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Customer Reviews for Contours Contours® Optima™ Tandem
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Contours Contours® Optima™ Tandem
The Contours Optima™ Tandem Stroller offers the robust features of a Contours Tandem Stroller in a lighter frame. At only 36.6 lbs, this tandem stroller is easy to use with your children. Trips out the house will be enjoyable for mom and comfortable for baby. This tandem stroller creates rare flexibility for your family. The Contours Optima Tandem Stroller has reversible seats that can be positioned six different ways, 2 parent cup holders and storage area, 2 child cup holders, an extra-large storage basket, and an infant car seat attachment is included.
Featured in Southern Child Magazine's Savvy Stroller Guide April/May 2011
Average Customer Rating:
(16 Reviews) 16
Rating Snapshot (16 reviews)
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15 of 16(94%)customers recommend.
Customer Reviews for Contours® Optima™ Tandem
Review 1 for Contours® Optima™ Tandem
Overall Rating:
Single Mama of toddler twins
Date:November 30, 2011
Angieof3
Location: Long Island, NY
About me: Parent
Number of Children: 3
Child Age: 2 - 3 years
I absolutely LOVE this stroller. I have had 4 double strollers since my daughters were born. The double Snap and Go, the Maclaren Twin Sport, a Baby Trend Navigator Double Jogging Stroller System (with two car seats) and the Contours Optima Tandem. The Double Snap and Go obviously worked out OK while they were just under 6 months old but it was a pain to collapse and maneuver. The Maclaren TwinSport was nice but being that it was a hand me down stroller and I couldn't afford to get a new one, it was not an option for me. The Baby Trend Double Jogging Stroller System was great, until I had to go shopping. It was 3 feet wide and getting into stores or aisles in the supermarket was very difficult. I needed a reliable tandem stroller where my twins were able to have their own space but still have face time with each other. This stroller has been BY FAR the best one! The seat positions change, I can adjust everything fairly easy, putting it together was easy and done by me (single mom good with screwdrivers). The collapsing of the frame was OK, wish it can be flattened with seats but it's fine. I do not have a car so walking is my only means of transportation. This is a great stroller!
My Favorite Feature: Convertible Seats, Seating options
Pros: Durable, Easy To Maneuver, Feature Rich, Comfortable For Baby, Easy To Fold, Ample Storage
Response from Kolcraft:By Marketing, January 26, 2012
Single Mama,
We're so glad to hear that you love your Contours Optima tandem stroller, and we hope that the twins love it just as much, whether they're facing you or having face time with each other!
Thanks again and congratulations!
We're so glad to hear that you love your Contours Optima tandem stroller, and we hope that the twins love it just as much, whether they're facing you or having face time with each other!
Thanks again and congratulations!
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0points
Review 2 for Contours® Optima™ Tandem
Overall Rating:
A Bit Disappointed
Date:November 17, 2011
twin mama
Location: New Jersey USA
About me: Parent
Number of Children: 4
Child Age: 3 - 6 months
When I found out I was having twins and needed a double stroller, I was on a mission to find the perfect one! I hated bulky stroller expreiences that I had with my other two children so I was determined to find a good fit.After an extended search I came across the Tandem and just about immediatley fell in love! I put it together bymyslef and that was pretty simple. However loading and unloading this carriage into the car is quite a project! You practically have to take the whole thing apart , as if traveling with twins isn't hard enough. It is so hard to fold after the two seats are out I usually wind up so frustrated I'm ready to leave it in the parking lot. If I had a dime for everytime my husband complained about loading this stroller in the car I could hire a nanny. Then you finally get it folded and it's still gigantic!....and I read if you want it more compact to take the handle off!!!!???? Are you joking me! Ok my next gripe, is the sun shades. They don't stay extended. If the seats are tilted back for a sleeping baby I'm constantly trying to fix the sunshade because it always collapses. And if you pull it too forward it disconnects from the back! Drives me nuts. And last it's starting to feel wobbly. It's still super heavy even though it's supposed to be lighter than the older models. I've only been using it about 2 months....and sparingly at that, it's too hard to go out with little twins. Overall this carriage is nice, I love the many different positions but that's really it. I haven't had any other Dble stroller to compare it to, so It would be unfair to say not to buy it. Some more color options would be nice too and more stores should carry it. Overall it's ok. I'm definatley disapointed with it...after being so excited to use it. What a let down. But it's not terrible enough not to recommend, but it's nice to know the pros and cons. I read some complaints that bigger babies don't fit in it...I hope I don't have to add this to my dislikes. My lil guys are only 4 months so no problems with fit as of yet. PS THey need to make a rain cover!!! The universal ones DO NOT fit properly!
