Sometimes Less is More
Baby Trend makes a strong start with the Expedition Jogger’s low price point, but in the race for Best Jogging Stroller, can it keep up with the competition of higher-priced brands?
If you have a baby, a decent stroller is essential. Swings, slings, and bassinets are all optional baby gear, but a lightweight pram is a must. Once a baby comes on the scene, simple things like going to your local farmer’s market or getting in thirty minutes of exercise will become challenging feats. Though umbrella strollers have their place, a high-quality jogging stroller can save your sanity. In a world of Bobs and Baby Joggers, premium jogging strollers that hang out at medium to high price points, I had my doubts about the Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Stroller‘s ability to measure up. Though I’ve been a Bob Mom since Baby #1, this jogging stroller has me questioning my brand devotion.
For additional choices, see our best jogging strollers.
Where There’s a Swivel Wheel, There’s a Way
Whether you are searching for a single jogging stroller, like the Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Stroller, or in the market for a double, or even a triple buggy, I highly recommend purchasing a baby trolley with a front wheel that swivels. Some hardcore joggers will argue that a swivel might slow you down. Unless you are going for speed and straight lines, you’re going to want a front wheel that can turn through your neighborhood and navigate events. Here’s the good news, this Baby Trend can both swivel, or, for your marathon running moments, the front wheel can be locked into place.
Perfect, with a Wobbly Exception
Now that we know the Expedition can, indeed, turn a corner and maneuver around slow pedestrians, let’s move on to the rest of wheel and suspension features. The Baby Trend Jogger navigates pretty well and gives a fairly smooth ride, even on bumpy terrain roads and wonky sidewalks. The wheels themselves are pretty big, and are, in fact, bicycle tires, so the tread is nice and thick. The only problem I had was a bit of a wobble on the front wheel. I’m a fast walker, and, as I picked up speed, the Baby Trend Jogger couldn’t seem to keep up. I solved this by locking up the front wheel, which was fine until I had to make a turn and lift up on the back wheels. Here’s where I started to miss my regular Bob stroller. Bob may not be cheap, but he has never wobbled on me.
Put on the Brakes
Much like my Bob stroller, the back wheel brakes are conveniently located right at your feet. I just push down the red levers, and the buggy stays in place. I tested the brake power on a downhill slope with a friend in a safe ready-to-catch-the-baby position in case of failure. I’m happy to say, the Baby Trend Expedition stayed right in place. This Baby Trend pram does not have a hand brake, a lovely feature, but one I have done without for the past ten stroller-filled years of my life.
- Front-wheel swivels with a lock-in place option
- Thick, All-terrain bicycle wheels
- Slight wobble on front-wheel at high speeds
- Two-foot brakes
- No hand brake
Take a Seat
Before I became a mom, I assumed all stroller seats were created equal. You plop your baby in, safely buckle them up, and go on your way. I was oh-so-wrong. There are a million ways to buckle in a baby, and the Baby Trend Expedition Jogging Stroller presents one of the best seating systems I have seen.
Sit Down and Get Your Snack On
I’ll start off by saying, I love the fact that the Baby Trend Expedition Jogging Stroller has a child’s tray. The Baby Jogger Summit and my beloved Bob Revolution do not come with trays, though I think they will sell you one for another chunk of money. The tray is awesome, not only for snacks and drinks but for your little one to tap and rest their hands on. Kids love that kind of stuff. The Baby Trend’s tray is on a hinge, so it just swings open when you put your little one in the seat.
5-Point Harness and Easy Buckles
Where do we start? The Baby Trend Jogger’s seat has a ton of features. First, it’s multi-positioned, reclining options are nice for finding that sweet comfort spot. Adjusting the recline could not be easier, just pull the straps. Next, you lock baby into place with a five-point harness. This is the only option I choose for my kids because it is the safest. Lastly, the buckles are super easy to use; they slide right in like butter.
