You want to explore outdoors with your baby and need a stroller that can handle gravel paths and bumpy hiking trails? Or maybe you live in the countryside and need a stroller for unbeaten dirt roads? Here I’m sharing with you the best all terrain strollers for off-road walks.
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In this article I review top-quality all-terrain strollers and evaluate their performance on different types of terrain.
I’ve chosen only the best all-terrain strollers and divided them into 3 categories, depending on how frequently you’re going for an off-road trip and how difficult the terrain is.
Whether you’re looking for a jogging stroller for trails or an everyday stroller that handles more difficult terrain, in this buying guide you will find something that suits your needs.
Are you ready? Let the adventure begin!
This article is not a substitute for medical advice or consultation. It contains affiliate links.
Best Urban Strollers For Multiple Surfaces
Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
In this category I included urban strollers that have versatile wheels which handle multiple types of terrain. These strollers are designed for terrain that is more difficult than pavement, but not as rough as tree roots or loose sand.
So if you don’t want to spend money on two strollers (one for daily use and one for rough terrain) you can always go with a city stroller that has all-terrain wheels.
This type of strollers is also perfect for parents who have small apartment and don’t have space for second stroller, so buying additional jogger is not an option.
Just keep in mind that most of these strollers are NOT designed for running.
1. Baby Jogger City Mini GT2
My Verdict: Best for those who live in the city or countryside and need an everyday stroller that handles bumpy terrain
One example of such stroller is the new Baby Jogger City Mini GT2. It has three-wheel design which make it very nimble and easy to steer. Even on surfaces like cracked sidewalks and uneven pavement it doesn’t get stuck up and doesn’t bounce that much. It can handle bricks and cobbled streets for example in Italian old cities, but bigger rocks may be too difficult for it.
It rather doesn’t handle sand, but it can easily go through short grass (like lawns and public parks), dirt roads and gravel paths in parks. For deeper and looser gravel or sandy beaches parents suggest getting jogging stroller with larger wheels, pumped tires and better shock absorption.
If you take this stroller on more rugged terrain, you and the baby will feel bumps harder than you would with a jogging stroller. However, even if the stroller shakes a bit, it doesn’t feel like it’s going to fall apart or hurt the baby. Most parents agree the suspension is good, especially on average difficult terrain.
What’s important – the newest model – City Mini GT2 has improved suspension, built in all wheels. Although this stroller has a handbrake I don’t find it suitable for hills (mostly because of smaller wheels and insufficient suspension).
Other features you are going to like are: large canopy that provides good shade for the baby, easy one-hand fold and very smooth steering.
This stroller is not designed for jogging (Baby Jogger is only the name of the brand). It is a good choice for parents who are not runners, but like long-distance walks on multiple types of terrain (read more in my full review of City Mini GT).
| PRO TIP: If you’re looking for the best all-terrain travel system consider pairing GT2 stroller with Baby Jogger City GO infant car seat (the best option is to get it as a set here). |
2. Thule Spring
My Verdict: For choice for city dwellers who use the stroller mostly on sidewalks, but some of them are cracked
Thule Spring is very similar to GT2 and has almost the same price, but what distinguishes it is its compact fold. If you have a small car or don’t have a lot of space at home this is your best option. It’s the smallest all terrain stroller!
Despite compact size, Spring is super rigid and strong. It has 8.5″ rubber wheels and front-wheel suspension so you can take it on gravel or cracked sidewalks with ease.
What you are also going to love about Thule Spring is its design – it looks so sleek and stylish! It has a huge canopy that opens up with a zipper and there is extra mesh panel – perfect for keeping an eye on your kiddo, as well as providing extra airflow. When the canopy is fully extended it protects the little passenger even from low sun. No more annoying sun rays in eyes during nap time!
Speaking of nap time – you can recline the seat backrest – of course it’s not fully flat position, but enough for comfortable nap (oh, and the seat padding is SO CUSHY!).
A few more features that I really like about Thule Spring: you can easily fold it with one hand while holding your baby and it’s fairly lightweight as for an all-terrain stroller (only 21 pounds).
There’s also extendable handlebar – not a rotating one like on most strollers, but a telescoping one – which means when you slide it out, there’s more room behind the stroller (it’s super important if you have long legs).
Of course Thule Spring is not perfect and there are a few (minor) things that parents complain about. Even though the seat is designed to fit a 44″ tall child (up to 64 lbs), lots of moms wish it was a bit deeper. On bumpy terrain you will probably need to push it with two hands, but I think it’s pretty normal with all strollers! One more thing – accessories for this buggy are sold separately and they are quite expensive.
3. Bumbleride Indie
My Verdict: Top choice for those who like occasional off-road stroll or like to go to parks and playground (gravel, grass)
Another all-terrain stroller for city dwellers who like off-road cruises is the Bumbleride Indie. This is a hybrid of an everyday city stroller and jogging stroller. The wheels are 12″ and have air-filled tires. Front wheel is lockable.
Parents agree Bumbleride Indie is very easy to maneuver and can handle rough terrain like gravel, grass, cracked sidewalks and dirt roads. It handles park paths smoothly. Going over tree roots is not difficult. Some parents have even taken it to the beach or rocky trails (for proof read review #1 & review #2)! But since it doesn’t have a handbrake I find it less suitable for hills.
