Stokke Xplory: Space age meets stroller

Stokke is a company that believes in having a baby close to you and how that will help further develop and foster your bond. And they carry this concept through all of their consumer products, from stroller to high chair to changing table.

The Stokke Xplory is one of the most amazing strollers I've ever laid eyes on, both in what it can do and how it looks while it does it. This stroller is as much a conversation piece as it is functional, and believe me it does both really well. Danielle originally reviewed this stroller last year, you can read her take on this stroller, here.

It's also a tinsel town magnet, as Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna, Heidi Klum, Christina Aguilera, Tori Spelling, Angelina Jolie and Courteney Cox-Arquette are among the celebrities who have owned this innovative stroller.

Click below to read the entire, comprehensive review and see detailed pictures of the Stokke Xplory.

The Seat/The Bassinet

The Stokke Xplory's seat and bassinet are made of a great canvas material that repels water and stands up to stains very well. It even wipes clean easily, is easy to remove and wash and offered my child both comfort and support. Included in the seat textile set are the seat upholstery, canopy, mosquito net, rain cover, shopping bag, seat pocket, infant body pillow, and shoulder strap pads. I also love the colors it comes in, the Red and Turquoise are bright and bold, while the Cream and Black are perfectly neutral and the Olive and Orange are hip and stylish. It's almost impossible to pick just one color, and if you're like me you'll be happy to know that you can order extra textile sets online in whatever colors you want. Making this stroller truly a fashion statement.

The seat itself is perfectly proportionate. I found that my toddler fit well in the seat, and it comes with an infant body pillow to support smaller children as they grow. One of the things Stokke is most passionate about is proper back support, for parents and children. While the stroller is designed to accommodate parents of any height, the seat does the same for the rider. The footrest is completely adjustable, ensuring no unnecessary stress is placed on your child's spine from dangling feet. For your child's safety there is a five-point harness that is completely adjustable and easy to use.


The seat can face rear or forward and can recline to 5 separate positions. One small downside is that, unfortunately, the seat cannot fully recline when facing outward.  On the upside, children get a great view of the world with the telescoping seat that can slide up and down on the frame to many different positions. My child LOVED this feature, and I found it particularly helpful when out and about. I'm 5'7" so anything that helps bring my child closer to me is a plus. I've always hated how low to the ground most strollers put my daughter and this one solved that problem brilliantly.

Reclining the seat is easy enough to do, but does require a two-handed maneuver. And lifting the seat off the chassis is not something that can be done with the child in the seat. Matching the sides up to place the seat back requires a keen eye and you have to remove the footrest before switching the seat around as well. But without your child in the seat, it's easy enough to do and clips back in place quickly and effortlessly.

The bassinet is called a carry cot and comes with the purchase of the Stokke Xplory Complete (the Stokke Xplory Basic comes with just the child seat and frame). The carry cot textile set includes the carry cot liner with handles, mattress pad, canopy, carry cot cover and coordinated blanket. With the great carrying handles and completely flat bottom, this bassinet easily doubles as an, admittedly hefty, moses basket.

The seat and bassinet are completely independent of each other which means you can use them both at the same time, unlike some other luxury strollers. The textiles in the carry cot are made of the same great canvas as the seat, while the blankets and liners are plush and comfy. With the carry cot on the frame you have easy access to your child at any height and again the handles come in handy if you want to lift it off the frame with baby still in it.

There are several great accessories for both the seat and carry cot, including two different sleeping bags and a footmuff (left). The frame is designed to work with two major manufacturers of car seats (Peg Perego, and Graco), too.

The Frame

The frame is made of a lightweight aluminum with automobile-grade plastic. I've seen some people complain in their reviews about the plastic parts, but they didn't bother me one bit. The frame is truly marvelous with its unique almost tripod-like styling. It supports the seat and carry cot with ease and while I questioned it's stability when I first got it, after using it I realized it could handle anything.

One little detail that greatly improved the ease of use of the Stokke Xplory for me was the missing cross bar between the rear wheels. As I previously mentioned, I'm 5'7" and have very long legs and I found some strollers greatly decreased my strides. Not this one! I was able to push it easily and take the steps that I found most comfortable.

