Bugaboo Runner Reversible Seat Jogging Stroller Review

It’s finally here! It’s finally here! I was SUPER excited to review the new Bugaboo Runner.

The main feature of this stroller is the REVERSIBLE seat which is a very unique for a jogger.  

I’ve been getting tons of emails from parents who want a jogger with a reversible seat. And why not?

Well, finally one of the companies decided to come up with one.

Bugaboo Runner is designed for active parents and comes in two versions:

1. as so so-called extension for those who already own Bugaboo meaning you can just buy the frame and use it with your Bugaboo seat
2. or, as a full stroller meaning you can buy the whole stroller with the seat.

The seat on Runner is very similar to the Buffalo seat. It can accommodate a child from 9 months and up to 37.5 lbs. It has the same deep one-hand lever recline, huge canopy, swing-away bumper bar, and adjustable 5-point harness. The basket is large and easy to access.

There is an adjustable handlebar with a hand brake that you can use for quick stops and speed control. The large air-filled tires ensure excellent shock absorption providing your child with the smoothest ride possible.

The locked front wheel keeps the stroller stable even if you going fast. This jogger weighs 28 lbs which is on a higher side compared to other joggers.

OVERALL

I gave this stroller 4.5 out of 5 stars despite all of the drawbacks because it’s the only jogger with a reversible seat and the frame design is to die for! Very stylish and modern.

That being said, I think it’s not the most practical choice since you really can’t do anything with it except for jogging. There is also no travel system/no bassinet options.

But, my main problem is the low weight limit of only 37.5 lbs which is a three-year old. Many parents want to use a jogger with a four-year-old.

On the bright side, Runner is a very high-quality jogger that will last you for years and many kids. All parts are made out of durable materials and high-quality fabrics.

The full stroller with the seat comes in blue or red. It also has a lot of different accessories available for purchase. The full stroller retails for around $749-$800.

Buy Bugaboo Runner Stroller »

Features

CANOPY

The canopy on Runner is amazing! It has two large panels plus a zipped-in panel that will cover your child completely. Just like all Bugaboo models it does not have a peekaboo window and the canopy is attached to the back of the seat with no way of detaching it.

There is also NO mesh anywhere on the canopy to improve the air circulation during a hot summer day. Adding a large mesh peekaboo window with a magnetic closure would solve that problem.

HANDLEBAR

We are used to seeing handlebars that telescope or adjust up and down with only the top part of the handlebar adjusting.

This one is a little different. The whole handlebar from the base goes up and down. The handlebar is covered with foam and has a plastic centerpiece for easier one-hand navigation. It goes from 34″ up to 42″ from the ground.

There is a run-away strap attached to the handlebar. This extra safety feature prevents the stroller from running away from you when you going down the hill.

HAND BRAKE

Another great safety feature is a hand brake. It’s located right next to the handlebar so it’s very easy to access. You can easily control speed and stop, using any hand.

SEAT

The reversible seat is very rare for a jogger, so I was super excited when I saw the Runner. If you already own a Bugaboo, you can use your seat and just get the base of the Runner. Now, it doesn’t work with ALL of the seats, but is compatible with:

• Bugaboo Cameleon³ seat
• Bugaboo Bee (2010 model and onwards) seat
• Bugaboo Donkey seat – version 1.1*
• Bugaboo Buffalo seat

Or, if you don’t own a Bugaboo stroller, you can get Runner with the seat. The seat is very similar to Bugaboo Buffalo. It’s 13″ wide with a 20″ seat back and a measurement of 23″ from the bottom of the seat to the top of the canopy.

Most strollers have a canopy at 24″ so this one sits a little lower. I would like to see a higher canopy on a jogger since you might want to go for a jog even when your child is 4 or 4.5 years old.

The lower weight limit of 37.5 lbs also might be a problem if you have a larger 4 year old.

Anyways, the seat has one-hand lever recline that goes to a flat position. Because this seat has a ‘v’ shape and is used on the jogger, it’s recommended from 9 months and up to 37.5 lbs.