Great thing is that it works almost as good as typical running strollers, but it’s lighter and less bulky. It’s more like an urban stroller for everyday use that can handle multiple types of terrain, off-road strolls and light jogging as well.
Oh, one more thing – there were some negative opinions about the old version because of the canopy (when it was pulled back, the fabric was folded and wrinkled and touching baby’s head, while not giving him too much space).
Keep in mind that Bumbleride Indie has beed redesigned1 and has improved canopy that gives more headspace. This new version is also a bit heavier – 24 lbs (still not very bulky or cumbersome).
If you’re more serious runner you can always go with Bumbleride Speed, instead of Indie. It’s designed for long distance running and more challenging terrain. It can go over muddy trails, grass, sand, dirt roads and more.
| PRO TIP: If you’re looking for an expandable stroller that can handle grass and gravel in parks, hard-packed dirt roads and cracked pavement, check out this UPPAbaby VISTA V2 or this new version of Baby Jogger City Select 2. Both have have four-wheel design but they are still very maneuverable. The suspension on each model is very good too and minimizes the impact of shocks on the baby. However I don’t recommend these strollers for beach, hiking or rugged trails in woods with tree roots. Nevertheless, they are great options especially for growing families, since you can expand them from a single to a double mode. |
4. Chicco Activ3
My Verdict: Inexpensive alternative for parents on tight budget
This is a perfect choice if you’re on a tight budget and need a stroller for all terrains, but still compact and easy to operate in a city jungle.
Chicco Activ3 is a great stroller for off-road and everyday use in the city. It handles cracked, uneven sidewalks and cobbled streets very well.
There is also amazing suspension which makes this stroller suitable for many kinds of rugged terrain.
It handles gravel and dirt roads very smoothly. Especially on hard-packed gravel this stroller literally glides like a breeze. Chicco Activ3 is also a great solution for strolling and in park, countryside etc.
Remote front-wheel-lock located at the handlebar is a huge plus – you don’t have to get your hands dirty!
Keep in mind it has foam-filled tires so it’s not a stroller for running or deep sand.
| PRO TIP: If you’re looking for even cheaper stroller that can handle rugged terrain, I recommend you this Delta Children Apollo. It’s a fraction of the cost of all other strollers, but it’s still strong and glides smoothly over bumps (it has air-filled tires and very good suspension). The only thing is – it’s heavy! |
Best All-Terrain Strollers For Long Walks And Running
Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you’re an advanced runner and train often, you should definitely choose a stroller from this category. All these models here can handle most challenging terrain like gravel roads, loose sand and forest trails.
1. BOB Revolution FLEX 3.0
My verdict: Best pick for advanced runners who like long distances and rough terrains
BOB Revolution FLEX 3.0 handles flat sandy trails and gravel roads. If the rocks are small it maneuvers with ease, if the trail is really rocky it may be a bit harder to push and the passenger bounces more. But on deep gravel it performs amazing and pushing it is not very difficult. Dirt roads in country side won’t be a problem either.
According to customers this stroller works perfect for dog walking on tall grass, gravel and bark chips. You can even take it on the beach if the sand is composed and thick. It absorbs the shocks really well, even on difficult terrain like cobblestone.
Some parents consider BOB FLEX as the best beach stroller, as it works really impressive on wet and loose sand (more info in this Amazon review and this one).
It rolls pretty smoothly on bumpy forest paths. Thanks to amazing suspension system the baby feels comfortable and doesn’t get bumped around. With this stroller you’ll be able to enjoy long walks and long distances jogging. It’s perfect choice for advanced runners too.
Some parents use it for strolls and jogs on hills and agree the shock absorption works great and protects baby from negative impact of bumps. However keep in mind this jogging stroller doesn’t have handbrake so it’s not ideal for hills. If you need a stroller for mountain trails, check out the BOB Alterrain PRO which is equipped with a handbrake.
More details and photos of BOB Revolution FLEX in my in-depth review.
2. Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight
My Verdict: Best heavy duty stroller at affordable price for jogging and all types of terrain
If you want a good-quality stroller for gravel roads and grass but you’re on a tight budget, Joovy Zoom may be perfect for you. However if the road is very bumpy, the child may feel it and bounce more than in BOB or Thule jogging strollers.
Tires on Joovy Zoom are great for running, whether it’s grass or gravel. But if you’re more advanced runner or prefer very rugged terrain (like rocks and mud), BOB would be better choice.
Some parents have used this Joovy as beach stroller and it did fine (more here). If you want to use your stroller on mountain trails, I would recommend something different – with a brake operated by hand.
If you’re hesitating whether this stroller is the right choice for you, read my full review of Joovy Zoom 360.
3. Baby Trend Expedition
My Verdict: Cheap jogging stroller for uneven terrain
Other stroller that can serve you for light jogging, off-road walks and everyday use is Baby Trend Expedition. This is also great budget option.
It has 3-wheel design with 16″ rear wheels and 12″ front wheel which is lockable. This stroller is good for gravel roads, grass and slightly uneven terrain thanks to big wheels with pumped tires.
However it doesn’t have suspension so it’s not suitable for more rugged terrain. I wouldn’t recommend this stroller for beach or bark chips etc.). I also wouldn’t use this stroller on mountain trails either – it lacks handbrake so it’s less suitable for hills. For short distances and light jogging – it’s great.
