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Best All-Terrain Strollers for 2024: Dirt & Gravel Roads, Trails and the Beach

If you happen to be a really busy mom and just want to find out what the best all-terrain stroller is then I’d recommend the Baby Jogger 2016 City Mini GT as the best one.

In this article, I’ll break down the 5 most popular all-terrain baby strollers and in the end, we’ll choose the winner. Buying for a 3, 4 or 5 year old? We’ve written about the best strollers for 3, 4 or 5 year old’s that you may want to check out. We also reviewed the top 10 best travel system strollers if case it’s helpful.

In A Hurry? Here Are Our Top Picks:

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Here are the strollers I’ll be reviewing:

Why You Need An All Terrain Stroller

If you’ve ever been pushing your child in a stroller while walking on a dirt path with rocks, or on a trail in the woods, you know what a pain it is to navigate. You have to deal with rocks, tree roots, holes, debris and other objects in your path. Ask yourself, will you be on rough terrain with your stroller?

We often go for walks near our house down a long dirt road and without an all-terrain stroller, not only are my arms sore and tired by the time we’re done, but my child was tossed around all over the place. That is until we upgraded our stroller.

What to Look for in an All Terrain Stroller

So, you’re ready to buy a stroller to go offroad. To make the best decision you’ll need to think about the different elements that are important for where you’ll be walking. I’ve identified the things that make the biggest difference, so you can take these into account when making a purchase.

Canopy

If you’re looking for an all-terrain stroller, you’re most likely going to be out outdoors and you won’t have much cover. You will probably be subjected to things like sun, wind, and rain. Having an extendable canopy that can fully cover your baby is very important.

If there is a sun visor, you’ll want to make sure it’s rated at UPF 50+ so there is adequate protection for your kiddo.

You may also want to store a rain cover or windshield, depending on what the conditions will be like when you’re walking with your stroller.

Wheels

The wheels on an all-terrain stroller are the main component that sets them apart from regular strollers. They should be large and should be filled with air so that they can absorb as much shock as possible.

The front tires should be able to swivel and lock so you can toggle between the different modes. This way you can use the stroller for jogging offroad and normal walking.

The tread on the tires is also quite important to pay attention to. If you’re going to be in mud or wet conditions, your stroller can slip or slide if the wheels don’t have enough treads.

Harness

The most desired safety device for strollers is the five-point harness. It consists of five straps, two at the shoulders, two at the hips and one at the crotch. This design does a great job of protecting the upper body from injury.

Having a five-point harness should be a requirement when choosing your stroller. This is the safest available harness on the market. The best strollers will offer this type of harness and you should not settle for less.

There is always a small chance that a stroller can slip or tip over. Having a five-point harness will ensure that your baby can not fall out of the stroller. Why take the chance with your child’s safety when most strollers will have this feature.

Will You Use Your All-Terrain Stroller at the Beach, on Trails or on Dirt & Gravel Roads?

Each stroller is going to perform differently depending on the terrain. You might benefit most from a hiking stroller, a jogging stroller, a beach stroller or an offroad stroller.

For instance, one all-terrain stroller may work great at the beach, but function as well on a mountain trail or going down a gravel road.

It’s important to know which terrains each stroller performs well on.

A stroller that is easy to push across the sand, might not have good enough suspension to handle the effects from going over rocks and tree roots. It’s important to think about what types of terrain you will be walking on and plan accordingly.

The Difference Between All Terrain and Jogging Strollers

Jogging strollers have a few design elements that are different from all-terrain strollers.

Jogging strollers are designed to be pushed at high speeds. The back of the stroller has more leg room to allow for longer strides. They often have a fixed front wheel to offer more control when going at faster speeds. There is sometimes a hand strap and also many models come with a braking system on the handlebar.

When deciding between the two different models, you’ll need to think about where you’ll be using the stroller and if you’ll be jogging or just walking. If you’ll mostly be hiking, then an all-terrain stroller would be best. If you’ll be jogging on flat and even terrain then a jogger would most likely be best.

Another important thing to know is that it is not recommended to jog with your baby until they are at least 6 months old. You might also want to wait a bit longer, to ensure that your babies spine and neck are mature enough to handle all of the motion that jogging creates.

#1. Baby Jogger 2016 City Mini GT

The name may be pretty generic but it’s among the most popular baby strollers on Amazon. It’s a great all around stroller with a 3 wheel system, making it easy to maneuver.The wheels are all-terrain so it can handle going on dirt and gravel paths. The wheels are non-flat tires which include front wheel suspension for absorbing bumps and jerks.

