Keeping an active lifestyle after having a child was a big challenge for me. It’s so easy to find excuses and skip a day or two or a week. There are always so many things to do.
That being said, I found that the best way to keep active is to invest in a good jogging stroller. That way, your child gets outdoor time and you get your exercise in.
Joggers come with a swivel or fixed front wheel. The swivel wheel (that can be locked straight) allows you to easily turn when needed. With the fixed wheel, every time you want to turn, you need to lift up the front wheel.
If you are using it as your main stroller for walking at the park, grocery shopping, running errands, etc., you need to get a swivel wheel. If you are a hardcore jogger who has other strollers and will be using them only for jogging, go with a fixed one.
Most parents buy a swivel-wheel jogger that they can use for fitness or everyday life because most of us don’t have extra money and space to keep so many strollers (except for me who has 5 strollers at the moment… God, I really need to get rid of some).
Of course, there are benefits and drawbacks to having a jogger as your main stroller. On the plus side, the large air-filled tires together with suspension can go over ANY terrain while providing the SMOOTHEST ride for your child.
The seat on a jogger is very roomy and has a high weight limit that can accommodate an older toddler. Some even have it up to 75 lbs (which is till college. LOL). Most of them have a travel system option so you can use it from birth. Of course, you have to wait till your baby is at least 8 months before jogging.
On the other hand, joggers are heavy and bulky so loading it in and out of the trunk is a job. Navigating narrow store aisles is challenging since joggers have larger footprints and take up a lot of room.
The air-filled tires require maintenance including fixing a flat or adding more air. The seat on most of them is slightly reclined even in the most upright position which is not ideal for younger children who want to sit up straight. As you can see, there are a lot of things to consider.
Below, I put together a list of the top 10 joggers you can buy right now. All of them are durable, have good maneuverability, and got great reviews from parents. I’ve only included those with a swivel front wheel since they are the most popular among parents. I will be updating this post on a regular basis as new models come out.
1. BOB Revolution Pro/Flex – $449
And the first place goes to BOB Revolution Pro and Flex! Since these two models are very similar except for the hand break on the Pro model, I decided to put them together as one. BOB Revolution deserves the first place because it’s simply the best when it comes to durability and performance.
It rolls on large air-filled tires that together with state-of-the art adjustable suspension system provide the smoothest ride even on rough terrain. You can easily lock the front wheel for jogging and it even has an adjustable tracking knob that fine-tunes the stroller correcting any right or left dragging which might occur while jogging.
The super roomy seat can accommodate a child up to 75 lbs and has a deep recline suitable from 6 months. There is also a travel system option so you can use it from birth. One thing I like about this seat is that it has been updated to be more upright in the most upright position.
The large canopy with a large viewing window provides plenty of shade. Taller and shorter parents will love the adjustable handlebar with 9 positions and a run-away strap.
There is plenty of storage including easy to access large basket, two mesh pockets inside of the seat for a child, and a large pocket in the back of the seat for parents. The Pro model weighs 30 lbs while the Flex model is a little lighter at 28 lbs.
The fold is easy, but requires both hands there is also no auto lock and no standing fold so they really make you work. Like most joggers it’s bulky. The Pro models retails for around $449, while Flex can be purchased at around $400.
Pros: huge canopy, high weight limit, adjustable suspension system, smooth ride, adjustable handlebar, adjustable front wheel tracking, good storage, deep recline, upright seat.
Cons: seat material is not removable, no auto lock, no standing fold.
Here is my detailed review of BOB Revolution Pro »
Here is my detailed review of BOB Revolution Flex »
2. Bumbleride Speed – $549
If you have been reading my reviews, you know that I am a BIG fan of Bumbleride. This company always tries to deliver high-quality quality beautiful eco-friendly strollers. One of their new addition is the Speed model. This is a lightweight jogger that weighs only 23.5 lbs (like 5 lbs below average) and has a compact fold (for a jogger).
The roomy seat with deep recline can accommodate a child from birth and up to 65 lbs. This recline is great for long naps and quick diaper changes. You can also use it with a pram (a rare option for a jogger) or a travel system for a newborn.
