Kolcraft Cloud Double Review

Chicago based Kolcraft, a third-generation family-owned business started in 1946. Founder, Leo Koltun, started the company with crib pads, moving to crib mattresses once his son joined the business in the 1950s. In 1980, Kolcraft created the Carri-Cradle®, the first infant carrier and rocker with carry handle. By 1987, the company added high chairs and play yards to their lineup. When grandson Tom Koltun joined the business, they quickly added new products and began affiliations with other companies. In 1993, Kolcraft and Sealy® Technology formed a partnership to become the largest manufacturer of crib mattresses in the United States.

Performance Comparison

Weight and Folded Size

The Cloud Double earned a fairly high score in the weight and folded size metric. This stroller weighs 21.2 lbs and measures 8,541 cubic inches when folded, making this one of the smallest when folded and a decently lightweight option. If fitting your stroller in a small space is important, the Cloud doesn't disappoint.

Ease of Use

The Cloud Double earned one of the lowest scores for ease of use. Stemming largely from the 3-point harnesses and no storage bin, the Cloud couldn't compete with other strollers in the competition.

Fold and Unfold

The Cloud Double has an easy foot initiated one-handed fold that doesn't self-stand or lock on its own. The fold release (above left) could probably be done with flip flops on, and we had no trouble with the manual lock (above right).

Brakes

The Cloud Double has triple action brakes that require all three pedals to be depressed before the brakes are properly engaged. While they are average for ease of setting and releasing, and even sandal foot-friendly, we worry busy parents will fail to set all three pedals, thereby creating a potential safety concern over time.

Storage

The Cloud Double has no storage bin, which feels like an oversight, given that you need more storage with two children as opposed to less. While they might have made this choice to cut down on cost or even weight, we think most parents would pay extra for storage, so they don't have to carry supplies on their back. The Cloud does have a single cup holder located on the frame near the left handle.

Sunshade

The Cloud Double has identical canopies for each seat that are average in size with no peek-a-boo windows. They lockout with a stabilizer bar and feel flimsy, with ours losing shape over our relatively short testing period. With the pop-out visor open, the canopies limit visibility but might be good for a lower sun.

Harness

The Cloud Double has two 3-point harnesses with very long crotch straps that are not adjustable. Three points is not as safe as 5-points, and we do not recommend them. The straps are difficult to adjust with a double loop through the buckle that takes time to make smaller, and adjusting with a wiggly baby on board is frustrating.

Seat

The Cloud Double does not offer leg rests, and the recline is hard to manage with a child in the seat. Reclining consists of undoing a strap and then attaching it to the frame, and we think this will be difficult to do smoothly with a napping baby on board. However, the recline isn't deep enough for great napping anyway.

Ease of Setup

Maneuverability

The Cloud earned a very low score for maneuverability and one of the lowest in the group. It has plastic wheels with an exaggerated tread that causes wobble and vibration in the handles without adding any assistance over rough terrain, as you would assume tread would do. The dual wheel design that puts 6 wheels in front causes the stroller to wander and dodge off course if the terrain isn't absolutely flat. While it isn't hard to push straight on flat ground, it is difficult to turn and negotiate in small spaces. We had to squeeze the handles together to get it through doorways, and if the wheels caught on baseboards, it took a lot of brute force to set it right again.

This stroller has front suspension only and stiff bottom seats with little to no padding. With limited recline and lack of leg rests, we think this stroller will be uncomfortable for passengers. The foam covered handles are better than plain plastic, but the vibration caused by the useless tread is likely to cause early fatigue for pushers.

Quality

The Cloud earned one of the lowest scores for quality. All of the materials on this stroller come together in a dated design that has a lot of flex and harder to use features. The stroller is barebones with no padding, mesh seats, and exposed fasteners that give it a flimsy and rickety feel. It also lacks important items like 5-point harnesses and a storage bin, which makes the entire stroller feel “less than,” and indicates that higher quality or attention to detail are not the goals of this cheaper stroller.

Manufacturer Video