Hiking is a favorite activity of many outdoor enthusiasts. After all, nothing is better than breathing in the fresh air and taking in the natural landscape around you.
Another great aspect of hiking for parents is that it’s an outdoor activity that you can introduce your children to almost as soon as they’re born. But, to do that, you need the right hiking gear for both you and your little one. One of the most important items to have for a smooth hike with your baby is a proper hiking stroller.
Hiking strollers have features that make it easier to maneuver through tough terrain, ensuring a smoother ride for your baby and providing you with the most comfort possible. However, it’s important to find the right one to make the most out of your hikes.
Today, we’ll explore your options for the best hiking strollers to make hiking with your little one an enjoyable experience for both of you. We’ll also explain why you need a stroller suitable for hiking and what to consider when shopping for the perfect one.
Best Hiking Stroller for Your Baby
Finding the right hiking stroller can be a difficult endeavor, especially since so many are on the market. When choosing a stroller, you have to keep in mind certain features, including:
- Tires
- Stroller weight
- Canopy size
- Storage capacity
Luckily, we compiled a list of the best hiking strollers to help you choose and get you started on the right foot. Turn your baby into a nature lover early by bringing them along on hikes in one of these top 7 hiking strollers.
Graco FastAction Jogger LX Stroller
First on our list of the best hiking strollers on the market is the Graco FastAction Jogger LX stroller.
The Graco FastAction Jogger LX has the convenience and comfort of a traditional stroller, but don’t be mistaken. This stroller can handle more than most traditional strollers, making it the perfect hiking stroller.
The FastAction Jogger LX is easy to transport to your hiking location of choice thanks to its signature one-hand, one-second fold. This versatile stroller can be a car seat carrier or as a toddler seat, meaning it can grow with your child.
The air-filled rubber tires offer a smooth ride on any terrain, and a locking front swivel wheel to transition easily from smooth dirt to a rocky road.
Keep your little one comfortable throughout the hike thanks to the multi-position incline that easily adjusts the seat to your desired position. That way, your toddler is comfortable throughout your excursions.
This stroller ensures that you’re also comfortable, with an adjustable handlebar with two cup holders to stay hydrated. Your child also gets their own tray for snacks and toys if they get bored. Plus, the removable seat pad doubles as a car seat carrier.
Pros:
- Multi-position recline
- Affordable
- Quick, one-hand fold
- Versatile – car seat carrier or toddler seat
- Height adjustable handle
- Two cup holders
Cons:
- Not compact – some users claim that this stroller is heavy and bulky
BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 Jogging Stroller
Just because you’re going over rough terrain doesn’t mean your baby can’t get a smooth ride. That’s what BOB Gear had in mind when they made the BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 Jogging stroller.
This stroller features air-filled tires and a suspension system to provide an ultra-smooth ride, no matter the terrain. The front-wheel moves at a 360-degree swivel for easy maneuvering with every push and turn.
Easily customize this stroller to both you and your child’s height and comfort, thanks to the adjustable handlebar and no-rethread harness. Your child has additional comfort thanks to the ultra-padded compression seat with infinite recline, in case they get sleepy during your excursion.
BOB Gear understands that you have to be ready for anything when you take your child on hikes, so this stroller features 6 storage pockets as well as an extra-large cargo basket, ensuring that there’s plenty of room for both you and your child’s gear. There’s even a cell phone pocket at the handlebar so that you always have easy access to your phone.
Pros:
- Adjustable handlebar and no-rethread harness
- High weight maximum: 165 pounds
- Cell phone pocket at the handlebar
- Compatible with most major brand car seats
- Infinite recline so your child can sit upright or lay down
- Magnetic peak and chat window
- XL UPF 50+ canopy
Cons:
- Pricey
- No easy access to your water bottle because this stroller does not have a cupholder
Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 All Terrain Stroller
Next on our list of the best hiking strollers on the market is from one of the most trusted companies for active parents: Baby Jogger.
Baby Jogger makes strollers for active parents, making them perfect for families who enjoy going on light hikes. The Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 All Terrain stroller is no exception.
