Your regular stroller isn’t going to cut it on your beach vacation. If you’re lucky enough to live near the beach and want to head out there regularly, you’ll need a stroller explicitly designed for beach environments.
We’ve put together a list of our favorite beach strollers to help you get started. Plus, we’ve answered some questions you may have about what features make a beach stroller necessary.
Here’s what you need to know to take advantage of those gorgeous ocean views.
The Best Beach Strollers
Here are our top choices for the best beach strollers. These offer excellent durability and functionality, so your beach trip will be smooth and as stress-free as possible — at least in the stroller department.
1. BOB Revolution Flex Stroller – Best Overall
- Child age: birth and up
- Weight limit: 75lbs
- Stroller weight: 28.5 lbs
The Revolution Flex is a jogging stroller designed to handle less than ideal terrain with three large air-filled tires and a built-in suspension system. These components cut through even thick sand while cushioning the seat from impacts and vibration.
It has a large, reclining seat and a full-sized, deep sunshade that can pull down fairly low to protect your child from serious sun. A generous basket underneath is large enough to store not only your typical items but also bulky beach essentials like towels and water toys.
It’s well built and designed to withstand quite a bit of environmental elements, but it is a significant investment. However, if you live in a beach town and plan to be out often, if not every day, this is a reliable and dependable beach stroller.
Key features:
- air-filled tires allow you to adjust the pressure
- built-in suspension with reclining seat for comfort
- extra large sunshade and storage basket
- no accessories (parent or child tray)
2. Thule Urban Glide 2.0 Jogger – Best Suspension
- Child age: 6 months and up
- Weight limit: 75 lbs
- Stroller weight: 25.3 lbs
Thule offers a top tier suspension system and air-filled tires designed to glide over sand and maintain maneuverability. A generous reclining seat and large shade help keep your child comfortable even in the middle of the day.
The storage basket ensures you can carry all your beach essentials, such as towels and sunscreen. It folds up easily and offers a broader silhouette to maintain stability even on loose sand. That does make it harder to maneuver sometimes if you’re not in the great outdoors, but the balance is excellent.
It’s going to be a more significant investment than some strollers will be, but that’s worth it if you plan to job or run to the beach frequently. The lack of a parent tray isn’t our favorite, but this can be overlooked for the smoothed ride.
It offers a one-handed fold designed to maneuver into the trunk of your car or the house for storage when you’re finished with your run.
Key features:
- Excellent suspension system a swivel wheel for stability
- One-handed folding system for storage
- No parent tray but it includes a ventilation window
3. Baby Bug Aluminum Beach Jogger Stroller – Best For Deep Sand
- Child age: 6 months and up
- Weight limit: 42 lbs
- Stroller weight: 32 lbs
If you’re a hardcore beach runner, this is the perfect option. Extra-large, extra-wide tires ensure you never get stuck in the sand. The reclining seat is ultra-comfortable, and the front wheel is set up to swivel to handle less than ideal terrain.
The child tray is convenient for drinks and snacks, and it has a built-in play steering wheel to help keep your child entertained. With a plentiful sunshade and suspension system, your child is safe and protected.
You can store all your beach necessities in the generous under-seat basket, but the brakes aren’t one-touch, and the overall design is bulkier than other options. However, for sand and rough terrain, this could transform your running and jogging.
Key features:
- Extra thick wheels won’t get into the sand
- Generous sunshade and under-seat basket
- Reclining seats
4. Evenflo Pivot Xplore All-Terrain Stroller Wagon Gypsy – Best Wagon
- Child age: 2 years and up
- Weight limit: 50 lbs on either side
- Stroller Weight: 34.7 lbs
Evenflo’s unique stroller is a great way to handle two children comfortably and efficiently. It features a push or pull option with large, all-terrain wheels designed to cut through sand or roll over rough ground.
The basket underneath can store beach essentials while the convenient middle child tray keeps children entertained and engaged. SPF 50 canopies raise to protect delicate skin or fold all the way down for maximum visibility.
For storage and ease of use, this wagon option is super convenient, but it’s only going to be suitable for older children who are comfortable sitting upright. There isn’t as much back support, but it will help adventurous kids see their surroundings.
Key features:
- Wagon style suitable for pulling or pushing
- Seats two children with the tray in the middle
- SPF canopy folds up or down completely
5. Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight Stroller – Best Ultralight
- Child age: 3 months and up
- Weight Limit: 75 lbs
- Stroller weight: 25.7 lbs
Joovy Zoom is a lightweight stroller designed to reduce the overall bulk of standard strollers. It has an extra high, roomy seat with a built-in suspension system, and it fully reclines for runs during nap time.
This beach stroller includes some of the accessories parents have come to appreciate, including a stroller organizer to hold small items like keys and a phone. The basket underneath is large enough to store beach towels and other essentials while the running leash ensures control as you run.
