Back when I was pregnant I thought a stroller would be a very integral part of having a baby (I know now that baby carriers are much more useful for the everyday needs). My main requirement was that it needed to have a reversible handle so that the baby could face in or out. After lots of research I decided I wanted a Peg Perego for exactly this reason and then I bought one of of Crai.gs List.
It was great and served it’s purpose. Until I decided I wanted to get in shape and quickly realized the traditional 4 wheeled strollers really aren’t for trudging through the woods, power walking, or running. We had been given a Jeep jogging stroller as a gift, so I pulled it out and used it a lot. But I never really liked it. Mostly I don’t like the way the seat reclines and I can never get it up enough for E to really sit up.
I’ve come to realize I want a really good (but not necessarily really expensive) jogging stroller. I am going to sell our other two and buy a new one. But I need help finding the perfect one…and most places don’t carry every single stroller so I do think I will be left mail ordering.
When I think of this new stroller I also keep in mind that we hope to have another baby and we’ll need the new one to work for that baby too. That in mind here’s my criteria:
Absolute must haves:
- Option to face in or out- not a stroller system – I am not sure that I will use a “bucket infant car seat” for the next one
- Swivel front wheel
- 5-point harness
- Decent sunshade
- Durability – I want to be able to go through the woods, over stumps, across streams
- Comfort – for all the rocky riding
- Plenty of storage
- Cup holders for moms
Love to have but not a deal breaker:
- Rubber tires
- Hand break
- Adjustable handle
I am willing to spend some money for the perfect stroller but I am not willing to pay a huge fortune.
And lastly, if you have this jogger, I want to know what you think. So far it’s the only one I can find that meets my criteria, but I am worried about durability. The reviews are wonderful. The biggest con seems to be that it’s heavy. But it’s the only jogger I’ve found that is reversible – which is at the top of my criteria.
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February 14, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Lo
I have a friend with a Bob stroller, I will ask her about it.
Which Peg Perego do you have? I thought you had to get a much more expensive stroller for the reversible handle, which is the one feature I miss about the one we have.
February 14, 2009 at 8:20 pm
chris
i think my friends in ca have that stroller that you linked to. it’s not a jogger, though. and i went to the website and that description there does not say it is a jogger, either. i think it is just a three wheeled stroller. do the reviews that you read say that people use it as a jogger and that it works ok like that? if so, then great! it sure looks nice! we are also in stroller limbo right now. we have a double, with seats front and back, but the kid in back kicks the kid in front so much, we really need a side by side. ugh! i kinda don’t want to buy another one, but it may be inevitable!
February 14, 2009 at 8:38 pm
e.
chris – you’re right it’s not jogger per say, but i think it may work for what i want. but i am not 100% sure.
Lo- we have a Peg Perego Venezia that I bought used off Craigs List – i never would have paid full price for it.
February 14, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Jen (yup, another one)
I think there’s a Zooper that meets most of your criteria. We don’t have a jogging stroller so I am not sure about that, but if you haven’t looked at Zooper, you should.
February 16, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Kim
I have to cast my vote for the Bob. Although it does lack in one of your main criteria, so you may cast it out just for that. It doesn’t have a handle that goes either way. But other than that it is just fantastic. I love it. It is so smooth that going back to my older (still quite pimp) stroller seems like the wheels may be stuck on something. There is an amazing amount of storage for both the kid and the Moms. It reclines into a fabulous bed that my son has slept in MANY times. The sun shade is very adjustable and goes low enough to cover virtually anything, or also lets the kiddos see all. I did extensive research before buying it and know lots of other people who have it as well and cannot tell you one of us who is not a completely satisfied customer. Good luck and hope this helps!
February 17, 2009 at 9:37 am
Lo
There’s actually a thread on Baby Cheapskate about jogging strollers — I can’t link to the exact post but go to http://www.babycheapskate.com and scroll down ’til you see the title “Q & A: A Great Budget Jogging Stroller?”, and read the comments.
February 19, 2009 at 1:35 am
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February 19, 2009 at 12:56 pm
e.
thank you everyone for all your help!!!
i am getting closer to making up my mind…now if my tax refund would just arrive!
February 21, 2009 at 10:41 am
CD
Saw this: http://westernmass.craigslist.org/bab/1043754755.html and thought of you. Don’t know if you make it out to western ma, but saw it on craigslist – where i know you got your peg and thought it might be what you were looking for.
March 4, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Erin
Just read this and have to add my 2 cents: Phil and Ted. Phil and Ted, Phil and Ted. It doesn’t have a cup holder and it doesn’t turn around and it isn’t cheap and it is the best stroller ever. Ever. I have a Bob, too, and its great, but the Phil and Ted is better. I just took it across the country– it survived four gate checks, hours of walking/hiking with two kids, and my 4 year old and 1 year old were able to take naps in it during a two-hour layover in Chicago. Its great for newborns, great for toddlers, great for preschoolers. Its the best double or single stroller around. I can’t say enough good things about it. It is worth every one of the many many pennies it costs. (and I’ll stop now, because I sound like a fanatic. which I sort of am).
March 18, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Lynn
I know that this may be a little late, but I HAVE THAT STROLLER! I really like it but it is FAR FROM A JOGGER- sure, you may be able run through the mall to the closest bathroom, but even if I were joggin on a paved street, I would not consider this a jogging stroller- seriously. I love the big wheels for rolling across grass, dirt, and misc roots, but I would not jog with this stroller. It is not aerodynamic enough, and it could be kindof – interesting- if you hit a rock or a hole… Good luck!
May 8, 2011 at 9:53 pm
April
I know it’s been a while since this original post, but what stroller did you decide on as I interested in something similar?