Customer Reviews

Maclaren Volo Stroller, Black

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

UPDATE 2/25/12 - According to a recent article " Wow, Why Has Maclaren Quietly Filed For Bankruptcy Liquidation? - On December 29, 2011, Maclaren USA, the premium umbrella stroller company, quietly filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Connecticut. The company's US headquarters is in Norwalk, where its owner, private equity investor Farzad Rastegar, lives.." Please see comments for link. Alas, I don't know what this means for us owners in terms of customer service going forward - I'm downgrading from four to three stars :(

IMPORTANT - The CPSC & Maclaren had a voluntary recall in November 2009 of 1 million Maclaren strollers sold in the US -- all its production between 1999 and November 2009---after receiving 12 reports of hinges on the stroller that amputated children's fingertips.

To be on the safe side verify production date on the stroller frame and order a free hinge cover from Maclaren's web site or phone line if your stroller does not come with one already (new ones being sold should). Wait until you install the hinge cover before using the stroller.

***

This is good "second stroller" for quick errands, public transportation, or when you have very little room in your car. I would not use it as my main stroller because it doesn't recline, and cannot give it five stars because for the same price you can get a lightweight full-feature stroller you may use more.

PROS:

- UPDATE 2011: I'm glad to see the black color is available again - I've changed my ratings to four stars on this one as it's a great durable color. Beware of the light canopy colors which shows dirt easily, not something you want with rough 'n tumble travel needs (I wonder if this is on purpose so you'll replace it sooner. New it looks great, after several months of use, not so much).

- Ultralight

- Very compact when folded up.

- Has a carry strap, so it's easy to just throw over your shoulder if you need to carry your baby & diaper bag or if your toddler wants to walk. You can literally pick it up with one finger and barely feel the weight when carrying it.

- For "minimalist" travel, you can put a Roundabout or Marathon in it, tie it with a bungee cord (without the child inside) and push it one-handed while carrying your child, with a backpack. Good option if traveling alone.

- Easy to clean plastic mesh seat.

- The canopy is larger than the Maclaren Triumph's, but you may still need a sun canopy.

- 55 lb capacity

- No cupholder and a tiny basket but it works well with a Maclaren organizer. The price creeps up with this, of course.

- Quick one-hand hold while holding your baby.

- To make it more comfortable for your child, you can try finding a 2007 light grey liner, rain shield and travel bag in a separate Maclaren Volo accessory pack. (You may even find an all black one from previous years - rare though). Once added on though - with the organizer, more money; take a look at the Inglesina Trip or Maclaren Quest - almost the same price with every feature you could possibly want and only a few pounds heavier (see below).

Cons:

- Hefty price for a simple-looking stroller, but worth it if your main concerns are weight, weight, weight, quality and durability.

- The light canopy can get dirty easily. If possible, opt for a Volo with a black canopy, as you may have the wheels (and whatever's stuck on them) rubbing up against it when closed (you can place a washcloth between the wheels and canopy but that's besides the point).

- More suitable for babies a year and older because the harness is a little large and there's really not a lot of support. It's very much like a hammock.

- The harness can be adjusted but may be too loose for smaller babies. You can "tighten" it further by putting the harness straps thru the lowest slot in the mesh seat and pulling the plastic ends thru the next hole up, towards the front, but this is a makeshift solution.

- It doesn't recline. You can add a pair of 'cradlers' to help support your baby's head once he falls asleep. My baby doesn't seem to mind but it doesn't look really comfortable. Do not fold up the stroller with these on.

- No peek-a-boo window to check on baby

- The wheels are very small and designed for smooth surfaces. It gives a bumpy ride elsewhere and doesn't handle cobblestone, gravel, or sand well at all. But that's when you just carry your child with the Volo over your shoulder.

