pipa urbn travel system reviews

• Mattress Toppers
• Sheets & Bedding
• Sleep Products
• Cleaning & Laundry
• Heating & Cooling
• Home Office
• Kitchen & Dining
• Storage & Organization
• Wine & Bar
• Accessories
• Handbags & Purses
• Lingerie & Sleepwear
• Outdoor & Fitness Apparel
• Kids Clothes & Accessories
• Pregnancy & Postpartum
• Toys & Books
• Apparel & Accessories
• Camping & Hiking
• Fishing & Hunting
• Tennis & Racket Sports
• Tools & Tech
• Training & Recovery
• Water Sports
• Winter Sports
• Personal Products
• Wellness & Self Care
• Computers, Tablets & Accessories
• Online Tools
• Smart Home Devices
• Smartphones, Smartwatches & Accessories
• Hotels & Lodging
• Travel Products
• Father's Day
• Mother's Day
• Valentine's Day
• Amazon Prime Day
• Beauty & Grooming
• Tech & Electronics
• Travel Deals
• Mattress & Sleep

Nuna’s Pipa Urbn Travel System Tested Review: City Dwellers Will Love This Baseless Model

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

The Nuna brand, known for its luxury baby gear, recently released a new baseless car seat offering: the Pipa Urbn. It weighs just 7 pounds, making it one of the lightest infant car seats out there. It’s sold only as a travel system with your choice of one of three Nuna strollers: the Triv Next, Mixx Next or the Trvl, so it comes with a hefty price tag ($900-$1,200). But where it truly aims to differentiate is with its baseless design, ideal for those who don’t have a car where the infant seat’s base would normally dwell around the clock. Instead, the Pipa Urbn car seat installs to the latch system on its own sans base, making it easy to pop into a taxi or a rental as needed and then back onto the stroller to cruise around.

The new Pipa Urbn infant car seat from Nuna installs to a car without a base. We took a closer look ... [+] at it.

The Forbes Vetted team has raved about some of Nuna’s items in the past, including its sought-after, aforementioned travel stroller, the Nuna Trvl, so we were curious to check out its new car seat stroller combo offering. I tested the car seat with the Triv Next stroller and my 6-month-old. As a mother to three children and a baby gear and fitness product reviewer for the last decade, I felt well equipped to review it. The initial setup of the whole apparatus was overly complicated, but in the end, I found the car seat sleek and convenient for rideshares—and the stroller particularly compelling. Read on for my full review of the new Pipa Urbn infant car seat stroller travel system.

My older kids (3 and 5.5) spent their infant days in the Chicco KeyFit , and my 6-month-old was riding in that until the Pipa Urbn came along.

Nuna Pipa Urbn Travel System Review

Nuna pipa urbn and triv next infant travel system.

Weight: 7 pounds (without infant insert and canopy) | Child height max: 29 inches | Child weight max: 22 pounds | Seat width: 17.5 inches | Stroller compatibility: Nuna travel systems | Special feature: Baseless model

• Urban dwellers
• Frequent travelers or those who rely on car shares
• Families looking for luxury baby gear
• You have a bigger baby
• Those on tighter budgets

The Initial Setup Needs Work

The best infant car seat, according to experts, is one that you can install correctly and buckle your child into without issue every time. That ensures your child will be as safe as possible. The initial setup of the Pipa Urbn car seat was sadly not simple.

The directions for this car seat were confusing, and I had just assembled four treadmills for another review. Part of the confusion stemmed from the fact that the car seat (and the stroller) were already partially assembled. So instead of starting from the pictured step one, I started halfway through the setup instructions. But there were other issues.

When setting up the car seat canopy, the directions were unclear on which direction it should face. It took my husband and me some 30 minutes to get it right, not helped by the fact that the instructions didn’t show us that the canopy attachment points are moveable. Given my baby’s length, we had to adjust the shoulder straps, but once it was time to reattach the headrest, it was nearly impossible; the hook and loop straps that thread through the the back of the seat were not of equal length, which meant we were pulling and holding a very short strap while trying to attach it to the other strap. Eventually we secured it, but the headrest never sat right.

The baseless Nuna Pipa Urbn infant car seat attaches to the car's Latch anchor system or via the ... [+] seat belt.

How The Baseless Install Works With LATCH And Without

I’m used to popping my infant car seats into a base, which remains in the car after initial installation. A base makes it easy to click the seat in and then to remove it with just one hand. The upside of the Pipa Urbn model is it comes with LATCH guides—bright yellow tubes that attach to the car’s LATCH system. From there, you can guide the car seat’s LATCH system into the tubes and click them into place. When properly done, you’ll hear two clicks (one for each side) and there is an indicator that switches from red to green when installed correctly. (The uninitiated can read more about the LATCH system here , but essentially it’s a handy feature for installing car seats that comes preinstalled to most new cars these days.)

Overall, clicking the latches in place was easier than I’d thought it would be. That said, it required me to use two hands and drape myself over the entire car seat to ensure a safe install to the LATCH system. Does it take me 5 minutes to do it? No. But it does take longer than the brand’s advertised 2 seconds. It may be 10 seconds. However, I also have the advantage of extra room to maneuver it into the right position as we have a minivan in which I can nearly stand up in. Doing this procedure in a more cramped sedan, such as is typical with taxis, would be even harder. Of course, this is typical of what it takes to install any car seat baseless, pushing and pulling it into an ideal safe position, which is why if you’re able to use a base with your infant car seat, you’ll certainly save yourself some time and frustration. The base install is going to be much, much easier every time.

Buckling my baby into the seat was easy, and I found the shoulder straps twisted around less often than my existing car seat. But because the shoulder padding is so padded, it’s tricky to get them to sit under her chubby cheeks where they meet her shoulders.

Unbuckling, thanks to the magnetic closure system, is easy, but loosening the straps is most decidedly not. The release button is not visible under the fabric and pressing it forces you to turn your finger around so your knuckle is facing downward instead—counterintuitive, to say the least.

Taking the car seat out of the car, however, was quite simple and required just one hand, as advertised.

The Canopy Provides Unparalleled Coverage

If you’ve ever toted around an infant in a car seat, you know that the sun always has a way of finding itself right in your baby’s face. And although a little rain or snow never hurt anyone, weather can wake that baby from the coveted nap.

In order to better cover my babies in my Chicco Keyfit, I used two coverings (like this and this ). But the Nuna canopy with SkyDrape is what dreams are made of. The canopy provides UPF 50+ protection, and the mesh SkyDrape pulls out from the canopy and connects at the feet with magnets. It also keeps baby tucked away from germ-ridden hands—at home or in public.

A Luxurious, Stylish Ride

Once I got past a tricky setup, riding with the Pipa Urbn was smooth sailing. If you’re a first-time parent with a big budget and a chic style, the Pipa Urbn travel system feels like a worthy splurge especially if you lack a car or prefer walking over drives.

The car seat is the Mercedes Benz of car seats, thanks to its padding, versatility (it can be used from birth, even for low-birth weight infants), and oversized canopy, all at just 7 pounds, meaning it doesn’t feel too heavy to carry on your arm either.

Even the car seat handle feels (and looks) nice, thanks to the leatherette—yes, that’s a nice name for fake leather—material.

It’s Easy To Clean Too

If you have kids, easy-t0-clean gear is essential. The shoulder straps on the car seat and in the stroller snap off easily and can be tossed into the washing machine. All three of my kids spit up, and it blows my mind how some companies make it impossible to clean shoulder straps. Per the company’s website, all the inserts and inserts can be removed for machine washing. That said, we recently had a poop explosion on the car seat’s fabric—not the insert—and because the cover doesn’t pop off (YouTube videos show you can remove it with some effort), I had to wash with soap and water and spray with a deodorizer. Not great.

The stroller was extra special.

The Best Hoka Shoes For Running: Your Ultimate Guide For 2024

Trending sleep hacks that might just work, according to a doctor, nuna’s triv next stroller steals the show.

The Triv Next stroller is not a new product from Nuna, but it’s being released as one of the options to be bundled with the Pipa Urbn car seat. The stroller itself is an investment at $700. That said, the Triv Next is an excellent stroller with plenty of coveted features. It’s lightweight (18.4 pounds without the canopy, insert and arm bar) and collapses easily with just one hand. There are three riding options: The car seat has a frame attachment for infant use, a rear-facing seat and a forward-facing seat.

Once again, the Nuna canopy delivers with its extendable ability, SPF 50+ coverage, and window. There’s a one-handed, five-position recline to the seat and height adjustable handlebar.

Unlike many strollers designed for everyday use (versus, say, running strollers), the Triv uses rubber wheels for traction and durability, and the spring suspension makes for a smooth ride.

I did struggle with the stroller’s shoulder straps popping out of the magnetic closure. Rethreading takes time, but it’s necessary for your kiddo’s safety.

The high-end infant car seat is extra lightweight at just 7 pounds, but it also has a lower max ... [+] weight limit, meaning your child may outgrow it sooner than others.

Is It Worth It?

The Pipa Urbn car seat is the first Nuna car seat to go baseless, and as its name suggests, that makes it perfect for city dwellers who rely on taxis and car services for travel. Parents can use the LATCH or seat belt path for installation and then pop the car seat into the stroller.

But it’s not the only baseless car seat out there. The Clek Liing is another baseless option (at 9 pounds) and has a price tag of $460. Most other car seats at more affordable price points can be installed, baseless, with the car’s seat belt .

Compared to other infant car seats, which have a max allowable weight of 30 to 35 pounds and a max length of 30 to 32 inches, the Pipa Urbn might mean you’ll need to buy a larger seat, such as a convertible car seat , sooner. Its max weight limit is 22 pounds or when your baby reaches a height of 29 inches.

The Pipa Urbn is also ideal for those seeking a premium infant travel system given the way the car seat easily moves from taxi back to the stroller. It’s also FAA approved for flying, and the stroller is easy to collapse for gate checking. You also have the option to pair the car seat with our favorite travel stroller for even lighter, easier traveling: the Nuna Trvl.

Car Seat Safety Regulations

It’s important to note that when it comes to car seats, paying more doesn’t mean you’re getting a safer car seat. That’s because all car seats must be tested against the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) FMVSS 213 performance and design criteria for child restraint systems for children up to 80 pounds. (Some of these criteria include flame retardant for fabric and webbing, buckles and release pressure, anchor or seat belt security, height and weight limitations and head-on crash simulation.)

Last year, NHTSA updated its guidelines to include side-impact testing standards; before June 2022, companies may have advertised “side-impact tested,” but they were not regulated by the government.

That said, there has also been a rise in recalls in the baby and children’s gear market in general over the last year, so it’s also worth considering those companies with fewer recalls under their belts. You may also search the NHTSA recall database for safety information on a particular car seat model.

My Expertise

I have been testing products for nearly a decade, including baby, running and fitness gear. As a journalist for two decades, I’ve learned how to vet products and sources and ask important product questions. In testing the Pipa Urbn and Triv Next Travel System, I used my experience as a parent of three who’s fought with strollers and car seats for five years (and counting).

Methodology

In reviewing the Pipa Urbn and Triv Next stroller travel system , I wanted to focus on the ease of use for the newly released car seat in particular. My 6-month-old daughter has been my guinea pig for nearly two months, riding in this car seat and stroller. My newly minted 3-year-old daughter has also been testing the stroller.

We’ve gone on short around-town drives and longer treks with the car seat. I also tested the stroller in all of its seating options. Both girls prefer facing outward.

I tested putting the car seat into and out of my car and driving with my daughter in it. Once that was up and running, I tested it with the stroller. I gauged how easy it was to click into the stroller insert as well as the car’s latching system. I considered the overall features and functionality as they compared to the price, too.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Nuna PIPA urbn Rear-Facing Only Infant Seat Review

2023 NUNA PIPA URBN REVIEW

I’m here to tell you today that the Nuna PIPA urbn is THE most groundbreaking, game-changing, revolutionary seat that I’ve seen on the market since I started in this field almost 9 years ago. Why? The installation is virtually error-proof. It really is. Just click on the pipaFIX™ rigid LATCH, adjust the angle, and you’re set. When it’s installed with LATCH, there is zero pulling or tightening needed. And of course, rigid LATCH is a safety feature in and of itself, as it limits side to side movement and downward rotation of the seat and eliminates the extra movement that occurs with even the tightest LATCH strap stretching in a collision.

