Do you like to go exploring outdoors with your little one? Or maybe go to the beach or mountain hiking? Do you live in the countryside? Then you need to get the best off road stroller for you and your little bundle of joy!
Finding the best off road stroller isn’t as easy as it seems.
Most strollers are made for some easier terrains, or for walks on the city streets. They cannot handle bumpy mountain roads or sandy beaches.
To help you out, we have tested many strollers and made you a list of best off road strollers out there. Here are the top 5 products we’ve found:
The Best Off Road Stroller – Top 5 Products Reviewed:
1. Premium Pick: BOB Gear All Terrain Pro
If you’re looking for a luxurious product, this might be the best off road stroller for you. In fact, this is the updated version of the previous All Terrain one – which was already pretty high on most online lists.
The large canopy is 100% water-resistant and weather-resistant, and it can provide your child with the 5+ UPF sun protection. The stroller is ergonomically designed and the handlebar is soft and pleasant to the touch, making it rather comfortable to use.
The handbrake is a nice touch as it gives you additional safety. It can go over all terrains, even during the night time, as it has reflective rims that are visible in the dark. The stroller has a large basket that is easy to reach, a one-hand folding design with a self-stand option, and it’s entirely travel-friendly. You can fit it inside almost any vehicle you might plan on using as it won’t take up too much space.
The SmoothShox Suspension system and air-filled tires help ensure a smooth ride, so it can go over all terrains. It also comes with the Lunar fashion – reflective rims that help better visibility if you’re walking in the night time.
| PROS |
|---|
| + Canopy is large and waterproof |
| + Suitable for all terrains |
| + Great for jogging |
| + SmoothShox suspension & air-filled tires |
| CONS |
|---|
| – Stiff handbrake |
| – Loud wheels |
| – Not an everyday stroller |
2. Budget Pick: Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 All Terrain
Despite the word ‘jogger’ in their title, the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 is not a jogging stroller. Rather, the GT2 is as excellent double off road stroller currently on the market – especially if you’re on a budget.
This is a sturdy and durable stroller that also comes with a huge 10lb storage basket. It’s large enough to fit almost all of your things, making your travel and hiking time a lot more comfortable. The handbrakes are located on the adjustable handlebars, so they are comfortable to use and you don’t have to worry about stopping in just the right moment.
Next to the amazing air-filled rubber wheels that allow this stroller to go over all terrains, it also sports a huge canopy that will protect your loved one from the sun. This will ensure the ride is extremely comfortable and smooth, and your baby will enjoy every step of it.
Due to its budget-friendly price, this stroller doesn’t offer any special features. It does give you the option to create your own custom travel system accepting infant car seats of many different brands using adapters (bought separately). Still, if you’re looking for a stroller that will do its job while not breaking your pocket – this might be the best off road stroller for you.
| PROS |
|---|
| + Large canopy |
| + Large storage basket |
| + Adjustable handlebars |
| + Handbrakes |
| CONS |
|---|
| – Storage is challenging to access |
| – The seat can not be fully upright |
| – Fiddly to get stable when folded upright |
3. Best Value for the Price: Mountain Buggy Terrain Premium Jogging Stroller
Mountain Buggy is a well-known name when it comes to off road strollers. This is one of the most popular strollers on many online sites. Considering that it offers the best value for the price (according to our estimations), this isn’t a surprise.
It comes with a handbrake that can help you safely stop the stroller whenever you’d like. If you’d like to use the leg brake, you’d be happy to know that it’s sandal-friendly. Its thick wheels can conquer all terrains, from beach sand to gravel and bumpy mountain roads.
Despite the many premium features it has, this stroller is extremely straightforward to use. Its large storage bin has an amazing weight capacity of up to 22 lbs and it even has two smaller zippered pockets!
The stroller is easy to fold and it self-stands, making it a travel-friendly option. Unfolding it is also effortless, so you can quickly set it up and put your kid inside of it. Also, it is great for jogging!
| PROS |
|---|
| + Great maneuverability |
| + Huge weight capacity |
| + Good if you jog too |
| + Self-standing |
| CONS |
|---|
| – Heavy |
| – Challenging to use with car seat adapters |
| – Canopy could be bigger |
4. Jogging Pick: Chicco TRE Jogging Stroller
This stroller is great for all terrains – and it’s perfect for jogging, as well! If you want to go jogging down the hill or on the beach – this is an excellent stroller for you and it won’t break your budget.
It comes with a 2-in-1 handbrake that’s great not just for parking and stopping the stroller but also for slowing the stroller down. The single-handed fold mechanism is effortless to use – with 3 positions including free-standing. So it is great for even the first-time parents that aren’t experienced with using strollers or travelling with kids.
The tires are filled with air so they are great for all types of terrain. Whether you want to go on the beach, to the mountainside, or riding on the gravel mountain roads, this is an amazing product. It is stable and comfortable, and it offers added convenience with the central control console (which controls stroller features like the front wheel lock). The FlexCore suspension can be adjusted depending on what type of terrain you are on.
This stroller is even amazing for more seasoned runners who plan on running longer distances. It can withstand long distances and it is amazing for professionals who want to prepare but can’t leave their little ones. It provides a comfortable ride for both the baby and the parents alike.
| PROS |
|---|
| + Excellent for jogging |
| + FlexCore suspension |
| + Large handle with dual handbrake |
| + Single hand fold |
| + Useful control console |
| CONS |
|---|
| – Snack tray not available |
| – Small seat space |
| – Bulky, even when folded |
5. Travel Pick: gb Pockit+ All-Terrain
This stroller is a great choice for kids of up to 4 years, likely making it the best stroller for older child needing a rest of one of your long hiking trips. It has a compact and collapsible design, so you can fold it with ease and in just two steps and carry it everywhere. You can even fit it in overhead compartments on trains and plains!
