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Kolcraft Contours Optima Tandem Stroller Review

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The Kolcraft Contours Optima is a tandem stroller with 6 different seating options. It is only 35 pounds making it one of the most lightweight and versatile double strollers on the market.

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.”

You know how bulky double strollers can be – side by side seats make it impossible to navigate through stores and heavy materials make it a workout to just put it in your car. The Optima is only 35 lbs and with the removable seats makes it super compact to fit in your trunk or closet.

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 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. At the top and bottom right are the cupholders. 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 the bottom left corner shows the plastic hook that keeps the stroller folded as you lift it into storage. It also has an easy to use brake system (center).

As you can see, there is plenty of room for storage in this basket! And if you watch the video below, you will see how easy it is to take out the seat and fold it for storage!

Even though they made it red, 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. This photo shows the stroller seats back-to-back, in this position neither seat can recline very far.

Like I said, the bars do not have a snack tray, but that is not missed. And thankfully, the button to release the seat was not easy to miss and very easy to use.

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.

This is how well it fits any size child!  Lizzie is 3.5 feet tall and 35 lbs. Lucy is a chunky 20 lbs and both fit comfortably on this stroller. In fact, Lizzie asks if she can ride in the stroller whenever we are out.

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.

Video Review:

Buy It!

You can purchase the Kolcraft Contours Optima Tandem Stroller for $289.99 from Toys R Us!

Win It!

One Mama Dweeb reader will win the Kolcraft Contours Optima Tandem Stroller!

Closed! Congrats Liz from MO!

I was given this stroller to review. All opinions are 100% mine, others might have different opinions.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  13. D Schmidt says

    My favorite feature of the stroller is the fact that the seats are not side by side, I am due to give birth next month and have a 2 year old so I have been looking at double strollers alot and I hate bulk! The fact that you can alter the direction the seats face is amazing!

    mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

  14. D Schmidt says

    Visited the Baby Matters blog and commented on the ‘We want your opinion on Pregnancy Pillows Post’
    D Schmidt says:
    May 23, 2011 at 11:25 am

    I think I would like the Belly Band with it because I am starting to get horrid pains from the weight of the baby

    mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

  28. Jessica W says

    I went to the Baby Matters Blog and commented on We Would Like Your Opinion on Pregnancy Pillows!

  57. Kathy Luman says

    I like that you can remove one of the seats in case you just need one and you will have plenty of room to put thing in the large area (basket area).

  75. Aimee E. says

    I’m most impressed that it has 6 reversible & removable seating positions.

  87. Aura says

    I like that it can be used for twins as a carseat stroller and as a regular stroller as well and that you can use it for large shopping trips when going out with one kid when taking out the back seat

  94. Andrea says

    My favorite feature is the 6 reversible & removable seating positions! So many options!

  95. Andrea says

    I commented on the “Celebrate World Turtle Day With Your Kids” post on Baby Matters Blog!

  131. Kristen Huss says

    My favorite feature is that you can remove the seats and use the infant car seat adapter!~ I have been studying this stroller for MONTHS! SO glad it is finally available, but I am going to see if i can win before I buy, heehee! 🙂

  146. Chany says

    I love that this stroller has such a large storage basket and that it is lightweight and compact!

  156. Christine M says

    My favorite feature of this stroller is that it is only 35 lbs!! My current double stroller is almost 5 years old and super duper heavy and falling apart. I would love to win this for walking my two youngest kids while the 2 older ones ride their bikes

  159. Christine M says

    I commented on Baby Matters Blog article Sun Tips to Keep Baby & Children Safe

  176. mom says

    btw: you look good in this pic how much weight have you lost? real real good annie. !!!!!! jWOW 🙂 running after 3 kids takes the weight off big time. LOL….

  178. Tia Dancy says

    It is hard to pick a favorite feature but I would have to say it’s the fact that it is so lightweight at only 35 lbs for a DOUBLE!! 🙂

    tiadancy@ymail.com

    Tia Dancy

  190. Faride says

    I like the vented cup holders… easy cleaning!

    faithful1104 at gmail dot com

  199. Kele says

    My favorite feature is they can either face away from each other or face each other

  206. Katrina says

    I love that I can use it with my toddler and the new baby including a bucket seat….I also like the cupholder!

  211. Ashley says

    I love the versatility and that it can hold a bunch of stuff if you are shopping!!

    demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com

  212. Sarah G. says

    I like all the different ways that the seats can face – every child and situation may call for a different set up.

  255. Autumn says

    I like that the kids can face opposite directions to prevent fighting 🙂

  256. sarah davis says

    My favorite feature is the extra large storage area
    sarah at realtorsd.com

  263. clarissa says

    i looked at these at the store the other day and I really liked the comfy grip handle

  273. Rattled Mom says

    I love the multiple seating options – my girls would be thrilled to face each other, and would be much happier in the stroller if they could interact!

  284. D. Sluis says

    Wow! I DO like the way you can have them NOT facing each other! LOL Sometimes, my two grandkids were constantly bothering each other in their mom’s double stroller! I could have my own stroller if I win this, and not have to put up with them bothering the other one!

  293. yaill says

    O.m.g I don’t think I have ever seen somthing like this if I were to win this stroller I don’t think you’ll ever see me in a car again I love the many ways you can put the kiddos and love how you can put groceries that would realy help me since I have many stores around me in walking distence!!

  308. Kimberly M. says

    My favorite feature of this stroller is that I can have two of my guy in there at once instead of trying to chase one while pushing the other.

  310. Kimberly M. says

    I left a comment on Sales Tax Holiday gives Parents Valuable Savings on Baby Matters Blog.