The canopy is huge with a pop-out sunvisor and a large peekaboo window with magnetic closure. It rolls on large air-filled tires that together with all-wheel suspension provide a smooth ride.
The cool thing about the front wheel is that it has three-speed steering which allows you to choose between 360-degree swivel, locked forward, or 30-degree locked modes. It also features a one-step foot brake, an adjustable handlebar with a run-away strap, a compact fold, auto-lock, and a standing fold.
The basket is huge and there is also a zipper pocket in the back of the canopy flap. It comes with a pump (no need to buy one!) and a bumper bar. My daughter always uses a bumper bar to pull herself up. This buggy is not cheap, but the quality is amazing! It retails for around $549.
Pros: adjustable handlebar, compact fold, lightweight (only 23.5 lbs), ecof-friendly materials, travel system option, bassinet option, included pump, all-wheel suspension, large canopy, deep recline, great storage, three-wheel modes, auto lock, standing fold.
Cons: high price, no hand brake.
Here is my full review of Bumbleride Speed »
3. Thule Urban Glide – $399
The Thule Urban Glide is another very popular model that has received many awards. This is a serious competition for the beloved BOB because while it has a lot of the same features it weighs only 23 lbs (which is like 5-7 lbs less than BOBs) and costs less.
It has a roomy seat with a deep strap recline that can accommodate a child from 6 months and up to 75 lbs. You can use it from birth with a travel system. The canopy is huge with two large panels and a pop-out sunvisor. But that’s not all.
It also has the “follow-the-sun” option which allows you to bring the canopy forward completely shading your child. There is a large peekaboo window and mesh on top of the seat for better air circulation. Best canopy ever!
There are tons of storage on Thule. Aside from a large basket, there are two mesh pockets inside of the seat where your child can store his stuff, a large mesh pocket in the back of the seat for parents, and a small zipper pocket in the back of the basket.
Another cool thing that I like is that the basket has a zipper/velcro cover that prevents stuff from falling out. Love it!
An adjustable handlebar is great for taller and shorter parents. The one-hand fold is very easy. I was a little disappointed to see a manual lock instead of an auto lock. This defeats the point of one-hand fold if you still need the second hand to lock it.
It rolls on large air-filled tires with a front swivel wheel that can be locked straight. It also has a rear-wheel suspension (not all-wheel like on BOB) and adjustable front-wheel tracking. Great maneuverability! It retails for only $399 and comes in three colors.
Pros: adjustable handlebar, lightweight, plenty of storage, adjustable front wheel tracking, huge canopy, rear-wheel suspension, deep recline, one-hand fold, standing fold.
Cons: no auto lock, bulky fold.
Here is my full review of Thule Urban Glide »
4. Baby Jogger Summit X3 – $429
The Baby Jogger makes amazing strollers and Baby Jogger Summit X3 is not an exception. Let’s start with the seat. The seat is very roomy with a deep recline and a high weight limit of 75 lbs.
While it can accommodate a child from birth, wait till your child is at least 8 months before jogging. You can also use it with an infant car seat or pram (cool option) from birth.
The canopy on Summit X3 is HUGE. It has three panels with two viewing windows and mesh windows on the sides. Great coverage! The handlebar is not adjustable (BOB wins there), but is pretty average at 40.5″ from the ground.
I think this is a very important feature because you have to be totally comfortable with the height of your handlebar when jogging. If you are much taller or shorter, test it first.
Aside from the foot brake it also has a hand brake that you can use to slow down when going down the hill. Another great feature is a side lever that allows you to lock your front wheel without bending down and touching the dirty front wheel.
I don’t know why BOB doesn’t have that. It rolls on three air-filled wheels and has an all-wheel suspension. While Summit X3 has good maneuverability it still is not as good as on BOB.
The best feature of Summit X3 is the fold. You can easily fold it with just ONE hand by pulling the seat handle. Love it! The only thing I don’t like is that it does not have an automatic lock or standing fold.