The PIPA urbn is not compatible with any Nuna base and does not have its own base, but I wouldn’t consider that to be a drawback, as in most vehicles it will take the same amount of time to install it with the rigid LATCH as it would to click it onto a base. Since it does not use a base, that’s also one less point of possible error or failure.

A correct installation is a safe installation. Nuna has made it possible to easily install a car seat in about three seconds with very, very little chance of error. We’ll go through the particulars in this review, but we need to start off by commending them for this design.

The PIPA urbn is marketed to any parent or caregiver who needs to be able to take a seat in and out easily (think: those without their own vehicles, urban families who frequently use rideshare or taxis, parents who switch seats around often for carpool, etc.) but I’d recommend it to anyone who has the budget for it and desires an installation that leaves virtually no room for error.

NUNA PIPA URBN SPECS & FEATURES:

• Rear-facing only: 4-22 lbs and 29″ or less (1″ rule also applies)
• 3 harness height positions
• 1 crotch strap/buckle position
• Lightweight Aeroflex™ foam
• Baseless-only installation with steel-reinforced pipaFIX™ rigid LATCH
• Auto-reclining foot to aid in proper installation
• Lower anchor guides included to help with rigid LATCH installation
• Can be installed baseless with seatbelt using European or standard (American) routing
• Installation with pipaFIX™ rigid LATCH and seatbelt together is permitted
• Greenguard Gold certified
• Machine washable seat fabrics and inserts
• Full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy with flip-out eyeshade and XL peek-a-boo window
• Popular Nuna Sky drape™ feature on canopy
• Integrated magnetic buckle holders
• FAA certified for aircraft use

NUNA PIPA URBN MEASUREMENTS:

• Harness slot heights: 5″, 7″, 9″
• Lowest harness slot height with infant insert and low birthweight pillow: about 4″
• Crotch strap/buckle position (without insert): 5″
• Internal shell height: 18″
• Width of carrier at widest point: 16.5″
• Carrier weight: 9.3 lbs. with canopy, infant insert, head inserts and low birthweight pillow; 8.4 lbs. with canopy but without any inserts

The PIPA urbn is sold only as a travel system in 3 configurations:

INSTALLATION COMMENTS:

Installation with LATCH:

There’s a current style of expressing something which contains a short statement, followed by “that’s it”, or “send tweet”.  That type of language comes to mind here. “Easiest installation of any seat. Send tweet.” The installation of the PIPA urbn just could not be easier.

Basically, if you are aware that the vehicle you’re in has LATCH (virtually every car in America of model year 2003 or later, most cars in Western Europe, and many vehicles in other parts of the globe), and you intend to install the urbn with LATCH, the installation is error-proof in many vehicles. As mentioned above, this statement is not made lightly.

Nuna PIPA urbn rigid LATCH closeup

The LATCH installation has two, maybe three steps. Connect the rigid LATCH connectors to the lower anchors. Push them on so the little window turns green. Check the level line, and pull the end of the seat up or down if necessary to get the line level. Done.

Nuna PIPA urbn level line

A recline foot comes down automatically when the LATCH is extended, and the seat may also be manually manipulated if needed to achieve the correct angle. A line on the side must be level with the ground; there is no bubble.

The Nuna PIPA urbn recline foot extends when the rigid LATCH is lowered

A gap between the car seat and the seat back is permitted. This may seem disconcerting to some caregivers, but Nuna has assured us that the seat still passes testing this way. Indeed, even if you try to flip the back end of the seat upwards, it can only be raised an inch or two. Unlike a typical infant carrier installed without a base using a seatbelt, the innovative LATCH design prevents the seat from flipping toward the back of the vehicle.

To release the LATCH, squeeze the handle on the back of the seat right under the canopy. I found this step easier than releasing a seat from the base!

A gap between the urbn and the vehicle seat back is acceptable.

Difficult vehicles: 

As with any child safety seat, there are always going to be difficult or impossible vehicles. I did encounter two unique issues when I tried the PIPA urbn in different vehicles. It’s important to note that neither of these issues precludes a correct installation, as the seat may still be installed with the seatbelt.

My Subaru Forester has center LATCH. This is usually not that useful, since the middle lower anchor is shared with the passenger side position, and the passenger side buckle cannot be used if the center LATCH is in use. Nevertheless, I decided to give the PIPA urbn a try in the center. I found an issue doing this, as the urbn was too reclined. I was unable to make it more upright, because I had to angle it reclined in the first place to connect the LATCH, and then the middle seat vertical bolster prevented me from moving the foot end downward. However, I contacted Nuna, who checked the angle of my install and said it was acceptable in my particular situation. We encourage anyone to contact Nuna for guidance if they are unable to get the level line level.

PIPA urbn center LATCH in Subaru

The other vehicle that presented difficulty was my friend’s previous generation 2017 Toyota Sienna. This car has long been the nemesis of many car seats, as the captains chairs are extremely sloped and the lower anchors are far inside the seat bight (seat crack). Nuna approved the following method when we contacted them for this particular situation.  If you have a similar issue, please contact Nuna directly to see if this or another option may help with installation:

• Recline the vehicle seat
• Attach the PIPA urbn rigid latch
• Adjust the urbn to the correct angle using the level line
• Put the vehicle seatback upright. It may be necessary to apply pressure from behind the seat to make it upright.

It’s important to note that the Sienna was redesigned for the 2021 model year, and the newer ones do not have this issue.

LATCH guides:

What if you can’t find the lower anchors, or you’re having trouble manipulating the rigid LATCH connector so that it’s in the right place to click on to the lower anchor? Nuna has solved this problem as well.

Nuna has always included LATCH guides with their rigid LATCH bases. To be honest, I’d never found these particularly easy to use. The LATCH guide is a square plastic casing that exposes the lower anchor and makes it easier to attach the rigid LATCH connector to it. By the time I was done getting the LATCH guide situated, I could have used my hand to guide the rigid LATCH connector onto the lower anchor.

New yellow and older black LATCH guides

But no more! Nuna has included a newly designed LATCH guide with the PIPA urbn, and in a word, it’s fabulous. It has a serrated type of design, where you put the end of it anywhere near the lower anchor, and push. It situates itself on the lower anchor bar, and the rigid LATCH connector will now be lined up perfectly when you attempt to attach it. This is VERY handy in some vehicles whose lower anchors are hidden behind fabric and are difficult to access with one hand.

It’s important to note that in most newer vehicles, the lower anchors are either already encased in plastic, or they’re much nearer to the “surface” and not buried in the seat crack. However, especially where the PIPA urbn will come in so handy for travel, we’d recommend having a set of the LATCH guides on hand, as a cab or lyft/uber could very easily be an older model car.

I was trying to think of how to best keep track of the LATCH guides. A “mommy hook” type of carabiner or one of those bracelet-sized key rings would probably work well, perhaps looped around a diaper bag handle.

Installation with seatbelt:

The PIPA urbn features European belt routing.  This type of routing is recommended but not required; standard or “American” routing is allowed. Nuna also allows both seatbelt and rigid LATCH together.  I tried European routing in my vehicle, a 2021 Subaru Forester, and it was a breeze. Because the PIPA urbn shell is about an inch shorter than the shell of the other PIPAs, it was even easier to wrap the belt around the back of the seat.

PIPA urbn – seatbelt and rigid LATCH allowed together

Nuna does allow rigid LATCH and seatbelt together on the PIPA urbn .

Space-saving design

Because it does not have a base, the PIPA urbn will save front to back space in many cars. I compared it with the Nuna PIPA lite rx, and depending on the placement of the lower anchors in the vehicle, there will be up to 3″ of space saved. (If the lower anchors are very prominent, then the PIPA urbn will not be flush against the vehicle seat as mentioned above, and less space will be saved.) Also, as the PIPA urbn is lower to the vehicle seat, it will fit better against the back of the front seat, since many front seats have a natural recline.

The urbn would also be an excellent choice for two-door vehicles or sportscars where front to back space is at a premium.

FIT TO CHILD COMMENTS:

I noticed right away that the lowest slots on the urbn are very, very low. This is terrific, as the straps need to be coming out of the seat from at or below the shoulders. So (so so so) many seat manufacturers casually write “4 lbs” or “5 lbs” as the minimum weight for a car seat, yet the lowest strap slot or headrest position is way above the shoulders of a 4- or 5-lb baby.  This is a sore point for me personally, as my oldest child (who just turned 10!) was born at 4 lbs and fit almost none of the baby gear we got for her. Do better, car seat manufacturers – and Nuna has.

On the other end of the spectrum, however, the PIPA urbn is outgrown at 22 lbs. This means that some babies who would otherwise get to a year or more in an infant seat may not be able to in the urbn. 22 lbs is the 50th percentile for an 11 month baby boy and a 12 month baby girl. It’s not possible during pregnancy or at birth (when the seat is purchased) to know exactly where on the growth curve a child will fall, but those who purchase this seat do need to be prepared for the fact that they may need to move to a larger infant seat or to a convertible seat before the child’s first birthday.

The shell height of the urbn is 18 inches, one inch shorter than the other PIPAs at the torso. The urbn is outgrown when baby is 29 inches tall, head to toe. The urbn does follow the 1″ rule, meaning it’s outgrown when the baby’s head is 1 inch from the top.

These boy/girl twins are a week old and were born at 37 weeks. The one in the yellow shirt weighs about 5 lbs, and the one in the white shirt weighs just over 6 lbs. Their fit was stellar in the urbn. The straps came up and over the shoulders, and the head was positioned well. I took out the extra head insert as I felt it was pushing the chin down a bit. The low birthweight pillow is inside the bottom insert. I took off the strap covers as I often do for newborns, as they can get in the way of achieving the correct fit and tightness on such tiny shoulders.

Newborn twins have an excellent fit in the PIPA urbn

This baby is exactly 3 months. She weighs 13 lbs, so we had to take out the bottom insert. She fit very well in the urbn with lots of room to g row.

3 month old baby in the Nuna PIPA urbn

Little feet sticking out from under the Sky Drape

This baby is 9 months old. He’s 21 lbs and 28″ tall. He also has just over an inch left above his head in the seat. In other words, he’s close to outgrowing the seat by weight, height and torso height. However, growth does slow down as the baby approaches a year; if he stays on the same growth curve, he won’t outgrow the seat until about 11 months.

9 month old in PIPA urbn

This baby is one week shy of his first birthday. He’s 20 lbs and 28 inches tall, and he has a little bit over an inch left above his head in the seat.  We see that babies come in all shapes and sizes!  He’s 3 months older than the baby above, yet just about the same size.

12 month old in Nuna PIPA urbn

There’s more than 1″ above the head of the 12 month old in the Nuna PIPA urbn

Infant inserts:

The PIPA urbn features a head insert and an additional head insert that goes over the first one. I’ve never been a fan of extra head inserts. In my experience, they push the head too far forward and the chin down. Although these head inserts are not that padded internally, I did find that it pushed the chin down slightly on the newborns I put in the seat. The good news is that neither head insert is required.

Nuna PIPA urbn with inserts

The bottom insert contains a low birthweight pillow inside it, similar to almost every other PIPA model. (Trivia question – which one is the exception?)  Both the low birthweight pillow as well as the bottom insert must be removed once the child reaches 11 lbs. This is a change from the other PIPA models, where the insert itself can stay in past 11 pounds without the pillow. The good news is that because the lowest slots are so low on the urbn and the crotch buckle so close, an 11 pound baby will have no trouble at all fitting the seat without the bottom insert.

Nuna PIPA urbn bottom insert and low birthweight pillow

I did have a tiny bit of trouble putting the pillow back into the bottom insert, as it has “legs” that need to go on either side of the crotch buckle slot. Be sure that the entire leg is pulled flat into the insert.

FAA APPROVAL/LIFESPAN/CRASH GUIDELINES:

• FAA certified for use on airplanes (would be installed with the airplane lap belt, not LATCH)
• 7 year lifespan before expiration
• May be re-used after a minor crash according to NHTSA guidelines; see manual for specific criteria

STROLLER COMPATIBILITY:

The PIPA urbn is sold only as a travel system with either the Nuna mixx next, Nuna triv next or Nuna trvl strollers. However, it is also compatible with every Nuna stroller to which car seats attach, as well as any stroller which uses the Maxi Cosi adapters or the Nuna ring adapter. We do need to add that occasionally, a stroller manufacturer will assert that a certain car seat is not compatible even though it does fit on the adapter. These statements are important; it could be that due to the exact shape of the car seat handle, a risk of finger entrapment occurs due to the space between the handle and the stroller frame. Since the PIPA urbn is brand new, this type of testing has not been done yet on many non-Nuna strollers.

