Best Jogging Stroller

After testing more than 40 of the top jogging strollers over the last decade, we learned a lot about what makes one stroller better than another, and which features make the best jogging machine. Our goal is to share the lessons we've learned so that you can make the best buying decision for your family.

Jogging with baby is a great way to get out of the house and bond while improving your mood and physical well-being.

Credit: BabyGearLab Staff

Why Buy a Jogging Stroller?

After 9+ months of pregnancy, a lot of Moms find themselves ready for exercise or time outside. A stroller you can jog with is an investment in your health and mental well-being. Happily, it is a form of exercise you can share with your baby once they've developed strong enough neck muscles to handle the stress of jogging (around 8-12 months with your pediatrician's okay). Most babies love to go jogging, and most parents find that it is an excellent, cost-effective way to get active and into an exercise routine. Even if exercise isn't your goal, getting out of the house and into the sunshine can do wonders for your emotional and mental well-being, which could be out of whack with fluctuating hormones.

The following information will guide you through the features of jogging strollers and help you decide which stroller and features are right for you.

The 3 wheel stance of this Bob Revolution Flex is a telltale sign you are looking at a stroller intended for jogging.

Credit: BabyGearLab Staff

How are Joggers Different?

Traditional strollers are not safe for jogging with a baby. They lack the design features necessary to reduce the jarring shocks a baby could experience as parents jog over uneven surfaces. It's hard to avoid hazards like bumps in the road, curbs, uneven sidewalks, and sections of non-paved surfaces when you are running, and non-jogging strollers cannot navigate these hazards at speed safely.

Jogging strollers have several features designed to reduce the impact of the road:

• Larger pneumatic (air-filled) rubber tires —
  
  A jogger typically has 16+ inch wheels in the rear and a 12+ inch wheel in the front (double the diameter of most traditional strollers). These larger wheels roll over bumps easier and result in less stress for the baby. The bigger wheels also create less rolling resistance, so long runs require less effort. Traditional strollers usually have smaller plastic wheels that do nothing to reduce shock and are not suitable for running.

• Effective suspension systems —
  
  A jogging style stroller should include some kind of suspension to reduce further jarring. Most joggers have rear suspension and a sling-style seat that helps absorb some of the motion involved in jogging.

• Locking/Fixed front wheel — If you try to jog with a traditional stroller, or even a jogger with the front wheel unlocked, you will find that the front wheel(s) start wobbling. This wobble creates strong vibrations in the stroller and makes jogging uncomfortable for you and your baby. This movement can also result in the front wheel(s) turning so sharply that the jogger tips over. All strollers designed for jogging provide the ability to lock the front wheel fully, and the better products offer adjustable tracking for straight movement.

• Long distance between wheels —
  
  Strollers designed for jogging push the front wheel forward and away from the baby's center of gravity. This design allows the front wheel to bounce in the event of a bump in the road with less stress transferred to the baby's body.

The Expedition has a deep recline for easy napping.

Credit: BabyGearLab Staff

Your Multi-Purpose Stroller

Many jogging strollers could be considered as a multi-purpose solution, doing the work of a jogger and traditional stroller in one product. We rate each product on its run-ability, and our test scores favor running performance, but many parents rely on their jogger as a stroller for everyday activities as well. Because of this, we rate each jogger on a variety of additional metrics that impact serious running and daily activities. This information can help you decide which stroller will work best for you. So while the award winners may be great for jogging, many are often suitable for "running" errands as well.

While the Baby Trend might not be the best option for dedicated runners, it is a budget friendly stroller and good for everyday use with the occasional jog.

Credit: BabyGearLab Staff

Overview of Basic Features

The standard features you might see in a jogging style stroller are:

• Three wheels with pneumatic (air-filled) tires: This means a smoother ride, but also that you'll need to check the pressure regularly like bicycle tires, and you'll need a pump to inflate them should they go flat.