If you are looking for a stroller that reclines that you can use everyday and still travel with, I highly recommend the Inglesina Trip (15 lbs with all accessories) or the Maclaren Quest (13.5 lbs with all accessories). Both have 4-position deep reclines, adjustable footrests, rain shields, storage baskets, washable liners, reflective accents, carry handles and easy one hand two-step fold. Neither one has a snack tray or bar (for that you need to get a full-size stroller) but reality is, it's safer to not have your baby munching on food while you're not seeing his face (if they start choking you may not hear them, they don't always cough).

The sturdy Inglesina 2011 Trip Ergonomic Stroller, Ink is the best stroller I've tested so far. It has the advantage of having a large waterproof canopy with visor, a navy color in a rugged but comfortable heavy-duty material that hides wear and dirt, reflective trim (for dusk), see-through window on top, rain shield that stores easily in the canopy, tall handles, 6.5" inch wheels and all-wheel suspension to better handle bumpy terrain. It is 2" longer and 1" wider than the Volo when folded up due to it's larger wheels and padded seat. For 2011, maximum child weight has been increased to 55 lbs (even though the manual hasn't been updated), giving Maclaren a real run for the money.

The sophisticated Maclaren Quest Sport Stroller, Black and Champagne is lighter in weight but has no suspension, a window in back, and its smaller canopy is only water resistant. The lighter colors also show dirt more. Its child weight capacity is 55 lbs, like the Volo.

Another good lightweight travel stroller is the Maclaren Triumph Stroller, Charcoal and Silver. It reclines, but not as deeply, which makes it more suitable for older children. The size of the canopy is also smaller. You can always add a sun shield of course (black or navy only).

Some parents like the slightly less expensive Combi Flex Lightweight Full-Sized Tri-fold Stroller in Black/Wasabi; I found it not as sturdy and harder to fold. Nonetheless, it's a good alternative if you're looking for a travel stroller, especially because of its 55 lb maximum weight.

Another stroller you might want to check out is the UPPAbaby G-Luxe Stroller, Green Maddy, sold in several colors. It's marketed as the lightest full-feature stroller on the market and highly rated by others. It's very light but I prefer the Trip and Quest only because the maximum child weight on the G-Luxe is 40 lbs, less than others which cost the same.

Lastly, beware of weight listed as it refers to "bare weight" without any accessories. A lot of sites forget to add these on - and of course you'll rarely go out without them!

In all, the Volo is a great 2nd stroller, as is, but if you want more features you can either start adding them or you can find them in other strollers for the same price. Shop around and if you really want a Volo, look for the black canopy so it will look better longer.

IMPORTANT - The CPSC & Maclaren had a voluntary recall in November 2009 of 1 million Maclaren strollers sold in the US -- all its production between 1999 and November 2009---after receiving 12 reports of hinges on the stroller that amputated children's fingertips.

The description on this item says it's not affected by the recall, but to be on the safe side verify production date on the stroller frame and order a free hinge cover from Maclaren's web site or phone line if your stroller does not come with one already (new ones should). Wait until you install the hinge cover before using the stroller.

***

This is good "second stroller" for quick errands, public transportation, or when you have very little room in your car. I would not use it as my main stroller because it doesn't recline, and cannot give it five stars because for the same price you can get a lightweight full-feature stroller you may use more.

I deducted an additional star for the light canopy color which shows dirt easily, not something you want with rough 'n tumble travel needs - I wonder if this is on purpose so you'll replace it sooner. New it looks great, after several months of use, not so much.

- Ultralight

- Very compact when folded up.

- Has a carry strap, so it's easy to just throw over your shoulder if you need to carry your baby & diaper bag or if your toddler wants to walk. You can literally pick it up with one finger and barely feel the weight when carrying it.

- For "minimalist" travel, you can put a Roundabout or Marathon in it, tie it with a bungee cord (without the child inside) and push it one-handed while carrying your child, with a backpack. Good option if traveling alone.

- Easy to clean plastic mesh seat.

- The canopy is larger than the Maclaren Triumph's, but you may still need a sun canopy.

