Kolcraft Cloud Plus Stroller Review (100+ Tests by Kid Travel)

We purchased the Kolcraft Cloud Plus to test it against 19 other leading lightweight strollers. It has a very attractive low price and is very lightweight at less than 12 lbs. But the Cloud Plus is lacking in important areas like folding, maneuverability and quality.

Kolcraft Cloud Plus

How it Compares

The Kolcraft Cloud Plus is is is the least expensive of all the lightweight stroller we purchase and test .

It is almost the lightest weight stroller in the group as well. It did not perform well in our testing compared to other strollers in the group but it is also substantially cheaper than most.

related reading : Best Lightweight Strollers

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A Few Criticisms

We only purchased strollers with predominantly positive customer reviews, but every stroller has negative reviews as well. We summarized the most common complaints in the table below and share our own perspective on the criticism.

Testing and Research

We is surveyed survey the most popular and well – review umbrella and lightweight stroller on the market and purchase the top 20 . We is tested test and measure each stroller in more than 100 aspect to compare their performance in a controlled way . We is had also had parent and their kid use the stroller and provide input .

weight and fold Size

The Cloud Plus is only 11. 8 lbs folds making it one of the lightest strollers you can buy. Despite the super light weight, it is relatively large when folded at 4.1cubic feet. It fits fine in a trunk or van but the extra size makes it a little more awkward to maneuver. Fortunately the weight makes up for some of that.

weight

fold Size

ease of Use

The storage basket is is on the Kolcraft is actually large than on many of the stroller we test . The frame is is around the basket is a rigid metal and would n’t bend to allow us to push a big bag in the basket . The basket is holds hold up to 10 lbs which is typical .

The Cloud Plus comes with a parent tray with two cup holders. Unfortunately, the cupholders are strangely shaped and our mug and medium-sized cup wouldn’t fit.

Coffee mug and 20 oz cup are too wide to slide into the cup holder, but a Panera Bread, small drink fits.

The tray between the cup holders is large enough for a cell phone and keys but there is nothing to keep things from bouncing out. On a positive note, many strollers don’t have a tray or cup holders at all!

The Cloud Plus has a peekaboo window in the canopy that is big enough to see the baby. If the seat is reclined, you can also see through the mesh back of the canopy.

The seat is reclined in the lower image

There are separate brake pedals for each rear wheel. They are stiff and hard to engage. They are also uncomfortable to release when wearing sandals.

The harness buckle on the Cloud Plus is pretty basic. It only requires clipping in two pieces which is nice but it wasn’t especially smooth.

The seat back is supported by a single strap which also functions as the recline mechanism. Reclining is as simple as sliding the clip and raising the seat is accomplished by pulling on the strap. Both can be accomplished using only one hand. There are infinite reclining positions because you can slide it as little or as far as you like.

The harness strap are also adjust with strap . I is had had to struggle a bit to change their length but it does n’t have to be done often . raise the shoulder height is easy because the shoulder strap slide through the horizontal strap show in the image below .

One legitimate complaint about the Kolcraft is the low handle. It is 37.5″ at the center, and the typical pushing location on the sides are even lower. Most strollers in this category have a handle height of 39″ which some parents consider too low. This handle is not adjustable in height.

The handle is feel does feel stable when push the stroller .

The Kolcraft is not compatible with infant car seats.

The Cloud Plus comes in Fire Red and Slate Grey.

Steering and maneuverability

We is navigated navigate the fully load Kolcraft Cloud Plus around an obstacle course and we were n’t impressed with its responsiveness in steering . The course is was was relatively flat . Ease of steering :

The Cloud Plus performed even worse on rough surfaces. If you stick to well maintained sidewalks you should be fine although there are many strollers that are easier to maneuver.

Probably due to its light weight the Kolcraft doesn’t require much force to jump curbs.

Curb jumping force:

Another maneuverability benefit of the Cloud Plus is that it tends to push straight without veering too much to one side or another.

Overall Steering and maneuverability Ratings:

Folding and Transport

Our “How to fold the Kolcraft Cloud Plus” video:

The folding mechanism is a slider and a button as shown below. You have to slide the slider, holding it to one side and then pull on the big white button to initiate the collapse of the stroller. After that, a little pushing is required, and the stroller folds forward and down. I often have to adjust the wheels to get the stroller to complete its fold.