• Five-point harness: Goes over the shoulders, across the hips, and between the legs to secure baby in the seat and minimize injuries in case of a crash, similar to the harness in infant car seats. The 5-points are crucial in the event of a stroller flip due to user error or a faulty front wheel assembly.

• Safety tether:
  
  A safety strap with one end attached to the stroller and the other end worn around your wrist. This strap prevents the stroller from rolling away from you and could save your baby's life if you accidentally let go of the handle with traffic or water nearby (please use it, we can't stress this enough).

• Parking brake: It is critical to engage the parking brake every time you park the stroller. Double-check that the brake engages fully by attempting to move the stroller back and forth before letting go.

• Canopy: This will protect your baby from the sun and potential headwinds. The larger the canopy, and the more ways you can position it, the better.

• Peek-a-boo window: Usually a covered window on the canopy to keep an eye on your child while jogging.

• Reclining seat: For baby's comfort.

• Under-seat storage basket: Storage for the things you and baby might need when out and about. This storage area is vital since the low center-of-gravity helps keep the stroller stable and avoid tip-overs. You should never put heavy objects, such as your purse or diaper bag, on the handlebar. These items can cause the stroller to tip and create a safety risk.

• 
  Wheels that are easy to take off and put back on: The majority of strollers we reviewed have mechanisms that make it easy to install and remove the wheels, making them more compact and easy to store. When replacing wheels, use caution to ensure they are mounted correctly.

• Folding mechanism: All of the strollers we tested are relatively easy to fold, but keep in mind that folded joggers are not small. And, even though you can remove the wheels, joggers still may take up more space in your trunk than other kinds of strollers.

• 
  Cup holders: While a cup holder is convenient, we fear they invite temptation to place hot liquids above your baby's head. Adding to that fear, most of the cup holders we tested were relatively shallow, and in our experience, most resulted in falling water bottles when going over small bumps. A cup holder less than 3 inches deep is unlikely to retain a tall water bottle as you navigate the stroller. Please be very careful with items placed in a cup holder; just because it has a holder, doesn't mean it is safe to use it. If you rely on a nanny or caregivers, you might consider removing the cup holder, to eliminate the risk that you'll place a hot cup of joe there at all.

The Hamax Outback with Jogger Kit is a two-seater bike trailer you can stroll and jog with if you have the right accessories.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

How do I decide which stroller is best for me?

There are many jogging options on the market. However, no stroller has it all, so you should choose the features that best fit your lifestyle and goals. For most parents, this means being honest about your real running prowess. There is no judgment in this realm. However, there is also no need to buy more running stroller than you need, and being honest with yourself can translate into saving money and time. If you are a regular runner, who ran avidly before pregnancy, then you will likely want to invest more in your jogger. If you jog once a week and are more likely to find yourself running to catch a bus than running for fitness, then you probably don't need the highest-end model and will be happy with a cheaper option.

First: Fixed or Locking Swivel Front Wheel

The photos above show the fixed wheel on the Thule Glide 2 (above left) and the swivel wheel of the Thule Urban Glide 2 (above right).

Jogging style strollers come with either a permanently fixed front wheel or a locking swivel front wheel. When jogging, having the front wheel fixed (or in locked mode) is a must! The locked wheel ensures that the stroller tracks straight and doesn't shoot off in an unexpected direction as it goes over a bump or loose debris. This feature also makes turning difficult, so you aren't able to accidentally make a sharp turn at high speed and risk rolling the stroller with your baby-on-board. Some professional runners believe that a fixed wheel is the only way to go for running, and as a result, they shy away from the options with a locking swivel wheel. However, in our tests, we discovered that this isn't as big of a concern as it used to be. Some of the new swivel wheel designs have locking mechanisms that not only lock the wheel with little to no play at all, but the rotating wheel adds functionality to the stroller that makes it easier to use for everyday activities outside of running.