My Favorite Feature: Different seating positions.
Pros: Comfortable For Baby, Ample Storage
Cons: Heavy, sun shade collapses too easily, need to take apart to load and unload, no rain/weather cover!
Response from Kolcraft:By Marketing, December 20, 2011
Thank you so much for your honest feedback about your Contours Optima. We're sorry to hear that it hasn't been as great of an experience as we would have liked, but we will be sure to pass your comments along to the appropriate team. Knowing what you like and don't like helps us develop even better products, and we appreciate your honesty. Hopefully your two little ones will continue to enjoy the stroller for quite awhile.
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+1point
Review 3 for Contours® Optima™ Tandem
Overall Rating:
Fits in the Trunk of my Corrolla!!!!!!
Date:August 11, 2011
Cajun Mom
Location: Breaux Bridge, LA
About me: Parent
Number of Children: 2
Child Age: 18 - 24 months
I had to talk my husband into getting a double stroller, putting it together and was so worried that it would not be all I had hoped for. We took it for our first test drive downtown and LOVED it! Our 19 month old enjoyed the cup holder and kicking the foot guard and our newborn love the fact that his carseat attaches to the carseat bar and we never had to wake him up.
Two tips. 1 - you have to pull the red handles at the tops of the seats inorder to get part that attaches to the base lined up. We couldn't find that in the book and had to call twice for help and the customer service was awesome. 2- if you have a small car just take the handles off and the stroller will fit in your trunk - exactly - then tuck the seats on either sid so it doesn't move around.
We also had to try it out at the Mall. Two hours of shopping before our 19 month old had had enough (usually she is out of the stroller in 20 min). If you put the older kid in the front facing out with a drink in her cup holder she is set!
All in all we don't know what we would do without it.
My Favorite Feature: The foot guard so the kids feet don't get bumped
Pros: Comfortable For Baby, Ample Storage
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+2points
Review 4 for Contours® Optima™ Tandem
Overall Rating:
Can't live without!
Date:July 27, 2011
DanielleElwood
Location: Shelton, CT
About me: Parent
Number of Children: 3
Child Age: 0 - 3 months
I think I am slowly becoming a stroller snob. In the past couple months since Addie was born, I have had the chance to try out a ton of different strollers, but the best part was being able to try out the Contours Optima Tandem stroller, and keep it to replace our older, over-used, and bulky double stroller.
We originally bought it before Ben was born, and we only bought it because it was compatible with the infant car seat we had at the time. I was ecstatic to find out the optima actually was compatible with our new infant car seat we bought for Addie. That was the first highlight of the stroller. In fact, it is compatible with most infant car seats that are currently on the market. There is a full list of the car seats that can be used you can view it on the Kolcraft site for the stroller.
So when the Optima came, I couldn’t help but rip it out of the box, and make up some family trip we needed to use it on. Which just so happened to be the zoo, an awesome place to try it out. Before we left for the day, I put the stroller together… all on my own!
Which I am not the most technically savvy person, especially when it comes to building baby gear. Typically I run right to my husband and tell him he has something to put together. So this really was a huge accomplishment, and it goes to show how easy assembly is!
When we got to the zoo for the big test drive, I realized how smooth and easy to maneuver it was. I mean, on a day that the zoo was packed I was dodging kids left and right. Not typical for a larger double stroller. Which I was super pleased by! Making life with more than one child super easy.
Then there is the storage space. We went from a double stroller we struggled to stuff our diaper bag and accessories in, to a HUGE full sized storage area that I didn’t need to fight to get my diaper bag in and out of. And we won’t have a giant diaper bag, just a simple smaller scale diaper bag.
