Mom and Dad-10 Steps for Choosing the Best Baby Jogging Stroller

Purchasing a jogging stroller is no walk in the park! It used to be that strollers were designed for gentle walks in the neighbourhood. Now, parents are jogging and even inline skating with the stroller at a quick clip. If you have a young child, and you or your partner jog, inline skate or power-walk to stay in shape, you have probably considered a jogging stroller for your family - and no doubt have realized that deciding on the best one can be a difficult decision. Here is help for you to choose one that best fits your lifestyle and budget.

1. Lighter the better. The stroller you choose should weigh less than 25 pounds. Strollers are made with either aluminum frames or metal tube frames. The lightest ones are those that have an aluminium frame. Not only are aluminum frames much lighter but they are also stronger and longer lasting.

2. Bicycle style 16 inch wheels. All three of the wheels (two in the back and one in the front) should be spoked, air-filled, 16 inch wheels very similar to a bicycle tire. To be effective when running you want the stroller to run smoothly over any surface. These types of wheels are the most effective size and style for an easy ride for your child and a great run or walk for dads and moms.

3. Seating comfort. Many babies love to nap during their parents run. The stroller seat should tilt back at a 25 percent angle to make it easier for baby to sleep. In addition, the material in the seat should be a light weight fabric that breathes making it comfortable for baby especially on warmer weather days.

4. Protect your baby from the sun. Any jogging stroller that you consider will have a sun canopy. You want to make sure that the sun canopy is fully flexible so that it can be positioned to block out the sun`s rays so that no matter which way your baby is facing they are protected. You should not have to clip a blanket to the stroller for protection. The last thing you want is direct sun into your son or daughter`s face causing potential harm to them, and making the baby uncomfortable which will eventually lead to crying and fussing.

5. Keep your baby safe. When making your choice about any baby equipment safety is always the number 1 consideration. Jogging strollers are built for speed - so you want to make sure that your stroller will stop when you want it to. The most reliable method for stopping a stroller when it is on the move is a hand brake - much the same as those used on high-end bicycles. Your stroller should also have a foot brake for when the stroller is parked. Make sure that your child is safe and secure in their seat. Choose a stroller that employs a five point harness system. They are the safest and are easy to use.

6. Compact for storage. It should be easy to fold by one person with very little effort. If you plan on putting it into your car`s trunk its folded dimensions should be no greater than 45 in. x 25 in. x 18 in. To make it fold even smaller look for wheels that easily can be removed with a push of a button.

7. If people of different heights will be jogging with the stroller make sure that the handlebar height is adjustable. If you or your partner both plan on using the stroller and if one of you is noticably taller than the other you want to be sure that the stroller handlebars adjust in height so that you will both be comfortable when using the stroller. Strollers with this feature will have a button in the handlebar making this adjustment easy - even on the fly.

8. Make sure the baby will not outgrow the stroller. The stroller is not just for use for a year. You want to make sure that you maximize its use over several years. Make sure that the seating area is large enough for your child as they grow (it should be 24 or 25 inches high in the seating area) and make sure that the stroller is rated to handle your child`s weight as they get older (look for a weight rating of up to 80 pounds).

9. Buy with confidence. If you bring the stroller home and try it out and it just isn`t what you expected it to be, make sure that the retailer will provide a full refund without any arguing. And if there are problems down the road make sure that there is a good long term warranty from the manufacturer. A solid manufacturer`s warranty is 5 years on the frame and 1 year on all other parts of the stroller.

10. They cost as little as $280 and can be over $1,000. Don`t overpay, and don`t pay for the branding of the stroller. List the features and benefits that are most important to you. Keep in mind that the purchase will provide many years of benefits to you and your family. Then look for the least expensive stroller that meets those features and benefits. In all likelihood you can purchase one for $280 or slightly higher.

Use this list of ten things to do to list which stroller features are most important to your family. Then use your list to help you to purchase the stroller that best meets your needs.

FREE downloadable book and checklist Choosing a Baby Jogging Stroller is jam packed with things to consider when buying a jogger stroller. BabyTravelPlanet - FREE tips and articles on baby travel. They sell baby items such as Dreamer Design Baby Jogging Stroller