Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Update 2016: After 4.5years and 3 babies, the BOB is still going strong. The workmanship/frame really is sturdy and superb, the tires are worn but still haven't needed to be replaced (even though we've put around 1000miles on it, seriously!) The only thing that has shown wear is the stitching on the underbasket has unraveled a little, and some of the small screws on the bottom of the stroller (near the brake) has rusted. We've taken it on sandy beaches, on icy winter hikes up in Vermont, a couple of international flights/trips, and it's survived. When flying, to get through the xray scanner you will need to pop the two hind wheels off, but you don't have to worry about checking in the BOB at the gate as the rough handling by the baggage guys won't hurt it. When we go to the beach I actually carry the baby and use the BOB to load everything else, and if it gets really heavy I just pull the BOB backwards on its two hind wheels, like a dolly. I do want to point out that in a pinch, more than 1kid can "fit" in the single BOB. My kids are all close in age, and if one of the older ones gets tired and really needs to take a seat, I have them sit in the footrest in the front of the stroller and they hold on to the metal sides. You obviously have to be very careful and go slowly, but if you're out and only have a single stroller but more than 1kid, it could work. Something to keep in mind if you're pretty sure that you won't need a double stroller, but the oldest might need a 5min break from walking. In retrospect, I wouldn't buy the weather shield, but I would get the handlebar console. The weather shield is a pain to put on. If it's raining heavy enough to warrant the weather shield, your kid will be soaked by the time you get it on. You might as well put them in the stroller and run quickly to wherever you need to go as the canopy does a decent job. I personally never used it due to cold weather, I got the Artic Bundleme for the really cold temps and it was enough (though I did not jog with the baby if it dropped below 15F). As for the rainy day jogs, the canopy was enough, and if it was ever really pouring I didn't jog. It's not about getting the baby wet, but rather safety reasons, if it's really pouring then most likely there will be thunder/lightening, and do you really want to be out running with your baby in what's essentially a lightening rod? The handlebar console is a must though, it's a great place to tuck in a water bottle and your keys/extra diaper/ziplock of wipes during your jogs. My poor BOB has lived through so much, but it's still trucking along! We actually got a doubleBOB as well but still use this one pretty often. Original review below (circa 2012) PROS -sturdy construction, good materials -durable. I probably put about 35 miles on my BOB every week and it's held up! Through rain, snow, mud, etc, it sometimes gets a little dirty but then I hose it down and it's gleaming again. No issues with rust or looking worn. -pushes and turns extremely well. No other stroller on the market, jogger or not, turns and pushes as well as the BOB. -really really good suspension, which is a must especially in the newborn stage. The other strollers were all bumpier. -comfortable, breathable seating -large canopy/shade -seat recline is adjustable (I like how it's straps and not a lock mechanism where you only have 3 recline options) -imo, it has enough storage pockets and the basket is large enough. This is a jogging stroller and I wouldn't want a huge basket. I'm running, not going shopping with this. -accessories are also very good quality. I like that the car seat adapter is also metal and when the car seat is on, it is tight and solid. Many other strollers out there also have car seats that snap it, but they always shook and it made me nervous! -definitely the BEST jogging stroller out there. Not the best day-to-day stroller, but if you are a runner, this is IT. CONS -Price = it's probably the priciest jogger out there. I've found that if you are patient and wait for a sale either on Amazon or another retailer like albeebaby.com, you can usually knock off 15-20% of the retail price. It also helps to buy it online as they may not charge you tax depending on where you're having it shipped (which can be another saving of 5-8%!) As much as I mulled over the price before I got the stroller, I have to admit now that I'm willing to pay even twice that for the BOB! It beats having a gym membership (and ha, who would watch the baby?) -Size = even when it's folded, it's still a BIG stroller. If you have a small, compact car, forget it, you're not getting it in. Even with a mid-sized car it takes up the majority of the trunk. I definitely would not take the BOB for travel, and I only use mine from home. -Heavier than some other joggers = part of the reason is that the materials they use are denser and probably better (ie, BOB uses metal where others might use plastic parts). -Accessories not included = which means more $$ and annoying. Even for a weather shield, cup holder, etc, it's all extra, and it's not cheap. Most of the accessories are not compatible between the single and dualie BOBs which is annoying, and it means you'll have to repurchase all the accessories if you upgrade to a dualie. -Front swivel = check it after purchase! I realized later it doesn't lock straight on mine and I've tried adjusting it. I should have sent it back in the beginning to get it fixed, but it's been too long now (and it's really not a big deal, I'm pretty comfortable pushing it with the swivel on) -Will squeak after prolonged use = I noticed that the main hinge/piston area does tend to get squeaky after a few months, but it can be easily fixed with a spray of WD-40 (obviously, air it out well afterwards before putting the baby in!) -Material is not waterproof = for the price, I thought it would be. One day we got caught in the rain without the weather shield, and I am disappointed to report that the rain dripped through the canopy. ****SOME TIPS in using BOB. This is just my advice so take it with a grain of salt: BOB recommends using the adapter and only walk for the first 8 weeks, to only walk from 8wks to 8months without the adapter, and to jog after 8 months. Of course they say this to prevent accidents and lawsuits, but any mom trying to lose pregnancy weight is not going to sit around on her butt or only walk for the next 8months. I was walking after a few days and gradually increased the distance and pace, and I was jogging after 2 weeks with the car seat adapter. I actually kept the baby in the car seat until 16wks as it was wintertime and he seemed more snug in the car seat than in the stroller. My baby was pretty big from birth (by 2wks, he was more than 10lbs) and the terrain I jogged was very flat and familiar. Use your own common sense...if your baby is preemie, or if you usually don't jog so you don't know every turn in the road, or if the road is bumpy...then wait a few more weeks/months. But if you have a healthy baby and you're a normal jogger who knows her jogging route in her sleep...then go for it! My baby actually sleeps the entire time when I run...sometimes if I stop to walk he wakes up and starts crying! If you want a weather shield for the car seat adapter, I'd get the Jeep System Weather Shield, it actually fits over the entire carseat +Bob perfectly: http://www.amazon.com/Jeep-Travel-System-Weather-Shield/dp/B001CUPT3K/ref=sr_1_4?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1337724645&sr=1-4 ****I also went to BRU on several occasions and compared the BOB to other joggers: -Phil&Teds = was the main contender for me. Optically it looks more compact and the main pro is the ability to add a second seat. However, it definitely did not push or turn as well as the BOB, and in the end that mattered the most to me. P&T may work better as a day-to-day stroller if you have two kids, but it's not a jogger. -Baby Jogger City Mini = more of a day-to-day stroller. Cheaper than the BOB but still good quality, but the wheels were smaller and it just didn't push as well. -Jeep Jogger = is designed for jogging, but it is poorly constructed and the materials are inferior. Definitely a lot cheaper, but for a reason -Baby Trend Expedition = also a cheap stroller for a reason. Convenient because the travel systems come with the car seat, but it just doesn't seem sturdy. The car seat clips into the plastic cup holders but the car seat will still wobble!