If having kids wasn’t already enough of a challenge, having a stroller that doesn’t work properly when you leave your house is just the cherry on top.
As a parent, you’ll likely have to take your child almost everywhere you go.
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That includes the grocery store, the farmer’s market, the shopping mall, etc.
Seems easy enough, though what if you have to go to the beach?
Most strollers aren’t equipped for that type of terrain.
You’ll need a stroller that can handle the loose, deep sand, unless you want to carry your kid(s) a mile from the parking lot.
Luckily, we’ve created a list of some of the best beach strollers on the market so that you can save yourself a literal pain in the neck.
Best Beach Stroller
#1 Best Overall Beach Stroller: BOB Revolution Flex Jogging Stroller
- Air-Filled Tires w/Locking Swivel Wheel
- Lightweight Jogging Stroller With Adjustable Suspension
- Perfect All-Terrain Stroller for Children Up to 75lbs!
#2 Best Overall Beach Stroller: Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Stroller
- Stroller Equipped With Cup Holders and Tray!
- Large Bicycle Tires w/Locking Swivel Wheel
- All-Terrain Stroller For Children Up to 50lbs!
#3 Best Overall Beach Stroller: Costzon Baby Jogger Stroller
- Comes With a Huge, Adjustable Sun Canopy For Protection!
- Large Rubber Tires w/Locking Swivel Wheel
- All-Terrain Stroller For Children Up to 33lbs!
The Top 8
#1 Best Overall Beach Stroller: BOB Revolution Flex Jogging Stroller
The BOB Revolution Flex Stroller is a top-of-the-line, all-terrain stroller that is excellent for the beach!
It even holds up to 75lbs, meaning you can fit your kid onboard, as well as some beach gear. There are three large, rubber wheels, the back two fixed and the front wheel both fixed or locked for maneuverability or stability.
One of the best things about the BOB Revolution is the adjustable suspension system, which allows you to stride strong without getting caught up in the bumpy sand.
The adjustable padded handlebar has nine different positions, meaning parents of all sizes can push the stroller with ease.
When you’re all ready to go home from the beach, you can easily fold it up in the 2-step process for simple transportation. If you want to go for the whole system, you can even purchase the BOB Infant Car Seat Adapter for easy transfer from the car to the stroller.
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#2 Best Overall Beach Stroller: Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Stroller
The Baby Trend Expedition Stroller is truly built for the adventurous parents with its large bicycle-style tires that easily move over all kinds of surfaces.
One of the best things that we like about it is the included tray with two cup holders, allowing your child to snack in their own zone.
Just like the BOB Revolution, the front wheel can either swivel when maneuvering, or lock for when you’re jogging. The seat is extra comfortable in this stroller as well, and you also get a secure, 5-point harness for keeping your child locked in comfortably.
The adjustable canopy up top provides tons of sun protection for your little one while the wide, ergonomical handle provides comfort for your hand as you push through the sand.
The wide build underneath allows for storing away any small goods or bags that you don’t want to carry on the sand as well.
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#3 Best Overall Beach Stroller: Costzon Baby Jogger Stroller
The Costzon Baby Jogger is perfect for parents who are looking for an all-terrain stroller that is both lightweight and sturdy.
It comes complete with a deluxe parent tray and a small smartphone cradle for the 21st century mom or dad. The extra storage space underneath is excellent for storing away any gear that you don’t want to carry, such as snacks or diapers.
Thanks to the large rubber tires and smooth suspension, you can coast across the sand with ease. The front tire locks up if you decide to go for a jog. It also swivels if you’re trying to maneuver your way down to the shoreline.
The inside of this thing screams “plush!" This is thanks to the deluxe padding and the extra-large canopy that provides tons of protection to keep the sun out of your little one’s eyes. When you’re all done with your stroller, you can fold it up in just a few seconds for simple storage and transportation.
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#4 Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight Jogging Stroller
The Joovy Zoom 360 is a solid stroller for jogging and visiting the beach, though it won’t break your bank either!
At just 25lbs, this stroller is incredibly lightweight, making it much easier to maneuver on rough terrain. Thanks to the 12-inch front wheel that swivels or locks depending on your needs, you get tons of versatility as well. On top of the stroller you’ll find a convenient organizer tray for keeping your keys, phone, and all your other small belongings in order.
The high-riding seat allows for children up to 75lbs, making it perfect for kids that are a few years old as well.
You also get a solid, shock-absorbent suspension that makes your children’s rides far more comfortable. It’s incredibly easy to fold, allowing you to break it down in just a few seconds with one hand. Beyond the functionality, this stroller has a great look with the graphite-colored aluminum and single-color design.
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#5 Schwinn Interval Jogging Stroller
Yes, one of America’s favorite bicycle companies also makes one of the best beach strollers around.
The Schwinn Interval Jogging Stroller performs well in the roughest of terrains thanks to the included shocks and wheel ball bearings that help to reduce resistance.
As you might expect, the stroller comes complete with bicycle tires that help to grip the road while also pushing through loose sand. The front wheel is made to lock or swivel depending on your needs at the moment.
