The variety of jogging strollers may be abundant, but those with features for tall parents are difficult to find as many jogger mums and dads will agree. Manufacturers seem to focus more on how to make baby joggers versatile, comfortable and safe for our babies, but not a lot of attention has been given to additional features tall parents would like to see in a jogging stroller.
The height of handlebar on strollers can differ widely between brands and models, and for parents about 6 feet and above in height, handlebars on many strollers are not high enough, leaving parents hunching to hold and push the strollers. Pains in the back are common complaints by tall parents after jogging for a while in this posture.
Other issue tall moms and dads are crying out to be addressed is the design of the rear of baby joggers. Tall parents take longer strides, and doing this with a jogger with restrictive rear design ends up with parents kicking the back of the strollers. Sore toes from kicking baby joggers are the experience of some tall parents.
A jogging stroller with adjustable handle and sufficient rear clearance to tires, allows parents to raise or lower the handlebar to the most comfortable pushing height, and at the same time provide enough rear space that prevents tall parents kicking the tires while jogging with the stroller.
We researched features tall parents would like in a baby jogger and reviewed strollers that are popular with parents to pick the stroller we think is most suitable for tall parents.
Our choice of a jogging stroller for tall parents is the Joovy Zoom 360 Swivel Wheel Jogging Stroller
Ten popular strollers on Amazon were reviewed to arrive at our choice. The information we used were collated from manufacturers’ specifications, videos, user manuals and customer satisfaction ratings on Amazon, comparing features in a jogging stroller that are important to tall parents. Every tall parent should check theses features before buying a baby jogger:
The Height of the Handlebar to Avoid Back Pain
Height of the handlebar is the most poorly designed feature tall parents talked about their baby joggers. Height and design of handlebars in jogging strollers can vary widely from one manufacturer to another, and while some are adjustable, many are fixed. When pushing a stroller, it is important to maintain a straight profile that will stop you from stooping which often results in back pains for tall parents. The height of the handlebar should be at the right level that helps you keep a straight profile.
How is the Back Designed?
Many tall parents consider only the height of the handlebar when choosing a jogging stroller, however, the design of the back of a jogging stroller can make a big difference for tall parents with long strides. You will find parking brakes and rear wheel axles in the form of low horizontal bars connecting the rear wheels in traditional designs of strollers.
These features are often in the way of parents with long strides and they end up being kicked when they go out to jog with strollers poorly designed for the tall. The positioning of the under carriage storage can also create similar problem, particularly when the handlebar in a stroller is too close to the back of the baby jogger.
Distance between Rear Wheels
Jogging strollers with shorter distance between the rear wheels tend to be narrow and sleek looking, but the slender profile means the two rear wheels are closer than wider strollers, tall parents find they kick the tires with their long strides. The gap between the back wheels is certainly a feature tall parents should consider when deciding to buy a baby jogger.
These features in our consideration are very important in choosing a jogging stroller that will be suitable for tall parents. Strollers in our top ten list were scored from 1 to 5 on each feature, the best performing stroller on a feature scored 5 and the poorest was rated 1. We added all the scores and the jogging stroller with the highest total score was chosen as our best jogging stroller for tall parents.
Joovy Zoom 360 Swivel Wheel Jogging Stroller came out as the best jogging stroller for tall parents on list. A fascinating result given that Joovy Zoom 360 is under $200 but trounced more expensive baby joggers to the top spot. Looking at the features though, it is the only jogging stroller deigned without a rear axle which allows for maximum stride length, a feature tall parents are crying out for.
Combined with a handlebar height of 45 inches and a rear wheelbase of 25 inches which compared favourably with baby joggers on our list with close scores, the Joovy Zoom 360 we found has been thoughtfully designed to address the concerns of tall parents. It would have been even better if the handlebar is adjustable, but others benefits for tall parents outweighed this. Read our full review of Joovy Zoom 360
If you are a tall parent and would like to avoid kicking the back of your jogger, avoid hunching when pushing, buy a sturdy, sleek looking all terrain baby jogger for under $200 dollar, we highly recommend the Joovy Zoom 360 Swivel Wheel Jogging Stroller
An active mom contacted me with an interesting request, to investigate a good double jogging stroller for tall parents, with a handlebar that is at least 46 inches. She is a power walker, and uses the Baby Jogger City Elite which she loves so much. Though not intended for jogging, the City Elite handlebar is 46″ with stroller unfolded.
I had to admit, I am yet to see a double jogging stroller with a push handle that is up to 46″ in height. Anna has agreed for me to post our communications in this view, and hopefully tall jogger moms and dads out there may come up with brighter ideas for her.
