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.

THE PERFECT DADDY DIAPER BAG? // THE 5.11 TACTICAL RUSH 12 BACKPACK

If you’ve been on the hunt for a diaper bag that looks great, will last a lifetime, and doesn’t break the bank, I have good news! While there are no shortage of diaper bags on the market, it can be hard to find a bag that balances function, durability, and usability better than the 5.11 Tactical RUSH series.

Like most dads I’ve had a hard time finding a diaper bag. I wanted something that was durable, functional, and could be easily organized for anything that our son could throw our way. After months of research, review videos and countless hours hemming and hawing at our local Buy Buy Baby, I think I’ve finally found the perfect diaper bag! The amazing thing is that it’s not a diaper bag at all. Now if you know the name 5.11 Tactical, you’ll know that they’re deep in the world of Everyday Carry, hiking, hunting, law enforcement, and more. They typically make gear focused on those who carry firearms for a living, as well as the “tacticool” community. I have a few items from their lineup including a jacket, but have never fully embraced their style because of their focus on military-style design aesthetic. However, when looking for a diaper bag I had a few criteria that I just couldn’t seem to find in any other line of bags.

1. DURABILITY. I didn’t want a diaper bag that was ONLY a diaper bag. I wanted to be able to load it out in multiple configurations and use it far beyond our diaper years. The materials and craftsmanship also needed to be on point.

2. FUNCTIONALITY. I wanted a bag that would not only serve as a diaper bag, but one that would be able to carry all of our mom/dad essentials as well. The needed to open wide enough that I could easily stuff things in, get things out, and keep everything organized so that I could find it quickly and easily.

3. AESTHETIC. I wasn’t super worried about seeming like a “tough guy” dad with a tactical backpack. I wanted aesthetics that were simple and functional and not too over the top. I don’t need a ton of attachments, and if there are any they needed to be for go, not just for show.

4. VALUE. Diaper bags are EXPENSIVE. In most cases, high quality diaper bags can range anywhere from $100-$150, and many only work as a diaper bag.

With our criteria covered, let’s dive into the bag that I chose.

durability

The 5.11 Tactical Rush Series of bags is built with long-term durability in mind. The outer shell is made of water-resistant 1050D nylon, and is designed to hold up to abusive outdoor use. This is the same material that’s used in military bags, heavy duty duffel bags, and more. It has a long history of standing up to abuse and daily use and should stand up to years of use as a diaper bag and beyond. Beyond just the bag material, the Rush 12 has heavy duty, self-repairing YKK zippers and zipper pulls. This means that the zippers, which are one of the most common failure points of any bag, are designed to be opened and closed thousands of times without coming apart or malfunctioning.

5.11 Tactical Rush 12 Backpack

Water Resistant 1050D Nylon

Water Resistant 1050D Nylon

Minimal branding

YKK Self-Healing zippers

with glove friendly zipper pulls.

Large admin panel

to organize and store the things you need access to quickly

functionality

One of the biggest things I was looking for in a diaper bag was organization. Many of the dad bags out there have a few cool features, but largely are focused on baby’s stuff, but don’t have any real organization for those items, or for mom and dads items. This is a place where the Rush 12 shines. In total, there are 16 individual compartments throughout the bag, with a multi-slot administrative pocket for holding pens, pencils, flashlights, notebooks, or whatever else you might need quick access to.

The front admin panel also has some larger slots integrated into the front flap, as well as a zipper pocket towards the interior for things that might come loose as the bag is moving around. Moving up on the bag we have an unlined accessories pocket where you can store anything that needs to be within quick reach. Moving to the top of the bag there’s a soft-lined glasses pocket, perfect for sunglasses or phones.

Inside the Rush 12 you’ll find a huge internal compartment totaling about 24L of storage. On the front flap there are two mesh pockets, perfect for storing wipes, diapers, and other accessories. On the back panel of the bag there’s a large pocket with a tie down which is great for organizing a change of clothes, or even storing a laptop or tablet. The thing that really impressed me about this bag though was its ability to open completely and lay flat out. This means that you can access anything and everything stored in the internal storage compartments quickly and easily. When changing a baby you’re often trying to do things with one hand, so having the ability to see everything all at once is a huge plus.

A few other notable features:

• This bag has space for a hydration pack with

• The ergonomic straps also have a quick release buckle at the bottom making the bag very easy to get on and off at a moments notice

• The Rush 12 has a sternum help distribute the weight more evenly across your body when fully loaded

• The padded back makes the bag extremely comfortable to wear for long periods

aesthetic

Now, here’s where I think the Rush 12 falters a little, but I can’t really fault the designers. Overall the aesthetic of the bag is pretty understated, with no huge logos or crazy colors. I chose to go with the Black colorway instead of any of the more tactical looking Coyote Brown, OD Green, or Double Tap (it’s just grey). However, I do think that this bag is much more “tactical” than most diaper bags that I had been looking at. Again, this isn’t the fault of 5.11 Tactical (duh, they have tactical in their name), it’s just personal preference. The great thing about this tactical look though is that it does serve a purpose. The straps that you see all over the bag are called MOLLE webbing. Now MOLLE is a system that was developed for military use, and allows you to attach, detach, and reconfigure this bag to any number of use cases. You can attach and endless number of pouches, tools, and accessories to a bag like this to customize it to fit your exact needs.

value

This is where I believe the Rush 12 really shines. Coming in at around $99 dollars you’re right in the ballpark of typical diaper bags, but you’re getting tremendous value in terms of comfort, durability, and functionality, which you don’t find with most diaper bags. This bag also has value far beyond its use as a diaper bag. It can be used for hiking, outdoor adventures, and even as an everyday bag for commuting to and from the office once you’re no longer carrying around lots of gear for your little one.

What’s your favorite daddy diaper bag? Have you found an alternative to other, more traditional diaper bag companies? Let me know in the comments below!