Bumbleride Indie Stroller Review

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Bumbleride Indie is my favorite all-terrain stroller. It was a big hit from the moment it was released. Indie is designed for active parents who enjoy light jogging and want an everyday stroller with off-road ability and LUXURY features.

This is perfect for moms like me, who is not serious jogger, but still wants to lose that extra baby weight.

It has everything a girl can dream of! A huge canopy, adjustable footrest, deep recline, roomy seat, large basket, and lightweight frame. That’s right, this jogging stroller weighs ONLY 20 lbs!

The air-filled tires and rear suspension system provide an exceptionally smooth ride. It glides with ease and can be pushed with one hand. The seat is made out of eco-friendly material that helps to regulate temperature and absorb moisture.

You can easily convert it to a travel system with the included car seat adapter or by purchasing a matching bassinet. The seat can also convert into a bassinet-like environment making it perfect for a newborn (you might not even need to get a bassinet). 

The bumper bar is also included in the 2013 model. This stroller can be used from birth up to 45 lbs. If you have twins, it is not a problem. The double version is also available. If you are not into jogging and would like to get an all-terrain stroller, check out the Indie 4 model.

OVERALL

I gave this stroller 5 out of 5 stars and believe me when I tell you that not many strollers get a such high score from me. It is full of luxury features and the only thing I would add is an automatic lock.

It has EVERYTHING else! This is not a cheap stroller, but I always say, you get what you paid for. If you want high-quality and luxury features, Indie is the perfect stroller for you.

The lowest price I found, was on Amazon for $529 which includes a cup holder, bumper bar, and a car seat adapter.  The price does vary depending on the color. There is also a double version available for $729.99.

Buy Bumbleride Indie Stroller »

Here is my little baby girl looking cozy. :)

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Features

CANOPY

This is one of the BEST canopies I’ve seen on a stroller. It goes down all the way to the bumper bar providing FULL coverage from the sun any time of the day. You can be sure your child will be covered even with the seat fully reclined.

The canopy has SPF 45 built in to protect your child from harmful UV sun rays. It’s attached to the back of the seat by metal snap buttons and it also has a zipper in the back of the canopy so you can convert it into a so-called ‘floating canopy’ that will follow the sun.

I like to unzip the canopy to provide more air circulation on hot summer days. It has a dark mesh peekaboo window that also allows for the air to get in. The window closure on my Indie was a noisy Velcro that I hate, but newer strollers (same model but different year) have a magnetic closure.

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There is a small zipper pocket in the back of the canopy that can fit items like keys or a cell phone. More storage!

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HANDLEBAR

It goes all the way from 25″ up to 43″ from the ground. Great for shorter and taller parents. The handlebar is covered with foam and has a convenient grip in the middle for one-hand navigation.

I think that grip makes the frame look very sleek and it comes quite handy when I am on the phone or have a dog leash in the other hand. I really like this handlebar.

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CUP HOLDER

It can hold a regular bottle of water or a large cup of coffee. Because of the small opening in the middle, it easily adjusts to the size of the cup. It is removable and can be moved from one side of the stroller to another. What would I do without a cup holder (mostly coffee holder. LOL)

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SEAT

It is 12.5″ wide and 22″ high from the back of the seat to the top of the canopy. It has a one-hand infinite recline, but you will need both hands to bring the seat back. It has a very deep recline that goes almost to a flat position. 

You can use it from birth up to 45 lbs. I didn’t put Sophia into the seat when she was a newborn because I felt like she needed more support, but I did use it as a travel system with my Chicco Keyfit 30 infant car seat.

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Bumbleride decided to keep the fabric from the ‘Natural’ collection and get rid of the ‘Classic’ and ‘Movement’ collections from previous years. It is an eco-friendly material.

While the inside of the seat is made out of a bamboo-nylon blend of fabrics that help regulate the temperature and naturally absorb moisture, the exterior of the stroller is made out of a recycled polyester blend. The exterior material reminds me of a ski jacket material. It’s that tough.

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The unique thing about this seat is that it converts into a bassinet-like environment for your little one. Recline the seat all the way back to a flat position and bring the leg rest all the way up.

You don’t even need to remove the bumper bar. There are two small pieces of material underneath the leg rest that you can clip to both sides of the seat to create a bassinet-like environment for your baby.

There is also a thick piece of material that goes all the way around the top of the seat to prevent your baby from falling if you decide to unclip the canopy in the back.

How cool is this feature? Right away you feel the high quality of a luxury stroller. You can also purchase a real bassinet and turn this stroller into a pram. Not many jogging strollers have a bassinet as an accessory.

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HARNESS

It has a padded adjustable 5-point harness with a new center release button in the middle. To release the harness, you will need to push a little harder on that button. I have to tell you, that buckle is a puzzle piece. It took me a few times before I got it.

But, my mother still hates it! Every time she takes Sophia for a walk, she gives me a ‘How could I buy this stroller’ speech. Sigh… The harness has 4 different positions.

