Roger Malinowski and Philip Novotny created the Beast of Burden Company, (otherwise known as BOB) in San Luis Obispo, California in 1994. For their first product, the bicycle professional and the airline mechanic built Yak bike trailers. When the men had families, they found a need for a different type of stroller and they produced the first BOB Sport Utility jogging stroller. The two men continued revolutionizing the stroller world in 2005 by manufacturing the first stroller with a swivel wheel that locks in place for jogging use, which made it easier to maneuver in everyday situations. In 2011, the company was sold to Britax.
The chart below shows the jogging strollers included according to overall scores. In blue, ranking near the middle of the pack, is the BOB Ironman.
Below are additional details on how the Ironman performed during testing for each metric compared to the competition.
The Ironman received a 7 of 10 for run-ability, tying with the fixed wheel Thule Glide 2.
The Ironman scored a 6 of 10 for ease of use tying with the BOB Revolution Flex. The fixed wheel Thule Glide 2 scored one point higher with a 7.
The Ironman fold is the same as all the BOB strollers with two hands and two steps. It features a manual lock and it does not self-stand. The folding process is easy with a pull handle under the seat, but there are more steps than the Thule options. Unfolding is also a two-handed operation opened by pulling up on the handlebar and shaking the frame open.
The Ironman has single action brakes that are easy to set and release with the red pedal between the back wheels that is sandal foot friendly. This BOB also features a handbrake for deacceleration that it is easy to use.
The Ironman has a large under seat storage bin situated relatively far under the handle, so it isn't the easiest to access. Items can fit in from the back and side, but larger bags will need finessing. The bin only holds up to 10 lbs. The Ironman also has a mesh pocket on the seat back with an elastic top that keeps it snug to the seat. The inside has 2 mesh passenger stow pockets.
The canopy on the Ironman is quite extensive and keeps kids sheltered from the sun all the way down to the knee. The shade is made of sturdy canvas and has a vinyl peek-a-boo window with a hook and loop cover and the corners feature a reflective material allows for high visibility when strolling at night.
This stroller has a 5-point harness that is easy to put on and take off. Adjusting the strap tightness, shoulder height, and crotch strap are easy as well. The clasp is simple to snap together, as well as popping right open when the button is pushed.
The leg and footrest are an extended part of the seat made out of canvas. The seat back reclines almost flat for little ones to nap in, but it is a little stiffer to adjust and requires 2 hands to execute. Once reclined there is a nice ventilation gap at the top for additional airflow.
The Ironman can be used with newborns with a compatible infant car seat carrier, though the manufacturer warns that you should not run with the baby until they are at least 8 months old (speak to your pediatrician). This stroller is compatible with a variety of different infant car seats with the purchase of an adapter. The adapters on the Ironman all require a two-step approach, which includes click-in and use of straps.
It took about 13 minutes to put this stroller together. It offers good documentation that is very thorough but makes the process longer with so many details. It is easy to put together, but it requires a screwdriver.
The Ironman fell in the middle of the group with a 6 of 10 in the maneuverability metric. The similar fixed wheel Thule Glide earned a 7, and the swivel wheel Thule Urban Glide earned a 9.
Pushing and turning the Ironman is somewhat difficult, with tight turns being challenging as tipping the stroller back makes it prohibitively long. However, our test runners feel it is good for smooth flat surfaces with long straightaways. Going off-road the stroller didn't perform much better with less tread causing it to struggle somewhat, but it rolls over bumps easily and is good in gravel for short distances.
This stroller has added comforts like adjustable suspension, padded sling style seat, and padded shoulder straps. The handlebar is stationary at about 40 inches, and the bar is large in diameter and covered in foam that feels good. We think that both passengers and runners will be comfortable using the Ironman.
The Ironman earned a respectable 7 out of 10 for weight and folded size. It is lightest BOB stroller at just over 23 lbs, but, its folded size (without removing wheels) measures at 18,207 cubic inches, making it the largest BOB with wheels attached. The Thule Glide is lighter by 3 lbs, but bigger by a few cubic inches. In essence, trading one measurement for another.
The Ironman earned a 9 of 10 in this metric, with the Thule Glide earning 10. The fabric on the Ironman is a durable, heavy-duty canvas. It has thermo-molded seats and padding with reflective elements for night running. The aluminum frame has tight connections, very little flex, and high-quality plastic components that do not bend. The overall fit and finish look good with no rough edges on the metal, plastic, or fabric. While it lacks the sleek design of the Thule it still has a finished look you'll love to push.
