One of the more frustrating parts of having a baby is finding the time to exercise. A small child takes up an enormous amount of time and energy. Taking care care of two is even worse. Hitting the gym just wasn’t happening. However, you can kill two birds with one stone by using a Baby Jogger Summit X3 Double Jogging Stroller.
Things You Should Consider Before Buying a Jogger/Stroller
Obviously, there isn’t anything more important to you than your child. For any such purchase, your first concern needs to be safety. After that, there are a number of issues you should consider.
Purpose
Do you just want to jog with your baby? Then a baby jogger/stroller is the right item to buy. Many parents also wish to not only jog, but also bike with their child. In that case, a jogger/bike trailer is a more appropriate product.
Handlebar Height
Since you intend to jog while pushing your baby, you’re likely to put a lot of miles on a jogger/stroller. You need to make sure that the height of the handlebars are a good fit for you.
If your significant other is much taller or shorter than you, a stroller with an adjustable handlebar height would be a good idea.
The last thing you want is arm or shoulder soreness from pushing something that isn’t a good fit for your body.
Fixed Wheel vs. Swivel Wheel
Baby strollers designed for walking usually come with swivel wheels because they make the stroller more maneuverable.
But, swivel wheels just aren’t safe if you intend to jog with your baby. If you want your baby jogger to have swivel wheels, you need to look for a model with a locking mechanism that can turn it into a fixed-wheel jogger.
Storage
Just how much space do you have to store your stroller? If space is limited, buying a jogger/stroller that collapses to fit a compact area is a must.
Of course, this will likely mean your jogger/stroller isn’t as sturdy and durable. Storage space in your home isn’t your only concern. You also need to fit the device in your car.
Ideally, the stroller will stand upright by itself when folded because this feature makes it easier to car on public transport.
Baby Position
Some babies like to nap while they walk or jog. Other babies need something to hold onto like a cup holder to comfortably look outside.
In that case, you need a stroller that can safely carry your baby in multiple positions, including upright and reclining.
Babies younger than six months will require an infant seat that can be secured in the stroller. However, don’t jog with an infant seat. Wait until your baby is older.
The Baby Jogger Summit X3 Double Jogging Stroller
This jogger/stroller is one of the few designed for two small children. Other options on the market include the BOB Revolution Flex Duallie and the Thule Urban Glide Double.
However, the Baby Jogger Summit X3 is a tad less expensive than those two jogger/strollers but does have a few less options.
Pros
- Despite weighing 37 lbs. the stroller feels light to push
- Though air-filled, the tires are thick enough to handle rough terrain
- Solid suspension allows you to drag it up stairs
- The canopy allows good airflow to your children
Cons
- The handbrake is difficult to use with one hand
- The parking brake can hurt your feet if you wear sandals
- Has a pretty substantial price
Features and Benefits of the Baby Jogger Summit X3
There’s a reason why the Baby Jogger Summit X3 Double Jogging Stroller is one of the top selling jogging stroller models currently.
Here are a few features and benefits you’ll want to be aware of as you are shopping around for a jogging stroller that will fit your needs.
Safety Features
One of the most important things to look at in any stroller is the braking system. You don’t want the stroller to get away from you on inclines or while jogging.
The Baby Jogger Summit X3 Double Jogging Stroller has both a handbrake on the handlebars and a parking brake, which is a feature most high-end jogger/strollers possess.
Along with the braking system, this stroller comes with a runaway strap that connects to the base of the stroller.
Like its name implies, this strap keeps the stroller from getting away from you if you lose your grip on it for some reason.
This low connection point is a key feature. If you trip or fall while using the Baby Jogger Summit X3 Double Jogging Stroller, the stroller will stay upright rather than toppling over. Obviously, this can prevent injuries to your children.
Wheels
The Baby Jogger Summit X3 Double Jogging Stroller has two large 16″ inch rear tires and a 12″ front tire. These wheels are air-filled rubber to provide good cushioning against rough terrain but are thick enough to withstand uneven ground without wearing out.
However, the downside is that you might need to take along an air pump to refill them.
The front wheel has a swivel mode, which you can toggle on and off with a switch on the handlebar. That’s very convenient since many strollers require you to bend over to lock the wheels.
Size and Weight
The Baby Jogger Summit X3 Double Jogging Stroller weighs in at a fairly hefty 37 1bs. If that doesn’t sound all that heavy to you, consider that you’ll often be pushing two babies in the stroller.
This is at least a few pounds heavier than many other strollers, which means the Summit X3 can be a bit of a bear to lug around.
But, when using it to jog, this stroller doesn’t seem that heavy at all. It moves along quite easily even when you’re kids weigh close to its 100 lbs. limit.
The Baby Jogger Summit X3 Double Jogging Stroller measures 53.20 x 32.50 x 40.60 inches. You can cram it through a standard 36″ doorway, but it can be a real pain. You’re not going to want to do it very often because it will feel like working your way through an obstacle course. Since the Summit X3 holds two babies, bulk comes with the territory.