A swivel front wheel offers better maneuverability and navigation in tight or crowded spaces like a store or festival. All of the swivel wheel products we reviewed can lock the front wheel in place, a necessity for jogging. However, some of the locked swivel wheels aren't as stable as a fixed front wheel. We gave an award to the Thule Urban Glide 2 and the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 because we feel both are an exception to this dated belief that fixed wheel is best. When the front wheel is locked, both products perform better than their fixed wheeled counterparts from the same companies.

You might ask, "If the Thule Urban Glide 2 performs as well as a stroller with a fixed front wheel, and it offers the maneuverability of a swivel wheel, why would I consider a fixed-wheel stroller?." Well, you may not want to. We understand this statement flies in the face of a long-held belief in the world of runners, but the newer swivel wheeled strollers performed as well, or better than, the fixed options in our tests.

The new handbrake on the Glide 2 twists forward and is easier to use than the old brake. We think this unique twist is a smart take on a features runners love.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

On the other hand, there are some perks to the fixed wheel you should know. Many of the stationary wheel models sport a handbrake that makes slowing the stroller easier as you go downhill or up to a traffic light. This slowing mechanism can be an essential safety feature, and it also helps tired runners ease to a complete stop with less exertion than body power alone. While it does not stop the stroller by itself, and it is not a parking brake, it is something to consider when looking at fixed-wheel options. Only a few of the swivel wheel options have a hand brake, and none of the top-scoring swivels had them. Also, most of the fixed front wheels we reviewed have a larger front wheel than the swivel products (16-inch vs. 12-inch). Some long-distance runners, looking for speed and reduced rolling resistance, may prefer the larger wheels for an easier push. Last, some of the fixed wheel options are lighter than the swivel wheel products making them easier to push for long distances.

The images on the locking wheel mechanism of the Urban Glide 2 make it easy to switch between a swivel wheel and a fixed one.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

If you are serious about running, run more than a few miles every day, and you don't plan to use this stroller for other kinds of trips, then you might go for a fixed front wheel stroller with a handbrake; it's tough to beat the performance and safety features. You may also want to consider a handbrake if you run in a hilly community where the downhill slide might be more comfortable with the use of a handbrake to slow your roll. However, for those that mainly walk, take shorter runs, or only an occasional jog, a locking swivel wheel stroller is a better all-around solution. This style gives you the best of both worlds but can still graduate up to serious running if it turns out to be a hobby that sticks.

We believe the Thule Urban Glide 2 has the best features for both worlds, and that serious runners and occasional hobbyists alike will enjoy the quality and performance no matter what the day has in store. Alternatively, our professional runner/tester indicated she preferred the BOB Revolution over all of the competition. The BOB Rambler is similar enough to the Revolution that if budget is a concern, you might consider this swivel wheel winner.

The adjustable tracking on the Urban Glide 2 helps it run straight and true.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Adjustable Tracking

Arguably, a more critical feature than a fixed vs. swivel wheel is the ability to adjust the tracking of the front wheel. The better jogging products have adjustable tracking to keep the front wheel running straight. If the stroller pulls or veers in one direction while running on a flat surface, you can use the adjustment mechanism to keep the front wheel tracking straight and the stroller moving on course. Think of it as a quick front end alignment on your stroller like you regularly get for your car. Alternatively, those products without adjustable tracking can result in chronic veering and constant manual correction while running. The manual correction will increase overall fatigue, and the experience of running will be far less enjoyable. All of our award winners, except for the Baby Trend Expedition, have adjustable tracking. While it lacked adjustable tracking, the Baby Trend we purchased tracked straight enough for the occasional jog.

The BOB Revolution Flex has an adjustable height handlebar, that rotates on a pivot point.

Credit: BabyGearLab Staff

Second: Adjustable Handlebar

An adjustable handlebar can come in handy if you (and anyone else who will regularly use the stroller) are taller or shorter than the average person. The average height of American women is 5'5 inches tall; the average male is closer to 5'10 inches tall; this alone is a significant disparity if mom and dad plan to use the same stroller and are within the average range. To further complicate the issue, if one of you is over 6 feet tall, the non-adjustable handle might change your running style. It could result in inefficient running, possible injury, or increased fatigue. Luckily, stroller companies seem to be "grasping" the handlebar height significance, and several offer an adjustable handlebar. The top-scoring Thule strollers, the Thule Urban Glide 2 and Thule Glide 2; both have adjustable height handlebars, as does the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0, and Thule Chariot Cross 2 with jog kit.