Suitable for newborns to babies up to 20 pounds, this is a highly customizable lightweight stroller with adjustable calf support and multi-recline position to adjust to your child’s growth and comfort level. It is also compatible with infant car seats, creating a smooth transition from car to stroller.
The best all terrain stroller wheels are made with forever air rubber tires and have all-wheel suspension to provide a comfortable stroll on any terrain. When your child decides they’ve had enough of the hiking trail but don’t want to get back in the stroller, the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 quickly folds into a compact state that you can carry in one hand, carrying your baby in the other if necessary.
Baby Jogger has an assortment of add-on accessories that you can purchase, such as car seats and carrycots, to further customize this lightweight stroller for both you and your baby’s comfort.
Pros:
- Ideal for newborns
- Versatile – 3 ways to ride
- Padded seat back for your baby’s comfort
- UV 50+ canopy with a view
- Storage basket has front and side access
- Compatible with infant car seats and carrycots
- Includes carrying case
Cons:
- Although it has all-terrain tires, some parents claim it isn’t great on very rocky paths
Jeep Cross-Country Sport Plus Jogger by Delta Children
Jeep cars are known for handling the toughest terrain, so it, of course, makes sense to trust that any stroller with the Jeep name attached to it is heavy-duty enough to handle even the toughest hikes.
The Jeep Cross-Country Sport Plus Jogger stroller from Delta Children introduces your young one to their first outdoor adventure. The durable steel frame and high-quality tech fabric make this hiking stroller able to handle anything you throw at it.
This baby stroller also features large 16″ back metal-air spoke wheels with ball bearings and a front 12″ metal-air spoke wheel with a swivel lock to tackle any rocky terrain you may come across. Plus, the back tires have a quick-release feature for easy compact folding.
Your child can get comfortable in their multi-reclining seat with soft shoulder pads, and you can ensure their safety with the five-point safety harness. The extra-large cargo storage space means that you can bring all of your essentials and more for your day trip.
Parents will enjoy the fabric tray with two cup holders to keep their essentials close by. The extendable European canopy has a sun visor and a wide peek-a-boo window to protect your child from the sun while also letting them get a glimpse of you and the trees above them.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Durable steel frame
- 16″ back metal-air spoke wheels with ball
- 12” swivel metal-air spoke wheels
- Swing-away child tray
- Quick Release back tires
- Good on hill terrain
Cons:
- The most upright position has a slight recline, which is something to keep in mind for young babies
Britax B-Free Stroller
If you want a stylish hiking stroller while you stroll through nature with your little one, the Britax B-Free Stroller is the best stroller for you.
This lightweight stroller is sleek, but don’t be fooled into thinking it can’t handle rough terrain. The B-Free stroller has a 3-wheel design for easy maneuvering and to handle even the sharpest curves, as well as rubber all-terrain tires that can carry you through any rocky setting. Users say that the brakes are top quality, ensuring additional safety for you and your young one.
The B-free stroller boasts additional features to make your nature adventure smoother and more enjoyable. Features include an adjustable handlebar and infinite stroller seat recline to accommodate your child whether they’re alert and taking in the scenery or sleeping and taking a little nature nap.
While it’s safe and sturdy, this stroller is heavier than other comparable strollers, but the good news is that it’s easy to fold, so you can take it out and put it away quickly after your walk. With a 65-pound weight capacity, this is a great hiking stroller if you have a bigger kid who tends to get tired during hikes.
Pros:
- Adjustable handlebar
- 7 storage pockets
- Extra-large storage pocket with front access
- UV50+ expandable canopy
- Compatible with both Britax and BOB car seats
Cons:
- Heavier option
- For those looking to use this stroller for dual purposes, this is not a jogging stroller
Chicco Activ3 Air Jogging Stroller, Q Collection
Chicco is known for making great quality strollers for every type of parent, and the Activ3 Air Jogging Stroller from the Q collection is no different.
Perfect for short hikes, this jogging stroller is made with functionality in mind. It has a rubber, three-wheel design and an adjustable suspension that you control with your foot, which helps smooth out bumps on all terrain.
The parent brake and controls for the front swivel wheel are on the parent console, eliminating the need to bend down and manually lock the wheel. For additional comfort, the handlebar is adjustable and padded for your comfort.
