Mountain Buggy Jogging Stroller – Elegantly Designed for All Terrains

Sleek, stylish, practical and immensely versatile, the latest version of Mountain Buggy Jogging Stroller, the Terrain, followed in feature rich designs that parents have come to expect from Mountain Buggy.

You have a choice between the Urban Jungle and the Terrain, when deciding on which Mountain Buggy stroller jogger to buy. The two have many similarities, and we will look at them later in this review, but as the names imply, the Mountain Buggy Terrain stroller offers superior performance if you are a parent with active lifestyle, love the outdoors, and enjoy jogging off road with your baby.

The swivelling front wheel turns effortless at tight corners, and can be locked forward or backward for better control and stability when jogging on different surfaces.  Ruggedly built with durable high grade aluminium frame, the Mountain Buggy Terrain is strong and yet lightweight.

Air filled tires and efficient suspension system on the stroller ensures shocks over bumpy roads are absorbed before they reach your baby, and an adjustable handle on the Terrain makes it suitable for a tall or short parent to push the stroller with comfort.  A hand brake that is not available on the Urban jungle, offers more control on the Terrain when jogging or running.

If you are like me that absolutely avoid ending up with a collection of strollers as your baby grow, you will like the versatility of the Mountain Buggy strollers which makes them possible to be used for babies from birth with infant car seats or carry cots as optional accessories.

Since 1992 in New Zealand, when an active father’s need for an all terrain buggy led to the first Mountain Buggy stroller; the design, features and technology have continually evolved and improved over the years. These improvements, especially suggestions from parents on what they would like in a stroller, have come together in the Mountain Buggy Terrain jogging stroller.  It is an innovative baby jogger that meets the needs of parents.

Features and Benefits of the Mountain Buggy Terrain Jogging Stroller

The Mountain Buggy Terrain Stroller is a jogger and stroller rolled into one, suitable for a variety of surfaces, with features designed so outdoorsy parents can take it when they want to go to the beach, off road jogging, walk about the neighbourhood, shopping mall, or take their kids to the park.

The construction of the stroller is sturdy with quality high strength material, and  the features versatile for different usage.  Highly manoeuvrable lockable swivel front wheel makes the stroller easy to use in any terrain, smooth or rough. The Terrain comes with a slew of features and benefits that have impressed me, and I hope you will like them too. Here are what to expect on the Mountain Buggy jogging stroller:

Easy Folding System and Compact

The stroller folds into a compact size in two simple steps, and in the upgraded version 2013 model, there is an automatic lock on the Terrain baby jogger that safely keeps the stroller folded.  An audible click confirms the frame is locked, and you can stand it independently in the folded position which keeps the fabrics off dirt on the floor.  The stroller occupies minimal space in the upright fold position, and is easy to put away for storage.

The compact design of the stroller include conveniently easy to reach two mesh pockets where you can store snacks, toys, sipper or water bottle for your kid. Besides, there are two water bottle holders made of tough fabric on either side of the frame .

There’s also a large undercarriage basket that can carry a loads up to 11 kg weight. It has a mesh with a zip that keeps your kid’s belongings safe where you can see them, without the risk of falling off when jogging or running with the Mountain Buggy stroller. At the back of this basket, you’ll find a large zipped pocket where moms and dads can put away their keys, phone or glasses or anything else.

Baby Safety Features

The stroller is equipped with a five-point safety strap, richly padded to snugly wrap around your baby. There’s a large hidden plastic window that can be closed with a Velcro strap, through which parents can keep a close eye on their kid as they push the stroller.

It is a sturdy and and very stable stroller on its 3 wheels. The fabric of the Terrain stroller is made of a tough 600 denier polyester material which makes the entire unit both highly durable and water repellent. The fabric is easily wiped clean to keep the stroller hygienic for your baby.

A foot operated brake keeps the stroller stationary when you come to a stop, and removable bumper bar adds additional safety for your child while seated on the stroller.

How Comfortable for a Baby and Easy to Push

The seat can be fully reclined from lie-flat for newborn babies, to upright position ideal for infants and toddlers to view and take in the surroundings when outdoors with mom or dad. This is another useful feature of the Mountain Buggy jogging stroller you will not find in many quality baby joggers in the same class.

The Buggy Terrain stroller comes with a large adjustable canopy with a sun visor that flips out and protects your toddler from all angles. It’s also different from any other products in its category by providing canopy options that can help customize and style your stroller.

In fact, it is a stroller that is though slim, but with a 25 inch base, mid-mount shock absorber that is close to the seat, and pneumatic tires, offers a very comfortable and smooth ride for young and older kids, whether jogging on rough or even terrains.

