(For a more current review of jogging strollers visit An Athlete's Guide to Running Strollers, March, 2013.)
What makes a jogging stroller a jogging stroller? The standard, 4-wheeled baby stroller has certainly been used for jogging in past years. Those runs had to be carefully planned to cover only flat, smooth surfaces, and great care had to be taken in securing and padding the child while you ran, because the stroller had a tendency to skitter every which way on the path due to its shopping cart wheels.
Over the past decade, a new breed of strollers has evolved with three large fixed wheels, shocks, 5-point safety harnesses and drink holders for the child. Since our last stroller review in 2002, the jogging stroller has continued to develop, and the models available today offer unprecedented ease of use and safety, both for the runner and the rider.
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Of course, one person's improvement is another person's scourge. And anyone who has ever tried to find the "regular" kind of toothpaste on the grocery shelves knows that having lots of options just makes decisions that much more complicated. In this guide, we break down choosing a stroller into the major variables that can make a stroller just what you're looking for or the next-best-thing-that-falls-just-short. Then we'll take a look at a selection of strollers that is available today and give you some tips for getting started running with your new stroller.
THE BREAKDOWN
Stability: Stability, of course, is a good attribute for a jogging stroller that will carry your precious bundle for many miles. But a well balanced stroller is not a runner's friend. Turning a stroller when running depends on uneven distribution of weight among the three wheels so that the runner can easily and smoothly lift the front wheel incrementally to turn the stroller around a corner or bend in the road. We observed that many of the strollers that are made for walking as well as running were much more stable, making them more difficult to maneuver when running. Take into consideration how much of your stroller time will be spent running versus walking.
Front Wheel: Many jogging strollers available today offer a front wheel that can be either locked into the straight-ahead position that is best for running, or set free to swivel, which makes steering when walking much nicer. This decision is related to the stability issue above. If you will be using your stroller only for running, then you don't need to spend the extra dollars to get one with a swivel option on the front wheel. Running with the wheel in swivel mode is dangerous because running over even a small pebble with a swivel wheel at running speeds could send the stroller quickly veering in an unplanned direction.
But who uses the stroller only for running? If you live in a city or other area where space is limited, you'll find the swivel wheel of great assistance in maneuvering the stroller around stores, sidewalks and anywhere else you might take your child. However, if you live in an area where there is plenty of room in stores and parking lots and the sidewalks are wide and sparsely populated, you might get along just fine with a wheel that is always facing forward. We found that in rural West Virginia, the swivel wheel was a luxury but certainly not a necessity.
Handle Height: If you are an average-sized man, this is probably not going to be an issue for you. But if, say, you and your (shorter) wife will both be using this stroller for running, you'll want to look for one with an adjustable handle. Few situations are more frustrating than trying to do a decent run with a stroller handle that doesn't fit. Your arm swing is already restricted by pushing the stroller; if you have to hold your hands unusually high as well, you'll be much more tempted to hire a babysitter next time. Many companies offer a stroller with an adjustable height handle and while some accomplish this better than others, all were acceptable to our testers.
Wheel Width: The main reasons to consider wheel width are spacial and aesthetic. Some might feel self conscious pushing around a stroller that takes up more than half the sidewalk. Some of us just don't have space to store such a device when it is not in use. But the wider wheeled strollers tend to offer more space for carrying along supplies or errand material, provide a better fit for larger children and feel more stable than the strollers with more narrowly spaced wheels. The more narrow vehicles feel sleek and slim, and fit through doors more easily.
Hand Brake: When we saw our first strollers, we thought the hand brake was a cute accessory, one of those things they add on so they can have more bullet points in the features box. As soon as we started running with them, though, we realized they are truly a wonderful addition to a jogging stroller, particularly for those of us who live in hilly areas. The hand brake allows the runner to maintain form and pace when running downhill with the stroller, rather than having to sit back and act as the brake to keep from losing control of the stroller. This may not be a big deal on small or shallow hills, but with long steep hills, lacking a hand brake could create a significant break from your normal (and healthy) running form.