At the front of the frame is what almost looks like a ride-on board that the storage bag can clip to. It doesn't mention that it could be used for an additional rider, but I did let my friend's older nephew use it while I pushed my daughter, and he had no complaints. I do not recommend you try this yourself! And the storage bag can hold a lot of stuff and is completely removable, meaning anything you shove in it can be carried around in it from stroller, to car, to home.

The tripod style of the frame was completely functional, as you can use it with all the wheels fully extended or kick the back wheels in to use it as a two-wheeling marvel. This feature is very handy on escalators, and requires a little practice to get just right. The handlebar extends to several positions, making it very handy for people of various heights and it also can be positioned at various angles for ease of push.

The large rear wheels in the back are stable and easy to use, while the smaller front wheels allow you to go in whatever direction you need. The frame is extremely minimalist and is easy to squeeze in tight places. I liked how modern the styling was, though I could have gone without the CONSTANT comments from passers-by. Though everyone seemed truly intrigued and I had tons of people ask me how to get one.

The Fold

Folding the stroller is a two-handed task that takes no time at all. First of all be sure the seat is in the forward-facing position (or remove it from the frame) and then pull up on the grey tab in the back, middle of the frame. This releases the wheels, one little jerk upward and the rear wheels drop into the front. It is immediately in locked mode and ready to store. For a more compact fold you can slide the seat all the way down it's track and push the handlebar all the way in.

Unfolding is quite easy as well, you just pull up on the grey tab in the back, middle of the frame and lift the frame so the rear wheels can swing outward. They click into place and you're ready to stroll. It doesn't get any easier! It fits into my large SUV perfectly fine with some room to spare. Though it does require a slight heft to get it up and in.

The Ride

The ride on this stroller was exceptional. The front wheels swivel with ease and it rides fine over rough terrain. It doesn't have air pumped tires, so you feel a bit more of the ground, but this didn't bother me or my daughter one bit. I found it a breeze to push around the mall or to our local park and my daughter really did enjoy the benefits of the higher seat.

Final Thoughts

This stroller is, at first glance, weird, and I mean that in a positive way. People stare and make comments but almost all are really intrigued by it's great style and ease of use. I found I really liked it and appreciated all its features. The telescoping seat is brilliant and the carry cot is amazing. It only falls short in trivial places. Like it doesn't have a cup holder, though I bet the after-market ones would work. It also doesn't fold to an ultra compact size, but for my suburban lifestyle it fit just fine.

Stokke's site is loaded with information and features of this wonderous stroller, including a great product demo video.

Pros
The separate carry cot/seat textiles and materials
Telescoping child seat
Great, versatile accessories

Cons
Doesn't have a cup holder
The front wheels don't lock straight
Can't fully recline when seat is forward facing

Tip Test (Empty stroller with weighted diaper bag hanging from handlebar)

5lbs: No change -- it didn't tip any easier backwards
10lbs: No change -- it didn't tip any easier backwards (this frame held it's own, even with an empty seat)

Buy Yours
You can get your Stokke Xplory at Let's Go Strolling or by checking Stokke's site for a where to buy guide.

Stokke Xplory Specifications

                                                                               

Stroller   Name	Stokke
Manufacturer	Xplory
Price	$ 899 for basic $1099 for complete
Weight	with seat 23.15 lbs with carry cot 27.34 lbs
Folded   Dimensions	22.8 x 16.8 x 39.6"
Stroller   Width	22.8"
Stroller   Length	29"
Seat   Back Length	22"
Seat   Width	9.5"
Seat   Depth	10"
Max.   Weight Limit	40 lbs
Max.   Height Limit	N/A
Min.   Age	Birth
Frame	Aluminum
Type   of Tires	Rear –   Rubber wheels with air bubbles Front -- Hard plastic swivel wheels
Seat   Features	5 position tilting recline Rear-facing or Forward-facing
Color   Options	Cream, Black, Red, Turquoise, Olive, Orange
Carseat   Compatibility	Graco SnugRide Peg Perego Primo Viaggio
Standard   Accessories	Storage Bag Baby bag textile set includes baby bag liner with handles, mattress pad, baby bag cover and coordinated blanket Seat textile includes seat upholstery, canopy, rain cover, shopping bag, seat pocket, infant body pillow, and shoulder strap pads
Optional   Accessories	Carseat Adaptor Footmuff Parasol Sleeping Bag, Light Sleeping Bag, Warm Travel Bag Stokke Xplory Baby Bag (carry cot)

