Kolcraft Contours Options Tandem Stroller: A good low-budget option for two kids

With Additional Reporting By: CBB Fashion/Gear/Reviews Editor Bronwyn and Guest Reviewer Wendy

Readers are always asking for recommendations for lower priced strollers. With a retail price of $200, the Kolcraft Contours® Options® Tandem Stroller may be a good choice for parents who need a double stroller on a tight budget — It is suitable for two infants, two toddlers, or an infant and a toddler.

Click Continue Reading for the entire Kolcraft Contours Options Tandem Stroller review.

The Seat(s)
The seats on the Kolcraft Contours Options Tandem Stroller are REALLY roomy. With plenty of headroom and room on the sides your child will fit for a while. The multiple configurations of the seats is what makes this stroller BRILLIANT as you can flip the seats from front to back with ease and allow you to really get the most out of this stroller. Lifting the seats up and off to flip them around required a little bit of effort but with practice it becomes much easier and I found the mechanism loosened up a little.

Its two Bugaboo-esque tandem seatsreverse for multiple configurations — both seats face parent, both seatsface forward, seats face each other, one seat faces parent and one seatfaces forward, or remove the back seat for extra storage. Plus, it canaccommodate two car seats (though it only comes with one attachment)and fits most brands of car seats so add a few more configurations tothat — two car seats, car seat in front, car seat in back.

The rear seat is slightly higher than the front seat making it easier to see what’s going on in both seats. The sun canopies could be a bit longer, to provide more coverage, but all in all aren’t "bad." I loved how the seats could face each other, this could really come in handy for older siblings who want to "play" with each other.

Attaching a carseat is really easy, and involves using the included strap attachment. Each actual seat has several recline settings. The only thing to watch out for is one of the seats bumping the other in certain positions. The weight limit for each seat is 40 pounds.

The Frame
Considering the price tag I was really impressed with the Kolcraft Contours Options Tandem Stroller’s frame. First of all let’s get the schlep out of the way, it’s not light by any measure, with seats attached it weighs in at 46 lbs! Shoving it in the car and pulling it out will be a task, but for a true double stroller this is (in general) what you should come to expect.

The fold is not too complicated and the bright side is when it’s folded it can stand on its own (and measures 24" x 25" x 42"). When folded it takes up quite a bit of room, whether in your trunk or home. Taking off the seats allows for a more compact fold and allows you to store it in pieces.

The shopping basket is HUGE, and is accessible from multiple angles making it a true place of storage. I also loved the handles on the back of the stroller for larger, older siblings to hold onto while they walk alongside. I don’t see my child using them, but they’re a cute idea that some kids and parents might actually get some use out of.

The handle features a foam covered bar. And I was slightly disappointed that the handlebar was not height adjustable. But I found everyone who pushed it (at various heights) didn’t have a complaint about the height. The handle also features 2 cup holders and a storage case, great spot to stow keys or a cell phone!

The Ride
With 8" swivel front wheels and 10" never flat rear wheels this baby has a nice ride. I wouldn’t recommend it for lots of outdoor use as I think the wheels would gunk up, but for everyday round town use it’s perfect. It pushes easily and the swivel wheels really respond on turns. Because of the weight of the stroller, plus the obvious weight of the seated children, it’s a heavy push, but it doesn’t require a ton of effort and moves really well. Again there are certain things that owners of double strollers have to get used to.

Final Thoughts from CBB Guest Reviewer Wendy

Here’s what has stood out to me.

Pros:

• I like the ride of it- it seems very smooth. I think it would be a dream for walkingaround the neighborhood (as I try to do for exercise).
• I like that you can fold it with the seats in. I considered  a PegPerego but once I learned that you had to take the seats out of it tofold it – I felt there were other options for me than taking out seatsand fold and then store 3 separate pieces in the trunk- only toreassemble next time I wanted to use it.
• I love the look of it and that my twins can face each other- or not – when they’re bigger.
• Nice sized basket underneath.

Cons:

• The weight – I don’t havetrouble with it, but it is still heavy-ish. I use my stroller in/outof my car twice day at least to get my kids in/out of daycare- so that’sa lot of folding/lifting to consider.
• My husband and mom may think it’s too long. I don’t find the lengthintimidating- it’s a similar length to my Graco and I have no troublemaneuvering that in stores or around town.

In store, it is available at Babies R Us and Burlington Depot. Online, it’s available at Albee Baby.com, Babies "R" Us.com, Baby Universe, Burlington’s Baby Depot.com, buybuyBABY, Target.com and Wal-Mart.com .