Strollers are one of the essentials for every parent. However, finding the best beach stroller to take with you on a vacation can be a challenge, especially if you’re going on a sand beach. Pushing a stroller on soft sand is difficult, but you can hardly go without a stroller with all the baby essentials you’re carrying with you.
If you love to go to the beach but don’t know how you’ll make it with your newborn – don’t panic! We’ve reviewed many products and we’ve found the best beach stroller – three of them, to be precise.
Here are our top 3 picks:
The Best Beach Stroller – Top 3 Picks
1. Best Value for the Price: BOB Gear 3.0 Revolution Flex
This is an amazing stroller for beach sand, jogging, and any other activity you might want to do with your child. It comes with a great suspension system that resembles the one used on mountain bikes. This helps it go over any bumps without too many issues. The tri-wheel design is perfect for driving over sand, as well. The tires are large and air-filled – another feature that makes it perfect for driving over any terrain.
This stroller is perfect for any time of the day thanks to its ultra-reflective lunar fabric. This will help you see your baby even in low light. The frame is made of aluminum alloy, keeping it strong but lightweight. The locking wheel is great for that time when you have to go over sand. The front wheel can lock in place, so you can either jog or go over sand without any issues.
At the same time, this beach stroller can be used from birth until your toddler is a bit older because it’s highly adjustable. There is also a very large canopy enforced with UPF 40+ protection. This will keep your little bundle of joy safe from the sun.
The storage is rather large, as well. You can fit a very large cargo basket or a large package of diapers inside. Also, there is room for a cell phone, as well as three back pockets. The handle is adjustable, so you can make everything comfortable for you.
| PROS |
|---|
| + Excellent mountain bike suspension |
| + Great storage capacity |
| + Car seat compatible |
| + Ultra-reflective lunar fabric |
| CONS |
|---|
| – Rather bulky |
| – Additional accessories have to be bought separately |
| – Some folding steps are tricky and no-self stand |
2. Budget Pick: Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Stroller
When you look at the price range of this stroller, this product is above average. If you take into consideration that the average all-terrain stroller price is $130-$300, this product is on the cheaper side. However, it can outperform strollers with a much higher price tag.
It has great maneuverability and you can even use it for running. More importantly, its wheels won’t get stuck in the coarse sand without veering to the side too much. Back-tipping is effortless and even if it does run out of the course, you can easily get it back without too much hustle.
When it comes to ease of use, this is likely the best stroller for beach on our list. It’s also straightforward to fold, as it has a two-handed fold and a pull handle. When you’re not using it, you can easily pack it down so it doesn’t take up too much space. It self-stands and is stable enough to stay on feet even on the sand, which is of great help.
The biggest issue is the brakes aren’t sandals-friendly, which can be an issue if you hate going on the beach in shoes. Still, the storage is great and large, and it can fit the XL diaper bag without any issues. The canopy is fairly average but it can protect your toddler well-enough so you don’t have to worry about sunburns.
| PROS |
|---|
| + Large storage |
| + Effortless to use |
| + Great maneuverability |
| + Self-standing |
| CONS |
|---|
| – Brakes are challenging to without shoes |
3. Premium Pick: Mountain Buggy Terrain Premium Jogging Stroller
Mountain Buggy Terrain is the go-to stroller for all sorts of terrains (as you can conclude from its name). It might also be the best stroller for beach use, as riding over sand is no issue for it.
The adjustable wheel helps with the tracking, so you can adjust it to how you see fit. The handbrake helps you with all beach activities as you can stop the stroller without any hassle. Everything is quite easy to use, although some premium features might be a bit challenging for people not used to such strollers.
If you have to fold the stroller in position while on the beach, you should know that it has the auto-lock and self-standing options, so you can keep it right next to you without any issues. You can also unfold it quickly, so this is one less thing to worry about while on a vacation. This also makes it rather travel-friendly.
The brakes are sandal-friendly and the storage bin is large, with an impressive carry capacity. You can likely pack most of your beach essentials in it, as it can hold up to 22 lbs of weight! The canopy is of decent size, and it has a peek-a-boo window to help you see your kid no matter where you are. It also has small zippered pockets, and one of them has a hole for the MP3 player’s earbuds.
| PROS |
|---|
| + Good maneuverability |
| + Large weight capacity |
| + Self-standing |
| + Quick to un/fold |
| CONS |
|---|
| – Not the largest canopy |
| – Heavy |
| – Challenging with car seat adapters |
What to Look for in a Stroller for Beach Vacation
When choosing the best beach stroller, you cannot look for the same features you’d otherwise look for in a stroller. There are some things that set these strollers apart from regular products. No matter if you plan on buying the best stroller for beach walking or for some other activity, here are a few things you need to look for:
- Sun protection: The best beach stroller has to have a large canopy that can offer a great amount of sun protection.
- Ventilation: Plastic and other ‘plasticky’ materials are not a good material for hot, summer days on a beach. You might want to look at jogging strollers or all-terrain strollers, as they are usually built from light materials that can perform in various conditions.
- Age range: Some strollers are more suited for newborns, others are for toddlers, and some are for older kids. While experts claim strollers shouldn’t be necessary after 3 years of age, some people prefer using them later on – and age range is an important factor to consider.
- Maneuverability: All great beach strollers need to be very easy to maneuver around, as the sand will make this difficult.
- Storage: You likely carry a lot of things on the beach. Your stroller should help you with this, and not make it harder.
Check out our Ultimate Stroller Buying Guide if you want to find out more general hints and tips about buying your new stroller.
Final Words
There are many things that set the best beach stroller apart from other strollers designed for regular use. It’s important to keep in mind that you need to get the best product for you and your child’s needs.
Good strollers have to provide you a helping hand, and they should make things easier. If they are a liability, then perhaps it’s time to replace it and try finding the one better suited for your needs. Don’t give up and keep on looking. If anything, you likely won’t make a mistake no matter which stroller from our list you choose.