If you’re looking for a stroller for deep sand and beaches you should check out my ranking of the best beach strollers. These ones can handle the most challenging terrain!
Best Hiking Strollers
Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Just like the models from the previous category, these ones can also handle more rugged terrain, but additionally these strollers are suitable for hiking because they are equipped with a handbrake.
Did you know that hiking with a stroller can be a great exercise if you have “mom butt” syndrome (meaning: pregnancy made your bum flat) and you want work on your buttocks. Once your doctor gives you green light for returning to normal activity and workouts, you can go off-road with your hiking stroller and work on that glutes.
Remember about maintaining good and ergonomic posture2!
1. Thule Urban Glide 2
My Verdict: Best for active parents who like training on mountain trails/ hiking/ trekking and/or live in hilly area
Many parents use Thule Urban Glide 2 for hiking and mountain trails. It’s a fantastic choice because it has additional handbrake3 for extra safety. If you like to stroll or jog in hilly area I would recommend you getting this newest version of this stroller.
This Thule stroller has superb suspension and large pumped tires that can handle ANY type of terrain, even bumpy rocks, wood chips, mud, snow, you name it! It’s been chosen as the best all terrain hiking stroller for the 6th consecutive year on LittleBabyGear!
It’s very agile, breeze to push (even with one hand), and steers very easily. It’s also not as heavy as other running strollers – it weighs 25 pounds which is still manageable, even if you’re a petite mom.
There’s a very nicely padded seat so your little passenger could always feel cozy and comfy, plus a large sunshade. The only thing is I wish the seat had more depth so it could fit older kiddo too. I would say Urban Glide 2 is good up to 3 years.
You can read more about the new Thule Urban Glide 2 in my full review!
2. Baby Jogger Summit X3
My Verdict: Awesome choice for serious runners who like off-road jogging
Some parents say this stroller is even better than BOB jogging strollers. It does have one advantage over BOB Flex model – Summit X3 has a handbrake which is crucial for jogging in hilly area or hiking on mountain trials.
This additional handbrake gives you better control over the speed. This model is also perfect not only for trekking but also for strolling and running on other rough terrains like sandy beaches, rocky trails, paths in forest with sticks and bark chips, as well as cracked sidewalks.
Even if you’re going over grass, dirt roads or roots it’s still smooth and comfortable for the baby. Pushing it is still effortless and the baby can nap undisturbed. All thanks to large wheels with pumped tires and amazing suspension. Even the mud won’t stop you!
What’s also great about this stroller is its remote front wheel lock. You don’t have to bend down and get your hands dirty to lock/unlock the front wheel. You can do it by using a simple lock on the handlebar. So convenient!
3. BOB Gear Alterrain Pro
My Verdict: Stroller for those who often visit sandy beaches
For hikes, mountain trails and jogging down the hill I just have to recommend the Bob Alterrain. It’s really amazing how well it handles all types of rough terrain and protects the little passengers from all wiggles and shocks!
It’s also great for country gravel roads and grass. It provides comfortable ride for the baby and the parent so it’s perfect for more serious runners or those who like long-distance training.
This running stroller has a handbrake so you could have full control over the speed and always be able to slow down when going downhill. Safety first!
One of the things that distinguishes this stroller is the material of the canopy – it is fully waterproof. How cool is that?!
Resources:
https://www.thule.com/en-us/
https://bumbleride.com/
https://www.healthline.com
Sources of pictures:
Pictures of City Mini GT2 and Summit X3 belong to Baby Jogger Brand. Source: https://www.babyjogger.com/
Pictures of Bob FLEX & Alterrain PRO belong to BOB Gear Brand. Source: https://www.bobgear.com/
Pictures of Thule Spring and Urban Glide 2 belong to Thule Brand. Source: https://www.thule.com/
Pictures of Indie belong to Bumbleride Brand. Source: https://bumbleride.com/
Pictures of Joovy Zoom 360 belong to Joovy Brand. Source: https://joovy.com/
Pictures of Expedition Jogger belong to Baby Trend Brand. Source: https://babytrend.com/
Pictures of Activ3 belong to Chicco Brand. Source: https://www.chiccousa.com/
The purpose of this article is informative. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice or medical care. Remember: safety first! Consult your doctor/pediatrician in case of any doubts. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here.
Your trust is really important to me: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to buy something using these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Your support helps me run this blog. Thank you so much!
Hello Moms! I am Zooey. I am a wife and a mother of three amazing kids: almost 5-year-old Haley and 2-year-old twins Jesse and Matthew. I am a jogger, cooker and blogger.If you have a question or a comment, do not hesitate to write to me! 🙂
Hi Zooey, this review is SO helpful!!
I still find myself slightly torn and I wonder if you can help shed some light. I live on a rural dirt road with very large hills. I am not a jogger, but would be getting a heavy duty stroller for the all terrain perks. I have been toying with the idea of getting the Thule UG2 vs Bob All Terrain Pro for the hand break – I know they would do well in our environment. But I feel like they are both big strollers with less everyday versatility and I am wondering if I might be able to get by with something like the Indie Bumbleride or the new Guava Roam which will be more useful in other settings/environments. I am just nervous that if I get one of those, it won’t be able to handle my hills that are literally right outside my front door. Any advice you have would be helpful! Thank you!
