Best Jogging Strollers | Running Strollers 2019 – Runner’s World
Best Jogging Strollers | Running Strollers 2019 Runner’s World
From budget buggies to speedy chariots, these strollers will help you cover the miles.
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Between a demanding work schedule and busy personal life, it can be hard to find time to run. Add a baby to the mix and any free time you had all but disappears. Fortunately, you can maintain your fitness without having to spring for a babysitter, thanks to a new breed of jogging strollers that have all the features you need to comfortably go the distance.
Starting Early
Most experts will suggest you don’t take your child out in a jogging stroller until they’re nearly a year old—they need to have the strength to be able to hold up their heads. While some of us might push that advice, you can get an earlier start by choosing equipment that converts from a standard stroller to an infant model. Such models have supports to swap out the fabric seat for a more protective car seat.
Larger Wheels
Don’t even think about running with that City Mini you got for a shower gift. The small wheels aren’t stable enough, and the stroller won’t have the suspension needed to securely handle running speeds. Instead, look for dedicated jogging models that have larger wheels, which roll more smoothly at faster paces and better absorb bumps in sidewalks and roads.
Lock the Front Wheel
Most jogging strollers now feature wheels that can both swivel and be locked in the straight-ahead position. For running, you want that wheel locked. If it’s allowed to swivel, it will cause instability and you could crash. As you slow, allowing the wheel to swivel makes it easier to steer while walking.
Adjustable Handle Height
If two parents plan to use the stroller, look for a model that has an adjustable handle. Many click into at least three positions, so shorter runners can jog as comfortably as taller parents. It may sound like a small bother, but your shoulders and arms will thank you at the end of any moderately long run behind the wheel.
Do You Need a Hand Brake?
A hand brake can be a wonderful addition to a jogging stroller if you live in a hilly area. The brake allows you to maintain form and pace when running downhill, rather than having to lean back to keep from losing control of the stroller. This may not be a big deal on small inclines, but with long steep hills, a hand brake can help you maintain good form, and safety.
Speed
Let’s face it, you’re going to use more effort pushing a 25-pound stroller and 15-plus pound baby—especially if any of your route is uphill. So, forget the watch and enjoy the mileage. The stroller is a liberating tool that lets you get in a run when you’d otherwise not be able to. We’ve found the time with our child can also be one of learning: A game we like to play is to let our child tell us whether to turn left or right. If you really must get in a speed workout, look for one of the faster models below and seek out flat land—or hire a sitter.
How We Tested
Every stroller on this list has been thoroughly evaluated and vetted by our team of test editors. We research the market, survey user reviews, speak with product managers and engineers, and use our own experience running while pushing these strollers to determine the best options. Our team of experienced testers spent many hours and miles using them for their intended purpose. We’ve done easy runs with toddlers, long runs with bigger kids, and even ran errands to test cargo capacity. We evaluated them on performance, price, comfort, handling, value, reliability, and fun to come up with this list of strollers that will best serve the needs of parents looking to run with their children.
[Related: Best Gifts for New Moms]
Thule Chariot Cross
For parents who want to run outside year-round, in any weather
Price: $1,050
Weight: 32.1 lb
If you plan to run year-round with your kid—wind, rain, and snow be damned—the Chariot Cross is the rig you want. It converts from a rolling stroller to a bike trailer and even a cross-country ski sled. The front is covered by a screen and plastic shield, creating a protective bubble to keep your child safe and warm. I’ve pushed my kid in a blizzard that dumped 6 inches of snow and she was clammy inside, snuggled under her blankets. While the Chariot is larger than other models, it rolls effortlessly, especially on flat ground. It’s also available in a double-wide model if you have a pair of tots to push.
BOB Rambler
Nice option for apartment residents or runners who need a compact stroller for travel
Price: $360
Weight: 25.3 lb
The compact Rambler is ideal for city dwellers or anyone with limited space. Thanks to 12-inch wheels and an origami-like fold-flat design, it fit easily into the trunk of my already cluttered Mazda 3, and navigating crowded grocery-store aisles was a snap. The little wheels don’t handle choppy roads as well as larger models, and the whole thing feels a bit tippy when you use it with a heavier child—the stroller is rated to 75 pounds, though my 55-pound 6-year-old seemed to be pushing the limits. But you get used to that quickly and still get the nice features found on other BOB models, like bump-absorbing shocks, a generous canopy, and one-handed recline adjustment.
