Steelcraft Agile Review
All stroller reviews- Introduction
- Seat design and function
- Child Safety Harness
- Hood or Canopy
- Handle design and function
- Storage
- Wheels and Brakes
- Fold mechanism
- Manoeuvrability
- Size
- Accessories
- Conclusion and Rating
Review by: Mel
Introduction
The new Agile from Steelcraft is a perfect all round stroller. It will be an asset to your family while you travel, shop, attend sporting events, or picnics at the park. The simple one lift fold is fuss free, the carry handle and automatic lock make it perfect for busy parents who need to get around quickly.
An update from Steelcraft: The Agile has under gone further testing and the new weight rating for the Agile is now 22kg. It complies with AS/NZS2088:2009 with an occupant weight up to 22kg and with up to 4 kg in the shopping basket.
Seat design and function
Seat back fully upright
Seat fully reclined
Seat Recline Mechanism
Seat Padding
Seat front view
The Agile has a very roomy padded seat. Width wise there is a lot of room for your child, the seat back however is on the smaller side. The top of the seat features a mesh panel for airflow in summer and a removable back flap offers cover if it is windy. The seat is made of a material that is very soft and easy to wipe clean. A headrest is included for your child’s comfort.
The seat has unlimited recline positions with a strap recline system. It reclines to almost flat making it suitable from newborn. To recline, hold the recline mechanism with your fingers over the slide buttons, and press down on the slide buttons while pulling down, stopping the seat at the desired position. To sit the seat back up simply hook your finger through both rings at the bottom of the straps with one hand and slide the recline mechanism up with your other hand.
Seat dimensions:
Seat Back: 47cm/18.5”
Clearance to hood: 65cm/25.5”
Width: 31cm/12”
Seat depth: 25cm/9.5”
Foot well: 26cm/10”
Weight limit: 22kg/48.4lbs
Back to top
Child safety harness
Harness buckle
The Agile has a five point padded seat harness with an unusual buckle system. You have to hold the shoulder strap half against the waist strap half of the buckle, and then insert both into the crotch strap section together.
I recommend either removing the harness padding prior to folding, or clipping the harness closed when not in use, as the unique 3 piece harness clips may not hold them in place during transit.
Back to top
Hood or Canopy
Hood fully extended
Hood back
The Agile has a 3-panel hood for superior sun protection. The rear section has a peak-a-boo window with a magnetic closure. The coverage provided by the hood is more then adequate. When your child is seated the hood will shade your child’s face and most of their body, when reclined it was great to see the hood still provided protection for the child’s face.
Back to top
Handle design and function
The Agile has a non-adjustable foam padded single bar handle. The handle height is 99cm/39”.
Back to top
Storage
Underseat basket
Zip pocket in removable back flap
The Agile has a medium sized under seat basket. The rear cross bar curves up which does restrict access from the rear. The mesh sides do have some give in them though so larger items can be put in via the side of the basket.
The back of the hood flap houses a zipper compartment that is large enough to carry, nappies, changes of clothes and other essentials.
Back to top
Wheels and Brakes
Front wheel release button and lock lever
Rear Wheel release lever, it is located on the underside of the stroller beneath the brake levers
The Agile has 4 EVA wheels. The rear wheels are 24cm/9.5”. The front wheels are 17cm/6.5”. The front wheels have suspension to help over rougher terrain; you can also lock the front wheels by lowering the grey lever located over each front wheel.
To remove the front wheels, you press the red circle button at the top of the front wheel shaft. To remove the back wheels you press in the metal lever located on the underside of the stroller, underneath the red brake lever.
Brake engaged
The Agile has linked rear lever style brakes over each wheel; pressing either will secure the stroller into a locked position. The lever feels firm to lock and unlock, it would be hard to accidentally unlock the stroller.
To lock the stroller, simply press down on either lever to unlock pull up on either lever.
Back to top
Fold mechanism
Step 1 fold button
Step two fold strap
Small compact fold
Automatic lock clip and carry handle
The fold on the Agile is fantastic. It really is my favourite feature of this
stroller. To fold press the red button on the right hand side of the stroller,
you don’t need to hold this in, just press it. Then it is as simple as lifting the stroller up by the fold strap located in the seat. The Agile has an automatic lock.
To unfold, release the automatic lock, swing the stroller open and listen
for the click as it locks itself open.
Back to top
Manoeuvrability
I was really pleasantly surprised at how well the Agile manoeuvred over grass and gravel; even some uneven ground was tackled with no extra effort. The suspension on the front wheels is perfectly calibrated. It was a little heavy to steer on the shop floor but could be done one handed when needed.Back to top
Size
Folded dimenions:Width by length by height = 59 x 77 x 29cm/23 x 30 x 11”
Unfolded dimenions:
Width by length = 59x78cm/23x31”
Weight:
Seat, wheels, basket and hood on = 8kg/17.6lbs
Back to top
Accessories
The Agile comes with rain cover and travel system adaptors. The Steelcraft infant car seat is available separately.
Back to top
Summary and Rating
Pros
- The fold is very quick, easy and profile is small
- The hood is large
- Handles grass and gravel surfaces very well
- Mesh panel at the top of the seat for airflow
- Carry handle
- Automatic fold lock
Cons
- Seat back is on the smaller side
- Non-adjustable handle
- Extra step on harness clip
Conclusion
The Agile delivered everything that was promised, a lightweight, quick fold, ready for anything stroller. The almost flat recline means the stroller will last from newborn through to the 22kg weight limit, though the shorter seat back may be out grown prior to the 22kg mark being reached.The Agile manoeuvres very well outdoors, it will get you to all your family events, and will service you well during shopping trips. The large hood provides very adequate sun shade for your child for piece of mind while out and about.
The fold is where the Agile really stands out; the quick fold mechanism, automatic lock, small fold profile and comfortable carry handle really do make it an impressive travel option.
Rating
Overall Rating(out of 5)
Seat Rating
Harness Rating
Hood/Canopy Rating
Handle Design Rating
Storage Rating
Brakes Rating
Fold Rating
Wheels Rating
Manoeuvrability Rating
Accessories Rating
Back to top