When Buying a Jogging Stroller- Part 2

by Kristina J. Petrella

I recently wrote about what to think about when you are considering buying a jogging stroller. Things like frequency of your jogs, whether you are new to jogging or a seasoned marathoner, budget and terrain were all topics upon which I touched.  In this post, I’d like to cover some features that I think every jogging stroller should have in order to make it a good stroller.

Safety Strap

This is by far one of the most important safety feature that any stroller can have.  This is a strap that  can attach to the stroller and also loops around the adult’s hand.  Some even loop around the adult’s waist.  It is imperative that if you are jogging while pushing a stroller that the stroller not only be equipped with a safety strap, but that you USE IT!  If you are pushing a stroller forward, there is ALWAYS the chance that if you trip or fall, the stroller could keep on going…into traffic, down a hill, etc.  Personally, I think EVERY stroller should be equipped with one of these.

5-Point Harness

I’m sure we are all well-versed in what a five point harness is, but when it comes to jogging, the harness has an even greater purpose–to contain your child while you are on the move!  The safest place for a child to be while jogging is leaned flush against the  back rest of the stroller while securely buckled and restrained at the hips and the shoulders.  This allows for head and back support as well as added protection if there were to be an accident of some kind, whether it be with a car, pedestrian, or just the parent tripping over their own feet.

Locking Front Wheel

When jogging, the front wheel of the stroller should always be in a locked position.  Some of my favorite jogging strollers have a swiveling front wheel which is wonderful for when we are out and about just walking, but the minute we start jogging, that front wheel needs to lock.  A swiveling front wheel could get caught on rocks, curbs, debris, or cracks in the sidewalk and cause a very uncomfortable jolt for both you and your passenger.

Reflectors

I don’t care if you jog in the middle of the day in Arizona, your jogging stroller (really any stroller that will be used outside needs to have reflectors of some kind or be made out of a reflective material.  Also, I will add that whomever will be pushing the stroller should also have some kind of reflective gear on for maximum visibility and protection.

I hope this post helps you as you maneuver the world of jogging strollers as well as brings some important safety issues to mind when purchasing a stroller.  Thank you so much for reading and please feel free to leave a comment or a question!

As usual, any views expressed in this post are my own opinion and come from my own personal experience.

Jogging Strollers – Personal Recommendations

By Kristina J. Petrella

As Christmas approaches, I wanted to recommend a couple of my favorite jogging strollers. Let me urge you to take your child with you when you try out a stroller. Make sure they can sit comfortably in the stroller with all the straps adjusted to fit them. If the stroller is uncomfortable or an unsafe fit for your child, then by all means don’t buy it! Sometimes retail stores can be much more expensive than buying online at a site like stroller.com, so look around and see if one of your friends already owns a stroller like the one you want to purchase. Try out their stroller and then hop online, read reviews and purchase!  Best of luck!

Schwinn Arrow Fixed Wheel Jogging Stroller-Single

I especially like this model of jogging stroller because it offers a good design as well as a stylish option for both mom or dad. This is a stroller that offers some great details in an affordable price range. While I like this stroller and I appreciate features such as the hand-brake, the parent-tray, the MP3 player and the 5-point harness, I do want to point out that this stroller does not have a safety strap that runs from the handle to the parent. My advice? If you buy this stroller, get a safety strap. Other than that, the Schwinn Arrow would make a great jogger for someone just dabbling in the world of jogging.

Baby Jogger Performance Series

This jogging stroller is on the higher end of the price spectrum as far as jogging strollers go, but with its many features, I think the price is well worth it. While a safety strap is not listed as part of this model, it does sport a hand-braking as well as foot-brake system. This stroller would be a great choice for the avid runner or marathoner due to its one-piece frame design. This frame design will allow the stroller to accompany you day after day on your running adventures!

These are just two of my recommendations for jogging strollers. One thing I DO want to point out is to DO YOUR HOMEWORK!  Many “jogging” strollers are not intended for actual use while jogging. The term “jogging” stroller is a blanket reference to a stroller with three larger wheels that can maneuver over tougher terrain at a higher speed.

I hope this was helpful and that you find the perfect one for you!