- 55 lb capacity

- No cupholder and a tiny basket but it works well with a Maclaren organizer. The price creeps up with this, of course.

- Quick one-hand fold while holding your baby.

- To make it more comfortable for your child, you can try finding a 2007 light grey liner, rain shield and travel bag in a separate Maclaren Volo accessory pack. (You may even find an all black one from previous years - rare though). Once added on though - with the organizer, more money; take a look at the Inglesina Trip or Maclaren Quest - almost the same price with every feature you could possibly want and only a few pounds heavier (see below).

Cons:

- Hefty price for a simple-looking stroller, but worth it if your main concerns are weight, weight, weight, quality and durability.

- The light canopy can get dirty easily. If possible, look for a Volo with a black canopy, as you may have the wheels (and whatever's stuck on them) rubbing up against it when closed (you can place a washcloth between the wheels and canopy but that's besides the point). There are some 2007 all-black Volos if you can find them too.

- More suitable for babies a year and older because the harness is a little large and there's really not a lot of support. It's very much like a hammock.

- The harness can be adjusted but may be too loose for smaller babies. You can "tighten" it further by putting the harness straps thru the lowest slot in the mesh seat and pulling the plastic ends thru the next hole up, towards the front, but this is a makeshift solution.

- It doesn't recline. You can add a pair of 'cradlers' to help support your baby's head once he falls asleep. My baby doesn't seem to mind but it doesn't look really comfortable. Do not fold up the stroller with these on.

- No peek-a-boo window to check on baby

- The wheels are very small and designed for smooth surfaces. It gives a bumpy ride elsewhere and doesn't handle cobblestone, gravel, or sand well at all. But that's when you just carry your child with the Volo over your shoulder.

If you are looking for a stroller that reclines that you can use everyday and still travel with, I highly recommend the Inglesina Trip (15 lbs with all accessories) or the Maclaren Quest (13.5 lbs with all accessories). Both have 4-position deep reclines, adjustable footrests, rain shields, storage baskets, washable liners, reflective accents, carry handles and easy one hand two-step fold. Neither one has a snack tray or bar (for that you need to get a full-size stroller) but reality is, it's safer to not have your baby munching on food while you're not seeing his face (if they start choking you may not hear them, they don't always cough).

The sturdy Inglesina Trip Stroller is the best stroller I've tested so far. It has the advantage of having a large waterproof canopy with visor, a navy color in a rugged but comfortable heavy-duty material that hides wear and dirt, reflective trim (for dusk), see-through window on top, rain shield that stores easily in the canopy, tall handles, 6.5" inch wheels and all-wheel suspension to better handle bumpy terrain. It is 2" longer and 1" wider than the Volo when folded up due to it's larger wheels and padded seat. Its child weight capacity is 45 lbs.

Some parents like the slightly less expensive Combi Flex Lightweight Full-Sized Tri-fold Stroller in Black/Wasabi; I found it not as sturdy and harder to fold. Nonetheless, it's a good alternative if you're looking for a travel stroller, especially because of its 55 lb maximum weight.

Another stroller you might want to check out is the UPPAbaby G-Luxe Stroller, Green Maddy, sold in several colors. It's marketed as the lightest full-feature stroller on the market and highly rated by others. It's very light but I prefer the Trip and Quest only because the maximum child weight on the G-Luxe is 40 lbs, less than others which cost the same.

Lastly, beware of weight listed as it refers to "bare weight" without any accessories. A lot of sites forget to add these on - and of course you'll rarely go out without them!

In all, the Volo is a great 2nd stroller, as is, but if you want more features you can either start adding them or you can find them in other strollers for the same price. Shop around and if you really want a Volo, look for the black canopy so it will look better longer.