The Seat/The Bassinet

The Stokke Xplory's seat and bassinet are made of a great canvas material that repels water and stands up to stains very well. It even wipes clean easily, is easy to remove and wash and offered my child both comfort and support. Included in the seat textile set are the seat upholstery, canopy, mosquito net, rain cover, shopping bag, seat pocket, infant body pillow, and shoulder strap pads. I also love the colors it comes in, the Red and Turquoise are bright and bold, while the Cream and Black are perfectly neutral and the Olive and Orange are hip and stylish. It's almost impossible to pick just one color, and if you're like me you'll be happy to know that you can order extra textile sets online in whatever colors you want. Making this stroller truly a fashion statement.

The seat itself is perfectly proportionate. I found that my toddler fit well in the seat, and it comes with an infant body pillow to support smaller children as they grow. One of the things Stokke is most passionate about is proper back support, for parents and children. While the stroller is designed to accommodate parents of any height, the seat does the same for the rider. The footrest is completely adjustable, ensuring no unnecessary stress is placed on your child's spine from dangling feet. For your child's safety there is a five-point harness that is completely adjustable and easy to use.


The seat can face rear or forward and can recline to 5 separate positions. One small downside is that, unfortunately, the seat cannot fully recline when facing outward.  On the upside, children get a great view of the world with the telescoping seat that can slide up and down on the frame to many different positions. My child LOVED this feature, and I found it particularly helpful when out and about. I'm 5'7" so anything that helps bring my child closer to me is a plus. I've always hated how low to the ground most strollers put my daughter and this one solved that problem brilliantly.

Reclining the seat is easy enough to do, but does require a two-handed maneuver. And lifting the seat off the chassis is not something that can be done with the child in the seat. Matching the sides up to place the seat back requires a keen eye and you have to remove the footrest before switching the seat around as well. But without your child in the seat, it's easy enough to do and clips back in place quickly and effortlessly.

The bassinet is called a carry cot and comes with the purchase of the Stokke Xplory Complete (the Stokke Xplory Basic comes with just the child seat and frame). The carry cot textile set includes the carry cot liner with handles, mattress pad, canopy, carry cot cover and coordinated blanket. With the great carrying handles and completely flat bottom, this bassinet easily doubles as an, admittedly hefty, moses basket.

The seat and bassinet are completely independent of each other which means you can use them both at the same time, unlike some other luxury strollers. The textiles in the carry cot are made of the same great canvas as the seat, while the blankets and liners are plush and comfy. With the carry cot on the frame you have easy access to your child at any height and again the handles come in handy if you want to lift it off the frame with baby still in it.

There are several great accessories for both the seat and carry cot, including two different sleeping bags and a footmuff (left). The frame is designed to work with two major manufacturers of car seats (Peg Perego, and Graco), too.

The Frame

The frame is made of a lightweight aluminum with automobile-grade plastic. I've seen some people complain in their reviews about the plastic parts, but they didn't bother me one bit. The frame is truly marvelous with its unique almost tripod-like styling. It supports the seat and carry cot with ease and while I questioned it's stability when I first got it, after using it I realized it could handle anything.

One little detail that greatly improved the ease of use of the Stokke Xplory for me was the missing cross bar between the rear wheels. As I previously mentioned, I'm 5'7" and have very long legs and I found some strollers greatly decreased my strides. Not this one! I was able to push it easily and take the steps that I found most comfortable.

At the front of the frame is what almost looks like a ride-on board that the storage bag can clip to. It doesn't mention that it could be used for an additional rider, but I did let my friend's older nephew use it while I pushed my daughter, and he had no complaints. I do not recommend you try this yourself! And the storage bag can hold a lot of stuff and is completely removable, meaning anything you shove in it can be carried around in it from stroller, to car, to home.

The tripod style of the frame was completely functional, as you can use it with all the wheels fully extended or kick the back wheels in to use it as a two-wheeling marvel. This feature is very handy on escalators, and requires a little practice to get just right. The handlebar extends to several positions, making it very handy for people of various heights and it also can be positioned at various angles for ease of push.