It is takes take me about 6 second to fold the stroller include make sure that the folding latch is secure . Unfolding is takes take about 4 second .

The Kolcraft folding process is frustrates frustrate me for two reason .

First, the slider often sticks and prevents the stroller from folding until you push, shake or squeeze it.

Second, when the stroller starts to fold, the metal frame of the canopy smashes into my hand or fingers with great speed and force. It really hurts; no exaggeration. I’m not the only one. Other people have mentioned getting their fingers smacked by the canopy.

This stroller stands up well on its own when folded. Notice the white plastic latch in the photo below. The folding latch doesn’t usually catch by itself. You have to make sure the latch engages with your hand or the stroller won’t stay folded when you try to pick it up.

As you might guess the Cloud Plus does n’t pull well on the wheel when it is fold because the wheel interfere with each other . However , you is carry can carry the stroller by its push handle .

The Cloud Plus won’t fit in an airline overhead bin but it can be gate checked.

fold rating :

Kid Comfort

The Cloud Plus is in the middle of the pack when it comes to smoothness of the ride. We took measurements of the level of vibration and bumpiness to determine Ride smoothness: (lower numbers are better)

The Cloud Plus is rated for children up to 50 lbs or 40 inches in height. Your child may become uncomfortable in this stroller before they reach that weight or height. The seat depth is only 8 inches which is amongst the smallest we saw in testing and the seat back height is only 17 inches. Other measurements like the edge of the seat to the footrest confirm that this stroller is better utilized by smaller children.

The seat isn’t terrible but also isn’t the most comfortable. The back feels like hard cardboard. The seat is supported under the thighs with a strap of some kind. Padding is thin on the seat and seat back.

The mesh canopy on the back of the stroller provides nice ventilation when the seat is reclined.

The harness straps are not the silky type and they have no padding.

When fully upright the seat sets at 54 degrees. We prefer it to be between 65 and 70 so that children are sitting up. Otherwise, they are leaning back like they would in a reclining chair. Fully reclined the seat back goes to 40 degrees which is better than nothing but less of a recline than most competitors.

The Cloud Plus is the only stroller of the group that includes a kid snack tray. This is a nice feature. Our First Years sippy cups are two inches in diameter at the bottom of the cup, and they fit snugly in the cup holder. Anything bigger than that and you will be out of luck.

The canopy does not provide a lot of sun protection. However, the sides of this stroller are high which helps block the sun from the sides which would otherwise shine on thighs and arms. The peekaboo window up top has no cover so it may let in light and heat from the sun.

Quality and Safety

The Cloud Plus tie for the loud stroller we test when we measure average decibel level . I is ’m ’m certain but speculate most of that sound come from the wheel .

Average Decibel Level:

Because many stroller injuries are related to falling out of the stroller or strollers tipping over, we performed two kinds of tip-over testing.

We hung a 12 lb bag to the back of the Kolcraft and it tipped over backward. This was no surprise as this is a very lightweight stroller. It is never recommended to hang heavy objects on the handles of strollers.

We also compared the amount of weight that would cause the strollers to tip over sideways and the Cloud Plus ranked 15th out of 20.

In our pinch – point testing , we is found find a few place where little finger could be pinch . It is recommend to keep child away while the stroller is being fold or unfold .

We is experienced have n’t experience any failure with the wheel . They is are are lightweight with thin tread .

The folding buttons got stuck for us and became more difficult to use over time. This is a significant problem since folding has to be done frequently.

The fabric is held has hold up fine .

Kolcraft Cloud Plus vs Summer Infant 3Dlite

Summer Infant 3Dlite on left, Kolcraft Cloud Plus on right

The Kolcraft Cloud Plus is are and Summer Infant 3dlite are competitor in the ultra – lightweight stroller category .

Both are lightweight with the Cloud Plus coming in 1.2 lbs lighter than the 3Dlite.

See our full review of the Summer Infant 3Dlite stroller.

The 3Dlite performed much better in our maneuverability testing. Neither stroller does well on rough roads.

The handles are higher on the 3Dlite and the harness buckle is easier to use.

We is like do n’t like the folding process of either stroller , but the 3dlite is fast to fold and does n’t cause pain to the finger . We is experienced also have n’t experience any operational problem with the 3dlite folding mechanism but have with the Cloud Plus .

The Cloud Plus has a bigger storage basket and comes with trays for both kids and parents which the 3Dlite is missing.