Larktale Coast Review

Larktale is a breakdown of the two words meaning “fun stories.” The company's goal is to make products that aid in creating fun stories for families. It is the “brainchild” of parents who believe child-raising is a joy. They hope to make innovative products that help parents solve problems. They create strollers, wagons, and a scooter.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Use

The Larktale has below-average performance for ease of use, with features that were generally harder to use than the more straightforward competition.

Fold and Unfold

It takes two hands to fold and unfold. The wheels cause the entire frame to slide around as you try to fold it, even if the brakes are set. We had to hold the stroller still with a foot during testing, so we could push it down and forward to complete the fold. The unfold is easier than the fold by squeezing the lock and lifting the handle. It automatically locks and self-stands and has a carry handle. Overall, the task of folding and unfolding is more challenging than we would like, especially when you compare it against the Baby Jogger City Mini 2, a stroller that shines in this testing metric.

Brakes

Easy to set and release single action brakes on the Coast is located on the right side of the stroller near the wheel. It is sandal-foot friendly.

Storage

The storage bin has easy access but has a smaller weight limit with a 6.6 lbs maximum allowable weight capacity. We were able to fit a medium size diaper bag inside. There are no bars or straps to inhibit access, but the weight limit could prevent you from carrying enough supplies for the whole day. There is also a mesh pocket on the back of the seat with a 6 lb weight limit, but it is less useful than a bin for your diaper bag.

Sunshade

The Larktale has a medium-sized canopy compared to the competition. It is UPF 50+ and has a vinyl peek-a-boo window with a magnetic closure. The shade extends far in front of the seat can cover the knees of some passengers.

Harness

The Larktale harness is 5-point and rethread for shoulder height adjustment that is fairly easy. The button is stiff, and all 5 straps click together separately. Releasing the button is more of a process than pressing the button as it requires sliding and then pressing. This could be challenging for those who have any hand dexterity problems. The straps are lightly padded.

Seat

The included seat is only slightly padded and not the coziest in the group. The recline is relatively flat for napping comfort, but the adjustment toggle is stiff and harder to use.

The pressure required to release the recline lever (above left) caused the stroller to slide in our tests, even with the brakes on. This requires holding the stroller in place with your foot to make the adjustment. It also has an adjustable leg rest (above right) that works well but isn't padded as much as the competition.

Car Seat Compatibility

This stroller is compatible with some car seats from Chicco, Britax, Maxi-Cosi, Clek, and Nuna. All use a click-in connection, which we prefer over the strap method. We tested ours with the Chicco Keyfit 30 infant car seat and the Larktale Chicco adapter. The process is simple, and the adapter is easy to use. Installation is easy, and the seat falls right into place inside the adapter. You just need to remember to add pressure, so it fully connects with a click. It is easier to remove than connect, and we don't think it could be done wrong unless you forget to push it down.

Ease of Setup

The Coast is one of the most involved in the group to assemble and takes between 15-20 minutes to put together using the provided instructions. The manual was not super clear, but assembly is fairly easy. We installed the canopy backward due to the hard-to-decipher instructions, and we had to redo it. It might not be the best option for those nervous about assembly.

Maneuverability

The Larktale is more challenging to push than most of the competition. It has plastic wheels, which is not uncommon, but these seem to be slippery compared to the competition. The wheels rattled somewhat, making noise when other options did not. It did push okay on shallow gravel and dirt, but this became difficult on grass. The main problem is that the front wheels are so much smaller than the rear and have a narrower placement. This design causes the stroller to want to tip to the side if it gets confronted with small bumps.

Weight and Folded Size

The Larktale is one of the lighter-weight full-size strollers in this group, with a weight of 20.9 lbs. It is also fairly small when folded, measuring 7,771 cubic inches.

However, higher-ranking options with smaller folds and similar weights performed better. So, while that is a plus to any stroller, it isn't enough to make the Larktale a top stroller option.

Quality

The Coast is of lower quality compared to the competition. Every single connection point is visible and almost has attention drawn to it by contrasting colors that make it look busy and industrial. The parts are all sort of rickety, and there are strange joints and knobs that stick out for no real reason other than a design choice. The fabric does not fit the fame well. It is a nylon material that feels durable and wipes clean, but it isn't cozy, and the padding is minimal. The wheels are foam-filled plastic and very slippery, so despite being larger in the back, they aren't as nice as the competition.

The overall fit and finish are busy and somewhat messy, with a look that feels like someone snapped all the parts together instead of attempting to create a sleek and finished product like some of the nicer competition.

Should You Buy the Larktale Coast?

It's not often that full-size contenders come with a cup holder and snack tray. Typically, these accessories are additional purchases; if a manufacturer offers them. However, the Larktale answers the call by providing a little extra within its reasonable price. But, the Larktale doesn't bring much to the competition beyond this perk. In fact, we felt disappointed by its limited storage, below-average maneuverability, and hard-to-fold design. Therefore, given the option to select this stroller or not, we would pass. Other strollers in our lineup might not include these accessories but bring along a happier user experience for the same price.

What Other Full-Size Strollers Should You Consider?

The Baby Jogger City Mini 2 is undoubtedly worth considering over the Larktale. It's cheaper yet a step up in ease of use and maneuverability. It's an attractive everyday option, as long as you can say goodbye to the cup holder and snack tray. Perhaps use a kid-friendly sippy cup and one of our favorite snack catchers instead.

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