Not only does the best jogging stroller make the world a bit more accessible, but it can also provide such a smooth ride that babies are rocked straight to sleep or at least have enough comfort to enjoy the ride.

When a baby comes into the family, life doesn’t need to come screeching to an abrupt stop. Running is such a crucial part of life for active parents, we don’t want that to end just because you’re a parent. This is where the best jogging strollers come in — to help a parent out. 

To find the best jogging strollers, we sought out some promising candidates and put them to the test. We wanted to ensure they rolled well, were ergonomic, had good storage space, folded easily, and had great hand/brake control.

Most jogging strollers are big, due to their long shape and three-wheel design. Even when folded, they take up a lot of room in your trunk and garage. So, in addition to running, we stashed them in two cars: a Jeep Cherokee (easy fit, but harder lift) and a Toyota Prius (easy lift, but harder fit). They all passed the fit test when folded, so depending on how much other crap you keep in your trunk, you should be good. As for the double joggers, your trunk would need to be fairly empty for a manageable fit.

This guide will help you choose the perfect jogging stroller for a wide range of needs and uses. To wrap up our thorough analysis, you’ll find our helpful comparison chart, buyer’s guide, and frequently asked questions at the end of the guide.

Editor’s Note: We updated our Jogging Strollers guide on May 6, 2024. We added the smooth, economic UPPAbaby Ridge All-Terrain Jogging Stroller, Thule Urban Glide 3, and others. We also added stroller safety tips from a pediatrician.

The Best Jogging Strollers of 2024

Jogging Strollers Comparison Chart

Why You Should Trust Us

Jenny Altman is a mom, parenting gear reviewer, and parenting expert with thousands of hours spent evaluating products. During testing, Jenny took strollers out for runs, hikes, and walks over dirt and pavement, from dodging traffic and crowds to driving up hills on training runs. She took these strollers out for test with her kids and her friends for a well-rounded and varied perspective.

As a mom, she recognizes how little time parents can often have to research the best jogging strollers. So, during testing, she considered what parents would want, like storage space, packability, safety, and comfort.

In addition to her and her testers’ experience with these strollers, Jenny also consulted a pediatrician to provide insights on what to look for in a stroller in terms of safety and utility.

Ask the Expert: Jogging Stroller Tips From a Pediatrician

We spoke with Lauren Crosby, MD, FAAP, Pediatrician and Bobbie Medical Expert, to get the facts when it comes to safe jogging strollers for babies.

For postpartum moms, are they safe to start running/using a jog stroller after giving birth? Should they wait a certain number of weeks?

They need to be medically cleared by their obstetrician and this is typically based on the type of delivery they had, and how they are recovering.

Is there a safe age to start running with a baby?

Jog strollers are not recommended for babies under 6-8 months old because they have not yet developed enough head and neck control to avoid head and neck injuries. If you are not sure if the baby is ready, ask your pediatrician at a well visit so they can examine the baby’s head and neck control. 

When can you put a baby in a jog stroller?

You can walk with a baby in a car seat/adapter in a jog stroller, but you should not jog with an infant in a car seat. Safest to wait until they are at least 6 months old and have good head and neck control. Then they can be placed directly into the harnessed seat in the jog stroller. 

What safety features does a jog stroller need for an infant?

It’s important to check with weight and height limits for each stroller.

Other safety features include:

• 5-point harness to keep the child in place and prevent injuries, and should be firmly anchored and height adjustable
• Parking brake which may be a handbrake
• Durable stroller that handles impact for a safer, smoother ride
• Padded seats
• No loose straps that could strangle a child
• Locking front wheel to avoid swiveling, wobbling and crashing while running
• Wide base so it does not easily tip over
• Wrist strap for parent to wear to keep the stroller near
• UPF canopies to keep the child shielded from the sum
• Make sure you check the brand website for recalls

Do you need to use a 5-point harness with a toddler? 

Always use a 5-point harness for safety at all ages until the child outgrows the stroller. Strollers come with specific weight and height limits. 

Can a baby/toddler ever sit freely (without being buckled in) in a jog stroller? 

A child can never sit freely in any stroller. They risk not only neck injuries but they can easily fall out and sustain significant body injuries including a head injury.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Jogging Stroller

Weight

At the tail end of a 10-mile run, the last thing any parent wants is to juggle their kid, their exhaustion, and a stroller that weighs more than they do. A lightweight jogging stroller is going to make a huge difference at the end of the day, especially when it’s been up and down massive trail systems.

