The Britax B-Lively is an Eye-Catcher
Britax® has been a leader in the baby products industry for decades and decades. Their advances and innovations in child safety are evident with every new product they put on the market, and the Britax stroller is no different.
Britax also understands style is relevant for today’s moms and dads. Not only are their products safe, but they are also very sleek and stylish. The Britax B-Lively merges safety and style for modern parents.
Handlebar
In our opinion, all strollers should have adjustable handlebars. It makes a world of difference, as most parents are not the same height. Luckily, the Britax B-Lively has a comfortable ergonomic adjustable handlebar! Plus, the addition of the foam grip also ups the comfort level while you’re steering this stroller.
Suspension
You don’t often come across a stroller in this price point with all-wheel suspension. This Britax stroller provides a very smooth ride due to its suspension system. On the other hand, many strollers on the market today will state their stroller comes equipped with a suspension system; however, they are usually less than impressive. Furthermore, most of these strollers’ suspension travel is fractions of an inch. Whereas; the B-Lively has close to two inches of travel, making bumps disappear. Unlike some other brands, the Britax B-Lively suspension system is not a gimmicky marketing ploy.
Wheels
Three-wheeled strollers are known for their ability to handle all surfaces, from bumpy sidewalks to thick grass. They also have high marks for their maneuverability.
The B-Lively has a three-wheel configuration but with a twist. Three-wheeled strollers are not as stable as their four-wheeled counterpart. Therefore, Britax has added two wheels to the front- this offsets some of the instability found in traditional three-wheel strollers.
This stroller has 360 degrees swiveling front wheel and plastic wheels wrapped in rubber. In addition, the front wheel can lock and should be locked when you encounter rough terrain. A locked front wheel adds stability to help power through uneven surfaces.
Seating
The spacious and nicely padded seat will keep your child safe and cozy. There is a firmness to the padding, which helps support your child’s growing body.
The material is soft, not plasticy or slippery. The seating material is easy to clean; a simple damp cloth will get the job done.
The seat reclines with one hand. And since the seatback does not have locking positions, instead it uses an adjustment strap, you can recline the seat to whatever angle you desire. It’s a matter of pulling the recline adjuster down. To raise the seatback, you’ll need to yank the recline straps apart.
As stated in many reviews about the seat, some parents feel the seat is too reclined even at the most upright position.
Safety Harness
The user-friendly five-point safety harness will keep your bundle of joy safe and secure when you’re out walking- or you hit rough patches. All five straps can be independent- this is a helpful feature to get your child in and out of the harness.
As your child grows, the B-Lively safety harness will grow with your child. Britax has added three shoulder harness heights to the seat; they are 9.5″, 12.5″, and 15″. Additionally, the shoulder and waist straps can be tightened or loosened by sliding the adjusters.
Storage
The B-Lively has a sizable storage basket, though we wish Britax would have used a sturdier material. We feel the material is on the flimsy side. You won’t have a problem with light items like a diaper bag and blankets in the storage basket. But, with heavier items and constant use, we feel the material will wear and fatigue over time.
Not to be a complete negative Nancy, we do like the front access to the storage basket. The front access doubles as a leg rest and access way. It is an ingenious design and not seen on other strollers.
The canopy has a large zippered pocket and comes in handy for the things you need within arms reach.
Canopy
The canopy is extra-large and has significant coverage. As with many stroller canopies these days, the B-Lively has a UPF 50+ canopy which is the highest level of protection from UVA and UVB rays. The peek-a-boo window also serves a dual purpose as a ventilation panel. You can check on your little ones, keep them comfortable, and protect them from the harsh sunlight. Finally, as large as the canopy is, it’s nice that it doesn’t come down too far and block your child’s view.
Folding
The folding process is a simple two-step process. It’s a matter of pressing the frame release button and pulling up on the built-in handle. The ability to fold the stroller with one hand makes baby life a little less complicated, keeping the other hand free for the other gazillion things you have going on as a parent.
Brakes
The parking brake is a straightforward design and is pretty standard for strollers today. You press the brake pedal down to lock the wheels and lift the pedal to unlock them. It’s simplicity at its finest!
Travel System
Car seat adapters come with the Britax B-Lively, a rarity for strollers. On the other hand, the adapters are only compatible with Britax car seats. Unfortunately, if you use this stroller as a travel system, you are limited to the Britax brand.
If you already own a car seat or prefer one from another brand, you will have to consider if this stroller is the right choice for your family.
Of course, if you love the Britax brand and all of its products, this might be perfect for you! If you decide to go this route, we suggest purchasing the travel system bundle. You’ll save money buying the system versus buying the stroller and car seat separately.
Accessories
Britax doesn’t have an extensive accessories lineup compared to other brands, but their offering has the essentials. Below is the list of their accessories:
Cupholder
Child tray with cupholder
Stroller organizer
Sun and bug cover
Wind and rain cover
Pros
- It has a great suspension system
- One-handed folding
- Adjustable handlebar for multiple users
- Equipped with a large UPF 50+ canopy
- Fully recline seat
Cons
- The seat is not reversible
- You can only use Britax car seats
B-Lively FAQ
No, it may look like a jogging stroller, but it’s not.
Yes, the stroller folds with the adapters in place.
Yes, if the Britax car seat features the Click & Go System.
No, a carrying strap is not available, but a bag can be purchased separately.
What Parents have to Say
Important Specifications
- Unfolded Dimensions: 33″ x 23″ x 40″
- Folded Dimensions: 29″ x 23″ x 12″
- Stroller Weight: 20-pounds (9.07-kg)
- Maximum Weight Capacity: 55-pounds (24.95-kg)
Final Words
The Britax B-Lively is a lightweight, high-performance everyday stroller. It’s packed with safety and packaged in a sleek, contemporary design. This stroller may very well be an ideal stroller for parents who want to stray away from the look and feel of more traditional strollers.
The smooth suspension system and three-wheeled design will take you and your child virtually anywhere in comfort!
As with all Britax products, you know you are getting a high-quality product that will undoubtedly outlast your child’s use!