I bought my first Maclaren Volo as a baby shower present for my sister 4 years ago when she had her first baby. I purchased it as a fluke from a discount store for only 49.00. At the time I knew nothing about babies and strollers. All I knew was that it was unique design and for a good price. I also noticed how sturdy it looked and how functional its lightweight frame and mesh seat were in comparison to other umbrella strollers on the market. From that time on my sister was hooked on the Maclaren brand after she found it to be highly maneuverable, lightweight and sturdy in comparison to other umbrella strollers on the market. Four years later and having served three babies in my sister's family that same Maclaren is still in perfect condition having endured numerous vacations all over the country and on trips around the world. It is still in use for even her 4 year old to this very day. It is needless to say that all the strollers she owns are made by Maclaren.

When it came time to have my own baby, I knew what stroller to get. I have purchased my own for a lot more than the $49.00 I paid 4 years ago but my new generation Volo is still worth every penny. You cannot even compare its lightweight and construction quality to the other umbrella strollers on the market. Every detail on this stroller has been well thought out by the manufacturer and withstands the test of time.

I debated which stroller to buy via online reviews and decided to just go to a big box store and take a look at them. The store only carried Maclaren, Jeep and Chicco (no UPPAbaby or Britax). Here is what I found:

I looked at the Maclaren Quest, Triumph and Volor, Jeep Reclining Umbrella, Chicco C6. I narrowed it down to the Quest and Triumph and ultimately picked the Triumph based on color =)

Maclaren Quest Sport Stroller, Coffee/Sky Blue
Maclaren Triumph Stroller, Charcoal/Silver
Maclaren Quest and Triumph: Very similar to each other, differences noted here. Both reclines to same spot, Quest only has two positions, Triumph can be reclined to any position between fully upright and fully reclined. That said it doesn't recline all that much. The two positions on the Quest would be sufficient. My four month old (13lbs) fits fine in either stroller. I did add a padded headrest (the ones they sell for car seats) just to make her a little more secure. The stroller still folds up with the headrest in it. The Quest has an extended foot pad. It will keep wind, etc... off babies legs once they are long enough to hang off. The actual seat size isn't any different. The big functional difference between the two is that the Quest had a pocket on the canopy (between the handles). The pocket is large enough to hold a wallet, cell phone and keys (not much else). Has a velcro closure. Quest also has a couple of small side pockets - not sure what you would put in them though. You can buy stroller organizers for $20 that will attach to the Truimph which include zipper pockets and cup holders.

Maclaren Volo Stroller, Black
Maclaren Volo: Is 2 lbs lighter than Quest and Triumph. The thin mesh seat made me nervous about how well it would hold up and that it would be too cold for baby on slightly chilly days. Also doesn't recline. For $30 more I thought it was worth the recline feature and slightly heavier/cushier seat. The weight savings didn't seem all that significant over the Triumph or Quest.

Jeep All-Weather Reclining Umbrella Stroller, Pink
Jeep Umbrella Stroller: Just felt junky and not well made.

Chicco Ct0.6 Capri Lightweight Stroller, Tangerine
Chicco: Felt relatively high quality but at 5'7" I kicked the wheels while walking. Wouldn't be able to stand that. The blue and black are cute but the orange is hideous and I love orange. It is a very bright almost neon orange. Nice that is comes with a carrying bag.

Wish I could have looked at a Britax and UPPAbaby but I liked the Maclaren so much that I decided to just go with it!
UPPAbaby G-Lite Stroller, Jake
UPPAbaby G-Luxe Stroller, Denny
Britax B-Nimble Stroller, Cowmooflage