Hi Zooey, Are any of the hiking suitable strollers: Thule Urban Glide 2, Baby Jogger Summit X3, or Chicco TRE suitable (or convertible) for a newborn? Obviously they will not be used for off roading at that point, but I need something that can handle sand, grave, and mud and I’d like to avoid buying a new stroller a few months in. 🙂 Thanks!
Hi Kristina,
each of these three strollers is compatible with infant car seats – so this could be your option for the first few months. Thule also offers a bassinet for their stroller, but it’s not available in all countries, they don’t sell it in the US (so would need to check if it’s available in your location). The main seat on these strollers is suitable from 6 months (or when the child can sit unassisted).
I can also recommend you Bumbleride strollers: Indie and Speed – both suitable for rough terrain (Speed performance is the same as Thule, Indie has a bit smaller wheels – 12″ – but it handles gravel and sand too). For both you can purchase bassinet. Bumbleride strollers have one huge advantage: you can recline the seat to flat position, lift the leg rest and create enclosed bassinet-like space, which is suitable for newborns too. And of course both are compatible with numerous infant car seats. So you would have 3 options to choose from.
Thank you!!
Hi Zooey,
This is so far the most helpful article I have found! Thank you!
I am about to have baby#1, with thoughts of baby #2 in 2-3 years, so a friend suggested to look at convertible strollers (opening my mind to the idea of them, I didn’t know they existed!).
But I have seen the THULE UG2 in action and I really like the wheels (air) the hand brake and the maneuvering on bumpy terrain. I live in the North and will be having to handle lots of snow with my newborn this winter, so the large wheels would be a plus! The handbrake I thought would be nice because right now we live at the top of a hill in town. I don’t know that we will do much hiking specifically, but I am hoping to do lots of walking to get back into shape after baby! There are beaches nearby for the summer too (that was nice with the UG2 as well!)!
Is there a stroller that combines the usefulness of the UG2 with the convertible feature for when we have baby#2 in the future? I was looking at the Mountain Buggy plus one, but it is not available right now and I’m not sure if it has the handbrake?
Thank you in advance for your help and advice!
Hi Jax,
thank you for your kind words! 🙂
The MB Plus One has some limitations in a double version which I don’t like (I just think it’s less comfortable for two kids).
And frankly, there is no expandable stroller that would roll as smoothly as Thule Urban Glide2 – mainly because this is a jogging stroller, with large wheels, pumped tires and advanced suspension that you cannot beat. Expandable strollers (most of them) don’t have air-filled tires and the suspension is never as good as on jogging strollers.
I have a list of the best expandable strollers here, the ones that can handle more types of terrain are: VISTA, City Select (this one has more useful combinations for two kids close in age) and Donkey2.
BTW, if you decide to get the single stroller like Urban Glide2, keep in mind that in the US the bassinet is not available, so the only way to use this stroller from birth is with an infant car seat and it’s recommended to use it only for short walks, on even terrain. Once the baby has good neck control you can start using the main stroller seat and even jog with it. 🙂
If you’d prefer newborn-ready all-terrain stroller the Bumbleride Indie is a good option.
HI Zooey! Thanks so much for the great information. Wondering if you have any recommendations for me. I’m expecting my first and am looking for a stroller that could handle bumpy trails (for walks not jogging), lies completely flat for a newborn and has a reversible seat. Finding it tricky to find something that ticks all three boxes!
Hi Michelle, it seems like Bumbleride Era could meet your needs: it has lay-flat newborn-friendly recline, the seat is reversible and it has awesome wheels with air-filled tires so bumpier terrain won’t be a problem.
Just a quick note: the flat recline will always be a bit less supportive than a bassinet would be, especially on uneven terrain. Generally speaking, for strolls with a newborn baby I would recommend less bumpy terrain, regardless of the stroller you’ll choose.
by the way, here’s my review of Bumbleride Era stroller in case you need more info: Bumbleride Era – Introducing First Bumbleride Stroller With Reversible Seat
Hi, I’m looking for something that would lie flat for a newborn but then when the baby is a bit older and no longer needs to lie flat I will be doing bumpy trails and it needs to be suitable to hike up hills in a regional park, over tree roots etc so three wheeler would be easier to manage and I want the seat to be reversible. Any ideas? I wouldn’t be doing the bumpy trails when still a newborn but I;d rather get a pram that converts than buy two prams, one for newborn, one for hiking with an older baby. If that makes sense.
Hi,
I would like to ask Your opinion about stroller for people who live in the city, adore very long walks, sometimes on rough terrain and want stroller to be suitable up to 4 years old. Will be thankful for your advice.
Hi Vaida! My first thought was Baby Jogger City Mini GT (the 2016 version), it’s not too bulky for city use, weighs under 22 pounds, and the wheels are good for rougher terrain (like grass or hard packed gravel). Fits taller and older kids with ease.
However, if you meant rough terrain like sand, bumpy trails with roots etc. I would consider Bumbleride Indie. Weighs a bit more – 24 lbs, but has bigger wheels with pumped tires which can handle more types of terrain, even the beach 🙂 The seat should be enough for 3.5 years.
