The Guava Roam was the runner-up in our larger tested review of jogging strollers. You can read more about how this newcomer stroller rose above the competition with some smart new features, including handlebar access to the front-wheel lock.
Runners who log miles with their kids know the big brand names in the jogging stroller market, including Thule and Bob Gear. Despite the Guava Family brand being new to running strollers—its Roam jogging stroller launched just a few years ago—it blew seasoned competition away during recent testing. On my first few runs, I really thought it could unseat the Thule Urban Glide 2 as the best jogging stroller—but in the end, it took a close second for reasons I’ll get into.
For families who want a compact running stroller that easily doubles as an everyday stroller, the Guava Roam is an ideal pick with its jogging pro features and a higher child weight limit than my top pick overall in the category: the Thule Urban Glide 2.
A Compact Design For A Running Stroller
Jogging strollers are generally large and heavy for a reason: They’re built to withstand a beating over rugged terrain and quick speeds. And at a higher price than a traditional stroller, quality running strollers are made to last. But that doesn’t mean every unit has to be a behemoth. The Guava Roam prides itself on “folding 50 percent smaller” than other running strollers, thanks to its nesting design.
Although I’d need something like an engineering degree to verify it truly folds 50 percent smaller, the Guava Roam is incredibly compact. But because the front wheel doesn’t swivel when locked, there is less flexibility when packing into the trunk of a car. It fit fine in both my sedan and minivan, but I would have appreciated being able to move the front wheel more to gain more space in my packing.
Not only does the stroller fold more compactly, the overall footprint is more narrow than the other units I tested, including the Thule Urban Glide 2. This comes in handy when pushing the stroller through doorways, making the Guava Roam an excellent choice for urban dwellers who want one stroller to do it all.
A Smooth Ride Despite The Airless Tires
The Guava Roam has a smooth ride, even with airless (foam-filled) tires that are slightly small for a running stroller. A friend of mine who uses the stroller for everyday use and running (road and off-road) had no complaints about the foam tires, which experts say can make the ride less smooth. I noticed a slight difference, but it’s the smaller tire size that caused more issues when pushing it off-road.
What I absolutely loved about this stroller is the easy access to the front wheel lock. This is the first time I’ve ever been able to adjust the front wheel from the handlebar. Just slightly rotate the plastic dial, and you can go from walking to running in a second. A bonus to this design is that my kids can’t kick the locking mechanism, which can be pretty dangerous if you’re not expecting the shift.
Ample Storage For Parents And Kids
If you’ve got happy kids, you’ll have a happy run, and I’ve found that the number of snacks and toys I can pack in my running stroller is a big factor in creating a comfortable, enjoyable spot for my kiddos. The Guava Roam has ample storage, including mesh pockets and a zip pocket on the (uncovered) undercarriage basket. I comfortably stowed several flowers from a local nursery, a small backpack, two travel coffee mugs and a jacket across several runs.
The stroller also comes with a parent organizer that holds a water bottle (or baby bottle) and has a zippered pocket for essentials like pacifiers and mid-run treasures (in my case, rocks and pinecones). The organizer is easy to attach and remove.
How Does It Compare To The Thule Urban Glide 2?
The Guava Roam put up a good fight in its quest to be the best overall running stroller. Although I preferred the weight, handlebar width and tires of the Thule Urban Glide 2, the Guava Roam rides smooth and touts a space-saving folded design.
The foam-filled tires are no-maintenance, which is a huge perk for many people. But as a result, they’re smaller than traditional running strollers’ air-filled tires and don’t handle off-road terrain quite as well. It’s worth noting that pro runner Neeley Spence Gracey just ran a world record using her Guava Roam, so she apparently didn’t mind the airless tires.
I love the handlebar access to the front wheel locking mechanism, a feature I have not seen on any other model. It does not include a handbrake, however, which may be a must for some runners. The Guava Roam also offers a much higher child weight capacity when compared to the Thule (60 pounds to the Thule’s 49), but a comparable maximum to Bob Gear joggers and other competitors.
How I Tested The Best Jogging Strollers
Finding the best running stroller is subjective, of course, because it depends on the runner and their family. So I looked at a variety of factors, including the ride itself, ease of folding, the overall size and other useful features and attributes.
Running Performance: Each stroller I tested went out on 1 to 3 mile runs with my youngest children onboard. Testing the strollers in real life on real runs with real kids quickly surfaced issues in the losers and highlights in the best models. My husband also tested top performers, and my oldest child liked to chime in with feedback here and there too.
I assessed how easy it was to use the handbrake, if available; how easily the canopy adjusted while running; and the ease of use for the front wheel lock.
Folding, Unfolding and Car Storage: I timed myself folding and unfolding each stroller, and I noted how easy it was to place each into our minivan and our sedan’s trunk. The average folding time was 6 seconds, and the average unfolding time was 9 seconds—not bad for jogging strollers. I also took note of how well each fit into a packed family car, as many of us like to take our jogging strollers along for day trips and road trips.
Terrain: Although I primarily run on pavement, I tested these strollers on gravel trails and off-road terrain, when possible. The locked front wheel prevents tipping, but I also gauged the stroller’s maneuverability and how smooth the ride was for me and the kids on these different terrains.
Storage: As I pointed out previously, setting your child up for a fun run is key to you having a successful run, too. You’re going to need plenty of pockets and storage spots for all their gear, snacks and your own essentials. I packed each stroller with the same items and noted how well things stayed contained and how easy each was to retrieve. This kit included water bottles, my phone and keys, snacks and often a few miscellaneous items in the undercarriage basket, such as my jacket or things we picked up during errands like groceries.
Cleanability: Jogging strollers are notoriously hard to clean because they don’t have removable fabrics. I tested how easy it was to quickly wipe away a typical kid-oriented stain by spilling a toddler pouch onto the seats of these strollers and wiping it up with a damp paper towel. I noted any remaining dampness and stains.
My Expertise
I’m a parent, runner, writer and product reviewer, making me the ideal writer and tester for this story. I’ve been running for more than two decades (and with a jogging stroller for the last five years), and I’ve worked as a journalist for the same amount of time. Formerly, I was the senior editor at Runner’s World, and I’ve continued to cover health and fitness subjects, including product reviews, across many publications. I recently reported on the best running shoes for women at Forbes Vetted and tested 10 crib mattresses to find the best, safest pick.
I’m a mom of three kids, all age 6 or under. All of them have taken rides in running strollers with me over the years, including for this story.
Are Airless Or Air-Filled Tires Better?
Running strollers commonly use air-filled tires because they help cushion you and your child against the bumps. Some strollers, including the Guava Roam, use airless tires, which are filled with foam so the tires won’t puncture or go flat. On terrains other than pavement, they can feel bumpier.