Maclaren Volo Stroller, Silver/Black

I bought this from another store using price match from amazon but returned it. I spent a lot of time on Amazon doing my research so thought I'd post a review here. I took a long time looking for that "last stroller ever" and thought I had found it with the 2011 model g-luxe (it was too rickety) and after seriously looking at the newer g-luxe and the extra weight they have added, I focused on my main needs after dealing with a cheap $45 book fold type stroller for 6 years. I'm on kid 3 and have a joovy caboose but I still use a single stroller more now that the other two are older. I needed a better sunshade, flip-flop friendly brakes, and one hand steering so I could hold another kid's hand when crossing streets and parking lots while still pushing the stroller (especially when my 3.5 year old wants to jump in when my 2year old wants to walk, which is frequent). I was also hoping to keep the easy one-hand fold of my current stroller - the one thing I really did like. So it came to the new volo with the great sunshade and the g-lite. After long drives to find the g-lite to test and finally just ordering the volo, here are the specs I wish I could have found with all my online searching and maybe will help someone else out. Weight: the Volo is heavier then it claims. It is 10.3lbs without the canopy and 11.6lbs with the canopy. The G-lite is lighter and weighed in just under it's list of 10.8lbs. Maclaren also took away that rubber pad on the strap which I felt made the stroller more comfortable to carry. Brakes: maclaren changed the brakes but they are still sandal friendly as they engage easily. G-lite brakes were not as snappy but still easy as well. Basket: I can't believe the maclaren still has baskets rated <5lbs while the G-lite is 10lbs. Seat back: Volo is 18.25 inches which I wish they would just make it 20 so that the older 50b kids this stroller is rated for could be more comfortable. The G-lite is 21inches. Canopy height is 24 inches on the Volo and the G-lite is 27 inches. Tipping point with purse on back handle and no kid in seat - both around 6.5lbs Seat material: The mesh on the volo though more plastic feeling is smoother and my kids preferred it to the more flexible but more rough g-lite. The flexibility caused more posturing issues with my 2 year old, especially when he was resisting getting buckled. My older son also pointed out that the plastic around the shoulder strap holes on the g-lite bothered him. I asked him if the plastic Maclaren logo that looked to me to be uncomfortable behind his head also bothered him and he said no. If the g-lite still had the seat cover over the mesh this would not be an issue. Buckles: the g-lite was simple with a hollow feeling plastic buckle. I found the Volo buckle worked best when pressed twice, once for each side, rather than trying to get them to pop out at the same time and it felt pretty solid. I also liked how easy it would be for me to switch from 5-point harness to 3-pont harness when my older children want to ride instead of rethreading, which I didn't try out on either stroller, though the g-lite was easier to adjust sizing. Straps: both felt smooth and silky. Hoods were different but both good sun coverage though I have seen the g-lite hoods start to sag while looking at second hand strollers. The volo has a pocket on the back of the hood now which is nice but it took away the roll up feature. I also find it funny that maclaren added back the tilt feature of the hood even though they added the extension, which to me makes it pointless. Looks: both look nice. I really liked the hunter green/light wheat color combo and I really liked the sleek lightweight frame of the g-lite in black. I wanted to love the g-lite overall as it would be something that my oldest could use if needed (he has overtaken the stroller when he got sick at Disneyland before) and my youngest could grow into (he is 33.5inches tall and his legs did not yet reach the foot rest on the g-lite and were at 90deg on the foot rest in the Volo), plus it could stand on its own and they have AWESOME customer service (I know as I emailed then many times about specs and availability of replacement parts on older models). Maclaren is not too bad, just longer reply times unless you happen to catch a time when you can do messaging online on their website. The steering is what broke the deal. I tried 2 floor models of the g-lite. First one was basically new and pushed well but I did feel like I was pushing (I forgot to try one hand push). The second was at a resale store so I expected the seat and frame to look worn and the wheels to be good but it was the opposite. It looked new, but I had to push it. Even with my 2 year old I had to make wide turns when pushing one handed. This made me question the longevity of the wheels. I even turned the stroller upside down check the wheels and some rolled freely and others barely turned. The volo did not take much effort to push and could take corners one handed even with my 45lb 6 year old in it. So why did I return it? I didn't feel the changes were enough to sway me to spend the money on a new one vs getting the older style second hand volo as this stroller is built to last. My kids are older and because the canopy is not as high as the triumph, I seems they would be in the shade most of the time even without the extension. Now, I've seen the new Triumph and with the new hood maclaren has also lowered the canopy height to 24 inches and for some reason the belt straps are a different material that are wider and a bit rough, otherwise I may have been more tempted to look away from my weight requirement after seeing many great deals online for this model and it's included recline. Also, as other people have said, when you have this stroller on your back the clip gives too much room and the wheels sit further away contributing the the stroller feeling heavier when carried. I will have to give up the 4-wheel suspension and slightly larger wheels on this model but I mainly use it for quick errands anyhow. I may post pics of my kids sitting the the stroller so you can see for comparison if I get around to covering their faces on the pics. Also, when I add my pics they get turned, so hopefully they will be righted after the review is processed, but sorry if they are not.

