Kolcraft Contours Options 3 Wheeler Review

Have you ever seen a stroller that looks like this? The modern design of the Kolcraft Contours Options 3 Wheeler is not only pleasing to the eye but functional with lots of versatility.

The seat is reversible allowing for face-to-face bonding time with your baby or outward facing to explore the world. When your infant is a newborn, simply remove the stroller seat and attach your car seat for a lightweight travel system. Clearly moms and dads just like you find these conveniences indispensable.

In addition, the Contours Options 3 Wheeler comes with an infant car seat attachment that allows your to customize a travel system using your preferred brand infant car seat. This fabulous stroller features a height adjustable sun canopy and a child cup holder. It is also easier to fold than previous years models.

Contours Options 3 Wheeler strollers are available in a number of attractive color schemes, and the stroller itself looks modern and very stylish - be prepared when heads turn to look!

By the time you finish reading this review, you will discover why customers across different web retailers give the Kolcraft Contours Options 3 Wheeler an impressive 4½-star rating. Let's begin with all the thoughtful features.

Kolcraft Contours Options 3 Wheeler Features:

• Reversible seat: forward or rear facing
• Removable child's rotating snack tray with deep cup holder
• Removable infant head roll with micro-fleece
• Easy trigger quick fold and upright stand
• Front 8-inch swivel wheel
• Rear 12-inch never-flat wheels
• Height-adjustable sun canopy with peek-a-boo window
• Customized foot rest
• Padded 5-point adjustable safety harness
• 50-pound weight limit
• 3-position reclining seat
• Parent tray with ventilated cup holder
• Ergonomic foam covered handles
• Storage basket beneath seat
• Available in 2 attractive color schemes (+1 new one in May 2011)

Reversible seat & travel system mode

The main feature of the Contours Options stroller is its removable, reversible seat. A happy mom mentioned in her review that the feature allows her to easily reverse the seat to face her while her baby is in it This seating arrangement prevents her baby from going into all-out panic mode from not being able to see her at all times. The reversible seat also allows another mom to turn the seat according to the sun position, keeping her baby's eyes out of the sunlight.

One of the features you are going to love about the Kolcraft Contours Options 3 Wheeler is that you can attach a car seat to the frame for your newborn baby. The stroller comes with an infant car seat attachment and fits most major brands (except for Baby Trend). Snapping in and out easily makes this travel system solution a breeze to use. And it looks fantastic, wouldn't you agree?

How is the steering?

The Contours Options stroller comes with an 8" front swivel wheel, and two 12" rear wheels. The large wheels allow smooth rides, and in many positive reviews, parents love this feature because the stroller is very easy to maneuver and steer. The swivel front wheel allows it to turn on a dime, and it also can be locked for long distance strolls. A mom said that she can even steer the stroller using one finger. The stroller also pushes smoothly over frozen paths, grass and gravel. You are free to take it many different places!

Your child's comfort and safety

The Contours Options has a seat that reclines to three positions by pulling the adjustment bar at the back of the seat. Choose from upright, middle or full recline. This allows your child to sleep comfortably in a reclined position whenever needed. It also has a 5-point safety harness that is height-adjustable with wide, padded straps so that you can make sure that your child is safe, secure and comfortable in the seat.

Allow even more personalization for your child's comfort with the adjustable foot rest. In an up or down position, your baby have the foot and leg support he or she needs.

Tell me more about the sun canopy

The stroller comes with a height adjustable sun canopy that ranges between 23" to 27" - just slide the canopy up or down the frame. You can be sure that it is high enough as your child grows taller. The canopy has a peek-a-boo window, which allows you to have a look at your child whenever you like. And the canopy itself has two panels to extend outward, depending on how much shading you need.

The brakes

The Kolcraft Contours Options 3 Wheeler features a one-step braking bar that engages both wheels with one downward motion. A mother mentioned in her review that she loves the brake system on the Contours stroller. She feels that it is extremely secure, and is confident that it will not roll away from her. That's certainly reassuring, don't you think?

