If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the Best Lightweight Jogging Stroller For Busy Moms, then I’d recommend the Baby Jogger 2016 City Mini GT Single Stroller as the best one.
Running is one of my favorite activities.
Before I had my daughter, I jogged every morning. In order to continue my fitness regime post-baby, I decided to get a jogging stroller.
After looking at several, I finally found the best lightweight jogging stroller that my little one and I love.
Here are the top lightweight jogging strollers we’ll be reviewing:
- Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight Jogging Stroller
- Graco FastAction Fold Jogger Stroller
- Baby Trend Xcel Jogger Stroller
- BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 Jogging Stroller
- Baby Jogger 2016 City Mini GT Single Stroller
WHY GET A JOGGING STROLLER
Unlike a traditional stroller, a jogging stroller is able to absorb shocks from bumps and rough ground.
This ensures that your baby isn’t put through any extreme stress as well as ensures his or her safety.
BENEFITS OF A JOGGER VS A TRADITIONAL STROLLER
Tires
The tires are one of the most important elements when it comes to ensuring a safe and comfortable jogging stroller.
The wheels on a jogger stroller are much larger than that of a traditional stroller and made of rubber rather than plastic.
This is to help with traction and to reduce any stress to the baby due to the stroller rolling over rocks or bumps as you jog.
Wheel Placement
The wheels on a jogging stroller are placed far apart and usually with one smaller wheel in the front and two larger wheels in the back.
This ergonomic design helps make for a smoother and safer ride for the baby.
Locking Front Wheel
This feature helps to prevent the front wheel from wobbling, which can not only cause the baby great discomfort, and helps to prevent the stroller from tipping over.
Suspension System
Another way that jogging strollers help to reduce jarring is by having a proper suspension system.
A rear suspension can help to absorb most of the shock and movement that happens when jogging.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST LIGHTWEIGHT JOGGING STROLLER
Locking Front Wheel
Like most people, I too prefer things that have a multi-purpose and jogging strollers are a good case and point.
While there are some jogging strollers that have a fixed wheel, best lightweight jogging stroller for me is one with a swivel wheel and locking option.
Having a swivel wheel that gives you the option to lock it, will give you that straight front wheel needed in order to jog while allowing for easy maneuvering in tighter places.
However, if your only use for your jogging stroller is to jog, then you may want to choose a fixed wheel as these are best for off-road running.
They tend to glide over rocks, grass and any other type of uneven ground pretty smoothly however steering can be a bit of a challenge.
Tire Size
The larger the tire, the easier it will be to maneuver over uneven ground. At the same time, the bigger the wheel, the harder the stroller will be to transport.
The wheels on most jogging strollers can range from 12 inches to 24 inches in diameter.
For a stroller that maneuvers well yet is still pretty easy to transport, most people tend to choose a wheel size of about 16 inches.
Tire Tread
If you want a jogging stroller that can perform after rain or snow has made the ground slippery, then you may want to opt for wheels that are bumpy.
However, if this isn’t a concern and you would rather be able to maneuver through crowded spaces or around corners, slick tires are a better option.
Good Suspension
Just as a good suspension system is highly important to your car, the same goes for your jogging stroller.
In order to have the smoothest and most comfortable ride for your baby, having a jogging stroller that can absorb any bumps is imperative.
A jogging stroller without shocks may be fine for smooth and flat surfaces, however, going over any bumpy ground can cause your baby to bounce around and be quite uncomfortable.
Some joggers allow you to adjust the shocks and bounciness.
These types of jogging strollers’ shocks can be fixed depending on the type of road you are on as well as the weight of your baby.
A jogging stroller with shocks, as well as tracking, is an excellent choice if you plan to run often.
Having a jogging stroller with these two features is important if you jog several days a week.
Cup Holders
Of course, if you are jogging, you are bound to get thirsty.
Having a cup holding compartment is essential for staying hydrated as well as remaining hands-free.
Not only can you store your drink in these compartments, but the baby’s drink as well.
Adjustable Seating
Motion tends to do a great job of lulling babies to sleep.
Having a jogging stroller that lets your baby sit up and have a scenic view or lay down for a nap is such an awesome feature.
If the baby falls asleep, you can recline the seat and continue your jog, or let baby nap while you grab a smoothie.
THE BEST LIGHTWEIGHT JOGGING STROLLER REVIEW
Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight Jogging Stroller
The Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight Jogging Stroller is really great for being out in the sun as it has a very large canopy which I love.
Pushing this stroller is pretty easy and it even has handlebars that are longer which is great for taller moms.
I love that the seat has multiple position choices like the recline position and is super wide so that my baby can be as comfortable as possible.
The wide seat really comes in handy as my baby grows and needs more room, but also in the colder months when she is bundled up.
