The Stokke Xplory V5 is a luxury stroller that has a unique frame design that doesn’t look like any other stroller. Aside from the stylish look, its main feature is the ability to adjust the seat seat up and down the frame bringing your baby closer to you.
I really like that feature because being close to your baby promotes better bonding and reinforces a sense of security.
You can not only adjust the seat but also the handlebar which makes it perfect for much taller and much shorter parents.
Xplory V5 is made for parents who live in an urban environment and need a stroller for flat surfaces like going to the mall or walking around on the sidewalk. It doesn’t do well on rougher terrain. This stroller is definitely a showstopper! If you don’t like a lot of attention, it is not for you.
The Xplory V5 also features a large canopy with a mesh panel, reversible roomy seat, adjustable handlebar, and flip-flop-friendly brake. Just like in Bugaboo, all the action pieces are in white so you can easily figure out how to adjust things. Very convenient. The seat is designed to be used from 6 months and up to 45 lbs.
There is a carrycot option in case you want to remove the seat and convert it into a pram. You can also replace the seat with a car seat by purchasing a car seat adapter. This stroller is not light weighing at 27 lbs with the seat/carrycot.
If you want your baby to have this pair of wheels, prepare your wallet! Stokke Xplory V5 is one of the MOST expensive strollers on today’s market. You can get it for around $1,129. The stroller includes the frame, seat, bumper bar, storage bag, bug net, and rain cover. There is no cup included. All other accessories have to be purchased separately.
OVERALL
I gave it only 3 out of 5 stars because aside from a hefty price tag and lack of included accessories, I didn’t like the multiple-piece bulky fold, lack of storage, non-swing away bumper bar that needs to be removed all the time, and no ‘sleep’ position recline in front facing mode of the seat.
But, my main problem is the flat-surface wheels. I think for that price you should have good size wheels and suspension that can tackle some of the terrain. The ride gets very bumpy if you get off the flat surface.
This wouldn’t work for me because I like to take long walks at the park where the trails can get rough. Also, the canopy and the footrest could use some improvement.
While I really do like the design, I think it’s expensive, not practical, and has much fewer features than other less expensive strollers. I would rather get its main competition Bugaboo Cameleon which has great wheels, adjustable suspension, a large basket, and a swing-away bumper bar, weighs only 21 lbs (compared to Xplory at 27lbs. right?), and comes with a matching bassinet.
Buy Stokke Xplory V5 Stroller »
Features
CANOPY
The canopy is a great size and consists of two large panels plus a small pop-out sunvisor. There is no peekaboo window, but you can unzip the back of the canopy to expose a white mesh that creates better ventilation and also can be used to peek at your child.
Now, in two so-called “Athleisure” colors there is a third mesh panel that makes the canopy go down past the bumper bar. I am not sure why they couldn’t do it for all the colors. Everybody wants a bigger canopy. Right?
HANDLEBAR
This is a nice handlebar that adjusts up and down and also has a telescoping function going from 26″ to 41″ from the ground. Its shape makes it easy to push with one hand (as long as you are on a flat surface).
SEAT
The seat might look small, but it’s quite roomy. It is 13″ wide and 25″ high from the bottom of the seat to the top of the canopy. The seat is reversible, so your baby can face you or the world.
The unique feature of the Xplory is its frame design that allows the seat to slide up and down the frame. The highest position of the seat allows you to be closer to your baby for better bonding and interaction. Another benefit of being able to raise the seat high from the ground is that you can use it as a high chair at a restaurant.
To reverse the seat all you need to do is press two buttons on the sides, swing it around, and click it in. The leg rest does get in the way, unfortunately, but you can loop it through the handlebar to avoid removing it.
The seat has 3 recline positions when it is facing you and only 2 recline positions when it’s facing the world. So, when your child is facing the word there are only ‘active’ and ‘rest’ recline positions, but there is no so-called ‘sleep’ position which is the more reclined one. I was hoping they would add more recline positions for V5. This is a big minus for me.
Keep in mind, that the seat is one molded piece, so it always keeps its ‘V’ shape when reclined. It can be used from birth and up to 45 lbs. You can also replace the seat with an infant car seat converting it into a travel system.
One of the car seats that I really like is Cybex Aton 2. BTW, this is a very upright seat in the most upright position.
HARNESS
The harness is adjustable and has a center release button in the middle.