🙂 thank you very much for the quick answer!
First of all, I’m a research nerd and this is the best guide I’ve seen, so thank you!
I’m looking for a stroller for light hikes (but rocky terrain and hills and perhaps traveling to national parks), walks around the neighborhood, and the beach – not doing any running. I think we definitely need a hand brake because it’s hilly where we live anyway, and I want a great canopy. I’m looking at the Bob Revolution Pro and the Baby Jogger Summit x3, and was temporarily looking at the Thule UG2 but it seems not as suited for trails, but maybe I’m mistaken. Have you seen anything about the Mountain Buggy Terrain? I am very curious which one you would lean towards! Thanks!
I’d also be interested in knowing the reply to this post as it descirbes our dilema in terms of terrain and buggy options mentioned by phone from our lical baby supplier. Due to covid restrictions I doubt we can try before we buy!
Hi Rhiannon!
If I understand correctly, you’re looking for an all-terrain stroller with a handbrake?
If you’re debating between Thule, BOB and Baby Jogger, here are my thoughts:
Frankly, I love Thule Urban Glide 2 and it’s definitely suitable for hills and trails – it has awesome wheels and incredible suspension. The canopy gives good coverage too. The only problem with this buggy is that the seat is not very deep – making it suitable up to 3 years, for older kids it may be too shallow and less comfy. Among these three options this is the lightest one (25.3 pounds) which I think is very important if you are going to carry the stroller up and down the stairs or need to load it to the car trunk by yourself. It has the most compact fold too.
BOB Revolution PRO is great, however it has some issues with the canopy (sometimes it doesn’t stay in place when fully extended) and the fold is a bit more complicated. It’s significantly heavier than Thule (30.5 lbs). There is a newer model of this stroller – called BOB Alterrain PRO which has better (more sturdy) canopy, but unfortunately it is even more bulky – 32.3 lbs! But other than that, it’s a fantastic buggy, very strong, handles all types of terrain.
Baby Jogger Summit X3 – the main advantage is the remote front wheel lock (located near the handlebar), so you don’t have to bend and get your hands dirty. But this one is also heavier than Thule (28.44 lbs) and unfortunately there are a lot of complains about the front wheel shaking and wobbling after few weeks/months of use. I’m not sure if a part of the collection is faulty, or if it’s a general problem with this model, but it does not encourage me to buy it.
Let me know if you have other questions, or if there are other features that you’re looking for and I’ll do my best to help you narrow down your choice 🙂
Thank you for the detailedvery informative info.
We’ve managed to find a retailer within 2hour drive for us to try/push the Thule Glide 2, Babby Jogger (city not summit unfortunately) but they also had a Mountain Buggy Terrain which seemed very compariable side to side to the Thule Glide 2. Have you had any experience/issues/thoughts/feedback about the Mountain Buggy Terrain?
The MB Terrain seems very similar to Thule, but I haven’t give it a try yet. I’m a fan of Thule quality, but Mountain Buggy is a good brand too, so it’s definitely worth checking out 🙂
Please note that Thule Glide 2 is different than Thule Urban Glide 2 that I wrote about in the previous comment (Glide 2 has 16″ front wheel that doesn’t swivel – it’s fixed. It’s good for marathons etc., but for trails, hiking and all those bumps the Thule Urban Glide 2 is better – with 12″ lockable swivel front wheel. Make sure to check the right one.)
Hi
Thanks for the amazing article!
I am expecting a little one and am so overwhelmed by the buggy choices available!
I dont have a massive budget, but am happy to buy second hand so I guess it doenst matter too much as long as long as I can find a bargain! but I live in NZ and will be taking the baby for walks up mountains and beaches as well as some city walking.
What would be your recommendation?
Hi Lauren!
If you need a stroller that can handle beaches and some hiking, then you should definitely pick a stroller with large wheels and air-filled tires. Check out Bumbleride Indie, it’s good for rough terrains, as well as city use. It’s not the lightest stroller, but not that bulky either (24 pounds). But you’ll need that weight for the stability.
If you’re going to use the stroller for more off-road trips than city walking you may want to consider getting an all-terrain jogging stroller like BOB Revolution Flex or BOB Alterrain PRO (this one has a hand brake – useful for uphill and downhill walks).
Hi Zooey,
This was a great article! I am on a search for the ideal stroller that will meet my family’s needs (as I am sure everyone is ;), but I can’t seem to find one that will fit the bill. I am hoping you can help. Specifically, we are looking for:
(1) A stroller that can accommodate a newborn and an almost 3.5 yr old comfortably, and will also grow with them until the oldest is ~5.
(2) Handbrake – we live in a hilly area.
(3) All terrain – we have trails close by that we access often.
(4) Easy to take with us on-the-go…load into and out of the car….and get through all doorways.
I fell in love with the Bumbleride Indie Twin for all these reasons (plus the environmental friendliness of the design), BUT it doesn’t have a handbrake. 🙁
Thank you in advance for your help!!
Jennifer
Hey Jennifer,
That’s a tough one. Firstly, it’s quite difficult to find a stroller that would fit a 5 year old comfortably. Secondly, the handbrake (and I mean a handbrake that is used for slowing down, not for parking the stroller) is something that you can find only on jogging strollers – but even on jogging strollers it’s quite a rare feature. And even if you decide on a jogging stroller, not all of them accept infant car seats (and therefore are not newborn-friendly).