This would be a very easy update. Overall I really like Summit X3 and think it has a lot of great features. It retails for around $429 and comes in three colors. All accessories need to be purchased separately.
Pros: one-hand compact fold, deep recline, large basket, huge canopy, hand brake, adjustable front wheel tracking, pram option, travel system option.
Cons: no adjustable handlebar, no auto lock, no standing fold.
Here is my full review of Baby Jogger Summit X3 2016 »
5. Bumbleride Indie 2018 – $549
The Bumbleride Indie is the first stroller that I fell in LOVE with after testing an endless amount of strollers. Why? Because it has everything you need in a sporty stroller, but you can also use it as your MAIN stroller.
It’s light, compact, durable, stylish, full of luxury features, and has tons of options for a newborn. I use it for light jogging, long walks at the park, uneven city streets, walks on the beach, and off-road adventures. It even handles snow with no problem. If you want a more hardcore jogger, take a look at the Bumbleride Speed model.
While the rear wheels on Indie are not as big as on other joggers (only 12″), it’s great for light jogging and all-terrain. Smaller wheels also made it much lighter and more compact. It weighs only 24 lbs!
The air-filled wheels together with an all-wheel suspension provide a smooth ride over bumpy terrain. The front wheel is swivel but can be locked. There is no remote lock or hand brake. The handlebar is adjustable.
The seat is very roomy with a one-hand strap recline that goes to an almost FLAT position suitable for a newborn. The ability to put a newborn right into the seat is a great feature that not many joggers have!!!
Another cool thing it has for a newborn is a bassinet-like environment! What other jogger has that? You can also turn it into a travel system or use it as a pram by replacing the seat with a bassinet (sold separately).
The adjustable leg rest provides plenty of stretch room for a baby’s legs. BTW, Speed does not have an adjustable leg rest or bassinet-like environment. Another great thing about the seat is that it’s more upright than on other joggers. It also comes with a bumper bar that your child can use to pull himself up.
The canopy is huge with a large viewing window and magnetic closure. The maneuverability is outstanding! You can easily push it with one hand.
It also has a very well-balanced frame so you can hang a lot of crap off the handlebar without tipping it back. The fold is very easy and intuitive. The only downside of this buggy is the high price of $549.
Pros: auto lock, standing fold, all-wheel suspension, bassinet-like environment, newborn ready, huge canopy, huge basket, adjustable leg rest, leather covered adjustable handlebar, travel system option, pram option, eco-friendly fabrics, included bumper bar, included bumper bar.
Cons: high price, no hand brake, no adjustable tracking.
6. Mountain Buggy Terrain – $499
The Mountain Buggy Terrain is a luxury stroller that is perfect for jogging and all-terrain adventures. One of the features that separates it from the completion is the option of switching to smaller rear wheels.
While it rolls on large air-filled 16″ tires it also comes with 12″ smaller tires that you can use instead to make it lighter and more compact. This feature makes it possible to use it as your MAIN stroller.
The Terrain also features an all-wheel suspension and a 3-mode front wheel that can be locked back, locked forward, or swivel. The seat is very roomy (like on all joggers) with a high weight limit of 55 lbs. Lots of newborn options!
There is a two-hand recline that goes to a flat position suitable for a newborn. You can also use it as a travel system or a pram with a carrycot (sold separately). The seat has a reversible liner that provides nice padding for your child. Love the adjustable legrest that slides out!
The canopy doesn’t look that big but has a pop-out sunvisor and a ‘follow-the-sun’ option to provide full coverage. There is an adjustable handlebar and a hand brake as well as a flip-flop-friendly foot brake.
The one-hand fold is very easy and much more compact than on the previous model. There is also an auto lock and standing fold. This buggy weighs 28.5 lbs which is on a higher side.
Great storage! Aside from the large basket that can hold up to 22 lbs (what?!), it has two small pockets in the back of the basket, two mesh pockets in the seat, two small zipper pockets in the canopy, and 2 water bottle holders in the back on the sides. It retails for around $599, but I’ve seen it on sale for $499. The two color combinations are BEAUTIFUL!