Nuna PIPA urbn with Nuna trvl stroller

The NUNA trvl stroller:

5 year old in the NUNA trvl

We do not generally include strollers in car seat reviews, but since the trvl was provided to us with the PIPA urbn, I’d like to say a few words about it.  My son is 5 years old, 40 inches and 34 pounds. I took him for a walk of almost a mile in the trvl. I wasn’t sure what to expect, as our regular stroller has larger air tires and a larger seat. My son loved the trvl and said he found it very comfortable. The suspension gave it a very smooth push, even with a toddler in the seat. We did have to go across some gravel to get to my friend’s yard, and it did not do well in that respect. (However, that’s not the intended use of this stroller.) I did find the handle a bit high, but I’m only 5’2″. Most should be fine with it. Last of all, the fold is SO quick and easy – making it a terrific choice to pair with such a light portable car seat.

NUNA PIPA URBN ADVANTAGES:

• Fantastic preemie and small infant fit
• 3-second error-proof LATCH installation
• Saves space front to back over seats used with a base
• Excellent for car-free families, rideshares, travel or situations where a car seat needs to be taken in and out frequently
• Excellent for caregivers with limited mobility or who may have difficulty installing conventional seats

NUNA PIPA URBN DISADVANTAGES:

(In fairness, these may not be a problem for everyone, but I list some potential disadvantages that may be an issue for some parents):

• Nuna PIPA urbn is sold only as a travel system; some parents and caregivers may already have a stroller or may want a different one
• Outgrown at 22 lbs. This is fine for many but will be outgrown before 1 year by larger babies.
• Slots are narrowly set and may be tight on the neck of some larger babies

BASIC INFANT SEAT SAFETY

Infant seats are so commonplace that parents often copy what other parents are doing with their seats. I’ve already covered some of the basics above regarding fit to your vehicle and child. So what do you see out and about that you shouldn’t copy yourself?

• DO NOT put the carrier on top of a shopping cart
• Some parents unbuckle the crotch buckles when in a store or will only buckle the chest clip when buckling in baby, but that piece of plastic is not designed to withstand crash forces. Babies can also wiggle down in the seat and strangle on the chest clip.
• Studies have shown that babies desat, or have a reduction in oxygen, when they sleep for too long in infant seats.
• Remember that the rear-facing only infant carseat is a  safety device , not a safe sleeping space
• Consider a bassinet stroller for longer walks or days out of the house.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

The PIPA urbn is THE easiest installation of any seat on the market right now, and it has a fantastic newborn fit. If you’re reading this because you’re considering getting one – get it. It’s certainly not within everyone’s budget, and it’s only sold as a travel system. But for those for whom it’s a viable option, it provides an exceptionally easy installation using the advanced safety feature of rigid LATCH.

Related Posts

Cosco finale quick review, haulin’ the family: ford f150 supercrew review, 2020 toyota highlander hybrid review: kids, carseats & safety, leave a reply cancel reply.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Nuna Pipa Urbn Car Seat Review

This Nuna baseless car seat costs $1,000, and it's worth every penny

Updated June 30, 2023

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

Nuna Pipa Urbn & Triv Next Travel System

Lightweight

Easy install

Tricky to carry

Can't buy car seat separately from stroller system

A car seat is one of the most important things you need when you have a newborn, and there are so many opinions on which one is the safest, which one is the most portable, and which one is the most practical. Plus you have to figure out which bases and strollers are compatible with each infant car seat. It gets very overwhelming very fast.

After two months of using the Nuna Pipa car seat, I can confidently say my original instinct was correct: I’m obsessed. Here’s what I like—and don’t like—about the car seat, and whether or not it’s worth the splurge.

Join The Carpool.

Enter your email:

Thanks for signing up.

What is the nuna pipa urbn car seat.

The Nuna Pipa Urbn car seat doesn’t require a base. While most other infant car seats can be used with a seat belt and no base, the Nuna Urbn has built-in latches. That means it clips directly into the backseat of almost any vehicle with sturdy connectors, making it ideal for city living parents who need to go from taxi to rideshare, families who travel frequently, or who use multiple vehicles and don’t want to spend time moving it from car to car.

As for how to adjust Nuna Pipa Urbn car seat straps: It's super easy. All you have to do is press down on the button inside the slot at the front of the car seat pad. While holding it down, pull out the shoulder straps to loosen them up. Then, to tighten the straps once your baby is safely inside, pull down on the strap at the front.

The Nuna Pipa Urbn also has an infant insert. Based on Nuna’s safety guidelines, you should remove the infant insert when your baby weighs 11 pounds. For me, this occurred at around 7 weeks, when Addison weighed just over 11 pounds. At that point, she was big enough to sit properly in the seat without it.

Also, this Nuna car seat is wonderfully easy to clean. If your baby spits up frequently (something I’m all too familiar with) or happens to spill milk on the car seat, you can clean up by wiping down the plastic parts and straps with soap and water.

As for the seat itself, here’s the best part: It’s machine-washable. Just remove the fabric and toss it in the washing machine on a delicate cycle with cold water, as recommended by the company. Then let it air dry—don’t use the dryer!

What I like

It’s easy to install.

It's a very simple and user-friendly design.

Unsurprisingly, the biggest draw of the Nuna Pipa Urbn is the fact that it’s a baseless infant car seat that doesn’t use the vehicle seat belt. There’s no cussing your way through a confusing base installation, or tedious switching of the base between cars whenever someone besides Mom is taking the baby.

All you have to do is pull down the levers at the bottom of the car seat and clip them into the anchors in the seat of any car. It takes about two seconds and zero effort, making it ideal for city living and taxis. Simply get the car seat into position, line it up with the brackets, and press until you hear the click.

The ultimate baby safe feature? The Urbn even has a button on the side of the lever that turns from red to green when the car seat is properly installed. The true lock installation makes set up swift, simple, and above all safe.

It’s lightweight and portable

Carrying around the Nuna Pipa Urbn is much easier than other car seats, thanks to how little it weighs.

The average car seat weighs between 9 and 12 pounds. In comparison, the Nuna Pipa Urbn weighs just over 7 pounds. That may not seem like that big of a difference but trust me—every ounce makes a difference when you’re lugging an infant around the grocery store while pushing a cart and also carrying a heavy diaper bag.

The Pipa is also more streamlined and less bulky. When we went to restaurants, we had no trouble sliding the Pipa into a booth, which we couldn’t do with our other car seat. This sleeker design makes it easier to store when not in use, too.

It has a lot of extra features

Lots of extra features offer more comfort and convenience.

The attention to detail on the Nuna Pipa infant car seat is phenomenal—and what I think makes it worth the cost.

My favorite feature is the magnetic strips on the side that hold the belt clips out of the way while you put your baby in the car seat. You don’t have to dig around underneath your little one or worry about the straps getting all tangled while you try to finagle the baby inside.

Another highlight of the Pipa is the full coverage UPF 50 canopy with flip out eyeshade, which doubles as a privacy shade. You simply unzip a compartment on the canopy and pull it out. It stretches all the way down to the base of the car seat where it clasps easily to the foam and attaches quietly with magnets. I used this to keep the sun out of my baby’s face on long walks and also to keep handsy strangers from trying to touch my baby while we were running errands.

I also like the padded buckle at the bottom of the car seat. Unlike my Graco car seat, which just has a plain buckle, the Nuna puts a cushion around the buckle, making it a lot more comfortable for baby.

What I don’t like about the Nuna Pipa Urbn car seat

The car seat isn’t sold separately.

You're forced to get the full stroller set, which is still a nice addition but it's an issue if you only want the car seat.

If you want the baseless car seat, you have to buy it as part of a package, which Nuna dubs the Nuna Pipa Urbn travel system. With it, you’ll get the car seat along with your choice of stroller.

While this is nice—I personally love the stroller attachment as I’m always taking my baby out and about—it makes it a lot more expensive. Prices start at $900 and go up to $1,200 for the whole set, and you can’t buy the car seat separately to save money.

It can be tricky to carry

The Nuna Pipa Urbn is lightweight, for sure, but it isn’t the easiest to tote around if you like hooking a car seat carry handle over your arm.

Because of the limited space between the handle and the cover, it’s nearly impossible to slide your arm through to carry the seat hands-free in the crook of your elbow. As someone who also needs to tote around a purse, a diaper bag, and my Stanley cup, I like having both hands available, which isn’t comfortably possible with the Nuna.

Should you buy the Nuna Pipa car seat?

Yes, absolutely..

I never expected to be one of those people who would advise spending over $1,000 on a stroller and car seat, but here I am. The Nuna Pipa car seat is lightyears above the Graco car seat I was previously using, both in terms of quality and ease of use.

It’s something I absolutely plan to use for baby number two, and recommend it to all of my expecting friends and family members. It’s a splurge, sure, but one of those baby products that’s well worth the cost. After all, something that makes Mom, Dad, and baby happy? That’s priceless.

A lightweight car seat with a stroller option that's easy to install and carry around.

Related content

best-right-now

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

Sign up for our newsletter.

Tried & Tested: Nuna PIPA urbn

Advertisement feature

This remarkable infant car seat is incredibly lightweight at only 3.3kg and incorporates an advanced ISOFIX system built-in.

With its ISOFIX system, it can be securely installed in two seconds with no base needed, making it perfect for taxis or cars. It has a one-handed quick release from both pushchairs and vehicles, and even comes with Nuna's Dream drape™ for total privacy. All these features make it easier to take your baby with you on life's modern adventures.

The Nuna PIPA urbn is also compatible with many brands such as Mamas and Papas, iCandy, Silver Cross, and more, with the use of the correct adapters from these brands. Nuna and retailers can help advise fully which adapters you require to use the car seat with your pushchair.

So, what did our parent testers think of the Nuna PIPA urban?

What was your first impression of the PIPA urbn?

Rachel: "The caviar coloured PIPA urbn car seat, with the brown trim finishes, gives a very modern, elegant look. You can easily see the quality of the car seat with all its padding and matte finished handle."

Laura: "My first impression before I'd even taken the car seat out of the box was 'wow this feels really lightweight'. Once I opened the box, it was really easy to take the car seat out, cut the labels off and install in the car. I had a little play around with the straps which worked absolutely fine and then installed the canopy. I love that you can unzip the canopy and pull out the drape which will be amazing at keeping the sun out of my baby's eyes, or even to help her sleep in a bit of darkness."

What did you like most about the product?

Helena: "The isofix is the real game changer here. Being able to fix the seat to the isofix settings in a car makes you feel confident that your child is in a much safer position than a seat with a seatbelt fastening design. The car seat also has a very attractive and sleek design."

Tyler: "What I liked most about the PIPA urbn was how easy to was to use, from first attaching the hood to the car seat to actually using the car seat and attaching it to the car was simple. The PIPA urbn was simple to set up, the pull up and down feature of the head rest was very convenient as I didn’t have to re strap to get the correct fitting for my daughter. Having a baseless isofix car seat was a fantastic feature, which made attaching it to the car fast and simple, the adapters changed colour to ensure it was in correct which I really liked. I also liked the extra large hood with the ventilation panel. I loved how lightweight the car was, having a light car seat definitely made it less awkward to carry and lift."

How does this product compare to others you’ve used?

Rachel: "The pipa urbn, is a lot more lightweight car seat, making it A LOT easier to carry baby around without the pushchair. The dream drape allows baby to sleep longer as it gives darkness and some sound proofing from surrounding noise. The canopy seems slightly longer giving full shade from the sun unlike other car seats. Both the release buttons for the ISOFIX and pushchair are effortless. The built in ISOFIX is great creating more space in the back of the car."

Helena: "This portable car seat feels much more secure and safe than other removable car seats we've used."

Would you recommend this product to other parents?

Laura: "I would 10000% recommend to other parents. The seat itself is so comfy and my baby seemed to really enjoy being in it (as she fell straight to sleep). It's so lightweight, which I think when you're recovering from childbirth is something us mums really need if we have to nip out to appointments etc."

Tyler: "I would 100% recommend the PIPA urbn car seat to other parents, the car seat was overall so simple to use. I didn’t have any concerns at all when using it. If parents are wanting an easy car seat to attach without the hassle of an ISOFIX base then this is the seat!"

How do you think the integrated Isofix could benefit parents?

