I like to call myself a runner. I’ve been working hard but it’s nearly impossible to go on a run alone when you have two young kids. So my little freeloader gets to lounge in her BabyTrend Expedition jogging stroller while I do all the work! Here’s my honest review of this lifesaving product, complete with lots of photos and a video demo at the end!
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The difference between a jogging stroller and a regular stroller is its ability to travel fast and remain stable. A normal stroller has four wheels but they’re not designed to go on uneven terrain (at least, not without rattling your baby’s brain around). A jogging stroller is made specifically for traveling fast and still being smooth enough for your child to be happy. There are also other safety features built into a jogging stroller to help a parent who’s moving more quickly, like a “leash” that keeps you tethered to the stroller at all times.
You can still expect all the normal stroller features on a jogging stroller, like cupholders and a tray for your child and storage underneath. A jogging stroller will also feature harnesses to safely and securely hold your little one while you’re out and about. And it likely will fold in half, like mine does.
The BabyTrend Expedition series has different levels, and honestly mine is one of the older trims on the basic Expedition model. There are higher tiers of course, with different color palettes (some of them are subtle and gender neutral, and some are more stunning and bright).
There are also “sets” which come as a stroller and a carseat combination, or double jogging strollers too. You can check everything out on the BabyTrend website.
My favorite thing about this jogging stroller is the security and safety features of this stroller. As with most baby and child products, the safety components are red so that they’re easy to find.
There’s the front wheel locking mechanism (which I demo in the video below), which allows you to run comfortably without the jogging stroller shaking all over the place. Unlock the front wheel, allowing it to move freely from side to side, and you’re ready to walk again.
This feature does require that you have to lift the front wheel when you’re running and need to turn. I show you in the video, and it gets a bit of getting used to, but it’s worth it to have a smooth safe ride!
I also like that I can grab the two red sliders, underneath the grownup storage compartment on the handlebars, to quickly and easily fold up the stroller. (And to unfold the stroller, just pull the two halves apart from each other.)
The harness for your child can just be a three point between the legs and across the waist, or you can also use the shoulder straps for extra assistance.
The red brakes are easy to use and they’re really reliable as long as you fully kick them down so that they “grab” the locking spokes of the rear wheels.
And the safety strap, which goes around the runner’s wrist, will ensure that your stroller never gets away from you! You can see that in the video too.
Selfishly, I also love the storage at the bottom because frankly it’s huge. And the storage tray at the top clicks closed to help protect my iPhone from becoming an unwilling kamikaze.
There are two things I’m not crazy about when it comes to this jogging stroller.
To be fair, one of them – which I mentioned already – is more of just the concept of the jogging stroller. It’s that locking front wheel. If you’re running, that singular front wheel needs to be locked so that the stroller doesn’t rattle and shake like it’s falling apart. But if you’re running and you need to turn, then you effectively have to push down on the handlebars and lift up that front wheel. It’s like doing a wheelie where you turn the rear wheels in the new direction. And it’s kind of awkward.
I do demo this in the video and I’m sure I’ll get better with more practice (and when I’m not trying to record a movie on my phone), but it is something you should practice!
The other thing really is a fault in the design, in my opinion. This jogging stroller has an adjustable back piece for your child, which means you can recline them or have them sit straight up. (And to fold up the stroller, you’re supposed to have it recline all the way back, fyi.) But the piece you use to tighten or loosen that back support is not easy to use. Look at it in the photo below.
You can easily tighten it (and thus raise your child’s back supper) by sliding the black slider up, like you’re cinching a garbage bag. Releasing it, though, is supposed to be done by grasping and pinching the “teeth” on either side of the piece in the photo. But it’s not easily done – it hurts my hands and it just doesn’t feel well designed.
You can fold up the stroller without reclining the seat, but then it takes up a bit more space. Check the dimensions at the end of the article.
All in all, this Baby Trend Expedition jogging stroller has been a great purchase. I wasn’t really active when my daughter was a newborn, but now that she’s a toddler and I’m doing more training, I want to take her out more often. This jogging stroller isn’t a necessity by any means, and I don’t think I’d have one of these as my only stroller as it can take up a bit more room if just walking (that front wheel sticking out!), but I can see why a runner would want one of these!
We now only have a cheap basic umbrella stroller and this Baby Trend jogging stroller, and all of our needs are met. It’s a happy compromise!
And as promised, here’s Tiny and I demonstrating a few of the features of the Baby Trend jogging stroller on a windy day! (We’re hardcore over here.)
I hope you enjoyed our review and that it helped you see if this jogging stroller is right for you! Feel free to leave me comments with questions or suggestions – I’m happy to help! And thanks for sharing and pinning!