Is your stroller holding you back? Do you want to run off-road on a dirt trail? Well, then BOB Sport Utility is a stroller for you! It’s designed for active parents who like to take it off-road in an all-terrain environment. The 1″ knobby tires with thick tread, grab the road providing increased traction and toughness.
If you want to go trail running, you can be sure your little passenger won’t know the difference thanks to BOB’s famous adjustable suspension system. This stroller can be compared to a mountain bike. It will smoothly go over the rocks, roots, and uneven terrain. It has a fixed front wheel that provides a great stability when the trail gets bumpy.
High-strength lightweight frame makes this stroller light yet durable. It weighs only 26 lbs and can hold a child up to 70 lbs. This stroller is for serious off-the-road joggers/runners who want to stay active and adventurous. This is not your everyday shopping stroller. If you want to take your jogging stroller to the store, then BOB Revolution or Motion model would be a better choice because it has the swiveling front wheel.
I gave it 5 out of 5 stars because like all BOB strollers it has all the bells and whistles you need in a jogger. The only two things I would add is an automatic lock and adjustable handle bar. Other than that, it’s a great stroller.
I know it can get confusing with all the BOB models. Remember, the only difference between BOB’s jogging strollers are the wheels. Everything else is pretty much the same. They all have large canopies, adjustable suspension system, nicely padded seat and plenty of storage. You can find it for around $399 on Amazon (free shipping/free returns plus no tax).
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Features
-Canopy. Like all BOB strollers, it has a great over-sized canopy with large viewing window that allows you to keep an eye on your child at all times. This is one of the biggest canopies on the market. It has multiple positions and goes far down shading your little one from the sun.
-Handle bar. It has a single non-adjustable handle bar located 40″ from the ground.
-Padded seat. The seat has been improved a lot. BOB added a lot of padding to the back and the bottom of the seat. It reclines down to 70° from vertical, all you need to do is adjust two straps on both sides of the seat. It doesn’t go flat, so you will need to get an infant car seat adapter if you want to use this stroller from birth. You can put your baby into the seat starting from 8 weeks for non-jogging use and 8 months for jogging use. The material is very durable and easy to clean. As you can see from the photo below, there is also a detachable padding for the back.
-5 point harness. It has 5 point padded harness with a center release button.
-Backseat pocket. To store your keys, wallet, and cell phone, use a mesh pocket on the back of the seat. Since this stroller doesn’t come with an adult console, you will need this pocket. Adult console can be purchased separately for about $30. There are also two mesh pocket on both side of the seat for snack and toys storage.
-Wrist strap. It is a short wrist strap that is attached to the handle bar for extra security in case the stroller runs away from you while you are jogging. But, if you fall, I think it will pull the stroller down so be careful.
The previous model had a longer strap attached to the bottom of the stroller which made more sense. That way, if you fall, it will stop the stroller.
-Large basket underneath. Most joggers have a small basket. Not this one. You can fit a medium size diaper bag with no problems.
-Adjustable suspension system. Love it! It has two positions for heavier and lighter child. Use looser suspension for more weight and stiffer suspension for lighter child. This suspension system together with knobby tires provide exceptionally smooth ride over rough terrain no matter what your child’s weight is.
-Wheels. It has high-impact polymer composite wheels and 16 x 2-inch thick “knobby” mountain bike-style tires. The front wheel is permanently locked for more stability.
-Parking brake. The parking brake is located between rear wheels and can be easily activated by a foot. It’s not flip-flop friendly.
-Hand brake. This is a nice additional safety feature. BOB Ironman model also has a hand brake.
-Easy fold. It’s a two-step fold and you will need to use both hands. There is NO automatic lock. You will need to lock it manually using a clip attached to the wrist strap. High-strength yet lightweight aluminum frame makes this stroller very convenient for travel and storage. It is 41″L x 25″W x 18″H folded and weighs 26 lbs. This stroller is kind of bulky, but to make is more compact, you can easily remove the rear wheels.
Cons
Since this stroller is very similar to the other BOB models, it has the same cons.
-No automatic lock. The manual lock when folded is a nice improvement from NO lock but I would like to see an automatic lock for the next release.
-Doesn’t stand on its own. The fact that you have to lay it flat to lock, is giving me a back ache. Also, if you live in a small apartment, you will need to put some kind of a hook in the wall so you can store it vertically.
-Handle bar. The handle bar is NOT adjustable and it is the biggest complaint about this stroller. I think it should be easy to fix for the next release.
-Bulky. I hear this complaint all the time and honestly, I don’t get it. All jogging strollers are bulky. If you are buying a jogging stroller, it should be expected. The good news, you can EASILY remove rear tires to make it more compact. If you want a high quality frame, large tires and big canopy, it will take up some room in your trunk.
Video Review
I couldn’t find a video review specifically for the updated BOB Sport Utility, but since it is very similar to other BOB models, here is video review by Baby Gizmo of Bob Revolution SE Stroller.
Specs
Stroller weight: 26 lbs
Weight limit: 70 lbs
Folded dimensions: 41″L x 25″W x 18″H
Handle bar height: 40″
Seat to canopy height: 23″
Overall length: 50″
Overall width: 25″
Available colors
It comes in 2 colors: bright blue and orange (my favorite color).
Warranty
It does have a 5 year limited warranty on the frame of the stroller and 1 year on small parts and fabric. Here is more info.
Accessories
These accessories also work with other BOB models. You can purchase separately following things: car seat adapter, snack tray, adult console (this is a must have), weather shield, fleece seat liner, travel bag (fits any single bob stroller).
Where to buy it
My favorite place to buy strollers and a lot of other baby items is Amazon. It usually has the lowest prices, free shipping, free returns and no sales tax. How great is that? You can get BOB Sport Utility in one of the two beautiful colors for around $399 on Amazon (free shipping/free return and no sales tax).
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~Susan Brian