If you are a hardcore runner or plan to head off-road more than on, then you may want to consider the Revolution over the Rambler and we encourage parents to compare the two to determine which one meets their needs better.
BOB Rambler Review

Pros: Less expensive jogger, great maneuverability, durable
Cons: Larger, may be hard to lift and carry
Manufacturer: BOB
The Skinny
If you are a hardcore runner or plan to head off-road more than on, then you may want to consider the Revolution over the Rambler and we encourage parents to compare the two to determine which one meets their needs better.
Compare to Similar Products
![]() This Product
BOB Rambler | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Awards | ![]() | ![]() | |||
Price | $400.00 List Check Price at Amazon | $580.00 List $529.95 at Amazon - 9% off | $500.00 List Check Price at Amazon | $400.00 List $359.99 at Amazon - 10% off | $600.00 List $599.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score ![]() |
|||||
Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Less expensive jogger, great maneuverability, durable | Easiest to push, jogger, high quality, easy to use | Ease to maneuver, convenience features, comfy, jogging | Lots of car seat compatibility, fairly lightweight, handbrake | Handbrake, upgraded suspension, covered storage, jogger |
Cons | Larger, may be hard to lift and carry | Bulkier, harder to transport | Heavy and large, harder to fit in trunk | Limited storage access, prop-up footrest | Heavy, expensive, suspension isn't adjustable |
Bottom Line | Features for jogging or everyday use in a versatile, quality stroller | A cozy, stylish jogger that is easy to move and use for everyday outings | Capable jogger with all-terrain tires that moves well and works as a full-size option | Good stroller but it doesn't merit the price increase over the regular City Mini | Impressive jogger with upgraded features and enough functionality for every day activities |
Rating Categories | BOB Rambler | Thule Urban Glide 2 | BOB Revolution... | Baby Jogger City... | BOB Alterrain Pro |
Ease Of Use (45%) | |||||
Maneuverability (30%) | |||||
Weight Folded Size (15%) | |||||
Quality (10%) | |||||
Specs | BOB Rambler | Thule Urban Glide 2 | BOB Revolution... | Baby Jogger City... | BOB Alterrain Pro |
Weight | 25.1 lbs | 24.4 lbs | 27.3 lbs | 21.6 lbs | 31.4 lbs |
Folded Dimensions | 25.3"W x 13.5"H x 38.5"L | 27.2"W x 15.5"H x 36.5"L | 25.5"W x 15.3"H x 37.8"L | 25.6"W x 11.2"H x 33"L | 25.4"W x 17.3"H x 39.5"L |
Capacity Limits | Minimum: Walk Only: Infant Car Seat: 0 - 8 wk. Stroller Seat: 8 wk. - 8 mo. Jogging & Off-Road: 8 mo. - 5 yr. Maximum: 74 lbs/44" |
Minimum: 6 mo. Maximum: 49 lbs/43.7" |
Minimum: Walk Only: Infant Car Seat: 0 - 8 wk. Stroller Seat: 8 wk. - 8 mo. Jogging & Off-Road: 8 mo. - 5 yr. Maximum: 74 lbs/44" |
Minimum: Birth Maxiumum: 65 lbs/44" | Minimum: Walk Only: Infant Car Seat: 0 - 8 wk. Stroller Seat: 8 wk. - 8 mo. Jogging & Off-Road: 8 mo. - 5 yr. Maximum: 74 lbs/44" |
Included Car Seat Compatibility | None | None | None | Baby Jogger City GO, City GO 2 | None |
Click-in Car Seat Adapters | None | BeSafe Izi GO Mod, Izi GO X1 Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 30 Cybex Aton, Aton 2, Aton 4, Aton 5 Maxi Cosi CabrioFix, Citi, Mico 30, Mico Max 30, Mico NXT, Pebble, Pebble Plus Nuna Pipa |
None | Baby Jogger City GO, City GO 2 Britax B-Safe 35, B-Safe 35 Elite Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 2, KeyFit 30, KeyFit 30 Zip Cybex Aton, Aton 2, Aton Q, Cloud Q Graco Snugride Snuglock 35 Elite, Snugride 35 Platinum, Snugride Click Connect 35 LX Maxi Cosi Mico AP, Mico Max 30, Mico NXT, Mico 30 Nuna Pipa Peg-Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Uppababy Mesa Clek Living |