Better than the Summer Infant 3D Lite and good for what it is, but not great. I like that the canvas is better quality and it seems really sturdy, but there's also lots of cheap plastic, like the wheels, zippers, brakes. Don't get me wrong, the quality is certainly better than your cheap umbrella stroller, but it is not what I expected for a stroller with a $150 price tag. We also own the City Mini which is WAY better in terms of quality and maneuverability, but the City Mini is difficult to navigate around places like the mall and doctor's offices and we needed something smaller because we also travel a lot. The Volo is also smaller than the 3D Lite and closer to the size of your cheaper umbrella stroller, but with taller handles. I like that the stroller cover is waterproof and provides great shade; it's lightweight, the wheels seem decent, but I think it's difficult to push, where the City Mini is so easy. I like that the seat is mesh but I don't know that this will be a good thing in the winter. You can buy a separate pad for $30+ but nothing that matches the green/silver combo so I feel like that's a waste. I also don't think we will ever use the rain cover. The canopy provides so much coverage and I never use a stroller in the rain anyway, so I think it would have been much for useful for Maclaren to include a cupholder instead. The brakes are really nice though compared to the 3D Lite. You only have to use one foot and they lock in place. They also unlock easily (and I'm wearing sandals). For the price, you're getting a pretty basic, but sturdy stroller with some nice features. I think this would be a great stroller for an older kid who doesn't need a recline.

So I have to start off by saying I think I have a stroller obsession? Very strange, but could be a lot worse!! At any rate, I have tried many many different strollers, including double, joggers, umbrella, all terrain etc. while I still say Bugaboo makes the best stroller, I love Maclaren to be the back up stroller for quick and easy use. I own a Volo and it is the older model. It is so so light, easy to throw over my shoulder, and to keep clean, as the seat is washable. My only complaint for my older Volo was the canaopy. It didn't cover enough!! So when I saw the newer model I was in love!!! The canopy now is un beatable!!!! The only part that ruined it for me was the new plastic wheels. I understand them wanting to make these pars to fix the strollers easier and cost effective but I HATE to push this on pavement with the plastic wheels. It feels like junk. My older Volo has more of a foam type wheel which I have never had a "flat" foam tire so I hate they replaced the newer Volo with the nasty plastic wheels. Also other thing I didn't care for on the newer Volo is when I collapse it and fold it down then throw over my shoulder, it doesn't close as tight as my older one so it's more bulky and just looks more loose and not like a tiny thin umbrella like my old one , I wish I could buy the new canopy and put it on my old body Volo. Ughhh it's always something! So the stroller saga continues ....

I didn't want to fly with my bulky stroller so bought this to use for travel. My son is only 8 months old and he doesn't look the most comfortable in this stroller. The arms straps are too long so I had to tie them up a little bit. I wish it would recline This is probably better suited for an older child. Since I'm only using this really to travel with it suits us just fine. It's very sturdy and easy to navigate. The sunshade is also a nice feature. Overall this is decent enough for the price!

Liked this product a lot. It is a great stroller - easy to maneuver, aesthetically pleasing design, lightweight, with great sun protection and very comfortable handling. It is just such a pity that it does not recline which is a big downside for anyone traveling long haul with little ones or moving around during nap times.

Fabulous stroller! It is definitely a silver stroller with black accent, like in the picture. Not "black" as it says in the description. At first I didn't like the silver but now it's grown on me.