Whether you’re an obsessive runner hoping to keep up your favourite hobby after having a baby, or are looking to take up the sport to get moving again after a new arrival, a running buggy can be a truly liberating purchase that helps you to get out and about when you have a small child in tow.
Running buggies are three-wheeled pushchairs with rear wheel suspension and air-filled tyres. According to most manufacturers, they can be used for running with a child aged six months up to around four to six years, depending on the weight limit of your chosen model. Double running buggies will even allow you to run with two kids at once: a serious workout, especially when faced with a hill.
A fixed front wheel is necessary to ensure stability when you hit any bumps when running, However, you’ll need to decide whether you want a buggy with a permanently fixed front wheel or one that has the option to swivel for general use.
Swivel-wheeled buggies can be employed for everyday use because they are highly manoeuvrable. However, fixed-wheel buggies have larger wheels which means a smoother ride over any terrain – this is why most serious runners opt for them. The rougher the terrain you intend to tackle, the larger the wheels need to be for a bump-free ride – but the larger the wheels, the more awkward the buggy is to store. While all the buggies on this list can be folded, some are more compact than others.
Extra features to look out for include a hand-operated brake for those hairy downhill moments, and a wrist strap to ensure you don’t part ways with your buggy. You can usually opt for extra storage baskets, although these are shunned by speedsters because the extra stuff will slow you down and potentially get in the way of your stride. You should also ensure that a running buggy has a height-adjustable handle, which will allow you to keep your forearm at a 90° angle from your body.
Most buggies will have a rain cover, although this may have to be purchased separately, and make sure you grab some spare inner tubes and a puncture repair kit in case of a flat tyre. If well looked after, running buggies hold their value pretty well, so you might consider buying secondhand or passing it on when you’re done with it.
Multisport parents might want to consider a chariot-style running buggy that can also be used as a bike trailer. These may seem expensive, but it means you don’t need multiple bike seats, trailers and buggies, which can make it a worthwhile long-term investment.
The Best Fixed-Wheel Running Buggies
UK brand Out ’N’ About has won the support of legions of devoted runners thanks to its range of running buggies that offer a winning combination of value and features. The Nipper Sport is lightweight at 9.8kg, has a handlebar brake and can be used for running with children aged from six months to around four years (depending on your child’s weight – the maximum load is 22kg). The three large 16in (40cm) wheels, including a fixed front wheel, make it easy to tackle rough terrain. Without a swivel option on the front wheel, however, the Nipper Sport isn’t that nippy in the supermarket aisle. It folds down easily and the wheels can be removed for more compact storage. The price includes a raincover, which makes this a great-value running buggy. Although the RRP is not what you might call small change, it’s often discounted.
The sleek design and quick-release wheels on the Thule Glide 2 mean that once folded it offers a compact size despite the large tyres (16in/40cm front wheel and 18in/46cm back wheels). The Glide 2 also has a decent amount of storage for your shopping if you stop by the supermarket on the way back from your run. If you worry about your ability to reach and squeeze a traditional brake quickly, Thule’s clever twist mechanism – which is integrated into the handlebar – might persuade you to splash the extra cash. With more growing room than many buggies in terms of seat back length and shoulder width, the Glide 2 has a max load of 22kg and weighs in at 10.8kg.
The Best Swivel-Wheel Running Buggies
Billed as a multipurpose pushchair, the Nipper has a 360°-swivel front wheel that can be locked straight for running or walks over rough terrain. A great value option, with three 12in (30cm) wheels, the Nipper is ideal if you want an all-round buggy that you can use for running. Lightweight at 9.8kg, it folds down easily with the front wheel tucked sideways, and it’s compact enough that you won’t need to fiddle about removing muddy wheels when trying to get it into a car boot. There’s also plenty of storage, including a drawstring shopping pouch and handy zip pockets on the hood so you can keep your essentials within reach. The Nipper has a height-adjustable, foam-padded handle and a footbrake, although there’s no handbrake. The seat can be reclined with one hand, although – as with many similar buggies – getting it to go back up isn’t the easiest. A rain cover is included.
New Zealand brand Mountain Buggy makes pushchairs that can tackle rugged mountain trails. Highly rated as a running buggy, the Terrain has business-like 16in (40cm) back wheels and a 12in (30cm) front wheel that can be fixed for running or set to swivel for everyday use. The Terrain also comes with a pair of 12in “urban” back wheels that you can switch in. Safety features include a hand-operated brake and wrist strap and the seat reclines completely to lie flat for optimal napping, while the zipped side pockets keep your keys safe. Weighing in at 12.9kg, this is a beast of a buggy that’s perhaps better suited to country life than tight city streets and stairwells. It’s fully compatible with travel systems including a bassinet, so it can be used from birth (running only when the baby is six months or older) and the maximum weight limit is a hefty 25kg (around five years).
The Urban Glide 2 from Swedish brand Thule is a sleek all-terrain buggy offering a brilliant combination of features. Lighter than similar models at 10.8kg, it will be easier to manoeuvre up steps or into the car. The Urban Glide 2 has 16in (40cm) rear wheels and a 12in (30cm) swivelling front wheel, which can be locked in place for running. Stand-out features include a clever integrated twist handbrake, a zip-up storage basket and several mesh pouches for your passenger’s snacks and toys. It can be folded one-handed and is very compact with the back wheels removed. Travel-system compatible, the Urban Glide 2 is ideal for everyday use as well as being every bit the rugged running buggy.
