From Thule to Hauck, we review the best running buggies to stay fit while keeping the little one stimulated

07 November 2025 11:30am GMT

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As a mum of two little boys, staying fit and active has become increasingly important to me. I lost a lot of strength after my second son was born, and finding the best running buggy meant an opportunity to get back to my previous fitness levels.

Getting to my usual spin class isn’t always possible, and working out at home is often affected by other factors such as how long my son naps. That’s why the concept of a running pram or buggy appeals: it lets me go for a run, but is also an effective way of calming an unsettled baby or toddler. (On one tricky day, running was the only thing that stopped my 18-month year old from crying).

If you’re asking, ‘What is a running buggy?’ it’s similar to a traditional pram, but has three wheels that are larger in size. The front wheel often locks for added suspension and control. Most have a brake at the handlebar. It’s worth pointing out that no strollers are actually sold for full-on running: the safety standard (EN1888, if you’re interested) applies to jogging only, with babies over nine months. If they’re between six and nine months, you should only be strolling.

Hence most running buggies are designed to switch between being used for jogging and day-to-day life. I’ve tested this year’s crop and you can read my full reviews below, followed by answers to some frequently asked questions about them. But if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at my top five:

The best running buggies: At a glance

• **Best Buy running buggy **– Thule Urban Glide 3
• **Best Value running buggy **– Hauck Runner
• **Best jogging buggy **– Out’N’About Nipper V5
• **Best jogging stroller **– Baby Jogger X3 Summit
• Best running pram – Cybex Zeno 4-in-1

How to choose the best running buggy

A running buggy is not simply a pushchair you can run with; it is a piece of specialised fitness equipment designed to ensure your baby’s comfort and protection at speed.

As qualified Personal Trainer Sarah Campus attests, “I absolutely love buggy running. It’s a great way for us all to work out together and get outdoors which is a huge benefit on my mental health and a great way to fit in a run without needing childcare.”

To make this possible, key features are non-negotiable. According to Sarah, “A running buggy should have suspension, large air-filled tyres, a front wheel that can be fixed straight and adjustable handlebar height.” Superior suspension and air-filled (pneumatic) tyres are crucial to absorb the impact and jolts from the ground, safeguarding your child’s head and neck. The lockable or fixed front wheel prevents dangerous wobbles and ensures stability, which is vital when running.

For the parent, a lightweight design and adjustable handlebar height are equally important for maintaining proper running form and reducing strain. Sarah’s final practical advice is to look for a lightweight buggy, as it will make the significant weight of the child and gear far easier to push over the miles.

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How we test running buggies

Catherine and son testing Baby Jogger, Thule and Cybex

With my son being 18 months old, he was a great size for all the running buggies I tested. He found being a passenger very entertaining and giggled the whole time I was running. Although cute, this feedback was important, as it told me how well the shock absorption, seat comfort and overall ride was for him.

To determine true practicality, each buggy was put through its paces over several days, used not just for high-speed workouts but also for everyday use and for workouts in the park, because in reality, it must work well for both. A buggy is a major investment, and it be both stable running buggy and a functional shopping or strolling pram.

Beyond the ride, I looked at how easy they were to collapse and fold for transport, the reliability of security features (like the wrist strap and harness) and a final rating on the quality of design and materials.

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Best running buggies

1. Best Buy Running Buggy: Thule Urban Glide 3

Score: 10/10

We like: Comes in three-and-four-wheel options, can be used with a bassinet

We don’t like: Very large, accessories have to be bought separately

£749.99

Price at

John Lewis

We were big fans of the Thule Glide 2, naming it our favourite overall running pram in 2023. For that reason, we had high hopes for its successor, the newly launched Thule Urban Glide 3. A serious buggy for serious runners, this sleek and lightweight update now comes in a three-wheel or four-wheel option. The three-wheeler remains the best option for running as the front wheel can be locked, while the four-wheeler is designed as an all-terrain stroller – so a better buy if you’re more of a long-distance walker and want to use it in the city as well as more rural settings.