For ease of storage, the stroller stands when it is folded up, which you can easily do using one hand. The storage basket is easy to access and large enough for all the belongings you need for your hike.
With the ability to take on gravel, rough terrain, and dirt roads, it’s easy to see why this Chicco stroller is in a league of its own.
Pros:
- Soft parent tray with two cup holders
- Storage basket big enough for large diaper bags
- Hand-operated brake
- Adjustable suspension
Cons:
- On the heavier side
- Some users say that this stroller does not contain as much legroom for their child as other strollers do
Baby Trend Range Jogger Stroller, Millennium
Last on our list of the best hiking strollers on the market is the Range Jogger stroller from Baby Trend.
This stroller is made for rough terrain, thanks to its lockable front swivel wheel and easy maneuvering. The steel frame construction of the stroller makes it sturdy enough to handle even the most challenging paths while remaining lightweight enough to move without giving you an extra workout.
The extra-large basket can carry all of your essentials, while both the parent and child tray each contain two cup holders so that you can both keep hydrated on your walk.
One unique aspect of this stroller is the footrest reflectors that provide low light visibility, ensuring additional clarity while hiking.
The extra-wide, ergonomically shaped rubber handle ensures optimal comfort while you push your child in their stroller, which is especially important when you’d be pushing them potentially for hours. Don’t worry, they’ll stay comfortable too in their padded, reclinable seat.
Adjust the canopy to shade your child from the sun or provide them more of a view of the natural landscape around you.
Pros:
- Extra-large storage basket
- Parent and child tray with two cup holders
- Footrest reflectors for low light visibility
- Adjustable canopy
- Lightweight steel frame
- Multi-position, reclining, padded seat
Cons:
- Although not the heaviest, this stroller is a little heavy to fold
Why Do You Need a Hiking Stroller?
Every parent has a favorite stroller that they rely on each time they take their toddler out of the house. However, not all strollers are made equal, and some strollers can only handle so much. If you want to bring your baby along with you on outdoor adventures or traveling overseas, you need a stroller that’s able to go off-road.
When you find yourself faced with tough terrain, whether that be a dirt road or rocky path, your everyday stroller might not be able to get you from point A to point B efficiently, if at all. Hiking strollers, on the other hand, can handle a lot more.
Hiking strollers are meant to handle rugged terrain, such as:
- Gravel
- Dirt
- Rocks
- Wood chips
Hiking strollers can also better handle going uphill, making the difficult parts of a hike easier to handle.
Hiking strollers aren’t necessarily for tough mountain hikes. Hiking strollers are useful in any circumstance where you may face rougher terrain. Whether it means gravel walking down an unkempt street or cobblestone in an Italian city while on vacation, there are several instances when you may want to use your hiking stroller.
What makes hiking strollers different from other strollers?
There are several reasons that a hiking stroller might differ from your everyday stroller.
You may have a jogging stroller as an everyday stroller. Since jogging strollers are made for active parents, it’s natural to think that they’re all equipped to be able to take on whatever path you throw it into. However, this isn’t always the case.
For the most part, most jogging strollers primarily work on smooth surfaces. The exception is if your jogging stroller has all-terrain tires. These strollers are often called all-terrain strollers and can handle rugged surfaces. The best hiking strollers are all-terrain strollers, which are characterized by their wheels. All-terrain strollers have sturdy wheels and a swivel front wheel.
Another key feature of all-terrain strollers is the suspension. All-terrain strollers usually have a good suspension system to help you navigate different types of terrain. If you only need to handle small bumps and jolts, you’ll be okay with only front or rear suspension. However, if you think you’ll be facing more adventurous turf, you need to make sure that you have a stroller that can go off-road if necessary.
The best wheel configuration for hiking strollers is a three-wheel system, with two large wheels in the back and one smaller one in the front. This type of wheel configuration provides the perfect combination of off-road capabilities while still being suitable for everyday use.
What to Consider When Choosing a Hiking Stroller
Hiking strollers have several benefits for parents whose favorite activity is hiking. However, before going out and purchasing the first hiking stroller you find, you must know what you should be looking for.
