REASONS TO BUY
Affordable
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
Our Verdict
The Kolcraft Cloud Plus is an inexpensive travel option we included in our best travel stroller review. It is one of the lightest weight options in the group and the fold is straightforward with a manual lock. The storage bin is deep and it has features other strollers are missing like a snack tray and 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 prevented 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.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Kolcraft Cloud Plus | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Budget Travel Stroller | ||||
| Price | $80 List $79.99 at Amazon | $249 List | $260 List $259.97 at Amazon | $200 List $199.99 at Amazon | $100 List $99.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Tight budget choice with below-average performance in most metrics but is very lightweight | Better performance and a durable design make this budget option an impressive contender | A nicer travel choice that hits the mark and is sure to please, but pops open easily when folded | A longer fold makes it less packable, but otherwise, above-average features make it easy to use | Disappointing budget option that did not perform well in our comparison tests |
| Rating Categories | Kolcraft Cloud Plus | Zoe Traveler | Baby Jogger City To... | UPPAbaby G-Luxe | Summer Infant 3D lite |
| Transport/Storing (30%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (30%) | |||||
| Maneuverability (20%) | |||||
| Quality (10%) | |||||
| Kid Comfort (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Kolcraft Cloud Plus | Zoe Traveler | Baby Jogger City To... | UPPAbaby G-Luxe | Summer Infant 3D lite |
| Capacity Limits | Minimum: Not specified Maximum: 50 lbs |
Minimum: 3 months Maximum: 45 lbs |
Minimum: Birth Maximum: 45 lbs |
Minimum: 3 months Maximum: 55 lbs |
Minimum: 6 months Maximum: 24 months/50 lbs & 43" |
| Measured Weight | 10.1 lbs | 13.2 lbs | 14.1 lbs | 16.1 lbs | 13.0 lbs |
| Measured Folded Dimensions | 19"W x 10.3"H x 33.3"L | 18.6"W x 10.3"H x 23"L | 19.4"W x 8.1"H x 23.1"L | 11.7"W x 10.3"H x 41"L | 12"W x 10.3"H x 42.3"L |
| Folded Volume | 6,327 cu in | 5,134 cu in | 3,630 cu in | 9,834 cu in | 4,822 cu in |
| Handlebar Height Min/Max | 38 in | 40 in | 40 in | 43 in | 43 in |
| Mfr. Max Allowable Total Storage Weight | Not specified | Not specified | 15 lbs | 10 lbs | 10 lbs |
| Car Seat Compatibility | N/A | N/A | Baby Jogger | N/A | N/A |
| Wheel Type | Foam | Foam | Foam | Foam | Foam |
| Brake Type | Double | Double | Single | Single | Double |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
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. In 1980, they launched the Carri-Cradle®, the first infant carrier/rocker with a carrying handle made of plastic. In 1987, they began making high chairs and play yards.
The Kolcraft didn't perform well in most tests, but if your budget is uber-tight and you need something to use occasionally or for infrequent trips, it could be better than nothing.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Performance Comparison
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 scored below average for transporting and storing. While it is one of the lightest options in the group, the fold overall is on the bigger side with an elongated shape and there is no dedicated strap or handle for carrying.
The Kolcraft is one of the lightest options in the review with a weight of 10.1 lbs in our tests. This weight is below the average, which is closer to 14 lbs, and the high that is over 17 lbs.
The Kolcraft is one of the lightest options in the review at 10.1 lbs.
Credit: Sentry Kelly
It measured 19"W x 10.3"H x 33.3"L when folded. This is 6,327 in^3, which is larger for this group. 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 lb package, but we caution you that it is almost twice as large as competitors for 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 self-stands.
There is 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 storage bin on the Kolcraft is fairly good sized and the rectangular shape is good for our large diaper bag. However, it lacks a maximum allowable weight and once the bag is inside, the rigid design of the bin prevents getting items out of the bag.
The Kolcraft offers a child's snack tray with a single cup holder and snack spot. While we thnk 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. There is no comfort padding, unlike most of the competition. The buckle is simple and also seems flimsy, but it works. The shoulder straps adjust via unthreading and rethreading the straps through fabric loops on the seat back. Again, the harness gets the job done, 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 couple of options that have 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 at all. This could result in injury to the foot or the shoe depending on the stiffness of the brake and the ability of the user.
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 that 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 tests for maneuverability. Really soft wheels and the dual front wheels on each leg make it a harder stroller 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. It is not something you'd want to do for very long and the effort was extraordinary. The whole thing could potentially be easier if it had single front wheels that were denser 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 comes as no surprise given the price and performance of this stroller. 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 wheels on the stroller are softer foam-filled plastic. We worry over time they could dent or deform from normal use. The wheels are 6 inches in diameter, making them somewhat larger than average for the group, but they only register 59 HA on the Share A hardness scale. They are the double wheel design we find 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 well, but it is rougher and not as comfortable as 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 seat on the Kolcraft 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 just a flexible strip that could easily break with regular use. It does offer a snack tray, but in our experience, this is not a good trade-off for a comfortable and nap-encouraging seat. Adjusting the recline is just a strap and 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 sunshade on the Kolcraft is small and disappointing. It has a small window and overall 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
—
Wendy Schmitz
You Might Also Like