There is one stroller that came to my mind right away – BOB Revolution PRO Duallie – lots of parents use BOB strollers for older kids, even if they don’t fit under the canopy, the seat is still comfortable for them (widthwise). It can accommodate 1 infant car seat for a newborn baby. It’s definitely all-terrain, it has a parking brake operated by foot and handbrake for controlling the speed when you go down the hill. It’s only 0.5 ich wider than Bumbleride Indie Twin and weighs exactly the same. None of these stroller is lightweight, but I think you can get used to it. At the beginning loading it into the car trunk may be difficult and requires some strength but it’s doable. Honestly, you won’t find a double stroller with all-terrain wheels + handbrake under 30 pounds.
If you decide to skip the handbrake, you may want to check BOB Revolution Flex Duallie (3 pounds lighter than Bumbleride) or Baby Jogger City Mini GT Double (technically, it has a handbrake, but it’s a parking brake, you can’t use it for slowing down).
Hi Zooey,
Thank you so much – this is super helpful! I have considered the BOB, and although we love it for our neighborhood and for running; we rarely transport it anywhere – it is just too cumbersome – which is why we hadn’t considered a double BOB. Plus, there have been several doorways it didn’t fit through (I had to leave my LO in the hallway of a physician’s office once because I couldn’t fit the BOB into the exam room).
I have explored a bit further over the past few days and now I am considering a convertible (for the same reason you mention – it is unlikely my 5yo will still want to ride in a stroller). The one that seems to have all the features we are looking for (plus a seat that goes up to 65lb once LO no longer wants to ride in a stroller seat) is the City Select Lux – EXCEPT some parents seem displeased with the fold and the steering. Would love to hear your opinion, if you have time.
Hey Jennifer
Well, yes, the City Select LUX is a bit more difficult to steer with two kids, especially when the terrain is not flat. With one passenger it’s better. In my opinion the regular City Select is more easy to operate with two kids, but this one has a normal parking hand brake, not a decelerating one, and it doesn’t offer a bench seat 🙁
Hi Zooey,
I just saw your reply. Thanks so much! It is amazing that it is so difficult to find a stroller that meets all these specifications….makes me wish I was an entrepreneur and could design my own. 😉
Happy New Year!
Jennifer
Hi Zooey,
Amazing job on the article, I can tell a lot of work went into it! I read it twice but for my needs I am still not sure what would be the best stroller, can you advice? I have a 4 month baby and we just moved to Portugal where the sidewalks are made of little stones ( sorry not sure what this type of pavement is called..) so it’s very bumpy! I am not looking to jog, I just want to make the ride for the little one smooth and comfortable. So it’s for urban and everyday use, yet quite uneven surface. We might be looking into having a second one, so an extendable stroller would be a plus. Thanks so much!
Hi Janet!
Portuguese sidewalks may be challenging 🙂 But I think you may want to check single strollers like Bumbleride Indie (it has pumped tires, 12″ wheels, good suspension so it will handle all sidewalks easily) or Baby Jogger City Mini GT 2 (this one is also pretty much all-terrain and bumpy sidewalks should not be a problem, it’s lighter than Indie so it may work better for city use). Nuna Mixx 2019 could be a great choice too as it has large wheels (non-inflatable), and awesome all-season seat + large canopy which would be useful for hot summers, but it’s quite expensive. Among expandable strollers – check Baby Jogger City Select – but keep in mind that handling long tandem stroller on bumpy sidewalks won’t be that easy, because this type of strollers is heavy and more difficult to maneuver especially on uneven surface.
Hi Zooey, thanks so much for posting this – very helpful! My partner and I are looking for a stroller for our kiddo (not yet arrived) that works well for hikes (gravel, sand, roots, etc.), but can also function as an everyday stroller. Like everyone, we would like our stroller to be light but sturdy and easily collapsable. Finally, we may have a second kiddo some day, so we’d love for it to have the capacity to convert into a double. Is there a stroller that meets these points or are we expecting the impossible in the current market? Thanks!
Hi!
Frankly, stroller that is suitable for hikes, expands to a double, and lightweight – it simply doesn’t exist…
Firstly, convertible strollers that expand to a double usually weigh 25+ pounds – they have to be strong enough to hold two seats, two toddlers and be sturdy enough not to tip over with such a heavy load.
Secondly, all-terrain strollers that are suitable for sand and roots weigh 21+ pounds.
So you need to be aware of that. In my opinion stroller that weighs 25-26 pounds is still fairly lightweight, I’m short and petite and never had any problems with loading it to the car trunk etc. But if you want something under 20 pounds, it won’t handle uneven terrain and definitely won’t be able to hold two kids.
And one last thing, do you plan on walking/jogging in hilly area? If yes, then you should definitely consider getting a jogging stroller with a handbrake. If you just plan on walking on bumpy surfaces, but not in hills, standard all-terrain stroller should be sufficient.
