Best All-Terrain Strollers for Hiking (2024 Update)

Buying an off-road stroller definitely made transitioning to life with a new baby easier for me.  Instead of being stuck in “baby prison,” I was still able to get outdoors and do things like camping and hiking with my baby.

Even with an off-road stroller, getting outdoors with a baby still isn’t easy.  There’s a lot to figure out. You’ll definitely need to carry a bunch of crap around with you (literally and figuratively!).  But a hiking stroller can be looked at as a tool which makes it all easier.

Oh, and if anyone tries to say you are crazy for getting outdoors with a young baby or little kid, just casually remind them of all the benefits that come with getting kids outdoors from a young age like lower incidences of asthma, allergies, and even fewer mental disorders like depression.  😀

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Quick Picks:

*Keep reading for full reviews of all-terrain strollers plus a buying guide for strollers for hiking and outdoor use.

 

Best All-Terrain Strollers Reviewed

1. BOB Revolution Flex 3.0

Verdict: Great stroller for really tough terrain and snow. It has fully upright seating and folds with the fabric inwards. It doesn’t have a hand break so it’s good for jogging on  hills. While not as good as the #2 and #3 picks, it gets my vote because it is more affordable.

Review:

BOB stands for Beast of Burden and, yes, it lives up to its name.  The stroller has a great suspension system which allows it to handle tough terrain better than any other similar stroller.  The tradeoff is that the BOB Revolution is very large.  It takes too steps to fold down and, even when completely collapsed, might not fit in the trunk of some small cars.

The brand did a good job of designing this off-road stroller.  It has so many extras like an adjustable seat, padded handles which adjust to 9 positions (which really saves your wrists going up or downhill!), a wrist strap, reflectors, huge basket and pockets.  Your child will be comfortable because of the great ventilation and canopy with UV 50 protection. Read the full BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 review here.

Buy the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 Here

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2. Thule Urban Glide 3.0

Verdict:  Has amazing suspension system that can handle tough terrain but is lighter and more compact than BOB strollers. Great for ease-of-use, car seat compatibility and has tons of features. It’s pricy though!

Review:

The Thule Urban Glide off-road stroller has long been a favorite with outdoorsy parents.  It’s tough enough for hiking trips but lighter than other hiking strollers. They recently upgraded it to the 3.0 version, which has even more features.

One of the standout features is the twist-hand break.  This makes it very easy for slowing down to control speed. on hilly terrain. The foot brake is large and easy to use.

I love that you can fold the Urban Glide with just one hand. You just need to pull a blue bar located under the foot rest.  Once the stroller has been folded, you can even fold in the wheels.  This makes the stroller fold down very compact, so it could even be brought in smaller cars.  Like all one-handed fold hiking strollers though, this means that it folds with the fabric outwards. There is a universal car seat adapter (sold separately), so you can use this hiking stroller with babies too.

As for downsides, it is annoying that the stroller folds with the fabric outwards, which is a problem if you need to fold it somewhere muddy.  I also wish it had more extras like a cup holder.  Unlike the Urban Glide 2.0, the 3.0 version has fully-upright seating. Also note that the door pass-through on the Urban Glide 3.0 is 27.2 inches, which is two inches more than with BOB strollers.

Get the Thule Urban Glide 2.0 Here on Amazon or

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3. BOB Alterrain Pro

Verdict: The best for serious terrain and trail jogging.  If it were slightly cheaper and more compact, it would be the #1 or #2 pick.

Review:

All BOB strollers have insanely good suspension systems, but the Alterrain Pro takes it to even higher standards.  It also has some featurs which are lacking on the Revolution Flex. (See how the Alterrain and Revolution Flex compare here).

In particular, the Alterrain Pro has one-handed opening – something that makes it much easier to use. However, this means that it (like the Thule Urban Glide) folds with the fabric outwards.   The Alterrain Pro also has a hand brake (something the Revolution Flex and regular Alterrain do not have).  While the hand brake isn’t nearly as good as the one on the Thule Urban Glide 2.0, it is sitll nice to have.

