BOB Sport Utility Stroller Review

If you’re looking for an outdoorsy stroller, look no further.
Durable, all-terrain jogger that’s hard to beat.
Dads just love BOB Sport Utility Stroller! Well, men have their own view on a stroller’s appearance: a rough look, the sturdy feel of the frame and smoothness of the ride.

Walkingmama says: SUS is something like a jogger hybrid of a mountain-bike and Cadillac (so comfortable it is for babies). Despite of the heavy look, it rolls easy on any trail. It’s a high quality jogging stroller. One notice: like other BOB models, the seat height is a bit short, the parents of taller children – be aware!

Parents say – it’s the cheapest among the BOB lines and it’s a very good purchase!

Summary

BOB Sport Utility Stroller is one of the best reviewed jogging stroller on the net and I’m nothing but positive about it.
Despite it’s a bit heavy, non-dynamic look, SUS runs beautifully and is perfect for any terrain, especially off-road trail jogging or walking.
There’s a natural question: what’s the difference between BOB Sport Utility and BOB Ironman, except for the price tag?

• BOB SUS and BOB Ironman have 16” wheels, however, Ironman has harder, slicker 1,5” tires – for even more an easy roll on the paved roads, where SUS’s tires are wider, 2” for rugged terrain.
• Both have a famous BOB advanced three-inch suspension with shock absorbers, that has two positions which let to use it for both small and big babies. Great for jogging even on bumpy roads.
• Dual-trigger folding mechanism is the same for BOB Ironman and SUS.

There’s no difference in quality of construction, features and materials used for both BOB SUS and BOB Ironman. It’s more about of the look and sense of the stroller: SUS feels better in the deep forest and Ironman on the road.

Excellent shocks, sturdy, tough, rugged that could handle trails at walking pace and  wonderful for a jog. BOB Sport Utility has many well-thought-out design features, like shock release knob and tracking knob for straight roll.
It feels like BOB designers have put much thought into this stroller.

Another important thing:  SUS’s seat height is a bit short. If your child soon will reach 40 inch – choose a bigger

stroller – Joovy Zoom ATS or Baby Jogger FIT.

Lowest Prices Online

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	$268.95	Visit Store
	$288.09	Visit Store
	$325.00	Visit Store
	$329.99	Visit Store

Is the BOB Sport Utility Stroller good for sports?

Sports usage includes: performance, alignment, durability, off-road performance and safety.

• Performance – how easy it rides
  BOB Sport Utility Stroller can be pushed with just one hand. Nearly every parent has found it’s a pleasure to

   un with this stroller. Maneuvered with virtually no effort, quite manageable for lifting, excellent all-around traction. The stroller goes too smoothly, it can easily roll away from you.

  However, going uphill, a couple of some pounds less would be nice. It’s quite a workout.

• Durability: how sturdy it is and how long it lasts
  All the BOB strollers are very durable – that’s the premium feature what you’re paying for. No complaints on durability. Welded aluminum frame, durable polycarbonate plastic wheels. The stroller is sturdy, very robust. 70lbs capacity, which is nice, however, because of its short seat, children tend to overgrowth BOB strollers before they gain this weight limit. In general, it’s great for to 2 to 3 years old kids (up to 40” tall). Well, if you completely open the roof of the canopy – still higher children would fit.
• Good alignment – stroller doesn’t pull to the sides
  BOB SUS has almost no alignment complaints. Although two reviewers complained about difficulty with the front wheel pulling in one direction or the other. For problems like this one, BOB SUS has an adjustable

  tracking feature that eliminates drift for a smooth and straight ride. It’s a handy feature, which I like.

  All the Hi-End joggers, like Joovy Zoom ATS or Baby Jogger F.I.T, have almost no alignment problem as well: if such appears, it can easily be reversed by just adjusting the lever on the front wheel axle. For BOB joggers – it’s the same adjustment, just performed by a simple twist of the front wheel knob.

• Off-road – This is what BOB Sport Utility Stroller is created for
  Semi-slick tires with water dispersion grooves in synergy with the great shocks – an excellent off-road recipe! Urban, suburban, beach, snow, mountains or deep-woods, parents love this jogging stroller’s absolute mastery of the bumps. SUS navigates everywhere.
• Safety – it has a standard safety set: rear and hand breaks, 5-point harnesses, a safety strap. There is a reflection tape on the canopy. Parents like this rear brake, as it could be easily kicked on and off, as well it’s very tough and secure.
• Wrist strap – is attached between the two back wheels of the stroller. The manufacturers say, it’s more safe as the baby will not be at any risk if you do happen to fall. However, it is easier to step on the strap as that is hanging somewhere down at your feet. Not adjustable handlebar. Well padded. Placed 42” from the ground.

Is BOB SUS suitable for Walkingmama Stroller Fitness?

Not really. Walkingmama Stroller Fitness is all about doing exercises right on the go by holding the stroller’s handle one or another way. You will need  to adjust the handle height  to workout the different muscles.

With BOB Sport Utility stroller you are perfectly equipped for all kind of walking and running, including  weight loss walking, hiking and rollerblading pushing stroller!

Lowest Prices Online

Source	Price	Order Here
	$268.95	Visit Store
	$288.09	Visit Store
	$325.00	Visit Store
	$329.99	Visit Store

Is BOB Sport Utility Stroller good for the real life?

