Guava Roam Review

Ease of Use

The Guava Roam stands out amongst most of its competitors for its easy to use features that take every stroll with your kiddo from “average” to “wow”.

Fold and Unfold

Folding the self-standing Guava is a little awkward, but very simple and mostly one handed. Once its folded, attach the wrist strap to the red hook to lock it securely.

To unfold, simply unlatch the wrist strap from the red hook, pull up on the handlebar sides, give it a shake, and then press down on the center of the seat to lock the stroller open. Simple and fast so you can load your passenger up quickly and get going.

Storage

The numerous storage options that the Roam offers are very nice. The large main storage bin is easy to access, holds up to 10 lbs. and easily accommodates a large diaper bag, with room left over for other items. Be careful adding additional items though, because the lower weight limit threshold is disappointing on this stroller and its not ideal for adding anything from multiple errands or groceries.

Near the opening of the main storage bin, there is an interior additional long zippered pouch and two mesh pockets for smaller items that require more secure storage than the main bin area.

On the back of the seat, there is a huge mesh pocket which is nice to place toys or items in but its important to note, that if the seat is fully reclined, its not easily accessible. There are two mesh pocket areas on each side of the interior of the seat that are designed for the child's snack cup or sippy cup.

Rounding out the numerous storage options on the Guava Roam is the nice parent console that is attached with velcro in front of the handlebar. Both areas of storage on the parent console either zipper or velcro closed too. The cupholder in this console is deeper and slightly larger than most of the competitor's cupholder options but not big enough to hold larger or wide-mouthed bottles.

Harness

The harness on the Guava scores high thanks to its soft, smooth webbing, padding and the design. The shoulder height adjustments use a slide buckle, eliminating the need for a frustrating re-thread process. The slide buckle on the shoulder length adjustment, also adjusts the lap belt at the same time. This allow for fluid, fast adjustment from just one area instead of multiple tightening points, for a secure ride, once both sides are clipped in securing at the buckle.

Unbuckling is a two-handed endeavor until you get the hang of it. This is primarily due to the need to push the two red safety buttons, while simultaneously depressing the main buckle, to release both sides.

Brakes

The single-action color-coded brakes on this cross-over stroller are superb. There is a convenient brake indicator above each side, to let you quickly see whether the brake is engaged or not.

Car Seat Compatibility

The Guava Roam easily converts to a travel system to make transitions from car to stroller even easier by purchasing an adapter for your infant car seat. Adapters are sold on the Guava website for multiple brands including Britax, Cybex, Nuna, UPPAbaby, Graco, and Chicco.

Ease of Setup

Setup on the Guava takes less than five minutes and most of your time will be spent removing the packaging in and around the stroller. It comes fully assembled right out of the box and only requires attaching the parent console with velcro straps.

Maneuverability

The Guava Roam's maneuverability is impressive by any standards. Its nimble handling is hard to beat and it easily transitions from flat surfaces to more rugged trails without sacrificing passenger comfort.

The three foam-filled, rubber tires feature independent suspension. Transitioning effortlessly between different terrains is simpler than ever, thanks to a mechanism near the handlebars that allows you to switch from rotating front tire to fixed tire position with a flick of your thumb.

On flat, hard surfaces, zero effort is required to push the Roam with one hand. It maneuvers easily as it navigates tight turns and glides through standard size doorways and down store aisles without a problem. It never feels like its shaky, in danger of tipping over, or too large for everyday use or smaller areas.

Moving onto rugged terrain with a locked front wheel, the Guava performs admirably while conquering grass, cracks, bumps, pine needles, dirt, and small rocks. It clears rounded curbs with ease and standard size curbs are also smooth sailing, once you lift the handlebar slightly to raise the front up or down.

Transporting and Storing

The designers of the Guava Roam knew the ability to easily transport and store a stroller is an important factor and it shows in the finished product.

No stroller is perfect and when it comes to lifting the folded Guava into a trunk or onto public transportation, be prepared to use a little muscle. It weighs about 28.5 lbs., which is slightly heavier than the average competitor. It has a clean fold, our favorite amongst all the strollers we reviewed, and lays fairly flat.

