BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 vs. Chicco Activ3: Which jogging stroller is right for you?
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This article is part of our series Battle of the Brands, in which we compare category-leading products to their counterparts to determine which are actually worth your money.
For parents who love an active lifestyle, a jogging stroller can be an essential piece of gear. But with so many options on the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. As a veteran stroller tester with over 15 years of regimented evaluations and having used countless strollers personally with my three kids, I’ve put dozens of strollers through their paces.
This time, I enlisted the help of my 4-year-old son (a sturdy 30 pounds and 3 feet 2 inches) and various test loads to compare two popular contenders in the jogging stroller category: the BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 and the Chicco Activ3. Over two weeks, my husband and I took these strollers to the streets, parks, jogging trails and even beach walks to assess their strengths, weaknesses and how well they handled different terrains. Here’s what we concluded after all the strolling.
BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 vs. Chicco Activ3 at a glance
BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0
This all-terrain champ boasts solid suspension and an easily adjustable handlebar for a smooth ride. With ample storage and a UPF 50+ canopy, it’s perfect for any adventure, active or otherwise, with your little one.
Chicco Activ3
This more budget-conscious jogging stroller offers a convenient multi-position seat and large canopy to help keep your child comfy, while the parent console and storage basket ensure a convenient ride for all.
Quick comparison
The BOB stroller reigns supreme in terms of overall ease of use
When it comes to strollers, the initial assembly is one thing (and boy, it can be a very, very challenging thing!), but after that, the focus turns to the ease of daily-use tasks like opening and closing the stroller, adjusting the handlebar height and locking and unlocking the stroller, which is critically important for a jogging stroller. We looked at all these attributes because, as busy parents ourselves, we know convenience and efficiency are of utmost importance.
I assembled the BOB stroller in under five minutes, snapping on the back wheels and quickly using the included Allen wrench to attach and tighten the wheel to the front axle. The Chicco required a bit more maneuvering and was less intuitive to get fully assembled, but it was still assembled in under 10 minutes. (Reminder: I have assembled well over a hundred strollers in my life, so keep in mind that it may take you a bit longer.)
Both strollers require some acclimation for folding and unfolding. To fold the BOB, it requires squeezing the dual levers on the side and then pulling a handle. You then have to buckle it up. Adjusting the seatback similarly is a bit more cumbersome, with a more dated strap system. The Chicco Activ3 folds and unfolds with a twist and push on the handlebar, making it a bit more seamless once you’ve mastered the technique. The Chicco has the added benefit of standing upright on its own when closed.
In terms of adjustability, both strollers offer easily adjustable handlebars for different heights. However, the BOB’s handlebar adjusts with nine positions, while the Chicco offers four positions. Both proved suitable for both my husband and me, even though we’re roughly a foot different in height. In terms of getting your child in safely and snugly, the no-rethread harness of the BOB stroller makes adjusting the child’s strap much easier than with the Chicco.
Locking and unlocking the brakes are easy enough with both models, but the Chicco wins here. The BOB has a foot brake that at first appears to be at an odd angle, but we did note that it helps prevent you from accidentally hitting it while walking or jogging, which can happen with other strollers that have a foot brake. In contrast, the Chicco’s braking is easily accessible by hand on one end of the handlebar, and on the other end is the lock for the front wheel. This location is easily visible and accessible, making it preferred.
When it comes to fit and convenience, both strollers are bulkier than traditional strollers, making them comparatively harder to store or transport in a car. The BOB lacks a handle for carrying it, making it extra challenging to lift into a car.
When I asked my son for his feedback, he noted being surprisingly comfortable in both. The padded seat and ample recline of each one definitely helped. When pressed for a favorite, he said the BOB edged out the Chicco.
TL;DR: BOB wins for many ease-of-use attributes, including easy initial assembly, general adjustability and kid comfort. Chicco is easier in terms of folding up and braking.
While both strollers are impressive over varied terrain, the BOB edged out the Chicco
The BOB shines with its air-filled tires and suspension system, providing a smooth ride over various terrains. The Chicco Activ3 has good shock absorption, but it can’t match the BOB’s comfort, especially on rough surfaces. The BOB also just feels more rugged and sturdy in general, thanks to its premium materials and aluminum frame.
Similarly, both strollers are impressively agile for their size and capabilities; however, the BOB’s swivel wheel offers superior agility for tight turns and quick direction changes (it should be locked in place for running or uneven terrain). The BOB stroller was able to tackle a wider range of surfaces with confidence, handling everything from pavement to dirt paths and even light snow. The Chicco handled paved surfaces well but struggled on extremely uneven terrain, even when using the foot-activated suspension (which definitely did help). It’s likely that BOB’s larger wheels and suspension system aided in terms of navigating bumpy terrain and even steps. The Chicco was also impressive but required a bit more effort on very uneven terrain like when on beach walks.
TL;DR: For general stroller riding and handling attributes, BOB is superior, thanks to its suspension, tires and overall build.
In strolling and jogging tests, both strollers provided reliable braking and safety features
The Chicco’s hand brake provides easy control since it’s conveniently located on the handlebar, while the BOB’s foot brake is super responsive. Overall, we prefer the positioning and ease of the Chicco hand-operated brake, which keeps the foot area clear and unobstructed.
Both strollers feel stable with a low center of gravity. However, the BOB’s wider wheelbase offers a slight edge in preventing tip-overs. That larger wheelbase likely also supported the larger under-carriage basket the BOB stroller boasts for essentials. The stroller also features a lot of pockets (six!) for storing personal items. Chicco’s under-carriage storage is a bit smaller but still offers ample space and is similarly accessible from the front and back.
TL;DR: Braking is easier with the Chicco; for stability and storage, the BOB wins out.
Both strollers offer features that elevate their capabilities
Beyond the basics, the Chicco is readily car-seat friendly, allowing you to easily secure a Chicco infant car seat via the included arm bar with no added attachments. You can also purchase a travel system with the stroller and car seat together, but we did appreciate that it comes preloaded with a parent tray that has spots for two cups. While not the sturdiest of cup holders, when loaded with a bottle, we found it stayed put. That said, my favorite aspect is that it can stand on its own when folded, which is convenient for closet or garage storage.
For the BOB, we love that you can choose the double side-by-side version (Duallie) if you have two young toddlers. We used the Duallie version and liked it as well, as it proved to still be easy to push and maneuver. That said, it is clearly bulkier than the single version. It’s the ample features, though, including seatback pockets for water bottles, a cell phone pocket near the handlebar and a soft-close magnetic canopy cover for the peek-a-boo window, among others, that help take an already solid performer and elevate it to premium status.
TL;DR: Chicco wins for car-seat ease and parent tray, but BOB offers more storage, a double stroller option and more overall features.
Bottom line
The BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 emerges as the winner for serious runners and active parents who require a stroller that tackles any terrain with ease. Its smooth ride, superior maneuverability and all-terrain capabilities make it a top choice for outdoor adventures.
The Chicco Activ3 is a more budget-friendly option that works well for occasional jogging or walks on paved surfaces. However, if you prioritize comfort, off-road capabilities and user-friendliness, the BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 justifies its higher price tag.
Regardless of which you opt for, their similar three-wheel design and suspension make them ideal to handle active lifestyles, and both can serve as a full-size stroller for everyday use in the city or suburbs, even when not jogging. You can’t go wrong with either, as they both have large canopies, adjustable handlebars, large under-carriage baskets and jogging-related essentials like a safety strap and locking front wheel when jogging.
Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
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