What I like about it is that you can separate the shoulder straps from the waist straps. It is easier to get younger kids out of the harness and a lot of times, older children don’t like to use those shoulder straps because they constrain them.

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BUMPER BAR

It comes with a stroller. Finally! For all the money we are paying for this stroller, I definitely expected a bumper bar if not a child tray. This bumper bar is adjustable and is very easy to snap in.

It does sit under an angle, not like the regular bumper bar we are used to. It’s covered with the same fabric as the canopy. No foam! You can easily remove it by unzipping it. Love it!

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FOOTREST

It has been updated. Before, the whole footrest would adjust. Now, the part of the footrest that is part of the frame is set in place, but the leg rest that is part of the seat can be adjusted.

The leg rest has only two positions: horizontal and under an angle. Very cool! I really like this update, because the foot drop is higher now and can accommodate a taller child.

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BASKET

It is a great basket! It’s large and deep. Very easy to access even with the seat fully reclined. It will fit a large diaper bag and will have some room left. You can also get into it from the sides.

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WHEELS

It rolls on three 12″ air-filled tires that provide a smooth ride. The rear wheels pop off with a push of a button to make the stroller more compact when folded.

The front wheel is a 360-degree swivel wheel that can be locked straight for jogging or for rough terrain. Since these are air-filled tires, I do recommend getting a tire pump in case they need more air.

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Together with air-filled tires, it absorbs a lot of bumps creating a very smooth ride. It pushes like a dream! Easy to navigate and maneuver even with one hand. I went for a walk while it was snowing and had no problems.

It was only about 1″ of snow, but you couldn’t see the trails. Surprisingly, it was very easy to navigate. It was a nice walk.

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Here is my fabulous diaper bag hanging off the handlebar covered with some snow.

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BRAKE

There is a foot parking brake located between the rear wheels. To activate it, step on the paddle and bring it down. To release it, lift the paddle up. It’s not flip-flop-friendly. I did scratch a few shoes with this one. LOL.

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FOLD/UNFOLD

It is a three-step two-hand fold. It’s easy, but not my favorite. First, put your canopy back and bring the bumper bar all the way down. Next, lift two levers on both sides of the frame and push the handlebar forward.

To fold the stroller in half, pull on the strap located in the back of the seat. Indie does NOT stand on its own and doesn’t have an automatic lock. You will need to put a folded stroller down on the ground and manually lock it in place.

I wish there would be an automatic lock, so I don’t have to bend down. Indie is pretty compact for a jogger with folded dimensions of 32″L x 24.5″W x 15″H. To make it even more compact you can remove rear wheels.

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TRAVEL SYSTEM

You can convert your stroller into a travel system for a newborn with the included car seat adapters. This universal car seat adapter works with:

  • Graco SnugRide Classic Connect
  • Graco SnugRide Classic Connect 32
  • Graco SnugRide Classic Connect 35
  • Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40
  • Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30
  • Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35
  • Chicco Keyfit 30
  • Combi Shuttle
  • Baby Trend Flex Loc
  • Britax Chaperone

You can get Indie / Indie 4 Maxi Cosi™ + Cybex™ Car Seat Adapter adapter that works with:

  • Maxi Cosi Mico
  • Maxi Cosi Mico AP
  • Maxi Cosi Prezi
  • Nuna Pipa
  • Cybex Aton
  • Cybex Aton 2
  • Cybex Aton Q
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Cons

-No automatic lock. After all these steps to fold the stroller, I wish there was an automatic lock. Hopefully, they will add it to the next update.

-Bulky. Like most joggers, it’s bulky. Usually takes up all of the space in my trunk.

Video Review

Baby Gizmo has a great video review of Indie 2013. 

Note: The seat is 12.5″ wide and 22″ high from the back of the seat to the top of the canopy and NOT 13″ wide and 23″ high like they say in the video. Other than that, this video review is great.

Updates for 2013

– New fabric. The major update is the fabric. Last year you could choose from 3 different collections: Movement, Classic, and Natural. Movement and Classic are not available anymore.

Now, all strollers use fabric from the ‘natural’ collection. The interior fabric is made out of durable bamboo blended fabric that helps to regulate temperature and naturally absorb moisture.

The bumper bar is now INCLUDED! I was pretty upset that it wasn’t included originally. It is an expensive stroller, plus you have to buy so many accessories.

– Peekaboo window. It got updated to a dark mesh. I like the mesh because it provides better air circulation.

– New 5-point harness. It got updated to a new center release button buckle. You need to apply more pressure to unlock it. Your toddler will not be able to do it.

– Footrest. It is a larger footrest that has two parts now. While the frame part is set in place and is not adjustable, the leg rest that is part of the seat can be lifted up. The updated version provides better accommodation for a taller toddler and at the same time can be adjusted to create a bassinet-like environment for a newborn.

-Car seat adapter. It is INCLUDED! Now you can easily convert it to a travel system.

