This lightweight stroller keeps my daughter comfortable and is compact enough to store in the back seat of a car

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• The 14-pound Maxi-Cosi Lara Ultra Compact Stroller ($200) folds into a tiny package that can fit in the back seat of a car or inside an overhead luggage bin.
• The Lara is a great travel stroller for babies 6 months and older, up to 50 pounds, and has good-size storage bins.
• This is my go-to stroller for running errands around New York City and weekend trips.

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Traveling with a stroller when you have a young child is a non-negotiable, but many everyday full-size strollers just won't work when you're on the go.

The Maxi-Cosi Lara Ultra Compact Stroller is an affordable option with a lightweight frame and great maneuverability. I've been using it for eight months and it works great for life in New York City, but it's also perfect for traveling since it folds quickly to about the size of a carry-on suitcase.

Design and specs

The Lara stroller comes in four colors — black, blue, grey, and red. The seat is covered with a polyester/cotton blend, and the wheels are foam-filled rubber tires. Thanks to its aluminum frame, it's extremely lightweight. Minor assembly is required, but it took me only minutes and no tools were needed.

The stroller weighs 14 pounds and can hold children up to 50 pounds. Unfolded, it is 24 inches long, 19 inches wide, and 41 inches high. When folded, it's 14 inches long, 19.5 inches wide, and 20 inches high. The seat reclines for napping, there is a footrest that flips up to provide extra length. For children who can sit up unassisted, it has a five-point harness. There's also an extendable UPF50 canopy with a peek-a-boo panel for privacy and sun protection.

It also has a carrying strap, two storage baskets, and a parent cup holder.

What it's like to use

The first time I used my Lara was to go to Santaland, and I'm so thankful I did. Despite going a month before Christmas, we waited in a long line that snaked through narrow back corridors of Macy's in New York's Herald Square. My everyday stroller is bulky and wide (I lovingly refer to it as "my tank") and it definitely would have been a nightmare in this winter wonderland. However, the ultra-compact Lara with its swiveling wheels allowed for easy maneuvering.

The Lara held my 9-month-old in total comfort while we waited a full hour, and on top of that, it held the seemingly endless amount of stuff you need when leaving the house with a baby. The upper basket behind the seat and a larger basket underneath provided ample space for bottles, toys, clothes, and a small diaper bag.

It takes up very little space in my Manhattan apartment. When folded up, it can be laid flat on the ground or it can stand upright on its own.

What makes it stand out

The Lara stroller's major selling point is its weight and size. We also named it one of the best travel strollers for this very reason. It's half the weight of a typical everyday stroller, like the 28-pound Maxi-Cosi Lila, which I also love, but for different reasons that I wrote about in my review.

And if space is tight, the Lara's compact size when folded makes it easy to store in the back seat of a car, an overhead luggage bin, or even carry over your shoulder, thanks to its handy strap.

The cons

The Lara stroller reclines but doesn't lie flat, so it's not recommended for babies under 6 months old. Your child should have full head control and be able to sit up on their own before using it. There's also no handlebar in the front, and it's difficult to adjust the seat while the baby is in the stroller.

When I first started using it, I would often accidentally hit the brake and stop myself short. I had to get familiar with where the brake was positioned and adjust my step accordingly. I also found it hard to retrieve certain items in the upper basket if the seat was reclined.

The bottom line

If you're looking for a lightweight travel stroller, the Maxi-Cosi Lara Ultra Compact Stroller is a great option. There is enough storage to hold your stuff for the day, and your baby can sit or lie down comfortably.

I've used it for months with no issues, and it's my go-to stroller for weekend trips and quick errands around New York City. It folds and opens easily and is comfortable for my daughter while still being compact and convenient for me.

If you're looking for a slightly more affordable option, I like the Safety 1st Riva Ultra Lightweight Travel System, which includes a one-hand, lift-to-fold stroller that weighs 18 pounds and an infant car seat for $190.

Pros: Extremely lightweight, easy to fold, compact when collapsed, easy to push, holds children up to 50 pounds.

Cons: Can trigger brake can trigger by accident, no bar in front of baby, upper storage basket difficult to access when seat is reclined, rain cover not included, cannot adapt to hold a car seat