Jogging stroller recommendation

[TheSecondLaw]

Does anyone have recommendation for a brand or model of jogging stroller? I purchased a baby trend expedition at my local consignment store and it shook violently at very slow jogging speed with the front wheel unlocked. I really had to man handle it to steer with the front wheel fixed. I'm returning it in the morning and looking for another model.

I'm looking for a single rider model and plan to use it a lot so I don't mind paying a bit more for quality and durability.

[kimmarg]

Bob is the gold standard. Virtually every runner I asked recommended it. We probably run over 20 miles a week with ours. Had it 6 months so far and doing well.  I think we have the revolution SE - Within the BOB line they are all about the same.  We got the one that was the floor model that we could get 25% off. Strollers that *look* like jogging strollers are fashionable right now but if you actually want to run pay the money for a good one (or find used, etc etc). We also have a small umbrella stroller and it's like night and day. Even though it's heavier the Bob is easier to push, it glides along wonderfully. Really the only drawback is it's humungeous to fold up and take anywhere. So we use the cheapo umbrella to travel and keep the Bob at home.

http://www.bobgear.com/strollers

[TheSecondLaw]

BOBs look awesome but holy sticker shock lol! I'm super unlikely to find one used in my area. I guess if it holds up for 4 or 5 years it would be well worth it. Do you think the SE would fit in the trunk of a Prius folded?

[mm1970]

I used one from Costco with kid #1.  Don't remember the brand, it was about $140.  It wasn't as sturdy as a BOB (by the time I was done with it, it was trashed...about 3 years).

Can't remember the name of it, but as it was 10 years ago, you probably don't care.

With #1, didn't bother to buy a jogger.  I knew I wasn't going to be jogging.  I mostly walked, and just used a regular stroller.

If you can find a used BOB, I'd go for that. 

[kimmarg]

BOBs look awesome but holy sticker shock lol! I'm super unlikely to find one used in my area. I guess if it holds up for 4 or 5 years it would be well worth it. Do you think the SE would fit in the trunk of a Prius folded?

Yes, they are pricey but its definitely a "get what you pay for" in a good way. Might try craigslist or used baby store as they are often resold. Ours was about $300.  The one we have [Edit - double checked it is the Revolution SE] fits in the trunk of a Honda Fit - It just pretty much takes up the whole trunk. I do take it in the car occasionally. I just would not want to be taking it in and out daily.

[Cognitive Miser]

There are certain stores that will let you take floor models out to your car to see if they fit - at least for car seats, probably also for strollers.  If you just wanted to do a fit check and buy elsewhere, try calling the closest Babies R Us or Buy Buy Baby.

All the runners I know use BOBs. You might also look at Chariots, but I know they are pricey too.

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

You can't job with the wheel unlocked. Pretty sure it says that in the manual. But I found that the cheap ones shake pretty bad even if you DO lock the wheel. And the fancier BOBs have wheels that you can lock and unlock from standing.

[MBot]

FWIW the BOB wheels pop off so you can fit them in a trunk much easier.

I have an older Instep model an Alta) with a fixed front wheel. You do have to lift the front wheel to turn it but I don't mind. I'm not the most hardcore runner though!

[tthree]

Chariot.

And yes steering the stroller will feel significantly different with the front wheel locked.

[Tiger Stache]

BOB. We have a Revolution SE, it's awesome. We also have a Dualie, not sure the actual name, but the wheel does not swivel, so it's like turning an 18 wheeler. We have not used that one for jogging though.

[MrsDinero]

Everyone we talked to who had a BOB loved it!   We considered it because I'm an avid runner, but since my husband is not I really don't see myself needing a jogging stroller.  After much debate we decided on the Bumbleride Indie Twin, for our two littles, the front wheels are large and lock so I could use it for light jogging (if I wanted).

