Visits to the gym can quickly become a thing of the past when you welcome a child into your home. Finding the time, energy and money for a gym membership and sitter can make it difficult for parents to exercise, but thankfully there are products that can help the whole family stay active. From baby carriers to the best jogging strollers, workouts don’t have to disappear when little ones are born, they just need to look a little different.
A jogging stroller is a big financial investment and typically is purchased in addition to a daily stroller. Because of their larger — footprint both when in use and folded — jogging strollers aren’t ideal for trips to the mall and they don’t often leave enough room in the trunk for other items, like grocery bags. But if you have the storage room for two strollers, or if you’ve decided a daily stroller is unnecessary for your family, a jogging stroller is a great way to keep the whole family active.
When looking for jogging strollers, there are questions to ask:
- How Safe Is It? Most jogging strollers have a five-point safety harness, which keeps little ones secure. It’s also important to look at the stroller’s brakes since you make be using it at a fast speed. Is a foot brake sufficient or do you live in a high-traffic area and want a hand brake for added safety? Jogging strollers often have tethers as well to keep the stroller connected to the parent, the same way you would attach a tether to yourself when using a treadmill.
- How Old Is Your Child? Some jogging strollers come with car seat adapters or adapters can be purchased separately, making it possible to begin using these strollers at birth. Children should not use rumble seats until they’re at least six months old and can hold their heads up unassisted. If you have older children, you need a jogging stroller that can handle their body weight.
- How Much Storage Do you Need? Do you want a stroller that can hold large backs for hiking trips or is a parent’s console for drinks enough for your daily jog?
- What Activities Will You Be Doing? Jogging seems like the obvious answer, but where will you be jogging? Some jogging strollers are great for paved running while others can handle hiking trails. Do you want a stroller that can also be attached to your bike? And do you typically run in warm weather, cold weather and is rain common in your area?
- Where Will You Keep The Stroller? Some jogging strollers are easy to fold, which makes them a great option for parents who want to be able to quickly put the stroller in their car and travel to a running spot. Others are heavier and more cumbersome to fold and are better suited to parents who have parking space in their home for the stroller.
Buying a jogging stroller shouldn’t be as stressful as buying a car, but if you’ve ever entered the rabbit hole of kids’ products, you know safety ratings, features and a wide price range will have you longing for days of pushy car salesman. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best jogging strollers that will help each family find a smooth ride that best fits their needs. Check out our top picks and get some fresh air (it makes kids sleepy — hooray!).
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1. BOB Gear Alterrain Pro Jogging Stroller
BEST OVERALL
We can’t talk about jogging strollers without talking about the BOB. For over 15 years, the company has been releasing top-rated jogging strollers thanks to their durability, expert suspension and smooth ride. The company has several models available to fit your running needs, including a double jogger and one that is specifically designed for rough trails and hikers. We picked the Alterrain Pro as our top choice because of its completely waterproof canopy, the only BOB stroller — and only stroller on our list — to be able to boast this feature (the seats also have a water-resistant coding which is great news for spills). In addition to its waterproof rating, the large canopy on the Alterrain is also windproof and has a 50 UPF protection rating. The sturdy frame and Smoothshox suspension make this a smooth ride for runners and kids, and an ergonomic handbrake helps to keep parents in control at all times.
The Alterrain does come with one of the highest price tags and at over 32 pounds, it’s also one of the heaviest strollers available, so it’s not great for anyone who needs a stroller they can travel with or may have difficulties lifting it into their car or storage area. The high stroller weight does translate into a sturdy frame and the Alterrain has an unmatched 165-pound weight limit, blowing its competitors out of the water (double strollers included). Its zippered under-stroller storage unit and five extra storage pockets make it easy to pack all your belongings for a day-long excursion.
We also like that the Alterrain can keep your child in a comfortable seated position for an extended ride thanks to its open-cell foam padding. The nearly-flat recline option is also great for nap time. The Alterrain does not have adapters that are compatible with most car seats, so parents will have to wait until their child is old enough to sit up before they can use the stroller, but its impressive level of durability will make it a great running companion for years to come.