There are also some other nice features, like a fully-waterproof canopy, many handlebar positions, lots of reflector trim, tons of pockets, and UVP protection. It’s also slightly smaller than the Revolution when folded with the wheels off, so fits small cars better.

Alterrain vs. Alterrain Pro

There are two versions of this stroller: the Alterrain and Alterrain Pro.  The regular Alterrain does not have a hand brake, waterproof canopy (it’s just water resistant), enclosed basket, venting on the canopy, or lots of reflective trim.  Because the Pro version isn’t that much more expensive, I’d only recommend getting the Pro.  If you want to save money and don’t need a hand brake, then get the Revolution Flex 3.0 instead.

See the Alterrain here on Amazon and here at REI.

Get the BOB Alterrain Pro at Amazon or here at REI

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4. BOB Wayfinder

Verdict: The toughness of a BOB stroller with a more compact design

Review:

The Wayfinder is the newest off-road stroller by BOB Gear.  The suspension system is on par with the Revolution Flex 3.0, though not as good as the with the Alterrain Pro. It has a hand brake and a lot of nice extra features like storage pockets

The real reason to choose the Wayfinder is because it is more compact than other BOB strollers.  It folds down much smaller, so is better for vehicles with limited trunk size. It also is 44″ long when open.  Other BOB strollers are 46″ long and the Thule is 48″.  Those extra few inches can make a big difference when maneuvering around town!

Get the BOB Wayfinder at Amazon or here at REI

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5. Thule Chariot Bike Trailer/All-Terrain Stroller

Verdict: Good if you want just one stroller for biking and hiking

Review:

Do you have a smaller stroller for everyday use and need something for adventures? Consider getting the Thule Chariot. It has a conversion kit that allows you to use it as a 4-wheel offroad stroller, 3-wheel jogging stroller or a sled for skiing.  The “Thule VersaWing system” means that you can quickly convert between activities.

Other than the high price, the only bad thing I can say about the Thule Chariot is that its lineup is confusing.  There are currently 4 options in the Chariot line: Sport, Cross, Lite, and Cheetah XT. Each model of Chariot includes the trailer, rear wheels, stroller conversion,  and cycling attachment.  Here’s the difference between them:

• Chariot Sport: This is the model with the most features. It has adjustable suspension, reclining seats, padding, removable side panels, and comes with a hand brake and lock kit.
• Chariot Cross: Has a seat which can recline, padded seats, removable side panels, and adjustable suspension. It differs from the Sport in that it doesn’t come with a hand brake or lock kit (sold separately).
• Chariot Lite: Does not have adjustable suspension or reclining seats and has less padding
• Chartiot Cheetah XT: Does not have any suspension, does not have seat padding, and the handlebar only has 2 heights. The rain cover isn’t removable.

Buy the Thule Chariot Here

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6. Britax B-Free Stroller

Verdict: More budget-friendly stroller for everyday use which can handle some bumpy trails

Review:

As far as strollers go, the Britax B-Free is very affordable.  However, when it comes to hiking or off-road use, it isn’t nearly as good as the pricier options by BOB or Thule. It doesn’t have any suspension system or shocks and the rubber wheels are smaller.  Despite this, the stroller can still handle some tougher terrain and even go over snow (it won’t be easy, but it’s possible!).  There are also some other  nice features, like lots of handle positions and storage. So, if you want just one stroller for everyday and some occassional hiking, this is a good solution.

Buy the B-Free Here

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7. Jeep Hydro Sport Plus Stroller

Verdict: Budget hiking stroller for kids up to 50lbs

Review:

Considering it is so cheaply priced, the Jeep Hydro Sport Plus stroller actually gives a pretty smooth ride when walking on trails. However, the suspension system doesn’t compare to the more expensive brands which use mountain bike suspension systems: the stroller will start to wobble on bumpy trails or if you try to run on smoother trails.  Despite this, the stroller still good enough for some occassional off-road use.

