Stroller brand review: Peg Perego

Stroller brand review: Peg Perego. Peg Perego is an Italian stroller maker that was among the first European brands to land in North America, way back in the 1980’s. The company traces its roots back to 1949 when its founder Giuseppe Perego created a carriage for his infant son.

Unlike most other European brands who long ago abandoned production on the Continent in search of lower labor costs in Asia, Peg Perego still makes all its strollers in Italy. (Okay, there was a brief time when Perego flirted with Chinese imports with one model—the Aria—but that didn’t go well and the company returned back to an all-Italian line). That all-Italian mantra for Peg has been both a blessing and curse. On the upside, the com­pany’s fabrics are considered among the most fashionable (although, admittedly, other companies have since closed the fashion gap). Peg’s reputation for quality is also excellent.

In an era where parents are concerned about Chinese imports and their safety, recalls on Perego strollers are rare. But . . . the made-in-Europe label has its price—in the last few years, Peg’s strollers have jumped in price to compensate for high labor costs. Many Peg models cost 20% to 30% more than competitor’s similar models made in China.

This brand has had its ups and downs in the past decade. Peg missed out on the all-terrain craze, as well as the boom in tri-wheel strollers. You’d think the brand would be a strong player in the multi-function stroller market, first pioneered by Bugaboo and then perfected by UPPAbaby, Britax and others. But they missed that one too. Peg also lost a bit of its cache after unloading its overstock strollers in closeout discounters like Marshall’s.

So can Peg get its mojo back? Let’s look at their current line up.

The models. Perego has a lengthy list of strollers that includes single models, doubles and what they dub “systems,” modular models that include an infant car seat. Below is the current model line-up. We’ll break this down into single, double and sys­tems.

Single strollers. Peg’s current line-up includes six single strollers: the Booklet, Booklet 50, Book Cross, Agio Z4, Agio Z3, and the YPSI. 

The Booklet is Peg’s longest running stroller in the line (see picture upper right). It’s main feature is it’s one hand standing fold, described by the company as similar to closing a book (hence the name). The fold is impressively easy. The stroller also comes with a foot brake; extendable sun shade with peekaboo window; mesh ventilation above the stroller seat; height adjustable handle; full recline; adjustable foot rest; hinged, swinging bumper bar; large, easy access basket and rubber tires. Price: (19 lbs.).

Booklet 50

The Booklet 50 is very similar to the Booklet. It’s slightly narrower (by about 3.5 cm) and weighs 1 lb. more. They also redesigned the basket a bit and added a faux leather handle bar and bumper bar. Finally, the treads have been improved on the rubber wheels. All this for

Both the Booklet and Booklet 50 are car seat compatible with the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido or the plain Primo Viaggio 4-35 infant seats. And you can purchase them as a travel system: Booklet with the plain Primo Viaggio for and the Booklet 50 with the plain Primo Viaggio is $729.99 $583.99

Booklet Cross

Next up, the Booklet Cross is a three wheel version with a slightly higher weight limit than the Booklet and Booklet 50. The Cross goes up to 55 lbs. while the other two weight limits are 50 lbs. Designed as an all-terrain stroller with larger, “higher performance” wheels for a smoother ride, the Cross locates the brake on the handlebar like a jogging stroller. The handlebar is also adjustable and has a knob that allows parents to lock and unlock the front wheel remotely. The fold is like the other Booklets and it runs (22 lbs.).

Agio Z4

Peg Perego has a few other strollers besides the Booklet trio: the Agio z4 and Agio Z3 for example. The Z4 is a four wheel stroller with a slim 20″ width; adjustable, extendible hood; “tilt-in-space” reversible seat with three seat positions; telescopic handle; integrated foot rest; and large basket. Good news: you can fold the Agio Z4 with the seat on. Older, similar Peg Perego strollers required you to remove the seat before folding the frame. The Z4 will work with the Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido and has a compatible bassinet (sold separately). The Z4 runs $550 (22.6 lbs.). The Z3 is an all-terrain version of the Z4, without the removable, reversible seat and with three wheels, not four. It’s cheaper at only $350 (22 lbs.).

YPSI in Rose Gold

Finally, Peg Perego’s last single stroller is the YPSI. Like the Booklet, the YPSI seat is reversible and the stroller can be folded when the seat is installed. In fact, the YPSI and Agio Z4 have a lot in common: three position tilt-in-space” seat, integrated footrest and the same fold. Compatible with the Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido, the YPSI also comes with a telescoping handle and the hood is also height adjustable with a zipper extension for more coverage. The frame comes in a fashionable rose gold for $699.99 $679.99 or a silver brushed metallic for the travel system version ($999.99 $969.99

Double strollers and more. Peg offers two different twin strollers and two triple strollers. The Duett Piroet is a tandem option for $799.99 while the Book for Two is a side-by-side for

If you need a triple stroller (or more), the Triplette and Triplette Piroet are a great option. They are both tandem style strollers. These are impossible to find in stores and are even somewhat scarce online.

Our view. Peg Perego’s DNA is making expertly tailored full-size strollers. And bless their hearts, they have made these things no matter how the stroller market has changed over the years. Call them dedicated, crazy or just Italian—Peg Perego is . . . Peg Perego. Fans of Perego like their overall quality, features like a one-hand standing fold, and made-in-Italy fabrics. Critics, however, bristle at the price. A big reason for the higher prices: all their strollers are made in Italy. The quality is amazing, but you’ll be paying for it.

Baby Bargains Resale Rank: Fair. Rating: B+