Pros: one-hand fold, auto lock, standing fold, hand brake, large basket, adjustable footrest, reversible seat liner, high weight limit, lots of storage, newborn ready.
Cons: difficult buckle, two-hand recline, metal footrest, seat material gets in the way, high price, no tracking.
7. Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight 2016 – $249
Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight is an updated version of the Zoom 360. It’s not as fancy as the models above, but it’s more budget-friendly and has a lot of great features. The seat is very roomy with a deep recline that can accommodate a child from 3 months and up to 75 lbs. You can use it from birth with a travel system.
Lots of storage including a large basket, two mesh pockets in the seat, a large mesh pocket in the back of the seat, and included parent organizer. The large canopy will provide full sun coverage. The handlebar is not adjustable but is about average at 41″ and should accommodate parents who are around 5.5″-6.1″ tall.
The fold requires both hands but is very easy. There is an automatic lock and standing fold. Now, don’t let the word ‘Ultralight’ fool you. This baby weighs almost 26 lbs which is an average weight for a jogger.
It rolls on three air-filled tires that are 12″ and 16″ (average) and features rear-wheel suspension. The included air pump is very compact and can be kept in the basket. The maneuverability and smoothness of the ride are the best in the budget-friendly category, but not as good as on BOB or Speed.
As with any stroller, there are some drawbacks. I already told you about the non-adjustable handlebar. The seat and the legrest are a little light on the padding. The fabrics are also a little scratchy and coarse to the touch.
The fabric is not removable so you have to spot clean. There is no padding on the harness or the crotch strap. I don’t like the aluminum spokes, unlike the hard plastic you see on luxury models. But, my biggest problem is with the two-hand strap recline which is the biggest pain-in-the-behind.
I do like the price of only $249 (it’s on sale). Overall, this is a very decent jogger and if you are on a budget, look no further.
Pros: parent organizer included, auto lock, large canopy, standing fold, lots of storage, large basket, deep recline, travel system option, included air pump.
Cons: no adjustable tracking, no adjustable handlebar, aluminum spokes, no removable fabric, no shoulder pads, light seat padding, stiff brake.
Here is my full review of Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight »
8. Chicco TRE – $379
The Chicco TRE has a lot of good things going for it. It’s car seat-ready so you can click Chicco car seat right into the frame without any additional adapters. You can even take off the seat and use it as a frame for your car seat.
Just like other joggers it rolls on large air-filled tires with a swivel front wheel that could be locked. The cool thing is that it has a remote lock located near the handlebar. Very convenient! The canopy is huge. It has three large panels that go all the way to the bumper bar. Might be the largest out of all the models here.
The adjustable handlebar is great for shorter and taller parents. The hand brake can be used to slow down when going down the hill. The roomy seat with one-hand LEVER recline can accommodate a child from 6 months and up to 50 lbs.
I like how UPRIGHT the seat is in the most upright position. It’s like a high chair really (the most upright on this list).
The basket is large and easy to access from the back and the front. The included parent console and removable bumper bar are definitely a plus. I did like the one-hand fold and standing fold. This baby weighs 28 lbs.
OK. There are a few things that can be improved. While the suspension is adjustable it’s not as smooth as on BOB. The seat has light padding and because the bottom of the seat underneath the fabric is made out of hard plastic it’s not as soft. The hand brake gets in the way.
There is no additional mesh in the seat. The fabric on the seat is a little coarse and scratchy. I am happy they’ve added a bumper bar, but it’s not swing-away. I think it’s a little overpriced at around $379 for the performance and the quality of the materials.
Pros: huge canopy, remote wheel lock, hand brake, adjustable suspension, adjustable handlebar, upright seat, deep recline, large basket, auto lock, standing fold, car seat ready.
Cons: plastic seat bottom, light padding, no swing-away bumper bar, scratchy fabric, aluminum spokes, high price.