Storage & convenience

The newer model of Contours Options stroller features a child cup holder along side the bumper bar, which is the perfect size to hold a sippy cup. The child cup holder and front bar swings out of the way for easy in and out.

There is also a new easy-to-reach parent tray, with deeper cup holders. There are two cup holders for parents, which is a really thoughtful feature because many other strollers only have one parent cup holder. The cup holders are ventilated, and since they are deep, you do not need to worry about spills and mess when walking over a crack in the sidewalk.

The Contours Options has a large basket underneath the seat. A large basket is a must-have on strollers, as moms can fill it with their purses and baby essentials, such as a diaper bag, baby toys, and snacks. The storage basket is easily accessible from the front and back of the stroller. For more storage, the stroller comes with a parent tray, where you can place your cell phone, wallet, keys and more.

Pushing this stroller is also quite nice. The padded handle is set high enough for most adults to use comfortably. One mother wrote in her review that she likes the tall handle on the stroller; no need to slouch anymore while pushing, and no more kicking the wheels or the base.

What is the fold like?

The Contours Options folds into a reasonable size very easily. One mom reviewer says she can easily fit the stroller into her Acura MDX. It is not a lightweight stroller, but it is not too heavy either. It is big, solid and sturdy, and it can carry up to 50 pounds, 10 pounds more than many other brands. This means that parents can use the stroller for more children in the future.

How much should you pay for the Contours Options 3 Wheeler?

The Kolcraft official website has the Contours Options 3 Wheeler listed at a suggested retail price of $169.99. Looking around at different web retailers, I've noticed that most charge under $150 for the Berkley and Blush color schemes. One called Ruby goes for $250 at the time of writing. I check prices regularly and have always found the best price on Amazon. Even when a different retailer charges a little less, you have to pay about $25 more for shipping, but through Amazon it is free.

If you're considering the Blush color scheme and you have a daughter, she might like this really cute Dora the Explorer large plush doll to take with her on your outings.

See this short little demo video of the Contours Options 3 Wheeler (from 2009):

What others are saying about Kolcraft Contours Options 3 Wheeler

This amazingly versatile little stroller is getting some solid, high rankings from owners across different web retailers. Reviews from users just like you give the Contours Options 3 Wheeler an overall 4½-star rating.

Contours Options 3 Wheeler owners are mostly impressed with the seating versatility, recline and footrest. The seat is the star of this show!
"The adjustable reclining seat and foot rest allows my daughter (who is quite tall) to rest easily. I'm VERY happy with this purchase."
Another helpful, 5-star review made the comment on how easy it is to change the car seat adapter and stroller seat. She also finds it simple to reverse the direction of the seat.
Someone else says, "I love the fact that my daughter can face me while we are out and she is a much happier shopper because of that."

Consumers leave repeated comments about the superb maneuverability.
Jen writes in her 5-star review that she finds the Contours Options 3 Wheeler easy to maneuver from the mall to the park because of the big tires.

Quite a few reviews mention the high quality of this product and are impressed that it doesn't cost more. It is an excellent value for your money.

Lastly quite a few Kolcraft Contours Lite owners remark at how easy this stroller is to assemble once they take it out of the box.

Disadvantages

The Contours Options 3 Wheeler doesn't have many negative reviews, but there are a few repeat offenders and one issue that needs to be addressed. Read on.

Some parents remark that the stroller is too wide and makes going into crowded areas and shopping aisles a bit difficult. It is also a bit long. Be sure to take a look at the measurements box above to determine the suitability for your lifestyle. (Width=27" or 2' 3" wheel base)

One mom was upset because the stroller cannot be collapsed when the seat is rear-facing. But listen up! Consumers need to understand that almost all reversible seat strollers can not be folded with the seat attached facing to you. In the comments section of that review, though, someone from Kolcraft Marketing responded saying that you CAN fold it with the seat reversed, it just won't be as compact.

Where can I get the best price?

As with all the strollers I review, I like to keep a check on the prices and I generally find that Amazon consistently has the best price. Coupled with prompt, free shipping, you can't go wrong!