Travel cribs – if you’re on the move, in the camp grounds, on the road with a toddler or baby (say 18 months and under) then a travel crib is a good idea. It’s going to make your life a bit easier and your nights more organized (read: restful).

So I’ll get a Pack-N-Play you say.

Nay I say.  We’re kickass adventurers, remember?  You want something lighter than a Pack-N-Play, easier to assemble than a Pack-N-Play, smaller than a Pack-N-Play, and cooler than a Pack-N-Play, or some combination thereof.

We’ve gotten our grubbies on two different travel cribs – the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light and the Phil & Ted’s T2 Travel Cot – and each has its strengths.

Let’s start with the T2:

Putting Phil & Ted’s Travel Cot together feels a whole lot like putting a tent together.  The principals are the same, centering around collapsible poles that allow for compact storage, and of the two cribs we’re talking about today, the Phil & Ted’s  by far offers the most compact storage.
The first time you put this crib together it’ll take a little doing, and by that I mean maybe ten minutes.  We were doing it without looking at directions and did fine after a little figuring.  It seems like a fair number of snaps, poles and straps you’re dealing with, but the finished product is a sturdy crib with self inflating mattress (another tent/camping-like feature) that’s ready for the outdoors and quite transportable.  Two very cool features are the mesh zippered top to protect from bugs, and the side zipper, allowing for easy access to the kiddo and creating a co-sleeper type configuration at night if that’s how you roll.
To get an idea of the Phil & Ted’s T2 assembly check out the video below:

Elapsed time on that assembly was about four and a half minutes, and that was only the second time I’d attempted it.  Now, I’m exceptionally gifted at this type of thing, so keep your expectations realistic, but, as complicated as it may look, it should be less than five minutes time once you get the hang of it and you can see how compact it is once stored.

The Skinny:

• USE – If you’re traveling or camping a good bit with a young child then this isn’t quite a must b/c you can get away without one, but it’s going to make your experience a good bit easier.
• AFFORDABILITY – Under $200.  We’d recommend looking for one on craigslist, people can only use them for so long before they have to get rid of them or store them in the attic to be found 10 years later.  If it’s in good shape get it.  It’s the type of product many folks will get and only wind up using a couple times. Get it from them then use it a bunch.
• SIZE - Stored it’s compact enough to be packed into your duffel bag for air travel (a big plus).  Assembled it’s 54″L x 34″W x 26½”H.  It’s also very light, easy to move.
• SIMPLE STYLING – Pretty clean style assembled, feels a bit complicated disassembled.  That’s partly due to the fact it breaks down so much for compact storage.  Like a tent, once you make sense of all the poles it gets much easier, but it does feel like an awful lot of poles at first.  Side zipper is a good touch, as is mesh top for bug control, or time outs. Just kidding. No I’m not. Seriously I’m kidding (not really).
• SANITY – Not a necessity, but if you can get your hands on one at the right price it’s a great addition to your family’s travel gear. Plenty of good second hand ones to be had.

Up next, Baby Bjorn Rodeo…..