Carting around larger children can get tiring in a hurry, and it’s downright infuriating if you don’t have a decent stroller to help you out! This guide is for anyone who has a larger baby or older child to transport. If you’ve been frustrated by the standard stroller selection, you’ll be relieved to see the excellent options we’ve put together just for you!
Our in-house kids & baby expert, Jenny L. Brown, has put a lot of time and effort into comparing and rating different strollers to see how they perform with bigger kids. She’s looked at all sorts of strollers, from jogging models to travel systems.
Below, you’ll find Jenny’s recommendations, along with some helpful buying advice to make your decision easier!
Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight Jogging Stroller
“If you’re shopping for a stroller to use with a larger infant, my go-to approach is to look at jogging strollers! They tend to be much sturdier than traditional models, and their suspension makes a big difference in the ride quality if you’re porting extra weight. This Joovy model is inexpensive, costing hundreds less than the others I’ve chosen below, but it covers all the basics. It’s sturdy, spacious, and a lot more convenient than you’d think for the price. Get this is you’re looking to cart around one larger tyke on a budget!”
Pros:
It’s spacious. Compared with most single strollers (even the jogging models), the Joovy has an extra-wide seat that’s perfect for older kids and infants who are growing fast. It has one of the highest-riding seats on the market and lots of leg room.
Thanks to the spacious seat and the 18” seat back height, we’d say that kids up to 42” tall have plenty of room. We’ve actually heard from moms who use this with kids up to 46”!
The high weight capacity (75 pounds) means that you can get quite a lot of mileage out of this. You should be able to use it until your child outgrows strollers altogether! Unlike other inexpensive models, that spec isn’t wishful thinking! The sturdy aluminum frame is very much up to the challenge of bearing larger kids.
There are lots of recline positions. As anyone with a larger kid knows, finding the right angle is one of the most important things you can do to keep them comfy!
It’s nice and light, weighing in at just over 25 pounds. Every pound counts when you’ve got to push larger kids around, and it’s nice to see that the Joovy is less hefty than other spacious models in its price range.
It’s more affordable than the other models we recommend in this category. You can usually find one of these for just over half the price of the BOB Revolution Flex!
Cons:
One key downside is that the Joovy’s canopy isn’t as generous as the other proportions. It offers less clearance than the BOB, and it’s a sticking point as far as fitting the largest kids onboard.
If you’re not particularly tall, you may find that the handle is rather high. It doesn’t have the BOB’s range of adjustments, either.
As you’d expect for something further down the price scale, the Joovy is quite basic–no bells and whistles. If you want some more creature comforts, the BOB is well-worth the price. It’s more convenient and more enjoyable to use on a regular basis.
Likewise, the Joovy doesn’t have as smooth a ride or as great a reliability record. While there’s no inherent design flaw we’re aware of, there’s definitely some lax quality control. Some issues with loose wheels and bearings have been reported. We still think this one’s worth a try if you need to save money, but be sure to test yours before your return window closes!
BOB Revolution Flex Jogging Stroller
“BOB have been making some of the best rides in the stroller market for a number of years now. We recommend a few of their models on this site. I love the Revolution Flex because it combines the convenience of a premium stroller with the indestructible build quality of jogging models. It’s my top pick for parents with one larger kid to push around!”
Pros:
This is a rugged, capable stroller! It has the same 75-pound weight capacity as the Joovy. The sturdy aluminum frame is up to any adventure, on any terrain. It has better suspension, too, which results in improved ride smoothness for you and your young one.
It’s the roomiest we’ve found to date. Compared with the Joovy, the BOB adds an extra two inches of room. It’s rated for kids as tall as 44”, and you can easily squeeze another inch or two of use out of it.
There are a lot of features which make this a more premium stroller than the Joovy. You can adjust the recline angle with one hand, for instance. There’s also excellent UPF-rated sun protection with plenty of room for larger kids’ heads. It’s ergonomic and convenient throughout. All in all, it’s worth the extra cash.
More than any of the single features, though, the BOB’s greatest appeal is the peace of mind it’ll give you. This is a very secure stroller. It has an excellent reliability record and can handle the strain of larger, heavier kids without developing issues.
You can also get this in a double stroller version! The Revolution Flex Duallie is good for 50 pounds in each seat:
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Cons:
While it’s more convenient than the Joovy, it’s not exactly tiny. It’s a jogging stroller, after all! You’ll definitely need ample space in the car for the BOB. Having said that, it’s the trade-off for having so much room for your child in the stroller.