Another one of my favorite options on the optima is the seating options. There are so many! You have the both seats fitting forward, facing each other, facing apart, the option for the car seat, etc. It turns into 6 seating options, and with my kids, sometimes they need to be apart, or NOT facing each other!
Then comes the cup holders. It may not sound like a huge deal, but to me and my husband it is, because when we are out together, at least with our old stroller we always fought over the cup holder. Because there was only one… But in this stroller there are four! Two for the kids… and two for adults, as well as a space for storage on top, which I typically throw my cell phone into, and it fits perfectly.
And there is a great one year warranty on the stroller. Which is a huge perk for parents. Although two full months into use, we have had no issues or anything break on our stroller, and our kids are pretty rough on it!
Overall, I think it is a great double stroller for parents!
My Favorite Feature: Storage!!
Pros: Durable, Easy To Maneuver, Feature Rich, Comfortable For Baby, Easy To Fold, Ample Storage
Cons: Heavy
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+3points
Review 5 for Contours® Optima™ Tandem
Overall Rating:
Couldn't Live Without!
Date:July 27, 2011
DanielleElwood
Location: Shelton, CT
About me: Parent
Number of Children: 3
Child Age: 0 - 3 months
I think I am slowly becoming a stroller snob. In the past couple months since Addie was born, I have had the chance to try out a ton of different strollers, but the best part about being a Kolcraft Mom was being able to try out the Contours Optima Tandem stroller, and keep it to replace our older, over-used, and bulky double stroller I have secretly loathed for almost two years now.
We originally bought it before Ben was born, and we only bought it because it was compatible with the infant car seat we had at the time, also made by Graco. I was ecstatic to find out the optima actually was compatible with our new infant car seat we bought for Addie. That was the first highlight of the stroller. In fact, it is compatible with most infant car seats that are currently on the market. There is a full list of the car seats that can be used you can view it on the Kolcraft site for the stroller.
So when the Optima came, I couldn't help but rip it out of the box, and make up some family trip we needed to use it on. Which just so happened to be the zoo, an awesome place to try it out. Before we left for the day, I put the stroller together... all on my own!
Which I am not the most technically savvy person, especially when it comes to building baby gear. Typically I run right to my husband and tell him he has something to put together. So this really was a huge accomplishment, and it goes to show how easy assembly is!
When we got to the zoo for the big test drive, I realized how smooth and easy to maneuver it was. I mean, on a day that the zoo was packed I was dodging kids left and right. Not typical for a larger double stroller. Which I was super pleased by! Making life with more than one child super easy.
Then there is the storage space. We went from a double stroller we struggled to stuff our diaper bag and accessories in, to a HUGE full sized storage area that I didn't need to fight to get my diaper bag in and out of. And we won't have a giant diaper bag, just a simple SkipHop Duo, and for those of you who are diaper bag snobs like me, you know it is not a large diaper bag!
Another one of my favorite options on the optima is the seating options. There are so many! You have the both seats fitting forward, facing each other, facing apart, the option for the car seat, etc. It turns into 6 seating options, and with my kids, sometimes they need to be apart, or NOT facing each other!
Then comes the cup holders. It may not sound like a huge deal, but to me and my husband it is, because when we are out together, at least with our old stroller we always fought over the cup holder. Because there was only one... But in this stroller there are four! Two for the kids... and two for adults, as well as a space for storage on top, which I typically throw my iPhone into, and it fits perfectly.
And there is a great one year warranty on the stroller. Which is a huge perk for parents. Although two full months into use, we have had no issues or anything break on our stroller, and our kids are pretty rough on it!
Overall, I think it is a great double stroller for parents!
My Favorite Feature: Storage!!
Pros: Durable, Easy To Maneuver, Feature Rich, Comfortable For Baby, Easy To Fold, Ample Storage
Cons: Heavy
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+1point
Review 6 for Contours® Optima™ Tandem
Overall Rating:
Tons of options makes a happy Mom!
Date:July 15, 2011
Beth @ Me as a Mommy
About me: Parent
Number of Children: 2
Child Age: 18 - 24 months
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
I absolutely adore this stroller! It is lightweight and has what seems like a million different seating options! My kids love to face each other 90% of the time, but it's nice to be able to easily switch and have them face away from each other if one or both is in a bad mood. I would absolutely recommend this stroller to anyone with 2 children. There are plenty of cupholders and an impressive amount of storage even with 2 children in the seats.
