REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Large storage
Self-standing fold
Lightweight
REASONS TO AVOID
Cheap feeling materials
Cup holders too small
Small sunshade
Kolcraft Cloud Plus Review
Budget option that can push a child but doesn't do anything particularly well
Credit: Matt Lighthart
By Wendy Schmitz ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ June 9, 2024
RELATED: The Best Travel Strollers
Our Verdict
The Kolcraft Cloud Plus is an inexpensive travel stroller. It is one of the lightest-weight options in the group, and the fold is straightforward and has a manual lock. The storage bin is deep, and it has features other strollers are missing, like a snack tray and a parent console with two cup holders. This stroller should have skipped the added features and focused more on quality, comfort, or maneuverability. It uses lower-quality materials, and the construction prevents it from being easy to push or use. While we understand the draw for tight budgets, we still think it will be more frustrating than other options. If you use it only a handful of times indoors, it might fit the bill, but if your budget can stretch, we recommend you choose a higher-ranking stroller.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Kolcraft began in 1946 and is a third-generation, family-owned and operated manufacturer based in Chicago. Founder Leo Koltun started making crib pads, and in the 1950s, his son joined the business and began making crib mattresses.
The Kolcraft is fairly easy to fold but is one of the wider and longer packages in this category. Only a couple of options are bigger and one of those is a full-size stroller.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Transporting and Storing
The Kolcraft is below average for transporting and storing. While it is one of the lightest options, the fold has an elongated shape on the bigger side, and there is no dedicated strap or handle for carrying.
The Kolcraft weighed 10.1 lbs, making it one of the lightest strollers in the group. It's a few pounds lighter than the next lightest, which is pretty impressive. With the group average being roughly 14 lbs, it's undoubtedly below that. We think it's ideal for parents who prioritize weight above all else.
The Kolcraft is one of the lightest options in the review at 10.1 lbs.
Credit: Sentry Kelly
When folded, it measured 19"W x 10"H x 33.3"L. This is 6,327 in^3, which is above average and larger for this stroller category. While not a big stroller when folded, it is not as compact as others. We think parents will be drawn to the idea of the 10 lbs package, but we caution you that it is almost twice as large as competitors in size, which could impact how and where you can use it.
The Kolcraft offers features others don't like cup holders, but the design doesn't seem to consider how useable the features are as shown here with the canopy covering the openings.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Ease of Use
The Kolcraft is one of the harder options to use, and it lacks a thoughtful design that considers the user's perspective.
The Kolcraft has a rough fold and is larger than most, but it does self-stand and has a locking clip.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Fold and Unfold
The folding process can be accomplished with one hand, and it self-stands.
A button on the handle to initiate the fold and a manual lock on the side to keep it closed. Unfolding includes releasing the latch and giving it a shake to open.
The storage bin on the Kolcraft is rigid, making it harder to access the entire bin.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Storage
The Kolcraft's storage bin is fairly good-sized, and its rectangular shape fits our large diaper bag. However, it lacks a maximum allowable weight, and once the bag is inside, the bin's rigid design prevents items from getting out of the bag.
The Kolcraft offers a child's snack tray with a single cup holder and snack spot. While we think little ones will enjoy having snacks close at hand, we'd rather the entire stroller be easier to use or better quality than have a tray. There is also a parent console with dual cup holders. The cup holders are shallow, and taller items might topple out over bumps. When the canopy is in the closed position, it collides with the parent tray.
Harness
The harness is cheap, and the webbing is stiff and somewhat scratchy. Unlike most of the competition, there is no comfort padding. The buckle is simple and also seems flimsy, but it works. The shoulder straps adjust by unthreading and rethreading them through fabric loops on the seat back. Again, the harness does the job, but it doesn't seem to care about the passenger's experience.
The Kolcraft has double-action brakes with a pedal on each side. They are very hard to lift and can be problematic when wearing sandals.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Brakes
The Kolcraft is one of only a few options with double-action brakes. This design is usually found on cheaper strollers and requires two pedals to be pressed to fully engage the brakes instead of only one. To make it more of a hassle, these brake pedals are super stiff, and lifting them up using the top of the foot to release them was difficult in our tests and not sandal or foot-friendly. This could result in injury to the foot or the shoe, depending on the brake's stiffness and the user's ability.