A mother of 10 (ages 33 - 13), I've had decades of experience with strollers, and not all of it has been good. I remember how much I loathed storing strollers in my car, setting up or collapsing them, negotiating turns, and kicking the back or wheels with my poor knees or toes. In all honesty, I used a backpack over a stroller more often than not.
Now that I'm a grandmother, I figured it was high time to splurge and get a quality stroller, not something that'd just meet the most basic needs. I did my homework and took several models for test-drives at local stores. I found that many of the other companies' print and color selections these days are, in all honesty, downright ugly and/or gender specific, so that helped narrow the field as well. My other priorities were comfort, ease in collapsing & transporting, sufficient basket space, and of great importance, size of canopy/hood to cover my very fair-skinned 2-yr old granddaughter. The mesh sides are a definite plus, as are the detachable basket, overall weight, and the shoulder strap for easy carrying. Tho a saleswoman tried to convince me a slightly lower priced ($20 less) Gracco was the better deal, I was determined to get the best product, not price, this time around. The Maclaren Volo filled nearly all my needs. I have not been disappointed with my choice.
I don't mind that the Volo doesn't recline - that's what the cumbersome B.O.B. is for...and that's what the newborn grandson will soon ride in when we go to the mall or zoo.
I'm 5'8" and my husband's 6'4". My eldest daughter's 5'4". We all found the Volo easy to push, even on turns, and no knees or toes hit the back of the stroller. The more spongy handles (in contrast to the Gracco) are more comfortable as well.
The only reason I didn't give this model 5 stars is because the ride's not exactly smooth, the straps tend to be tricky to release, there's no cup holder, and the seat's not cushy enough, given the price of the unit. My granddaughter didn't mind the bumpy ride tho, not at all. 2 of the other issues are easily remedied though - cupholders are readily available, and delightful choices for buggy liners abound. (I'll write a review on the liner - I chose navy/scarlet - when mine arrives from amazon.com sometime next week.)
As for my granddaughter's impression of her new stroller, we went for our 1st walk yesterday. When we got back to my driveway she refused to get out. Again, she smiled, so again we went around the block.
My only regret that can't be addressed? That I didn't have a stroller this good when my own children were young!

I purchased the Coffee color, which had cuter colors. Anyways, this stroller rocks due to the extremely large shade canopy. Even my Silver Cross Mini umbrella stroller does not have a shade canopy this large. Great Maclaren quality and durability; however, the canopy gets dirty from the wheels when it is folded up. To combat the dirty canopy I just place a plastic grocery sack over the front wheels after I fold it up. I LOVE the fact that this is one hand operational, which is a must when you are holding a baby and trying to keep an eye on your toddler at the same time. My husband, who is 6'2", likes the fact that he does not have to hunch over in order to push the stroller.

I love this stroller! First of all, it comes in fun, non-gender specific colors, unlike so many baby items. Second, it is extremely lightweight and easy to unfold one-handed (even while holding a baby). Third, the proportions of the stroller are perfect! My husband and I test-drove many umbrella strollers and found that we usually kicked the wheels (he is 6 feet tall, while I am 5'6"), but we don't with the Maclaren. Also, the handles are tall enough that he is not hunched over pushing the stroller. There are a lot of other great features, too. There is a carry strap that is great for transporting the stroller. The mesh seat keeps baby cool in the summer, and we purchased the "Volo accessory pack" which has a solid, padded seat liner which we use in the winter to keep baby warm. I do recommend getting the accessory pack, which also has a rain cover and carry-bag for the stroller. The basket under the seat in on the small side (forget about fitting a diaper bag in there) but I don't mind carrying the diaper bag because the stroller is so lightweight and manuverable. My only other issue is that the sun canopy does not tilt very far forward. Overall, we are very satisfied with the Maclaren Volo.

I needed a lightweight stroller to carry on subways & busses. Overall I've been satisfied, but there are some features that could use dramatic improvement:

-Adjusting the straps is very awkward, and I can't make them tight enough to keep my 18 mo. old baby from pulling them off his shoulders

-Once the stroller is folded, it's impossible to prop up

-The canopy easily falls off

-I don't like that it doesn't lean back at all

-The stroller gets dirty very easily

In my opinion, the Volo is too expensive for the quality. On the positive side, it's very light and you can fold it with one hand.

My husband teases me about my passion for having a GOOD stroller. He calls me the Stroller Hoarder. My son is not quite 2 and we have had 5 strollers (not all at once though!), so I am experienced in comparing them and know what features I like in one.

