Stroller talk Saturday - Running in style with the Baby Jogger Summit X3

Happy Saturday and first official day of summer!  Most of you know that I have a stroller obsession, and now that it's most definitely full fledge stroller season I want to talk more about strollers on here!  I'm going to try to post reviews and info on the ones I'm using, and hopefully review a few new ones as well.  I hope to be on here fairly regularly with Stroller Talk Saturdays, so stay tuned!

People are always asking me what stroller I jog with.  The truth is there are so many fantastic options out there, many of which I've tried and hope to share with you on here.  So many trusted brands are offering awesome jogger options. But, for the past year, I have really been loving the Baby Jogger Summit X3, both the single and double (based on who's home etc..).  So, today I thought I'd give you a closer look at the Summit X3, why I'm loving it, what sets it apart, areas for improvement and hopefully answer any questions you might have for me as an avid user of both strollers.  Its no secret that I am a Baby Jogger fan, and this stroller that was redesigned and put out last year is truly no exception. 

Overview: Last year Baby Jogger launched their new and improved hybrid jogging strolling, the Summit X3, and it's getting rave reviews. It's got great maneuverability, has all wheel suspension, and has all the great features we love about Baby Jogger strollers including the amazing canopies, fold and ease of use.  Compared to other joggers I've used, I've found the Summit X3 to be a pleasant upgrade-  so manageable, SO easy to fold and more compact when folded.  The hand break and the wheel lock on the handlebar make it a breeze to control during your workout.  Also with 21" seat back, and a 24" head height, its a taller seat and more comfortable for my older guy to ride in; at 4+ he still fits just fine.  While I probably wouldn't make it my everyday for everything stroller, if you are a runner or looking for something to tackle all terrain, this is a great option, and if you have your heart set on one stroller, this definitely can do it all.  I've taken it in stores and appointments, and it fits and maneuvers just fine especially with the option to unlock the front wheel for it to swivel.  Like any side by side double, the double Summit X3 is big, but comparatively speaking, I find it easy to handle and I love that it actually fits through doorways with ease.  You can also turn the stroller into a travel system if you are looking to carry tiny passengers. With the single, you can use both a car seat adapter and the Compact Pram carrycot (with the double you can only use the Compact Pram) which are nice options to allow your little one to be snug and face you.  Note that the seats in the Summit X3 recline almost flat which is perfect for a snooze and allows you to put your little one in the seat fairly early (for walking).  Note that most pediatricians recommend not jogging with your baby in the seat until 6 months, but every baby is different and that is something you should discuss with your pediatrician.
 
Important Specs:

• Seat back height- 21"
• Head Height- 24"
• Wheels- 16" (2 back) 12"(front) all air filled tires
• Stroller weight- 28lbs (single) 36.2lbs (double)
• Weight capacity- 75lbs (single) 100lbs (double)
  

Favorite Features:

• Great maneuverability
• Comfortable and easy to recline seats
• Hand-break inside the handlebar offers great control
• Easy to wipe down handle bar
• Front wheel lock is controlled with a lever at the top of the stroller (this SO helpful!!)
• Fabric is a breeze to wipe down
• Good size and easy to access storage
• The all wheel suspension provides a really smooth ride
• Fairly tall seats (taller and more comfortable for my growing toddlers than others I've tried)
• Great 5 point harness with shoulder pads
• The harnesses are SO easy to adjust, NO rethreading required.. you simply clip the harness to the loop at a level that fits your child best
• Patented quick fold technology (one step fold) the best!
• Fairly compact when folded
• Extremely large canopies with peekaboo windows
• Mesh fabric at the top of the seat to allow air flow or covers to keep it toasty in there
• Fantastic Baby Jogger accessories are compatible with this stroller, the snack track, parent console, glider board, carrycot and more!!
• Car seat adapter available for most brands of infant seats in the single only

The downside/areas for improvement:

• While the single has a car seat adapter and snack tray option, the double Summit X3 does not, I'd love to see these available in an easy to use option for the double
• While this stroller handles terrain beautifully and comfortably, I don't think its an all-star on loose sandy beaches.  It certainly can do it, but on loose sand it requires a little extra effort that another on the market. 
• Color choices- While I like the green and black a lot, I'd love to see this awesome stroller offered in some of the knock-out colors Baby Jogger offers on other strollers
• The canopies and peekaboo windows on the Summit X3 are fantastic, the only improvement that would make them better (IMO) is magnetic closures on the windows instead of Velcro that can me loud when you try to peek on your sleeping little one
• The Summit X3 does not have an adjustable handlebar, this would be a great option for Baby Jogger to consider IMO.  I'm 5'3" and would likely move the handlebar down a bit for more comfortable arm positioning if I could
• Not necessarily a downside, but something to keep in mind, the front frame scratches easily, so just be careful hauling it in and out of the car and popping it open

Recap/recommendation: Overall, the Summit X3 by Baby Jogger is a fantastic stroller; whether your needs require the single or double, I think you'll be really happy with your purchase.  This may not be the fastest on the market, if you are looking for a stroller for the sole purpose of running, you may consider the Baby Jogger FIT stroller or the BOB Ironman, both with three 16"wheels. But, this is a great jogger that will last you many miles and can SO easily switch from running to walking with the remote swivel lock.. you can switched the front wheel from locked to swiveling in seconds.  I'd highly recommend this stroller to an active family looking for a top notch stroller to run with, walk with and adventure life with.  I often recommend getting a smaller stroller like the Baby Jogger Vue for errands and travel etc.. but you could 100% get away with using the summit everyday.  We LOVE both the single and the double and my 4 year old is still riding in it.  The single retails for $429, and the double retails for $649 though you can often find great deals on the previous year's models if you wait.
 
If you're in Maine and looking to try this out, other than my garage, I think the closet places to try it out and buy would be Baby Go Round in Hampton Falls, NH, and Magic Beans with several locations in MA.

Thanks as always for stopping by!  Let me know if you have any questions, I'm more that happy to answer based on my personal experience with it.

Happy Saturday!

Rebecca