Lois: "Really easy to use and to transfer in between cars and makes it feel more secure. Think it’s a really good idea having it integrated."

Olivia: "Absolutely, we often go out with grandparents and friends, it is helpful to car share rather than go in separate cars."

Laura: "The integrated isofix is absolutely amazing and something I feel all car seats should have. There's no bulky base/support leg to battle with which is impossible to carry around and move from car to car. For me, it means I can easily pop the car seat into my partners car or even my parents without a huge faff (which we have with our other isofix seat). Although you can use the seatbelt method, the isofix is just one little push and click in and you're done and is therefore so much quicker and easier to install in different cars. But it's also great that if a car doesn't have isofix, you can still use the belt path."

How easy was the product to use?

Tyler: "The PIPA urbn car seat was incredibly easy to use due to its main feature of the built in isofix points. The PIPA urbn took seconds to plug into the car which made life so much easier. The car seat also released from the isofix points with one push of a button which was so simple! The 3 point connection harness was also so simple to connect together and pull tight."

Laura: "The product was so easy to use. I gave the mini manual a check over, but on the whole it's so straight forward I don't think you'd need any help to use the seat. I worked the straps out pretty quick (i.e. finding the release button) so that was easy. Then it was just the isofix installation which is super easy. The only thing I may need some help on is when I need to rethread the straps to the next set of holes, but I'm sure I can find that online."

Find out more at Nuna | PIPA urbn baseless infant car seat

Nuna Pipa Urbn car seat review

• Rachel Argyle

In a nutshell

A unique baseless infant car seat with a built-in ISOFIX system, offering comfort, ease and style from birth – but with the innovation comes with a high price tag

What we tested

• Baseless ISOFIX installation, comfort, stylish, one-handed release

Showing item 1 of 4

The Nuna PIPA Urbn has made a splash in the infant car seat world for its groundbreaking and one-of-a-kind baseless design. This makes it an ideal choice for parents who use taxis or car sharing, and for travel abroad. What’s more, the PIPA urbn is lightweight compared to similar products on the market and easy to move around. It fits babies 40-75cm height and weight up to 13kg (approximately 15 months).

Nuna is a global brand, producing baby equipment since 2007, focused on creating products that are smart, look good and are ultra helpful.

This rear-facing infant car seat aims to make life easier for parents who are on the go. It comes at a premium price but, as a parent of 2, our reviewer found the ease of use something that really appealed.

Rachel lives in Cardiff and is mam to 7-week-old Jac and 3-year-old Alys. She tested the Nuna PIPA Urbn car seat with her newborn in a Seat Cupra estate car on daily short journeys, as well as a long car ride to York.

Journalist Rachel has written for a number of national magazines and newspapers and now specialises in social media content. She covers family content on her Instagram account.

First impressions

Unboxing the car seat left me feeling impressed. It's a stylish product with a luxury feel. It comes with a leatherette carry handle which not only looked good but provided a secure and comfy grip. This isn’t always the case with baby equipment and was very welcome!

How easy is it to install?

My daughter’s previous car seat was seatbelt installation so using an ISOFIX car seat was new for me and I didn’t know what to expect. Safety is my number one priority in a car seat, followed by something that is all-round easy to use. With 2 children, I need a car seat that is quick to install and release. This car seat ticks all of those boxes.

How do you install the car seat?

The product came with an instruction leaflet and was as easy to install as it promised. You simply pull down the ISOFIX connectors that are on the car seat and click those into the car. The red boxes turn green once it is in place to show you have the correct fit.

The website boasts 2-second installation and this is accurate. It can be released with one hand and, as a parent carrying and juggling lots of different things, this is a helpful feature. There’s no need to carry an ISOFIX base around as it is integrated. For those who prefer seatbelt installation, the seat comes with belt pathways meaning it offers the best of both worlds.

How does it compare to similar car seats for this age range?

The Avionaut Pixel Pro is sometimes offered as an alternative infant carrier that is also lightweight. However (at the time of this review) the Nuna PIPA Urbn is the only infant carrier in the world with baseless ISOFIX installation and this unique selling point has been appealing to parents. Bear in mind, though, you'll pay for this feature – the Nuna PIPA urbn is more expensive than many infant carriers on the market.

What are the key safety features of the car seat?

This car seat meets the latest European safety standard (ECE R129/03) and has Side Impact Protection (SIP). It feels robust and safe, with a three-point harness and high-quality materials. I felt confident the car seat would transport my son safely.

The fit felt safe as well as comfortable, with the ability to tighten the belts and release them easily. It comes with an insert for smaller babies, but I found it is difficult to know when to stop using this as the fit becomes a bit of a squeeze when ensuring the pads sit close to the top of baby’s shoulders.

The seat has Aeroflex foam that is lightweight and minimises the force that is transferred to the baby. It also includes a peekaboo window to check on your baby. Each element is flame resistant and contains no added fire retardant chemicals. The canopy that offers UPF 50+ sun protection.

How long is it rear-facing for?

The seat takes up to a 13kg baby, which on average is around 15 months. As it's an infant carrier, the seat is rear-facing for the duration of its use. My child is currently 75th percentile for weight and 95th percentile for height, so is unlikely to be using this infant carrier past a year.

How comfortable is the NUNA PIPA Urbn car seat?

My son seemed to enjoy the car seat and looked comfortable. He didn’t have head flop as the seat was not angled too far. It comes with robust padding, keeping baby supported, as well as providing peace of mind if there was ever an impact. The headrest has patented Tailor tech memory foam, meaning it has a custom fit for your baby’s head. The leatherette on the carry handle means it is also a comfortable car seat for caregivers who are moving it from one place to another.

How do you rate the straps?

The straps were very easy to use - pushing a button to loosen them. Unlike some car seats, the straps did not twist and were easy to tighten and secure.

How robust does the car seat feel?

The PIPA Urbn is high quality and feels very robust. I think this seat will easily last for the duration my son will use it for, and I'm sure would last longer – making it ideal if you were planning to have another baby.

How easy is it to clean?

The seat covers are machine washable, another practical feature of the seat that makes life easier – especially if your baby is prone to car sickness, as my daughter was. That said, I haven't needed to machine wash the car seat yet. It doesn't get dirty easily and any small marks were easily cleaned away.

How do you find the car seat to carry around?

The NUNA PIPA Urbn weighs only 3.3kg (without the hood canopy and insert) which meant carrying it from the house to car was easy. It actually weighs more than a previous travel system infant carrier I used but strikes a balance between being sturdy but lightweight enough to move about.

Does it have a sun hood?

This car seat comes with Nuna’s iconic Dream Drape - offering full canopy coverage with UPF 50+ which is one less thing to worry about when your child is being transported on very sunny days. It is easily retractable by holding a button on either side.

What’s in the box?

• PIPA Urbn seat
• Insert for smaller babies
• Dream Drape sun hood
• ISOFIX connectors built into the seat
• Instructions

Now you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the car seat?

I'd like to use the PIPA Urbn as part of a travel system and connect it to a pram for short trips from the car to the shops, etc.

The PIPA Urbn is compatible with all Nuna pushchairs as well as models by Egg, Silver Cross, Joolz, Bugaboo, UppaBaby and i-Candy. But it is not compatible with all brands and models, so it's worth checking before you buy. There's a full list in the manual section of the Nuna website.

Is this car seat worth the money?

At £300, the infant carrier is expensive and most babies will outgrow the seat before they reach 18 months of age. The car seat has the luxe feel you’d expect for a premium price and the baseless installation is unique – but if you don't need to move your car seat between vehicles, there are other, more reasonably priced options on the market.

How does the Nuna PIPA urbn compare to similar car seats?

Where can i buy the nuna pipa urbn.

It is available from Nuna , John Lewis , Mamas & Papas and Boots

MadeForMums verdict:

If money is no object and an easy ISOFIX option is appealing, the Nuna PIPA Urbn could be the perfect car seat for you. The baseless design means it is perfect for those who use different transport options such as car rentals, taxis and car lifts or car sharing.

It would be perfect to take abroad and to be able to transport baby around in taxis or car rentals. It is also lightweight enough for any parent to carry and I found it stylish, safe and sturdy.

The pram we have is not compatible with this infant carrier so I was not able to use it as part of a travel system. While I’d highly recommend this baseless ISOFIX car seat to others, I believe there are more reasonable options in terms of cost.

Product Specifications

Shopping | ES Best Home | Kids

Nuna PIPA urbn reviewed: We give ground-breaking car seat with integrated ISOFIX connectors a test

The Evening Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter for hot deals, best buys and expert reviews

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice .

When you don’t drive that often, or perhaps don’t drive at all, what do you do about buying a car seat for your child? It poses quite the predicament.

It is likely, even if you don’t drive, that you will need a car seat at some point in your baby’s life - be it for taxi journeys or perhaps for travelling with friends or family. Hiring or borrowing a car seat could be risky, in that you cannot guarantee it hasn’t been in an accident and will therefore offer the best protection for your baby. So, do you bite the bullet and buy a car seat?

But as any new or seasoned parent can attest, a car seat isn’t a cheap, small, or lightweight piece of baby kit to have taking up storage space in your house. Especially as most of the options on the market have a separate ISOFIX base - meaning potentially double the (expensive!) clutter in your home for something that you might only use a handful of times.

Celebrity-loved, high-end baby brand Nuna may just have a solution in its new groundbreaking car seat, the PIPA urbn . Designed for city-dwellers, occasional drivers or frequent abroad travellers, the PIPA urbn is the first car seat in the world to have in-built ISOFIX connectors. This means the seat fits into a car’s ISOFIX without the need for a base. And while some car seats can be used with a car’s seatbelt, ISOFIX compatibility is sturdier and safer - giving you added reassurance that your baby is safe while on the move.

But, at £350, it is one of the pricer options on the market. Is it worth the cash? We give it a test run.

What makes the Nuna PIPA urbn different?

Nuna‘s PIPA urbn is the only baseless infant car seat with a built-in ISOFIX system. This means you can move it from taxi to car share to rental with ease. And, because it is baseless, it means that when you do arrive at your destination, you can pop it on your pram or carry it on your arm without having to lug a heavy ISOFIX base around with you.

Getting it in and out of any car is easy - you simply pull down the ISOFIX connectors from the main car seat and click it into your car. It has a one-hand release as well, so no faffing around when you arrive.

Other safety features include a three-point harness and it is made using a trademarked Aeroflex foam, a lightweight, resilient material that minimises force transferred to baby should you be in an accident.

What age is the Nuna PIPA urbn designed for?

It can be used from birth - or for children measuring 40 to 75 cm in height. Maximum weight is 13 kg.

What are the pros?

Best jogging strollers to rack up the miles on outdoor adventures with your baby

Best airline-approved infant car seats to take your baby from your home to your holiday destination with ease

Best baby travel systems to move from pushchair to car with ease

Other than the convenience of it having integrated ISOFIX, it is ultralight - weighing just 3.3 kg without the baby in it. This means it is super easy to put in the car, carry when you’re out and about and easy to store when you are at home.

The sustainable seat material is made from a super soft, GREENGUARD Gold Certified material that is machine washable. It also comes with infant head support with soft surround for smaller babies.

The Pipa NUNA urbn is a luxe product, and has a leatherette carry handle and features Nuna‘s signature Dream drape - an extra, pull-down shade that is UPF 50+. There is also an XL peek-a-boo window so you can keep an eye on your sleeping baby.

What are the cons?

At £350, it is not a cheap option. Especially as the average baby will have outgrown it by around 18 months.

As with a lot of car seats, it is not compatible to fit onto the wheels of all pram brands, which is another downside. It can fit onto wheels of major brands such as Egg, Stokee, Silver Cross, Bugaboo, Uppababy and i-Candy… but not all of their models. So it is worth double checking if your pram works with the PIPA urbn before you take the plunge. It is compatible with all of the NUNA prams - including their travel buggies.

How much does it cost?

The seat, which is available to buy now, is £350.

• Mamas & Papas - £350
• John Lewis - £350
• Kiddies Kingdom - £350

If you have the cash and a pram that it is compatible with, the Nuna PIPA urbn is a really brilliant option for people who live in a city and don’t drive often - or don’t have their own car. Lightweight, easy to use and luxurious - it is the perfect city-dweller car seat.

Your cart is empty

Have an account?

Log in to check out faster.

Featured Products

You may also like.