Many advice articles on the internet said to avoid "big bulky travel systems" so that is what we did when I was pregnant and we had to select one. Later on, of course, I was GIVEN an older Graco Quattro Tour and practically wept with how much I loved it. This is the most importnat lesson in finding a stroller that will work for you: look at YOUR LIFESTYLE and what YOU do with strollers, not what bloggers in NYC want in a stroller. I live in the suburbs, occasionally shop at malls, and travel to mostly kid-friendly destinations these days, so a "big travel system" stroller worked great for us.

Alas, the time came when my super-tall son outgrew it. Just couldn't fit his little knees in there anymore. So it was time to retire it to Consignment Store Heaven.

Then I set about on the search for the perfect lightweight umbrella stroller. I have some friends who had raved about their Maclarens, but I also knew how much the urban bloggers love them, so was a little leery. However, after doing research, it basically came down to the Volo or a $15 Walmart special, with no features at all.

I decided on the Volo, for it's tall handlebars (my husband is very tall), mesh basket (which is tiny, but better than nothing), and the decent sunshade on it. I would advise anyone to shop around for a good deal. I got mine on eBay for $49 shipped, brand new in box as they were clearing out the prior year's stock.

As for the stroller itself? I really like it! Of course, within a week of owning it, I found out we are expecting a second child... figures, right?

What I Like:
-The tall, padded handles. Very comfortable for pushing!
-The easy one handed fold down
-How compactly it folds. I drive a Jetta, and it's great to have most of my trunk space back again!
-Super light weight!!! I haven't had to fly anywhere since we got it, but it will be much less of an ordeal than bringing the Graco, I'm sure.
-Great sunshade, that is detachable if you want.
-Mine came with a raincover, which is awesome! I've used it only once in Oregon so far this winter, and it did a good job.
-Brakes & wheels that you can lock or let swivel
-5 point harness that my kid can NOT unbuckle himself (...yet)

What I Don't Like:
-The storage basket is SUPER SMALL. But, for this size/weight of strollers, it's rare to find a basket period.
-It tips over REALLY easily if my son is out of it because it is so lightweight.
-The fabric shows dirt really easily (mine is white and blue)... I haven't tried to wash it yet or anything, but it will need a washing soon. I have never had to actually machine wash any of my other strollers ever.
-Definitely NOT for use on anything other than a smooth surface. Don't even try to take this on a bumpy sidewalk.
-I have the available cup holder/mesh accessory bag made by Maclaren. The cupholders are unusable for adult sized drinks, and it is hard to get in and out of the mesh bag.

All in all, this is a fantastic toddler stroller. I wouldn't use it with a smaller baby, or for my MAIN baby stroller. But my son is big enough now that we don't use strollers quite as often... and when we do, I enjoy using this one. It meets our needs perfectly and matches up with our lifestyle well. It is also stylish and cute, which is a plus!

I just don't know what to do now that we are expanding our family. I am a big stroller user (some people aren't - these people always remind me of Maggie Gyllenhall in Away We Go, hahaha), so will be getting a double for at least the first year. I am not sure if I will sell this one (for a possible profit even!) or keep it around since it was so cheap and it takes up so little room. Might come in handy when I have a 3 or 4 year old and a smaller baby, right? Haha. You can never have enough strollers!

I bought this stroller 10 months ago. I use a BOB stroller for most of the time, but I wanted a smaller stroller to keep in my car.

I liked this stroller for about 6 months. It handles well for an umbrella stroller and has a good amount of storage.

Unfortunately, the wheel axle broke, the side pouch zipper broke, and the seat ripped within a 2 month period. I was not too worried considering Maclaren's 1 year warranty. I sent my stroller in, and the repair man said that the Maclaren warranty does not cover broken wheels. This seems funny to me that this part of the stroller makes them exempt from liability. I fought with Maclaren and got them to fix the problem, but this is the last Maclaren stroller that I will ever buy.