Sun Canopy: Since we don't do all of our runs at midday, the sun canopy is a definite issue. An hour in the sun on a summer afternoon could leave your little one's legs burned to a crisp and the glare of the setting sun in your child's eyes as you round the bend to head for home could ruin your run. We found some of the strollers offered a fully adjustable sun canopy that was easy to move around to block the sun wherever it was located relative to your child's eyes. Some canopies do a thorough job of blocking the sun from the seating area. Beware, though, of canopies that snap into place for good and provide little room for adjustment. No canopy can be everywhere at once (for that would be called a box) but some do a much better job allowing the user to control the child's exposure.
Folding: There are two main bullet points to consider for folding: How Small and How Easy. How Small applies to you if you have a small car or storage space. In that case, you'll probably want a stroller that folds twice as these tend to have the smallest profile when folded. How Easy, though, applies to any parent. If the stroller takes 4 hands to break down or set up, then you can bet it will be staying put together 100% of the time. Most strollers take at least two hands to break down, but some can be easily snapped fully into place with one hand. This is invaluable when your other hand is occupied with carrying or comforting a testy child, or holding on to any number of other things.
The Strollers
The biggest change since the last time we reviewed jogging strollers (in 2002) is the swivel-option front wheel. In the past, jogging strollers were for just that: jogging (or running, as we Americans tend to call it). So a family generally had to own a "regular" stroller and one used for running. Most major brands of jogging strollers now provide parents an option to get 2-in-1 with a front wheel that can be locked into place for running or turned loose and allowed to swivel, making the stroller much nicer to use for walking. The result is that while your stroller garage now requires only one parking place, the stroller has gotten more complicated as companies try to satisfy the needs of users in more situations. It is conceivable that parents who don't run at all would purchase one of these strollers since the big wheels and comfortable handles tend to make them much easier to push than the ones with the small plastic wheels.
The other big change since our last review is that the wheels, as a general rule, have gotten much smaller. The largest wheels in 2002 were 24 inches and many measured in around 20". In 2009, however, the largest wheel size, 16" was shared by several of the strollers and many were smaller.
Baby Jogger Summit 360
$400
Stability and safety are the name of the game for the Summit 360. And it is probably a very nice stroller to push along for the runner as well, so long as you are tall enough for the handlebar. I found that my 5'6" height was a bit short for the stroller, and the handlebar does not adjust down. The manufacturer did not think that an adjustable handlebar could withstand the constant pressure that running would inflict on the handlebar. That said, this stroller would be a top pick from the rider's point of view. The harness is easy to use and didn't impede Oscar's ability to move or turn his head. The seat, which is set deeply between the frame, the wide wheel base and the aggressive shocks on the rear wheels provide a stable, secure and protected ride.
The front wheel does have a swivel option to make it easier to maneuver in small spaces; however, the swivel wheel can't do anything about the large size of the stroller. We were surprised how easily the stroller rolled, and it would be great for walking, but the high handle and stable wheel base made it difficult to maneuver while on the run.
RECOMMENDED FOR: The tall, safety-first kind of parent.
BOB Ironman
$349
When I first started testing the jogging strollers, the cute little hand brakes made me giggle. It seemed like a vestigial appendage. Before long, though, I found myself reaching for one of the strollers with this attribute when I was heading out on a run more often than not. In the West Virginia mountains, where the roads are steep and decidedly not straight, any significant downhill must be run in a braking motion to keep the stroller from getting out of control. Unless, that is, the stroller was equipped with a front hand brake, in which case I could simply squeeze the brake and continue running down the hill as I normally would. Among other things, the Ironman has this going for it.
The Ironman is a solid, lightweight, well-made piece of equipment that almost seems to roll forward on its own. It collapses easily in two simple steps and can be opened and ready to roll with one jerk of one hand.
The Ironman is designed purely as a runner's stroller. Therefore the front wheel is fixed, with no swivel option, there is a hand brake and all the wheels are the larger, 16-inch size. The stroller is weighted slightly towards the rear, which makes maneuvering it, even with the fixed wheel, a breeze when running and walking. This shift of weight meant that I didn't have to slow my pace to make it around tight corners. The handle is not adjustable but was a fine height for my 5-foot 6-inch frame. We found the sun shade wasn't as adjustable as we'd have liked so invariably when running in the evening, Oscar got a face full of sunshine at some point in the run, which would make him squirm.
RECOMMENDED FOR: The hip, fit parent who wants to take her kid on lots of long training runs.