You could probably use the seat from 6 months, but since you can’t jog with a baby till he is 9 months anyway, they don’t recommend using it at all. Besides, you can’t use Runner for anything else but jogging. You also can NOT use it with infant car seat or bassinet.

BUMPER BAR

INCLUDED! It comes with a removable swing-away bumper bar that is covered with foam.

HARNESS

There is an adjustable padded 5 point harness with a center release buckle that is pretty easy to unlock so your toddler might escape. LOL.

What I like about this harness is that each strap clicks into the buckle separately so you don’t need to connect shoulder straps with waist straps like on some other strollers.

BASKET

The basket on Runner is large and very easy to access. There are two elastic straps inside of the basket that you can use to secure your stuff in place so it doesn’t fly away when you are jogging.

There are also three small pockets where you can store small items like keys, phone or wallet.

BRAKE

There is a single pedal brake located between rear wheels. It’s not flip-flop-friendly.

WHEELS

It rolls on three air-filled tires with 16″ wheels in the back and 14″ wheel in the front. Since the front wheel is fixed and does not swivel, this stroller can be used ONLY for jogging.

Going to the store or mall will be a nightmare since you really can’t turn the stroller in tight spaces. The only way you would be able to turn it is if you lift the front wheel up first and then turn the stroller.

For a serious jogger, the fixed wheel is a MUST! You want the stroller to be as stable as possible when jogging fast. The large air-filled tires make it super easy to tackle different terrains like gravel, grass, or sand.

MUDGUARDS

It’s worth mentioning that rear wheels have mudguards on top to prevent mud from flying everywhere.

FOLD

The fold is very easy, but bulky. First you have to take off the seat.  Next, unlock the frame and bring the handlebar forward folding the stroller. Finally, pull on the rear handlebar lifting up the frame till you hear a click.

Now, there is no frame lock, but it does stay folded pretty well so I can’t really complain. Since you have to remove the seat before folding the frame and the seat is large one single molded piece, the fold is super bulky.

It will take up all of the space in your trunk. The folded dimensions WITHOUT the seat are 34″L x 26.6″W x 16.5″H.

Cons

-Fixed front wheel. I see a lot of rotten tomatoes coming my way. LOL. I don’t like fixed front wheel. I think that limits the usability of the stroller.

Once the front wheel is permanently fixed, you can only jog with it. I like to go for a jog and then maybe get some groceries or coffee on the way home.

Even when I am jogging, it’s much harder to turn. Since I mostly jog at the park with many turns, I have to have swivel front wheel.

I know that many hardcore joggers need to have fixed front wheel for more stability because they are going very fast. But, how many of us are that hardcore?

-Bulky fold. All joggers have a bulky fold, but this one is even bulkier because the seat is one solid piece that does NOT fold with the stroller and the frame is a little longer.

-Low weight limit. This is my biggest problem with this jogger. The 37.5 lbs is a three-year-old which is very low for a jogger. Most joggers have higher weight limit because your 3 – 4.5 year old  will not be able to keep up if you go for a jog. BOB Revolution for example has a weight limit of 70 lbs! That should last you till college. LOL.

-No travel system/No bassinet option. Since you really can’t jog with a child under 9 months old, there is no travel system nor bassinet option. This is a big con because most other jogging strollers like BOB have travel system option.

Video Review

Here is a great overview.

Here is an overview by Bugaboo (The repetition of the same music is very annoying).

Specs

Stroller weight: 28 lbs
Weight limit: 37.5 lbs
Folded dimensions: 34″L x 27″W x 16.5″H
Handlebar height: 39″ – 44″
Seat to canopy height: 23″
Rear wheels: 16″
Front wheel: 14″
Overall length: 38″
Overall width: 28″

Warranty

Bugaboo provides a 3-year warranty from the original date of purchase and you have to be an original owner.

Available colors

The Bugaboo Runner comes in two colors: red and blue.

Where to buy it

You can get Bugaboo Runner in one of the two beautiful colors for $749-$800.

Buy Bugaboo Runner Stroller »