Baby Compartment
The seats on the Baby Jogger Summit X3 Double Jogging Stroller can both move up and down independently of one another. This means one child can ride sitting up while the other can lie down, or any angle in between. Moving the seats is easy and provides no difficulties.
This stroller also has a metal support rod between the two seats. This feature helps improve safety and stability for the stroller because it prevents the seats from sagging in the middle.
The company doesn’t provide a car seat designed to fit the Baby Jogger Summit X3 Double Jogging Stroller, because they don’t consider their product safe to use for children less than six months old.
This restriction is likely due to liability concerns. You can buy such a device on the market and fit it to this stroller, but this is going to cost more money. Also, you can’t be sure it’s a secure fit.
The canopy is both large and durable. You children should have plenty of headroom if they want to ride upright. It also has side windows to help keep kids comfortable on hot days. An overheated baby is no joke.
Storage
The Baby Jogger Summit X3 Double Jogging Stroller collapses to a still-sizable 15.35″ height, 32.48″ width and 34.25″ length. This bulk means that it’s hard to get through the doors of a small car, and can even be difficult to fit in the trunk.
Anything larger than a compact car should give you no trouble. This stroller will easily fit in pretty much any SUV.
As for storing it in your house, the folded dimensions should tell you it will take up a lot of space in most closets. Even worse, the Baby Jogger Summit X3 Double Jogging Stroller doesn’t stand upright by itself in its folded position. You need to lean it against a wall which means it takes up even more space.
What Others Think of the Baby Jogger Summit X3 Double
Even though the Baby Jogger Summit X3 Double Jogging Stroller has been available since 2016, it only has 143 customer reviews on Amazon.
But, its average rating is an excellent 4 1/2 stars. Seventy-three percent are five-star ratings, 9% are four-star ratings and only 7% gave it a one-star rating.
Review #1
KatKor debated about spending the money for the Summit X3, but she now has no regrets. She says it has every features she could want and is amazed at how easily she can maneuver it with one hand.
Review #2
Dean weighed in with an extensive comparison to the BOB Stroller Strides Duallie, and he concluded that the Summit X3 won in his book.
Review #3
However, Sandra Burke warned that the company failed to stand behind their one-year warranty.
Alternatives to the Baby Jogger Summit X3 Double
The Baby Jogger Summit X3 Double Jogging Stroller is one of the best double baby jogger/strollers on the market. However, there are a number of other competitors available.
To give you an idea how they compare, I’ve listed three alternatives. None of these strollers are exactly cheap, but some of them cost considerably less than the Summit X3.
Joovy Scooter X2 Double Stroller
If you want a double baby jogger/stroller than costs less than half the Summit X3 and still performs many of the same functions, you will want to consider the Joovy Scooter X2 Double Stroller.
A significantly lower-priced alternative, the Joovy Scooter X2 Double Stroller provides many of the same features as the Summit X3. The seats recline independently, it’s easy to fold, and is much easier to get through doors than the Summit X3.
Pros
- Comes in five bright colors
- Narrower than the Summit X3 to fit through doors
- Plenty of storage
- Removable bumper bar
Cons
- No adjustable handle height to fit different-sized users
- Doesn’t travel off-road very well
- Your feet can hit the brake bar between the back wheels while using
- Weight capacity is 90 lbs. (10 lbs. less than the Summit X3)
Thule Urban Glide 2 Jogging Stroller
If you’re looking for a high-end double baby jogger/stroller that is both narrower and lighter than the Summit X3, you can check out the Thule Urban Glide 2. This jogging stroller is of comparable quality and is similarly-priced to the Summit X3.
Pros
- Handles rough terrain well
- Narrower than Summit X3
- Weighs 25 lbs. (12 lbs. less than Summit X3)
Cons
- Handlebar is adjustable but doesn’t have many height settings
- Doesn’t seem as rugged as the Summit X3
Baby Trend Expedition Double Jogger Stroller
If you want a value double baby jogger/stroller than works well off paved roads, you can look at the Baby Trend Expedition Double Jogger Stroller. This lower-priced stroller also provides good value. It weights a trim 30 lbs., has MP3 speakers in the baby compartment, and is also usable as both a stroller and a jogger. Unlike the Joovy Scooter X2, the Baby Trend Expedition Double Jogger Stroller handles off-road adventures very well.
Pros
- MP3 speakers
- Nice five-point harness system for children
- Operates off-road well
Cons
- Like the Summit X3, it’s hard to get through doors
- The safety strap is kinda small
- Recommends children no more than 40 lbs. (10 lbs. less than Summit X3)
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a way to cram exercise with your family into your busy day despite having two small children to care for, the Baby Jogger Summit X3 Double Jogging Stroller is something you should consider. It has all the safety and convenience features you could want, it’s easy to handle and is durable for off-road adventures.