Note that Jeep also makes a cheaper stroller called the “Cross Country.” This one does not have a suspension system.  If you plan on going off-road with your baby, pay a bit more to get one with suspension!

Buy the Jeep Hydro Sport Plus Here

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8. UPPAbaby Ridge

Verdict: Choose if you want foam-filled tires instead of air-filled. Otherwise, choose a BOB or Thule stroller.

Review:

The UPPAbaby Ridge is another high-end stroller with an amazing suspension system for going off-road. It also has some nice features like tons of storage pockets, comfortable seat and lots of ventilation.

The feature that really sets it apart though is the foam-filled wheels.  You don’t have to worry about filling them or having them pop like with air-filled tires. However, the UPPAbaby Ridge is very pricy and doesn’t have upright seating. The weight limit is also lower than other good off road strollers. So, unless foam-filled tires are really important to you, I’d go with a BOB or Thule stroller.

Buy at Amazon, REI

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10. Veer Switchback Jog

Verdict: Best for serious adventurers with a large budget

Review:

The brand Veer specializes in hardcore outdoor gear for babies and children, like off-road wagons.  Their products come at a very high cost but are insanely cool and well-made.  This stroller system consists of their Switchback seat plus a 3-wheel jogging frame.  There is also a 4-wheel stroller frame that can also go off-road.  The 4-whel frame can fit two Switchback seats (the jogger only fits one), in case you need a double stroller.

The stroller frame has an insane suspension system on each wheel and it’s adjustable and the front wheel also has adjustable tracking. The hand brake is awesome at decelerating and the system really can handle tough off-road use. You can detach the seat and all parts can be hosed down for easy cleaning.  Perfect for when you go off roading with your baby through a mud pit 😀

However, the standout feature of the Switchback is that the seat can be used in other ways. It can be  your child’s bike seat, camp chair, or even a portable booster seat.  For some of these functions though, you need to buy accessories — and those are also not cheap.  If the Switchback was cheaper, it would be my #1 pick.  But, because it is so expensive, I can ony recommend it for super hardcore parents or those who have a high budget.

Buy the Veer Switchback system here at Amazon or REI

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Hiking Strollers Comparison Table

Stroller	Capacity	Stroller Weight	Hand Brake	Folded Size	One-Handed Fold?	Fully Upright Seating
BOB Revolution Flex 3.0	75lbs	28.5lbs	No	38"x25"x16"	No	Yes
Thule Urban Glide 3.0	75lbs	26.2lbs	Yes	34.6”x22.8”x12.2”	Yes	Yes
BOB Alterrain Pro	75lbs	32.3lbs	Yes	39.3"x25.5"x17"	Yes	Yes
Britax B-Free Stroller	65lbs	22lbs	No	32"x24"x 15"	Yes	No
Jeep Hydro Sport Plus	50lbs	29lbs	No	30.5"x17.5″x14.9″	Yes	No
BOB Wayfinder	75lbs	31.1lbs	Yes	32.5"x22"x16.5"	Yes	Yes
UPPAbaby Ridge	55lbs	29.2lbs	Yes	36.5"x26"x18.5"	Yes	No
Thule Chariot	75lbs	25.8lbs	Yes	34.2”x31.5”x 15”	No	Yes
Veer Switchback Jog	80lbs	27.7lbs	Yes	25.5"x35"x19.0"	Yes	Yes

 

How to Choose an All-Terrain Stroller for Hiking

 

Baby Carrier or Off-Road Stroller?

Hiking strollers are awesome at navigating trails and going off-road.  They are also great for snow and ice. But you need to be realistic.   Even the best off-road strollers aren’t going to be able to handle tough trails. If you want to do any serious hiking on small pathways or steep inclines, you’ll need a baby carrier.

Also bear in mind that all-terrain strollers are heavy. Add in the weight of your child and it’s going to be tiring to push on a bumpy path.