2. Jeep Hydro Sport Plus Jogger by Delta Children
BEST FOR NEWBORNS
From the company that brought you vehicles for off-roading comes a line of strollers that can handle all the bumps your next adventure has in store. For new parents who want to get moving as soon as possible, we recommend the Jeep Hydro Sport Plus Jogger by Delta Children. Unlike most jogging strollers that require parents to purchase infant car seat adapters separately, the Hydro Sport comes with adapters for Britax and Chicco, the two most popular car seat models available (saving money for parents? We love you, Jeep). The Hydro Sport also includes a snack tray for kids, a parent’s console that includes a concealed middle section for personal items and room for two drinks, as well as a safety leash and spacious under stroller storage area that can fit a full-sized diaper bag and more. The large, 16” back wheels and 12” front wheels are paired with a shock-absorbing suspension system that will provide a smooth ride even for infants. The front wheel is easy to lock when parents want to pick up speed and the five-point harness keeps the child secured in their padded seat.
SPY received one of the Jeep Hydro Sport Plus Joggers by Delta Children and were impressed by the high-end finishes, including the adjustable leather handlebar, that was included in the mid-priced stroller. I was able to assemble the stroller in about five minutes with my 2.5-year-old as my only assistant, which means I probably could have assembled it in half the time on my own. It was easy to recline her seat with one hand and I liked the oversized neoprene canopy, which is water-resistant, has a 50 UPF rating, and a peek-a-boo window. The stroller was comfortable for me (5’5”) and my husband (6’4”) to run with both on paved paths and on bumpier terrain, including a grassy field. The Jeep Hydro does require two hands for the double trigger closure and at 35 pounds, the stroller is on the heavier side, but this also made it feel stable. The double foot breaks felt secure even when parked on a hill and the stroller was wide enough for our daughter to sit comfortably with plenty of room and we could still park the stroller between our cars even though space was limited.
3. Thule Urban Glide 2 Jogging Stroller
BEST DOUBLE STROLLER
The Thule Urban Glide 2 comes with a big price tag that it backs up with impressive features. The company makes several jogging strollers that are consistently rated among the top in yearly reviews and that includes their double jogger. Unlike other double joggers, the Urban Glide allows parents to customize the ride for each child, including a personal canopy with a peek-a-boo window, a one-handed recline for nap time, and individual snack pockets inside the padded seat. The all-terrain stroller has a front locking wheel for when parents start picking up speed and large 16” wheels with an impressive level of suspension. The adjustable handlebar includes a hand brake, and we like the one-handed close, which is rare for a stroller of this size. The Thule has a bottom zippered storage compartment to keep personal items contained and the stroller has an overall weight limit of 100 pounds, making it a great option for big kids. Unlike double strollers with bench seating, the Thule’s individual seats mean the jogger may pull slightly if only one child is seated. Customers can buy car seat adapters for infants, but only one car seat can be used at a time, so parents of infant twins may want to wait before purchasing the Urban Glide.
4. Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight Jogging Stroller
SMALL FOLDED FOOTPRINT
For a jogging stroller with a small folded footprint and a mid-range price point, there’s the Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight Jogging Stroller. The stroller has a multi-position seat recline, making it great for naptime, and comes with a parent organizer, running leash and a bicycle pump, which can be used on its 16” rear wheels and 12.5” locking front wheel. The durable aluminum frame features shock-absorbing suspension for a smooth ride. Although the Joovy Zoom doesn’t have a snack console for kids, it does have two interior pockets where kids can store drinks, food, and toys.
We like that the Joovy Zoom has a large canopy with a peek-a-boo window and the under-stroller storage area is spacious, but an aluminum bar that runs along the bottom of the stroller can make it difficult to fit a diaper bag in the storage space. The handlebar on the Joovy Zoom can’t be adjusted, which may be uncomfortable for shorter parents, and although it has the word ‘Ultralight’ in its title, it weighs a standard 26 pounds. The Joovy Zoom can be used with infant car seats, but parents have to buy the adapters separately. For parents looking for a double stroller, check out the Joovy Zoom 2, which weighs only four pounds more than the 360 and has a max weight limit of 100 pounds.
5. Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Stroller
BEST BARGAIN
Having a jogging stroller doesn’t have to be something that is financially out of reach. The Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Stroller is a great basic jogging stroller for just over $100 that you won’t have to worry about getting muddy or dirty. Its price point also makes it a viable option for a second stroller to leave at the grandparents’ house or daycare. The stroller features large bicycle tires that can handle mildly bumpy terrain and a five-point harness to keep your little one safe up to 50 pounds. Like its more expensive competitors, the Baby Trend includes a snack tray for parents and little ones, under stroller storage, a large canopy with a peekaboo window and 50 UPF protection, and a tether to ensure the stroller stays secured to parents. If you are training for a marathon, the Baby Trend may not stand up to the rigors of extended distances every day, but it’s a great option for parents who want to get out for a light jog for some exercise or to have as a secondary stroller.
6. Baby Jogger Summit X3 Jogging Stroller
EASY FOLD
For a stroller that can be used during trips to the grocery store and can also go the distance on long runs, we like the Baby Jogger Summit X3 Jogging Stroller. Considered a hybrid jogging and everyday stroller, the Summit X3 has the shock absorption of a jogging stroller with the one-handed collapse feature of a daily stroller. Handbrake makes it easy for parents to quickly slow down their stroller even when they’re going at top speed, while a roomy storage area underneath provides enough space for a diaper bag. A remote wheel lock makes it easy for parents to switch between jogging and running without having to stop and adjust the brake on their front wheel. The Summit X3 features all-terrain wheels and has a 75-pound weight limit, the highest of any of the Baby Jogger single strollers, and it features an oversized canopy with 50 UPF protection and a peek-a-boo window. The Summit X3 does not have an adjustable handlebar, which can be a nuisance for customers who are either very tall or on the shorter side, and it has less headspace than other models by Baby Jogger.
7. Instep Quick-N-EZ Double Tow
BEST JOGGING/BIKING STROLLER
For a stroller that can give your kids some extra space, won’t break the bank, and provides the versatility of being a jogging and biking stroller, we like the Instep Quick-N-EZ Double Tow. The affordable double stroller can handle up to 80 pounds inside the seating area with an additional 12 pounds for storage. A two-in-one bug shield and all-weather canopy help to protect little ones while they are seated inside the stroller. A five-point harness system, 16″ air-filled tires, a back ventilation window, and a fully collapsible frame will make this a jogging and biking hybrid stroller that is user-friendly and affordable. Assembly is straightforward and unlike most jogging and biking hybrid strollers, the Instep comes with stroller attachments and customers do not have to buy them separately.
Thule Chariot Cross Multisport Trailer & Stroller
BEST FOR WINTER RUNNERS
Thule makes some of the best jogging strollers and that includes their splurge-worthy Thule Chariot Cross Multisport Trailer & Stroller. A great option for families who spend the bulk of their time outdoors and aren’t afraid of a little cold weather, the Thule can be used for jogging, biking and even skiing (kit sold separately). The intuitive design of the Thule makes it a dream for parents, especially for cold weather activities. A built-in rain guard means no more forgetting your weatherproof protection at home. Users simply release the rain guard from the top of the stroller and snap it into place at the bottom, keeping it secure to the stroller and ensuring your kids stay dry and warm.
When the weather turns warm, two kids (the Thule is a double stroller) will stay cool in their padded seats thanks to newly updated ventilation panels. An extra-large cargo space provides ample storage and it can also be flattened against the stroller when not in use to give parents more space for their stride. Parents can also adjust the suspension on the wheels to best suit their running style and the conditions. The Thule can be reclined, unlike many biking and jogging strollers, and it comes with a privacy guard for when your kids need to grab some shuteye. The handle is height adjustable and when it’s time to store the bike at home or in your trunk, it flattens into a compact size and the wheels can easily be removed.
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