BOB Rambler Jogging Stroller Review

Since I started sharing clips of my running with Emma in the jogging stroller, I’d always get various questions about it and how I like it.  I found myself writing up long responses to everyone and figured a blog post would probably be the easiest way to cover everyone’s questions and be able to refer back to it whenever necessary.  In this post I will share my jogging stroller review as well as answer questions you all sent to me directly in Instagram!

Jogging Stroller Review

To start, we have the B.O.B. Gear Rambler jogging stroller.  I went and looked at it in the store as well as other brands that they had, but we were really only seriously considering a BOB or Thule…BOB because of recommendations from my friends that had it and Thule really just because of the name recognition.  We didn’t know anyone personally that had a Thule.  We have been eyeing some Thule bike trailers though, but that wouldn’t be for a little while.  I don’t think you can go wrong, though!

So back to the BOB.  We basically decided on it primarily because of my friends’ raving reviews.  I trusted them and didn’t feel like overcomplicating the process!  They all said it was a really great stroller and so that was good enough for me I added it to my registry and we got it as a gift.

We did not start using the stroller (& in fact didn’t take it out of the box) until Emma was 6 months old.  That seems to be the general age most people recommend starting to use it since they want the baby to have good head and neck control.  At her 6 month appointment we asked our pediatrician if we could start using it and we got the OK!

The BOB was easy to put together (I put it together) and I think the only tricky part was getting the front wheel pumped up.  It can be hard to fit the pump over the plug in the tire just because of the angle, but we just held the pump down over it while the other pumped and it worked fine.  It folds up easily, seat adjusts easily, has a foot lock, and Emma seems to really love it and be comfortable in it.

We got this handle bar console which I LOVE and it’s a must to go with your jogging stroller.  I love the big cup holders and the center pocket…everything I need fits in there.

YOUR QUESTIONS

Does it work as a “regular” stroller or will I need two?  It *can* work as a regular stroller I think, but it’s a little bigger folded up than our normal stroller (we have this one).  Also, since the BOB faces out, I think you’d want to use another stroller when baby is small that faces you.  Our stroller came with a bassinet attachment that we used for the first 3 months at least so Emma was able to lay flat and then the rumble seat is able to face you and face out depending on the child’s age you can easily turn it around, but the BOB just faces out.

Can you just run with a regular stroller or is a jogging stroller necessary?  I think again you *can* use a regular stroller, however jogging strollers have much better suspension systems and air-pumped tires to really absorb shock and keep the baby safe & comfortable while going faster, so I’d recommend a jogging stroller for that reason!

What age/weight does it work for?  As I mentioned above I think 6 months is the general recommended time you can start, and in fact BOB Gear recommends 8 months, but definitely ask your pediatrician since every baby is different!  As for weight, the one we have can support up to 75 pounds.

Is it difficult to get used to?  Honestly, I found it was way easier than I was expecting!  The BOB feels lightweight when I’m pushing it and it’s very easy to steer.  I’m sure it’ll start feeling harder when my baby gets bigger, ha

Do you lock the front wheel while you run?  I think I am supposed to, but no, I don’t lock it.  I don’t understand how to steer it if the wheel is locked? But, I primarily only run on flat, even surfaces and if there’s ever a bump or anything I always slow down and just be careful.  You just have to be careful and watch where you are going and the wheel should stay straight anyways as long as you aren’t hitting bumps.  I’m not recommending you to not lock it, I’m just saying that I don’t.

Do you have to run on the road or is the sidewalk smooth enough?  In our neighborhood I usually run on the road or go to the greenway near us which is all flat and smooth pavement.  I think all sidewalks might be different but ours can be kind of bumpy.

Anything you wish you knew before buying and anything you wish your stroller had that it doesn’t?  Since this is my first time using a jogging stroller, I don’t have anything to compare it to but I have been very happy with ours!  The one thing I’d say is that I wish I could make the handlebars come up a little higher.  I am 5’9″ so sometimes the handlebars feel a little low to me, but I’m still able to have a bend in my elbow when my hand is on it so it’s not that big of a deal!

Best way to push? Switch arms?  Yes I think when I’m running I usually have one hand on the stroller and one arm free.  BOB also has a wrist strap you can put around your wrist so it doesn’t get away from you.

I think that answers the questions I was sent!  I’d definitely recommend our jogging stroller to anyone and I would buy another BOB if I ever needed to!  I think ultimately that is the test of a product: would I buy this again?  And for me, the answer is yes.

BOB also has double strollers, so that might be something we need in the future at some point!  But if you need it now they do have those as well.  They also have a travel system with a car seat, and you can also buy car seat adapters to use with your BOB but we don’t use it for that, at least not yet.  Just a note- it is not recommended to run with the car seat in the stroller due to a higher center of gravity and the stroller can tip over.

I hope you found my jogging stroller review helpful and if you have any additional questions feel free to leave them in the comments below!

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xo,

Bess