The handlebar on the Thule Glide 2 adjusts on a pivot point to accommodate runners of different heights.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Previously, we felt that many adjustable handlebars caused a "squishy" feel from the play at the adjustment point. However, the handlebars in this review are very easy to adjust and generally do not have noticeable movement. On the contrary, they seem to have similar precision responsiveness as the fixed handlebars. In the end, we feel that being able to adjust the height of the bar is a crucial component of running if you aren't in the average height range. Given that it can impact your running biomechanics, and thus your ability to run for longer durations and avoid injury, we can't find a reason not to choose an adjustable handle.

The BOB Revolution Flex offers adjustable suspension.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Third: Suspension

Having good suspension provides smooth strolling over uneven terrain, just like in your car. Most joggers offer shocks on the rear wheels to help prevent baby from jarring bumps in the road and to make the whole experience more enjoyable. Most true jogging products will have excellent suspension. Historically, BOB strollers set the standard for great jogging products, in part because they have an impressive adjustable suspension that can be altered depending on the type of terrain you are going over and the weight of your child. Not to be outdone, the Thule Urban Glide 2 and Glide 2 options also have excellent rear wheel suspension (though they aren't adjustable). The Thule Chariot Cross 2 also has an adjustable suspension similar to the BOB strollers.

What kind of suspension to consider will depend on how often you plan to run and the sort of surfaces you plan to run on. In short, the rougher the ground, the better the suspension should be. Many of the cheaper models in our review did not have individual shocks, which leads us to believe that the manufacturers don't truly expect you to run with them. Our budget-friendly winner, the Baby Trend Expedition, is a good example of this. Its lack of shocks and adjustable tracking make it a poor choice for serious runners, but its other features make it suitable for use on uneven surfaces.

This is the under side of the hard plastic seat of the Chicco Tre. This hard bottom can be significantly harder on baby than the sling seat because each bump causes baby to hit on the board. This could lead to a cranky baby who quickly decides running is no fun.

Credit: BabyGearLab Staff

Other features that can help cushion the blows associated with jogging are the style and padding of the seat. All the products we tested claim to have a padded or comfortable seat for baby, but not all seats are created equal. To complicate things further, the style of the seat seems more critical than the padding. The sling-style seats, which suspend from the surrounding frame, offer a more comfortable experience for the baby because they lack a hard surface for the baby to bounce. It is similar to the difference between sleeping in a hammock or on a hardboard. The hammock will give with the bumps, and you won't be banging against a hard surface as you bounce up and down while the board creates a hard surface to hit.

The BOB Rambler has a cozy almost flat seating area good for napping with ample protection from the elements with a larger than average canopy.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Given that peaceful cooperation from your baby will directly affect your running experience, you'll want the baby to be as cozy and safe as possible. Most of the actual running strollers in this review had sling-style seats with enough padding to help adequately cushion the baby from any jolts remaining after the shocks work their magic. Alternatively, the Graco FastAction Fold Jogger and Chicco Tre both have hard plastic seats that don't absorb impact from running, despite the added padding.

Fourth: Additional Features

Extra features like cup holders, pockets, snack trays, built-in speakers, and odometers came with some of the models we reviewed. Some features are essential, such as infant car seat adapter for strolling with babies under eight months old. Others are handy, like a parent tray with space to store your keys, wallet, and cellphone. Still, some are useful, but have trade-offs, like snack trays for the baby that add to the stroller's weight, make it less aerodynamic, protrude in awkward ways when folded, and are virtually useless for a baby when you are moving quickly. However, some features are rather useless in practice, like built-in speakers. In the end, a boatload of features can be useful in a standard stroller, but keeping joggers simple is usually best.