This is a lightweight product that you can push with one hand even when the child is sitting in it. It isn’t too heavy for you to carry it around in one hand, and the handle helps you with just that.
Everything is made from flexible materials, enhancing durability. This is extremely important when looking for a stroller that can carry a large amount of weight. The sun canopy covers most of your child’s body, especially if you recline the seat back. This can help your kid sleep soundly during the walk.
Also, the front wheels are great for maneuvering narrow and busy streets. The wheel lock helps with the uneven terrain. No matter if you want to travel to the mountainside or some large city, this is an excellent stroller for you.
| PROS |
|---|
| + Lightweight |
| + Easy to fold and compact |
| + Recline option |
| + Good age range |
| CONS |
|---|
| – Weak joints |
| – Challenging to unfold |
| – No extra features |
Jogging Strollers Vs. Off Road Strollers
Many parents confuse off road strollers with jogging strollers. If you look at our list, it’s easy to see why. Many off road strollers are jogging strollers. However, these two categories are not the same, even though they do share some characteristics.
Off road strollers are:
- Intended to be used on hills, dirt roads, in mulch, and so on.
- Easy to maneuver bumpy terrains
- Made with three or four wheels
On the other hand, jogging strollers are:
- Made with three wheels
- Designed so their front when can lock into place
- Not necessarily made for unusual terrains
As you can see, there are some similarities, but still, they are not the same. Jogging strollers can help you go running with your kid, but they might not be able to handle gravel or sand. On the other hand, off road strollers will be perfect for the beach or the mountain, but they might not be adequate for jogging.
At the same time, most off road strollers are usually much bulkier and heavier than jogging strollers. They are not easy to carry around, and many can even be too heavy to jog with. Most strollers in the US range between 7.2 and 35 lbs. The best off road stroller will likely be on the upper part of this range.
What to Look for in the Best Off Road Stroller
There are a few things you need to take into consideration when looking for the best off road stroller for you and your needs. You shouldn’t simply look at the products your best friend or family member bought and take the same one, as their needs might be different than yours.
Here are the features all good off road strollers should have:
Safety
First and foremost, safety is an extremely important feature of any stroller, especially the one you plan on using on all terrains. These roads are bumpier than regular ones, and can be challenging to handle.
All off road strollers have to have excellent harness systems that will ensure your kids are perfectly safe during the ride. Also, they should have sound wheel suspension systems. In other words, their front wheels should include locks that will provide stability once the stroller is parked.
Also, adjustable handlebars with hand brakes are a crucial feature. Sure, a stroller doesn’t have to be adjustable, but this will help you have a more comfortable and firmer grip, so you can ride along safer. This will ensure better protection.
Car Seat Compatibility
Most all terrain strollers will also have to have the best off road stroller travel system. Sure, you’ll likely have to purchase adapters separately, but you have to make sure this is an available option. Make sure to read the instructions carefully so you’ll end with the product that can be used in your car.
Lightweight
Finding the best lightweight off road stroller isn’t easy, as most of these products are rather bulky and heavy. However, this doesn’t mean you should settle for a stroller so heavy you cannot operate it. Look for aluminum frames, as they are robust yet fairly light, especially compared to some heavier metals.
Folding Mechanisms
Most off road strollers are used on vacations. This means you’ll have to carry them with you inside your car, airplane, bus, train, or whichever vehicle you’re using.
Fortunately, most modern strollers have great folding mechanisms and you can fold them to be very compact. Still, you have to make sure they will fit inside the vehicle you’re travelling with.
Storage
Walking on bumpy terrains isn’t as easy as walking on concrete on the city streets. If you carry a lot of bags with you, you might feel uncomfortable.
This is why all good off road strollers should have at least a decent storage. The more things you can fit inside a stroller without it feeling overcrowded, the easier your hiking adventure will be.
All-Terrain Coverage
We’ve already mentioned this, but it’s worth repeating: off road strollers are usually all-terrain strollers. You can use them on various terrains, such as sand, dirt, gravel, and so on. This is the main feature that sets them apart from jogging strollers.
To do so, most will have to have air-filled or foam wheels. The locking design is here to help you if you plan on using your stroller on flat terrains. While heavy weight makes it harder to use the stroller on travels, this usually also means the stroller is more stable, meaning it can handle a higher number of terrains.
When you’re looking to buy the best off road stroller, make sure to read the instructions carefully so you can be certain which terrains are covered.
Price
Let’s admit it. Price is an important feature of every product, and off road strollers are no different. Sure, you probably don’t want to go cheap on baby items, but you should also be mindful so you don’t overpay. Always look for products that offer great value for the price, as this will make every cent worth it.
The Final Word
Finding the best off road stroller is hard, especially with so many good products on the market. Many parents make the mistake of buying a product after a single recommendation and without actually reading the instructions of a stroller. By doing this, they end with a product that isn’t entirely fit for their needs.
While you won’t make a mistake with any of the strollers from our list, read the reviews carefully so you can know the benefits and the downsides of every single stroller. Then, make your own conclusion and purchase the one that fits your needs.