New SS24 Rylee + Cru

Up to 35% off Select Baby Jogger

20% off Select Maxi-Cosi

Free Shipping over $95*

Doona vs. Nuna PIPA Urbn: The Best Travel Systems for City Life and Travel

When you have a baby, it can be easy to feel isolated at home--especially in those newborn days. for me, i didn't really love leaving the house because it meant packing loads of baby essentials and lugging around a heavy infant car seat, the combination of which made me dread outings and vacations. but just because you're a new mom doesn't mean you have to miss out on all the fun that's to be had with innovative baby gear like the doona and nuna pipa urbn travel system , you can get out on the town once more- without feeling overwhelmed.

The Doona and the Nuna PIPA Urbn are both packed with features that make life on the go a breeze. Whether you are planning to travel with your baby often in their first year, you enjoy busy city life, or you just need to move your car seat between vehicles frequently, the Doona and Nuna PIPA Urbn are built for easy install and removal from your car. And their ability to transform seamlessly into travel systems ensures you're ready to go as soon as you step onto the sidewalk.

Let's take a look at what makes both the Doona and the Nuna PIPA Urbn great choices for new parents, and compare and contrast each one so you know which product is best for you!

If you're looking for a one of a kind product, the Doona is where it's at! This stroller/infant car seat combo allows parents to effortlessly go from car seat to stroller in seconds. Not only does this save you time, eliminating the need to grab a stroller from the trunk and latch the car seat into place, but it also saves you space in your trunk! This is a huge perk for those with small vehicles. 

If you are planning to travel in the first year of your child's life, the Doona also prevents you from having to bring along a separate stroller, again saving you space. So if you like to travel light, the Doona is a great pick.

When it comes to style, the Doona is both sleek and modern. With 9 different colors (at The Baby Cubby), parents are sure to find a style that meets their needs. Doona also occasionally comes out with limited edition styles, such as the limited edition Midnight and Gold Doonas, for parents that want something extra special. The limited edition Doonas even come with a bonus baby essentials bag that can be hung from the handlebar, allowing you to keep everything you need within hands reach.

Doona Limited Edition Gold

How It Works

One of the biggest perks of the Doona is its ease of installation. You can install the Doona with the included base using the LATCH system OR the vehicle seat belt, or without the base using the vehicle seat belt and the European belt path on the back of the car seat.

When putting the Doona into your car, the legs tuck up and under the infant car seat. When installed in the vehicle, the handlebar rotates down and acts as an anti-rebound bar, providing additional stability in the event of a crash.

When you're ready to turn your Doona into a stroller, remove the car seat from the vehicle and push the button on the back. This releases the legs from their locked position. You can then adjust and extend the handlebar to your desired height, and you're on your way. 

Overall, the Doona is a great choice for parents that want something that is extremely simple to use and that eliminates the need to bring along any additional gear in the first year of your child's life! 

Price: $550

Colors: Blush Pink, Flame Red, Racing Green, Limited Edition Gold, Limited Edition Midnight, Grey Hound, Nitro Black, Royal Blue, Desert Green (All currently available at The Baby Cubby)

Fabrics: Breathable bamboo fiber textiles (anti-bacterial, hypo-allergenic, humidity and thermal regulating)

Purchase Includes: Doona car seat/stroller, LATCH base, infant insert, head support, and a vehicle seat protector; (The Essentials Bag is also included with the limited edition Gold and Midnight Doonas)

Height/Weight Limits: 32 inches; 4 to 35 pounds (Stop using your Doona when your child maxes out the height or weight limit--whichever comes first)

Car Seat Weight:  16.5 pounds

Base Weight: 10 pounds

Installation: Rear facing only (as is the case with ALL infant car seats); 3 installation methods--base with LATCH, base with vehicle seat belt, baseless with vehicle seat belt

Stroller Mode Handlebar Height: 38 inches

Safety Features:  Handlebar acts as anti-rebound panel, baby-safe fabrics, side impact protection, European belt path

Travel: TUV and FAA aircraft approved

Infant Car Seat Expiration: 6 years from the date of manufacture

Warranty: 2 year manufacturer's warranty

Favorite Things About the Doona

All-in-one stroller/car seat design

Ability to install with or without a base

Handlebar provides added anti-rebound protection in the event of a crash

The height and weight limits are higher than many other infant car seats, allowing you to use it much longer than other car seats

Ultra soft, breathable fabrics

Modern and sleek design

Things to Consider

Not made for all terrains, as it has no all-wheel suspension

Tall parents may find it uncomfortable to push, as the handlebar height extends to a max of 38 inches (while Nuna strollers have handlebar heights of 42 to 45 inches)

Will need to buy a new stroller once your child maxes out the infant car seat height and weight requirements (normally when your baby is about a year old)

Due to the stroller/car seat combo, the Doona is much heavier than standard car seats, so it may not be ideal if you live in an apartment and need to carry it up stairs often

No undercarriage basket for storage

Smaller canopy

Doona Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I use my Doona?

You can use your Doona until you max out either the height or weight limit, whichever comes first. 

Are the Doona fabrics machine washable?

Doona recommends spot cleaning or hand washing fabrics. 

The Nuna PIPA Urbn Travel System

The Nuna PIPA Urbn was released in 2022 as the newest addition to the popular Nuna PIPA infant car seat line ! But what truly sets the Urbn apart from its predecessors AND other infant car seats on the market is its built-in LATCH system! This completely eliminates the need for a car seat base, so all you need is your car seat and your baby! This is a huge advantage for travelers and city dwellers alike (as its name implies!)

In addition, the PIPA Urbn features some incredible, hig- end features that make it comfortable for baby and convenient for parents! The extra-large, fully-extendable canopy provides ultimate coverage from the sun and rain, while the full size peek-a-boo panel makes it easy to check in on baby. When nap time comes, the incorporated Sky Drape can be pulled down from the canopy, providing complete coverage and darkness for the best snooze your baby will have all day. The Urbn also has magnetic buckle holders and soft, high end fabrics. And all that while weighing in at only 7 pounds!

The Nuna PIPA Urbn has one of the simplest installations of any infant car seat. With the pipaFIX™ rigid LATCH  system built into the shell of the infant car seat, all you need to do is extend the latches and click them into place! The indicators will turn from red to green when it's been installed correctly. If your car does not have a LATCH system, you can also install the Nuna PIPA Urbn with the vehicle seat belt with the integrated European belt path! (Check out how to install the Nuna PIPA Urbn here! )

The Nuna PIPA Urbn is also extremely simple to remove/uninstall from the vehicle. By clicking the release button on the back of the PIPA Urbn, the latches are released, and you can then gently pull the seat away from the vehicle seat and remove it from the car. You can then click your Urbn onto your Nuna stroller, and you're ready to go!

Nuna PIPA Urbn Travel Systems

Although the Nuna PIPA Urbn doesn't transform into a stroller like the Doona, the Urbn easily clicks into Nuna strollers, creating a travel system that is right for you! The PIPA Urbn can be purchased with the Nuna TRVL , the Nuna TRIV Next , or the Nuna MIXX Next , so you can pick and choose what you want your travel system to look like! Not only does this give you ultimate control, enabling you to pick something with the features you need, but it also allows you to get either a travel or modular stroller depending on what will work best with your lifestyle.

Let's check out the differences between each of these strollers systems!

Nuna TRVL Stroller and PIPA Urbn Car Seat Travel System

If your priority is compact, lightweight, and travel-friendly gear, the TRVL is made for you! The Nuna TRVL has a 2-second, one-handed, self-standing, compact fold, and weighs in at only 13.6 pounds. The TRVL is currently available at The Baby Cubby in 3 colors: Caviar, Hazelwood (featured below), and Lagoon.

The TRVL also does not require any adapters to click your infant car seat into place, so no need to keep track of any additional pieces!

Nuna TRIV Next Stroller and PIPA Urbn Car Seat Travel System

The TRIV Next is another compact option for parents (although it's not as compact as the TRVL). The TRIV Next has a modular seat, allowing parents to turn the seat world- or parent-facing, a perk for kids that have a preference one way or another. The seat also has a one-handed, self standing fold, and can be folded with the ring adapter in place (which is required if you want to click the Urbn into the stroller.)

The TRIV Next is currently available in two colors, Caviar and Ocean (featured below), and weighs 18.4 pounds.

Nuna MIXX Next Stroller and PIPA Urbn Car Seat Travel System

The MIXX Next has all the bells and whistles when it comes to strollers, making it a premium pick! The MIXX Next seat is modular, allowing you to rotate it forward or backward. The seat also features a removable lining that reveals a mesh layer to keep kids cool in the summer, and the completely flat recline makes it a perfect nap spot for sleepy toddlers. 

With the Nuna PIPA Urbn, you get a more tradition travel system with a car seat that clicks into a stroller. But the ability to select between 3 different strollers gives you a lot of freedom, and being able to use the stroller as your child grows is a huge perk!

Price:  W/ Nuna TRVL $900; W/ Nuna TRIV Next $1,100; W/ Nuna MIXX Next $1,200

Colors:  Caviar, Hazelwood, Lagoon (w/ TRVL); Caviar, Ocean (w/ TRIV Next); Caviar (w/ MIXX Next);  (All currently available at The Baby Cubby)

Fabrics:  Environmentally friendly Merino wool and TENCEL™ branded lyocell fiber blend (FR Free and GREENGUARD Gold Certified)

Shell: Aeroflex foam with integrated side impact protection

Purchase Includes:  Stroller (TRVL, TRIV Next, OR MIXX Next), Nuna PIPA Urbn Infant Car Seat, Anchor Guides, Ring Adapter (with MIXX Next and TRIV Next only), Travel bag (with TRVL only)

Height/Weight Limits: 29 inches; 4 to 22 pounds   (Stop using your PIPA Urbn when your child maxes out the height or weight limit-whichever comes first)

Car Seat Weight: Only 7 pounds without canopy/inserts

Installation:  Baseless installation with pipaFIX™ rigid LATCH or with the vehicle seat belt using the European belt path

Stroller Mode Handlebar Height:  44 inches with the TRVL, 42.25 inches with the TRIV Next, and 45.3 inches with the MIXX Next

Safety Features:  Side impact protection, aeroflex foam, flame resistant while still using FR free and GREENGUARD Gold Certified fabrics, LATCH indicators that turn green when installed correctly, European belt path

Travel:  FAA certified for aircraft use; Nuna TRVL stroller fits into most overhead bins

Infant Car Seat Expiration:  7 years after manufacture date

Warranty: 1 year warranty from the date of purchase

Favorite Things About the Nuna PIPA Urbn Travel Systems

Unique integrated rigid LATCH for easy installation

No base needed

Ultra-lightweight at only 7 pounds

The car seat has high end features, such as magnetic buckle holders, an extra-large canopy, a Sky Drape, and a large peek-a-boo window in the canopy

More traditional stroller system with canopies and undercarriage baskets, and the option to get a modular or travel sized stroller

You can continue to use the stroller for years after you max out the infant car seat

Strollers have all-wheel suspension, so they're great for a variety of terrains

Machine washable fabrics

You will have to store a stroller in your trunk if you want to turn your PIPA Urbn into a travel system

Much lower weight and height capacity, so you will have to stop using it sooner than you would the Doona

Some vehicles don't have LATCH systems

If your vehicle latches are too deep within the seat, the pipaFIX™ rigid LATCH may not reach, preventing you from being able to install using this method

Nuna PIPA Urbn Frequently Asked Questions

Are the fabrics machine washable?

Yes! You can remove and wash the fabric pieces of your PIPA Urbn in your washing machine.

Can I purchase the Nuna PIPA Urbn without a stroller?

Unfortunately, the Nuna PIPA Urbn is only available for purchase as a travel system with the Nuna TRVL, the Nuna TRIV Next, or the Nuna MIXX Next. 

Can I use the PIPA Urbn with the PIPA base or PIPA RELX base if I want to?

No, the PIPA Urbn is not compatible with the other Nuna PIPA bases. You can only install the PIPA Urbn with the integrated LATCH system, or with the vehicle seat belt using the European belt path.

Comparing the Doona to the Nuna PIPA Urbn Travel System

Biggest similarities: .