It’s pricey. This is a premium stroller, and it shows in the price tag. You can expect to pay around $500 for one of these, assuming you choose one or two of the optional accessories.
BOB doesn’t have the best customer support, which is disappointing for a premium company. You’re not likely to have any issues, but we’ve heard from a few moms who ran into canopies that wouldn’t stay down.
Baby Jogger City Mini GT Double Stroller
“I chose the Baby Jogger City Mini GT over the BOB Duallie because it’s lighter and more convenient. When it comes to single strollers and larger kids, jogging strollers are no-brainers because of their high capacities and suspension systems. However, the City Mini GT can carry just as much weight as the Duallie, while costing less and being much more convenient! I think it’s the handiest solution for getting two larger/older tykes around town.”
Pros:
The best thing about the Baby Jogger is that it’s only 32 pounds! That’s barely heavier than the BOB Revolution Flex, and the City Mini GT holds a whole other kid. Of course, not being a jogging stroller helps. The City Mini GT is extremely convenient for a double this roomy.
While no double stroller is going to manage as much weight as a single jogger like the BOB, the City Mini GT is no slouch. It carries 50 pounds in each seat, which is as much as any other double we’ve reviewed.
It’s as roomy as any double out there. The City Mini GT offers a maximum 26” head height– 3” more than the non-GT model! It has very generous sun canopies with plenty of room overhead.
Like the BOB, the Baby Jogger has a lot of premium features and conveniences. The best is its one-step folding mechanism. We also love how easy it is to grab and get into the trunk.
There’s no need to inflate tires on this one. It has “forever air” tires, which we’re assuming are foam-filled, and they’re really wonderful. They handle any surface well.
There’s also an exceptionally smooth ride for a non-jogging stroller. That’s thanks to front suspension, as well as the tires. The City Mini GT has a convenient and reliable brake, too.
It’s well-made and has a great reliability record. We don’t think you’ll have any issues with longevity using this one on a daily basis. It’s sturdy and we haven’t heard any serious complaints.
It fits easily through doors, without being too cramped for big kids. That’s the key when it comes to doubles!
Cons:
Despite the name, the Baby Jogger is not for jogging. Likewise, it’s not quite as all-terrain as the others.
Basket access isn’t the greatest. It’s a bit of a nit-pick, but worth mentioning.
Check for adapters before you buy if you want to use it with car seats. Chicco’s aren’t going to work, for example.
No double stroller is as roomy as a single stroller. That’s mostly because manufacturers know that a stroller which can’t fit through doorways isn’t particularly useful. They keep the seat widths smaller on doubles for that reason. Having said that, this is the best you’ll do in the double category.
Conclusion
Which of these strollers should you buy?
If you’ve got two kids, your decision is super easy! Go for the Baby Jogger City Mini GT. It’s capable, convenient, and quite affordable for a double stroller. Unless you want to go jogging (where the BOB Revolution Flex Duallie is the better choice), it’s all you need for older/larger kids.
For those parents with just one child to push around, the Joovy is an excellent budget choice. It’s not as rugged or as ergonomic as the BOB, but it offers a lot of room and all the essentials without an oversized price tag.
If you want the absolute most room in a single stroller, and can afford to pay for premium conveniences and ergonomics, go for the BOB. It’s significantly more expensive than the Joovy, but it’s definitely worth it for peace of mind and everyday ease of use.
Buying Guide
Here are a few pointers when you’re shopping for strollers to suit larger kids:
Look for high weight ratings
Nothing’s more important than weight ratings when it comes to strollers for big kids! It doesn’t matter how roomy a model is if it doesn’t have the sturdy build quality necessary to carry your child safely. Always check the weight ratings before you buy. Most strollers can hold up to 50 pounds. All the strollers in this guide hold at least 75 pounds. Be sure to choose something that can handle your child, and don’t forget to leave some room for them to grow.
Make sure you check the proportions
Just as you want to make sure your new stroller can handle your child’s weight, you need to check that your child will fit comfortably. Measure your child from the waist up and from the waist down, as well as considering their overall height. Proportions vary between the seat back height and leg room on different models. That’s why we recommend taking a few measurements instead of relying on height alone.
What’s Next
Learn more about any of the strollers recommended above by clicking on the links in our reviews! That’s the easiest way to check current prices, see full specs, and more. Or, head over to our homepage to find links to all our content.
Abby Larson
