Functions

• When choosing a Kolcraft stroller, you first must decide if you want a lightweight stroller or umbrella stroller. Lightweight strollers offer one-hand folding systems, convenient for when you have a baby in the other arm, a diaper bag over your shoulder and a sippy cup in one hand. These strollers have some amenities similar to larger strollers but that the umbrella strollers don't offer, such as removable child snack trays and parent trays. True to their name, umbrella strollers feature two curved handles that resemble umbrella poles; these strollers collapse similar to an umbrella, so that they take up as little space as possible.
  
  

Types

• The two types of Kolcraft lightweight strollers are the Lite Sport and the Travel About. Both fall into the same price range, with the Lite Sport retailing for $49.99 and the Travel About for $59.99. The three umbrella strollers are the iBaby reclining umbrella ($79.99), Tour Sport reclining umbrella ($49.99) and the simple umbrella stroller ($19.99), which comes with no fancy names--or amenities.
  
  

Lightweight Stroller Features

• The lightweight strollers are likely the best choice if you want something in between a larger stroller and the umbrella.
  The Lite Sport stroller has a removable parent tray with cup holders, a removable child tray--also with a cup holder, a reclining seat, sun-blocking canopy, a three-point quick-release buckle and a large basket underneath for storage of diaper bags, purses, toys and books. The Travel About stroller also offers a removable parent tray with cup holder, three-point quick-release buckle, storage basket and reclining seat.
  The Travel About's child tray features a duel cup and juice box holder, and the canopy has a window that allows parents and caretakers to discreetly keep an eye on their little ones. Both strollers offer one-hand folding systems, but the Travel About has the Free-Stand one-hand fold, which is designed to allow the stroller to stand by itself.
  
  

Umbrella Stroller Features

• Most umbrella strollers don't offer a slew of amenities, but the iBaby reclining umbrella may be an exception. This is the music lover's stroller, with an iPod dock and speakers that play iPods or iPod Minis. Other amenities include a parent cup holder, adjustable canopy, storage bag, reclining padded seat back, shock-absorbing front swivel wheels and three-point safety harness. The iBaby features a mesh fabric, giving it an athletic look.
  The Tour Sport is Kolcraft's other reclining umbrella. Aside from the iPod dock, it offers the same features as the iBaby: storage bag, parent cup holder, adjustable canopy, padded seat back, front swivel wheels and three-point safety harness.
  The simple umbrella stroller is the most basic of Kolcraft's offerings. It has front swivel wheels and a three-point safety harness, but gone are amenities such as the storage bag, canopy or cup holder.
  
  

Considerations

• The least expensive of the bunch, the simple, compact umbrella stroller may be the best choice for airplane rides or road trips, and its colorful sea, zoo and princess prints may appeal to toddlers and preschoolers. One downside is that it doesn't come with a canopy.
  If you or your baby need music wherever you go, and you don't mind the steeper price tag, the iBaby is likely for you.
  If your child doesn't sleep except while on the go, but you want the convenience of the umbrella stroller, you'll likely want to invest in one of the two reclining models.
  Between the two lightweight strollers, you may want to spend the extra $10 or so for a juice box holder and the Free-Stand one-hand fold.
  Most of the strollers come in gender-neutral colors and patterns. The exception is the iBaby, which is gray, black and pink, and the simple umbrella stroller, which offers three print choices.