On the flip side, it’s also tiring to carry a baby in a carrier.   My second kid had to be born with an emergency C-section, so I definitely wasn’t carrying her in a carrier the first couple months!

Read more about strollers vs. carriers for hiking here.

 

Size and Practicality

Sorry to break it to you, but you won’t find a lightweight, compact all-terrain stroller.  These strollers have to be made from heavy-duty construction in order to navigate tough terrain.  They also need to be big enough to remain stable.

Unfortunately, this means that most hiking strollers are too big for everyday use. Don’t be surprised if the all-terrain stroller won’t fit in narrow supermarket aisles, elevators, and other tight places.  Once I even had a sitcom-worthy incident where my stroller knocked over a giant display in a store!

When folded, the hiking stroller might not even fit in your car. You might have to remove wheels just to get it inside, which is super annoying when those wheels are covered in mud.

 

My family’s solution? We have two strollers.

Our main stroller is the “beast” which we use for hiking as well as everyday tasks and trips to the playground.

Then we also have a much smaller stroller that can be opened/closed with one hand.  This is the stroller we use when we will be going anywhere by bus or are traveling by airplane. It’s also the stroller that we take when going anywhere by car because it’s much easier to get in/out of the trunk of the car.

I know that having to get two separate strollers sucks.  But, realistically, you aren’t going to find one single stroller that meets all of your needs.

Warning! Be cautious when switching back to a smaller stroller.  After you get used to an off-road stroller, it’s easy to forget that you can’t just plow over broken sidewalks! My poor kid has gotten a lot of jolts this way. 😮

 

Suspension System

For hiking on bumpy trails, you’ll need a stroller with a really good suspension system.  The suspension system absorbs shock and ensures the wheels can maneuver well over obstacles.  It is what gives your baby a smooth ride.  It also removes strain on your wrists (trust me: this matters when pushing a stroller over bumpy paths for hours!).

I usually don’t care about brand names when shopping for gear.  But, with hiking strollers, this a time where brand reputation matters.  When you get an off-road stroller from a brand like Thule or BOB, you can count on the suspension to be a good quality.  They use mountain-bike type suspension systems.   The technology has gotten crazy good in recent years, but does come at a cost.

 

Wheel Size

If the stroller is going to maneuver over tree roots, grass, gravel, and old cobblestone streets, it needs to have big wheels.  The best all-terrain strollers have back wheels that are around 16 inches in diameter, and a front wheel which is around 12 inches.

Yes, these wheels are large, which means the stroller is going to be large.  But smaller stroller wheels simply can’t handle rough terrain.

 

Weight Capacity

Most all-terrain strollers have weight limits of up to 75lbs.  However, there are many that have weight limits of only around 50lbs.

Remember that the weight capacity is for the child PLUS anything you’ve got in the basket.  If you are like me and use your stroller to haul a week’s worth of groceries, you can quickly surpass this limit.

 

Air-Filled or Rubber Tires?

All the best all-terrain strollers will have air-filled tires.  The UPPAbaby ridge is an exception (it has rubber tires). Yes, you do have to pump air-filled tires occasionally.  But they really do maneuver much better than rubber tires, especially when it comes to handling bumps.  Likewise, they are much better on the beach.

*What if you get a flat?

Instead of calling your hike quits and rushing off to the bike repair shop, you can just carry a little container of Slime Tube Sealant.  The stuff is awesome at fixing flats, even when you are in the middle of a long hike!

Tip: Make sure you get good tubes for your stroller wheels. A lot of parents said their stroller wheels were constantly going flat.  Then they got better tubes and the problem was solved.

 

Lockable Front Wheel

If you want to jog with the hiking stroller, you’ll need one with a lockable wheel.  It is more stable for your baby. However, when hiking on tough terrain, the unlocked position is better because it’s easier to maneuver around obstacles this way.

