Differences between jogging strollers and regular strollers
It can be tough to keep up with your old hobbies and interests when you have a baby or toddler to care for. But if you are a runner, there’s no need to give up running if you have a jogging stroller. You may, however, still be trying to decide whether you want a jogging stroller, a regular stroller or both.
Everything about jogging strollers is designed for your child’s safety and comfort while you run with them, while regular strollers offer better stability and maneuverability while you walk with them.
Jogging strollers
As the name suggests, jogging strollers are made for jogging or running. This allows parents to exercise while their children get some fresh air and enjoy the view. While you could run with a regular stroller, jogging strollers have a range of design features that give the little one strapped in a smoother ride. They also have important safety features to ensure you retain control.
If you’re serious about getting back into running after the birth of your child, it makes sense to invest in a quality jogging stroller. You can find some basic models from around $100, while high-end strollers can cost up to $700.
Jogging stroller pros
Jogging strollers have large wheels with air-filled tires, which help to naturally absorb shocks and give a smoother ride on a range of surfaces, including grass and unpaved trails.
High-end jogging strollers usually feature suspension systems for further shock-absorption.
The three-wheeled design of jogging strollers helps you to maneuver more easily at speed, while the front wheel is lockable or fixed to prevent the stroller from veering off, potentially into traffic or other hazards.
Jogging strollers often have height-adjustable handles to make it more comfortable for people of a range of heights to run with, plus they can have brakes in the handlebars for easier control over the stroller when moving at speed.
Jogging stroller cons
Jogging strollers are less stable and trickier to maneuver when pushing them at a walking pace compared to regular strollers.
Air-filled tires on jogging strollers can get punctures and will occasionally need to be refilled.
Jogging strollers are generally heavier than regular strollers and have wider bases, making them trickier to store and to lift in and out of the trunk of a car.
Best jogging strollers
BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 Jogging Stroller: available at Amazon This is one of our all-round favorite jogging strollers. Its extra-large wheels let it roll smoothly over all kinds of surfaces, plus it has a built-in suspension system for an even smoother ride for your child.
Baby Trend Navigator Lite Double Jogger Stroller: available at Amazon This stroller is perfect for parents of twins or parents with a baby and a toddler. It’s lighter and easier to maneuver than you might expect from a stroller of this size.
Chicco Tre Jogging Stroller: available at Buy Buy Baby With its infant carrier compatibility and multi-position recline, this jogging stroller is a great choice. It features a suspension system as well as pneumatic tires for ultimate shock absorption.
Regular strollers
Regular strollers are your standard four-wheeled strollers. They’re made for babies (many strollers accommodate carry cots or infant car seats to make them suitable for newborns) and are used until they become toddlers.
These strollers are stable, comfortable, and versatile for day-to-day use, but they aren’t meant for running with. You can find cheaper regular strollers than you can jogging strollers, with options starting at around $50, though the most expensive regular strollers can cost up to $1,000.
Regular stroller pros
Because of their four-wheeled design, regular strollers are more stable when stationary or traveling at a slow pace.
The solid wheels on regular strollers can’t get punctured and are more durable.
Regular strollers are often more compact and lightweight than jogging strollers, so they’re easier to store and transport.
It’s easier to maneuver regular strollers around stores and other tight spaces, compared to jogging strollers that are trickier to turn tightly with their three-wheeled design, especially if they have fixed front wheels.
Regular stroller cons
While we like their puncture-proof design, the solid wheels on regular strollers offer no shock-absorbing properties.
Regular strollers might be great at rolling on smooth floors, sidewalks
and paved trails, but they’re difficult to push over grass, gravel and other uneven surfaces.
Best regular strollers
UPPAbaby VISTA V2 Stroller: available at Amazon If you’re looking for a high-end regular stroller and money is no object, consider this stroller. It comes with a bassinet for newborns and is extremely versatile, allowing you to position older babies and toddlers in either a forward-facing or rear-facing position.
Summer Infant 3Dmicro Stroller: available at Amazon This stroller is at the other end of the price spectrum. It is extremely compact and lightweight with an adjustable recline and a five-point harness.
Graco DuoGlider Double Stroller: available at Amazon For parents with two children of stroller-using age, this one is an excellent choice. It’s surprisingly affordable for a double stroller and has tandem seating so that one child sits behind the other for a slimmer and more maneuverable design, compared to side-by-side double strollers.
Should you get a jogging stroller or a regular stroller?
If you’re an avid jogger, it makes sense to buy a jogging stroller to keep your child safe and comfortable while you push them around on runs. However, there’s no denying that regular strollers are more stable, easier to maneuver, and more compact than their jogging counterparts. While jogging strollers are perfect for jogging, they aren’t all that practical for day-to-day use, so you might want to consider investing in a decent jogging stroller to take on runs, then buying an affordable regular stroller for wandering around the store or walking in the park.
Lauren Corona is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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