My Favorite Feature: Easy to change seats
Pros: Easy To Maneuver, Feature Rich, Comfortable For Baby
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-3points
Review 7 for Contours® Optima™ Tandem
Overall Rating:
Tons of options makes a happy Mom!
Date:July 8, 2011
Beth @ Me as a Mommy
About me: Parent
Number of Children: 2
Child Age: 18 - 24 months
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
I love how many seating options this stroller offers. It is so easy to switch between the options - only takes a few seconds! It's also extremely lightweight, but doesn't feel like it's going to break at any second the way a lot of other lightweight strollers have felt to me. My kids seem to find it very comfortable as they are consistently falling asleep in it!
You can read my full review (if interested) on my blog here: http://measamommy.com/?p=3019
My Favorite Feature: Options, Options, Options!
Pros: Easy To Maneuver, Feature Rich, Comfortable For Baby, Ample Storage, plenty of cupholders
Cons: have to remove seat to fold
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+2points
Review 8 for Contours® Optima™ Tandem
Overall Rating:
FINALLY A GREAT DOUBLE stroller for a GREAT price!
Date:June 26, 2011
TrisH
About me: Parent
Number of Children: 2
Child Age: 18 - 24 months
I have a 22 month old and a 2 month old and I researched and read just about every review on the market in regards to a double stroller. I didn't want my children to be stuck one behind the other and the one in the back not be able to see anything but the child's head in the front seat. I didn't feel that my 22 month old was old enough to do a sit-n-stand [And I've pushed one of those and they are JUNK!] and while I'd like to be about to sink $500+ bucks into a stroller, the reality is that it wasn't going to happen.
This stroller has been AWESOME! It turns on a dime. Turns better than my Chicco SINGLE stroller. I can steer this with one hand while I'm holding my newborn and my 22 month old is sitting in the front. The ease of folding it up is awesome! Takes an extra minute or so to remove the car seat holder but I love it. And as long as you READ the instruction booklet and actually turn the forward seat towards the handle bar, it folds up very well. I love that the wheels are actually rubber instead of cheap plastic.
My 22 month old doesn't mind sitting in the seat. The ONLY complaint I have is that the foot rest doesn't go higher and lower. It goes up and down, but the height of it doesn't change and her legs are pretty long so her feet hang over. That is my only gripe otherwise, I LOVE this stroller and I've had SEVERAL people stop me and ask me what kind it was.
I have yet to be disappointed with a Kolcraft product. Thank you for ACTUALLY listening to your customers and fixing things that aren't great with the prior generations of this stroller.
This stroller has been AWESOME! It turns on a dime. Turns better than my Chicco SINGLE stroller. I can steer this with one hand while I'm holding my newborn and my 22 month old is sitting in the front. The ease of folding it up is awesome! Takes an extra minute or so to remove the car seat holder but I love it. And as long as you READ the instruction booklet and actually turn the forward seat towards the handle bar, it folds up very well. I love that the wheels are actually rubber instead of cheap plastic.
My 22 month old doesn't mind sitting in the seat. The ONLY complaint I have is that the foot rest doesn't go higher and lower. It goes up and down, but the height of it doesn't change and her legs are pretty long so her feet hang over. That is my only gripe otherwise, I LOVE this stroller and I've had SEVERAL people stop me and ask me what kind it was.
I have yet to be disappointed with a Kolcraft product. Thank you for ACTUALLY listening to your customers and fixing things that aren't great with the prior generations of this stroller.
Pros: Durable, Easy To Maneuver, Feature Rich, Comfortable For Baby, Easy To Fold, Ample Storage
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+5points
Review 9 for Contours® Optima™ Tandem
Overall Rating:
A Must have Stroller!
Date:June 25, 2011
HHappening's
Location: North Carolina
About me: Parent
Number of Children: 2
Child Age: 3 - 6 months
The stroller amazingly fits both my toddler as well as my infant perfectly. I just love the different seating options & I love that I'm able to easily sit my carseat in the carseat base. And not to mention how cute the Berkley print is. There's no denying the fact that you need a double stroller with 2 under 2 and this stroller is MUST HAVE! I absolutely love it. It folds easily & is a lot more compact than I would have thought. The only downfall is that you have to remove one of the seats to "compactly" fold it. However removing it is as simple as a push of a button. I highly recommend!
