Zoe Tour+ vs Zoe Traveler Stroller Reviews: For Different Needs

When Zoe released their Zoe Traveler stroller I was confused: didn’t the Tour already work as a compact stroller? I ended up ordering both to test them out and see whether one was better than the other.

After I tried both I realized that both Zoe Tour and Traveler offer slightly different pros and cons, so it all depends on what matters most to you specifically.

Zoe Traveler vs Zoe Tour

As you can see from the comparison before it seems that the only difference between these two Zoe strollers is that the Tour has a higher seat capacity and folds slightly larger. There’s more to it though.

I personally ended up keeping Zoe Traveler at first, but there are other aspects in which Tour model is superior. Let’s dive into their specific features.

Fitting in Overhead Bin

Those who follow me on Instagram know that we have horrendous luck when it comes to travel. We’re no strangers to lost luggage, broken gate checked strollers, or delays. This is why a stroller that can fit in the overhead bin is a winner for our family.

As you can see based on the dimensions of the Zoe Tour stroller it does not fit in the overhead bin. It’s still a compact stroller and will easily fold to fit in the trunk of your car, or even in the space between the seats.

Now, I’ll be real: Zoe Traveler is promoted as fitting in overhead bins. After all, the dimensions are exactly the same as those of the luxury travel stroller Joolz Aer.

We took both Zoe Traveler and Joolz Aer on multiple flights and let me tell you the truth: unfortunately, there’s a 50:50 chance that these strollers won’t fit in the overhead bin. We took 8 flights with Emirates and we were always told that the stroller was too big to bring on board.

This summer we took Zoe Traveler all over Europe and out of the 10 flights we took on this trip, it was allowed only 4 times (2 of these flights were in the US), and one of these times the stroller physically didn’t fit in the overhead and I had to keep it underneath my seat (only because there were no dividers between the seats on LOT Polish).

That said, I will say that Zoe Tour has to be gate checked for travel, and Zoe Traveler might fit in the overhead, but it’s not guaranteed like Babyzen Yoyo or Cybex Libelle.

Folding & Unfolding

Zoe Tour folds by pulling the strap on the seat up, just like Zoe Twin or many other full-size strollers. It’s an easy move that can be done with one hand, while the Traveler folds by pressing the button on the handlebar – just like Joolz Aer for example.

Both systems are good and reliable and technically there’s no difference between them, but I will say that after our Traveler got beat up by gate checking at various European airports the closing mechanism sometimes failed and took multiple attempts to press the button to have the stroller fold. It wasn’t a huge deal honestly, but something we’ve never experienced with Zoe Tour.

Unfolding was smooth in both instances. However, the Traveler can be easily unfolded one-handedly, the Tour requires another hand to unlock the plastic holder.

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Due to the folding mechanism the seat on Traveler is slightly rolled up once unfolded, but it’s a cosmetic problem as once the child sits on it or you lightly push it down it’s fine.

Seat Comfort & Recline

Both seats are comfortably padded and no kid of mine has ever complained about them. Tour’s seatback is slightly higher, but on Traveler it’s high enough that it makes no difference.

What makes any Zoe stroller great is the big canopy. The Tour’s canopy is significantly larger and offers full coverage which for some people might be very important if a baby is used to napping in complete darkness.

For me personally, the canopy on Traveler was also enough, but the Tour can extend all the way to the bumper bar.

On the tour, the canopy can be easily removed for washing which is a bonus.

The snack tray from Zoe directly can be attached to both model and I recommend it for smaller kids. It can hold a cup and snacks and replaces the bumper bar. It’s easy to remove and wash as well.

Due to the position of the bumper bar on Traveler model, the snack tray will be higher than Tour, same way the bumper bar is sticking up more on the Traveler. It’s not a big deal for a child over 2 years old, but the tray will sit right under the chin of a shorter/smaller toddler.

Maneuverability & Longevity

When it comes to driving around, the wheels are basically the same. I’ll be real: they aren’t the most amazing stroller wheels and they can wear off faster than these on high-end strollers if you’re driving over cobblestones or gravel a lot.

Both stroller ride the way way and feel very similar in terms of suspension. However, the Tour offers an option of extra all-terrain wheels as an add-on. They cannot be added to the Traveler, due to compact fold.

While these wheels are obviously still small (the Tour is, after all, a compact stroller) and won’t provide a ride as smooth as on Uppababy Vista or Cybex Priam on which the wheels are almost twice the size, they do add to longevity.

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The break is located in the middle of the Traveler, while it’s a 2-step break on the sides the Tour. Some people claim that if you’re taller you might accidentally hit the brake when it’s in the middle, but it never happened in our case.

Newborn compatibility

While I always say not to pick a stroller based on newborn compatibility, as it’s only the first 3 months you will need it, while you will be stuck with a stroller for years to come…

Zoe Tour is indeed car seat compatible and could be used from birth. While the travel system with the car seat isn’t ideal and I would have preferred a bassinet option, it’s a nice add-on. Especially because the Tour can be expanded to a double in a tandem mode or make a triple when combined with Zoe Twin.

Verdict: Is Zoe Traveler Better than Tour?

As I mentioned in the beginning, we ended up taking Traveler to Europe because our kids are old enough to swap and the more compact stroller made more sense.

However, if you asked me 2 years old when I had a little toddler and a newborn I would have said that I was willing to sacrifice the slightly bigger fold to have an option on a tandem, more canopy, and car seat compatibility.

Both Zoe Traveler and Zoe Tour strollers are great, it just depends on your current needs which will work better for you.