Peg Perego Aria Twin All Terrain Stroller Review
One of my goals in looking for a new all terrain stroller was that it needed to handle well when walking along the numerous trails around my town. The plan was this to be a secondary side by side double stroller that would serve as a backup to our primary maclaren twin triumph stroller. Before I found out I was having twins, I looked at the first years wave stroller and quinny zapp stroller, but the arrival of my double trouble meant it was a double stroller or bust. So back to the review sites I went. A college friend recommended a cybex stroller, but I nearly choked when I saw the sticker price.
As I was digging around looking for the best stroller for twins, I came across several reviews for the Peg-Perego Aria Twin Stroller. Now the reviews were a bit mixed, but I was willing to take a chance because I was able to try out my sister’s peg perego pliko p3 stroller to get a feel for the manufacturer.
Initial impressions
• Lightweight – I have to say the Aria Twin is a light stroller that can easily be folded into a compact form and carried with ease (at least for me) and stashed in our SUV. The specs say the stroller weighs less than 20 pounds. That is a very nice feature of this stroller. However, this lightweight construction does have its downsides since the frame is prone to bending. More on that later in the review.
• 60/40 system – The Aria Twin incorporates a 60/40 system in its construction. This allows the “60” seat to accommodate a car seat (select models) or an older child while the “40” seat can hold a younger child (for those whose kids vary in sizes/ages. Our twins are progressing in a similar growth trajectory, so I don’t think this will be a feature we need. Nice to have, though.
• Safety features – The five-point harness straps the young ones in comfortably. My twins are the Lords of Fussiness, but I’ve never had a problem getting them to settle down in the all terrain stroller. The Aria Twin also has a centralized brake-cable release for the rear wheel lock.
• Comfort features – The Aria Twin offers several features that will make the riders more comfortable in their travels. The seats offer a wide variety of reclining positions for the tired toddler and the shades move independently of each other so that you can ensure everyone’s happiness.
• Affordable – I feel kind of guilty for making this a consideration, but the Aria Twin was a very affordable all terrain stroller compared to other models. A certain online retailer was offering this stroller for a nice 40% off when we bought it.
• Made in Italy – Ok, this might not be a big feature for most, but for me it is so rare to see “Made in Italy” on something. It brought a smile to my face. (click here for more strollers like this)
On the road with the Aria Twin
Having the Aria Twin for several months has given me a nice insight into this stroller and its uses as an all terrain stroller. I can definitely say that it has its quirks, but overall it has been a pretty good buy.
A nice touch is that the stroller can stand on its own when folded up. This is so great when trying to get everything stashed away. There is a handle incorporated into the stroller for carrying when it is folded, but I have found that it is easier to carry it in other ways.
As for the size of the stroller and getting through doors, so far so good. Like I said earlier I mainly wanted this stroller for nice walks along my town’s wooded trails. I figure if they built the trails my family might as well use them. The paths are a mixture of paved and non-paved surfaces so the Aria Twin was destined to get a workout. I can report that the handling was good, not great (especially on the non-paved surfaces and when it was loaded up). I realize that I could have gotten a stroller built more for the “off roading” aspect, but sometimes you have to work with what you got (and I got a great deal on the Aria Twin).
Now the biggest issue that I have with the Aria Twin is that the lightweight frame also appears to be its weak point. I try not to overload the stroller, but when my gear is in place it looks like the frame is bowing or bending. To date, this has not been a major issue, buy I have read some reviews that complained of the entire frame giving out and rendering the stroller useless. I can’t speak to how much weight they put on it, but my all terrain stroller still works great (even when loaded up).
I’m not sure how easy or hard peg perego parts would be to order, but I’m guessing a broken frame is probably outside the realm of easy replacement. I hope the stroller can hold out until my twins have outgrown it.
Final thoughts
So, what do I think of the Peg-Perego Aria Twin Stroller now that I’ve put it through its paces? I can say that it has met my requirements for a nice trail stroller. Of course, it likes the paved surfaces better than the unpaved ones, but it still handles reasonably well on the dirt.
My main concern is that you have to watch how much stuff you put in the stroller because of the frame. If you are one of those parents who need to pack for every contingency, then this stroller might pose a problem. I cannot say with definitive proof that the frame is problematic because if you overload any device it will break. Potential buyers just need to be aware that the lightweight frame is just that, lightweight.
So for an all terrain stroller, the Peg-Perego Aria Twin Stroller works pretty well. There might be more expensive, sturdier strollers out there, but this one stands up to the uses I put it through. That’s all I can ask.