Diono
Diono (pronounced DEE-oh-no) is a seller of strollers and car seats, based in Seatle, Washington.
The company was founded in 2000 as the seller of a car seat belt tightener (the "Mighty-Tite") and then expanded into various accessories for both car seats and strollers. In 2005, Sunshine Kids expanded into car seats, selling the first folding booster car seat (the Radian).
After a legal dispute with the non-profit charity organization of the same name, Sunshine Kids changed its name to Diono in 2011. In the mid 2010's, Diono expanded into strollers with several modular-type models.
As of this writing, Diono has paired back the stroller line to two current models: Excurze and Flexa (although older discontinued models like the Quantum are still sold online).
Flagship Model: Diono Excurze
Diono's top selling stroller is the Diono Excurze (21 lbs., see price on Amazon), a modular type, "city stroller" with a reversible seat and all-weather boot. Additional features include:
- Seat recline is multi-position with lay flat option for newborns.
- Reversible seat.
- One handed steering and adjustable handlebar.
- Weather resistant material.
- Boot converts to carrycot apron.
- Can be used with carrycot (additional cost) and some infant seats (Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, Cybex—adapters included).
- Includes a rain cover.
- Detachable bumper bar.
- Narrow profile works well in city environments.
- Canopy with three height adjustments.
- Puncture proof wheels with 4-wheel suspension. Front wheels swivel and lock.
- Folds to standing position.
What's not to like about the Excurze? The fold requires two hands rather than the easier one-hand folds of other strollers. The bumper bar does not open when the seat is inward facing, the crotch pad falls off easily and it is rather large even when folded.
This model is also available as the Excurze Luxe (21 lbs., see price on Amazon) with fancier fabrics (including a mirrored geometric pattern) and leatherette detailing.