Buying guide for best jogging strollers

A good jogging stroller allows you to remain active while taking your little ones along for the ride. Safe and easy to move around, these strollers are comfortable for toddlers and add an extra challenge to your daily workout routine. Best of all, they can make you more visible if you select the right stroller.

Jogging strollers generally have larger, air-filled tires that can handle rougher terrain and conditions. Some of the most important decisions you'll need to make include what tire size you want, what kind of tread it should have, and whether you want a fixed or swiveling front wheel.

For the top jogging strollers available today, you see the rest of our guide. It has a list of some of the top jogging strollers you can check out as a start. To learn more, there is also other helpful information like important features and buying considerations.

If you want to take your little one out for a daily run, a jogging stroller is far superior — and much safer — than a regular stroller.

Jogging stroller vs. conventional stroller

Jogging strollers are specially designed to render a smooth ride and good control when you're pushing the stroller at a fast pace. But how exactly do jogging strollers differ from conventional strollers in terms of design and features?

• Jogging strollers have three wheels. The uneven weight distribution makes them easier to turn when running.

• Jogging strollers have air-filled tires (as opposed to the solid rubber tires found on conventional strollers) and a suspension system that enable their use on a variety of terrains.

• Jogging strollers are lighter than conventional strollers, making them easier to push at higher speeds.

• To provide more control, jogging strollers are often wider than conventional strollers.
   

These features add up to create a jogging or running experience for you that’s safe and comfortable for your child.

We assess the tire size of each jogging stroller. Sizes range from 12 to 24 inches in diameter. The bigger the tire, the more suitable it is for rough terrain.

One of the biggest differences between a regular stroller and a jogging stroller is weight. Jogging strollers are lighter (23 to 30 pounds), which makes them easier to push when you’re going fast. We find out the weight of each jogging stroller on our research list.

We investigate the seats of each jogging stroller, noting how many harnesses come with each one. To keep a child safe and secure, three to five harnesses are ideal.

Some jogging strollers have a fixed front wheel. Others have a swivel front wheel, which allows you to lock (or unlock) it. We note the pros and cons of each type in our research.

We look for jogging strollers with built-in sun canopies to protect young passengers from the sun’s harmful rays.

Pockets and storage compartments come in handy in a jogging stroller. We consider how much storage space each jogging stroller provides.

A stroller that folds easily can make life easier. We consider the packability and portability of each stroller we assess. Some even have a one-handed folding option.

Some strollers only come with foot brakes. Others have handbrakes, too. We think about how user-friendly the brakes are on the jogging strollers we look at.

To assess the type of terrain a stroller can handle, we consider the grips on each wheel. For example, smooth tires are great for flat surfaces, whereas knobby tires are better for off-roading.

We appreciate jogging strollers with shock-absorbing suspension systems for a smooth ride.

Features

To understand jogging strollers in general — and to figure out which one is right for you — it's important to examine product features in detail. Once you know what you prefer in a jogging stroller, it’s easier to narrow down your choices.

Tire size

Jogging stroller tires range in diameter from roughly 12" to 24". Bigger tires are better for anyone planning to go off the beaten path, as they render a smoother ride over rough surfaces.

The tradeoff, however, is that strollers with larger tires are harder to fold down flat and will consume more trunk space.

Tire tread

You'll also notice that some tires have more grip than others. Smooth tires help you glide over flat surfaces, whereas knobby tires are beneficial if you plan to do a lot of off-roading.

Front wheel

Some jogging strollers have a fixed front wheel, whereas others have the option to unlock the front wheel so that it swivels.

• Having the front wheel locked in a fixed position is the only safe way to jog with your stroller. The reason: it's easy to lose control at high speeds with a swiveling front wheel.

• That said, most parents like to have the option to set the wheel to swivel, as it makes for better maneuverability when you’re not running or jogging.

Suspension

High-end jogging strollers tend to have proper shock-absorbing suspension systems in place that make the ride smoother and more comfortable for the child. Cheaper models often omit this feature. If you opt for the latter, your child is in for a slightly bumpier journey.
 

Weight

Jogging with a stroller is harder work than regular jogging, as you've got the weight of your child, diaper bag, and any other necessities to push along in front of you. And that's before you've factored in the weight of the stroller itself. For this reason, lighter jogging strollers are more highly sought-after than heavier jogging strollers.

During the course of our research, we found jogging strollers as light as 23 pounds and as heavy as 30 pounds.

Brakes

All strollers have foot-operated parking brakes, but some jogging strollers also have hand brakes built into the handlebars.

Handlebar

Having the handlebar at a comfortable height is especially important when you're jogging with your stroller.

If you're particularly tall or short (or the stroller is going to be used by multiple people of varying heights), we recommend that you select a jogging stroller with an adjustable handlebar.

Sun canopy

Many of today’s top jogging strollers include a built-in sun canopy to help protect your child from damaging rays and keep the sun out of their eyes. Consumers who appreciate having a sun canopy tend to favor one that is large and adjustable.

Seat

In the majority of jogging strollers, the seats are slightly more reclined in the most upright position than the seats of conventional strollers. However, most also have the option to recline to a fully or nearly supine position — ideal for napping children.

Seats are fitted with three- or five-point harnesses to help keep your child safe and secure in their seat.

Infant seat compatibility

Newborns and young babies may not be secure and supported enough in a regular stroller seat, but many jogging strollers are compatible with infant car seats (usually of the same make as the stroller).

The larger the tire diameter, the better the stroller handles over rough terrain. Consider your usual jogging routes and choose accordingly.

Ease of folding

Anyone who has used a stroller that’s difficult to fold understands how frustrating it can be, especially if you're also trying to hold a baby or wrangle a toddler. Fortunately, some of today’s strollers are thoughtfully engineered to include the option of “one-hand folding.”

Color

The color you choose depends on your personal preference, of course. For parents who hope to use the same buggy for another child in the future, we recommend a neutral shade.

During the course of our research, we found jogging strollers in an exciting array of colors, from bubblegum pink to neutral black.

Jogging stroller prices

You could spend anywhere from $50 to $600+ on a jogging stroller. To some extent, you get what you pay for.

There are some decent jogging strollers in the $75 to $100 range, but they often hail from lesser-known manufacturers. As such, they may not match the quality of the offerings from top brands such as Thule and BOB, which will set you back anywhere from $300 to $600+.

Tips

• If you plan to use your jogging stroller strictly for jogging, a fixed wheel should suit you just fine. Bear in mind, however, that you may also wish to keep a stroller with swivel wheels on hand for other occasions.

• Before you take your first jog, make sure you know how to properly fit the safety harness so that your child is correctly secured.

• All jogging strollers should have the option to lock the front wheel in a fixed forward position. If you come across one with a front wheel that doesn't lock, avoid it at all costs. Jogging with your wheel set to swivel is unsafe.

• You’ll want to keep alert when running with your jogging stroller. For many parents, this rules out the use of earbuds or headphones, since they want to be able to hear what’s going on. That said, you and your baby might both enjoy listening music or a podcast streamed from your phone (or another device) during the run.

Do not take a newborn for a run in a jogging stroller. Although the best jogging strollers are designed for safety and comfort, a newborn baby’s neck muscles simply aren’t strong enough to sustain that type of ride. For a child younger than six months of age, you could buy a car seat adapter and place the baby in an infant car seat that is compatible with your jogging stroller.

FAQ

Q. Are jogging strollers suitable for both jogging/running and regular use?

A. Some jogging strollers are better suited for regular use than others.  If you want a jogging stroller for regular use as well as for jogging, make sure you can unlock the front wheel so it will swivel. Strollers with fixed front wheels aren't very maneuverable when you're not running.

Q. Are jogging strollers safe?

A. Jogging strollers are specifically designed to be safe, stable, and comfortable for your child while you're jogging. Therefore, you're much safer running with a jogging stroller than a regular stroller.

Q. Do jogging strollers come with built-in storage?

A. Some do. If a jogging stroller with built-in storage appeals to you, look for one with an organizer or mesh pockets that can accommodate keys, drinks, snacks, and toys.