The Best Jogging and Off-Pavement Stroller Out There
April 4, 2020
When I was pregnant and test driving strollers, I did not get it. I went to every store, swiveled around every stroller to test maneuverability but could not bring myself to test the BOB Gear strollers. Surely no stroller was worth paying a couple hundred more for when all I needed was something to push my baby around in, right? Wrong. Circling a stroller on a showroom floor cannot prepare you for even the simple walk from the store to the parking lot, let alone my neighborhood sidewalks which are riddled with cracks, tree roots and frost heaves plus I regularly travel to events such as fairs held in grass fields and I run 4-5 days a week. A regular stroller frustrated me to the point that unless I was going to the mall, my options were to wear my son to places my stroller couldn't handle, leave him behind (which is impossible when your husband works weekends), and/or skip my runs altogether. Unless you plan to limit yourself to walking and walking only on smooth surfaces, you need a BOB Gear Jogging Stroller.
Why I love the BOB Gear Alterrain Pro Jogging Stroller:
-The smoothest ride: goes over bumps, frost heaves, dirt, tree roots and even sidewalks with horrific heaves and cracks caused by tree roots with ease. The tires and suspension keep us rolling and keep my son riding smoothly over everything.Â
-Easy to maneuver. At a walk with the wheel set to swivel, it can turn on a dime. You would never know how heavy this stroller is based on how easy it is to push and turn. With the front wheel locked (as is needed at faster speeds), turns are harder but it's necessary for safety. I still had no trouble jogging easily around other people out for a walk on the trails.
-Adjustable height handle bar and plenty of clearance for long strides!!! I am 5' 8.5" tall. I find myself hunching to push the average stroller with my legs kicking the rear axle and/or cargo basket every other step. This handle bar goes even higher than I would need and is comfortable even for my 6'1" mother to use. My feet never go near to touching the stroller (other than intentionally to set the rear brake).
-Easy fold with a strong and sturdy handle. My son and IÂ travel via ferry at least once a month, needing to park, carry him and all our stuff to the shuttle bus to the ferry, walk on the ferry, ride over, walk off and get into a car on the other side. An easy fold for the shuttle bus, ferry and car with plenty of cargo room for the walks in between is extremely important to us on these trips. This stroller passed the ferry trip with flying colors.
-Free standing when folded! This stroller is large, the free stand feature is key to saving space at home.
-Well made: strong frame, sturdy fabric, air filled tires, sleek look. So long as you keep it maintained, this stroller can last for years and years, miles and miles. It is certainly worth the investment. They also maintain their value.
-The zippered top on the cargo basket! It is amazing not having to worry about things falling out. I can zip a jacket or diaper bag in there and not worry it will slip out and trip me.
-The huge canopy with a magnetic close window: I love being able to see my son while we are walking or running. The magnetic flap is so much cleaner and easier to use and flip open than velcro. The canopy provides full coverage, ensuring my son's sensitive skin will not be exposed to the sun's rays and that he won't be squinting and crying because the sun will never be in his eyes. I don't have to find a way to balance a too-small canopy to find the perfect angle to protect him from the sun anymore.
Opening the box was like Christmas, I could not wait to put the stroller together and take it for a spin. I always read instructions cover to cover. Normally, I would expect assembly instructions to go in order but the way the stroller was folded in the box, it was nearly impossible to put on the front wheel. If I hadn't read ahead on how to unfold the stroller, I would have been frustrated as I could not install the front wheel without skipping to a later step and unfolding the frame first. BOB Gear is serious about Safety: I am always sure to wear the wrist strap, the parking brake is easy to set, the harness secure, and the front wheel lock instructions were very clear.
While my keys and phone fit in the rear zip pouch, my biggest complaint is that it does not come with the parent handlebar console. At this price point, I want to be able to tote my water bottle around on my run. Otherwise, the only downsides are the size and weight (but when do you expect of a jogging stroller this well made?). This stroller is heavy and I need both hands to lift it into my trunk. It takes up a significant amount of space; I was kicking myself when I went warehouse shopping and forgot to take it out first to make room for my bulk groceries. The canopy is also annoying when folded; the fabric is mashed against my son's head. He is only 19 months and small for his age so I have trouble imagining how a taller child would fit under it.
Thank you to the Stellar Product Testing Panel for providing me with this stroller. Overall, this is the absolute best stroller on the market for jogging and off-road use and 100% worth the investment. I will be buying a duallie from BOB Gear when the time comes someday. I am screaming from the rooftops for any parent, guardian or caregiver to learn from my silly pregnant mistake: don't waste money on a regular stroller or travel system, don't wait until you are stuck at home, avoiding life because your stroller cannot handle bumps; invest in a BOB Gear Jogging Stroller from day one.
This product review was collected by the manufacturer.