9. Graco Fastaction Fold – $189
The Graco Fastaction Fold jogger is leading our budget-friendly category. For only $129 you can get a basic jogger that is travel system-ready. You can simply click on a Graco infant car seat without any additional adapters. Easy!
The seat is roomy with a deep one-hand LEVER recline (my favorite type of recline) that can accommodate a child from 6 months and up to 50 lbs. What I like about this seat is that it’s very upright in the most upright position, unlike most joggers.
It rolls on air-filled tires with a front swivel that can be locked straight. There is no adjustable tracking (we didn’t expect it for that price). Another great feature that parents really like is the one-hand one-second fold. This fold is super easy and quick and has auto-lock and standing fold.
Storage wouldn’t be a problem with a large easy-to-access basket, included parent organizer with two cup holders, and a child’s tray (I’ve noticed that expensive models never include these accessories).
While this buggy has a lot of good things going on, there are some cons. The maneuverability and smoothness of the ride are not the best compared to the models above.
It might be partially due to a lack of suspension. The canopy is small without a follow-the-sun option. The handlebar is not adjustable. Graco has probably the bulkiest fold ever and it weighs 30 lbs. Heavy!
Pros: low price, very upright seat, deep lever recline, one-hand fold, standing fold, huge basket, parent organizer, child’s tray, car seat ready.
Cons: super bulky fold, heavy, small canopy, no suspension, no tracking, no adjustable handlebar.
10. Baby Trend Expedition – $110
Another budget-friendly option is the Baby Trend Expedition. Just like the Graco it’s ready for Baby Trend infant car seat that clicks right into the frame no adapters needed.
It rolls on large air-filled bicycle tires with a front swivel wheel that can be locked straight. Nothing special there. It weighs 28 lbs which is lighter than Graco.
The roomy seat has a one-hand strap recline that can accommodate a child from 6 months and up to 50 lbs. The seat is very lightly padded so I would suggest getting an additional seat liner.
There is a large space in the back without a cover between the back of the seat and the canopy. Speaking of canopies, it’s on a smaller side with a small sunvisor. The good news is that it has a follow-the-sun option so you can position it to block the sun.
The basket is large and easy to access, but can hold only up to 5 lbs which is a very low weight limit compared to the competition. There is also included parent organizer with two cup holders and a child’s tray.
The foot brakes are not linked together so you have to engage both of them and they are not flip-flop-friendly. The handlebar is not adjustable and is a little lower than average so if you are tall, test it first.
The fold is easy but requires both hands and two steps. It’s also very bulky. There is no auto lock, but there is a standing fold. Let’s talk about maneuverability and smoothness. It performs much better than your non-terrain stroller, but because there is no suspension it does not glide like some more expensive strollers (like BOB).
The maneuverability was OK for me (I am a light jogger), however, I heard that some parents complained about the front wheel being a little wobbly. I didn’t have that problem. Also, the price is great! It retails for only $110 and sometimes on sale for $100. Hard to beat!
Even though it got the last place, it’s not bad and got a lot of good reviews from parents. However, I think that most parents who buy budget-friendly models are not serious joggers. They probably do mostly power walking or occasional light jogging.
Pros: low price, deep recline, roomy seat, car seat ready, large basket, included parent organizer, included child’s tray.
Cons: non-adjustable handlebar, small canopy, no hand brake, two-foot brakes, light seat padding, no harness pads, no adjustable tracking, no auto lock.
If have a question or need help narrowing down your choices, let me know by using the comment box below and I will do my best to answer it as soon as I can. I am here for you!
Katrin
Little disappointed to not see the Burley Solstice on this review!
Have you heard anything about the GRACO Trailrider Jogger? It looked pretty nice BUT the wheels are a tad smaller than on the Fastaction. I live in the Midwest so maneuvering through snow is a must. I just haven’t seen any reviews of this stroller yet.
Have you heard anything about the GRACO Trailrider Jogger? It looked pretty nice BUT the wheels are a tad smaller than on the Fastaction. I live in the Midwest so maneuvering through snow is a must. I just haven’t seen any reviews of this stroller yet.