Britax

Britax is a UK company best known for its car seats. The company expanded into strollers in the early 2000's.

Britax's First Child Safety Seat, 1973

Britax started as a manufacturer of automobile and motorcycle accessories in 1938—namely, seat belts. In 1973, Britax bought German seat maker RÖMER, which debuted its first car seat that same year. During the 1980's, Britax acquired companies in Australia and New Zealand that also made car seats.

Britax made its US debut in 1996 when it introduced the Freeway car seat, a forward-only seat. Although Britax was selling strollers in the UK since in the 1970's, the company didn't debut strollers in the US until 2005 with a series of poor-selling models (the Esprit, Forerunner, Preview and Global).

Britax's next effort with strollers was the B-series (B-Ready, B-Smart, B-Mobile, B-Seen, B-Agile), which debuted in 2010.

To beef up their presence in the stroller category, Britax purchased BOB in 2011. The company operates BOB as a separate brand.

Britax's efforts in the strollers focus on the lightweight category with moderate prices.

Flagship Model: Britax Brook +

Britax's Brook + stroller (23 lbs., see price on Amazon) is billed as a lightweight travel stroller. The aluminum frame and compact fold help make it easy to take on the road. Other features include:

• One-step standing fold
• Water resistant canopy with visor
• Washable seat insert (called SafeWash), plus no fire retardant fabric
• Parent tray with two cup holders and child snack tray
• Reversible toddler seat
• Large cargo basket
• Built-in car seat adapters for Britax, Nuna, Maxi Cosi and Cybex infant seats
• All-wheel suspension and no-flat tires
• Three-position reclining seat back
• Infant car seat compatible with Britax's own Willow infant car seats (sold separately; also can be purchased as a travel system, see below)

While the seat depth and width is roomy, overall, the Brook + is not as small a stroller as expected with dimensions of 37 x 23.75 x 42" unfolded. It also lacks an adjustable handlebar.

The Brook is also sold as a travel system in two flavors: the Willow Brook S+ Travel System with the Willow S Infant Car Seat and the Willow Brook Travel System with the Willow Infant Car Seat.

Other Models: The B Series

Britax is slowly phasing out the B series of strollers, but continues to sell the B-Free and B-Free Premium as well as the B-Lively Double.

The B-Free is a tri-wheel stroller with "infinite recline" that can accomodate newborns. It also includes car seat adapters for Britax infant car seats. An adjustable padded handle, front access cargo basket, mesh ventilation, extendable canopy, seven cargo pockets, one hand fold and all-terrain rubber tires round out the features.

The B-Free Premium adds special stain resistant fabric, Click-and-Go car seat adapters and a wicking seat liner to keep baby dryer and cooler.

The B-Lively Double, Britax's only double stroller, is a side-by-side configuration with independent canopies. Like the B-Free Premium, the included cargo basket is extra large and accessible from the front. It is compatible with Britax car seats, has an adjustable handle and all-wheel suspension.