Great for travel and city life

Can both be installed without a base

Convenient and quick installation methods

Both infant car seats can only be used rear facing for about the first year of your child's life, at which point you will need to transition to a convertible car seat

Biggest Differences:

Doona can be installed with a base or without, the Nuna PIPA Urbn is only installed without a base

The Nuna stroller systems have taller handlebars that are ideal for tall individuals

The Doona is a lot heavier compared to the Nuna PIPA Urbn

Doona car seat weight/height limit is much higher than the Nuna PIPA Urbn limits

Doona infant car seat and stroller can no longer be used once height/weight limits are reached, while the Nuna strollers can be used through toddlerhood and beyond even after the PIPA Urbn is no longer being used

Both the Doona and the Nuna PIPA Urbn travel systems are extremely popular picks! No matter which you choose, we're sure you're going to love it for your family!

Need assistance on which travel system to pick? Chat with us online, send us an email, give us a call, or come visit our store ! Our certified Cubby Moms know all there is to know about these amazing products and are ready to help match you with the right baby gear! 

You can also check out our YouTube channel for full product demos, reviews and installation guides!

For more in-depth gear comparisons like this one, be sure to check out our blog at babycubby.com !

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

• Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
• Opens in a new window.

Need help? Contact Us

• Chat with us
• Pish Posh Blog
• About Pish Posh
• Pish Posh Points
• Baby Registry
• Customer Support

Follow Us On Social

Nuna Pipa Urbn - Full Review!

The pipa urbn is a car seat like you’ve never seen before this infant car seat doesn’t come with a base, and doesn’t need one..

It’s extremely lightweight, and just as resilient. The car seat is designed to be extremely strong, with almost too many safety features to list.  It comes with all the classic Pipa features, plus the pipaFIX rigid latch on the infant car seat. Instead of the rigid latch being in the base, it’s in the car seat itself. How cool is that?? 

The Pipa Urbn is for babies 4-22 pounds, up to 29″. The Urbn is sold together with the Nuna Mixx , the Nuna Triv Next , and the Nuna Trvl . We’ll talk later on about the benefits of each of these strollers, one over the next. For now, let’s discuss the Urbn itself!

Convenience

The Pipa Urbn is ultra lightweight at just 7 pounds. With a less than 2-second baseless installation and 1-handed vehicle and stroller release, the Pipa Urbn is perfect for city moms who are short on time and want an infant car seat that’s big on convenience.

The Pipa Urbn offers classic Pipa features including the Sky drape, and an extra-large mesh peekaboo window, and a leatherette handlebar. The magnetic buckle holders on the side are easy to work with and the machine washable seat and insert fabrics are simple to clean.  This car seat is compatible with all Nuna strollers. 

Resilient and secure, the Pipa Urbn comes with a ton of safety features. It is fire-retardant free, and has steel reinforced pipaFIX rigid latch in the car seat, plus super reinforced side impact protection. The car seat is designed to be extremely strong. Steel metal reinforced pipaFIX rigid latch installation and steel anchors make set up swift, simple and safe. Aeroflex foam minimizes force by absorbing and diffusing energy to protect your baby. Auto reclining foot to aid in proper installation

Like all nuna car seats, the Pipa Urbn is flame resistant and free of flame retardants. It’s also GreenGuard certified, which means it's scientifically proven to meet some of the world’s most rigorous third-party chemical emission standards, and certified to not contribute to indoor air pollution or chemical exposure. 

The Pipa Urbn is not compatible with any Pipa base, neither the Pipa series base nor the Pipa Relx base. The whole point of this car seat is that it doesn’t need a base, since the car seat itself has a very high safety level.

It’s also FAA certified, so this is an amazing car seat to own if you’re a traveler at heart, and always going places. Of course, if you’re a mom living the urban life, the Pipa Urbn is literally made for your lifestyle, with its chic, lightweight and convenient design. 

The car seat comes with comfy infant support and contoured body inserts. The dual head support has a 2-layer soft surround to accommodate smaller babies. There’s padding for stability and support for your baby, and merino wool fabrics for the ultimate in comfort.

 Sign up to get notified so that you can purchase the PIPA Urbn as soon as it comes in stock! The expected release date is late December/early January.

Q: What type of harness does the PIPA Urbn have? The PIPA Urbn has a rethread harness. 

Q: Can you use lower anchors and a seatbelt at the same time? 

You can if you wish. Usually it's recommended to use one, but using both with the Urbn is allowed. 

© Pish Posh Baby 2024 Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy

Nuna Travel System Review: From One Urban Parent (To-Be) to Another, Consider Your Stroller Search Over

Dana abraham.

Our team is dedicated to finding and telling you more about the web’s best products. If you purchase through our links, we may receive a commission. Our editorial team is independent and only endorses products we believe in.

Choosing a stroller and a carseat as a parent-to-be is a freaking mission. No joke, I think I could write an entire thesis paper on the options for infants and how to select the right one for your lifestyle. As a mom-to-be via adoption, I have spent a little way too much time researching this stuff. After all, in the waiting period of adoption (and I would imagine pregnancy as well), there’s not much else to do. So about a month ago after extensive research I finally decided to take the plunge with Nuna Baby’s PIPA urbn + TRIV next travel system ($1,100) — and quickly found out why the word on the street was that it was the best in its class.

• Car seat is extremely lightweight (7 lbs)
• No base needed, making it easy to install the infant car seat in any car
• The entire travel system has a minimalistic, modern look
• The TRIV Next folds up nice and compact for small spaces
• Safety is always top of mind

We don't like

• The TRIV Next stroller does not convert into a double for multiple children
• Price point is unmistakably high
• The PIPA Urbn car seat must be purchased with a travel system, it's not a standalone product

Featured Product

PIPA urbn + TRIV next Travel System

The nuna kid on the block.

Though the brand has technically been around since 2007, it feels like Nuna has been gaining some serious traction with parents (and parents-to-be) around me lately. Inspired by the “ingenuity of Dutch design,” Nuna believes in excellent craftsmanship, clean lines, and thoughtful solutions in each of their products, which run the entire baby and child gamut. From strollers to car seats to swings, Nuna is a one-stop shop for parents searching for high-performing, safe gear for their kids.

From a safety perspective, Nuna believes in going beyond the world’s minimum standards for safety. To ensure the safety of all of the kiddos and future kiddos that will live in the gear, the brand invests in testing the gear at independent, accredited labs. Beyond this, they use high-quality materials that abide by CPSIA standards (for the US) and EACH and EN71 standards in Europe . 

Safety, design, and quality were really important to me in my search for a stroller and car seat, but perhaps one of the things I desired the most was the stamp of approval of parents who have gone before me. Nuna’s gear is designed by parents — meaning they actually get the needs of new parents like me. Beyond this, they try to accommodate different environments and lifestyles with a variety of products, which I really appreciate.

‍ 2-Second, Base-Free Install 

In my research of car seats and strollers, I surveyed a few parents and scoured the Internet. I learned that many car seats are compatible with a bunch of different strollers from other brands, meaning you can really mix and match here. Personally, I am so Type A it hurts; for my sanity, I needed my stroller and infant car seat to match. Not only that, I just really had no interest in paying $50+ for an adapter to a car seat I was going to use for only five or six months. All of this led me to looking at Nuna’s travel systems , which are a combination of an infant car seat (for babies anywhere from 4-22 lbs), a “regular” stroller seat (for children up to 50 lbs), and the stroller itself. 

I live near downtown Detroit, meaning we take a lot of Ubers and switch around cars a lot. This made Nuna’s baseless car seat (meaning there's no base needed in the vehicle), the PIPA urbn , really appealing to me. How sweet, I thought, that our baby could easily go with us to dinner via Uber and then the next day hop in Grandma’s car without all the fuss of reinstalling or carrying around a base. Sure, I could buy every grandma and grandpa a base, but that gets pricey, and I liked the simplicity the PIPA urbn infant car seat offered. Beyond being easy to get in and out of cars easily, the car seat is just 7 pounds, which in the car seat world, is ultralight. 

Our journey to becoming parents is strange, in the sense we could get a call to come get a baby at any point now! No joke, we might only have a few hours' notice that we’re becoming parents. With that in mind, we quickly got to installing the car seat in the car once it arrived. Unpacking was super easy and everything was so nicely pre-assembled. We took the carseat out to the car and, within seconds, installed it using the steel-reinforced rigid latch installation. I thought “2-second install” had to be an exaggeration — until I did it. Sure, I didn’t have a crying baby inside to deal with, but it is actually as simple as pushing it into the metal bars in your car and leveling it.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nuna USA (@nuna_usa)

Safety and ease-of-use are highlighted by Nuna’s Global Car Seat Advocate. Credit: @nuna_usa

Getting it out, at first, proved to be a little trickier. It took a second for us to find the latch to remove the seat from the metal bars, but once we did, it was also very simple and quick. Another favorite feature of mine is the magnetic clip holders on the sides of the car seat. With my niece, I have learned that I am so awful at strapping babies into car seats because the straps go everywhere; not with this car seat! It also comes with a “Sky Drape” to shield the baby from the sun and create more privacy, plus it's also built-in so there’s no chance you can lose it.

They See Me Rollin’…

The PIPA Urbn is not sold separately from the TRIV next, which at first worried me. It is a big price tag after all, coming in at $1,100. That being said, it does fall in the luxury stroller category and might make for a great “group gift” on your registry. Paired with the TRIV Next Stroller System , this means you’re purchasing a stroller that’ll support your baby while they’re in the infant car seat (4-22 lbs), as well as up to 50 lbs within a “normal” stroller configuration. 

The TRIV next fulfilled all of our criteria, from lasting for multiple children in different stages to looking modern (no '90s baby gear for me, please.) At just 18.4 lbs pounds (without insert, arm bar, or canopy) , the stroller is incredibly lightweight and folds up with just a one-handed pull, no matter which of the 4 configurations you have it in. It stands up on its own when folded (ours is tucked away well in our mudroom) and feels pretty durable to the touch. Beyond that, it is easily adjustable for height, has an easy braking system, and per my husband’s request, all-wheel suspension and large rear wheels that “promise easy maneuverability through varied terrain.” Stay tuned on that one to see what types of terrain my man takes our future babes on *nervous laughter.*

Without a baby in tow yet, we took this puppy around the neighborhood for a test drive. I know that sounds weird, but it was not only to get a good feel for it, but also to help train our puppy dogs to respect the stroller. Overall, it was quite a successful mission – all two humans and two pups approved of our new style of family walks. I think it’ll adapt nicely to our park strolls once our sweet baby is with us! 

The Premier Stroller for City ‘Rents

As an urban parent (to be), I’m stoked about our future with this stroller. While we’re excited to soak in baby snuggles, we don’t plan to slow our lives down a whole lot on account of this baby. So iIf you’re looking for a travel system that’s going to keep up with your busy life, consider your search over. The Nuna is it.

Keep your little ones (and your sanity) intact with Nuna Baby here!

Shop the edit, share this article with your friends on, additional reading.

Meet Fabric: The Easy (and Gimmick-Free) Way I’m Investing in My Kids’ Future

A New Era of Playtime Is Here Thanks to the Nugget Couch

Throwdown: We Tested 3 Luxury Diapers – Here’s Our Favorite

Copied to clipboard.

Subscribe to The Quality Edit Newsletter

Get early access to exclusive deals, editors' picks and new launches.

Join our mailing list

Questions? Get in Touch with our experts!