Tires, wheels and Braking System for All Terrains

Mountain Buggy Terrain stroller moves on three wheels, one 12” swivel wheel at the front, two 16” wheels at the rear. Together, the wheels combine with on a 25″ width base give the stroller maximum precision and control.

The front wheel turns effortless in 360 degrees, and can be locked forward or backward when jogging or strolling for greater stability and control that suits the terrain you are using the stroller on. The wheel can also be adjusted for alignment to track well on straight lines when jogging with the front locked in forward position.

In addition to the precision engineering of the Mountain Buggy jogging strollers, the pneumatic tires help them roll on all terrain with little effort at pushing – sand on a beach, snow, or off road trails – bring them on!

For speed control, you will not rely on pulling back on the handle as you will find on other strollers. The Terrain has a very efficient hand operated disc brake located within easy reach at the centre of the handle.

And there is also a foot brake to keep the stroller safely stationary when you come to complete stop. The foot brake is located between its rear wheels with two inter-linked pedals. Simply step on either one of these pedals, and both rear wheels are automatically locked.

Mountain Buggy Terrain Stroller Adjustable Handle

As a tall parent with a shorter partner, an adjustable handlebar on a jogging stroller is one of my favorite features, and the Mountain Buggy Terrain did not disappoint with the handlebar you can adjust from 34 inches to 46 inches to gives parents of various heights the best pushing posture that will not hurt their back.

It also allows more space for longer strides without kicking the rear of the stroller, which is often my experience with strollers with shorter handle height.

Compared to a BOB or Baby Jogger with average handlebar height of 42 inches, the Mountain Buggy Terrain handle at 46 inches above ground will be a delight to many tall parents. The handle is rubberized for firm and comfortable grip, so you are not at risk of losing your grip when jogging or running with the stroller.

Size and capacity of Mountain Buggy Terrain

The stroller weighs 29 lbs and it accommodates infants and toddlers up to a maximum weight of 55 lbs. When folded, its stand dimensions are 42½” x 24½” x 15½”.  It is recommended for newborns till the age of 6 years, or maximum load of the stroller.

The raised, high seat makes the Mountain Buggy Jogging stroller ideal for older children, and kids with long legs.

Available Styles and Designs

This stroller was designed to be tough on all terrains and therefore it allows you to get around with precision steering that gives you easy manoeuvrability for city and country use. It has several new features such as a front wheel that is entirely lockable in 3 modes, a harness without any frills and straps, a customizable canopy, automatic frame lock, swing-away bumper bar, easily removable fabric.

The Mountain Buggy Terrain can be transformed to a more compact stroller with an Urban 12” wheels set that are sold separately to replace the larger 16 inch rear wheels if you so desire.

The stroller is available only as single stroller, in flint / marble color. If you are a parent caring for more than one kid, and need a jogging stroller for two, I am afraid the Terrain and Urban Jungle Mountain Buggy jogging strollers are not available in the double.

What’s included in your Purchase?

A flint / marble colored jogger stroller, sun canopy, bottle holder, and seat liner

Does it include a Warranty?

It comes with a year’s warranty from the date of purchase against material and defects in workmanship. Keep your proof of purchase safe, and if your stroller is less than a year old and faulty, you can file a warranty claim by visiting Mountain Buggy Website.

Registering your stroller online after purchase can make a warranty claim a lot easier, if you ever need to.

Optional Accessories for Mountain Buggy Jogging Strollers

You can extend how you use a Mountain Buggy Terrain or Urban Jungle by adding the appropriate optional kit to your stroller. The accessories for the strollers that are popular with parents are listed below:

Carrycot – This transforms your stroller to a Bissinet style pram that allow you to lie your baby flat, and facing you as you push the stroller.

Car Seat Adaptors – A range of car seat adapters are available for under $50 that will convert your Terrain or Urban Jungle to a compact baby travel system. These infant car seats are compatible with the strollers: Mountain Buggy Protect, Phil & Teds Apha, Peg Perego Primo Viaggio, Graco Snugride, Maxi Cosi Mico, Cabrio fix and Pebble, and Cybex Aton.

Face-to-Face Rear Facing Seat – When your baby has outgrown a carrycot or infant car seat, this is the perfect accessory that will allow you continue close interaction and bonding with your child when outdoor with the stroller.

The freerider – A simple concept and design of stroller rider board, but different from any other. It attaches to the rear of the stroller without tools, and provides free exciting fun-ride for an older kid, while the younger sibling seats on the stroller.