Parents love the adjustable handlebar and tray with cup holders, as they provide comfort and convenience while on the move.
Under the stroller, you’ll find a storage basket that is meant for easy access. Here you can easily store away anything from snacks to diapers to blankets and beyond. When you’re all done at the beach for the day, you can easily fold it up for quick storage.
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#6 UPPABaby Vista Stroller
If you’re feeling a little fancy, we recommend treating your little one to something high-end like the UPPABaby Vista Stroller.
This versatile stroller can be adjusted to be forward-facing, parent-facing, and reclined. Thanks to the multiple positions, it can accommodate up to three children at once, making it perfect for families who are growing.
One of the most prominent characteristics when it comes to the UPPABaby Vista is the fact that it has an insanely comfortable and breathable inner-padding that may make you jealous of your little one.
You can adjust the canopy, adjust the handlebar, or fold the entire stroller up, all with one-handed actions, making it super convenient for when you’re trying to deal with the kids and do a million things at once.
Beyond the functionality of this stroller, other parents will no doubt be jealous when they see the full-grain leather cover and luxurious outer fabric.
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#7 Baby Jogger 2016 City Mini GT
The Baby Jogger City Mini GT is basically a racecar of a beach stroller.
From serious urban mobility to all-terrain riding, the wheels can handle it all. Many parents love the adjustable handlebar and hand brake, as it makes the stroller much easier to control in quicker situations.
The large, padded seat is able to hold up to 65 lbs, making it the perfect stroller for even toddlers. For keeping your little one safe at the beach, the people over at Baby Jogger have added a UB 50+ sun canopy shade with a small peek-a-boo window so that you can periodically check on them if they decide to take a nap.
When you’re all done with the City Mini GT, you can simply fold it up with just one hand and store it away. We love the included auto-lock, which allows you to make sure that the stroller stays folded up while stored away in your trunk or closet.
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#8 Baby Jogger Summit X3
The Baby Jogger Summit X3 performs excellently on just about any terrain, including the loosest of sand.
One of the things we love about the Baby Jogger X3 is that you can easily lock the front wheel with the handlebar on top of the stroller, perfect for when you need to speed it up quickly.
Just as easy as the swivel lock is the quick fold technology, which allows you to fold and store away the stroller with only one hand as well. The 16” rear tires and 12” front tire make it easy to roll on top of just about any beach terrain. Pair that with the all wheel suspension and you can easily cruise over any bumps in the ground.
As with many of their strollers, Baby Jogger has included a large, UV-protected canopy to help give your baby shade while you soak in the sun. There are even some handy side vents on the side to make sure that they remain cool, even when covered up completely.
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Beach Stroller Vs. Regular Stroller
One of the biggest differences between beach strollers and regular strollers is that beach strollers are made with larger, rubber tires. These can better maneuver through sand and other terrain that you would likely find at your local beach. When it comes to regular strollers, plastic wheels are much easier to take care of, though they tend to hit a wall when you take them onto any terrain beyond flat concrete.
Beach strollers are tend to be on the lighter end as well, though they are also typically a bit bulkier thanks to the larger wheels. In a way, this kind of evens them out with regular strollers when you consider transportability.
You might want to consider getting a beach stroller if you’re looking for a bit more flexibility to take your child just about anywhere. They’re not only easier to pus along the beach, but also far more comfortable for your child when going over bumpy terrain thanks to the included suspension.
On the other hand, you may just want to get a regular stroller if you need something that is easier to travel with, or if you never plan on taking your little one to the beach in the stroller.
What To Consider When Buying A Beach Stroller
Stroller Type
Umbrella Strollers are made with canopy attachments to help keep your baby protected from the sun and rain. Typically, you’ll find that these umbrella strollers face forward, which is why the canopies are so important, as they can also keep the sun out of your little one’s eyes. For the most part, umbrella strollers are more expensive than other strollers because of the added materials and complex design.
Travel System strollers are for keeping your baby in his or her car seat while you travel them around. Most of the times, these are a bigger, as they are made to handle a higher carrying capacity. The best thing about these travel strollers is that you can also use them when your baby is outside of the car seat, making them versatile as your little one grows older.
Jogging Strollers are made with three wheels, two in the back and one swivel lock wheel in the front. These are much lighter than other strollers and they’re perfect for taking on bumpier terrain. One of the best things about them is their versatility. You can pretty much take these bad boys anywhere. Unfortunately, they are usually bulkier than other strollers, meaning you might have a harder time trying to transport them due to sheer size.
Double or Triple Strollers are excellent for families who need to carry around more than one child. If you have multiple children and want a simple way to carry them all around with ease, there is no doubt that you should look for a double or triple stroller.
Capacity
You will 100% need to take into consideration the capacity of a beach stroller, as you don’t want to end up buying one that can’t hold your child. Capacity varies widely between strollers too, some holding up to 30lbs and some holding up to 75lbs. You also might want to consider the fact that your baby will grow fast, and the smaller the capacity, the shorter amount of time that you’ll actually be able to use it for.