The Best Chariot-Style Running Buggies
If you’re a multisport parent wishing to transport your child by bike as well as on foot, then consider a chariot-style running buggy that can convert to a bike trailer. These have a cosy compartment with a seat (or two) contained inside. Unlike a cargo bike, a chariot-style trailer is foldable, so you can store it more easily. The child compartment is protected with a mesh screen which keeps bugs at bay and ensures kids don’t drop their favourite teddy (or your iPad) en route. They are safer than they look, too, with reinforced roll cages that will protect your child even if the whole buggy rolls over. Usually these chariots are sold as bike trailers that convert to urban pushchairs so if you intend to run with it you’ll have to buy the “jogging kit” as an add-on.
The Thule Chariot Cross Single is a top-of-the-range model which can be used as a bike trailer, running buggy with theadditional jogging wheel kit or urban four-wheeled buggy and it even converts into a ski pulk. It’s sturdy and solid, weighing in at 13.8kg, and the single can carry up to 34kg (the double weighs 14.5kg, with a maximum load capacity of 45kg). Adjustable suspension keeps your child comfortable over different types of terrain, and the huge wheels (20in/51cm rear wheels and 18in/46cm front wheel) ensure a smooth ride. The Chariot Cross has generous storage compartments, and folds down impressively well for its size. There’s a built-in rain cover and the handbrake is integrated within the adjustable handle. A double version (£1,000) is available too.
The Chariot Lite is a lighter, pared-back version of the Chariot Cross, and although the single version seems to have been discontinued, you can still pick up the double on websites like Amazon and Alpinetrek. It weighs 12.5kg and has a max capacity of 45kg. There’s still a fair amount of storage space, and a spacious compartment inside so your child can bring a selection of toys on an outing. However, the Lite has no padding or recline feature on the seat and though it has a footbrake, it doesn’t have a handbrake. It does have a built-in sunshade and raincover.
Another highly rated bike trailer that doubles as a running buggy, the Burley D’Lite is available in both single and double versions. The convex sides make the interior spacious as well as comfy, with padded seats and headrests. The seats recline – independently of each other on the double – with three settings to choose from. Large 20in (51cm) back wheels and a 16in (40cm) fixed front wheel allow you to tackle any terrain, and you can adjust the suspension depending on the weight of your passengers. There’s also plenty of storage space including pockets inside and outside the compartment and the wind- and water-resistant cover, and a UV sunshade is built in. If you want the jogger kit (£100.45) you need to buy it separately, and although there’s a wrist strap which attaches to the ergonomic handlebar, there’s no hand-operated brake, only a parking brake. Weight capacity is 34kg for the single and 45kg for the double. The seats can be removed fully so you can use it as a cargo trailer if the need arises.
From the Norwegian brand known for kids’ bike seats comes the Outback, a sturdy two-seater bike trailer that converts to a running buggy. Your passengers will be safe and comfortable strapped into their roomy pod, which boasts adjustable suspension, padded seats and headrests, as well as generously reclining seats – great for sleepy toddlers. A mesh front screen and large UV-protected side windows give the kids a view, while the sunshade and rain cover are integrated, with mesh panels to keep the air flowing through the trailer. At the back you’ll also find an ample storage compartment that can be used for additional items.
Two 20in (51cm) rear wheels and a 16in (40cm) jogger wheel ensures bumpy terrain is no issue, although you may struggle to get up hills – this two-seater chariot is the heaviest on our list, weighing a hefty 20kg (the single weighs 17kg). The maximum load for the two-seater version is 40kg (34kg for the single). It does fold down for storage, although it’s not the most compact. The jogger kit (£117.79), which again must be bought separately, comes with a disc brake operated from the handle and it’s very easy to switch from bike to jogger mode. The adjustable handlebar suits a wide range of heights.
The Best Double Running Buggies
If you’re looking for something purely for running with two kids, the Double Nipper Sport, with its fixed front wheel, is a great-value lightweight option, weighing in at 11.5kg with a load capacity of 22kg per seat. With three 16in (40cm) wheels, it tackles rough terrain easily. Features are similar to the single, with storage compartments and zip pockets. The seats recline independently to lie fully flat, and the individual sunshades also operate independently. A handbrake and wrist strap ensure you’re safe on those downhills, something that takes on greater importance when you consider having to control the weight of two kids on board. A rain cover is also included in the price, which is a bonus. The buggy folds down easily for compact storage and the back wheels can be removed in a flash, although taking off the front wheel is a little fiddly.
This is the first running buggy designed by Cybex, a German company known for car seats and city pushchairs, and it gives a smooth, stable ride with its large but slender 20in back wheels and a smaller front wheel. It can usually be found for under £500, putting it in a sweet spot between the Out ’N’ About Nipper Sport (usually on sale around the £350 mark) and the Thule Glide 2 (£650). The handlebar is designed for one-handed use and there’s a generously sized storage basket under the seat. As well as a footbrake, there’s a handbrake, though (bizarrely) it doesn’t bring you to a complete stop. The AVI folds up small – once you’ve taken the enormous wheels off – and while you might not want to manoeuvre it around the supermarket, it performs well on urban paths and country trails alike.
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