A Dad’s Perspective on the Bugaboo Butterfly: The Ultimate Travel Buggy

As a frequent traveler and parent, I know the challenges of managing family trips with a toddler in tow. The right stroller can make or break your experience, especially for air travel. For car trips, you don’t want a buggy taking up the entire trunk.

After researching and owning a few other strollers, I chose the Bugaboo Butterfly. It’s sleek, sturdy, and compact – though on the pricier side, it pays off with durability and convenience. Plus, it has a high resale value. This travel buggy doesn’t just cater to moms; it’s also dad-approved!
Keep reading to find out why this buggy stood out and why I ditched my others.

Design and Build Quality

When it comes to looks, the Bugaboo Butterfly strikes a great balance between style and practicality. It doesn’t feel flimsy or weak like some other travel buggies. As a dad, I appreciate the durable frame, which feels like it can withstand the rough and tumble of airport transfers and overhead bins. Whether it’s for a long trip or a quick weekend getaway, the Butterfly holds up well, especially when it gets pushed along with luggage into the trunk.

The overall build quality gives you confidence that it can handle everyday bumps, whether you’re navigating busy streets or walks in the nature. However, one downside I’ve noticed is that the footrest scratches easily. For a buggy at this price point, I expected it to be more resistant to wear and tear in this area.

Foldability and Portability

Here’s where the Bugaboo Butterfly really shines. It features a one-second fold, perfect for quickly packing it away. Whether you’re holding your kid or luggage in the other hand, the buggy folds down quickly and smoothly. Its lightweight design (just over 7 kg) makes it easy to lift and store in the overhead compartment of an airplane.

Air Travel

One important note for air travelers: the Bugaboo Butterfly folds down to 45x23x54 cm, while most EU airlines limit carry-on size to 40x20x55 cm. The width is slightly over the limit, so it sticks out a bit in the airline carry-on size cages, but I’ve personally had no issues carrying it onboard using the built-in shoulder strap.
Once on the plane, it fits easily into the overhead bin—no more waiting at the gate for your stroller to be returned or worse, tracking it down at baggage claim as I had to with my previous model. The shoulder strap makes a big difference in convenience for quick boarding and deplaning.

Comfort for the Little Ones

While my little one (14 months) can’t voice his opinion much, his comfort is key. The Bugaboo Butterfly features a padded, adjustable seat with variable recline positions. So, whether he’s napping or watching the hustle and bustle of the city, the buggy easily adapts.

The UPF 50+ canopy is another win – it extends to keep him shaded and protected, or creates a dark space when it’s nap time. Plus, there’s a zippered extension with a ventilation window for added airflow. One downside, though, is that the seat doesn’t recline fully flat, which could be better for naps.

Maneuverability

The Bugaboo Butterfly is impressively easy to handle, even with one hand. It glides effortlessly over city sidewalks, airport terminals, and uneven terrain, thanks to its four-wheel suspension that absorbs most bumps.

It’s narrow enough to navigate tight spaces (looking at you, airplane aisles and narrow European streets) but wide enough to keep my child stable and secure. While it doesn’t match the air tires of my previous buggy for unpaved roads, the Butterfly has still become my go-to choice for almost every situation.

Storage Space

I don’t carry a diaper bag, so I rely on decent storage for toys, snacks, and other essentials. The underseat basket on the Bugaboo Butterfly is surprisingly spacious for a travel buggy. It easily fits a small backpack and holds up to 8 kg of cargo, letting you pack everything you need without worrying about anything falling out.

On-the-Go Convenience

As a dad on the move, I appreciate the thoughtful details Bugaboo has included. For instance, the fabrics are easy to remove and clean, making it simple to tackle spills or unexpected messes. The seat liner is machine washable, which is a huge plus. Did I mention that all parts can be purchased individually? You can also get an adapter for popular infant carriers from brands like Cybex, Nuna, and Maxi-Cosi, making it a breeze to switch between your buggy and car at an early age.

There are plenty of other accessories available, but one downside is that the cup holder isn’t included.

Quick Facts – Bugaboo Butterfly

• Suitable from: Recommended: Six months (I would recommend it when the child can sit up independently). With adapter you can mount an infant carrier – great for vacations!
• Maximum load: 22kg/48.50 lbs – (the Butterfly can carry my five year old).
• Weight: 7.3kg / 16.09 lbs
• Unfolded dimensions: 92.5 x 45 x 104.5 cm / 36.42 x 17.72 x 40.31 in
• Folded dimensions: 45 x 23 x 54 cm (IATA approved) 17.72 x 9.06 x 21.26 in
• Materials: Polyester, PFAS-free water-repellent fabric coating, Crafted with 60% recycled aluminum
• Colors: Midnight Black, Desert Taupe, Stormy Blue, Forrest Green, Dark Cherry Red
• What’s in the box: Integrated leg rest, carry strap, rain cover – fully assembled

Final Thoughts & Alternatives

Why a well known brand is worth it

Reflecting on my choices, there are a few things I would do differently. I started with a pram that offered a bassinet, which later changes to a buggy seat. I had to choose between the Bugaboo Fox and a lesser-known brand, and I ultimately went with the more affordable latter.
Now, I would opt for a well-known brand like Bugaboo. My previous pram was not only difficult to resell, in addition I sold it at a low price. Finding spare parts was a challenge – not just for repairs but also if you want to refresh your stroller (which I wanted to do for my second child).
I used the pram with the sport buggy seat for quite some time, but it was a hassle to transport in the car because it came in two pieces.

Which type of Buggy to pick?

Then, I got the Joie Litetrax, which was a game changer for me since it took up only half the space in my trunk. I used it for some air travels, but I had to leave it at the gate. More than once, it was checked in instead of being returned at the gate, meaning I had to carry my son while retrieving it from baggage claim. I even had to pick it up from the special luggage section after my suitcases. On one occasion, it got wet because of rain, and the lack of protection added inconvenience to my travels.

I considered the Xiaomi Stroller for a bit, since I’m very happy with their suitcases (read my 20″ Carry-On Aluminum Suitcase Review or 24″ Spinner Wheel Suitcase Review). I did my research and you can find my blog post including my friend’s review of the Xiaomi Stroller, but decided to go with the known stroller brand.

I didn’t want to get another stroller, but here I am, and it was a great decision. Reducing trunk space again by half was more than a game changer, and taking the Bugaboo Butterfly on the plane is incredibly convenient. Leaving the stroller at the gate also means I have to remove everything from the storage basket and carry it in addition to my kids.

If I Could Start Over: What I Would Do Differently

Looking back, I would still get a decent pram with a bassinet for a newborn, as I enjoyed long walks during naptime and wanted a comfy bed with cozy covers for winter. However, I would switch to the Bugaboo Butterfly much earlier and therefore not pay much attention to the pram’s optional seat.

We had both the Joie Litetrax and Bugaboo Butterfly next to our door for a while, and since getting the Butterfly, we haven’t used the other one again. The Joie Litetrax has its strengths, particularly when the air tires excel on nature walks or unpaved roads, but that benefit is quite limited. The Butterfly handles them adequately, and if the road gets too rough, you can’t use any stroller anyway.
I have to give credit to my wife – investing in the expensive Bugaboo Butterfly was worth every penny.

Where to get?

Bugaboo Butterfly is available to order in their own webshop, or
you can order on Amazon, where you can test it yourself and return if you are not satisfied.