Here are some elements to consider when shopping for a hiking stroller for your child.
Canopy for sun protection
Hiking on a sunny day can be a great way to get some vitamin D. However, babies and toddlers are sensitive and shouldn’t be exposed to too much sun to minimize irritation to their skin.
When you take your child for an hour-long hike, it can be difficult to make sure that you protect your child while letting them soak in their natural surroundings. This is especially difficult for larger children who always want to pop their heads out of their stroller for a better view.
The solution to this is ensuring that your hiking stroller has a large enough canopy to protect your child from all angles. It’s a bonus if your canopy also has a peek-a-boo window so that your child can look up and glance at you and any magnificent trees hanging over you.
Storage
Going anywhere with young children requires you to bring bags of items to ensure that you’re ready for anything. From extra bottles to a selection of toys, there seems to never be any such thing as over-packing when it comes to babies and toddlers.
This is twice as true when it comes to packing. As much as you want to pack minimally when hiking on your own, it’s always a good idea to be extra prepared when taking your baby to the forest for a breath of fresh air.
It’s important to choose a hiking stroller with extra storage that can handle all of your belongings. From cup holders to large canopies for large diaper bags, you can never have too much storage when it comes to carrying your child’s things or when it comes to hiking.
The right size
When you think of suitable hiking strollers, you may think that you need a heavier, bulkier stroller that can handle rough terrain and keep all of your essentials for the day. To be fair, all-terrain strollers are notorious for being heavy and too big to handle at times. However, this may not always be the case.
You may want to aim for a compact, lightweight stroller considering the amount of physical exercise that hiking takes. Many compact strollers can still handle most terrain while still not bogging you down while you push your child through the forest.
Getting a smaller stroller may also make it easier to store. You’ll be able to fold your stroller much more easily, sometimes with one hand, it’s lighter.
Age of your child
Overall, hiking strollers are a great option to bring your young child with you on your outdoor adventures as it keeps them comfortable and ensures their safety. However, as it is choosing any stroller, when choosing a hiking stroller, it’s important to consider your child’s age to make sure that you get the right stroller for their size.
It’s important to note that all-terrain hiking strollers are generally not safe for newborns and infants unless it’s part of a travel system with an infant car seat. Wait until your infant can hold their head up without support before switching to a regular hiking stroller without the car seat.
Comfort
Hikes can last anywhere from half an hour to several hours, so you must be prepared for the length of the journey. This means that comfort should be a priority for both you and your child while hiking.
You want to ensure that your child remains comfortable in their seat. After all, you get to stretch your legs, but they may be sitting for hours at a time. Make sure that your child’s seat has the right amount of padding for optimal comfort.
Reclining capabilities are also important when it comes to your child’s comfort. For the best range, aim for hiking strollers with a multi-position recline. It’s even better if the stroller has infinite recline, giving your child the choice to sit alert and upright or lay back and get comfortable for a nap.
What’s more, you’ll be pushing your child around for a long time, and if you have a kid that is technically too big to be pushed around in a stroller (it happens!), this could turn your enjoyable hike into a full workout.
To make the experience easier, find a hiking stroller with an adjustable handlebar to ensure that you’re pushing the stroller at the height that you’re most comfortable with. It’s a bonus if the handlebar is also padded for your hands.
Is a Hiking Stroller Worth It?
Hiking strollers are the best option for the adventurous parent who wants to bring their child with them on their outdoor excursions, whether it’s walking in exotic places or long hikes in the woods.
That said, hiking strollers aren’t for everyone. They contain additional features that many people may find are too much, especially considering that these features often mean a heavier stroller.
Hiking strollers can also get expensive. Before investing in one, you should assess your situation and habits.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- How often do you plan on going on hikes with your baby?
- What kind of terrain do you think you’ll regularly encounter on these hikes?
- How old is your baby or toddler?
If you only plan to take short walks on smooth ground, then you probably don’t need the best all terrain stroller. But if you do often go off-road or are an avid hiker and want to start bringing your child with you, it’s a good idea to invest in a hiking stroller to ensure your child’s safety and ensure that you both remain comfortable whether you’re on a paved path, uneven terrain, or level hiking trail.