[JustGettingStarted1980]

Craigslist -> whichever brand name is available. You'll get at least 50% off

[relena]

Years ago, coworkers chipped in to get me a BOB. We have have it. It is a great stroller. A few years  ago, DH really wanted a BOB duallie revolution so we got a massive discount on it when I found it on sale. We will make money on the duallie when we sell it. Friend bought a used bob duallie off craigslist for more than what we paid. Good luck!

[brycedoula]

BOBs look awesome but holy sticker shock lol! I'm super unlikely to find one used in my area. I guess if it holds up for 4 or 5 years it would be well worth it. Do you think the SE would fit in the trunk of a Prius folded?

We have the BOB Revolution Flex (so, the SE with an adjustable handle) & it JUST fits in the trunk of our 2003 Cavalier! If you decide to buy from a brick-and-mortar store, ask them if you can take the model out to your car to ensure it fits in the trunk; that's what we did, and I'm so glad, as literally none of the other strollers would.

[alme]

I have the BOB, and it really is fantastic. In my area, where Mother Nature destroys streets and sidewalks faster than the municipalities can repair them, a jogging stroller is necessary just to walk down the street and pick my kid up from daycare. I was able to buy one from Craigslist for $250, and I'm guessing I'll be able to resell it in a couple of years for $150-200. Well worth it. If you don't think you'll be able to find one in your area, expand your search--I drove 45 minutes to a distant suburb to pick mine up.

[historienne]

Get a used BOB and resell it when you are done with kids.  We found one that was already about 4 years old, bought it in 2011 for $100.  It is still going strong.  We will probably use it for another 3-4 years, and I anticipate being able to sell it then for $50 or so.  They are built to last.

It fits fine in the trunk of a Prius, even gen one (which are smaller than the newer ones).

[TabbyCat]

We got a Bumbleride off craigslist for $100 - works great, comes with a zipper foot cover/snuggler thing for cold weather (not super warm but would also hold a blanket in place for extra cover) and weighs a lot less than the BOB. It isn't super easy to open and close, you can't really do it with one hand while holding baby. Also nice though - they sell replacement fabric kits if you want to change the color or you buy one in bad shape. Edit: replacement fabric is $60 from the main website and includes seat cover, canopy, bar cover and new seat straps.

[MrsDinero]

We got a Bumbleride off craigslist for $100 - works great, comes with a zipper foot cover/snuggler thing for cold weather (not super warm but would also hold a blanket in place for extra cover) and weighs a lot less than the BOB. It isn't super easy to open and close, you can't really do it with one hand while holding baby. Also nice though - they sell replacement fabric kits if you want to change the color or you buy one in bad shape. Edit: replacement fabric is $60 from the main website and includes seat cover, canopy, bar cover and new seat straps.

Did not know you could buy replacement fabric for a Bumbleride!  That is pretty cool!

I've been watching Craigslist but all I ever see are the singles for sale.  The couple of double strollers that come up for resale are gone in a flash!

[ponyespresso]

We had a Mountain Buggy Terrain and I loved that stroller. I didn't jog with it a lot (every now and then), but I did attempt to take it on some hikes (some more successful than others). The wheel could be used locked or unlocked which was a nice feature. The resale value on the Bobs and mountain buggys when you are done with them are good, too.

[ysette9]

Everyone has the BOB and loves it, but if you want the same thing but with easier folding/unfolding and half the price, check out Baby Jogger Summit XC. It is very slightly smaller and slightly less ugly in my humble opinion but just as good. We have been running with it for about two years now.

Note that with all of these you will need to do some low-level maintenance on them as you would a bicycle.

[TheSecondLaw]

Thanks for all of the recommendations! I found a used chariot in cl but they wanted 300 for it even though it had been rolled and wouldn't budge on the price. I purchased a bob revolution se for 330 from kohls and got 60 cash back. It seems the revolution se is being phased out so it is going on sale on some websites for less than what used models are selling for on CL in my area.

I have taken it out jogging a few times and it handles like a dream compared to the cheaper stroller. If I'm jogging a 9 min mile leaving the front wheel unlocked has been no problem and steering is quite easy. It is big but it fits in the prius without removing the wheels. I couldn't be happier with it!