The 7 Best Running Strollers According to One Running, Stroller-ing Dad

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A funny thing happened to me this summer. Namely, I found myself in the semi-estimable position of becoming Instagram famous. In my day job I review yachts (yes that’s a thing, no I am not fabulously wealthy, and it’s for my yacht blog, if your curiosity is piqued). I now routinely find myself onscreen doing one-minute yacht reviews to the tune of 100k people. And let me tell you something: Your boy’s put on some LBs since his bygone youth. And these days the camera’s adding at least 25.

I’d like to blame my kids—they’re tough to keep an eye on, but such an easy out for everything else. In reality, I still work out nearly every day doing jiu jitsu and lifting weights. But I stopped running (because I hate it). And for me, running is the only exercise that’s ever really kept the weight off. So with a newfound flame lit under my ever embiggening belly, I hopped online to buy myself a running stroller to push my one-year-old daughter around the neighborhood. She promptly refused to be couriered around (but she refuses most things), so I ended up zipping around the suburban Connecticut streets with my much heavier and more amicable four-year-old son. For this type of load, I needed something reliable.

Let me tell you, shopping for these things isn't easy. There are so many choices, so many specs, and they aren't cheap either. I tested a handful, but ended up going with the Roam Crossover Stroller from Guava Family. Happily, my son’s weight was offset by the Roam’s feathery structure. It is also very maneuverable, and notably, a mom named Neely Gracey recently popped off a 5:24 mile while pushing one, setting a Guinness World Record. (On my maiden voyage, I was just shooting to finish a mile, let alone go sub-six.)

While the Roam was great for me, my four-year old, and the streets of my neighborhood, there's something out there for every family and your needs. Here, I addressed the best running strollers on the market, to make your choice a lot easier than mine was. In the end, I found exactly what I needed and armed with this list, you will too.

Revolution Flex 3.0 Jogging Stroller

With all due respect to the Roam (that works for me), the BOB wins out. The Flex 3.0 scores high marks for design, with a deceivingly small profile that is big enough for my pre-K son and which also has extra room for snacks, drinks, and whatever else you need to make your kid stop screaming—earplugs maybe? You can store those next to your iPhone in the zip pocket on top of the canopy, I suppose. The stroller runs smoothly and takes turns like a little roadster. The only real flaw here is that the thick spokes can make it tough to refill the tires with air. Oh, and they fixed the problem with the randomly detaching front wheel that created the need for a recall, so you don’t have to worry about spiking your child face first onto the asphalt anymore. Major upgrade!

Roam Stroller

This one was my clear winner and that's simply because of how seamless it is to use. The best part about the Roam is that it’s easy to fold. We’ve had our regular stroller for five years now and between me, you, and the Internet, I’m still a little iffy on how to close it. But I folded up the Roam on the very first try. This is in no small part thanks to thoughtfully placed, clear directions on the front bar. Also, to be noted is how small this thing is when it's folded. We stow it in the corner of our mudroom, which is not particularly capacious, and it’s still easy to forget the stroller is even in there. The Roam is really easy to use, so much so that it’s supplanted our regular stroller as the go-to for nightly family walks. It does need a water-bottle holder though. I often find myself parched while putting in my roadwork and that seems like an easy enough fix.

Expedition Jogger Travel System

The Baby Trend stuffs a lot to like into a package that costs a very reasonable at $180. This refreshingly inexpensive stroller has a lockable front swivel wheel, a “parent tray” with cupholders, a foam-padded handlebar, and offers good visibility into the child’s seat while running. It also is capable of going off road thanks to beefy tires that can handle plenty of bumps (a five-point safety harness keeps Junior securely locked in place). The only real drawback here is the weight, which at 41 pounds, makes pushing this stroller technically count as sled work.

Spring Stroller

Having raised our son for the first two years in a small Hoboken apartment, my hat’s off to people bringing up kids in the city. It gets cramped. To assuage any claustrophobic feeling you may be experiencing, the Thule Spring Compact Stroller folds down to 30-inches by 12.5-inches, about the size of a suitcase. The stroller’s small size and lightweight frame make it super maneuverable even for the more petite humans among us. The only downside to the Thule’s proportions is that it’s not quite as rugged as some of the other strollers and isn’t a good choice for anything but smooth roads.

Alterrain Pro Jogging Stroller

At 75 pounds this offering from Bob is a tank. It has serious tires that can handle lumps and bumps but also which are smooth on paved surfaces. It also has a Smooth Shox suspension system that your kid’s spinal column will be happy about. An ergonomic handbrake is a plus too, especially if you’re running in a hilly area. The BOB has a windproof and waterproof canopy that is also rated to UPF 50+. About the only thing you won’t like about this stroller is that the added bulk hinders maneuverability—proving the adage that there are no solutions, only compromises.

Jogging Stroller & Bicycle Trailer

This stroller can handle loads up to 170 pounds making it an excellent choice for parents with older children or kids with special needs. There’s extra legroom and a very comfortable seat for your running mate. The Benecykl gets extra points for being slickly styled as well as ultra-safe. A swiveling front wheel helps with maneuverability when pushing heavier loads. The only real downsides for this stroller are that it’s not easy to collapse, and its price, $3,600, is eyewatering but perhaps very well worth it for some dads.

Run Attachment

This one’s an odd duck. The kidRunner straps around your waist like a sled-dog harness with designs to be a more ergonomic stroller for parents on the run. It’s also easier on the back since there is zero hunching over—you run with your regular stride. One con is that with your kid tagging along behind you, you won’t be able to see them—which could actually be a pro, now that I say it out loud. Online reviews tout the kidRunner as good for parents with lots of kids, because you can push two and pull one all at the same time. Prayers up for any dad out there actually attempting this.

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