The large rear wheels in the back are stable and easy to use, while the smaller front wheels allow you to go in whatever direction you need. The frame is extremely minimalist and is easy to squeeze in tight places. I liked how modern the styling was, though I could have gone without the CONSTANT comments from passers-by. Though everyone seemed truly intrigued and I had tons of people ask me how to get one.

The Fold

Folding the stroller is a two-handed task that takes no time at all. First of all be sure the seat is in the forward-facing position (or remove it from the frame) and then pull up on the grey tab in the back, middle of the frame. This releases the wheels, one little jerk upward and the rear wheels drop into the front. It is immediately in locked mode and ready to store. For a more compact fold you can slide the seat all the way down it's track and push the handlebar all the way in.

Unfolding is quite easy as well, you just pull up on the grey tab in the back, middle of the frame and lift the frame so the rear wheels can swing outward. They click into place and you're ready to stroll. It doesn't get any easier! It fits into my large SUV perfectly fine with some room to spare. Though it does require a slight heft to get it up and in.

The Ride

The ride on this stroller was exceptional. The front wheels swivel with ease and it rides fine over rough terrain. It doesn't have air pumped tires, so you feel a bit more of the ground, but this didn't bother me or my daughter one bit. I found it a breeze to push around the mall or to our local park and my daughter really did enjoy the benefits of the higher seat.

Final Thoughts

This stroller is, at first glance, weird, and I mean that in a positive way. People stare and make comments but almost all are really intrigued by it's great style and ease of use. I found I really liked it and appreciated all its features. The telescoping seat is brilliant and the carry cot is amazing. It only falls short in trivial places. Like it doesn't have a cup holder, though I bet the after-market ones would work. It also doesn't fold to an ultra compact size, but for my suburban lifestyle it fit just fine.

Stokke's site is loaded with information and features of this wonderous stroller, including a great product demo video.

Pros
The separate carry cot/seat textiles and materials
Telescoping child seat
Great, versatile accessories

Cons
Doesn't have a cup holder
The front wheels don't lock straight
Can't fully recline when seat is forward facing

Tip Test (Empty stroller with weighted diaper bag hanging from handlebar)

5lbs: No change -- it didn't tip any easier backwards
10lbs: No change -- it didn't tip any easier backwards (this frame held it's own, even with an empty seat)

Buy Yours
You can get your Stokke Xplory at Let's Go Strolling or by checking Stokke's site for a where to buy guide.

Stokke Xplory Specifications

Comments

[nancy]

For anyone that might pick up a second-hand Xplory, it should be mentioned that Stokke issued a safety recall last year:
http://www.stokkeusa.com/safetyxwheel.html?ID=6

Bronwyn's Note: I actually had a minor problem with the one I tested and I found that Stokke has EXCEPTIONAL customer service. They are very easy to get in contact with and will work you through whatever problem you're having. They are truly all about the customer.

[Maria]

Wow, great review! I bought my Stokke after reading Danielle's review on it last year. I can't even tell you how happy I am with it!! It is THE absolute BEST stroller I have ever owned. I love everything about it. The only down side for me was the cost ($1,000) but it was still worth every penny of it! It's true though that going around town in this stroller will attract a lot of attention (whether you like it or not). Everytime I go anywhere with it people will come up to us and crowd around us and ask questions and shower us with compliments, etc. That in itself will make your baby feel like a celebrity baby! ;-)

[Laura]

We got our Xplory in December.. my husband just surprised me by saying we could get it (I know he secretly loved it too though. We got the green colored one with the bassinet piece. I JUST completed the set with the warm sleeping bag, foot muff, and diaper bag so we're all set until the baby comes! We actually put it up and play with it while we wait! My son pushes his animals in it, SO CUTE! I was nervous I'll be stared at because it looks different but all of a sudden they have gotten popular here in Holland so I can breathe a sigh of relief that I won't get stared at too bad! We got it for all the benefits and I don't care what it looks like!!

Did you attach the rain cover yet? LOVE how it just ZIPS on like that!!!

Also, here you can resell them used and get 75% what you paid if you keep it nice!

[Steve]

If I had a nickle for every person that has stopped us and inquired about the Xplory, it would have paid for the stroller! Far and away the best stroller. It may seem a bit expensive at first blush, after months of use, it is clearly the best purchase we have made in years.