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Oct 29, 2024

UPPAbaby G-Link 2 Review | Tested & Rated

American-born UPPAbaby has a decade's worth of experience creating and designing baby gear. They draw their inspiration from family and continuously strive to create quality products that are easy to

American-born UPPAbaby has a decade's worth of experience creating and designing baby gear. They draw their inspiration from family and continuously strive to create quality products that are easy to use through innovation. Currently, UPPAbaby has a variety of stroller options and top-ranked infant car seat in their lineup of baby gear, the UPPAbaby Mesa.

The new G-Link 2 lost some weight with its redesign, with a total weight of 21.3 lbs compared to its previous 24.7 lbs, which is significant given that this is a lightweight category. However, it is still one of the heaviest options in the group.

Folded, it measures 11,340 cubic inches, which is almost 2000 cubic inches smaller than the old G-Link. The weight is related to the higher quality of the materials and the better features. Still, it is important to consider if weight and size are a serious concern in your decision-making process.

The G-Link earns a higher score for ease of use than much of the competition. It includes useful features that are straightforward to operate and help make longer trips more enjoyable for everyone.

This stroller uses the traditional umbrella-folding process that works smoothly and collapses in on itself to bunch up much in the way an umbrella would. It auto-locks and has a carry strap but doesn't self-stand like the G-Link of yore. This sub-test is 25% of the ease of use total.

The brakes on this UPPAbaby are not the best we've seen. They are difficult to set and release with a design that is not friendly to uncovered feet. The pedal is between two wheels and just barely peeks out between them, making it hard to press it. It is also very stiff, and it feels like you're going to break the brake before the pedal moves.

Storage is important in an umbrella stroller, which is why it makes up 25% of the total ease of use result. The G-Link 2 has adequate storage that is fairly impressive for an umbrella product. The back access is somewhat limited thanks to the folding mechanism getting in the way, but it has a 10-lb limit you won't find in the competition. We recommend two smaller bags instead of one large one, as the basket is almost split in two.

The G-Link 2 also has two pockets on the back of the canopies with zippers to keep things contained, as well as a removable cup holder you can mount on the side or between the two seats in the back.

Umbrella strollers are often used outdoors, where shade is important, so sunshade usefulness is 20% of the total ease of use score. The G-Link 2 offers impressive canopies that manage to get better with each new model. The sunshades are UPF 50+ and can cover most passengers to the knee. The new shades lack peek-a-boo windows (bummer) but are high enough to work with taller riders.

The 5-point harness on the G-Link 2 sports the typical UPPAbaby buckle that is very user-friendly. The harnesses are easy to rethread, but the crotch strap is one size fits no one that is so long it might hit some kids in the chin. We aren't sure how this design choice made it into the final product, but it isn't great for finding a useful fit for all.

The new G-Link 2 did away with the adjustable leg rests we loved so much on the older version. While this may have helped lower the weight, we are sad to see it go. However, if it is cozy napping you want, this stroller offers the deepest recline in the group, and the adjustment is easy to accomplish one-handed for both lowering and raising. Seat comfort is important for napping little ones, which is why we these tests are 15% of the ease of use total.

In general, the lightweight contenders were all disappointing for maneuverability.

However, the G-Link 2 did manage the highest score in the group for being fairly easy to push and turn. Pushing on flat surfaces wasn't a problem, but turning takes some effort, given the wider footprint and flexing handles. Unfortunately, the G-Link 2 still sports the dual wheel per leg design we believe makes pushing off-road challenging. It performed better than the competition, but it wasn't anything to sing about. You can't push it one-handed, and turns will be slow. You might be able to pop up a curb with smaller children, but as the weight increases, your ability to manage this feat will vary.

The G-Link 2 includes suspension (not typically found on lightweight or umbrella-style options) and foam-filled plastic wheels. The deep reclining seats include soft padding on sling-style seats, offering superior comfort over much of the competition that uses a single piece of fabric sans padding. The push handles have a foam cover and tilt in for comfort. Both passengers and parents felt the G-Link 2 was comfortable enough for longer trips.

The G-Link 2 stands out in the quality department with a price to match its impressive construction and materials.

This stroller ranks highly in our quality metric compared to the other options with durable and soft fabric, well-machined parts that move smoothly and combine to form a sturdy and dependable stroller. Many of the other contenders in our review struggled with wonky canopies, wobbly wheels, and flexing frames, while the G-Link 2 sports perfect sunshades, ample padding, and consistent stitching. The overall fit and finish of the G-Link 2 are hard to ignore in a side-by-side with the competition.

If you value quality over all else and want a product that will stand the test of time and toddlerhood, then the G-Link is one you should absolutely add to your shortlist. This stroller offers better quality than the competition and has a sturdy feel we didn't see in all competitors. It is also easier to use than some of the competition and easier to push than most lightweight strollers we've tested. It is hard not to love the G-Link.