The handle is adjustable, so if you’re short and your spouse is tall, you won’t have a problem setting it to the perfect level. This has been a problem for us in the past, you never realize how much difference a small feature like this will make.

After reading customer reviews, a very common theme I found was that people talked about how easy it was to maneuver the stroller. If you’ve ever pushed a stroller that can’t make sharp turns or requires you to constantly back up and change direction, you know how nice this is.

The only criticism I found was that people wished the compartment under the stroller was larger. Often people had difficulty removing diaper bags or other items once the baby was seated in the stroller. Some parents suggested adding extra storage in the form of the additional cooler bag that is available as a paid add-on. This enabled them to have the extra storage they needed.

There are a number of accessories available for the Baby Jogger 2016 Mini GT. There is a universal parent console that hooks onto the handle and allows you to store things like bottles, toys, and pacifiers. There is a child tray that snaps onto the front of the stroller so children can have a cup holder and a place to store snacks. There is also a weather shield that is ideal for blocking out wind and rain. All accessories are sold separately but in my opinion, are reasonably priced.

Pros:

  • Good on all types of terrain
  • Easy to fold
  • Easy to maneuver
  • Lightweight
  • Provides a smooth ride on road and sidewalks
  • Good value for the money, very affordable

Cons:

  • Small storage basket under the stroller
Buy on Amazon

 

#2. Bob Revolution Flex 2.0 Jogging Stroller

I’ve always thought Bob was a weird name for a baby stroller, but they are quite popular! This is one of the highest rated strollers on Amazon, that’s in the slightly more expensive category.

While not the best overall stroller, many people have reported that it’s the best jogging stroller on the market. It’s commonly used for jogs, walking uphill and on multiple terrains. The suspension will handle most bumps and sudden movements, keeping your child safe.

Most strollers have feedback about the ride being smooth but this stroller has a lot of feedback specifically about the quality of the ride. Not only are there many claims of the smoothness but it’s also reported to be smooth on sand and trails. The bumps are cushioned and many children will be able to stay asleep during the ride.

There have been reports of the front wheel coming off during use or becoming wobbly. There has not been an official recall done that I could find. There was a fair amount of people mentioning this in their reviews, but I could not find any reports of this from anyone with a verified purchase. You may want to call the company before making a purchase just to be sure that this is no longer an issue.

Overall the reviews of this stroller are very good. Many people say that they love the stroller and they would buy it over and over again if they had the chance. It’s in the higher price range, but it seems that you get a higher quality and value which makes it worth it.

Pros:

  • Great for jogging
  • The handlebar is comfortable and adjustable
  • Smooth ride
  • A lot of customers claim it’s worth every penny

Cons:

  • Front wheel can wobble

 

#3. Thule Urban Glide 2 Jogging Stroller

This Thule jogging stroller is on the upper end as far as price goes. The brand is also very well known for its line of car racks and storage containers. I’ve had good experiences with their products in the past.

Thule Urban Glide 2 Jogging Stroller

This stroller is great for trails, the beach, and bumpy roads. This can be hard to find in a stroller, which makes it very versatile. Several customers posted pictures using their stroller at the beach, in the mountains, and on forest trails.

This stroller has a hand brake that makes it easy to make a smooth stop. You may not use it all the time but you’ll be glad it’s there when you need it.

One of the more frequent comments from buyers is that it’s easy to push. It’s got a very smooth movement and is effortless whether you’re on a walk, run or on the trail.

Another nice feature is that the back wheels come off with the push of a button, making it simple to collapse and lay flat. This is great when you are out of town and have limited space in the back of your car.

One negative aspect of this stroller is that there is no cup holder included. If you’re planning to go jogging with this stroller, this may quite a pain. You can, however, buy an add-on cup holder tray accessory if this is a problem.

Pros:

  • Good on all types of terrains
  • Easy to use handbrake
  • Easy to push
  • Collapsible and easy to remove back wheels

Cons:

  • No cup holder

 

#4. Schwinn Interval Jogging Stroller

The Schwinn Interval Jogging Stroller is a pretty good value as the lower priced option. With a wide range of features, it’s still a good choice, despite not making it in our top 3 strollers.While I read through customer reviews I noted that people found it very easy to assemble and that it felt very sturdy. The consensus was that it takes roughly 10-15 minutes to put together.

Schwinn Interval Jogging Stroller

The size of the stroller makes it a bit inconvenient indoors but works well outdoors. Many people use it to go running and say that it works well for this but it is a bit on the bulky side.

