Traditional strollers are great for long walks, but they can’t accompany you on a jog. If you plan on running with two little ones, you’ll need a double jogging stroller. Made with bumpy terrain and a runner’s comfort in mind, jogging strollers are the safest way to take your kids along for the ride.
A great double jogging stroller offers enough space for two toddlers, along with plenty of essential safety features to keep everyone comfortable and happy. Plus, it can make squeezing some exercise into your busy schedule much easier. Safety features are a must, since jogging with kids is a little riskier than walking with them: Look for five-point harnesses, wrist straps to keep the stroller close, and padded seats and durable tires for a smooth ride. And since you’ll be pushing a lot of extra weight, you’ll want your stroller to be as lightweight as possible.
To test the best double jogging strollers, we looked at their design, safety features, how well they drive and steer, and how easily they fold and unfold, then compared each stroller’s performance to its price to see if it is truly worth the money. We also spoke with injury prevention coordinators and athletic trainers about how to use a jogging stroller safely and effectively.
Keep in mind that double jogging strollers can be pricey. While some can come in at a more budget-friendly price point, like $200, most are between $400 and $900, and some luxury models cost upwards of $1,000. But if you know you’re going to be running regularly with two little ones, it’s worth the investment.
BOB Gear Flex 3.0 Duallie Jogging Stroller
Why We Like It: It provides a solid and smooth ride and has an expansive canopy that keeps kids shaded from the sun.
But Take Note: It can be tricky to figure out how to fold it, and it feels a bit bulky overall.
This BOB Gear stroller got the top spot on our list because it’s so easy to use, has lots of convenient and safe features, and offers a comfortable and smooth ride for runners and their kids. Assembly was easy for our testers, who noted the process was straightforward and fast.
The stroller has some great features, like a five-point harness, swivel-locking front wheel, easy-access foot brake, seats that recline separately, a soft adjustable handlebar, a wrist strap, and a magnetic peekaboo window to check on your kids without disturbing them if they happen to fall asleep. We particularly love the canopy, which has two portions that fold down separately and can even cover a child’s legs.
There’s a storage basket in the bottom for gear, as well as pockets on the back of the seat for water bottles and zippered pockets just underneath the handlebar. There are also snack pockets in the seats for kids (although our tester noted they could have been a bit larger).
In terms of maneuverability, this one was a big winner. It glides easily over rough terrain and can be pushed one-handed. “My first impression of running with two kids with this stroller was the incredible ease, lack of effort, and smoothness of the ride,” one tester said, adding that it was easier to push than their single jogging stroller. The air-filled, all-terrain tires promise to take on any kind of bumpy surface, and our tester backed up this claim, saying they had absolutely no problems maneuvering it and loved how smooth and comfortable it felt for everyone. You can also use this with most infant car seats with an adapter, though note that the brand says this is only safe for walking, not jogging.
While we love the no-rethread harness, we do feel that it could be a bit snug and difficult to use in the cold with coats on. Our testers also felt that it could have been easier to fold. One remarked that they had to read the instructions to figure out how to fold the stroller, and another noted they never quite mastered the technique.
The stroller is also quite large, and it can be heavy to pick up, although ultimately it was manageable. Then again, a double stroller is rarely lightweight and sleek, so we don’t feel that this discredits this stroller. Given how easy it is to maneuver and how smooth a ride it provides for the kids, this one is worth it for serious and casual runners alike.
Thule Chariot Cross 2
Why We Like It: This is a versatile option for active parents who want to bike, jog, stroll, or ski with their kids.
But Take Note: It’s pricey as is, and both the jogging and skiing systems are sold separately, so you’ll need to invest even more to get everything out of this trailer.
For parents who have a very active lifestyle and want to do multiple activities with their kids, a trailer, rather than a traditional jogging stroller, is the way to go. The Thule Chariot Cross 2 is the best out there that we found, with the ability to take it strolling, biking, jogging, and even skiing.
Assembling it isn’t the easiest task—we didn’t think it was clear where a lot of the parts were supposed to go—but it has a “really nice design,” one tester said, with most of the features one would want in a trailer. There are padded seats for the kids (though they’re not the cushiest out there), five-point no-rethread harnesses for safety, and plenty of storage:
There’s a standalone cargo pouch in the back, along with two small mesh pockets. We like that the seats recline independently, which is nice for kids who don’t want to sit the same way, and it’s easy to recline them.
The two front wheels on this don’t lock, which is good when it comes to turning or avoiding obstacles, but bad because our tester felt it was a bit shaky and not as steady as it could have been (especially for that price).
This is a bulky option, and our tester did have trouble getting it up the curb. Otherwise, it runs pretty smoothly. Folding it is simple, but it doesn’t condense very much. It’s still pretty large when folded and would take up most of the trunk of an average car.
The rear light in the back adds some extra visibility, especially for darker conditions, and the handlebar is adjustable and ergonomic. All of that being said, this is primarily a bike trailer. It doesn’t come with the accessories to turn it into a jogging trailer (or ski trailer), so those need to be purchased separately, Then again, if you want both a bike trailer and a jogging stroller, this is a fantastic deal in the long run.