We tested the three-wheeler which now has improved manoeuvrability, a new fully declinable seat for when your child is sleeping, built-in leg rest which is great for taller toddlers like mine and an extended canopy. If you plan to use it from birth, the bassinet can be purchased separately and comes fitted with softer and more padded fabrics than the Glide 2. It’s also slightly smaller for a cosier feel.

Just a reminder, however, that it’s not safe to run with a baby in the bassinet. This should only be done when the baby is six months and over, able to sit up and seated in the main stroller seat. It just means you can get some extra use out of it once your baby is born, unlike some running buggies that don’t come with the option of a bassinet so are only suitable for use from six months.

I really like the details of this buggy like the five-point harness that secures easily, spacious cargo basket with a zip top and two mesh net pockets at the back of the seat for loose bits and bobs such as your water bottle and snacks. It is a large pram, however, so bear this in mind before investing. You’ll need either a garage, outdoor shed or large hallway to store it when not in use and a spacious car boot if you plan on travelling with it. It can be folded in half however and has a nifty self-standing feature that can help to save space. The one-hand fold also works smoothly.

All in all, this is a brilliant upgrade on an already excellent running buggy. Buy this if you run a few times a week and want a pram that’s equal to your commitment.

Key specifications

• Compact fold
• Hand brake at handlebar
• Three wheel and four-wheel options

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2. Best Value running buggy: Hauck Runner Pushchair

**Score: **9/10

We like: Reflective neon trims are great for winter

**We don’t like: **The five-point harness is awkward to fasten

£100

Price at

Argos

Hauck’s running buggy is a sturdy yet lightweight running buggy that was the ideal size for my 18-month year old son (it can accommodate children up to 22kg). It has a spacious seat that can be adjusted to lay completely back or sat upright with a five-point harness that kept him secure and comfortable as I ran.

There were a few key points that I really liked about this buggy, including the extended canopy that was great for keeping the sunshine out of my son’s eyes or for allowing him to have an on-the-go nap. It also has lots of space in the basket so it’s super functional for everyday use as well as keeping fit.

The handlebar can also be adjusted by 30cm if you and your partner want to adjust it to suit different heights and the large pneumatic tyres grip well on the pavement while being easy to steer. My favourite features about this pram are its spacious seat that my son looks so comfortable in now he’s getting bigger, and lightweight feel when he’s in it. To summarise, it’s just as pleasurable to run with as it is to push around in a city, and for the price tag, you really can’t go wrong.

Key specifications

• Large shopping basket
• Lockable 360-degree swivel front wheel
• Spacious padded seat that’s ideal for toddlers

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3. Best Jogging Buggy: Out’n’About Nipper V5

**Score: **8/10

We like: Short wheelbase makes it more compact than others tested

We don’t like: Basket is a little small and handlebars feel flimsy

£425

Price at

Out’n’About

Out ‘n’ About’s Nipper V5 running buggy was one of the mid-range priced running buggies that I tested. It has a utility-style design that feels sporty and practical, and features lots of great details such as an adjustable handle, lock brake at the top handlebar, reclining seat with a sun canopy and quick-release wheels.

It’s also very lightweight and easy to run with, thanks to the large 16” wheels with pneumatic tyres. It has plenty of practical elements too, including a small shopping pouch at the back and a removable seat liner (particularly useful if your little one is a messy eater and gets snacks everywhere like my son).

While this is nice to run with, it doesn’t come with the finest of finishings. The padded bumper bar and fixtures, for instance, feel a little flimsy and cheap and there’s no main basket at the base either – just the mesh pouch at the back of the seat. But on the plus side, it’s not too large (unlike other models such as the Thule) and very decently priced. If you’re looking for a no-frills running buggy, this is a strong contender.

