Kolcraft Cloud Plus Review

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.

Performance Comparison

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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