My Favorite Feature: Love the 6 Seating positions.
Pros: Durable, Easy To Maneuver, Feature Rich, Comfortable For Baby, Easy To Fold, Ample Storage, carseat compatible
Cons: Heavy
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+2points
Review 10 for Contours® Optima™ Tandem
Overall Rating:
A Must Have!
Date:June 15, 2011
MOMofTWO
About me: Parent
Number of Children: 2
Child Age: 0 - 3 months
Like many others, I waited and waited for this stroller to come out...and...I must say that I could not be happier! I also did A LOT of research on the specs of this stroller versus others. I already own the Chicco and this one is just as good, if not better!
I was originally worried about transporting and collasping this stroller. However, it is a beeze! I have a two week old and two year old, and I just pop those seats in and out and fold it away! It takes about 3 extra minutes, but is worth it.
I can also easily steer the stroller with one hand while holding my newborn (had to do this at the dr's office with both children). Everyone was impressed with how easily it manuevers and fits into "tight" areas.
If you're considering this stroller, I would say look no further! As a mom, consumer, and shopper, I would say you are certainly getting your bang-for-your-buck with this stroller! Oh, and I was reluctant about the red color---it is actually mostly black and "handsome." :)
Pros: Durable, Easy To Maneuver, Easy To Fold, Ample Storage, colors are prettier in person
Cons: cupholders fall off
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+2points
Review 11 for Contours® Optima™ Tandem
Overall Rating:
looks great! haven't tested but read about it.
Date:June 13, 2011
the busy bee famileee
Number of Children: 1
Child Age: 12 - 18 months
I posted this stroller on my blog after reading about it and the new changes. I'm excited about it. It looks like a really great stroller with versatility, and a reasonable price. I am curious to whether or not the seat lays flat for a newborn.
Response from Kolcraft:By Kolcraft, Marketing, June 13, 2011
Thanks for your feedback! We are really excited to offer the Contours Optima tandem stroller, and hope you find it to be exactly what you are looking for. Both seats have three recline positions, including a full recline. However, the seat retains the angle between the back and seat area, even when in the full recline; it is not a flat area.
Thanks again for your comments!
Thanks again for your comments!
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+1point
Review 12 for Contours® Optima™ Tandem
Overall Rating:
Disappointed
Date:June 6, 2011
Jae
Location: Atlanta
About me: Expecting
Number of Children: 2
We are expecting twins in July and do not want a side-by-side. We have been looking at the Baby Jogger City Select but have been having a hard time wrapping our minds around buying a $660 stroller. When I found the Options I and II, I wasn’t fond of the length or weight. But then when I saw the Optima, I was very optimistic and we were excited about testing it out. I waited for the Hudson color to come out (we don’t want a red stroller), and took a LONG drive out to the only store in the Atlanta area. Here are our must haves with a stroller:
* Weight: I am 5’1” and 115 pounds (pre-prego weight) and need something easy to lift and easy to fold down
* Seating: since we are having two boys, I don’t like the idea of one being directly behind the other, so I really wanted something with true stadium style seating
* Durability: With twin boys, as they get older, I can see us being very active (going to parks, outdoor festivals, play dates etc.) We need something that can handle BOYS!
* Storage: My husband has very little trunk space, so we need a stroller that is pretty compact.
* Weight: I am 5’1” and 115 pounds (pre-prego weight) and need something easy to lift and easy to fold down
* Seating: since we are having two boys, I don’t like the idea of one being directly behind the other, so I really wanted something with true stadium style seating
* Durability: With twin boys, as they get older, I can see us being very active (going to parks, outdoor festivals, play dates etc.) We need something that can handle BOYS!
* Storage: My husband has very little trunk space, so we need a stroller that is pretty compact.
BUT, when my husband and I got to the store, we were EXTREMELY disappointed!! We spent an hour really contemplating our decision. You really cannot compare it with the City Select at all. The City Select is like a BMW while the Optima is like a Chevy Aveo. The Optima is made of plastic, while the Select is made of some kind of light weight metal (aluminum???) The Select is very sturdy and doesn’t wobble. Here are our complaints about the Optima (no specific order).