If you have any suggestions, we will appreciate your comment below.
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Anna wrote
Hi,
I am looking for a double jogging stroller suitable for myself and my husband, both over 6′ with long strides. It seems a lot of joggers aren’t actually joggers or else there is no adustable handlebar (BOBs,Bumblerides, Kelty, etc.) I would love your recommendation on a great double jogger. I have a 14 month old and a newborn and typically go about 20+/- miles/week. I currently have a City Jogger Elite and LOVE it but alas, they don’t make it in a double and the double they do have, Summit X3, only has a handlebar up to 40″ and I need about 46″ minimum.
Thank you so much for any recommendations!
Anna
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My Reply
Hi Anna,
Thank you so much for contacting me, and I am pleased to be of any help in your search for a suitable double jogging stroller for 6 footers! If you have read my review of Jogging Stroller for Tall Parents, you will already know how I share your frustration about finding a good jogging stroller for 6′ + parents like you and me, yes I am a 6 footer too!. A agree with you that many people confuse all-terrain strollers with joggers. While jogging strollers can be classed as all-terrain strollers, not every all-terrain strollers are joggers. The City Jogger Elite, though I love it too, is not intended for jogging.
How I wish the Joovy 360 and ATS are available in Double Jogging Strollers. They are the best I have seen designed for tall parents. The handlebars are 45" high, which is close to your minimum requirement of 46".
Since you already own a Baby Jogger, which is one of my favourite brand in terms of sleek design, sturdiness, and versatility, have you considered the Baby Jogger POD double jogging stroller? It has handlebar that is adjustable from 37" to 42". I know it is well short of your minimum requirement of 46", the handle is higher than you will get with a BOB double jogging stroller.
Have you considered an inexpensive handlebar extender like the Easy Stroll One Handed Stroller Grip, which you can find in my reviews of Jogging Stroller Handlebar Extender ?
If budget is not an issue for you, another Double Jogging Stroller you may want to consider is the Chariot CX 2. It has an adjustable handlebar up to 43.5 inches high, but it is an expensive jogger that will cost you twice as much of a Baby Jogger or a BOB.
I would like to know what you think about these options, and with your permission, I would also like to post your request and the replies on my Jogging Stroller for Tall Parents review so others tall people like us may benefit from it.
Best Regards
Jeff
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Anna’s Response
Aloha Jeff,
Thank you so much for your quick reply and your suggestions. I have looked into some of those options but not all. I will do that shortly. I was curious about the Easy Stroll extender and wondered if it truly was as fabulous as it claims. What if you want to use two hands? I guess you could just get two and put them side by side?
I typically power walk with some jogging but with my stride I seem to walk about as fast as I jog, around 10 minute miles so that is why I presumed I should use a jogger. From what I’ve read many websites seem to say the “joggers” are not intended to go over 3 mph which would equate to a much slower jaunt. I measured my City Jogger and it had a height of 46″ which gave me the perfect perpendicular position for my elbow to wrist, which is where I came up with that handlebar height requirement. I will adjust it down a couple of inches to see how that impacts me.
Again, thank you so much for your suggestions. I love your website and of course you may use my emails to aid and assist others.
Mahalos,
Anna
Jeff,
I saw you recommended the Chariot CX2 to Anna last summer for tall runners. I’m considering getting the Thule CX1 jogging/biking/hiking/X-country skiing stroller. I’m 6’3″. Would you still recommend the CX series strollers for taller runners? I like that this system can be configured in so many ways, but I’m hesitant to spend $1,000+ in case the handlebars are not high enough to be comfortable. I currently live overseas and cannot test drive the stroller before ordering it. Any help/recommendations would be very much appreciated.
Jason
Hi Jason,
Thanks for stopping by. The Thule Chariot CX still remain for me the running/jogging stroller for very keen joggers and runners – if you can afford it. It is an expensive stroller though, and I would also hesitate buying the CX1 at about $1000, if you don’t need all the options it offers like Bike Trailer.
BOB has just released the BOB Revolution Pro with lockable swivel front wheel designed for intense jogging. It is a great improvement over the Revolution SE, with new features like hand-operated drum brake, and adjustable handle that is higher than the Chariot CX.
If jogging and running will be your primary use for the stroller, and handlebar height is a concern, consider the new BOB Revolution Pro. The Handle can be raised to 45.8 inches compared to 43.5 inches on the Chariot CX1, and you can buy the Revolution Pro for about half the price of the CX1.
BOB Revolution Pro is very new and not yet widely available online. Amazon is not yet selling it, but you can find it from other online stores.
I hope this helps you in your search for a suitable stroller.
Jeff