While the weight may not be the first thing to look at, it’s well worth considering. Not only will a heavier stroller be harder to lug into the car trunk, but it will also be more challenging to control.

The stroller’s weight will add to what the parent has to haul and manage on a downhill. A lighter stroller like the Chicco Activ3 Jogging Stroller means an easier go of it all.

Lightweight is great, but lightweight and durable don’t always come hand in hand. Models can be crafted from cheap plastic or expensive aircraft-grade aluminum. Both are lightweight, but one is more durable than the other.

Harness

Most running strollers will now have a five-point harness integrated into the design. A five-point harness ensures no gaps are big enough for an infant to slip through and get away.

This is one of the safety features you can’t overlook. If you want a running stroller, it needs to have the extra security that makes the difference between a 1950s stroller and a modern baby jogger. A stroller without a decent harness is like a doctor that still prescribes cigarettes.

Handle

The stroller’s handle plays a massive role in comfort for the runner. If it’s too high, the run becomes a ballet dance on tiptoes; if it’s too low, Notre Dame will hire a new hunchback.

Highly adjustable handles like the one on the Thule Chariot Cross are the most commonplace feature to help parents fit the stroller to both parents, a babysitter, or grandma and grandpa.

Buying a stroller online can be difficult without “trying it on.” The handle makes all the difference in the feel of the stroller added to a regular running routine. Our picks all can adapt to parents of different heights while still making running a comfortable sport.

The positioning of the handle is important, but it’s also necessary to pay attention to the grip. It’s easy to lose control with a slippery grip and sweaty hands. Some grips are more ergonomic than others, and it’s difficult to tell without getting hands on them.

Brakes

Handbrakes are found on a lower number of strollers than you would typically expect today. While it may be a bit surprising, brakes can often be an unnecessary feature that only add to the complexity and maintenance of the stroller.

So, why use brakes at all?

When a parent takes up running with a stroller, they’re navigating the world with an additional human (or two) that need to be controlled. Any parent who runs in a hillier neighborhood or local park may find that brakes allow them to keep the stroller under control without sacrificing their running form.

The stroller, sans brakes, will force whoever is steering the ship to lean backward and use their body weight to fight gravity. To win the fight against these forces, a handbrake can do a lot of the work and allow for good running form.

Weather Preparation

Five miles into a 10-mile run is the worst possible time for inclement weather to knock on the front door. For anyone who’s spent much time outside, it’s pretty well-known that 5 miles in is precisely when you should expect the storm to arrive.

In addition to a child tray for their snacks, it could be arguably more important to have protection from the elements that inevitably make an appearance. Some strollers feature waterproof canopies with a UPF 50 sun protection rating. Some strollers have a rain cover that blankets the entire stroller (except for the parent).

No matter how much anyone tries, it’s likely bad weather will get the best of you at some point or another. Bringing the best running stroller means bringing a travel system that is stocked and ready with weather protection built in or a storage basket big enough to haul rain gear and sunscreen.

Accessories

Cup holders, a snack tray, storage basket, reclining seat, or skis that take the place of wheels aren’t necessarily the top of the list when looking for the stroller, but they add some sprinkles to the cake.

While most of the different models of strollers have similar features, the accessories are what can make some of them stand apart from the competition. Thule and BOB both have a wide array of accessories, especially the Thule Chariot Cross.

Accessories can make a run in the park a bit more enjoyable or allow you to have a coffee in one hand while reclining the seats with the other. Today, there’s a fix for any parent complaint and an accessory to go along with the comfort that everyone is after.

Fixed Wheel vs. Swivel Wheel

One danger of running with a stroller is taking on the “speed wobbles” or losing control over a huge bump. While the rear wheels in any jogging stroller are fixed in place, the front wheel can be fixed, swivel, or adjustable.

The best choice here is to have both fixed and swivel wheels. One flip of a switch will lock the front wheel in place for a run through the park. The fixed wheel will sacrifice maneuverability for more stability.

When the run comes to a close and navigating busy sidewalks is necessary, unlocking the wheels to allow for a swivel will help cut tight corners and move easily.

FAQ