BUMPER BAR
INCLUDED! It’s removable, but NOT swing away meaning you have to remove it every time you take your child in and out. I hoped they would fix that for the V5 model. Oh well…
FOOTREST
You can adjust the footrest by sliding it up and down, but it does not lift to provide your younger baby more flat surface. I definitely prefer a footrest that can be lifted.
My daughter Sophia still likes to have her legs up on the leg rest. It is so much more comfortable for younger babies.
WHEELS
The Xplory rolls on four rubber wheels with 9″ wheels in the back and 7″ wheels in the front. The front wheels are swivel and now CAN be locked straight. Before there was no lock. This is NOT an all-terrain stroller.
It is designed for an urban lifestyle, but there is a two-wheel mode that can help you get over sand, grass, or stairs. All you need to do is slide the rear wheels closer to the front wheels and then you can pull the stroller behind you like a piece of luggage.
Of course, it’s not very stable in two-wheel mode, so you probably won’t get far.
BRAKE
There is an orange foot brake located near the right rear wheel that will lock both rear wheels in place.
STORAGE BAG
There is NO traditional basket, but there is a medium size storage bag with a few compartments. Will it fit your large diaper bag? Nope. With Xplory there is no place for your diaper bag.
You will need to put all the stuff into their bag. The thing I don’t like about this bag is that you have to completely zip and unzip the zipper that goes around the bag every time you need to get something out.
For that, you will need to use both hands. Who has the time or the hands? Many times I just need to grab something quickly out of the bag often one-handed.
FOLD/UNFOLD
The fold on Xplory is easy, but it folds in multiple pieces. You will need to remove the seat before folding the frame. This is NOT a compact stroller, so you might want to think about it if you have a small car.
The folded dimensions of the Xplory are 16.8″H x 39.6″L x 22.8″W. I found this cool page that shows you how Xplory fits in various car trunks.
Unless you have a minivan it will take up all of the trunk space. The frame (also called chassis) has an automatic lock.
BASSINET
You can also turn your stroller into a pram by getting a bassinet. Sold separately. This one will cost you! It retails for $224.
Cons
-Only two recline positions. There are only two recline positions in the forward-facing mode that don’t include the ‘sleep’ position which is the most recline one. This is a big minus for me since I want to be able to provide my child with a comfortable sleeping environment in both modes. BTW, most strollers have the same recline in both modes.
-Bumper bar. The bumper bar is NOT swing away meaning you have to remove it every time you take your child in or out of the stroller.
-No basket. The storage bag is medium size and you need to zip and unzip the whole bag to get things out. It takes both hands and more time than I would like. Also, there is no place for a diaper bag, meaning you HAVE to use the storage bag for all your stuff.
-Lack of storage. Aside from a storage bag, there are no pockets for small mommy essentials like keys and cell phone.
-No cup holder. It’s a very expensive stroller and it doesn’t even have a cup holder. Everything has to be purchased separately.
-Leg rest. The leg rest is not connected to the stroller all the way and doesn’t lift up to create a more flat surface like in other luxury strollers. It only slides up and down.
-No suspension. A combination of rubber wheels with no suspension doesn’t create the smoothest ride. That is why you should stay on a flat surface when using Xplory.
-Bulky. It’s a bulky stroller that folds into multiple pieces and takes multiple steps to fold it.
-Price. It is VERY expensive compared to other strollers. It doesn’t even include a cup holder!
Video Review
Here is a great video overview.
Specs
Stroller weight: 27 lbs (with the seat)
Weight limit: 45 lbs
Folded dimensions: 16.8″H x 39.6″L x 22.8″W
Handlebar height: 26″ – 41″
Seat to canopy height: 25″
Front wheels: 7″
Rear wheels: 9″
Overall length: 29″ – 40″
Overall width: 22.8″
Warranty
Stokke has a 3-year warranty from the original date of purchase and you have to be the original owner.
Available colors
The Stokke Xplory V5 is available in 8 colors: red, purple, black, black melange, blue, green, grey, coral, and marina. All of the strollers have a lightweight aluminum frame.
Where to buy it
You can get Stokke Xplory V5 in one of the eight beautiful colors for around $1,129. The price might vary depending on the color. It comes with a bumper bar, bug net, and rain cover. You will need to buy a bassinet separately.