motion – it weighs 23 lbs, but has very nice suspension and all-terrain wheels that will make it a smooth ride, compact one-hand fold. Is 21 or 23 lbs is too much?
Hi Katrin, thanks for your great site. When you say Armadillo is good to travel with, do you think that the Flip XT would be able to fold and carry onto an Emirates flight as the cabin baggage?
Thank you!
Angela
Thanks for this review. I have done extensive research on strollers and this review put the Armadillo on my radar. Without it, I may have never even considered the Armadillo as it doesn’t seem to be sold at many retailers in Canada. It quickly was put to the top of my list and I’ve just ordered it online. (Got a great sale – $199 CAN from Babies R Us). I also picked up the compatible Graco Click Connect car seat (also a great deal – $129 CAN). I was looking for one stroller to take me from infant through toddler, something lightweight, easy to transport and this seems to be the one for me. After trying the Britax B-Agile and City Mini GT in store, this one was much more appealing. There are a few cons that I am worried about (no snack bar, best infant option seems to be the car seat, and the wheels seem to be a bit sticky on the pop-up), but for the price, the pros certainly outweigh the cons. I hope I love it as much when it (and baby) arrives! Thanks again – this review was thorough and really sold me.
Hi Krista. I think you going to LOVE it! It’s so stylish and light. As long as you don’t go on dirt road hiking you should be find. LOL.
Hi Angela. I live in US and we don’t have XT here yet :(
Hi! Which car seats can I use with the Armadillo?
Hi Giovanna. It works with most popular infant car seats like (you just need to get the right adapter):
-Cybex Aton/Aton2/Aton Q
-Nuna
-Maxi Cosi Citi/Pebble/Cabriofix/Mico
-Graco Snugride Click Connect
-Chicco KeyFit 30 (top rated car seat. I had it and absolutely loved it!)
If the primary use is walks and events in Chicago. Could these wheels handle that? Should I get the armadillo city or b-agile instead? Which one sits most upright? Is there anything comparable to this in price and weight that has a rear facing option? Thanks
Hi Sarah. I really like Armadillo model. I think it’s great for the urban lifestyle. The City model has really really small wheels. I think Armadillo will be better, because lets face the city streets are anything but smooth surface. LOL. Reversible seat is a personal preference and keep in mind that it will add more weight to the stroller. What are your main criteria?
I would like something that can rear face. I have a bsafe car seat so the b-agile could work with that but I wonder how practical it is to rely on that. My lo will be six months by the time we buy a stroller. And we most likely will only use it during the summer. I like the thought of pulling her up to the table while out and using her stroller as a highchair. The constantly reclining sits like on the b-agile worry me because it doesn’t look comfortable. I’m just so overwhelmed. Also I am very clumsy so I need something easy to set up/down and easy to navigate small spaces ( isles, trains etc).
Hi Katrin,
I too FINALLY bought the Armadillo today for my new baby, who is arriving next month!!!
My sister got it for me at an amazing deal at just $90 from the clearance section!!! The only downside is it was available in black licorice only :/
My question is regarding the car seat. She got me the car seat adaptor for the Graco Snugride, but I’m confused:
– between the Snugride Classic and the Connect
– the numbers : Snugride 30,35,40….which one is compatible with the stroller?
– though your review and the Mamas and Papas website mention the Graco Snugride, the detailed FAQs on the company website state that a Graco car seat is not compatible with the Armadillo :(
Help please!
I need to get the car seat in the coming week, so terribly short on time!
Can you tell me which Graco car seat ( if any) to get in terms of compatibility.
Thanks a million! Hoping to hear from you soonest!! :)
P.s. Can you also recommend a ride board that can fit on the Armadillo for my 4 year old? Thanks again!
Hi Hina. I think the safest way is just to contact Mamas&Papas. You can do it on their facebook. It does get confusing and their site is not very helpful.
Any luck finding a tray that will fit?? I know there is one based on another review I read, but they won’t disclosure it…
Great review! I see you’ve also reviewed Valco Baby’s Snap 4. Which do you think would be best for an urban environment between the two? The Armadillo has adjustable leg rest and all wheel suspension but the Valco is lighter, has larger wheels, and the bumper bar. We live in Manhattan so uneven sidewalks are common. Do you think the all wheel suspension is worth the weight differential? I also prefer the fabric on the Armadillo but just can’t get away from a standard stroller that weighs only 15 lbs. I would really appreciate your thoughts on this. Thanks in advance!
I bought an Urbo 2 and a newborn cocoon from babies r us recently and used it for the first time this week. My daughter (9days old) slept fine in the cocoon whilst we we out to lunch but when we returned home we experienced one of the most scary incidents — our baby wouldn’t wake up. Her body was catatonic and limp. She was unresponsive and her breathing was barley there. We had to perform CPR on her almost lifeless body 2x and revived her by the time the ambulance arrived. She was admitted to hospital for tests and observation over 2 nights. She was pumped with antibiotics as a precaution until the test results came back. The neonatal unit couldn’t find a single thing wrong with my daughter. (She was born full term and had no issues at birth.)
The SIDS rep said it might be the pram and cocoon that caused her episode. I am very worried that you might be selling a product that isn’t safe for newborns and I’m afraid to use it now.
My 11 month old hates that she cannot sit up more. :( Also, it was not exactly easy pushing a 40 pound kiddo on rocks. The wheels bow out.
It might be stated that is serves up to 50 pounds but it is terrible at that weight. The wheels bow out and it is a pain to push in any kind of rocks.
Hi Katrin,
I have come across your review and you also seem to be very good at answering questions about this stroller. I am looking at getting the armadillo for my baby who is due in April. I had a city mini double for my twins, and never used car seats since I was able to lay them almost flat. I am hoping to do the same with my new baby in the armadillo, however I have come across some other reviews that say the straps do not adjust small enough to fit a newborn. Is this true? Thanks, Taryn.
Hi Katrin
Is the armadillo stroller accepted on airplanes as a carry-on? I have a Chicco lightway stroller that I’ve taken on an airplane before. But I need more storage. Because I carry a big diaper bag. Also does this stroller tip when there’s a diaper bag hanging from the handles?
Hi Finn are you able to tell me where you purchased yours from at a good price! Thanks
Did you find a snack tray to fit?
Hi Christina. Unfortunately no.