Weight
The actual weight of the stroller is incredibly important to consider, especially if you plan on taking it out often. You don’t want to have to pick up a 100-pound stroller and chuck it in the car every time that you want to go down to the shore.
This is where getting a jogging stroller can be extremely helpful. They’re typically pretty lightweight, anywhere from 25-35lbs, meaning they are much easier to haul around.
Reclining
Some higher-end stroller can be folded and reclined into different positions, giving your baby or toddler supreme comfort. With a reclining stroller, you can allow your little one to take a nap when they need to, or sit him or her upright when you’re walking around town.
Safety
Safety is incredibly important when looking for a new beach stroller. One of the first things that you may want to consider is getting a stroller with a durable harness. These harness are typically x-shaped, helping your little one to stay secure no matter how crazy the terrain.
Wheels
If you’re getting a stroller for the beach, you’ll definitely want wheel and tires that are able to handle the sand. That means that you’ll want big tires (somewhere around 12” and larger will do), as well as tires that are made out of rubber for traction instead of plastic. These types of tires move through just about any type of terrain with ease.
Beyond that, you may want to get a stroller that has an adjustable swivel lock wheel. You can typically lock these swivel wheels when you are going for a jog and walking around town and then unlock them when you are on the beach and need the maneuverability.
Features
One thing that you’ll definitely want with your beach stroller is an adjustable canopy. These help to provide UV protection so that your little one can remain safe from the sun. This is so important when you’re on the beach, as you want to be able to protect them from sunburns. Some stroller have canopies that are massive, which help to protect your little one from every angle. Some even come complete with peek-a-boo windows so that you can keep an eye on them. If you’re getting a full canopy, you’ll likely want to look for one that has small vents for added breathability.
Having other features like trays or cup holders can also be helpful if you’re looking to keep an open hand while on the move. These compartments are also helpful in keeping things like your keys or smartphone on hand while you are walking.
Comfort
You’ll no doubt want to make sure that your little one is comfortable during your beach journey. This means getting a carriage with tons of padding on the inside for when you’re moving over rougher terrain. Beyond that, you’ll also likely want to get a stroller with padding on the straps to protect from any rashes.
Beyond padding, another thing to look for is suspension. Because beaches tend to have bumpy terrain, having suspension to smooth out the ride can help a ton in terms of comfort.
Transportability
Being able to transport your stroller to and from the beach with ease is incredibly important. This is especially true if you plan on taking your stroller to different beach destinations around the world by plane. Some of the high-end beach strollers come with one-handed folding designs, allowing you to fold the stroller up with one hand while catering to your little one with the other.
Brakes
Most strollers include regular brakes that you can engage on the wheels with your feet, though some come with hand brakes that you can engage more easily from the top. This is especially useful when you’re dealing with hilly terrain and you want to be as careful as possible. Regardless of the type of brakes you get, you should definitely make sure that your stroller has them. Having brakes is an excellent way to make sure that your stroller stays nicely in place no matter the shape of the terrain.
Storage
Lastly, you might want to consider getting a beach stroller with an ample amount of storage. Having extra storage makes it much easier to transport all of your beach accessories such as towels, sunscreen, snacks, etc. When not at the beach, it is the perfect way to keep all of your baby’s belongings in one place, such as diapers, blankets, and whatever else their little heart desires.
FAQ
How Do You Travel With a Stroller?
One of the most important things to keep in mind when traveling with a stroller is that you’ll need to check it in. Always make sure to plan on checking your stroller when you get to the airport, and know that even if you don’t want to check it, you will likely have to, as stroller policies tend to be pretty consistent across different airlines.
A tip that we recommend is always checking your stroller at the gate. This way, you can keep your child inside of it throughout baggage check, the x-ray machines, and any other lines, until you find your seat before boarding. It can also help carry your extra luggage as you venture your way through the airport.
How Do I Keep A Clean Stroller?
Because you’ll be taking your beach stroller to the beach (most likely), you’ll need to clean it more often than your regular stroller. The main thing that you want to focus on is cleaning the outer parts of the stroller such as the fabric and the frame. Disinfecting these parts and getting rid of any dirt or grime will help to protect your little one from getting sick or dirty.
We recommend taking the stroller apart starting with the canopy. Vacuum it out with a handheld vacuum if you have one before wiping it down. Typically, the fabric that comes with these beach strollers is machine washable, so you should also toss that in the wash. Do make sure to read the manufacturer instruction though to make sure!
Always make sure to let them air dry so that they don’t shrink!
Final Thoughts - Which Should You Get?
We tried our best to create a list that was diverse enough where everyone could find the perfect beach stroller for their needs. Even with that said, we highly recommend the BOB Revolution Flex Jogging Stroller. With the number of high-quality features, the all-terrain design, and the massive carrying capacity.
Whatever you do, make sure to dig deep into the features and review the specs closely to make sure that you are getting exactly what you need for the perfect day at the beach with your little one!