While tipping to turn is a necessity for running, we like that the Urban Glide 2 has a swivel wheel setting for tight indoor spaces.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Final Consideration: Tell the Truth

The most important factor to consider is how much running you will REALLY do. This consideration is essential because, for everyday use, you'll value excellent maneuverability and ease of use over run-ability. You may be able to save a few dollars by skimping on the running features if you aren't a daily runner. However, if you are a serious runner, you will need a stroller with high marks for run-ability with the performance and features necessary for dedicated running. The more extensively you plan to use your stroller for running, the more you should be willing to pay for the sake of improved performance and safety for your baby.

The Thule Urban Glide 2 can make a great everyday stroller with covered storage and swivel wheel maneuverability.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

We believe that joggers have improved so much in quality and design that you can have it all. You can have a swivel wheel for better maneuverability around town, and you can lock that wheel in a fixed position for running and fun outdoor adventures. The Thule Urban Glide 2, BOB Rambler, BOB Alterrain Pro and the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 offer versatility, high-quality, and functional features that will last for many years and babies to come. These strollers came in top overall, and in critical metrics like run-ability and maneuverability. The upside is all of these options are less expensive than some of the higher ranking traditional strollers.

The Expedition is a budget friendly jogging stroller you can use for everyday activities, but it isn't the best for serious runners and did not score well in our tests for run-ability.

Credit: BabyGearLab Staff

Alternatively, if you aren't really a jogger, and you'll spend the majority of your time walking with only the occasional run, then our value choice, the Baby Trend Expedition, is an acceptable stroller with useful features that has a locking swivel wheel and is easy to push and turn. This stroller is a budget-friendly choice for parents who want the jogging style but aren't committed to the jogging lifestyle.

We think a good jogging stroller, like the BOB Revolution Flex can be used as your only stroller. If this is your intention we encourage you to find one with a locking swivel wheel that offers great maneuverability and has ample storage.

Credit: BabyGearLab Staff

Can a jogging option be my only stroller?

Depending on your specific situation, you could use a locking swivel front wheel jogger as your only stroller. But remember that joggers do not fold small, are sometimes heavier, and are cumbersome to carry around, so they are not the ideal stroller for commuting or city life. Also, if you plan to stroll with a baby younger than 6-8 months, you'll need to make sure that the stroller is compatible with an infant car seat. Joggers also offer a smoother ride for your baby, especially on rough roads. So, if you are moving over a variety of surfaces, the versatility of a swivel wheel jogger could be a good fit as your primary or only stroller, as most full-size strollers lack the best performance over uneven terrain. The BOB Rambler is smaller and lighter than some full-size options and most joggers, which means it could be a viable everyday choice for city life depending on where you live and your needs.

Over several months, we ran, jogged, speed-walked, and walked with these jogging strollers in all types of terrain; smooth, rough, hilly, bumpy, muddy, sandy, rocky, snowy, dry, and wet. We used them indoors and outdoors in crowded stores and open parks. We pushed and pulled them up. We folded and unfolded them and got them in and out of the car trunk. And we did all of this with baby and baby's gear in tow. Precisely the way most parents use this kind of stroller in the real world.

Run-ability

Run-ability tests included rating the strollers for their handlebar shape and adjustability, their rolling resistance, and how well they tracked and whether or not they offered adjustable tracking. We took all of the strollers running with multiple testers on different surfaces, including sidewalks and dirt hiking trails. We assessed how difficult it is to push them and whether or not they are easy to run with or a wrestling nightmare.

One key source of ratings and critique of run-ability performance was input from our running expert, Carrie Vickers, who put each of the strollers through the wringer during her ultra-distance race training, with her twin girls, and an older daughter. Also, we had testers of different heights, both male and female, to run each product, and assess field performance.

The under seat storage bin of the Thule Urban Glide is easy to access and the zippered top helps keep items clean and safe from falling out. The additional back zipper pocket can be used for smartphones and keys.

