The Chinook in stroller mode (and toddler push mode…) at the Columbia Zoo.

Our family has long since been fans of products from Chariot.  Their commitment to family adventure is unprecedented, as for years this company has been providing families with ways to get everyone from here to there in just about any way imaginable – bike, run, walk, ski, etc.  Our first experience with Chariot was with the Cabriolet.  It’s a durable two-seater that has been on many a family escapade over the past 3 years.  I even did a review on it way back when we first got it (found here).  It wasn’t until we rented some bike trailers for C and his cousin on a family vacation in Michigan back in 2011 that I realized how much Chariot products stood out from their competition.  So when the lovely ladies from Women’s Adventure asked if I’d be willing to review the latest urban offering from Chariot as part of their gear guide, I jumped at the chance. 

According to their website, the new Chariot Chinook is designed “for those seeking urban adventures…to accommodate busy families who want to go anywhere and do anything.”  After testing out the Chinook for a wide variety of activities and terrains, I think it’s safe to say that their product description is accurate, as this product will not only fit all of your urban needs, but many of your more adventurous family endeavors as well! 

You can easily read the bullet list of features and specifications on the Chinook from the Chariot website, but the following are features that stood out for our family:

PACKABLE – At first glance it doesn’t seem like a bike trailer would be all that portable.  But the Chinook easily fit in the trunk of our Toyota Camry, leaving plenty of room for adventure-goers and their gear in the back seat. 

ADJUSTABLE HANDLE – One of the most annoying things about other jogging strollers that we’ve used is the handlebars.  With a Daddy at 6’1″ and a Mommy at 5’5″, we aren’t usually fans of “one size fits all” varieties.  The Chinook handlebars were adjustable with one quick click.  The highest level was perfect for Daddy’s turn at the helm, while the bottom rung worked out great on my runs.   

SHOCKS – The silky smooth shocks made the Chinook very pleasant to use on even the bumpiest of terrain.  On one bike ride in particular I was amazed that my 3 year old was able to finish his entire cup of water (no lid!) without any spills – that’s a feat he sometimes even has trouble with on his OWN two feet!

The Chinook in biking mode (our most common use)

STORAGE CAPACITY – The only thing we were a little bit disappointed about was the amount of storage on the Chinook.  Our first outing using it as a stroller was at the Columbia Zoo – by the time we’d filled up the meshed compartment in the back with lunches/snacks, and stuffed some extra layers of clothing in the extra spaces on either side of my little guy, we were pretty much maxed out.  Plenty of room for a day long outing on the greenway, but if you stop at the grocery store for a few items on the way back, your child might end up with a bag in his/her lap.  To be fair, while our old Cabriolet did have a bigger storage area at the back of the carrier, many times I relied on the “extra” seat to stow items on errand days – so switching to a smaller storage area AND a single seat might have been too many variables for an unbiased  comparison!

MANUEVERABILITY – The Chinook has the turning radius of a sports car, which was made very evident as we navigated through throngs of people at a crowded zoo on that first outing.  While I was initially afraid that using a “larger” stroller would be annoying, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to maneuver between exhibits, especially the indoor ones in tight spaces.

EASY TRANSITIONS – While I loved pretty much everything about the Chinook, the “Click n’Store” feature was by far my favorite.  There are plenty of other multisport carriers out there, but most are designed with a “one sport at a time” mindset.  But with the Chinook my little guy and I could easily bike to the farmer’s market, take off the bike conversion arm in seconds, and voila – we’re ready to stroll through the aisles! 

Before you start to think this all sounds too good to be true, keep in mind that this stroller/trailer combo definitely falls into the “luxury” category.  If our old Cabriolet was a reliable Honda Accord, I’d say the Chinook is more along the lines of a Mercedes luxury sedan with all the bells and whistles.  At a hefty $949.95 MSRP, this single carrier sports a price tag that is more than double our two-seating Cabriolet (that being said, it only cost 50 extra bucks to upgrade your Chinook to a double, so unless you want to save weight, a double’s not a bad idea even with just one kid.)  

Like all Chariot products, I think the Chinook is a very well-designed piece of gear that will last your family for as long as you need it – and then some!  It has features that will not only help active families stay active, but could very well get families on the bike/road/trail who would otherwise be at home on the couch!  This review was written in conjunction with a gear guide for the summer issue of Women’s Adventure Magazine.  So for more great gear options this summer, pick up the latest copy at the newsstand or  click here.