Nuna Demi Grow Stroller vs UPPAbaby Vista Stroller 2018

Single-to-double stroller face-off: the Nuna Demi Grow vs the UPPAbaby Vista 2018

These are soon to be the two hottest options for growing parents around the nation! The classic UPPAbaby Vista Stroller 2018, going head to head with the Nuna Demi Grow Stroller! The Demi Grow is Nuna’s newest stroller, a long awaited single-to-double option that puts it in direct competition with the UPPAbaby Vista.

The Nuna Demi Grow Stroller did two major things that differentiates it from the current double stroller trend. Almost all recent innovation in single-to-double strollers has been in the “tandem” realm. This means that the stroller has two seats that are frequently configured “stadium style” with one child on top and the other in front and below them.

Nuna decided to buck that trend and take it back to the older style where the older kid sits at your feet, and the younger sits above them, almost like a reverse “stadium style.” This has its distinct advantages from a practical standpoint, but it has a few drawbacks as well. Let’s kick off with what these models share and what new innovations Nuna is offering for single mode, and then we can get into using these strollers as a double.

Nuna seemingly took a page out of UPPAbaby’s book, as they found a way to make equally impressive versions of all of UPPAbaby’s best features. The Demi Grow’s standing fold is almost as impressively compact as the Vista’s which is a huge reason for them to be competitive in the future. This makes it super easy to store your Demi Grow in your apartment or home, although it is still easier to fit into a trunk in two pieces. When I talk to expectant couples comparing the two, I’ve experienced a few who preferred the carry bar that Nuna implemented for the Demi Grow to the Vista’s central support bar, which requires more leaning down to lift into the trunk. So for those with postpartum pain, you have to lean down less with the Demi Grow.

Both strollers have fabrics that are equally easy to clean, although Nuna implemented two cool innovations in this category. Their seat has settings for 2 seasons. This means you can zip out the plush interior for a mesh backing that offers impeccable breathability for the summer months, but it also means you can still use your seat when the top layer is being cleaned!

The UPPAbaby Vista had far and away the largest basket on the market until now, and Nuna managed to one-up them just a little bit. The Demi Grow‘s basket features a material with more internal structure, as well as a metal bar that runs underneath to help accommodate for the fact that both the basket (+cargo) and child need extra support.

They both have some great features that are becoming more typical on the market as well, such as the XXL canopies with extensions and the adjustable footrests. The wheels are also a consideration. The size is comparable for both, but the Demi Grow did two cool things to differentiate itself. Nuna added truly adjustable suspension to the back wheels of the Demi Grow for different terrains. They also followed suit from the Mixx by giving their wheels a truly rubberized treading, similar to mountain bikes. This helps hugely in going over any non-paved terrain. The grip of the wheels stops slippage and helps maneuverability, and it has a natural bounce that adds longevity to the wheels and hopefully to the stroller as a whole.

Where they truly differ is their newborn capability. UPPAbaby has their Mesa Infant Car Seat as well as adapters for other car seats. For the Demi Grow, Nuna included 2 sets of adapters for the Pipa. However, both strollers offer the ring adapter for the Nuna Pipa Infant Car Seat if you find it easier to use. But aside from the car seat, UPPAbaby includes the bassinet, whereas Nuna does not. Nuna certified the Demi Grow stroller seat as newborn capable, although the angle is a bit harsh for my taste.  The point is to have the child lay flat (and not in something with a comparable angle to a car seat), but that can be fixed by using an insert like the UPPAbaby SnugSeat.

The other differences are minor, but they’re still important. The UPPAbaby Vista is not vegan-friendly, so anyone who has a problem with real leather should look at other strollers (like the Demi Grow!). Lastly, what’s included in the package?

With the Vista you receive: Stroller frame, Toddler seat, Bassinet, Rain cover for toddler seat, Mosquito nets for both toddler and bassinet.

With the Demi Grow you receive: Stroller frame, Toddler seat, 2 sets of car seat adapters for the Nuna Pipa, Rain cover.

Using them as doubles

When discussing these as doubles, we’ll address the weight, length, and configurations of each stroller.