The Guava Roam's claim to fame and where it makes up for it's slightly heavier weight is the incredibly small fold size if offers for an all-terrain stroller, you have to see it to believe it. Measuring 8,888 cubic square inches, the compact folded size is ideal, if limited storage or trunk space is a concern.

Quality

The designers of the Guava Roam left no stone unturned when it came to making sure the higher-quality materials chosen for its construction both justify its price tag and last as the years go by.

The fabric on the seat, canopy and storage bin is 100% polyester and feels soft and sturdy. The seat insert and the shoulder pads can be easily removed to clean up any messes they might pick up on your travels. The hard plastic in the foot rest section is solid, and wipes clean easily. The adjustable handlebar is wrapped with a comfortable feeling foam material, that grips nice and stays dry feeling to the touch, even in rainier weather.

Utilizing standard jogging stroller design, this crossover features a smaller plastic spoked 12.5" air-less wheel in the front and two larger 14" wheels in the back. There was a little bit of play in the rear tires, but nothing alarming. All the tires are comprised of foam filled rubber, so you can rest assured that a flat tire at the most inconvenient time, is a thing of the past.

The sturdy aluminum alloy frame looks clean and tight with only a little bit of movement in the folding mechanism. There are some welded areas, but these appear secure.

Kid's Comfort

The Guava Roam scores above average for passenger comfort amongst all the full-size strollers we reviewed. The recline ranges from an upright 68 degrees to a reclined 25 degrees. Like all jogging strollers it will not lie completely flat but the lowest recline will still help facilitate a comfortable nap, while remaining safe during runs or off-road. There is a strap at the center pull tab for raising the seat back, and it does require both hands. It's a little clunkier to adjust than some, but the center pull concept gets the job done.

The sunshade is about average in size and looks taut on the frame, featuring thick, durable 50+UPF fabric. The canopy itself will protect from the sun, except possibly at sunrise and sunset, when the sun is low to the ground. Coverage can be extended with a zippered extension section and the option of using the popout sun visor. The peek-a-boo window on the roof of the canopy is mesh and held open or closed by magnets. An additional mesh ventilation area on the back of the seat area when its reclined, uses velcro to stay open.

The leg rest area on the Guava Roam is not adjustable. but it is comfortably padded all the way down to the start of the foot pan area. We loved the large foot pan area that this cruiser has, it's slightly padded and extends farther than some jogging stroller competitors, which makes it ideal for taller kids. The slightly tapered, larger platform allows for kids of all heights to sit comfortably.

Continuous Sleeping Comfort

The soothing motion of a stroller often lulls a child to sleep and the last thing anyone wants if for them to be jostled awake. We tested the Roam on an average terrain course to measure for potential events that might wake up a little one and it scored a very low three occurrences. The Roam delivers a masterclass in smoothness, practically floating over the terrain until it gets to a major obstacle, then the jolt will probably be significant enough to potentially wake a passenger.

Should You Buy the Guava Roam?

Absolutely, you should buy it. We love the Guava, its our pick for best cross-over full-size stroller thanks to its incredibly compact fold size, large canopy, ample storage, and amazing maneuverability. We love the front wheel locking mechanism location up near the handlebars, which enables terrain transitions without stopping. The independent suspension on the rear wheels allows for a smooth ride for sleeping passengers and it accommodates kids up to 60lbs., allowing for years of use. If you're looking for something in a full-size stroller, the odds are the Guava Roam has you covered, and you will not regret your purchase.

What Other Full-Size Strollers Should You Consider?

The Guava Roam isn't right for everyone though. If you're trying to stay within a smaller budget, this cruiser may be more than you'd planned on with its more expensive price point. If that is the case, the Baby Trend Expedition Jogger may be more in line with your goals. Its extremely affordable, features many of the same design options, and while it doesn't offer the same quality and longevity as the Roam, it will get the job done on occasional off-road travels. Likewise, if you are a serious jogger and your budget allows for a higher price tag than the Roam, the UPPAbaby Ridge v2 may be a better fit. The Ridge v2 is a top jogging stroller but also handles phenomenally in-town on flat, hard terrain. The fold size is significantly larger, so keep that in mind for storage and transport concerns. All in all though, the high quality and durability of the Guava Roam can't be beat if you are looking for a long-term, full-size stroller that is capable of tackling all kinds of terrain with ease.

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