I bought this stroller for our almost 15kg 2 1/2 year old daughter. We had a nice Graco umbrella stroller, but it got ruined on a trip to America, so I got an Aprica Stick stroller, which I thought would be nice since so many other parents in Japan have it and it has tall handles. I am 5'11", so tall handles are a must. Anyway, while nice and lightweight, the Aprica was impossible to steer, and I couldn't fit anything in its basket. Here in Japan, my stroller is the equivalent of my car. I ended up purchasing this one because I didn't want to spend a lot on a new stroller. Why I love this one:
1. Fits through the train turnstile. We have a Quinny, but it doesn't fit.
2. PRICE! Under 10,000 yen! And it comes with a carrying bag and rain cover. You can't beat that!
3. One-hand steering maneuverability. I can talk on the phone or get groceries and steer at the same time.
4. It holds children up to 18kg.
5. 4 large wheels that make it sturdy and stable. Again, the Quinny had great steering, but with only 3 wheels it got a bit dangerous and unstable if my child was wiggling around a lot.
**The wheels seem to have good grip too, and while plastic, are a bit soft and rubbery seeming, which means they help to absorb the bumps when you go over cracks in the sidewalk and such.
6. The bar keeps my little one from jumping out. She has learned how to slip her arms out of the top straps of the 5-point harness and is always trying to escape or stand up while I push.
7. Your child can sit up straight--it has a hard back board in the seat--but it also reclines almost fully. Which is nice so my child can nap if we are out.
8. You can remove the material from the stroller to wash it if it gets dirty. Have not yet done this, but it doesn't look to challenging to do.
9. I am tall and take long strides, but I have never kicked the back of this stroller. Even though I wish the handles could be an inch or so taller. But it's good for my shorter in-laws and husband to use too.
The basket is small, the sunshade peekaboo window is also on the small side, and I'm still not 100% sure how to collapse it, but for this price and with so many good things going for it, I am a fan. We have so many other great and reasonably priced Katoji baby products, I wish I had thought to buy a stroller from them earlier. Highly recommend it!