-Among all-terrain strollers for one child only I can recommend you Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 and Bumbleride Indie. City Mini GT2 is lighter – 21.4 pounds (it’s probably the lightest all-terrain stroller on the market), it’s more like a city, everyday stroller that also handles off-road walks (gravel is okay, sand may be a bit worse). Bumbleride Indie is wonderful for harsh terrain, sand or roots won’t be a problem. It has bigger wheels than City Mini GT2 and the tires are pumped. It rolls very smoothly. It also weighs a bit more – 24 pounds. These are my favorite all-terrain strollers because they are not excessively heavy or bulky, and work great for everyday errands and doing groceries too.
-Among expandable strollers that handle multiple types of terrain and weigh under 30 pounds, I can recommend: UPPAbaby VISTA, Baby Jogger City Select. City Select is more affordable, and it has the same main seat and sibling seat (both with capacity of 45 pounds), while VISTA – more pricey stroller – has bigger main seat (max. capacity: 50 lbs) and smaller sibling seat (35 lbs). Both strollers have non-inflatable large wheels. They are good for gravel, grass, hard-packed sand. On very bumpy terrain these strollers may wiggle a bit, but on such terrain only a stroller with pumped tires would perform better.
Let me know if you need more information, take care! 🙂
Hi Haley,
Any opinion on the Baby Jogger Summit X3 for hiking? I was looking at the city mini GT after reading reviews and then I found the summit! It looks comparable to the Thule and BOB. Thanks!
Hi Rebecca,
Yes, Summit X3 is comparable to Thule Urban Glide 2 and BOB jogging strollers. It has an additional hand brake which is very useful when you’re hiking as it gives you better control of the speed. And it has larger wheels with pumped tires so it can handle more types of terrain and the ride is more smooth. It’s definitely better choice than City Mini GT if you want to hike with a stroller. City Mini GT is wonderful for city and off-road use, but only for strolls (not jogging), and rather not in a hilly area. With Summit you can run and hike.
Hi Zooey, great information re strollers thankyou. I am travelling with my 5 year old to Southeast Asia later in the year and it’s not known for having sidewalks. What would you suggest as a more compact/travel stroller that is for bigger kids up to 55lbs and can handle rough terrain that’s not going to break the bank?! I’ve been researching for a while now but cant seem to find one that ticks all the boxes. Thanks so much Vicki
Hello Vicki,
At first I need to tell you that it will be hard (if not impossible) to find a compact travel stroller for rough terrain and with capacity of 55 pounds. Majority of lightweight strollers have small wheels which are not good for off-road strolls. Stroller that can handle uneven surfaces must have bigger wheels which of course weigh more, making the stroller less compact and less convenient to carry. The capacity may be a problem as well, because most of the compact strollers have limit of 45 or 50 lbs and usually the seat is not big enough for a 5 year old 🙁
There are actually 2 strollers that come to my mind right now. One is more compact, the other one is more all-terrain.
-GB Pockit – it has capacity of 55 pounds and I know a lot of parents who are using it for 5 and 6 year old kids. It’s great for travel because it’s the smallest and lightest stroller out there. It’s perfect for older kids and for short walks – for a child who can walk and only sometimes needs a place to rest. When he’s not using the stroller, you can easily put it in a hand bag or backpack and carry with no effort (9.5 pounds). For longer strolls it will be fine too, but it doesn’t have recline so it’s rather not good for naps. It all depends if you need to use the stroller all the time, or if your child can walk too. For short strolls it will be more comfy 🙂 The only problem is that it has very small wheels so it’s best for flat, even terrain. If the road is a hard-packed sand it will probably handle it as well, but may jiggle a bit. But it won’t handle bumpy terrain and rocks.
-Baby Jogger City Mini GT 2 2019 – this stroller is definitely good for rougher terrain and it has good suspension. It has capacity of 65 pounds and roomy seat. The only thing is that it weighs 21.6 pounds and the fold is not small (it’s pretty compact but you won’t be able to take it as carryon and carrying it for a few hours may be hard). Still, it’s probably the most compact stroller of all-terrain strollers. So you would have to decide what’s more important – stroller weight or all-terrain wheels. Here’s my full review just in case.
I hope this helps!
Hey Zooey. Love the article. There are so many lists out there. We’re first time parents, but are praying for at least one more. We live in a small town. So there are no sidewalks. We love to hike and do mostly tail walking. So we’re looking for a tough all terrain stroller that isnt too big and bulky and as light as possible. Newborn capable or even a full travel system would be great. I seen the babytrend expedition at my local toys-r-us and felt that it didn’t really feel solid and high quality. But it may have just been poorly assembled. Any info is great! Thanks so much for your expertise.
Cheers
Adam
Hi Adam,
With all-terrain strollers usually you get what you pay for. Cheap strollers have worse suspension (or no suspension at all), outdated design and worse quality.
Check out the Bumbleride Indie – with pumped tires it’s suitable for trails, the seat has lay-flat recline suitable for infants, you can also add a bassinet (sold separately) or infant car seat from many popular brands.
Other option would be Baby Jogger City Mini GT or Thule Spring – both handle off-terrain, but the wheels are not pumped, only foam-filled, so I wouldn’t recommend these two for very bumpy trails with lots of roots etc. But for hard-packed gravel or sand they will work fine. Both are compatible with many infant car seats. Generally speaking I recommend you to choose the infant car seat separately and choose it first (or choose 2 or 3 models that meet your needs and all safety regulations), and then pick the stroller that is compatible with it, there are lots of adapters for each of these 3 strollers that I recommended here.
