Baby Jogger Summit X3 Review
Pros: Easy one hand fold with larger storage for more supplies
Cons: Difficult to run with and hard to lift
Manufacturer: Baby Jogger
The Skinny
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Baby Jogger Summit X3 | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
Price | $430.00 List $429.99 at Amazon | $500.00 List $529.95 at Amazon | $500.00 List $499.99 at Amazon | $400.00 List $399.99 at Amazon | $500.00 List $499.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Easy one hand fold with larger storage for more supplies | Top scores for run-ability and maneuverability, easy to use, high quality | More storage, tight turns, adjust-ability, smooth runner | Easy to move, great runner, quality materials | High quality, lightweight, easy to fold and use |
Cons | Difficult to run with and hard to lift | Harder to transport and stow as it doesn't self-stand | No self-stand, awkward to lift and carry | Harder to lift and carry | Harder to turn in small spaces |
Bottom Line | Disappointing runner that is hard to use and carry | Great jogger with everyday errand possibilities | Impressive all-terrain jogger good for errands and regular running and hiking | An everyday errand runner plus jogger with useful features and utilitarian looks | Impressive jogger but it is harder to turn than the Urban Glide |
Rating Categories | Baby Jogger Summit... | Thule Urban Glide 2 | BOB Revolution... | BOB Rambler | Thule Glide 2 |
Run Ability (35%) | |||||
Ease Of Use (25%) | |||||
Maneuverability (20%) | |||||
Quality (10%) | |||||
Weight Folded Size (10%) | |||||
Specs | Baby Jogger Summit... | Thule Urban Glide 2 | BOB Revolution... | BOB Rambler | Thule Glide 2 |
Weight | 28.1 lbs | 24.4 lbs | 27.3 lbs | 25.1 lbs | 24.4 lbs |
Rolling Resistance | 97.8 Feet | 144.3 Feet | 144.7 Feet | 139.7 Feet | 141 Feet |
Folded Dimensions | 25.75"W x15"H x 34.5"L | 27.2"W x 15.5"H x 36.5"L | 25.5"W x 15.3"H x 37.8"L | 25.3"W x 13.5"H x 38.5"L | 27.2"W x 20.5"H x 36.5"L |
Capacity Limits | Minimum: Birth Maximum: 75 lbs./44" | Minimum: Walk Only: Infant Car Seat: Birth Stroller Seat: 6 mo. Jogging & Off-Road: 6 mo. Maximum: 75 lb Total Capacity Limit |
Minimum: Walk Only: Infant Car Seat: 0 - 8 wk. Stroller Seat: 8 wk. - 8 mo. Jogging & Off-Road: 8 mo. - 5 yr. Maximum: 75 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: 75 lbs/44" |
Minimum: Walk Only: Infant Car Seat: Birth Stroller Seat: 6 mo. Jogging & Off-Road: 6 mo. Maximum: 75 lb Total Capacity Limit |
Included Car Seat Compatibility | None | None | None | ||
Click-in Car Seat Adapters | Baby Jogger City GO Britax B-Safe, B-Safe 35, B-Safe 35 Elite, Chaperone, BOB B-Safe |
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 | 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 |
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Strap-in Car Seat Adapters | Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30, SnugRide Click Connect 35, Snugride Click Connect 35 LX, Snugride Click Connect 40 Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Chicco KeyFit 30 Cybex Aton, Aton Q Maxi Cosi Mico Max 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 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 |
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One-handed Fold | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Locking Fold | Manual | Auto | Manual | Manual | Auto |
Self-standing Fold | No | No | No | No | No |
Handlebar Height - Min/Max | 40.5" | 30"/46" | 34.5"/48" | 38.8" | 37"/44.7" |
Fixed/Swivel Wheel | Swivel | Swivel | Swivel | Swivel | Fixed |
Sandal-friendly Brake | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Included Accessories | None | None | None | None | None |
Setup Time | 8:39 min:sec | 5:13 min:sec | 4:26 min:sec |
5:30 | 5:24 min:sec |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Baby Jogger started with a line of jogging strollers and now primarily creates strollers not suitable for jogging. They offer a comprehensive line of full-size strollers for up to two children that are popular with parents and have some easy to use features. The Baby Jogger Summit is one of their only jogging strollers.