  316. Julie @ Knitting and Sundries says

    I’m with you in the “I hate the way these instructions make me a little crazy” department! My favorite feature of this stroller is that the children are facing in separate directions; in a lot of tandems, when you have the smallest one in the front and try to recline him/her, the toddler in the back ends up with squished legs!

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    knittingandsundries(at)gmail(dot)com

  319. Renee Richardson says

    I love that it has so many seating options and the extra large storage basket is a plus. Thanks for the amazing giveaway 🙂

    Renee R
    mrsjohnson1982 at yahoo dot com

  320. Renee Richardson says

    I follow Mama Dweeb via GFC. Username: missreneer 🙂

    mrsjohnson1982 at yahoo dot com

  321. Renee Richardson says

    I like Mama Dweeb on Facebook. Username: Renee Richardson

    mrsjohnson1982 at yahoo dot com

  325. Marie Abendroth says

    I like that this stroller fits both bigger kids and babies! Somtimes, you’ve just gotta run! Thanks

  343. wcc says

    My favorite feature is the extra large storage basket. Thanks for the chance! 🙂

  370. Jana says

    My favorite feature is how the seats can face different directions or keep one out for more shopping room.

  405. Elizabeth Catalone Snow says

    I love how versatile it is and it seems fairly easy to use. Which is awesome in my mind 🙂

  408. Elizabeth Catalone Snow says

    I liked there memorial day activities and recipe blog on Baby Matters Blog

  417. Julie says

    My favorite feature is being able to change the direction of the seats. That’s so neat!

  498. Lorie Shewbridge says

    My favorite feature is the extra large storage compartment!
    Believe it or not, I’d be using this for my doggies and I could fit all six of them in this with all the room. =)

  517. jolene says

    i like that the kids can face opposite directions so my larger kid won’t kick the baby!

  541. Liz says

    I love that it has 6 reversible & removable seating positions, makes it so versatile

    lizgiver at gmail dot com

  551. Amy Rouse says

    I like the fact that one can lie down and the other can sit up. At different ages, they have different schedules so this will work to satisfy either one.

  564. Paula Hafner says

    I love that you can change the positions of the seats. That’s such a great idea!

  585. tess says

    i like that you can look at the baby and have your older child looking around the other way
    tcogill at live dot com

  654. Lisa R says

    i love this stroller the best thing about it is that the seats can change that way the sun, wind wont always be in my kids face i have a 19 month old and a 8 month old and would enjoy this stoller alot if it wasnt so high priced.

  658. Nicole Greene says

    My favorite feature is the fact that it has 6 different seating options!!

  679. Julie M says

    I love that it is a double stroller with cup holders. This is a beautiful stroller. My nephew and his wife are having twins. This would be a great gift.

    juleemm2003 at yahoo dot com

  680. Julie M says

    Follow Happily Domestic via Google Friend Connect – Juleemm2003

    juleemm2003 at yahoo dot com

  693. Amanda Alvarado says

    I love that you can face the kids away from each other = no fighting and everyone keeps their hands to themselves! LOL

  711. Rebecca Shockley says

    I Follow Happily Domestic via Google Friend Connect as rebecca shockley

  714. Stacy says

    I love all the different seating options. I like that you can face your kids toward each other.

  715. C's Mommy says

    I love that the seats can be put in so many different positions. The single stroller my mom had for us had a handle that moved so the child could face toward or away from the parent… but there was nothing like that when I was shopping for our son. Now that we have #2 on the way… this stroller would be awesome!

  726. tina reynolds says

    I love the 6 seating options that is amazing especiallt that I can make them face different ways when they they are fighting : ) I also like it is not as heavy at 35 pounds I think that is lighter than my single stroller would be amazing to have thanks so much for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com

  736. April Bever says

    I like that it can hold two kids at a time(with six kids this comes in handy)
    4robert2win(at)gmail(dot)com

  739. Jodi says

    I love that it is light weight (ok 35lbs is not really light weight, but for all the features it is a great size)

  750. Wendy McBride says

    favorite feature…..weighs only 35 pounds!

    wendym at cableone dot net

  768. Betty C says

    My favorite feature is being able to change the direction of the seats. That is a great idea.

  773. Solducky says

    I love the adjustable footrests and how well it fits different size children. I have one due in July and a 40 lb, over 3 ft tall 2 year old, so different sizes fitting is a must!

  792. Jessica says

    My favorite feature is that you can change the way the seats face and also that it is only 35 lbs.

  794. Dawn S. says

    Visited Baby Matters Blog and left a comment on the Nutritious Baby Finger Foods post

  795. R Hicks says

    One feature I like is the foot rest adjustment to make the kid comfortable
    ardy22 at earthlink dot net

  796. R Hicks says

    left comment on their blog Summer Fun Bee Craft
    r hicks
    ardy22 at earthlink dot net

  801. R Hicks says

    ?Follow Happily Domestic via Google Friend Connect
    ardy22
    ardy22 at earthlink dot net

  810. Jayme says

    OMG I’d love to win this since our tandem has bitten the dust and our twins could use it (and so could my sanity! LOL) I love that the babies can face each other!

  822. Toni Moore says

    I follow Happily Domestic with GFC, Toni Moore, @VectoringMomma tonikaye24 at yahoo dot com
    Tried to follow you with GFC, but the Follow the Dweeb! box is blank, shoot me a tweet on how else to follow and I’d be happy to do it 🙂

  823. Toni Moore says

    I refreshed and your GFC came back up so I’m following, hehe! Toni Moore, @VectoringMomma tonikaye24 at yahoo dot com

    I’m an email subscriber comment #1, tonikaye24 at yahoo dot com

  833. Eileen says

    best feature for my son and family would be the one hand Easy trigger fold. My DIL has new baby and does day care so she would love to see easy manueverability when trying to fold this up and transport herself.

    thanks much!

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