What Are The Best Stroller Bags in 2023? (And Why You Need One!)

Have your most important baby gear arrive safely in one piece by keeping it protected when you travel

We’re taking an in-depth look at protecting one of your most important pieces of gear while you’re flying – the stroller. 

Especially when traveling with a stroller that comes in multiple parts, we always prefer to gate-check our stroller with a protective travel bag to ensure it is properly packed and not mishandled during the flight process. The last thing you want on your family vacation is to arrive finding your valuable baby travel gear has been damaged.

But do you need a separate gate check stroller bag to protect your stroller? In a word, yes!

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 We looked in much more detail at what strollers and travel systems work best for travel HERE

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How to Choose The Best Stroller Travel Bag or Cover

Gate check vs. leaving your stroller at the plane door

If your stroller is not small enough to fit in an overhead locker (more on that below), you will be left with the option of checking it in at the time you drop your suitcases or getting it tagged at check-in, but wheeling it all the way to the aircraft door.

Some airports (it’s not the airline’s choice) may insist you do it one way or another, but most will give you the option to decide which suits your needs. So which method is better?

Taking your stroller to the plane door

• The obvious pro of taking it to the plane door is it can be used within the airport.
• In most cases, though, it is NOT immediately available when you disembark. You will still need to collect it from oversized luggage, so you will need to carry your tots & gear until this point on arrival.
• The con, you risk damage to the stroller by baggage handlers if it is not correctly packed and protected.
• You can still use a “gate check” bag at the plane door but do think about how much this inconveniences others. Getting a stroller safely trucked into its travel bag can be a bit of a procedure, especially if the wheels need removing.
• Ensure you’ve been issued a baggage tag, which remains visible once the stroller is inserted in the gate check bag.

Checking a stroller

• Checking your stroller with the rest of your luggage allows you to pack your stroller with the most protective packaging correctly.
• Gate-checking a two-piece stroller in a bag will keep the parts together, and only one luggage tag will be needed reducing the risk of separation!
• Umbrella strollers are a little easier as they come in one piece!
• Do check if the stroller is subject to an overall passenger weight limit or is it counted as one item; your airline may only allow one bulky extra, such as an infant car seat or stroller – but in our experience, premium international airlines allow BOTH
• If checking your stroller for free – take note of all that extra space you are getting for your baby gear! Stuff your baby blankets and clothing around the stroller to keep it even more secure!

Whatever way you transport your stroller, remove as many extra implements, such as  Mommy Hooks, stroller organizers etc, to minimize the risk of damage or separation of these items. We could find very few travel stroller bags that included zip pockets for these extra items.

Key Features of a Good Stroller Bag

The key features we look for in a gate check bag for our strollers are:

• Durable material that is waterproof.
• Double stitched seams.
• An easy way to carry and handle items, such as shoulder or back straps.
• An easy way to store the bag when it’s not in use.
• A wide opening makes it easier to insert the stroller.

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See our full review of Car Seat Gate Check Bags here

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Best Stroller Travel Bags

Branded Stroller Cover UPPAbaby VISTA Travel Bag with TravelSafe

Unbranded generic stroller covers for gate checking

The main reason to choose a generic brand is that they are MUCH cheaper.  They will last you through the almost inevitable changes in stroller brands over the years. Being generic, though, do check it will fit with your brand. Also, look out for the following:

• Wheels may need to be removed and stored separately on some models to make them work
• You don’t want it too oversized, or the stroller will move around too much, still leaving it susceptible to damage.
• Even if the dimensions are large, how easy is it to get the stroller in? In our experience, fully opening bags with a zipper are easier to maneuver the stroller in than drawstring closure bags.
• Check that the zip or drawstring can fully close once the item is in.

Best Double Stroller Gate Check Bags

Double strollers or larger two-piece strollers will need an XL-sized stroller travel bag solution. We recommend you look at the following reputable brands when looking for good protection of your double stroller:

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More Useful Family Travel Product Reviews

As we continue our search for the most useful products that traveling parents ACTUALLY USE, you may also like to check out:

• Travel pillows for kids – helpful for napping on all types of transport
• Car seats narrow enough to work on a plane – along with our top tips on traveling with car seats
• Plane sleeping devices – helping young children find a comfortable sleeping position on long flights
• Travel high chairs – for dining on the move with young toddlers
• Best double strollers for travel – compact and lightweight with two plus seats
• Best double jogging strollers – all-terrain double strollers we love for adventurous families
• Alternatives to a stroller for older kids – outgrowing the need for a conventional stroller, here’s where you can look to invest next for the best travel solutions
• Best bassinets and portable cots – for helping tots sleep on the move
• Baby travel essentials – the 10 most important items we’ll never travel without
• Insanely useful gadgets for travel-loving families – all the latest travel tech worth investing in for a comfortable journey with your family

So over to you, what do you do for stroller protection?  Are you gate checkers or collapsible stroller fans – or braving it with just a carrier? 

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