The stroller is ultra-lightweight, but the wheels may end up feeling loose over time. It may not hold up to heavy-duty usage, but for a vacation or occasional use, it’s perfect to handle both sand and the pavement as you explore your beachside town.
One feature we love is the peekaboo window in the sunshade. This allows you to keep an eye on the state of your child without risking waking him or her up and without having to stop your run every few minutes.
Key features:
- Full sunshade with peekaboo window
- Lightweight stroller with air-filled tires
- Includes accessories like a parent tray for organization
6. Creative Outdoor Folding Beach Stroller – Best For Flexibility
- Child age: 3 and up
- Weight Limit: 150 lbs
- Stroller weight: 38.4lbs
For vacations with lots of stuff and multiple children, this simple car features seating for multiple children and a full sunshade to protect delicate skin from the weather. The unique wagon-style can carry children, stuff, and even pets.
The wheels are rubber and tilt and swivel to make it around difficult terrain. Fold it up completely to fit it into your trunk or for long term storage, making it versatile for your vacation or using season by season.
It’s also a flexible option for situations other than the beach. It’s suitable for festivals or farmer’s markets where you’ll be carting children, supplies, and a pet or two. With a full-sized shade and sturdy handle, it’s a reliable choice for multiple scenarios.
Key features:
- full-sized cart with swivel wheels
- complete folding for storage or trunk space
- space for more than one child, plus supplies
7. Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Stroller – Best Parent/Child Tray
- Child age: 6 months and over
- Weight Limit: 42 lbs
- Stroller weight: 25.5 lbs
This stroller uses a simple jogging set up to help maneuver through sand and rough terrain for a fun day at the beach. It’s lightweight and easy to fold up for storage while providing a suspension system for comfort.
It features a full sunshade for protecting your child’s skin even in the middle of the day and a generous basket underneath designed to hold all the essentials like beach towels and sunscreen.
It comes with both parent and child trays for wrangling all your essentials and providing drinks or snacks. The front-wheel swivels for maneuvering over rough ground or locks into place for long term jogging.
The seat reclines and features a strong five-point harness. The peekaboo harness allows you to keep up with your child’s status without stopping the stroller or waking them up.
Key features:
- Peekaboo window with five-point harness
- Easy to fold up for storage
- Includes both a parent and child tray
8. Baby Jogger City Mini Double – Best For Two Children
- Child age: 6 months and up
- Weight limit: 100 lbs
- Stroller weight: 28.6 lbs
If you’re looking for a double stroller for the beach, the Baby Jogger City Mini offers a double seat with deep sunshade perfect for strolling next to the ocean. It provides at least 50 plus SPF with a peekaboo window so you can keep an eye on your kids without moving the shade or stopping the stroller.
Both seats recline almost flat, and with five-point harnesses, your child will be both comfortable and safe. The simple suspension system ensures that impacts and the rough ground won’t disturb your children.
The storage basket underneath does offer some good storage, but it’s smaller than some and divided in the middle. You won’t be able to store a large bag or a pile of beach towels, so you may have to streamline your beach stuff.
Otherwise, it’s an excellent option for jogging or simple beach walks with two kids. The quick-fold design ensures you’re able to deploy it and fold it up quickly for storage in your trunk or inside when not in use.
Key features:
- Streamlined jogging stroller
- 50 plus SPF sunshade with peekaboo window
- Double seating for multiples
9. Aosom Elite Double Cargo Trailer and Jogger – Best Convertible Bike Accessory
- Child age: 2 years and up
- Weight limit: 88 lbs
- Stroller weight: 37.5 lbs
This unique jogger and cargo trailer provides you with multiple ways to enjoy your days near the beach. The trailer seats two children with five-point safety harnesses and a full-coverage canopy.
It converts from a jogger with a lockable front wheel to a bicycle trailer meant to pull behind your bike so your children can go with you everywhere.
This unique design offers plenty of rooms for children and things. You can haul beach towels and bags while also allowing children plenty of space to get comfortable. There’s a hard lock brake and rear storage for even more things.
It comes with a type A hitch to attach to bicycles, and the large tires are stable enough to go over a variety of terrain types. The wide stance of the wheels and the heavier frame is stable and secure for outdoor activities.
Key features:
- Includes appropriate hitch for bikes
- Space for two children plus stuff
- Large wheels with heavy frame
10. Chicco Activ3 Air Jogging Stroller – Best For Car Seat Access
- Child age: 6 months and older (without a car seat)
- Weight limit: 50 lbs
- Stroller weight: 27.5 lbs
Chicco lovers will rejoice to know that they have a jogging and beach stroller of their own. It’s compatible with conventional Chicco car seats and features a hand-operated console to provide reliable braking and swivel.
Large, foam-filled tires glide over the sand while the suspension system helps cushion growing skeletons and vulnerable spins from impact. You don’t have to refill flat tires or worry about safety — the harness system and wrist strap handle that.
A generous under-seat basket provides space to store beach towels and other essentials. Your parent tray has cup holders and a place for your phone while the child tray holds snacks, small toys, drinks, and other things your baby needs.
