UNBOXING: COLUGO COMPACT STROLLER (REVIEW & FIRST IMPRESSIONS)
If you’re like us and have a growing family that loves to get out and about, then you may be looking at the wide range of compact, travel friendly strollers on the market. Today, we’re taking a look at one of those offerings: the Colugo compact stroller.
To watch the video version of this review, click “Play” below:
who is the colugo compact stroller for?
The Colugo Compact stroller is for everyone! Well, maybe not for everyone. This stroller is really aimed at the luxury travel stroller segment, competing with brands like UppaBaby, Mockingbird, Joolz, and BabyZen. However, unlike most of these brands, Colugo strollers are not sold in stores. They are a part of the growing segment of stroller manufacturers that are sold directly to consumers through their website.
So what does this mean for you? This means that Colugo can operate with lower overhead, and a lower price point while not sacrificing on materials and quality. Priced at around $285 USD, the Colugo is competing with strollers that cost $100-200 more. All around, this is a huge win for parents looking for a premium stroller at a more reasonable price point.
unboxing experience
The unboxing of a product is something that I take very seriously. When you’re buying a premium priced item, you want the entire experience to feel premium from start to finish. Colugo’s unboxing experience was very good. The stroller showed up in two beautifully branded boxes and everything was laid out inside, secured, and packaged as to avoid damage during shipping. The best part though was that it was packaged in a way that helped the stroller stay in new condition, but that wasn’t difficult to unpack for the consumer. Cut a few pieces of tape, remove a few bits of foam, and voila! you’re ready to roll.
first impressions
Right out of the box, the Colugo compact stroller felt very nice to handle. The materials felt nice to the touch, and were soft but felt durable enough to hold up to the demands of daily use without too much fuss. What really struck me was the size of this thing! Designed to fit neatly in the overhead compartment of an airplane, so compared to our full size UppaBaby Vista stroller, the Colugo felt tiny. Weighing in at just 16 pounds, the stroller is lightweight and can easily be carried from place to place using the integrated shoulder strap, or the included travel backpack. I could see this being a huge win for those who travel with their kids a lot, or those who live in urban areas where they’re using public transit or Uber to get around. The Colugo comfort layer (the pad that your child sits on), was easy to slide onto the stroller frame, and provides a solid layer of foam to keep your little comfortable while strolling. I was also blown away by the size of the basket. In most compact strollers, you get something that sort of qualifies as a “basket” but really won’t hold much more than a few snacks, and maybe a few small items. The Colugo compact provides a basket that almost competes with our full size stroller. I was even able to fit my full sized backpack into the bottom basket. This means that it can be used for a quick grocery run, or for storing lots of toys and snacks on the go.
While I loved the size, weight, and function of the stroller, there were a few areas where I felt there is improvement to be made. First off, quality control of final assembly. When looking over the stroller and testing out all of it’s functions, I noticed that there were a few areas where fabrics hadn’t been fastened to the frame correctly. This took a few minutes to figure out, and because all of the fabrics are removable and washable, it took me just a minute or two to get everything reconnected and set up correctly. The second issue (and it’s not a big one), was the process for threading the shoulder straps through the comfort layer. It took me a bit of fiddling and maneuvering to get everything set up correctly and threaded through all of the layers of fabric properly. This is the case with most strollers, but a lot of companies like UppaBaby are moving to more readily adjustable strap systems. I hope to see those straps updated in a future version of the stroller.
Finally, the accessories that come with Colugo compact stroller are fantastic. Each one feels like it was purpose built to be both lightweight and portable, without sacrificing quality. In our kit Colugo provided a rain shield that completely covers the seating area, as well as (gasp) a removable CUP HOLDER. This is great for holding a sippy cup for your little, or a little (ahem) “daddy juice” for those leisurely strolls around the neighborhood.
operation
This is where the Colugo compact shines! Personally, I have a rule: if I can’t figure out how to operate a stroller in five minutes or less, then it’s too complicated. The Colugo compact was no slouch in the simplicity department.
Let’s start with the folding/unfolding system. To fold the stroller, simply click the hidden thumb button to unlock the handle trigger, then squeeze the handle trigger and fold forward and down in one swift motion. To unfold it, you just need to unclip the compression lock, and give it a good “flick” forward. The flicking motion to get it unfolded takes a bit of practice, but once you get it, you’re going to feel as cool as I do opening this thing! (You won’t be cool, but you’ll feel like you are).
The braking system was also very simple. The Colugo compact stroller makes use of a single, center mounted braking pedal on the rear axle. Push down to engage the brakes, kick forward to disengage. Easy peazy!
Pro Tip: I haven’t had any issues with this as a 5’9” dad, but I have heard that some taller parents may have issues with kicking the brake on while walking. This is because the Colugo doesn’t have an adjustable or extendable handle like some of its competitors.
The sun shade on the Colugo compact stroller is great and holds up against full size strollers. It provides great coverage for your kiddo and also extends so that you can have some extra cover for those super sunny days. Now this isn’t a full sun block, and light will creep in if it’s low in the sky, or if you’re walking towards the sun, but it will keep your kiddo mostly shaded.
One of my favorite features is the full recline function. By undoing two small loops at the back of the stroller, and using the pinch buckle on the back the Colugo compact stroller allows your little one to lay back comfortably for those on-the-go naps.
maneuverability
This is another area where the Colugo compact stroller shines. Because of its light weight ergonomics, and frame geometry, the stroller is incredibly easy to maneuver in tight spaces. It feels very nimble and makes use of “no flat” solid wheels. This, paired with a spring assisted shock system in the front means that the stroller provides a comfortable ride over most terrains. In my opinion, the stroller will do much better in urban settings, but can handle some light rough terrain, so maybe don’t take your baby off-roading. But for daily use around town, this stroller hits all the marks.
included accessories
All of the included accessories felt purpose built with travel and function in mind. The rain shield feels like it will provide adequate protection in most situations from light drizzle to fairly heavy downpours. It’s easy to get on and off, and folds neatly down into its own carrying case, which is a bonus as even the rain cover for our much more expensive UppaBaby Vista just sort of flops around until you need it. The bug net is also impressive in that it zips right onto the sun shade, making it easier to transport and us than most other bug net systems that we’ve experienced. The Colugo compact stroller even comes with a (gasp!) removable cup holder! This is perfect for holding a drink for your little one, or some of that special “daddy juice” while you walk around the neighborhood.
final thoughts
At $285 the Colugo compact delivers premium features at significantly less than its competitors. From the unboxing experience, to the included accessories, the full size storage bin, and the thoughtfulness of its design, the Colugo delivers on its promise of a lightweight travel stroller that will hold up to years of use. If you’re on the hunt for a stroller that will fit the needs of a small family on the go, or for travel, the Colugo compact stroller is worth a look.