The Kolcraft took longer to assemble than most competitors and had nine different parts compared to some with only 2-4.
Credit: Sentry Kelly
Ease of Setup
This stroller took longer to assemble than most of the competition. It has nine parts to connect, and the rear wheels include a washer, cotter key, and cover to complete. This is something we didn't see in any other competitors, which largely just pushed in place. It does not require any tools to complete.
Car Seat Compatiblity
The Kolcraft is not compatible with any infant car seat or brand.
The Kolcraft struggles with transitions from one surface to another.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Maneuverability
The Kolcraft stroller did not perform well in our maneuverability tests. Its really soft wheels and dual front wheels on each leg make it harder to push on most surfaces.
Every stroller we've ever tested with the dual wheel on a single-leg design like that on the Kolcraft are hard to maneuver.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The flexible frame makes pushing in the grass feel like a weight. You'd not want to do it for very long, and the effort was extraordinary. The whole thing could be easier if it had denser single front wheels or offered some real tread or grip.
We tested the Shore A hardness of each wheel, and the Kolcraft is one of the softest.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Quality
The Kolcraft is a low-quality stroller, which is no surprise given its price and performance. It earned one of the lowest scores in the quality metric.
The design and construction of the Kolcraft are disappointing when it comes to quality.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The stroller's wheels are made of softer foam-filled plastic. We worry that over time, they could dent or deform from normal use. The wheels are 6 inches in diameter, somewhat larger than average for the group, but they only register 59 HA on the Share A hardness scale. We find the double-wheel design difficult to maneuver and often get hung up or misdirected when pushing.
While the seat fits the frame well, the material quality indicates it might not be as durable as competitors.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The seat fabric fits the frame nicely, but is rougher and uncomfortable than the competition. We suspect a small hole would expand quickly and that it is less durable than it should be. The frame is sturdy but feels cheap and like it would easily break. There are multiple snag points and plastic joints. We worry long-term durability will be a concern with this stroller.
The Kolcraft does little for passenger comfort, with a smaller seat and canopy that prevent long-term comfort.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Kid's Comfort
The Kolcraft is one of the lowest scorers for kids' comfort. It doesn't have features designed to help encourage napping or protection from the elements.
The seat maximum recline angle is unlikely to encourage napping.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Seat
The Kolcraft's seat is not as cozy as competitors'. The recline is not very deep, and the leg rest is not adjustable, nor does it extend to the footrest. The footrest is a flexible strip that could easily break with regular use. It offers a snack tray, but in our experience, this is not a good trade-off for a comfortable nap-encouraging seat. Adjusting the recline is just a strap and a plastic buckle. It gets the job done, but it isn't user-friendly.
The canopy on the Kolcraft is so small you probably don't need to small peek-a-boo window.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Sunshade
The Kolcraft's sunshade is small and disappointing. It has a small window and covers almost nothing from the sun.
If you plan to use the stroller indoors, it might be less of a concern, but outdoors, your little one will need a hat for sun protection.
If you only need a travel stroller for a handful of opportunities (preferably indoors) and your budget is super tight, then the Kolcraft might meet your needs.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Should You Buy the Kolcraft Cloud Plus?
Probably not. The Kolcraft has an appealing price and can get the job done if the job is the occasional stroller on flat surfaces with a child inside. It certainly checks the boxes for what parents might be looking for, like a lower weight, a child's snack tray, and a deep storage bin. However, it is harder to use and push, and the features do not function as well as you'd hope. This would not be our pick for any goal beyond price. If your budget is super tight, and you can't afford the budget award winner in our review, then the Kolcraft would be our choice, but we caution you that it will not be a beloved piece of gear for most.
What Other Travel Strollers Should You Consider?
If your budget can be stretched, we'd choose the Zoe Traveler or the Baby Jogger City Tour 2, depending on your goals. While we understand both are significantly more than the Kolcraft, they are almost half the price of the top-ranked options. The Zoe, in particular, comes with enough features and impressive functionality that it could last for many children and adventures. We think you'll be happier in the long run with the Zoe than the Kolcraft.
Manufacturer Video
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Kolcraft Cloud Plus versus top competing products:
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