There is a little basket at the bottom that I like for when I want to grab a few items while we are out or just to store some toys, snacks, et cetera.
There are compartments for snacks on either side of the stroller, however, I would prefer a snack tray instead.
Pros
- Compact size
- Large canopy
- Accommodates a growing baby
Cons
- Requires two hands to close
- No snack tray
Graco FastAction Fold Jogger Stroller
I love that the Graco FastAction Fold Jogger Stroller has such big wheels which make it easy to go through almost any type of road.
Since I’m on the taller side, it works great for me, however, for moms who are shorter, the height may be uncomfortable.
The seat is adjustable to where I can put it all the way up so that my toddler can have a full scenic view, or I can totally recline it for nap time.
Unlike many other strollers, this jogger has a bar in the back which makes adjusting the seat super easy and fast.
There is a space for you to put your phone, although mine doesn’t fit, as well as a compartment for keys.
The parent tray also has a couple of cup holders however, I find these to be a bit small for some water bottles.
This stroller was really easy to put together without even using tools and I find it to be quite sturdy as well.
Although this isn’t the smallest jogger, what it lacks in compactness, it makes up for in quality.
Pros
- Folds up quickly
- Has reflectors
- Very durable
- Affordably priced
Cons
- Pretty big when folded
- May not be comfortable for shorter moms
Baby Trend Xcel Jogger Stroller
The Baby Trend Xcel Jogger Stroller is a very lightweight stroller and really easy to fold.
I love that the large tires enable it to push through virtually any type of road, grass, et cetera with ease.
Whether jogging through the park or taking a walk through the mall, I find this stroller to be very useful in a multitude of scenarios.
The seat is padded and reclines while there is a pretty large canopy to protect your toddler from the weather.
With this stroller being so easy to push, it makes for such a smooth and enjoyable ride for mommy and baby.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Easy to push
- Smooth ride
- Large canopy
Cons
- Hard to fold
- Tires deflate quickly
BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 Jogging Stroller
Though the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 Jogging Stroller may seem pricier at first, it seems to actually be a cost saver as it can grow with the baby from an infant all the way up to 75 pounds.
This is a very sturdy, durable and smooth riding stroller which is excellent for jogging through more rugged areas as well as hills or even concrete.
I love that the handlebar can be adjusted and it has a wrist strap which is really convenient.
With the super large canopy, I can shade my baby completely as well as let her take a nap since the seat can recline flat.
Putting this stroller together is quick and easy and there is just so much storage space for her things as well as mine.
Unlike a lot of other strollers, this one is noisy when rolling and pushes so easily even when we’re going through grass.
One of my favorite aspects is how the seat sort of cups my toddler and is deep enough that without fear of her falling out.
Pros
- Ultra smooth ride
- Great for rugged roads
- Plenty of storage
- Very durable
Cons
- Cup holder not included
Baby Jogger 2016 City Mini GT Single Stroller
I find that the Baby Jogger 2016 City Mini GT Single Stroller works great on bumpy areas like cobblestone or other types of uneven areas. It glides over bumps very smoothly making for a comfortable ride for my toddler even when she’s asleep.
The fact that this stroller folds with just one hand is so convenient when you’re in a rush or have a baby in tow. Just pull the handle and in a second it’s broken down.
Not only is there a foot brake but there is a hand brake as well. This feature is great for maintaining control whenever you’re traveling down a hill.
The canopy is large and has a window so I can see my baby without having to stop and peep around the stroller.
And there is so much room in the basket that this stroller so I can run light errands after a run without having to tote a bunch of bags.
Pros
- Adjustble handles
- Peek-a-boo window
- Easy break-down
- Lightweight
Cons
- Drink holder not include
And the Winner is…
For me, the best jogging stroller is one that allows me to exercise as well as maneuver through smaller spaces.
Since I like to run in the park, I needed a stroller that would be able to deal with grass, dirt and any other types of terrain with ease.
In my search for the best lightweight jogging stroller, I needed something that could meet all of my needs, and Baby Jogger 2016 City Mini GT Single Stroller fit the bill.
Like many of the other strollers on my list, the Baby Jogger 2016 City Mini GT Single Stroller is able to handle various types of uneven ground with ease. And while there are many similarities with this stroller and the others, a few features stood out to me.
The adjustable handle was a big plus because it allows my husband to use the stroller as well.
And my favorite of all has got to be the canopy. I love being able to just look down at my baby without having to stop in mid-run.
This stroller has front wheel suspension which makes the ride super smooth even when my baby is sleeping.
While it was a toss-up between the Joovy Zoom and the Baby Jogger 2016 City Mini GT Single Stroller, the baby jogger won because of the canopy window, as well as the price.
