In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Kolcraft Cloud Double Review

Budget friendly option that is so hard to push and use that the savings isn't worth the frustration
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Kolcraft Cloud Double Review (Kolcraft Cloud Double)
Kolcraft Cloud Double
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $120 List
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Manufacturer:   Kolcraft
By Juliet Spurrier, MD & BabyGearLab Team  ⋅  Dec 29, 2016
41
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Weight/Folded Size - 40% 7.0
  • Ease Of Use - 30% 3.0
  • Maneuverability - 20% 1.0
  • Quality - 10% 2.0

Our Verdict

The Kolcraft Cloud Double came in close to the bottom in the double travel stroller review. This stroller earned one of the lowest scores for maneuverability and quality. While the Cloud Double is definitely budget-friendly, arguably its only perk, the lack of 5-point harnesses make it a no go in our book and one we think parents should avoid no matter what their budget. The triple-action brakes that require 3 pedals to be engaged also give us pause and concern that over time, parents will fail to set the brakes properly. If budget is a concern, consider a Best Value winner instead.
REASONS TO BUY
Price
Lighter weight
REASONS TO AVOID
Super hard to push and turn
Poor quality
Hard to use

Our Analysis and Test Results

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


kolcraft cloud double - the cloud double scored poorly in almost every metric. it offers a...
The Cloud Double scored poorly in almost every metric. It offers a 3-point harness and no storage.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

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.

kolcraft cloud double - the cloud is fairly small when folded, but there are lighter and...
The Cloud is fairly small when folded, but there are lighter and smaller options in the review.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

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.

The fold initiation on the Cloud Double is foot operated and sandal...
The fold initiation on the Cloud Double is foot operated and sandal foot friendly.
The Cloud Double has a manual fold lock.
The Cloud Double has a manual fold lock.

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).

kolcraft cloud double - all 3 brake pedals on the cloud double must be engaged for the...
All 3 brake pedals on the Cloud Double MUST be engaged for the brakes to be properly set.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

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.

kolcraft cloud double - the cloud's cup holder is the only storage on this stroller.
The Cloud's cup holder is the only storage on this stroller.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

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.

kolcraft cloud double - the cloud canopies become misshapen with regular use, and they lack...
The Cloud canopies become misshapen with regular use, and they lack a peek-a-boo window and quality feel.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

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.

kolcraft cloud double - the cloud is the only stroller in the review to offer 3-point...
The Cloud is the only stroller in the review to offer 3-point harnesses, which are not as safe as 5-point options.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

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.

kolcraft cloud double - the cloud frame design limits the recline making it a poor option...
The Cloud frame design limits the recline making it a poor option for comfortable napping.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

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


The Cloud took us almost 11 minutes to assemble with no tools. A poorly designed manual with three languages for each step, as opposed to separate sections for each language, is to blame for the additional assembly time.


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.

kolcraft cloud double - the 6 front wheels of the cloud make it hard to keep the stroller on...
The 6 front wheels of the Cloud make it hard to keep the stroller on course.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

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


Below is the manufacturer's video showing the Double Cloud and its features.

Juliet Spurrier, MD & BabyGearLab Team