The 10 Best Jogging Strollers
This wiki has been updated 42 times since it was first published in March of 2015. Having a baby shouldn't prevent you from being active, which is why we've ranked the best jogger strollers based on maneuverability, ease of transport, smooth operation, and comfort (for both child and parent). They’re equipped with useful features like locking front wheels, air-filled tires for running on any terrain, canopies that protect from the Sun’s rays, and cell phone holders. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Thule Urban Glide 2.0
2. Bob Gear Revolution
3. Chicco Tre
Editor's Notes
February 05, 2020:
Many of the strollers on our list have received upgrades and makeovers, as our new choices reflect. The Bob Gear Revolution is a force to be reckoned with when you’re handling rough terrain, thanks to its high-quality suspension system and tires that are filled with air. It’s thoughtfully designed for parents of varying heights, with an adjustable handlebar. You can use it at night and stay highly visible, since it’s equipped with reflective fabric. Your child can sit upright and take in the sights, and when he or she is ready for a nap, you can recline the seat back quickly with the push of a button. It’s got handy zippered pockets, so you can stow all your essentials securely. This model replaces the Bob Ironman, which is no longer unavailable.
The Evenflo Folio3 Travel System is convenient when you need to get to your jogging destination in your vehicle, as it folds up to a compact size that fits easily in most trunks – and it comes with a car seat, making it a convenient travel system. As for the stroller itself, it features a lockable front wheel – that you can keep in swivel mode for more leisurely walks outdoors or at the mall. The air-filled tires make it perform like a champ on rougher road surfaces, and it can hold weight of up to 50 pounds. One caveat, some users find it a pain to fold and unfold. So, if you choose to go with it, expect a learning curve and make sure you practice before using it with your child. It replaces the Evenflo Victory, which is unavailable at this time.
For safety’s sake, you should not use a jogging stroller with infants younger than eight months, and always get your pediatrician’s approval before you start using this type of stroller, no matter your baby’s age. As with any stroller, don’t hang anything heavy from the handlebar, as it can potentially tip the stroller over. Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and make sure your child falls within the appropriate weight and size range.
Special Honors
Zigo Leader X2 This 4-in-1 bicycle features an integrated baby carrier and can be used as a conventional stroller, a jogger, a carrier bike, or a standalone bike. With all of these options, it’s a great way to spend time with your child, get healthier, and reduce your carbon footprint. No matter which of the kid-carrying options you go with, your little one is situated up front so you can see them and hold conversations. It becomes a jogging stroller when you add the optional front wheel; when you’d rather walk, just attach the smaller front casters, instead. When you’re kid-free, use it as the Leader Cycle, which is a sleek, multi-speed city bike. Just pick the configuration you prefer today, and you’ll have it transformed from one setup to another in a matter of seconds. myzigo.com
4. Bob Gear Rambler
5. Chicco Activ3
6. Costzon Baby
7. Evenflo Folio3 Travel System
8. Graco Fastaction
9. Bumbleride Indie
10. Baby Trend Expedition
You've Come A Long Way, Baby Stroller
In actuality it closely resembled the jogging strollers of today, by their distinct three wheel design.
Did you know the first baby stroller design had a harness, not for the baby, but for the intention of being propelled and lead by a horse? The early shelled shaped carriages of 1733 were made by landscape architect, William Kent. One hundred years later, the baby carriage evolved but wasn't perfected. In actuality it closely resembled the jogging strollers of today, by their distinct three wheel design. However, the early models were terribly narrow and unstable.
In the mid-1800s they replaced those horses with people. Quickly, an American named Charles Burton realized this wasn't going to work, and he added a handle bar that allowed people to push, as he called it, a "perambulator", or pram for short. He had to take it to England to gain any traction, but once he did, the world would never be the same.
A Baltimore man, William H. Richardson improved the pram in 1889, by adding independently moving wheels, therefore increasing maneuverability and convenience. However, the design was still terribly heavy, and it would take nearly 80 years for Essex native, Owen Maclaren to file a patent for his umbrella stroller design. If this sounds familiar, that's because both the name Maclaren, and the umbrella stroller, are still hot baby commodities to this day.
And then finally, necessity gave birth to the first baby jogger in 1984. And now more than ever before, parents are busier and busier, running here, taking the kids there, and jogging strollers help keep up with that pace.
Nobody Puts Baby Jogger In A Corner
Opposed to the four-wheel standard stroller, jogger varieties stand out with their tri-roller design. The reason for this is to improve navigation, but it doesn't end there. Baby joggers also boast a better suspension system, which is why they're also known as all-terrain strollers. They can glide over rough surfaces without losing balance, and the front wheel typically is lockable for added equilibrium. Not only is the stroller secure while in motion, but they generally have a 5-point harness system, to secure baby properly without the fear of them slipping out.
Others are a tad more complex, making it necessary to use both hands.
An important aspect to consider with baby joggers lies in their folding capabilities. Some fold easily with a one-handed process, making it easy on the parent to close the unit when it comes time to stow away, or travel, and you're other hand is occupied. Others are a tad more complex, making it necessary to use both hands. Regardless, both kinds should fold fairly compactly, and have a secure close to prevent accidental deployment.
Another advantage of a jogger stroller is the push handle. Many models today have made their handles height adjustable, which can make a huge difference for parents of varying tallness. Some handles also have integrated braking systems too, to help runners maintain speed when traversing downhill.
When it comes to the baby's needs, jogger strollers should offer a sun canopy, to avoid burning delicate skin, (and a peekaboo window is an added bonus,) and an under-seat storage compartment for all personal items. Though not all joggers offer these features, many parents will find them extremely convenient, especially if excursions turn into an all day affair.
Do I Really Need A Jogging Stroller?
It's hard enough to maintain an exercise regimen with a needy baby, and jogging strollers certainly help active parents invest in their health. Not only that, but most babies love getting the chance to see the moving world. In this instance, joggers are built for speed and varying terrains, giving parents the freedom to move, while ensuring their child's well being.
With jogging strollers, they typically have swivel front wheels, perfect for cutting sharp corners, but that can also lock in place, for better stability when running.
Even if you're not actively inclined, the high maneuverability and ease of use with joggers may suit parents better than limited designed models, such as an umbrella stroller. After all, jogging strollers are considered to be multi-purpose products. They're suitable for everyday activities, offering plenty of storage for running errands, while being built to handle some wear and tear, giving them a long-lasting life. This makes them perfect for parent's expecting to expand their families.
It's also wise to consider which features joggers provide that standard strollers may not, such as fixed wheels. With jogging strollers, they typically have swivel front wheels, perfect for cutting sharp corners, but that can also lock in place, for better stability when running. Obviously, the stroller of choice is a personal one. But weighing in your needs with stroller features is the best way to find exactly what you're looking for.
Karen Bennett lives in Chicago with her family, and when she’s not writing, she can usually be found practicing yoga or cheering on her kids at soccer games. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s in English, and her writing has been published in various local newspapers, as well as “The Cheat Sheet,” “Illinois Legal Times,” and “USA Today.” She has also written search engine news page headlines and worked as a product manager for a digital marketing company. Her expertise is in literature, nonfiction, textbooks, home products, kids' games and toys, hardware, teaching accessories, and art materials.