* Fabric: portions of the seat are that soft fabric (the kind you can’t wipe down without causing the fabric to get yucky). Strollers can get pretty dirty from food & beverage spillage, sweat and just everyday use. That kind of fabric just gets gross after a while. At least with the canvassy type of fabric, you can wipe it down well (or even spray it down outside) and it should get clean. When they would use this fabric is beyond me.
* Poorly constructed: This is our major complaint about the stroller. At first I thought that maybe it wasn’t assembled correctly (like it was missing a pin to make it stop moving side to side). But it didn’t appear to be wrong, and plus it was assembled by the stroller staff at Buy Buy Baby – that’s what they do all day, deal with strollers. The floor model had only been in the store for 3 days, but it felt like it had been there for 3 years after being used as a bumper car. It wobbled VERY noticeably from side to side (with AND without the seats). It felt worse than an umbrella stroller. Maybe this is considered an umbrella stroller and I just didn’t realize it. I would take a guess that if you were to grab the handle bar and apply a minimal amount of pressure to move it to the side, it would move about 1-1½ inches to either side. That’s A LOT of give!
* Connections: Since the seat connections to the frame are plastic on plastic, it didn’t fit snug. It felt like you could slide a piece of paper (that had been folded 2 or 3 times) between the connections. This added to the wobbliness. When you put the car seat attachment on it and an empty car seat, you feel very insecure about whether or not it is sturdy enough to hold your infant babies.
* Not compact: It’s only a couple of inches longer and maybe an inch or two wider than the City Select. But even when you remove both seats, it doesn’t fold up as compact as the City Select. Sure, it’s a pretty decent fold considering it’s a tandem double. It’s only 5 pounds heavier – so it didn’t seem like that big of a difference. I would say that the Select folds down about 3 inches skinnier and about 4 inches shorter than the Optima.
* Fabric: portions of the seat are that soft fabric (the kind you can’t wipe down without causing the fabric to get yucky). Strollers can get pretty dirty from food & beverage spillage, sweat and just everyday use. That kind of fabric just gets gross after a while. At least with the canvassy type of fabric, you can wipe it down well (or even spray it down outside) and it should get clean. When they would use this fabric is beyond me.
* Poorly constructed: This is our major complaint about the stroller. At first I thought that maybe it wasn’t assembled correctly (like it was missing a pin to make it stop moving side to side). But it didn’t appear to be wrong, and plus it was assembled by the stroller staff at Buy Buy Baby – that’s what they do all day, deal with strollers. The floor model had only been in the store for 3 days, but it felt like it had been there for 3 years after being used as a bumper car. It wobbled VERY noticeably from side to side (with AND without the seats). It felt worse than an umbrella stroller. Maybe this is considered an umbrella stroller and I just didn’t realize it. I would take a guess that if you were to grab the handle bar and apply a minimal amount of pressure to move it to the side, it would move about 1-1½ inches to either side. That’s A LOT of give!
* Connections: Since the seat connections to the frame are plastic on plastic, it didn’t fit snug. It felt like you could slide a piece of paper (that had been folded 2 or 3 times) between the connections. This added to the wobbliness. When you put the car seat attachment on it and an empty car seat, you feel very insecure about whether or not it is sturdy enough to hold your infant babies.
* Not compact: It’s only a couple of inches longer and maybe an inch or two wider than the City Select. But even when you remove both seats, it doesn’t fold up as compact as the City Select. Sure, it’s a pretty decent fold considering it’s a tandem double. It’s only 5 pounds heavier – so it didn’t seem like that big of a difference. I would say that the Select folds down about 3 inches skinnier and about 4 inches shorter than the Optima.
Things we liked:
* Cup holders: it is nice that each kid has their own built in cup holder and there is a parent tray. But this doesn’t seem like a necessity to me – durability is a necessity.
* Color: I like the grey and green. But again, NOT a necessity
* Storage: I like the large basket – but the City Select has a pretty good basket too, plus the Select has zippers so you have better access.
* Handle height. My husband is 6’, and even though it handle bars are NOT adjustable, he had NO problems pushing it around.