Questions? Our expert staff is ready to help you. Get in Touch

• Categories Strollers Single Strollers Convertible Strollers Double Strollers Lightweight Strollers Jogging Strollers Travel Systems Twin Strollers Car Seats Infant Car Seats Convertible Car Seats Booster Car Seats All-in-One Car Seats Car Seat Bases Car Seat Adapters Wagons Accessories Bassinets and Stands Cup Holders Diaper Bags Footmuffs Parent Organizers Snack Trays Sound Machines & Nightlights Travel Bags Weather Shields Home and Play Bathtime Bouncers & Swings Carriers Changing Pads Cribs & Bassinets Dressers Gliders & Rockers High Chairs Pacifiers Playards & Travel Cribs Playroom Sale Single Strollers Double Strollers Travel Systems Car Seats Nursery Accessories
• Brands Top Brands Nuna UPPAbaby Babyzen Bugaboo Cybex Stokke A-C Aristot by DockATot BabyBjörn Baby Jogger Babyzen Bentley & McLaren BIBS BOB Bombol Britax Bugaboo Bumbleride Bundle of Dreams The California Beach Co. Charlie Crane Clek Crane Baby cuddle + kind Cybex D-J dadada Design Dua. Diono DockATot Doona ezpz Freshly Picked Gathre guzzie+Guss Happiest Baby Hatch Itzy Ritzy Joolz JuJuBe K-O Keenz Kibou Kyte Baby Lalabu Lascal Lorena Canals Maxi-Cosi Milton & Goose Mima 4moms Monte Mushie Natart Naturepedic Nomi Nuna Oilo Orbit Baby P-Z Peg-Perego Piccalio Silver Cross Smol Snuggle Me Organic SlumberPod Stokke Tavo Pets Thule Tiny Love Toddlekind Tushbaby UnbuckleMe UPPAbaby Valco Baby Veer WAYB WonderFold Wonder & Wise Yogasleep
• Research Best of 2024 Best Strollers Best Single-to-Double Strollers Best Travel Strollers Best Infant Car Seats Best Convertible Car Seats Best Jogging Strollers Best High Chairs Product Comparisons All Comparisons Nuna Comparisons UPPAbaby Comparisons Videos YouTube Compatibility Compatibility by Stroller Compatibility by Car Seat
• Start a Return / Exchange
• Find a Registry
• Create a Registry
• Manage a Registry
• Car Seat Installations
• Personal Shopping Experience

• Single Strollers
• Convertible Strollers
• Double Strollers
• Lightweight Strollers
• Jogging Strollers
• Travel Systems
• Twin Strollers
• Infant Car Seats
• Convertible Car Seats
• Booster Car Seats
• All-in-One Car Seats
• Car Seat Bases
• Car Seat Adapters
• Bassinets and Stands
• Cup Holders
• Diaper Bags
• Parent Organizers
• Snack Trays
• Sound Machines & Nightlights
• Travel Bags
• Weather Shields
• Bouncers & Swings
• Changing Pads
• Cribs & Bassinets
• Gliders & Rockers
• High Chairs
• Playards & Travel Cribs
• Accessories
• Aristot by DockATot
• Baby Jogger
• Bentley & McLaren
• Bundle of Dreams
• The California Beach Co.
• Charlie Crane
• cuddle + kind
• Design Dua.
• Freshly Picked
• guzzie+Guss
• Happiest Baby
• Lorena Canals
• Milton & Goose
• Naturepedic
• Silver Cross
• Snuggle Me Organic
• Wonder & Wise
• Best Strollers
• Best Single-to-Double Strollers
• Best Travel Strollers
• Best Infant Car Seats
• Best Convertible Car Seats
• Best Jogging Strollers
• Best High Chairs
• All Comparisons
• Nuna Comparisons
• UPPAbaby Comparisons
• Compatibility by Stroller
• Compatibility by Car Seat
• Scottsdale Store

Nuna PIPA urbn vs. Nuna PIPA Lite RX Infant Car Seat Comparison

In 2021, Nuna introduced the  PIPA Lite RX , their top-of-the-line model that combines the best aspects of all seats: "Lite" weight, the RELX base, and a seatbelt-only installation option. The PIPA Lite RX also added exclusive new features like magnetic harness buckle holders and a no-rethread harness for easier height adjustments.

New for 2023, Nuna is introducing the PIPA urbn . The PIPA urbn is the only baseless infant car seat with pipaFIX rigid latch built in, that can install in 2 seconds, all while weighing in at an ultralight 7 pounds.

Both car seats are now available at Strolleria, with the   PIPA Lite RX   in stock now, and the PIPA urbn available for pre-order, and expected to ship in January 2023. The PIPA urbn will only be available as a travel system with the Nuna TRVL , TRIV Next , or MIXX Next , and will not be sold separately. 

We'll review the features and differences between the PIPA Lite RX and PIPA urbn in this article.

Nuna PIPA Lite RX Video

Watch this video reviewing the PIPA Lite RX, which combines popular elements from the other five PIPA models:

Nuna PIPA urbn Video

Nuna's newest infant car seat features pipaFIX rigid latch, a groundbreaking baseless installation which is integrated into the car seat, allowing for super secure installs in seconds:

Nuna PIPA Lite RX vs PIPA urbn Price:

The PIPA urbn will only be available as a travel system with the Nuna TRVL, TRIV Next, or MIXX Next and will not be sold separately. 

The PIPA Lite RX comes with the updated RELX base, which  offers several features that help parents troubleshoot common installation problems while adding comfort for the baby, too. 

PIPA Lite RX Car Seat and RELX Base Price

• PIPA Lite RX infant car seat and base: $550.00
• Additional RELX base: $199.95

PIPA urbn Travel System Prices:

• Nuna TRVL + PIPA urbn: $900
• Nuna TRIV Next + PIPA urbn: $1100
• Nuna MIXX Next + PIPA urbn: $1200

Nuna PIPA Lite RX vs. Nuna PIPA urbn Weight and Specifications

Both the PIPA Lite RX and PIPA urbn are ultra lightweight, at just 7 pounds!* 

While the carriers themselves are the same size and weight, the PIPA Lite RX does come with the RELX base, making it heavier overall. If you travel often or change vehicles frequently, you might prefer the PIPA urbn for its baseless, 2 second install.

Product Use

• PIPA Lite RX: 4-35 pounds, or until baby reaches 32 inches tall 
• PIPA urbn: 4-22 pounds, or until baby reaches 29 inches tall

Car Seat Weight

• Both models are 7 pounds* (without infant insert or canopy)

Base Weight

• PIPA RELX base: 18.6 pounds
• PIPA urbn: does not require a base 

Nuna PIPA Lite RX and PIPA urbn Safety and Installation Features

All car seats in the  Nuna PIPA series  are among the safest infant car seats you could choose for your child.

Most of the Nuna PIPA series car seats have been rated "best" in crash protection by Consumer Reports, which does independent crash testing to rank car seats on a "good, better, best" scale. 

The PIPA Lite RX  uses a steel-reinforced base that includes a load leg—a steel anchor that extends from the base of the car seat to the floor of your vehicle for additional stability. Consumer Reports found that a load leg reduces the risk of head injury by 46 percent.

Additionally, the Nuna bases include rigid (steel) LATCH connectors, which Nuna says is 50 percent stronger than the plastic LATCH connectors seen on most infant car seats. The PIPA urbn also uses a similar steel latch connection for its installation.

Both the PIPA Lite RX and PIPA urbn models use a new type of proprietary, lightweight foam called Aeroflex, a flexible EPP foam that compresses to absorb and diffuse energy away from the baby, with side impact protection for ultimate baby safe keeping.

How to Install

Both the PIPA Lite RX and PIPA urbn models can be installed in a matter of seconds, with helpful indicators to signal a safe installation.

The PIPA Lite RX can be installed using either the RELX base, or using the European-style seatbelt path installation method. 

The PIPA urbn is installed using the steel-reinforced pipaFIX™ rigid latches that are built into the car seat. There is no base required for the urbn, and it is not compatible with PIPA™ series base or RELX™ base.

Nuna PIPA Lite RX vs PIPA urbn Canopy

PIPA Lite RX vs PIPA urbn Headrest and Harness

The infant inserts on the PIPA Lite RX and PIPA urbn can be used until your baby reaches 11 pounds. 

Harness and Headrest

• PIPA Lite RX: No-rethread harness and headrest that extends up to 4 inches
• PIPA urbn: Standard harness system that is hand-adjusted

PIPA Lite RX vs. PIPA urbn Colors and Fabrics

All colors of the PIPA Lite RX and PIPA urbn are free of flame-retardant chemicals in both the fabrics and foam. All fashions have achieved the Greenguard Gold certification for chemical emissions standards.

The PIPA Lite RX comes with machine washable infant head and body inserts made with environmentally-friendly merino wool for softness, temperature regulation, and moisture control. It also comes with a spare GOTS-certified organic cotton fabric body infant insert. 

The PIPA urbn comes with head support and body inserts that feature environmentally friendly Merino wool and TENCEL™ *** branded lyocell fiber blend that is soft, naturally controls moisture, and is environmentally friendly.

The PIPA Lite RX offers seven colors:

The PIPA urbn comes in four colors, within three travel systems:

• Mixx Next + PIPA urbn in Caviar 
• Triv Next + PIPA urbn in Caviar or Ocean 
• TRVL + PIPA urbn in Caviar, Hazelwood, or Lagoon

Strollers Compatible with PIPA Lite RX and PIPA urbn

Nuna infant car seats  are compatible with all Nuna strollers, as well as strollers from numerous other brands.  You won't need to purchase car seat adapters to use a Nuna PIPA car seat with  Nuna strollers . Adapters are included with your purchase of the Nuna MIXX Next, Nuna TRIV Next, Nuna Demi Next or Nuna PEPP Next strollers, and no adapters are required for the Nuna TAVO, TAVO Next, or TRVL stroller.

The PIPA Lite RX is compatible with the brands listed below with the use of an adapter. 

Strollers compatible with the PIPA Lite RX:

• Nuna Demi Grow, MIXX Next, MIXX, TRIV, TRIV Next, TRVL, TRVL lx, TAVO, TAVO Next, PEPP and PEPP Next (with included adapters)
• Agio Z4 / Peg Perego YPSI (with   adapter )
• Austlen Entourage (with   front adapter   or   rear adapter)
• Baby Jogger City Sights (with   adapter )
• Babyzen YOYO+ and YOYO2 (with   adapter )
• BOB Alterrain, Alterrain Pro, single strollers 2016 and newer (with   adapter )
• Bugaboo Donkey, Donkey2, Donkey3, Donkey5 (with   mono   or   twin   adapter)
• Bugaboo Fox, Fox2, Fox3 and Lynx (with   adapter )
• Bugaboo Cameleon3 models 2015 and newer (with  adapter )
• Bugaboo Bee3, Bee5 and Bee6 (with   adapter )
• Bugaboo Butterfly (with   adapter )
• Bumbleride Era (with   adapter )
• Bumbleride Indie and Speed (with   adapter )
• Bumbleride Indie Twin (with   adapter ) - not suggested for use with PIPA or PIPA RX models
• Cybex Gazelle S (with included adapters)
• Guzzie&Gus Oxygen (without adapters)
• Joolz Aer (with   adapter )
• Joolz Geo2 (with   upper   or   lower adapter )
• Joolz Day3, Day+ (with   adapter )
• Joolz Hub, Hub+ (with   adapter )
• Mima Xari (with   adapter )
• Mima Zigi (with   adapter )
• Silver Cross Coast (with   upper adapter   or   lower adapter )
• Silver Cross Jet (with   adapter )
• Silver Cross Wave (with   upper adapter   or   lower adapter )
• Silver Cross Comet (with   adapter )
• Silver Cross Dune / Reef (with   adapter )
• Quinny Moodd (with included adapter)
• Thule Urban Glide 1 or 2 Single and Double (with   adapter)
• Thule Urban Glide 3 or 4-Wheel Single (with adapter )
• Thule Urban Glide 3 Double (with adapter )
• Thule Sleek (with adapter)
• Thule Spring (with   adapter )
• Thule Shine (with   adapter )
• UPPAbaby Vista, Vista V2, Cruz, and Cruz V2 (with   ring adapter  or   post adapters )
• UPPAbaby Minu and Minu V2 (with   adapter )
• Veer Cruiser All-Terrain Wagon (with   adapter )
• Veer &Roll / &Jog (with   adapter )

The PIPA urbn is compatible with all Nuna strollers, but is only being sold as a packaged travel system with the MIXX Next, TRIV Next, and TRVL series. It is not being sold separately. 

Strolleria is an authorized Nuna retailer dedicated to making the baby gear buying experience less overwhelming for parents. If you have more questions about Nuna Car Seats, feel free to contact us by starting a  live chat  or e-mailing [email protected].

Earn 10% back in points on every purchase, then redeem them for a discount!

Talk to an expert via live chat or e-mail to find the gear that's right for you.

Find answers to questions about shipping, returns, compatibility, and more!

Join our e-mail list for promotions, product releases, and more!

JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.

Collections

• Car Seat Headquarters
• Virtual Car Seat Check
• GREENGUARD Certification
• FR-free Materials
• Register Car Seat
• Register Gear
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Accessibility

Find An Authorized Nuna Dealer

trvl™ lx + pipa™ urbn travel system

Introducing the PIPA urbn and TRVL lx travel system– a dynamic duo redefining on-the-go parenting. The TRVL lx stroller offers compact freedom and ensures every journey is a celebration with its one-handed fold and leveled-up wheel profile. Glide through life effortlessly, turning heads wherever you go. The PIPA urbn infant car seat pairs seamlessly with the TRVL lx and revolutionizes travel with its baseless installation, enabling secure transitions from car to taxi in mere seconds. Experience the future of mobility for you and your little one and elevate your adventures with this duo of style and functionality.