Performance Comparison
Run-ability
For run-ability, the Summit is a disappointment compared to most of the competition.
This stroller does not have an adjustable handlebar, which could cause running biomechanics problems for taller pushers. It has good suspension and adjustable tracking that keeps the stroller on track. Our professional runner feels it is a solid stroller with a good middle of the road feel and a nice grounded feeling when running.
This stroller is hard to tip and turn or balance when you lock the wheel for running. It seems easy to turn on long sweeping turns but harder to make shorter turns. It sports a deceleration brake that should slow you down, but it is hard to squeeze and doesn't work well. The stroller feels heavy, and we feel the handle is too low for runners over about 5'7. We kept hitting our free hand on the bar, and if you use the safety tether, you'll need to keep the same hand on the stroller at all times.
Ease of Use
The Summit offers below-average ease of use with features that aren't as simple as the competition.
Fold and Unfold
The fold is very easy but requires parents unsnap part of the seat from the frame to prevent accidental folding. It requires one hand pulling the handle in the middle of the stroller. It is more difficult to unfold this stroller because it takes two hands and it isn't very graceful. If you lack the strength to hold it in the air with one hand, then it will be a hard stroller for you to unfold.
Brakes
The single-action brakes on the Summit are relatively easy to use with a reassuring click, so you know when they are set but the pedals are hard to push down. It also sports a deceleration handbrake that doesn't slow the stroller, and it is hard to squeeze.
Storage
The large under-seat storage bin is easy to access from the rear and sides. It has a maximum weight allowance of 10 lbs, and we fit our large diaper bag inside. There is also a mesh pocket on the back of the seat that can hold up to 2 lbs and is a nice place to store water bottles. While we like the mesh pocket, it is hard to reach while running.
Sunshade
The Summit has a large canopy with UPF of 50+. It has two windows and vents on each side. We prefer ventilation through the back, and there is some if you detach two snaps and three hook and loop strips. However, this will remove much of the shade. The canopy snaps into place and stays taut when open. The windows and vents have Velcro closures with toggles to hold it open. This shade has similar coverage as the BOBs with a little more headroom.
Harness
The Summit 5-point harness has a smooth operation that is easy to put on. It is simple to adjust with adjustable shoulder strap heights and an adjustable crotch strap. Once adjusted to the proper size, the long tails of the shoulder straps have nowhere good to go, leaving them hanging.
Seat
The seat back reclines in an infinite number of positions. The ventilation is better with the seat reclined, but this significantly increases the tipping hazard when fully reclined.
Ease of Setup
The Summit took us 8:40 minutes from the box to ready to use. The setup is pretty simple with three wheels, and a canopy to snap on and it doesn't require any tools to assemble.
The manual is okay, but not as clear as some of the competition. It is a tri-language manual with good pictures, and the English portions appear in gray.
Maneuverability
The Jogger has unimpressive maneuverability for a swivel wheel jogger. Pushing on and off hard surfaces is pretty easy. It seems relatively good at turning through tighter spaces with its shorter wheelbase. We tended to catch the rear wheels on stuff as we turned through the obstacle course. Given its larger weight, it does feel heavier and hard to push and maneuver than the lighter options.
It did not perform as well off-road as it did on. It is a little tippy on the side hill, and if we hit a bump with any speed, it tipped over. It managed to roll over a large curb with a little help, and it fared well through the deep gravel.
Weight and Folded Size
The Summit is relatively heavy at 28 lbs, but its folded volume is 13,300 cubic inches, which is one of the smaller options. These measurements make the Baby Jogger heavy but able to fit in smaller spaces.
Quality
The Summit also offers below-average quality keeping the trend it had through most of our testing.
The fabric feels nice and didn't snag except on the footrest. It has a slicker, plastic feeling, but we suspect it will wipe down easier. It doesn't feel very breathable and if it might end up feeling like vinyl seats all hot and sticky in the sun.
The Summit has a solid frame with little flex. It is a nice looking stroller, and the canopy and seat fabric fit snugly on the frame. The plastic parts seem well made and fit well. The wheels on this stroller have a nice tread, and the molded plastic wheels are sturdy.
The Summit has three-wheel suspension that is not adjustable. The stiff sling-style seat has good padding, and the minimally padded shoulder straps aren't bad.
Manufacturer Video
— Juliet Spurrier, MD & Carrie Vickers