 

5-Point Safety Harness

Pretty much every off-road stroller is going to have this feature.  On a side note, I think that ALL strollers (off-road or regular) should have 5-point harness.  Maybe your baby isn’t as squirmy as mine, but I know that the harness has kept her from falling out of the stroller on several occasions!

 

Adjustable Handlebar

When you push a stroller with handlebars at an awkward height, it can put a lot of strain on your wrists.  Now imagine pushing the stroller over uneven terrain while your wrist is in a weird position!

You might get lucky and find a stroller which has the handlebars at the exact right height for you.  But is your partner at the same height?  Probably not.  So, I believe that an adjustable handlebar is a must-have feature in all strollers (not just hiking strollers).  For this reason, only strollers with adjustable handles made my best of list.

 

Car Seat Compatibility

Some all-terrain strollers come with adapters that allow you to put an infant car seat over them.  This is useful because you’ll be able to use the stroller from day 1.  Without a car seat adapter, you’ll probably need to wait until your child is 8 weeks to put it in the all-terrain stroller.

The car seat adapter is also nice if you don’t want to wake your sleeping baby (and who wants to wake a baby?) when transferring her from the car seat to the stroller.

Just be warned that an off-road stroller with a car seat on top is going to be even bulkier and heavier.  You definitely don’t want to push the stroller off-road with the car seat on top.  This is only for situations like grocery shopping!

 

Seating Positions (Including Fully Upright)

When going over tough terrain, it’s best to have your baby sitting at an incline.  This will help distribute the impact over her entire body instead of focusing it at the head and spine (as would happen when sitting straight up).

However, it’s also nice to have fully upright seating, such as if you want to feed your child while they are sitting in the stroller. A lot of off-road strollers don’t have a fully-upright seating though.  For example, the Thule Urban Glide 2.0 doesn’t (the upgraded 3.0 version does).

Note taht some cheap all-terrain strollers have hammock type seats. The idea of these seats is that the hammock configuration prevents the baby from banging against the stroller.  I personally think these aren’t great options though.  You can’t adjust them and there are times when you’ll want your kid sitting upright or lying down.

 

Accessories (especially for a second kid)

The big thing you want to consider is whether you will have a second kid.  If this is the case, then it’s nice to get an all-terrain stroller that can attach a ride-along board.  The ride-along boards don’t exactly handle well on off-road terrain, but they are a great option to have around town.

 

Other Nice Features

• Tether/Safety Wrist Strap: If the stroller doesn’t come with a tether, you can use something like this instead. Just attach one side to your wrist and another to the stroller handlebars.
• Snack tray: These are nice. Though I find that the baby cup holder is always useless.  Your kid will probably just toss the cup out of the stroller.  Instead, I use a piece of paracord and the two-half hitches knot to tie my baby’s sippy cup to the stroller.  The knot slides, so I can easily remove the cup.
• Cup holder (for parent): Coffeeeee!!!! Though note that your coffee will probably slosh around on uneven terrain. I usually end up using the cup holder for holding trash or random things that come with parenthood.
• Pockets: You’d be surprised how much a few pockets in your stroller will make your life easier. It’s nice to be able to have things close at hand, and to toss random items in there.

 We use one of these (above) instead of a tether for our stroller.  I like that the coil expands long, so we don’t have to worry about pulling the stroller down with us if we fall. 

 

Also read:

• Best Baby Sleeping Bags for Camping
• Camping with a Baby: Gear Checklist
• Tips for Hiking with a Baby

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Image credits:

“Elevator” (CC BY-NC 2.0) by tim ellis,
“Road Warrior 4: Jogging Stroller” (CC BY 2.0) by ChiefG_G,
“IMG_5719” (CC BY-ND 2.0) by ebmarquez,
“Hike at Waldron Fen” (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) by Odalaigh
“stroller ad?” (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) by dolanh,
“Day 035 – Photo365 – Cool” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by UnknownNet Photography,
“Carry the buggy” (CC BY-NC 2.0) by Rory OBrien