Before You Run – Jogging Stroller Safety

By Kristina J. Petrella

So you’ve made the big purchase–a jogging stroller! I’m sure that if you took the time to make such a large investment, you will most likely want to maintain your investment!  Here are a few tips to check before setting out on your run!

Wheels

Most jogging strollers have inflatable rubber wheels whose pressure can be changed depending on the terrain on which you plan to run.  This really does make a difference!  I remember the first time I took my jogging stroller on a sidewalk after I had used it for trail running (softer wheels).  It was so hard to maneuver and I couldn’t figure out why, then my husband pointed out that I needed to inflate the wheels.

Be sure to check that the pressure is appropriate for your designated run.  If you are running on the trails or a rougher terrain, a slightly softer wheel can be helpful.  If you are planning on running on pavement, please be sure to inflate the wheels to their designated pressure.

5-Point Harness

Adjust the harness with your child in it to its tightest, comfortable setting. As with a car seat harness, you should be able to slip two fingers comfortably between the child and the harness. Make sure your child is in a safe position (flush against the back of the seat) and that they are reclined. The last thing you want to do is have to stop every 500 feet to adjust something.  Most of the time, infants should not be jogged with until they are over six months old and have good head control.

Safety Harness

Make sure your safety harness is well-attached to the stroller as well as easily accessible to you as the parent.

Brakes

Do a quick cursory check to make sure all the brakes are working adequately.  This is especially important if your stroller is equipped with hand brakes.

Just do one, quick, all-over check with your eyes to check for rips, tears, or other malfunctions.  I know this list seems a bit redundant, but a quick check of these few points could save you valuable time while out jogging!

Is there a routine YOU follow before or after you go running?  Do you have something to add?  Please leave a comment!

Sit and Stands vs. Traditional Strollers

By Kristina J. Petrella

Right about the same time my first daughter was born (about 5 years ago) a new stroller was released–the Sit and Stand. This stroller allows a young child, toddler, or infant to ride in the front of the stroller while their older sibling can either sit on a bench-like structure behind the seat or be pushed while standing on a platform.  This was a completely new idea, and when my daughter was nineteen months old I was the proud owner of such a stroller. These strollers were a great alternative to your normal tandem strollers that only offered an older child the ability to sit.  What would happen when that child became too large for the seat or maybe you had a toddler like I did that just didn’t want to be strapped into a stroller.

I think the sit-n-stand stroller is a great choice for families with two or more children whose older child is at least three or four.  I found that my daughter (at just two) was too young to appreciate the option of sitting or standing.  I think that now at the age of five, she would do much better with the option of being able to sit down for a few minutes if we were at the mall or the zoo, but I highly doubt she would spend the majority of her ride sitting, or standing.  The only other thing that I did not like about the sit-n-stand was its size.  Due to having the extra platform on the back to accommodate a sitting or standing child, the stroller was quite long and would not fit in the trunk of my compact car.  Even in a minivan or station wagon, the stroller was bulky and took up most of the back trunk.

The traditional tandem stroller allows both children to ride, one in front of the other.  These strollers normally have identical seats and only offer the option of sitting in strapped in position.  Sometimes one child can have the option of laying completely flat and some models even can have a car seat strapped into one of the seats.  I’ve found that these strollers are not as bulky as the sit-n-stand strollers, but they are still quite bulky.

Two other options to consider when purchasing a stroller for two children is the side-by-side stroller such as the Dream On Me Side by Side Double Stroller the in-line stroller from Phil&Teds. All of these strollers as well as any other stroller to fit your personal situation can be located at stroller.com.

MOM THOUGHTS- My Favorite Lightweight Umbrella Stroller

Errands are a part of my daily routine. I can have as many as five stops on my list on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. My daughter gets dropped off at grammar school, then I drop my son off at preschool later in the afternoon.  This is when I run my errands. I have a total of two hours to squeeze stops in at the post office, grocery store, bank, and who knows where else. I certainly want to have a light umbrella stroller when running errands because it makes things easier with my two-year-old.  Having four kids I’ve owned several strollers and I have to say that the one lightweight umbrella stroller that absolutely fits all of my needs is from the Jeep baby product  line.