The UPPAbaby Vista has always been one of the lightest fully-featured doubles on the market. On top of that, it has always been shorter in length than most tandem doubles, allowing for a tighter turning radius than strollers like the Silver Cross Wave or the Baby Jogger City Select. This is important because tandem style strollers have a weight distribution that tends to feel like a flat-bed truck when turned.

In order to avoid that, the Vista had to compromise in certain areas. The biggest being its configurations of seat, bassinet, and car seat. The UPPAbaby Vista Stroller has two *different* seats. The toddler seat you receive with your stroller holds 50lbs, and the RumbleSeat, which you purchase separately, is smaller and has a lower weight limit (37.5lbs). This means that the time between your first and second child will matter more, for they may grow out of the RumbleSeat quickly if they’re between 3 and 4.

The UPPAbaby Vista works great for twins with few drawbacks, aside from the “which kid do I care about more?” aspect. But when using the Vista with 2 children of different ages, you’ll have to place the bassinet in the lower position. This puts your newborn farther from reach and behind the older child. But the Vista can do two seats perfectly well, featuring multiple different reclines as well as a car seat (in either position) and a seat simultaneously. A full list of configurations can be found here.

Nuna decided to have a super small footprint, and they managed to avoid the weight trap. The Demi Grow Stroller clocks in at 27.4lbs to the Vista’s 26.5. The Demi Grow was shortened due to the arrangement of the seats, but it also changes the weight distribution. So let’s talk about that first.

Weight distribution

Weight distribution directly correlates to the maneuverability of your stroller. When dealing with your average tandem, the front seat is as far away from you on the stroller as it possibly can be. Usually parents prefer the newborn closer to them and the older child farther away. When you turn, your stroller pivots on its front wheels, which are burdened by roughly 25-50lbs of child, making them harder to turn. To be fair, the Vista is a much shorter tandem than most on the market, so it doesn’t have as harsh of a steering problem as its competitors may.

With the Demi Grow’s seat placement, the older child will (most likely) be at your feet on top of their (adjustable!) rear wheel suspension system. So the weight won’t be centered on the wheels you turn with. And because of the distribution, Nuna certified each Demi Grow seat for 50lbs! This allows it to maneuver in small spaces with much more agility.

People may think that this style of double is somewhat of a compromise for maneuverability’s sake, but I believe that Nuna was smart to go this route. For older kids, the spot at your feet is usually coveted. They can get in by themselves, they can spread their legs into the storage area (which is ample, so you’d be able to put stuff in without interfering with their space), and they have their own little spot to relax. Both the lower and upper positions can accommodate a bassinet, seat, or a car seat. This leaves the Demi Grow as one of the more customizable single-to-double strollers. In the lower position, anything you attach will face forward only, but as the driver you’re able to get full visibility of kiddo since you’re right above them. On top of all of this, it may actually be the perfect single-to-double for city families who utilize public transportation. The decreased length and the back axle placement allow for easy maneuverability in and out of buses and trains, as well as minimal footprint in what’s already a crowded public transit system.

Thanks to the included 2 sets of Nuna Pipa Infant Car Seat Adapters, the Demi Grow is one of the few single-to-doubles you can use for 2 right out of the box.

Here’s the abridged version of all my aforementioned points…

These are two very comparable strollers that mostly differ as doubles. First-time parents may not want to think about that, but the biggest differences come down the line. Both offer great durability and push as well as similar folds and packages. Their most important differences arise when you discuss weight distribution, newborn capability, and how they accommodate two children.

UPPAbaby Vista: Weight distribution hinders steering, but offers more configurations and less hindrance to your basket space. Includes bassinet instead of newborn-friendly seat. Bassinet is sleep safe with a stand (sold separately). Lighter, but feels heavier with 2 kids due to distribution.

Nuna Demi Grow: Weight distribution and length help with steering and turning radius, kids really love the bottom position. Heavier stroller but feels lighter with 2 due to distribution. Bassinet (sold separately) is sleep safe without a stand.

Any questions? Email us at questions@mbeans.com!

Mike is a Gear Guru at both our Boston and Brookline locations

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