Available Summer/Fall 2020: Britax B-Safe® 35, B-Safe® 35 Elite, B-Safe® Ultra, Endeavours® Chicco KeyFit® 30, KeyFit® 30 Zip, KeyFit® Zip Air, KeyFit® Magic, Fit2® Graco All SnugRide® models, SnugRide® Click Connect® models, SnugRide® SnugLock® models Peg Perego Primo® Viaggio 4-35 , Primo® Viaggio 4-35 Nido |
Strap-in Car Seat Adapters | Britax B-Safe, B-Safe 35, B-Safe 35 Elite, Chaperone BOB B-Safe, B-Safe 35 Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30, 30LX, 35, 35 LX, 40, SnugRide Classic Connect 22, 30, 32, 35 Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35, Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30, Primo Viaggio SIP Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 30 |
BOB Unity Britax Affinity Unity, B-Safe, B-Safe 35, B-Safe 35 Elite, Chaperone, Unity, Unity ISOFIX Compatible Britax-Romer Baby-Safe, Baby-Safe Plus II Chicco KeyFit Plus Combi Shuttle 33 Evenflo Discovery 5 Graco SafeSeat, SnugRide, SnugRide Click Connect, SnugRide Click Connect 30, SnugRide Click Connect 35, SnugRide Click Connect LX 35, SnugRide Click Connect 40 Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30, Primo Viaggio 4-35 Safety 1st Comfy Carry Elite, onBoard, onBoard Air Safe-n-Sound Unity, Unity Neos UPPAbaby Mesa |
Britax/BOB Britax® Chaperone®, B-Safe®, B-Safe® 35, B-Safe® 35 Elite, Endeavours™, B-Safe® 35 Ultra, BOB® B-Safe®, BOB® B-Safe® 35 Chicco Fit2, KeyFit, KeyFit 30 Cybex Cybex® Aton 2, Aton Q, Cloud Q Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30, 30LX, 35, 35 LX, 40, SnugRide Classic Connect, SnugRide Classic Connect 30, 32, 35, SafeSeat Maxi Cosi Maxi Cosi® Mico 30, Mico Max 30, Mico AP Nuna Nuna® Pipa, Pipa Lite Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35, SIP, SIP 30/30 |
None | None |
Recline | Deep | Deep | Deep | Deep | Deep |
Storage Basket Size | Large | Large | Large | Large | Large |
Sun Shade Size | Large | Large | Large | Large | Large |
One-handed Fold | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Locking Fold | Auto | Auto | Auto | Auto | Auto |
Self-standing Fold | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Handlebar Height - Min/Max | 38.8" | 30"/46" | 34.5"/48" | 38.5"/45.7" | 32.5"/47.5" |
Sandal-friendly Brake | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Included Accessories | None | None | None | City GO infant car seat adapter. | None |
Setup Time | 5:30 min:sec | 5:13 min:sec | 4:26 min:sec |
4:47 min:sec |
5:46 min:sec |
Our Analysis and Test Results
BOB, or the Beast of Burden, company was launched by Roger Malinowski and Philip Novotny in 1994 in San Luis Obispo, California. The two men combined their professional specialties of bicycle professional and the airline mechanic to build Yak bike trailers that have a quick release. Once the two became parents, they realized a need for a rugged jogging stroller and couldn't find one. Thus, the BOB Sport Utility was born. The company continued to develop innovative strollers by creating the first locking swivel wheel on a jogger in 2005. This design made the stroller style more user-friendly for activities other than jogging. In 2011, BOB was purchased by the Britax company.
Performance Comparison
Ease of Use
The BOB Rambler is average for ease of use on a daily basis losing favor for a harder fold and limited features for storage.
Fold and Unfold
This stroller is fairly easy to fold and unfold, but it has more steps than the average and it requires two hands. It has four steps, manual locking strap, does not self-stand and there is no carry strap or handle which seems short-sighted for a heavier stroller. Unfolding is easier with one hand ability and only two steps.