Cool Canopy, Okay Comfort
The Baby Trend Jogging Stroller’s seat is padded, but not quite enough. My toddler complained of her bum feeling like a “big rock” after our three-mile test drive. She wasn’t very happy that the seat of this buggy was seemingly as small as the umbrella stroller she now refuses to ride in. The seat of the Expedition isn’t very deep, but, to be honest, neither is the Bob Jogging Stroller that I have. I don’t get it. Maybe they think toddlers should be running beside us instead of seated in front of us. There is no side padding on the seat of the Baby Trend Expedition, so younger babies may need a blanket for padding if they have outgrown their infant car seat.
One way the Baby Trend Expedition pulls ahead of every other jogging stroller I have ever used is with the canopy. The canopy is large and adjusts to cover a lot of area, without holes of sunlight. It has a small flap that hangs down to keep the sun out of baby’s eye. Additionally, it can easily be rolled up when not in use or if you want to peek in and say hello.
Infant Car Seat Compatible, Sort Of
If you have a Baby Trend EZ Flex Loc Infant Car Seat, you are good to go. The Expedition Jogging Stroller and the Flex-Loc Car Seat were made for one another. If you don’t, you may or may not be able to use your infant car seat with this stroller. I couldn’t fit our Chicco KeyFit in but my friend managed to jam her Graco infant car seat in, although I wouldn’t recommend doing this. I would say it may even be worth just buying a Baby Trend car seat specifically for your stroller and just keeping it there. Baby Trend is that affordable.
Take a look at our full review of the Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Travel system to learn more.
- Includes a child snack tray with a cupholder
- Super safe 5-Point harness
- Not the most comfortable seat
- No side padding
- Awesome canopy with lots of rotation options
Watch the Demo
The Little Things That Make Life Easier
Two things to consider when making your jogging stroller decision are accessories and ease of travel. You can have the world’s best buggy, but if you can’t fold it up and fit it in the trunk of your car, it won’t get you very far. I’m happy to report that the Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Stroller gets gold stars in these two categories.
Parental Comfort
When we buy strollers, we are so consumed with making sure our little one has the best and most comfortable ride, we often forget that our comfort matters as well. The Baby Trend Expedition’s handlebar is not only padded, but it is angled up, something I didn’t realize mattered. My Bob Revolution’s straight across bar leaves me with sore wrists, and I actually must prefer the pushing style of the Baby Trend Expedition.
Storage for Diapers, Snacks, and Toys
Baby Trend delivers two things I consider essential pram paraphernalia: a parent console and a storage basket, and, they are kind enough not to charge you extra for it by selling it as an “add-on” like some other brands (cough cough Baby Jogger… cough cough Bob…). The basket, underneath the seat, is not super big, and it is a bit difficult to access if there is a child in the seat. The parent console, located in arm’s reach, is lovely for water bottles and keys.
Fold and Go
If you are just planning on paling around the ‘hood, you may never need to fold up your stroller. If you are using this jogging stroller as a commuter, for trips to the zoo, and on errand runs, you will need to be able to fold it up and put it in your car. The Baby Trend Jogger is lightweight, and it does fold up, but not easily so. You have to fully recline the seat before folding, and it’s still pretty bulky when you fold it up. The Expedition fit in the trunk of my sedan, but barely.
We’ve got a round-up of the best light jogging strollers to give you help in finding an easy ride for baby!
- Ergonomic, padded push bar
- Storage basket under seat
- Parent console with cup holder
- A bit difficult to fold up
- Bulky when folded
Customer Reviews
- 4.4 stars, 699 reviews Diapers.com
- 4.7 stars, 39 reviews BabiesRUs
- 4.5 stars, 150 reviews Walmart
- 4.0 stars, 12 reviews Target
Pros
- Front Wheel swivels and locks into place for easy turning and smooth runs
- 5-Point Harness keeps baby buckled in safe
- Includes parent console and child snack tray
- Affordable price point
Cons
- Seat is lacking side padding
- A bit of a wheel wobble at high speeds
- Folding up could be easier
Bottom Line:
If you are looking for a jogging stroller that can handle a multitude of terrain and the thought of spending four or five hundred dollars makes you uneasy, I highly recommend the Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Stroller. For hundreds of dollars less, this jogger is not far behind the premium brands. You may find yourself frustrated over needing to recline the seat each time you fold it up or when you feel a little wobble now. It’s okay, you can comfort yourself with the couple hundred dollars you saved.