* Price: Sure, the price is nice at only $300, but I just felt like if we had bought the Optima, we would have to replace it after a year because we honestly do not feel like it would last that long. And by the time you buy a replacement stroller (even if it is a cheaper umbrella stroller), you’re back up to spending $500-600 for the two strollers (possibly more if you have to replace it a third time). At that point, you might as well go with the City Select!
* Cup holders: it is nice that each kid has their own built in cup holder and there is a parent tray. But this doesn’t seem like a necessity to me – durability is a necessity.
* Color: I like the grey and green. But again, NOT a necessity
* Storage: I like the large basket – but the City Select has a pretty good basket too, plus the Select has zippers so you have better access.
* Handle height. My husband is 6’, and even though it handle bars are NOT adjustable, he had NO problems pushing it around.
* Price: Sure, the price is nice at only $300, but I just felt like if we had bought the Optima, we would have to replace it after a year because we honestly do not feel like it would last that long. And by the time you buy a replacement stroller (even if it is a cheaper umbrella stroller), you’re back up to spending $500-600 for the two strollers (possibly more if you have to replace it a third time). At that point, you might as well go with the City Select!
Apparently there was another couple that had put the stroller on hold at Buy Buy Baby, but they ended up NOT purchasing it for the same/similar reasons. I really did have high hopes for the Optima (and was pretty much set on getting it before we arrived at the store). I would have been SO upset if we had bought it before checking out the floor model. We think that if the Optima felt stronger and not so wobbly/flimsy, we would’ve gone with the Optima. We are going to buy the Baby Jogger City Select. Sorry Kolcraft, you’ve got to make your strollers stronger and more durable. This stroller doesn’t feel like it would last past a year with consistent use.
Response from Kolcraft:By Kolcraft, Kolcraft, June 13, 2011
Thank you so much for your feedback. We're sorry to hear of your experience with the Contours Optima, and hope that you find the right stroller for the upcoming arrival of your twins!
We've answered a few of your questions below; hopefully this will help:
1) The Contours Optima is made with a lightweight aluminum frame. The aluminum frame helps the stroller feel light weight while still offering all of the robust features like height-adjustable canopies, reversible seats, etc.
2) The flexibility (or wobbling) in the frame that you mention is due to our design for a smooth steering. The Contours Optima tandem stroller was built to meet all of the voluntary ASTM standards for quality & safety to which Contours adheres.
3) All of the woven fabric and vinyl parts can be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution.
Thanks again for your feedback!
We've answered a few of your questions below; hopefully this will help:
1) The Contours Optima is made with a lightweight aluminum frame. The aluminum frame helps the stroller feel light weight while still offering all of the robust features like height-adjustable canopies, reversible seats, etc.
2) The flexibility (or wobbling) in the frame that you mention is due to our design for a smooth steering. The Contours Optima tandem stroller was built to meet all of the voluntary ASTM standards for quality & safety to which Contours adheres.
3) All of the woven fabric and vinyl parts can be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution.
Thanks again for your feedback!
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0points
Review 13 for Contours® Optima™ Tandem
Overall Rating:
Lightweight and easy to use!
Date:May 31, 2011
MamaDweeb
Location: Kansas
About me: Parent
Number of Children: 3
Child Age: 6 - 9 months
This stroller is very easy to use. It is lightweight, and not bulky. I love all the seating options and that both kids can face me! The storage basket is very roomy. I also love that the seats recline so far back, that is wonderful for naptime.
The only con is that it is difficult to roll once folded up. You have to actually pick up the stroller and carry it. But since it is only 35 lbs this is not a big deal :)
My Favorite Feature: Seating positions
Pros: Durable, Easy To Maneuver, Comfortable For Baby, Easy To Fold, Ample Storage, lots of seating positions
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+2points
Review 14 for Contours® Optima™ Tandem
Overall Rating:
Thin, Perfect Tandem Stroller
Date:May 30, 2011
MamaDweeb
Location: Kansas
About me: Parent
Number of Children: 3
Child Age: 3 - 6 months
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Assembly directly out of the box was easy enough for me to do on my own – and I am not a “handy” person. Once set up, it is super simple to customize to your needs. If you have more than one child in “stroller age” (like I do) then out of all the tandem strollers I have tried this one is one of the least “double stroller like.”