This stroller also sports a swivel wheel that helps it glide across the floor effortlessly. Having a swivel wheel also helps with maneuvering and making sudden movements accurately.

Some strollers don’t offer cup holders standard, but this one does. There is one cup holder in the front tray for children’s beverages and two cup holders near the handle for coffee or water. In my opinion, this is a great feature so that my husband and I both have a spot for our coffee on a morning walk.

Handling all different types of terrain is no problem for this stroller. Customers have commented that they have taken it off road and it has handled bumps gracefully.

If you’re not looking to spend much money, then this stroller is a great option.

Pros:

  • Lower price range
  • Easy to assemble
  • Multiple cup holders
  • Handles all terrains well

Cons:

  • A little bulky
  • Takes up a lot of room in the car

 

#5. Bob Revolution Flex Duallie 2.0 Jogging Stroller

The Revolution Flex Duallie is a great dual stroller option in my opinion. After looking at several of the most popular dual strollers, this one is my favorite.

Bob Revolution Flex Duallie 2.0 Jogging Stroller

When reading through the customer reviews, one common theme is how much people love the Bobs brand. Customers are quick to let you know that it’s worth paying the extra money for this brand. This makes me more comfortable in recommending a stroller that’s on the higher end of the pricing scale.

One cool feature is how easy it is to release the front wheel. It’s great having a large wheel because you can maneuver through different terrains easily without the rider feeling the bumps too much. But a larger wheel also means it takes up more space in the car, so this feature is very nice to have when storing your stroller in the car.

The snack tray and parent tray are optional accessories but I found that most customers recommending them. They are affordable and totally worth it.

The car seat adaptor is also an accessory that many people recommended. A lot of people order both a car seat and a stroller at the same time, so if you’re planning on getting the matching car seat, you may want to pick up the adaptor at the same time. Having an all terrain stroller travel system will make it a breeze to transition from car to walking when you’re out of town as well.

A couple of other things I noticed about this model is that it’s really easy to push and folds up easily. With a double stroller, you already have a lot of things to deal with, so the quick folding down will be convenient and quick.

Pros:

  • Easy to push
  • Folds up easily
  • Easy release front wheel

Cons:

  • Snack tray and parent tray are not included standard

 

Feature Comparison of the Best All-Terrain Strollers for 2020

 
  Baby Jogger 2016 City Mini GT Bob Revolution Flex 2.0 Thule Urban Glide 2 Schwinn Interval Bob Revolution Flex Duallie 2.0
Dimensions 29.53″ x 24.21″ x 10.24″ 48″ x 25.4″ x 34.5″ 41.1″ x 27.2″ x 40″ 15.25″ x 20.13″ x 35.25″ 48″ x 30.5″ x 43″
Weight 22.5 lbs 28.5 lbs 32.6 lbs 35 lbs 33.1 lbs
Wheels Front & Rear 8.5″ Front 12.5″, Rear 16″ Front 12″, Rear 16″ Front 12″, Rear 16″ Front 12.5″, Rear 16″
Canopy UPH 50+ UPH 50+ UPH 50+ UPH 50+ UPH 50+
Max Weight 65 lbs 75 lbs 75 lbs 50 lbs 50 lbs.
Colors Black, crimson, sand, teal, gray, green Canyon, lagoon, lunar, meadow Black, Blue, Mars, Dark Shadow Stone blue, Oriole Black, canyon, lagoon, red

Conclusion

After analyzing each of the strollers, in my opinion, the clear winner it the Baby Jogger 2016 City Mini GT. It’s clearly better than the rest as it’s great on all types of terrain, easy to fold, easy to maneuver, it’s lightweight and it’s not too expensive. I feel good recommending this stroller because were no significant problems reported and it has all the features you’d need.

When I was analyzing the different all-terrain strollers, the things that I paid most attention to were, price, average customer review, specific customer complaints and comments, how well the stroller performed on different terrains and what features were included in each model. Some strollers were pretty comparable but there was 1 or 2 that really lead the pack.

Ultimately there is no perfect stroller for everyone. You need to think about what you’ll be doing with your stroller, what features you need and then make your decision accordingly. Someone that needs a stroller to go to Disneyland will need a different model then someone that is hiking on a trail in the mountains or walking across sand at the beach. Picking the best all-terrain stroller is not an easy process but if you do your research and pay attention to the things I’ve covered in this review, you should be satisfied with your purchase. I hope this review helped you and that you find the best all-terrain stroller for you and your child.