KidRunner
This novel design lets you run fast and swing your arms freely
Price: $895
Weight: 19 lb
This option looks like an ancient Roman chariot but has modern, techy design features with real benefits. Instead of pushing your kid, you strap the KidRunner to your waist and tow your little gladiator behind you. The setup let our testers run more naturally than with other models, freely swinging our arms instead of being tethered to a handlebar. Plus, the slim design slices through the wind, so you don’t feel like you’re pushing a sailboat on a windy day. The padded waist harness balances weight just right, so you feel only a slight tug when accelerating or motoring uphill. And we love that its gentle rocking motion sent our kid to dreamland on nearly every run. New for 2019: The KidRunner is now available as a bike trailer and a cross-country ski setup, like the Thule Chariot Cross above.
Thule Chariot Lite
Good value for a year-round jogging stroller
Price: $850
Weight: 25.8 lb
Want the versatility of the Chariot Cross but can’t justify the high price tag? The Chariot Lite has many of the same features with just a few compromises to save you money. Like the Cross, the Lite can be used as a jogging stroller, bike trailer, and even a cross-country ski rig—in any situation, your kid stays warm and dry inside the bubble-like construction. But, the Lite doesn’t have a reclining seat, adjustable suspension, or the cargo storage compartment. Older kids who don’t need to nap likely won’t complain, so it might be worth buying this stroller and putting the extra $200 toward another pair of running shoes.
BOB Revolution Flex 3.0
Easy, one-handed operation for parents on the go
Price: $450
Weight: 28.5 lb
The newest Revolution Flex comes with extra storage and a more comfortable cockpit for your kid. Our tester’s 19-month-old son isn’t talking enough to tell Mom just how cozy it was, but the Flex 3.0 offered him more space despite the frame actually being more compact than other strollers she’s tested. The new seat is designed using compression padding like you’d find in a kayak, so your tot won’t grumble as you leg out another mile on your long run. Meanwhile, our tester appreciated the new zip pocket on top of the canopy, which was big enough for her iPhone and kept it within easy reach. It’s worth noting that you don’t have to worry about the quick-release wheels that ; the Flex 3.0’s front wheel is bolted to the fork. Our lone gripe: the thick spokes on the wheels made it tricky to get a bike pump fitted to the valves.
A great value that easily transitions from a jogging stroller to a bike trailer
Price: $200
Weight: 31 lb
The SST1 has a durable steel frame that will outlast the time you spend running with your kid. We found it’s easy to assemble straight out of the box—our test editor didn’t even need to use the instructions—and it quickly converts between a stroller and a trailer using the supplied hitch pins. When loaded with your kid, the long wheelbase and low center of gravity makes it stable and easy rolling. There are a few tradeoffs, however, for the more budget-friendly price: First, it doesn’t collapse, so you’ll need space in your garage to store it upright. And the seat doesn’t recline, so you may want to wait until your child is closer to two years of age before venturing out—they’ll slump forward when they fall asleep.
Baby Jogger Summit X3
Big wheels, hand brake, and soft shocks make it great for running on road or off
Price: $430
Weight: 28.4 lb
The X3’s big 16-inch rear wheels, suspension, and hand brake make it the burly SUV of the bunch—it rolled easy over roots and crushed-stone paths (and helped keep my four-year-old’s cup of Lucky Charms from spilling when we ran off-road). But it also felt great on city streets, where it took the edge off of cracked tarmac and was easy to maneuver. Although the X3 costs more than some others, it’s loaded with features: A hand brake adds control on steep downhills, the huge retractable sun canopy has ample venting, the rear wheels pop on and off easily (the front is a little trickier to access) and the frame folds flat in seconds with one hand. —Louis Mazzante
Graco Road Master
Budget-priced but fully capable
Price: $180
Weight: 28.8 lb
This budget stroller costs half as much as most of the models here, but has nice features that make it a solid value. The 16-inch rear wheels help it roll smoothly and the cargo basket underneath is large enough to hold a bag of groceries, or a menagerie of stuffed animals. At this price, expect some tradeoffs. The brakes, while helpful, require stepping on two pedals to operate and we noticed some play in the frame’s main pivot joint, which gave the Road Master a rougher ride than some (the lack of suspension didn’t help either). Still, it’s a nice economical option—and you can use the money you saved to buy more running gear.