Baby Jogger Performance Series: Durability, reliability and more
I’ve had a very basic love-hate relationship with running all my adult life: I love what it does for my figure. I hate doing it. I run every single day, and believe me when I say that I hate every single, solitary minute of it. But I like to stay in shape and, for me, running gets the job done. Running with a baby adds another dimension to my own personal running hell, however. If you don’t enjoy the act of running, it only stands to reason that running while pushing a 30 lb baby in a 25 lb + stroller isn’t going to enhance the experience for you. But, again, it’s a necessary evil for me: I like to run during the day and with no nanny in sight that means that Sam is along for the ride.
That said, there are ways to making running with a baby easier on yourself and your baby. First and foremost, invest in a good jogging stroller. If you’re a serious runner, logging multiple miles each day or even training for a race, then there is no better place to start your search than with the Baby Jogger Performance Series stroller. It’s sweet enough to make me (gasp) actually enjoy running!
What clearly sets the Performance Series ($360 for a single; $460 for a double) apart from other jogging strollers in its class is its one-piece frame. Yes, this means that you can’t fold it up quickly for storage, and that is definitely a big downside. But the upside is that a one-piece frame makes the Performance Series the most durable jogging stroller on the market. The less parts and pieces that bend and give, the less opportunity there is for weakening of the stroller’s frame down the road after it’s logged hundreds (and hundreds!) of miles of use. Speaking of, whatever shock the stroller is experiencing won’t be a bother to baby. The Performance Series employs 20-inch wheels, while the single offers added protection from bumpy roads in the form of rear shock absorbers — both of which serve to ensure an incredibly smooth push and ride.
Comfy, too! The reclinable, deep seat is amply padded and cradles your baby, almost like a hammock. Sammy — held in place with a five-point harness — seems to love riding in this stroller because he can just sit back, relax and enjoy the view (see photo above-right). I, in turn, have a nice view of my precious cargo courtesy of the Performance Series’ dual peek-a-boo windows on its sun canopy (see photo of Owen below-left). Whether I choose to extend the canopy a little or a lot, I can steal a glance at my child whenever I want. In the process, there are no worries about tiny fingers getting caught: The Performance Series employs no-pinch hinge technology on its canopy.
In terms of safety, the Performance Series has got it all. There is a direct-pull V-brake handbrake for added stopping power and believe me, this stroller — when configured properly — can stop on a dime, even if you’re running down a hill. There’s also a safety wrist strap you wear in the event that the stroller gets away from you, a push-button park brake on the handbrake and a rear-wheel park brake. The Performance Series meets or exceeds the ASTM and TUV safety certification standards has a weight capacity of 100 lbs.
I did run into some trouble early on with the tracking of our Performance Series. The first few runs I took with it, the stroller seemed to glide ever-so-slightly to the left. But my husband was able to quickly remedy the situation by adjusting the fork tips, and now the stroller runs straight as an arrow. Set-up was not the easiest I’ve ever encountered, particularly with regard to the V-brake, but then again — this isn’t a stroller that you necessarily want to go together with a few quick snaps here and there. If it did, I would question whether it was really capable of handling multiple-mile runs, multiple days each week. Also, because the V-brake offers so much in terms of added safety I think it’s worth it to have to spend a few extra minutes during set-up, considering what you receive on the back end.
Not all jogging strollers, I’m sad to say from personal experience, are built to last. If you’re an occasional jogger, you can certainly get by with a budget stroller … but if you jog with any regularity, it’s really worth the investment to spend a little more, and know that your stroller will be fully operational as long as you need it to be. With the Performance Series, you’re buying exactly that, and a smooth and safe ride for you and baby in the process. To purchase a Performance Series, click here.
