Keeping up with your fitness regime is hard with your personal and work-life. The situation becomes increasingly challenging if you have a baby or a toddler to look after. Making a room in your schedule for a quick jogging session can seem borderline impossible. Enter jogging strollers for runners.
They come in all shapes and sizes, with different features that suit particular terrains, running styles, and individual needs of parents. Below, we give you the best jogging strollers 2022 for all possible scenarios so you can go on your daily runs with peace of mind.
5 Factors to consider when buying a jogging stroller
Before you start browsing jogging strollers for runners, you should know a couple of basic things.
Don’t Start too Early
Infants don’t have the strength to hold their heads up on their own. It’s in your and your child’s best interest not to start with jogging strollers too early. While experts advise you to wait an entire year before putting your baby in a jogging stroller, your baby has the necessary strength to hold up its head at six months of age.
You can even add additional equipment to most of the models. It can help you provide increased support for the baby’s head and neck.
The size of the wheels matters
When it comes to the factors that affect a stroller’s stability, the size of the wheels is one of the most important factors to consider. The smaller the wheels, the less stable the stroller is. Given that you will take your future stroller on runs, it needs to be stable.
The larger wheels will provide more stability and enable you to outmaneuver those cracks in sidewalks and bumps on the roads.
The front wheel lock is not an option
Swiveling front wheels are reserved for casual walks. However, when you are running, the swiveling wheels make the stroller less stable, and it can easily roll to one of its sides, so it’s important to lock that front wheel.
How do you steer with the front-wheel locked?
All you have to do is apply a bit of pressure on the stroller’s handlebar. It will take some weight from the front wheel, and you can steer the stroller in the right direction.
Adjustable suspension and handle
The role of the suspension in a stroller is to make the ride as comfortable as it can be. Your child will thank you for the suspension if you often run on roads with bumps and cracks. Adjustable suspension is a nice perk to have, as you can set it to reflect your baby’s age and weight.
Long runs can be exhausting, and a stroller with a handle in the wrong position can make it more exhausting. Look for models with adjustable handles so that you can keep your hands and shoulders in a natural position when running.
The hand brake is a must-have on long and steep hills
If you live in an area with long and steep hills, you should consider investing in a stroller with a hand brake. It can help you keep the same pace while running and provide additional safety to you and your little one.
If you like the speed workouts, you should look for faster models and keep your jogging route on flat land.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s see the best stroller models for jogging.
BOB Gear Rambler Jogging Stroller
The BOB Gear Rambler jogging stroller is one of the sturdiest strollers out there. It’s a perfect choice for parents who want to take their little ones on both short and long-distance runs. The most noteworthy features that deliver a smooth and safe running experience are the large 12-inch air-filled tires. There is also a 5-point harness to keep your baby in place at all times.
The UPF 50+ shade canopy will protect your baby from harmful sun rays. The high-quality padded material on the seat is designed to keep your child cool. The stroller is easy to fold and unfold thanks to the two-step system.
You can lock the front wheel and even use a wrist strap to have complete control while running.
Thule Chariot Cross
Do you want a jogging stroller, bike trailer, and a potential ski sled all in one? Then you should definitely take a look at Thule Chariot Cross.
This jogging stroller is designed to be used year-round. Its front screen features a plastic shield, and you can choose which one to pull down at any given time to protect your baby against the elements.
The enclosed design is really useful as your baby starts growing, as there is no chance of anything dropping out of this stroller model. You have so much space that you can even fit in a blanket to take your precious one on a run, even when it’s cold and snowing outside.
KidRunner RUN
Some parents want to keep a perfect form while running. A traditional jogging stroller is not an option for them. If you are one yourself, you should check out KidRunner RUN, one of the best free-running strollers on the market. With KidRunner RUN, you can say goodbye to handlebars without having to make any trade-offs whatsoever.
There is everything you need – a safety harness for you and your baby, large wheels, a folding cockpit, and plastic screen protection. The best thing about this stroller is that it is multi-terrain-ready, so you can enjoy diverse jogging routes and get your baby out to see the big world.
Chicco TRE Jogging Stroller
With three folding options and support for KeyFit and Fit2 infant carriers, Chicco TRE Jogging Stroller is a perfect option for brand new parents. You can even fold it with one hand, which is super helpful when you need to handle your baby with care.
The manufacturer also made sure to install an excellent suspension system. Paired with air-filled tires, the suspension will ensure that your baby enjoys nothing but a smooth ride, even on bumpy roads, sidewalks, and parks.
Parents will also find the little console useful for storing their phones, keys, and other small items.
Baby Trend Navigator Double Jogger Stroller
We’ve already mentioned that the best running strollers come in various shapes and sizes. One thing that makes the Baby Trend Navigator Double Jogger Stroller unique is that it is designed for families with two kids.
We are talking about a versatile jogging stroke that accommodates two Baby Trend car seats. Parents have the freedom to make any combination that reflects their needs and take two babies, a baby and a toddler, or two toddlers on a run.
Given that you will have both of your kids in these strollers, you probably expect to see stability and safety features. This stroller has more than enough – top-notch pneumatic tires, a 5-point harness, and a sturdy design.
The only downside is that it has a nonadjustable handlebar. Bear in mind that it’s also heavier than other models because it accommodates two seats.
Baby Jogger Summit X3
Do you find yourself often on country and crushed-rock roads? Then you need a jogging stroller designed to absorb the shocks and provide a smooth ride.
Baby Jogger Summit X3 might be the thing you’ve been looking for. The 16-inch air-filler rear wheels backed up with a state-of-the-art suspension will absorb the shocks on bumpy roads.
Thanks to the shock-absorption system, running with this stroller on tracks feels more like gliding. The stroller also has a hand break so that you can do downhill runs. The sun canopy is retractable so that you give your baby the protection it needs. Plus, you can fold the X3 flat using just one hand in seconds.
Graco Modes Jogger 2.0
Graco Modes Jogger 2.0 found its way to our best jogging strollers 2022 list because it answers the needs of parents who like to jog in urban areas. With this model, you can run through the tightest of spaces even when they are crowded. It’s compatible with the manufacturer’s infant car seats too.
Although it features a lightweight aluminum body, this stroller is safe and sturdy. You can adjust the seat to have your baby face you or out, and the Jogger 2.0 has a 5-point harness and large canopy. They even added a suspension system to deliver a comfortable and smooth riding experience.
Final thoughts
As you can see, choosing one of the best jogging strollers is quite a challenge. That’s great, given that you have unique needs, wants, expectations, and preferences. As both a runner and parent, you want to find a convenient, safe, and sturdy stroller.
Each one of the strollers above is an option to consider, and you should choose the one that answers all your needs and that you can take out on every runnning session in the foreseeable future.