-New colors. New year, new colors! Now, there are seven colors available: jet black, aquamarine, cayenne red, fog grey, green papyrus, lotus blue, and lotus pink.

Specs

Stroller weight: 20 lbs
Weight limit: 45 lbs
Folded dimensions: 32″L x 24.5″W x 15″H
Handlebar height: 25″-43″
Seat to canopy height: 22″
Wheels: 12″
Overall length: 36″
Overall width: 24.5″

Warranty

Bumbleride provides a 3-year warranty from the original date of purchase.

Available colors

Bumbleride Indie is available in seven colors: jet black, aquamarine, cayenne red, fog grey, green papyrus, lotus blue, and lotus pink. All of the strollers have a stainless steel frame.

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Accessories

Indie has a lot of great accessories like a bassinet, snack pack, footmuff and liner, rain cover, parent pack, and travel bag.

-Bassinet/Carrycot. These are perfect for taking your newborn for a walk. Usually, they only last for 5-6 months and then the babies are too big for them. Carrycots are available in every color to match your stroller. They offer extendable canopies, ergonomic mattress pads, and zip-on covers. You can get one for around $160. 

-Snack pack. There is no child tray available, but there is a snack pack. It has two compartments. You can place a sippy cup in a smaller one and the snacks in a larger one. It can be easily cleaned by unzipping the fabric. You can purchase one for around $44.

-Footmuff and liner. I think this is a great option instead of a carrycot. It will protect your baby from cold and can be used for an infant or a toddler. It costs around $72.

-Parent pack. This is the so-called parent console where you can store all your little items. It has two cup holders and a large zipper pocket in the middle. There is not much storage available on the stroller, so this is a must-have item. You can purchase it for around $25.

-Travel bag. It is a little pricey, but if you travel a lot, it is worth getting it. It can be purchased for around $92.

-Rain cover. If you getting Indie, you will need a rain cover. It will work with Bumbleride Flite, Indie, or Indie Twin. It costs around $37.

Where to buy it

You can get Bumbleride Indie in one of the seven beautiful colors for around $529. I was unable to find any good sales on this one. There is also a double version available for around $729.99.

Buy Bumbleride Indie Stroller »

10 thoughts on “Bumbleride Indie Stroller Review”

  1. Thank you so much for your reply, Katrin! You are totally right about the Indie. It is a bulky fold and hard to maneuver with a fussy baby since it’s a two-arm fold. The bulky fold actually makes it hard to carry up and down three flights of stairs. So, even though it’s lightweight, it’s not a comfortable carry! Definitely a keep-in-the-car or keep-in-the-garage type of stroller for walks! The carry strap is also too short to put on your shoulder! Other than that, smooth ride, amazing canopy, easily accessible and nice size basket and beautiful fabric and overall look!

  2. Excellent review on the Indie stroller – love how detailed you got in the review as well as photography! Will you be doing the new Indie 4 also?

  3. Just FYI, I just ordered and received the indie and it has a magnetic peekaboo window now :)
    Per Bumbleride, they made the change at the end of last year.

  4. Hi Katrin! Thanks so much for your excellent reviews, they are so helpful! I’m super torn between the Indie and the Mamas&Papas Armadillo Flip XT. Is the ride smoother on the Indie or are they pretty comparable? I anticipate that I might sometimes use the stroller for jogging if I went with the Indie (that’s my optimistic prediction!), but am more interested in being able to easily tackle grass and dirt trails (walking). I also want something that won’t be huge for shopping and city sidewalks. (I want it all, haha!). I started at the Urbo2 and ended up here ;-)

  5. Hi Miranda. If think that if you get Indie you will need to get a second lighter more compact stroller for running errands. But if you get Flip XT, I think it’s compact enough and easy to get in and out of the car so you it could be your ONLY stroller. It handles terrain pretty well, but you can’t jog with it. If you are not a jogger, it’s hard to start jogging with a baby. Also, pushing stroller when jogging requires a lot of effort!

  6. Hi Miranda, I love your website and reviews! I have seen many great reviews on the Bumbleride Indie and was ready to get this as my jogging stroller (and hopefully all around stroller) instead of the very popular Bob. I was told by a sales person at Buy Buy Baby today that it cannot be used as a jogger since it is not a true jogger due to the small wheels and is too much jostling for the child. The bumbleride website actually states you can jog with it, but I wanted to see what you thought. My runs are short, about 4 miles most days of the week. Mostly on paved surface, but occasionally onto a dirt path in fields to let my dog run. Wanted to see what you recommend. Thank you!

  7. Hi Kaela. The Indie is 100% a jogging stroller. I’ve been jogging with it for 2 year now and loving it! I am a light jogger who jogs usually at park on even paved surface. I don’t go trail jogging. I also don’t jog for more than 1 hour. It can easily handle dirt or gravel. If comparing the two, I would say Indie is more luxuries and has a different style. I like the material more and the design on Indie. Also the leg rest is adjustable and you can get a bassinet. BOB is a little simpler and is more for hardcore jogging.

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