Measured against easy of use, child’s comfort,  storage space and parent’s extras.

• Easy of use – includes folding, adjusting and using of harnesses.

• Folding: BOB’s folding mechanism makes it very easy to fold & unfold the stroller. In case it doesn’t fit into  our trunk – just remove the wheels (via the quick-release lever). BOB SUS is convenient  for transport and storage. Use the safety strap for locking it closed when folded.
• Adjusting: seat reclines easily by pulling a strap. Deep, almost flat recline.
• Using of harnesses: no complaints, it’s easy to use. Harnesses are both safe and comfortable for the child. Would be nice to have some reflection on them (there’s only the reflection on the canopy’s roof).

• Child’s comfort includes a reclining seat, seat height & width, canopy, foot rest, quality of fabrics and suspension

• Seat: quite roomy, softer, and reclines almost flat. Seat width is 14.5″, same as for BOB Ironman and Joovy ZOOM ATS, however, less wide than Baby Jogger FIT.  The seat height  could be higher – some parents note that  40″inch babies have difficulties to fit into the BOB SUS.
• Canopy:  massive sun canopy (even covering legs)! It gives a generous shade. Nice viewing window. It would provide even more space for the child if it would have a curved roof (like Baby Jogger FIT). Another thing to notice: when the seat is fully reclined, the back side gets uncovered.
• Foot rest: fabric’s leg’s rest. Placed a bit  high and at the almost straight angle: would be better to have a longer drop (like Joovy’s ATS).
• Quality of fabrics: high quality fabric – is tough and more resistant to staining. A seat composes of closed cell foam which blocks out mold and smell from the materials as well. Water-resistant.

• Suspension: excellent. SUS absorbs shock amazingly, making the ride especially smooth.Suspension can be adjusted to accommodate the increasing weight of the child as he grows. One user even said that it can jump curbs when he’s jogging.
  

• Storage space: lots of space for storage (an underneath basket, a large back pocket, and two internal pockets). The baskets are easily accessed.

• Parents extras: all should be purchased separately, including the rain shield and the parent’s console.

Car seat adaptable

YES, with BOB Infant Car Seat Adapter (sold separately).

Does it have any weaknesses?

• Not-adjustable handlebar: Taller parents (near 6ft and over) might not  feel comfortable while running. In fact, BOB manufacturers justify that the non-adjustable handlebar is safer to use – I would strongly argue this, as the quality handlebar doesn’t get broken for  years. Except this point, I can’t see much correlation between an adjustable handlebar and the safety of the stroller. A swivel wheel is, to my opinion, much more controversial for the safety. If you looking for a  jogging stroller with an adjustable handlebar, Schwinn/Instep Arrow is the only option.
• A seat height could be higher:  I have found several complains that already 36″ tall child hits a head on the canopy.
• Alignment:. BOB SUS may happen to pull a bit to the sides, however, it’s quite easy to fix with the adjustment knob on the front wheel. If it doesn’t help – the reason often might be fluctuations in the tire pressure, as these are so  thick. Check your tires and always make sure they are balanced.

Some parents say  BOB Sport Utility is big and heavy. Well, jogging strollers tend to weight more that the umbrella strollers .

Lowest Prices Online

Source	Price	Order Here
	$268.95	Visit Store
	$288.09	Visit Store
	$325.00	Visit Store
	$329.99	Visit Store

Related Tags: best jogging strollers, BoB Sport Utility, jogging stroller, jogging strollers review

About the Author

My name is Elena Filatova and I’m a mother of a 6 year old son. Stroller Walking has become my sport and the way of life for almost four years: I've walked with the baby stroller more than 5000 miles, as well as developed Strollnetics and promoted Fitness Rollerblading for Moms. In fact, I haven’t invented anything, I just rethink the way a mom can do more sport and have more freedom staying with her child.

4 Responses to “BOB Sport Utility Stroller Review”

1. Joanna Bodie says:

   November 20, 2012 at 19:39

   Elena….I am interested in this stroller but I am looking to use it on paved roads as well as off road trails…I heard this stroller doesn’t do well in paved roads… what are your thoughts?

   Reply
   • Lena says:

     November 21, 2012 at 07:03

     Hello Joanna! Good question!

     If you’re looking for a speed on a paved roads – that BOB SUS might be a little too slow/heavy comparing to the models with the thinner tires. It’s a simple physics: SUS’s wide knobbed tires together with the suspension slow down your move, especially when starting off. However, it’s a matter of seconds, a habit and your running abilities. On the other hand, it can jump curbs when jogging and makes smooth rollerblading (yet harder). I would say – think on how much time are you going to jog with it off road vs paved roads. If your daily jogging/running taking place on an asphalted roads – and you’re not a running pro/ or an athlete, I would look at some other models. If you’re jogging mostly in a forest/ off road – or you like to explore and to hike, BOB SUS is right for you! So drop me a line and I’ll try to help you further!

     Reply
     • Joanna Bodie says:

       November 21, 2012 at 12:30

       Thanks Lena! I run marathons but now I have a baby & it’s time to think about jogging strollers I will do running on both paved roads & trail… Should I consider the revolution SE? Or the Baby jogger Summit? Will their front tires be able to handle tough terrain? I see the sports utility and I see that large front tire and I think what a badass stroller I just want to make a good decision! Thanks Lena!

       Reply