The Jeep Baby Products Cherokee Sport in Impulse is a newer version of the one I own. It’s not only lightweight but it’s extremely affordable.  I picked this up without even viewing stroller reviews, but sight scene had 100% all the features I was looking for in a lightweight stroller for my toddler.  This stroller has a lot of great features that make my outings easier. What I love so much about this lightweight stroller is that it has a pretty decent canopy shade along with a extension.  The seat reclines. There’s a removable child snack tray and drink holder, a removable parental  tray with 2 adult drink holders.

For storage the Cherokee Sport stroller comes with  a medium size basket that’s great for smaller diaper bags or a purse. There are also 2 pouch bags that attach to the sides of the stroller for keeping child snacks in for long walks (I personally never used these but they are there). A one handed fold and open is fantastic especially when holding packages or a sleeping toddler.

Jeep Baby Products Jeep Wrangler Twin Sport All Weather Stroller

If you’re a parent that has twins or two children close in age, you know that having a twin lightweight stroller that will fit your needs is often a blessing.  Big, bulky strollers are a pain, and having to pull them in and out of a car for quick errands or stops at the store can be a bit of a weight on your shoulders.  That’s why many parents of two tend to find a lightweight twin umbrella stroller better for travel.

Many stroller reviews for the Jeep Wrangler Twin Sport All Weather Stroller say they wish they had invested in this stroller earlier or at least when their children were around the age of 1.  It has features that make taking the kids out easier for you and them. The stroller offers comfortable seating along with a smooth ride and duo reclining seats, along with a cup holder for you.

Jeep Wrangler Twin Sport Stroller reviews say that this stroller has a ton of pluses but there are just a few things they wish that were better. There isn’t a storage basket behind the seats so you’ll have to carry all your packages. The stroller is a bit wide for regular door ways so you may find your self heading in on an angle.  A few owners do complain that they wish the canopy was larger.  A few parents mention that because the stroller has 3 handles for pushing with a partner or alone that you could hang a bag over the handle and that it helped with the “no storage basket” issue.

At A Glance

Pros

• 2 Seats recline independently
• All Terrain wheels
• Individual Sun Canopy’s
• 3 Point Quick Release Buckle
• Lightweight
• Removable Parent Cup Holder
• 3 Sm. Cargo Bags for Gear

Cons

• No basket
• Small Canopy
• Bit wider than the average doorway

Jeep Wrangler Twin Sport All Weather Stroller Stats
Child Weight: 35 lbs max per seat
Dimensions: 35 x 31.5 x 39″
Stroller Weight: 20 lbs

Price: $99.95

Joovy Caboose Ultralight Tandem Sit and Stand Stroller

The Joovy Caboose Ultralight Tandem Sit and Stand Stroller is just what the busy household mother needs, and definitely wants. The stroller seems to be so compact and lightweight that you might forget that it’s actually a tandem stroller. It is said to be 20% lighter than the original Caboose. The Joovy Caboose Ultralight is also said to be very maneuverable. The Ultralight has sealed ball bearing wheels that help with the handling. Grandma will also love this stroller, since it’s lightweight and easy to handle on their own when taking their favorite baby for a walk.

Moms and dads will really love the neoprene Cool Essentials Parent Organizer too. It has plenty of room to store personal items such as house-keys, cell phone, or a small purse or satchel.  The cup holder will help keep your baby’s drink cool too. The deluxe sun canopy will offer more protection for baby to keep harmful sun rays out.

At a mere 21 pounds, the Caboose Ultralight Stroller is what I’d like to have when taking my grandchild to the mall or out visiting.  Throw the diaper bag over the shoulder along with my purse, baby on the hip, and stroller in other hand to store in  my vehicle without a problem.  There’s a large, comfortable front seat, which includes three reclining positions, whether baby wants to nap or just to look around  the Caboose Ultralight will accommodate your needs. When the front seat reclines to its lowest position if you have an older child he/she can still stand on the rear platform, and its larger storage basket has wonderful side pockets for extra storage.   The new and  improved larger storage basket with mesh pockets on each side will hold plenty of things for your trip to your favorite mall.

MSRP:  $229.00