Brakes
This stroller has single action brakes that press to set and release with no worries for the top of your feet or fancy shoes.
Storage
The Rambler has under-seat storage with an allowance of 10 lbs. It fit our large diaper bag and has good access from the back and sides, but none from the front. There is no other storage, console or pockets for water bottles or small items like a mobile phone.
Sunshade
Like other BOBs, the Rambler has a large canopy that can cover past the knees of most children with a medium-sized, vinyl peek-a-boo window. The window cover is cloth, secures with Velcro, and tucks in a pocket to stay open. UV protection is not listed.
Harness
The 5-point harness on this stroller is also typical BOB. The harness is easy to use and the buckle isn't hard to press. It has a good range for adjustability and the crotch strap is also adjustable. This stroller is not a rethread style but the straps slide up and down straps sewn to the seatback.
Seat
The Rambler seat has an adjustable recline and padded but stationary leg rest with a narrow footrest. The seat reclines with one hand by pinching a plastic toggle with infinite angle options and a final position that is almost flat for napping. To raise the back you'll need two hands to pull the side straps and it could be challenging with a child's weight in the seat.
Car Seat Compatibility
This stroller does not work with any infant car seat as it comes. You can combine it with the following seats by purchasing an adapter: Britax
B-Safe, B-Safe 35, B-Safe 35 Elite, and Chaperone; BOB B-Safe and B-Safe 35; Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30, 30LX, 35, 35 LX, 40, SnugRide Classic Connect 22, 30, 32, and 35; Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35, Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30, and Primo Viaggio SIP; and the Chicco KeyFit 30, and KeyFit non-30.
General recommendations are that you should not jog with newborns or infants under 8 months of age. You should only walk with babies under 8 months old. Between 8-12 months you can jog on flat hard surfaces, but off-road uneven surface running should be reserved for babies over 12 months old.
Ease of Setup
This stroller took just 5:30 minutes to put together.
The Rambler requires the use of an included Allen wrench to tighten the wheels which are the only things you need to assemble. The instructions are fine, but there are easier directions to follow.
Maneuverability
The BOB Rambler is one of the best strollers for getting around whether you stroll or run. This stroller has large rubber tires on durable plastic wheels.
The front wheel can swivel for ease of turning or it can be locked in place for running and off-roading. With a slightly narrower footprint than other joggers, it can navigate crowded or tight spaces with relative ease. This stroller will get you where you need to go no matter if it is the park, the trail, or the local grocery store.
Weight and Folded Size
The BOB Rambler is large and heavy compared to most full-size stroller options.
However, this jogger is lighter and smaller than most joggers and this is definitely something to consider if you want the versatility of a jogger with a more reasonable size. The Rambler weighs 25.1 lbs and measures 13,150 cubic inches.
Quality
The BOB Rambler is high quality with a frame that is sturdy without flex or connection problems and the fabric is tough and resisted snagging in our tests.
The overall fit and finish are impressive with attention to detail and no errant stitching or material bunching. We appreciate the quality of the components and they come together in a manner that implies durability and long term use. This product has a stationary foam covered handlebar, emergency wrist strap, and adjustable suspension and tracking for the front wheel. The sling-style seat is padded and combined with the better shocks make for a comfortable ride for both passengers and pusher.
Accessories
BOB offers various accessories for all the BOB strollers. These include:
- BOB Parent Console — A parent console is not essential and the back seat storage pocket on the Flex means you may not need one. But BOB offers one, which is convenient. It has deep cup holders and a zippered security pocket ideal for storing keys, wallet, and phone. The console fixes securely to the frame and feels like an extension of the stroller.
- BOB Single Snack Tray — This snack tray is a good way to offer older children a place to put their drink and snacks. While probably not necessary for younger children, as they won't be able to reach it, this tray can keep must-have items nearby for independent little ones.
Other Versions
BOB makes a variety of different jogging style strollers including the BOB Revolution 3.0 a slightly larger option with a few more features but a higher weight and larger price tag. We reviewed the 3.0 in this review.
Manufacturer Video
— Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz