Type

Jogging strollers

16 models · 10 brands, ~$150–$899

Jogging strollers use three wheels, a front wheel that locks straight for running, larger tires and often a wrist strap and hand brake. Each maker sets its own age for running with a child in the seat (BOB Gear says eight months for the Revolution and Alterrain; Baby Jogger says to ask a pediatrician before jogging under six months), and younger babies usually ride in an infant car seat at walking pace.

Ordered by price, lowest first.

Choosing among jogging strollers

Fixed front wheel, or a swivel that locks?

The Thule Glide 3 is the one jogger here that lists a fixed 16 inch front wheel; it tracks straight at running pace and gives up some turning on sidewalks. Most of the others, from the BOB Revolution Flex 3 to the Graco FastAction Jogger LX, use a swivel that locks for running and frees up for errands. The Thule Urban Glide 4-wheel has swivel-and-lock front wheels, which turn tightly but, as its listing notes, suit fast running less well than a fixed wheel. If most of your miles will be errands, the locking swivel is the safer bet.

Hand brake or parking brake?

Eight of the 16 list a hand-operated brake for slowing down on hills: the UPPAbaby Ridge V2, Baby Jogger Summit X3 and City Prix, BOB Alterrain Pro, both Thule models, the Cybex Avi Spin and the Veer Switch Jog. The Chicco Activ3 and Tre have a hand-operated brake too, but it parks the stroller rather than controlling speed. The BOB Revolution Flex 3 lists no hand brake at all, and it costs $180 less than the Alterrain Pro, at $650 against $830.

Age and the maker's wording

Running ages vary by brand, so follow the minimum printed for your model. BOB says the Revolution Flex 3 and Alterrain Pro seats are for jogging from 8 months. Baby Trend advises waiting until 6 months for the Expedition, Baby Jogger says to jog the City Prix from 6 months, and the Summit X3 page asks you to consult a pediatrician under 6 months. The Graco FastAction Jogger LX states no running age or speed guideline on its page, which is a reason to ask before you start.

Handlebars, child limits and money

If you and a partner differ a lot in height, start with the handlebar, though only four joggers publish a range: the BOB Alterrain Pro at 31 to 48 inches, the Revolution Flex 3 at 34.5 to 48, the Wayfinder at 34.5 to 45.5 and the Veer Switch Jog at 39 to 43. Four list a 75 lb limit (Summit X3, Alterrain Pro, Revolution Flex 3 and Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight), where Thule stops at 49 lb. Weights run from 24 lb for the Baby Trend Expedition to 32.3 lb for the Alterrain Pro, and prices from $150 to $899.

How the types differ, and where the lines blur →