Mountain Buggy Terrain
$499
With the Terrain model, Mountain Buggy has created a winner of a baby jogger. This buggy covers all the bases -- it is stable enough for walking, has an easily adjustable handlebar, slim profile, handbrake and is easy to collapse. It appears to be extremely comfortable for the rider (Oscar loves it above all the others) and runner (it's lightweight, rolls easily and covers rough terrain with ease). Plenty of storage space is available in the zippered bottom basket for "running" errands and the sunshade does a great job of living up to it's name.
The 5-point harness unclips in two locations so you can completely release your child without having to thread arms through loops, or you can leave the shoulder straps clipped in so the child who is excited to ride in the Terrain can be strapped up in one smooth step.
The biggest technological leap in this model is that when the wheel is in the fixed position for running, it still has a very slight amount of give to it. This small change means that while it is "fixed" and safe for running, you have some amount of steering ability, without having to lift the front wheel off the ground. This fine-tune control allows you to easily avoid potholes, rocks, bumps and go around slight turns with one hand on the handlebar and without even really thinking about it. Brilliant.
We'd say that Adam and Kara Goucher chose well when they picked this Mountain Buggy as their jogging stroller after the birth of their son.
RECOMMENDED FOR: We can't imagine anyone who wouldn't like this buggy.
Schwinn Free Rider
$219
The Schwinn was the other stroller in our review that came equipped with a hand brake. It is also the other stroller that doesn't have the front wheel swivel option. In fact, the Schwinn is your basic, everyday running stroller, and it fills that niche very nicely.
As the least expensive stroller in this review, it is purely functional and sufficient in every way. The simple harness can secure babies of all sizes, and the sun visor can be adjusted to shade the baby from sun coming from any angle.
The stroller has great appeal to the more practical among us. It has everything you need, and none of the frills. It collapses simply and effectively. We were able to fit it in the car along with all our other gear for a weekend camping trip. It can be pulled apart and set back up properly with one arm. The handlebar adjusts up or down to fit runners of all sizes.
The only thing we didn't like about this stroller was that the foot brake had no locked up position, so it would tend to fall down, especially on rougher terrain, and make an annoying clatter where it rubbed on the axle.
RECOMMENDED FOR: The practical, budget-conscious runner.
Phil and Ted's Sport
$449
Note: Manufacturer states that the phil&teds Sport buggy is not designed specifically for jogging. Its 3 wheel design provides extra maneuverability with it's inline configuration, both as a single and a double stroller.
The options this stroller provides are endless. The seat can lay flat so you can take your newborn infant for a walk or you can sit him up and give him a handlebar to hold on to when he gets older. You can snap on an extra seat and make it an insta-double stroller that can carry up to 88 pounds of child between the two seats. The stroller has a narrow wheel base, which makes it invaluable for trucking around town and through crowded areas, and as a double stroller it is equally as narrow and not much longer. The handlebar is adjustable for different heights, and the safety harness is nice to use because it snaps together in the middle so you don't have to wrestle your child's hands through a strap, which they often don't enjoy.
This stroller isn't as smooth as the others over rough terrain and the weight is well centered, making it more difficult to maneuver when it is in the fixed wheel position, but it really was fun to use on roads and rail trails. Oscar fell asleep in short order, and I found it easy to push and fun to use. It felt like a small, loaded sports car next to the larger strollers we reviewed.
Phil and Ted's have made some breakthrough changes with this stroller that we expect we'll start seeing creep into other manufacturers' products, but some of the features that make this stroller so practical make it a bit difficult to use in other ways. This was the most complicated stroller to assemble out of the box. There were lots of parts to put together and the provided directions consisted of small square diagrams depicting each step of the process. It was also tricky to collapse for storage or stowing in the car, and equally confusing to set back up again.
This stroller's place as the most expensive single stroller in the review is misleading. The Phil & Ted's Sport can be easily used while you workout, shop, walk and travel and since it can adapt to holding two kids, you won't find yourself in the market for yet another stroller when your family increases the second time around. It is more of an investment up front, but for the right person, the investment will pay off in the end.
RECOMMENDED FOR: The sometimes-runner who never wants to buy another stroller.