And when your kid is ready to scooter and free wheeling alone, detach the Freerider from the stroller connector with a flick of the switch, and watch your kid go!

What others are saying about Mountain Buggy Jogging Stroller

Parents looking after young children that have purchased and used the Mountain Buggy Terrain baby jogger rated it an astounding 4.8 out of 5 Stars in overall customer satisfaction.

The swivel wheel that turns corners with ease, sturdy and stable off road performance, the adjustable handle, and the quick folding mechanism are some of the features parents rave about. Here are some comments you will find used to describe the Mountain Buggy Terrain jogging stroller:

• “The handle also has a great grip that doesn’t peel off like other jogging strollers.” 
• “I LOVE this stroller and we’ve tried the BOB revolution and ironman as well as Baby Jogger and loved this far more.” 
• “The adjustable handle bar won my husband over because he can now stand up straight while pushing it.”

Any Complaints?

Users complain that the stroller veers to one side, which can make the buggy difficult to push. I suspect though that those that have experienced this problem may not have properly aligned the front wheel, or inflate the tires to the right pressure as described in the Mountain Buggy Jogging stroller user manual.

Some parents that sweat a lot when jogging also remarked that the rubberized handle of the Terrain is not absorbent enough. But the primarily purpose of the handle design is for a firm grip, so you do not run the risk of loosing control of the stroller, and not to soak up excessive sweating. I would suggest wearing a sweat hand band, if you profusely sweat while jogging.

Pros:

• It’s easy to use, whether on grass or paved areas.
• It’s rugged.
• The handle comes with a really strong grip that remains firm and doesn’t peel off.
• It has good storage space. The basket at the bottom can be zipped shut to keep things safe. It can easily accommodate a water bottle and other things.
• It gives good protection from the sun due to its adjustable canopy.
• It can be taken on hikes, on snowy roads and running too.
• It has a high seat which is good for growing toddlers.
• It folds up easily and can be taken on holidays.
• The product comes with the assurance of good customer service.
• It is lightweight and lockable.
• Converts to a travel system with infant car seats

 Cons:

• Can pull to one side if the front wheel is not properly aligned, or the tires inflated correctly.
• If you sweat a lot, you may find the rubberized handle, will not absorb all your sweat.
• At just under $500, parents on a budget may find the Mountain Buggy Terrain stroller expensive, but the stroller is worth every cent if you can afford it.
• Parents with small cars may struggle to fit the stroller in the trunk of their cars without removing the wheel, which however are quite easy to pop out and replace.
• The valve could have been better positioned, as the location makes it a bit awkward when pumping the tires.

How much should you pay for the Terrain Stroller?

The latest model at the time of writing this review is the 2013 upgrade released with a list price of $499. Being relatively new at this time, not many online store are discounting the stroller at great deals.

Amazon, however, regularly have quality jogging strollers like the Mountain Buggy Terrain on time limited sales, and you can be sure to get free shipping on your purchase. You may be able to catch one of these deals if you check the stroller price today.

Mountain Buggy Terrain vs Urban Jungle

While the Mountain Buggy Terrain is a stroller and jogger designed to cop with the conditions in city and rugged off road use, the Urban Jungle on the other hand with a more compact structure and all 12 inches wheels, is more suited for the urban dwellers – navigating crowded side walks, tight corners, shopping malls, and easier transportable of the stroller in trunks of smaller cars.

Both strollers are priced the same and available only as a single buggy.  The Terrain has a higher baby weight capacity of 55 lbs compared to 45 lbs load limit of the Urban Jungle.   The Urban Jungle however is available for purchased in a variety of seven exciting colors that will appeal to fashion conscious city parents.

Mountain Buggy Terrain		Mountain Buggy Urban Jungle

If you are a keen jogger, the advantage the Mountain Buggy Urban Jungle has over the Terrain as a more compact, and more manoeuvrable stroller for the city, is matched by using the optional urban 12 inch rear wheel pack.

This optional accessory is available to downsize the Terrain, retaining its quality as a rugged off road jogger, and a stroller that equals the capability of the Urban Jungle for regular daily use in the city.

Mountain Buggy Terrain vs Urban Jungle Stroller – Comparison Table

 My Recommendation

The Mountain Buggy Terrain jogging stroller for me is clearly the choice for parents that are actively jogging, running and use off road trails. The bigger rear wheels and disc operated hand brake make it a superior choice for jogging, and the ability to convert to a more compact stroller for regular city use with the 12″ Urban wheel set is additional advantage as a more versatile jogger stroller.

You may however, consider the Urban Jungle, if your need for a stroller is primarily for city errands, and light jogging in your neighborhood.

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