The stroller is suitable for everyday beach activities thanks to the large swivel wheel and jogging with a lock function. It folds up fairly quickly for an athletic stroller. However, it can produce some resistance to movement that other jogging strollers don’t. While not a dealbreaker, it’s most suitable for those with Chicco car seats.
Key features:
- Compatible with most Chicco car seats
- Ventilation mesh on the child seat
- Foam-filled tires — no more flats
Beach Stroller’s Buyer’s Guide
So what makes a stroller suitable for beach-going, and how do you choose the right one? Here’s what you need to know to make the best decision you can for your beach stroller.
What Is A Beach Stroller?
Regular strollers typically have wheels designed to glide over concrete or interior flooring without making marks and without having to be filled with air. They prioritize turning radius and storage for making those errand runs.
Beach strollers will require a different construction to handle sand and the outdoors. Many of them are set up like jogging strollers, providing users with:
- Large, typically air-filled wheels that won’t sink into deep sand
- Much larger sun shades that can pull down to cover most of a child
- A swivel front wheel for rough terrain and a locking function for securing during jogging
- A larger, streamlined design that can withstand minor wind or less than ideal ground without tipping.
- Safety features like one-touch brakes, peekaboo windows, and a wrist strap for securing the stroller
- Suspension systems to protect a child’s growing spine and skeleton from bumps and impacts.
So why not just buy a beach stroller instead? They don’t have the quick turning radius of standard strollers, and many of them don’t have the appropriate bells and whistles you’ll need to make yourself and your child comfortable for a full day of errands.
It’s best to have a regular stroller for day to day errands and transport and a jogging stroller for all-terrain activities. If you live beside the beach, this is an especially good idea.
What Features Do I Need?
When you’re deciding on your ideal beach stroller, there are a few things you might need. Here’s what to look for to decide on the perfect beach stroller.
Construction
If your beach stroller is too big and bulky for you to maneuver around, what’s the point of having it? You must balance the weight of the stroller with the stability to find the right one. Look for a stroller that you could pick up one-handed if you absolutely had to and move from the car to the ground without fuss.
The wheels should be much larger — some go up to 17 inches — to roll over rough terrain and sand. The front-wheel should have a swivel feature for handling rocks and debris, but you should also have the option to lock the front wheel into place for long-distance running.
The beach stroller should ideally fold up with a one-handed motion and lock it into place to prevent accidental collapse. Make sure it actually fits into your trunk without having to take it apart completely.
The materials should be robust and designed to withstand environmental elements such as sand, rocks, UV, and salt. Rubber or air-filled tires will help ensure a smooth ride along with a suspension system. The sunshade should also be big enough to cover most of your child’s body to protect from UV rays.
Safety Features
Safety features are vital to any stroller but particularly relevant to children in outdoor optimized strollers. These options should have outdoor safety in mind, along with the other safety features you come to expect from your standard strollers.
First, a five-point harness that grows and adjusts with your child is a vital part of keeping your child safe. If the stroller runs over something rough or tips, you want your child to stay safely locked into place.
The stroller should have a wrist strap to keep it from getting away from you on a downslope. Combine that with one touch brakes to ensure smooth stopping and a reliable brake mechanism that won’t fail.
Age Range
Not all strollers are compatible with infants or much older children. Check with the manufacturer’s recommendations for the youngest age your child can be in the stroller without an accompanying car seat or insert and to find the maximum weight the stroller will hold.
Infants have rapidly developing spines and skeletons, so you must be careful. If the seat doesn’t recline to the right position, children who can’t hold their heads up or straighten their backs could be in danger of suffocating.
Older children are fine in that department, but not all strollers are designed to hold the weight of older children. Check to ensure that your child can grow with the stroller the way that you want it to.
Other Features
The presence of other features to make the process of getting your child out and having a great time. Here are a few other features you might want:
- Car seat compatibility — If your car seat fits right into the stroller frame, that makes your life a lot easier when you’ve got an infant or a sleeping child.
- Parent tray — You’ll need to keep your essential items like a phone or a drink at hands reach.
- Child tray — Your child will need a place to store their snacks, drinks, or other gadgets.
- Sizeable under-seat basket — The basket will hold all your other things like towels, a bag, sunscreen, or other beach things.
- Extra-large sunshade — The sunshade should cover your child’s body as much as possible since you’ll be outside for most of its use.
Making Beach Day The Best
Of all the beach strollers we’ve tried, the BOB Revolution Flex is our top favorite. It has excellent construction, is safe from birth up to 75 pounds, and offers plenty of safety features to keep your child safe.
The other options — the Thule and the Baby Bug — are two other options that could help you have a great day at the beach. They also offer the safety features and extra choices you’ll need to care for your child.
Choosing a beach stroller will give you the capability and the safety you’ll need to get out on the sand with your child and exercise or just enjoy the day. Choose one of the options from our list and ensure your beach day is a success.
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