Credit: BabyGearLab Staff

Ease of Use

Testing ease of use required that we compare the features of each product and how easy they were to use under normal circumstances. Some of the conveniences looked good on paper but weren't useful in real life, and other features seem almost useless for a stroller you plan to run with. We gave points for expansive canopies that are easy to adjust and cover most of the passenger, peek-a-boo windows that are large enough to see the baby, cup holders that don't drop items, storage bins that can hold diaper bags, and reclining seats.

Some of the strollers don't have many conveniences, and unlike other types of strollers, we don't consider this to be a downfall. Products designed for running don't necessarily need a lot of bells and whistles and having too many means, it might be challenging to use them when you are jogging. However, we felt if they are going to have the features, they should be well done, of good quality, and easy to utilize. Strollers were compared against one another so parents can get a feel for which options are better than others.

For harnesses, we assessed how easy they were to get on and adjust and how difficult it is to get a proper fit for smaller babies. We think if a harness is hard to use, then parents might neglect using it if it is too easy children might be able to "get out of it" when parents aren't looking. Products earned more points if they were easy to adjust and use.

The Glide's 5 point harness is easy to adjust, but requires 2 hands to release the buckle

Credit: BabyGearLab Staff

We gave more points to single-action brakes over double action brakes believing that they are easier to use and more likely to be appropriately set.

We used a stopwatch for timing how long it took to get the products out of the box and ready to run using the instructions provided in the box. Products earned more points for taking less time, having easy to read manuals, no tool assembly, and photos or illustrations. They lost points for clumped together multi-language instructions that take longer to read, pictures or steps that are not necessary for construction, and hard to follow or unclear instructions. The most straightforward products to assemble have clear text, helpful images, and the majority of the product already assembled.

Maneuverability

We put all of the strollers through a series of tests on different surfaces and multiple environments to determine their maneuverability and stability during use for their intended purposes. We jogged with them two-handed and one-handed, over flat hard surfaces, across the grass, dirt, and gravel, and manage stairs and curbs, to determine which products were up to the challenge. The critical part of being a jogging product is the ability to move well in tight spaces and various terrains at speed. Navigating on hard surfaces is a must; moving at speed is just as important. While the design of these products is for stability when running, it is also useful if they can move in tighter places without bumping into obstacles. We scored each stroller against each other based on which did the best moving through our obstacle course and real-life scenarios. The strollers that were easy to turn earned higher marks, the fixed wheel options that required less tipping, or were shorter in length scored better than those that were hard to tip or knocked into things when turning.

Once folded it is difficult to see too much of a size difference in the jogging products side-by-side

Credit: BabyGearLab Staff

Quality

We base quality on our overall experience and how the materials and fit and finish of each stroller compare to each other. For fabric, we gave points for the weave, stain, or water-repellent properties, snag-ability, straight stitching, and how it attached to the frame. We reviewed the frame materials, hinge points, connectors, and if the frame flexed or the handlebars wobbled. We also compared the wheels of each product and how well they connected to the stroller. We assess quality by comparing each stroller and how well they held up after their brief period during testing.

Weight and Folded Size

For weight and folded size, we measured each product instead of relying on manufacturer specs. We wanted to ensure that all the products were rated by using the same scale for weight and the same measuring methods. We weigh the strollers fully assembled with all their parts, and measured with the same device by the same person. The values were then compared to each other and ranked. The smaller, lighter joggers earned more points in this metric, though the overall scores were weighted less in the overall scoring than in different stroller categories like umbrella products.

If getting outdoors and moving at speed or off-road is mandatory for you and your family, a jogger could be a must-have piece of baby gear. The three-wheel design of joggers with rubber tires provide the ability to move smoothly over various terrains. These designs make joggers a favorite go-to for almost every busy family and every occasion outside of the busy city streets. We also think that a jogging style stroller can easily be your only stroller because they are versatile and include features parents need for everyday errands. No matter what your needs might be, there is something for every family in this review, and the award winners and high-ranking choices are a great place to start your stroller search.