Key specifications

• Can be laid flat for babies
• Foldable
• 360-degree swivel front wheel

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4. Best Jogging Stroller: Baby Jogger X3 Summit Stroller Robin Arzón Collaboration

**Score: **8/10

We like: Plush fabrics and finishings give it a premium feel

We don’t like: The permanent reclining position of the seat

£529

Price at

Baby Snooze

The Baby Jogger Summit is a very smart-looking pram that received a ton of compliments on the school run – but how does it fare from a jogging point of view? (The company point out you should only jog with babies over nine months old, by the way.)

First, it was one of the most compact of the buggies that I tested, so while it does have all-wheel suspension and large back wheels (measuring 40.5cm in diameter), it doesn’t feel like you’re pushing around a mini tractor. The handlebar is at a fairly good position for running, but there’s no option to adjust it – so it’s worth trying it out before purchasing to make sure it suits you.

The seat is slightly reclined, so as to be more comfortable at jogging speeds. This seemed to slightly annoy my 18-month-old son, who prefers to be more upright. You can pull it up a bit with the recline mechanism strap, but it’s still at a permanent angle.

It also has a swivel front wheel that’s great for everyday life and manoeuvring it on and off pavements, but this can also be locked when you want to run at speed and need more stability. If environmental credentials are also important to you, you might like to know that all the leather trims on the pram are vegan. As such, it’s a thoughtfully designed and aesthetically pleasing pram that’s smooth to push and run with. It also won’t take up any more room in your hallway than a regular buggy.

Key specifications

• Limited edition black and gold design
• Compact frame
• Plush fabrics and finishings

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5. Best Running Pram: Cybex Zeno 4-in-1

Cybex: For cyclists, it can be turned into a bike runner as well

**Score: **8/10

We like: The spacious, ventilated cabin with the option to zip up or leave open

We don’t like: Complicated assembly and low position of the handlebar

£319.95

Price at

Cybex

The first thing to say about the Cybex Zeno 4-in-1 running pram is that you shouldn’t try assembling it if you’re tired, in a rush, or surrounded by small children. It took me about 45 minutes. It’s not for the faint-hearted.

However, when it is assembled, it’s a fun bit of kit. It comes in parts so the lightweight frame comes in three fun colours which can be mixed and matched with your seat pack of choice. The seat can be enclosed with the zipped mesh front, or left open so your little one can feel the wind in the hair as you pound the pavements. There’s lots of space inside so once I strapped my son inside, I also added a few toys and snacks, and he was thrilled to have his own little cabin to ride in.

It is a fairly big pram with two large air-filled back tyres and a single front tyre, along with an ergonomic silicone handlebar that includes a wrist strap and hand brake. This makes it really nice to push for walking and running but being 5ft 10”, I did find the height of the handlebar a little bit too low and I think I’d find it uncomfortable for longer runs.

The beauty of this running buggy, however, is in its versatility and it can also be adapted with the easy waist attachment that secures to the Multisport Adapter Point. You fasten it at the waist and pull the carriage behind you for a fun and challenging workout.

If you’re more of a cyclist than a runner, you can also adapt it into a bike trailer. To do this, you need to install a CYBEX Cycling Hitch to your bike, which is available individually or as part of a CYBEX Cycling Kit. The fourth option is for skiing. This attaches again at the waist, for you to pull the carriage behind you on the slopes. Each part of the kit is purchased separately, so you can add on as much or as little as you like.

My son and I really enjoyed testing the running buggy out and when I say he loved sitting in it, there was no getting him out of it – even when we were back at home. It’s important to note that it can’t be folded down. So ideally, you’ll need a garage or shed to store the carriage and the added accessories. The reclining position of the seat also means that it’s not suitable for running with until your baby is nine months and over.

If you’re an active family, this really is one of the most fun running buggies available. While I’m not totally sold on running with the carriage secured at my waist or pulling it along with a bike, more confident seasoned runners may be. I’d just advise using it in open spaces and not near roads or open water.

Key specifications

• Spacious cabin
• Option to mix and match
• Can be used for running, biking and skiing

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Running buggy FAQs