Updated for 2026. This post has been a reader favorite since the original Doona first landed in our showroom — it's still the travel system we recommend most to city parents who fly often or rely on Ubers over car trunks. Here's what's changed, including where the new Doona X fits in.
Why the Doona is still our go-to for travel
After 20 years of fitting Boston families for strollers and car seats, the number one complaint we hear from traveling parents is the sheer bulk of a two-piece travel system — an infant car seat and a stroller frame to gate-check, hoist into an Uber trunk, or haul up a triple-decker's stairs. The Doona solves that by being both: click a button and it folds from a rear-facing infant car seat into a compact stroller in seconds, no adapters or second product required.
That single-motion fold is exactly why it remains our top recommendation for families who travel by air, rely on rideshares, or live somewhere a full-size stroller just doesn't fit — including plenty of South End and Back Bay parents navigating narrow hallways and brownstone stairs.
Original Doona, Midnight Edition, or the new Doona X?
Doona's lineup has grown since we first wrote this post. All three fold the same way, so the choice comes down to features and budget:
- Doona Original — the classic, still an excellent lightweight (16.5 lb seat) travel companion at 4–35 lbs weight capacity.
- Doona Midnight Edition — the same mechanics with a black-on-black aesthetic and matching accessories.
- Doona X — the newest generation, launched in 2026, adding 3 recline positions, dual shock absorbers for a smoother ride, a wider adjustable headrest, and the latest FMVSS 213B car seat safety certification.
We cover the full feature-by-feature breakdown in our Doona Original vs. Doona X comparison if you want the deep dive. For travel specifically, the extra recline positions and smoother ride on the Doona X make long airport walks and cobblestone streets noticeably easier on both of you.
Don't buy a travel system you haven't folded yourself
The fold looks simple in a video and can feel fussy the first time you try it one-handed with a baby on your hip. That's exactly why we keep the full Doona lineup, including the Doona X, ready to test in our South End showroom at 58 Clarendon Street. First-time parents: book a baby gear appointment and we'll walk you through the Doona alongside other infant car seats from Nuna, Cybex, and Clek — no pressure, just two decades of helping families pick gear that actually fits their life.
Every car seat purchased from us — Doona included — comes with free installation by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. We're open Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–6pm; plan your visit or browse our full car seat collection online.