I love that the handle bar is thin – well everything about this stroller is thin! There is no “snack tray” for the kids but that means the stroller has more room to fold up thinner. And I can’t say enough good things about the way you can change the way the seats face! I love being able to talk to Lucy, my 5 month old baby, while I push her around! And when I face the seats towards each other, Lizzie and Lucy talk to each other and crack each other up, it is so cute!
Kolcraft certainly paid attention to detail when they constructed the Optima. There are two cupholders for me and one for each child seat. I love that the cupholders are vented – no pools of water from cup condensation! And it has a plastic hook that keeps the stroller folded as you lift it into storage. It also has an easy to use brake system.
It took me a bit of time to find out how to recline the seats. By lifting up the large, red, plastic levers on the top of the canopy, you can the seat back pretty far. I had Lucy laying down almost horizontal when she fell asleep the other day.
The footrests are also adjustable. Lucy can lay back, horizontally, with the footrest up and take an afternoon nap. Or, Lizzie or David can have the footrest down almost 90 degrees and sit like a chair. The button to adjust the footrest was easy to miss since the snap-over cover kept covering it up.
I had two issues with this stroller. First, I got pretty stumped when I was putting it together fresh from the box because the instructions kept saying to unscrew the front wheels from a bar. As you can see, there is no bar to unscrew them from and I realized it must have been a typo. So if you purchase it just know all you have to do to assemble the front wheels is snap them in place.
The next issue is transporting it. I am so glad it is only 35 lbs because the basket bar sticks out just enough to where the rear wheels cannot roll after it is folded up – the basket drags on the ground. So in order to transport it in a folded position you must carry it.
Overall I am very excited about the brand new Kolcraft Contours Optima tandem stroller! It is lightweight and changes to suit my needs. Plus, I can’t get over the cute red and black colors! It is currently sitting in the back of my Honda and I will use it as my go-to stroller.
My Favorite Feature: All the different seating positions
Pros: Easy To Maneuver, Feature Rich, Comfortable For Baby, Easy To Fold, Ample Storage, Lightweight
Cons: difficult to maneuver when folded
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+6points
Review 15 for Contours® Optima™ Tandem
Overall Rating:
Finally - a great double stroller!
Date:May 19, 2011
MomOf5
Location: Ohio
About me: Parent
Number of Children: 5
Child Age: 9 - 12 months
With a 2-year old and an infant, a nice double stroller is essential for us, but I've had a very difficult time finding one that meets my (rather lengthy) list of requirements. I was excited to try this stroller after owning 5 others that didn't fit the bill. I LOVE this stroller! The kids are super comfy in it, and I love all the seating options. It steers easily (can actually push it one-handed!) and rides smoothly and quietly. I assembled it myself in about 15 minutes (even with a little "helper"), and I'm not remotely handy. The only minor drawback is the few extra seconds it takes to remove the seats before folding, but overall it's a small price to pay for a stroller that is both stylish and comfortable and makes both me and my kiddos happy!
Pros: Easy To Maneuver, Comfortable For Baby, Ample Storage
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+2points
Review 16 for Contours® Optima™ Tandem
Overall Rating:
Finally - a great double stroller!
Date:May 19, 2011
MomOf5
Location: Ohio
About me: Parent
Number of Children: 5
Child Age: 9 - 12 months
With a baby and a 2-year-old, I have to use a stroller any time I leave the house, so it's very important to me to have a nice one. I've tried many (this is the sixth one I've owned!), but each has had a major flaw that made it more of a pain than a convenience. I was so excited to give this one a try - and I LOVE it! The kids seem super comfortable, as the seats are nice and plush. Love the versatility of all the seating configurations and the fact that my Chicco Keyfit30 fits in the infant seat adapter. I can push it with one hand while holding a shopping basket in the other, and it rides really smoothly. My only minor complaint is that I have to remove the seats and infant seat adapter before folding which adds a couple of extra seconds, but lets face it - taking two little ones out is not a quick and easy process anyways, and all the benefits of this stroller definitely outweigh the one small con.
Pros: Easy To Maneuver, Comfortable For Baby, Ample Storage
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+1point