BOB Revolution
$389
BOB strollers tend towards the more expensive side. But they look and feel the part; in this case, you are really getting the quality that you pay for. The BOB Revolution is the stroller that Michael Wardian used when (along with his son Pierce) he set the still-standing world record of 2:42:21 for a marathon run with a jogging stroller. Wardian's take on the Revolution? "It is a money stroller."
Obviously, it is amenable to smooth riding, even at fast paces, and the swivel-wheel option makes it versatile for non-running uses as well.
The Revolution uses the same simple collapse and set-up mechanism as the Ironman and because it has smaller wheels, is a bit smaller still when it is in the collapsed position. The handlebar is not adjustable, but its horizontal orientation makes it work for many heights. If you're particularly short or tall, you might have trouble with the handlebar height, but it seems to work just fine for most runners. The BOB strollers have the nicest parking brake mechanism of any of the strollers we looked at. The spring-loaded foot brake is easy to engage and disengage, and stays solidly where it should when in use and not in use.
Recommended for: The hip, fit parent who isn't comfortable using a fixed-wheel stroller for other tasks around town.
Kelty Speedster Swivel Deluxe
The two features I noticed first about the Kelty were the narrow profile and the bell. Both of these features lend the stroller towards use in crowded areas but even in the rural area where we live, they were appreciated. The narrow stroller made it easier to crowd to the side of the road when a car was passing, and what kid doesn't like playing games with the bell?
The sun canopy was fully adjustable -- we could shield Oscar's toes from the sun if we wanted to, and the adjustable handlebar and runner's water bottle holder make this a great stroller to use for runners of all sizes on long runs. The padded harness is comfortable when adjusted properly, but difficult to use for smaller or younger children.
The stroller breaks down easily and intuitively, and it's possible to set it back up with one hand, but much quicker and easier with two. The Kelty has a unique parking brake mechanism with a separate brake for each wheel, so for a quick stop, you can easily punch the brake onto one back wheel and for longer or hillier stops, two jabs of the foot are needed.
The Kelty's 85-pound weight capacity is the largest of any of the single strollers we reviewed. It does have the swivel wheel option for non-running activities.
RECOMMENDED FOR: City runners who want to take their kid on long runs for many years.
Learning to Run with a Stroller
Especially if you are coming back from a recent pregnancy and childbirth experience, a jogging stroller can wreck havoc on your running form and cause unnecessary injuries at a time when that is the last thing you need to deal with.
1) Find the correct handle height and keep it close to you. Especially when you're coming off a pregnancy and your core may not be as strong as usual, you may find you have the tendency, when running with a stroller, to hold the stroller at arms length and put some of your weight onto the handlebar. This causes you to bend forward at the hips, which is a big no-no for your form. Keep your elbows bent, and the stroller closer to your body. Run a mental check every mile or so, while you're getting used to it, to make sure you're still running in an upright position.
3) Ease into it. Yes, running with a stroller is more difficult that running without one. Take it easy, leave the stroller at home every other day, or alternate running and walking days. Your body will appreciate it and reward you with a smoother path back to form.
You're not the only one who will have to get used to this setup. Your child will also have some things to get used to. The following are some tips from Jennifer and Michael Wardian that they use when taking their boys, Pierce and Grant, on long runs.
1) Bring along snacks. Things like crackers, gummies or bananas, things that are easy to give them and you aren't worried about them choking on.
2) Bring water. Three sippy cups work well (for a double stroller, just two for a single), one for each kid and an extra, in case someone runs out.
3) Bring toys. A couple toys for each kid works well, plus a couple extras so that, in case they want what the other has, you can regulate.
4) Have a specific goal and relay that to the kids so that they know. You can tell them that you're doing an out-and-back or a loop, or describe the turn-around point to look for. Have some idea of where you are in the run so you can tell them how much longer (because they will ask).
5) If they want to stop along the way, tell them we can do that on the way back and then work it into the run. It is nice to stop and let them play, too. While they play, you can do jumping jacks or push-ups or just play with them; it's a great way to work on general strength and balancing muscles.
Katie Wolpert gave birth to her first baby in the spring of 2009 and thanks her son, Oscar, for his great patience and all he did to make this review possible.
RELATED ARTICLE: For a more current review of jogging strollers visit An Athlete's Guide to Running Strollers