• In it for the long haul providing smooth strolls from birth to 50 lbs
• Near flat recline with seat that easily converts to bassinet mode for keeping littles extra cozy
• Creates a sleek-looking travel system connecting directly with Nuna PIPA™ series car seats with just a click—no adapters needed
• Folds easily with one hand and stands on its own when folded
• 2-second* steel-reinforced pipaFIX™ rigid latch installation makes set up swift, simple, and above all—safe
• Ultralight for on-the-go at just 7 lbs**
• Travel with ease with pipaFIX™ or vehicle seat belt—no base needed
• One-handed vehicle and stroller release for quick and easy in-and-outs
• Ultra-lightweight and easy to tote with carry strap or armbar when folded
• One-handed steering and exceptional maneuverability make it a dream to push and turn
• Front swivel wheels with swivel locks for more comfortable strolls on uneven terrain
• Quick-release wheels make for an even more compact fold
• Simple one-touch rear-wheel braking system
• 3 to 5-point no-rethread harness makes it easy to fasten them in
• Shadow reel recline provides one-handed, customizable recline adjustments with more upright options
• MagneTech secure snap™ is a self-guiding magnetic buckle that automatically locks into place
• Water-repellent UPF 50+ canopy is easy to clean and provides premium coverage and multiple windows
• Canopy extends and features airy mesh panels to provide extra comfort for sunny days and warm temps
• Progressive front and rear-wheel suspension technology provides a smooth ride
• Removable and rotating armbar fits kids of all sizes
• 2-position adjustable calf support for growing legs

Go hands-free and store away during travel with the included carry bag

• Luxe leatherette accented pushbar and armbar lend style to your strolls

Never-flat airless tires are ready to go for miles

• Easy access shopping basket holds everything you need for the journey
• Auto-reclining foot that aids in proper installations in vehicles
• European belt path for vehicle belt installations
• Aeroflex™ foam that is cleverly lightweight, resilient, and minimizes force transferred to baby by absorbing and diffusing energy
• Side Impact Protection (SIP) for ultimate baby safe keeping
• 5-point harness keeps travels secure
• Sky drape™ pulls down smoothly and attaches quietly with magnets
• Full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy is extendable and features a flip-out eyeshade and XL peek-a-boo window
• From fabric to foam and beyond, each element is smartly sourced to be both flame resistant and contain no added fire-retardant chemicals
• Integrated magnetic buckle holders help keep straps out of the way when buckling baby in
• Head support includes a 2-layer soft surround to accommodate smaller babies
• Infant head support and body inserts feature environmentally friendly Merino wool and TENCEL™ *** branded lyocell fiber blend that is soft, naturally controls moisture, and is environmentally friendly
• Machine washable seat fabrics and inserts
• Luxe leatherette carry handle for stylish journeys
• GREENGUARD Gold Certified—products that have achieved GREENGUARD certification are scientifically proven to meet some of the world's most rigorous third-party chemical emissions standards, and certified to not contribute to indoor air pollution or chemical exposure
• FAA certified for aircraft use
• All installation types are baseless—no base needed
• Not compatible with PIPA™ series base or RELX™ base
• Set of included anchor guides make it easy to locate and install on the lower anchor bars in vehicle

Product specifications

Modern rides,
 reimagined

How to Style It

Nuna tavo™ stroller and pipa™ urbn infant car seat travel system.

DILLARD'S CARDMEMBERS

Complimentary shipping on purchases of $99 or more plus earn 2x points on purchases.

• Recommended for babies birth to 50 lbs. (stroller); 4-22 lbs. and  29" (car seat)
• Only baseless infant car seat with pipaFIX rigid latch that can install in 2 seconds
• Car Seat: ultralight 7 pounds; Stroller: 26 lbs. without insert
• Super-functional stroller that's travel system ready with just one click 
• no adapters needed 
• This groundbreaking baseless installation feature is integrated into the car seat, allowing for super secure installs in seconds when moving from car to taxi, to rideshare 
• one-handed, quick release from stroller and vehicle 
• Sky drape for ultimate privacy 
• Designed to provide room for both the little ones and you (the basket is spacious enough for your and their swag combined).
• Luxe leatherette accented; black frame 
• height-adjustable pushbar
• All-season seat changes with just a snap
• Spacious seat for stretching, from birth through toddlerhood
• One piece, one-hand open and close fold
• Comfortable 1-hand, 4-position, true-flat reclining backrest 
• adjustable calf support for growing babies
• Removable infant insert gives extra comfort for newborn riders
• Progressive front and rear wheel suspension technology
• Clever Oversized Sky smart UPF 50 canopy provides both extreme coverage and multiple windows
• Sky drape provides extra protection from the environment
• Quick-release wheels make for an even more compact fold
• convenient fold lock and trolley function when folded
• Large storage basket with hidden zipper compartment
• Secure 3 or 5-point, slide height adjustable harness-featuring quick click release button
• the removable armbar fits kids of all sizes PIPA urbn: 2-second steel-reinforced pipaFIX rigid latch installation makes set up swift, simple and above all - safe
• Travel with ease with pipaFIX or vehicle seat belt- no base needed 1-handed vehicle and stroller release for quick and easy in-and-outs
• Auto-reclining foot that aids in proper installations in vehicles
• European belt path for vehicle belt installations
• Aeroflex foam that is cleverly lightweight, resilient, and minimizes force transferred to baby by absorbing and diffusing energy
• Side Impact Protection for ultimate baby safety
• Sky drape pulls down smoothly and attaches quietly with magnets
• Full-coverage UPF 50 canopy is extendable and features a flip-out eyeshade and XL peek-and-boo window
• From fabric to foam, each element is smartly sourced to be both flame resistant and contain no added fire-retardant chemicals
• Integrated magnetic buckle holders help keep straps out of the way when buckling baby in
• Head support includes a 2-layer soft surround to accommodate smaller babies Infant head support and body inserts feature environmentally friendly Merino wool and TENCEL branded lyocell fiber blend that is soft, naturally controls
• Dimensions: Car Seat: 22"H x 25"L x 17.5"W Stroller Open: 43.5"H x 39.5"L x 24"W; Stroller Folded: 35"H x 23.5"L x 24"W

Ratings & Reviews

Nuna Nuna x Babylist PIPA urbn & TAVO Travel System

$699.00 $699.00 .

color : Refined

What we about it, about this product.

• Includes stroller and infant car seat
• Oversized UPF 50+ canopy
• Stroller with one-hand open and close fold
• Magnetic buckle holders
• GREENGUARD Gold certified

Description

This travel system comes with the PIPA urbn and the TAVO Stroller, allowing you to seamlessly move from car to stroller. The PIPA urbn is the only baseless infant car seat with a pipaFIX rigid latch that can install in two seconds. The car seat attaches to the stroller in just one click, no adapters needed, and weighs only seven lbs. This innovative baseless installation feature is integrated into the car seat, allowing for super secure installs (great for rideshares). It also features a one-handed, quick release from the stroller and vehicle, and Nuna’s iconic Sky drape for plenty of privacy.

The Tavo is designed to provide tons of room for both the little one (both head-to-toe and side-to-side) and you, thanks to a roomy storage basket. More to love: the all-season seat, sky smart canopy, luxe leatherette pushbar and compact flat fold.

• Luxe leatherette accented and height-adjustable pushbar
• All-season seat changes with just a snap
• Connects directly with Nuna PIPA series car seats with just a click, no adapters needed
• Spacious seat for stretching, from birth through toddlerhood
• One piece, one-hand open and close fold
• 1-hand, 4-position, true-flat reclining backrest and adjustable calf support
• Removable infant insert gives extra comfort for newborn riders
• Progressive front and rear wheel suspension technology
• Oversized Sky smart UPF 50+ canopy provides both extreme coverage and multiple windows
• Sky drape provides extra protection from the environment
• Quick release wheels make for an even more compact fold
• Super convenient fold lock and trolley function when folded
• Large storage basket with hidden zipper compartment
• 3 or 5-point, slide height adjustable harness-featuring quick click release button
• For added safety, the removable armbar fits kids of all sizes
• Accessories sold separately: TAVO stroller rain cover and child’s tray
• Babylist exclusive color
• 25”L x 17.5”W x 22”H
• Product weight: 7 lbs
• 2-second steel-reinforced pipaFIX rigid latch installation makes set up swift, simple and safe
• Ultralight for on-the-go at just 7 lbs (excludes canopy and infant insert)
• Travel with ease with pipaFIX or vehicle seat belt, no base needed
• 1-handed vehicle and stroller release for quick and easy in-and-outs
• Auto-reclining foot that aids in proper installations in vehicles
• European belt path for vehicle belt installations
• Aeroflex foam that is cleverly lightweight, resilient and minimizes force transferred to baby by absorbing and diffusing energy
• Side Impact Protection
• 5-point harness
• Sky drape pulls down smoothly and attaches quietly with magnets
• Full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy is extendable and features a flip-out eyeshade and XL peek-and-boo window
• From fabric to foam and beyond, each element is smartly sourced to be both flame resistant and contain no added fire-retardant chemicals
• Integrated magnetic buckle holders help keep straps out of the way when buckling baby in
• Head support includes a 2-layer soft surround to accommodate smaller babies
• Infant head support and body inserts feature environmentally friendly Merino wool and TENCEL branded lyocell fiber blend that is soft, naturally controls moisture, and is environmentally friendly
• Machine washable seat fabrics and inserts
• Luxe leatherette carry handle for stylish journeys
• GREENGUARD Gold certified: scientifically proven to meet some of the world’s most rigorous third-party chemical emissions standards, and certified to not contribute to indoor air pollution or chemical exposure
• FAA certified for aircraft use
• All installation types are baseless (no base needed); not compatible with PIPA series base or RELX base
• Set of included latch guides make the lower anchor bars in your vehicle more visible and accessible, making it easier to install the PIPA urbn

More to Consider

Nuna Rain Cover for TAVO

Nuna Child Tray for TAVO

Nuna PIPA Rx & Tavo Next Travel System

Nuna Nuna x Babylist TAVO Next Stroller

Thule Universal Newborn Nest

Nuna pipa urbn & mixx next travel system, evenflo pivot modular travel system w/litemax, joovy kooper rs stroller, nuna nuna x babylist mixx next stroller, maxi-cosi zelia 2 luxe 5-in-1 modular travel system, britax brook+ modular stroller, more to love from nuna.

Nuna LEAF Grow Baby Seat & Rocker with Toy Bar

Nuna Diaper Bag

Nuna CUDL 4-in-1 Carrier

Nuna zaaz high chair, nuna cudl clik carrier, questions & answers.

• Start typing and we'll see if it was already asked and answered.
• If there aren't already some matches, submit a new question.
• You'll get fast answers from customers who really own the item(s) and from our product experts. (About half the time you'll get an answer in under 2 hours!)
• Which items will best meet your needs
• What customers who own an item think of it
• How to use, fix, or take care of an item
• Product information
• General advice related to the types of products we sell
• Our store policies

For questions about an order you have placed, please contact customer support directly.

Best Answer: It can! The stroller has 4 recline positions. Just squeeze the backrest adjustment handle and pull the backrest down.

Best Answer: The Pipa urbn and the Tavo both have weight (and height) limits, but not age limits. For the Pipa urbn, the limit is 22 lbs and 29 in. For the Tavo, the limit is 50 lbs.

Best Answer: You don't have to remove the canopy when using the Tavo with an infant car seat. But it is removeable.

Best Answer: You're right! The previous version has discontinued. This Babylist exclusive was released in Summer '23.

Best Answer: This is designed to be used until your little one reaches one year old. It's a rear-facing only car seat.

Best Answer: This is a rear-facing only infant car seat.

Best Answer: At the moment, the Pipa urbn is only sold as part of a travel system.

Best Answer: The Nuna PIPA urbn is not compatible with a base. It is a baseless car seat so all installation types do not need a base.

Best Answer: Sure can! The Nuna TAVO Stroller features a lay-flat recline position which is suitable for newborns. It also does not need an added infant insert.

Best Answer: The Pipa urbn is designed as a baseless car seat.

Customer Reviews

Rated 5 stars by 67% of reviewers

Rated 4 stars by 0% of reviewers

Rated 3 stars by 0% of reviewers

Rated 2 stars by 0% of reviewers

Rated 1 star by 33% of reviewers

• check Most Helpful
• Most Recent
• Highest Rated
• Lowest Rated