With regards to lightweight travel strollers, I have 2 that I use for my kids, the Maclaren Volo and GB Pockit. Used both extensively on a recent trip so I've highlighted the pros and cons of both.
On Being Compact and PortableGB Pockit is definitely more compact as it can be brought into the plane and placed in the overhead cabin. Especially helpful if you have a connecting flight or a baby who doesn't like to walk much. I wish the pockit came with a strap - I have read suggestions of buying a generic travel strap but I wasn't able to buy one prior to our trip. I guess you can also carry it in a generic eco bag (it fits) but without some padding on the shoulder, the straps begin to hurt. We ended up just holding the pockit in our hands, it did get a little heavy after carrying for a while.
Maclaren Volo will need to be gate checked, from our experience we only got the stroller at the baggage carousel. Not an issue for us as my daughter was keen on walking after the flight. The stroller comes with a shoulder strap which when we have to carry the stroller around (ie. escalators, etc). Since the Volo isn't as compact you can end up hitting the people around you if you're not careful.
FoldingThe best selling feature of the pockit is how compact the fold is, however what the sales assistants don't tell you is that in order for you to fold it, the wheels must be locked. So it's a hassle to stop, bend down and lock the wheels when you're on the go. You also need both hands to fold the stroller and will need to manually lock it into place. We have to move aside to do this. Plus the most compact fold requires you to fold down the back wheels which isn't as easy as it looks. Since buying the pockit, I've never done the super compact fold.
Comparing the folding mechanism, I much prefer the volo, you can essentially fold with just one foot to collapse the stroller. It will automatically lock into place and you can easily swing the stroller onto your shoulder and move on. Quicker and easier when you're on the move.
Unfolding the stroller is pretty much the same, except with the pockit you have to unlock the front wheels (since you locked it to fold the stroller), thankfully you can do this with your feet so not too cumbersome.
Seat RestraintBoth strollers come with a 5 point harness. The Pockit is easy to click into place and pretty easy to remove as well. The Volo is slightly harder, only my husband and I could do it (and in most cases my husband would ask me to do it). However my daughter who uses the Volo is 5 so we don't always strap her in, we just have her hook her arms into the straps to prevent her from accidentally falling out.
Seat ComfortI prefer to pocket in terms of seat comfort, the material used is slightly stretchy compared to the volo which is more of a canvass like material. The pockit?s back also comes up higher, almost reaching the canopy so a taller child can easily lean back and have support for his/her head. With the Volo, the back doesn?t come up as high, there is a gap between the top of the back and the canopy so a taller child will not have head support.
ReclineBoth strollers do not have a recline, however as the pocket?s material is slightly stretchy, it?s pretty comfortable for sleeping, my son was able to sleep in this stroller for 1-2 hours.
Basket Size and AccessibilityThe basket of the volo is slightly larger and slightly more accessible from the back and sides than the pockit. There?s really not much you can put into the basket of the pockit. Both strollers will not fold if you have something in the basket.
CanopyThe canopy of the pockit leaves much to be desired, it will not protect your child from sunlight or rain. Can be remedied by purchasing a separate rain cover or for shielding away the sun, I use binder clips and attached my jacket around the canopy.
The canopy of the volo is much larger and definitely will shield your child from the sun and light rain, not for heavy rain, I would still use a rain cover.
SuspensionThe pockit does not have any suspension at all, you can feel it when you push it and I?m sure it was always a bumpy ride for my son. Be careful of any bumps more than an inch high as it will cause your stroller to STOP. I don?t suggest walking too fast with this stroller to avoid a jolting stop.
The Volo comes with 4 wheel suspension, pushing the stroller was overall much smoother.
Weight CapacityBoth stroller have a weight capacity of 55lbs.
Having said all this, the question is, do I prefer one over the other? Not really, both strollers serve their purpose well. It really depends on what's more important to you
