Checking Our List #30: Kolcraft Contours® Options® 3 Wheeler Stroller Review & Giveaway!

The holidays are just around the corner which means we've been busy shopping for those last few gifts we still need to buy. With the craziness of everyone else out and about shopping as well, my goal has been to get in and out of stores as quickly as possible. We have found the best way to do this with two kids is to have them in two separate strollers. There are times a double stroller is nice, but when we're trying to maneuver through tight spaces and around all of the shoppers, two single strollers seem to work best. Thankfully, we have found one from Kolcraft in particular that has made holiday shopping easier than ever!
Kolcraft began in 1946 when Leo Koltun made playpen pads out of cotton batting and oilcloth covers for post World War II babies. Over the years the company has expanded to include high quality crib mattresses, playards, high chairs, bassinets, bouncers, strollers, and more! They are a name parents trust when it comes to finding innovative and high quality baby products, as well as service that can't be beat. Whether it's the Kolcraft Brand, or one of those they partner with such as Jeep, Sealy, or Contours...they have a great selection of products to choose from that make the lives of parents easier.

If you're a frequent reader here, you may remember my review of the Contours Options Tandem Stroller from Kolcraft last year. Considering it's fantastic quality and amazing options, it's a stroller we find accommodates our needs perfectly. I love it, which is why I was excited to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review the Contours® Options® 3 Wheeler Stroller!

Features/Benefits:

• Reversible seat can face forward or face parent
• Infant car seat attachment (included)
  
• 8" front single swivel & 12" rear never flat wheels
• Easy trigger allows for quick fold and upright stand
• Easy-Reach parent tray with ventilated cup holders
• Child cup holder
  
• Front bar removes quickly for in & out convenience
• Height adjustable Sunrider canopy includes a peek-in window
• Large basket for storage
• Height adjustable 5-point harness
• Padded sleeves & headrest
  
• Available in two colors
  

I usually wait until my husband gets home from work before attempting to put together bigger products like strollers, just in case I need help. However, I was too excited to check out the Contours Options 3 Wheeler Stroller and decided to assemble it myself.

Upon opening the box I have to admit I was a little concerned wondering how hard the stroller would be to put together. There were quite a few pieces to assemble and I wasn't sure how long it would take me.

Thankfully there was a great User Manual included which took me step by step and it took far less time than I expected. In probably 20 minutes or less I had it put together and ready to use. Once I had the opportunity to step back and check it out...I was very impressed with the quality. It's extremely well-made and something I know will last us a very long time.

I absolutely love the size. It's not too narrow, but definitely not too wide either. We have had the opportunity to use it several times already and find that it's one of the easiest strollers we own to maneuver around stores, especially with all of the holiday shoppers. We've found that having three wheels (8" front single swivel & 12" rear never flat wheels) makes it even easier to get around in tight spaces. My husband loves it in clothing stores where the racks are close together because he can easily push Kaden around with no problem at all. It's lightweight and very easy to push.

When it comes to any stroller, my kids' safety and comfort is of the utmost importance. Thankfully, the Contours Options 3 Wheeler has met and exceeded any expectations I had. The padded sleeves on the safety belts as well as the padded headrest both seem very comfortable for the kids. There is also a height adjustable 5-point harness which gives me peace of mind that Kaelyn and Kaden are safe when riding in it. Kaden is especially wiggly, so having such a great safety feature is very much appreciated.

One of my favorite features about our Contours Options Tandem stroller is the reversible seats. I was happy to see that this 3 wheeler stroller had the same option! By simply pushing the red button on each side of the stroller, the seat lifts out and can be positioned facing forward or facing the person pushing the stroller.



At 3 years old, Kaelyn enjoys riding forward, checking out everything around her. Kaden however, often likes to see my husband or I as we're pushing him. He is still young enough where he even falls asleep if we're out and about for long periods of time. Having the option to face him toward us has been great! I love being able to keep an eye on him, talk with him, and just bond with him. It's wonderful!

It's even a great stroller for younger babies. I know we'll get a lot of use out of it if we have another baby at some point thanks to the included infant car seat attachment which fits most brands on the market. I absolutely love that it can easily be converted to a custom travel system and that the necessary accessory is included already!

No matter where we're at, we always have something to drink with us. Whether it be a bottle of water or a larger cup of pop...the ventilated cup holders have come in very handy already! I really appreciate that there are two, not to mention a great easy-reach parent tray that's deep enough to hold pretty much anything we need it for...cell phones, keys, etc.

There is even a child cup holder that attaches next to the seat. I wish all strollers had this feature, as more times than not my kids have something along to drink. It's perfect for Kaelyn especially, as she can easily reach it when she needs a drink.

It's also a must that we have some sort of storage on a stroller. We always have the diaper bag, blankets, and now with the weather getting colder...winter jackets, hats, mittens, etc. I absolutely love that there is such a large storage basket underneath the seat. It's much larger than I expected it to be and has been great for carrying everything, including our shopping bags!

When designing this stroller I really feel like both the child and the parent were kept in mind. It's extremely comfortable and safe for the child, while convenient for the parent. I couldn't be happier with features like the removable front bar making it easy to get the kids in and out, or the peek-in window on the height adjustable canopy which makes it easy for me to check on my kids when they're facing forward.

Oh, and did I mention how easy it is to fold up? The easy trigger allows for a super quick fold and upright stand. I was amazed with how compact it is when folded down. It easily fits in the back of our SUV.

I have been very happy with the Contours Options 3 Wheeler. Between the quality and the fact that it's made to grow with a baby...I can see it lasting us for years to come. I love all of the unique features which make it the perfect stroller for making any parent's life a little easier and one that stands out among the rest. I'd highly recommend it to other parents.

Buy It: You can purchase the Contours Options 3 Wheeler Stroller for $169.99

Win It: Thanks to Kolcraft one very lucky reader is going to win a Contours Options 3 Wheeler Stroller of their own!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Kolcraft's Baby Matters Blog and leave a comment on one of the posts (not just one or two words please). Then, leave a comment here letting me know the name of the post that you chose to comment on.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- Enter the Kolcraft Giveaway at Thanks, Mail Carrier for a chance to win the Jeep Wrangler Twin Sport All-Weather Stroller

2. 1 extra entry- Like Kolcraft on Facebook

3. 1 extra entry- Follow Kolcraft on Twitter

4. 3 extra entries- Grab our Checking Our List Holiday Gift Guide Button and leave a comment with the URL where it can be found.

5. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Kolcraft) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

6. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

Checking Our List 30: #WIN a Contours Options 3 Wheeler Stroller from @Kolcraft (ARV $170) #momsbalancingact http://bit.ly/iknQvo Ends 12/30

7. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

8. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

9. 2 extra entries- 'Like' A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

10. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

11. Enter any of my other Holiday Gift Guide giveaways running now. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete. Be sure to leave your email address with your comments or make sure it's visible in your profile so that I have a way to contact you if you win!

This giveaway will end December 30th and is open to US Only!

**The products for this review & giveaway were provided for free by Kolcraft. All opinions found here are 100% mine and were not influenced in any way. The opinions of others may differ from my own**