So it’s time to take a trip, but you know that wherever you roam, so will baby. Your average baby gate is just not designed to go along for the ride, so you will need something special.
Your travel solution is a portable baby gate! This nifty contraption is lightweight and folds up to a fraction of its installed size. Slide it into its handy “on-the-go” pouch and add it to your luggage and you will be all set for vacation.
Now just in the interest of full disclosure…these kinds of baby gates are experts at traveling but do have some general drawbacks.
These include the following:
- They cannot be used at the top of stairs (because they are pressure-mounted),
- They aren’t meant to be installed permanently for long term use,
- They do not have walk-thru doors and must be stepped over, and
- They are not extra-tall (due to the previous fact).
Nevertheless, whether you are staying at a hotel or going to grandma’s house, a portable baby gate might be just what you need for keeping your toddler safe while traveling away from home.
This is especially true if you are flying and need something small that can easily be checked with your suitcase but also is great for saving on trunk space during a road trip.
So now you are probably asking…what is the best portable baby gate for my needs? Well, let’s explore my two favorite options.
Best Portable Baby Gates
So now you are probably asking…what is the best portable gate for my needs?
Unfortunately, there aren’t very many good options on the market in this category, but on this page, I will show you our top choice for standard spaces and our top choice for wide spaces.
We chose these after spending much time and effort researching product specifications, reading through lots of real-life customer reviews, and deciphering what issues are prevalent in most of the portable baby gates. Our recommendations are based on durability, ease-of-use, portability, and positive reviews.
For standard spaces:
Toddleroo by North States 42.6” wide Portable Traveler Baby Gate
This gate is perfect for average-sized doorways and hallways and can expand from 25.2” to 42.6” wide.
It also works well in openings with baseboards, as there are adjustment knobs fine-tuning the width even if the bottom is a little different than the top.
It includes a fabric mesh panel, two vertical steel bars (which give it a height of 28”), and two horizontal steel bars that are adjustable.
It is not the simplest gate to put together, but a little practice and an extra pair of hands does make it easier. The fabric bunches a little when it is not fully extended, which was a bit of a surprise to me, so keep that in mind if you will be using it in a narrow setting.
It includes a fabric mesh panel, two vertical steel bars (which give it a height of 28”), and two horizontal steel bars that adjustable. It is not the simplest gate to put together, but a little practice and an extra pair of hands do make it easier. The fabric bunches a little when it is not fully extended, which was a bit of a surprise to me, so keep that in mind if you will be using it in a narrow setting.
I like its classy, stylish look and the fact that it only weighs four pounds, so it’s lightweight. It is not expensive and gives me the peace of mind I crave when I need to corral my toddler while not in the familiarity of our home.
PROS:
- Comes with a travel bag
- Folds up easily
- Has a quick-release latch
- Quite stable once installed
- Neutral color
- Very lightweight
- Cost-effective
CONS:
- Bunches when used in small doorways
- May be tricky to install
- Might mar walls a bit
For wide spaces:
Safety 1st Wide Doorways Fabric Gate with Pressure-Mounted Fastening
This portable gate covers opening from 38 to 60 inches wide and stands 27 inches high. It comes with a travel bag so that it is easy to take with you on-the-go.
It has a soft, translucent mesh panel that can be seen through. Plus, it is stain-resistant and machine-washable, making it easy to keep clean.
It has been suggested to temporarily cover the rubber tips of the long rods with a plastic baggie when inserting them through the fabric rod pockets so that they don’t “catch” on the fabric.
PROS:
- Spans a wide opening
- Fabric is machine-washable
- Stain-resistant
- Comes with a carrying bag
- Neutral color
- Fairly lightweight
CONS:
- Somewhat tricky to assemble and disassemble
- Fabric may be too short when used fully extended
- Fabric bunches in smaller doorways
Evenflo Soft and Wide gate
If you know that you will need to block off a wider area, then this gate is for you. It expands from 38” up to 60” wide, so it really can go the distance! At 27” tall, it is easy to step over and is sturdy even over the longer distance.
The neutral color tones of the washable fabric make this gate attractive as well as useful, and it is fairly easy to set up and adjust it. Like the other portable gate, this one is designed to account for molding around the floor and has all the same basic parts.
The twist-to-tighten non-marring rubber bumpers are awesome because I can put this gate up anywhere and when I take it down, it leaves no visible evidence behind. This is super important when traveling and using other’s facilities, as you want to be a guest that doesn’t leave a trace.
At a mere 7 lbs., it’s a breeze to pack this away in its drawstring bag and take it on vacation.
PROS:
- Washable fabric
- Neutral color
- Quite lightweight
- Non-marring bumpers
- Sturdy
- No tools required for assembly
CONS:
- Difficult to set up in wider openings
- No carrying bag
Conclusion
In conclusion, I hope this post helps guide you as you make travel plans for your next vacation or out-and-about visit. An investment of this nature is sure to help keep your baby one step safer, which in turn will help you get the rest and relaxation you deserve.
Reference: https://parent.guide/baby-gates/