Spring is the lightest option, while Indie is the best all-terrain option.
You may also want to check the Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight – it’s a jogging stroller so it’s a bit bigger, but the wheels are awesome for hiking and bumpy trails and it’s also compatible with many car seats, plus it doesn’t weigh that much, and it’s quite inexpensive.
Hello! I’ve narrowed my choice to the Thule urban glide 2 or Bob revolution flex duallie – but which one provides the smoothest, least bumpy ride on rough, off roading terrain? Thanks for your help!!!
Katie
Hi Katie! Both strollers roll smoothly and can handle rough terrain. There are some things that make me prefer Bob Flex though: adjustable suspension (you can adjust it to the passengers weight) and more roomy seats. Some parents complain Thule seats are quite narrow and shallow and too small for 3 year old kids.
Just keep in mind that regardless of the model you choose, double jogging stroller is bulky and heavy. Be prepared for that 🙂
Hello,
So glad I found this page! Still a little confused, we live in the country and only have gravel roads with larger rocks. I am looking at a stroller for jogging and walking on the gravel roads. I worry about the baby/child feeling too much of the bumps. The stroller would still be used for everyday things like walking around stores and etc.. Any suggestions? I have one in mind but wasn’t sure if I’m reading everything correctly.
Hi Kaylynn!
Choose something from the second or third category in my ranking 🙂
-I recommend you Thule Urban Glide because it’s the lightest model among jogging strollers so it’s easier to use everyday for shopping and strolling around. If you plan on jogging/walking in hilly area then Thule Urban Glide 2 is better option because it has additional handbrake for controlling the speed.
-If you don’t mind having a little heavier stroller, but with more roomy seat, then I recommend you BOB Revolution strollers (FLEX Lunar is my favorite; PRO – if you want to hike with your stroller – it has a handbrake)
-If you’re on a smaller budget then Chicco TRE is great choice, a little heavier than Thule but not bulky. Good suspension, easy folding, suitable for hills too thanks to a handbrake
-Joovy Zoom 360 has longer wheelbase therefore it may be less convenient to use in stores and tight places.
Hi, we will be moving with our 3 month old to a place where you can: hike, trail run and go for a stroll on the beach. I need a stroller that can do all of that for a 3-month old … does it exist or I need to wait until the 6 month mark?
Hi Isabelle!
I would definitely recommend you to wait until your baby can sit upright unassisted and has good head control (around 6 months). Especially if you want to run or hike on uneven terrain. It would be too bumpy, and baby’s spine and head are too fragile for this at 3 months…
From 6 months I can recommend you Bumbleride Speed (it’s also usable from birth if you add a carrycot – for walks). My other top picks are Thule Urban Glide 2 and BOB Revolution PRO – they have a hand brake which is very useful for controlling the speed when you’re going down the hill.
I’m taking my grandchildren ages 3 and 6 to Italy. Lots of uneven roads and sidewalks. I want to use a board with a seat (I forget the name that I bought) for the 6 year old to attach to the back so he can sit or stand. I’d like 3 wheels and on lighter side, easy to open and close and be comfortable for the 3 year old with the bumps in roads. It can have an infant carrier/car seat to attach at another time for any future grandchildren.
Hi zoey
I have a very large farm (600 acres). I am going to be grandma for the first time and will be babysitting while my daughter and son in law work. I would like a stroller that works well on gravel and uneven paths. The reviews are confusing because I am not looking for a jogger to jog with but I do walk a lot
Thank you
Hi Dorene,
I recommend you strollers from the first category – urban strollers that are suitable for multiple types of terrain. For long walks on a farm Baby Jogger City Mini GT and Bumbleride Indie will work great. The former one has 8.5 inches wheels and forever-air tires. Indie has even bigger wheels (12 inches) and pumped tires which make it ready for even more rugged terrain and make the ride really smooth.
Hi. I live at the beach and am looking for the best stroller for hard and soft sand. Also rust prevention from the salt water and air. Any advice would be great. Thank you!
Hi Kristen! For sand I recommend you getting a stroller with air-filled tires, for example BOB Revolution FLEX (or PRO if you’d prefer having a hand brake) or Bumbleride Indie (if you’d prefer something lighter and newborn-ready).
The most important is cleaning after visit to the beach. Always clean the wheels from the sand. It can also get into wheel hub (the part on the stroller frame where you click the wheels into). It may cause squeaking or the wheels may start getting stuck. Therefore always remove the wheels from the stroller and clean the wheels and wheel hubs from sand and dirt. You can use soap and water or even canned air to spray the sand and dirt out from all nooks.
Hi Haley,
I have a wierd question. I am looking for a super stable all terrain jogging stroller to use as a balance aid for running and hiking. I do not have a baby ( thats tbe wierd part) but want to use it as cooler version of a walker? I have impaired balance but miss running outside.
I will try to find a used one after I decide which one is best.
Any advice?
Hi Michelle. I would recommend you BOB joggers – FLEX or PRO. The latter one has additional hand brake which is very useful for controlling the speed. Both models are very stable and high-quality, but not super pricey 🙂 You can adjust the suspension system and tracking on the front wheel on both of them to stay on the course and increase the stability during running.