Roger Malinowski and Philip Novotny started the Beast of Burden Company, or what is known today as BOB Company, in 1994 in California. The bicycle industry pro and the airline mechanic started their company building Yak bike trailers. After the men began to have families, they discovered a need for a stroller for outdoor and active families. To meet this need, the two men created the first BOB Sport Utility jogging stroller. The men developed several variations of this stroller and revolutionized the stroller world by creating the first jogger with a locking swivel wheel in 2005. This made the traditional jogging stroller much easier to maneuver and thus more user-friendly. The company was purchased in 2011 by the Britax Company, a well-known baby gear company specializing in everyday strollers and car seats. The merged companies now offer a complete lineup of strollers for just about any need.
The following graph compares the overall scores for the jogging strollers we tested in this review. The BOB Sport Utility is shown in blue.
The sections below provide details on the Sport Utility's performance during the testing of each individual metric. Compilation of scores was used to calculate overall scores, focusing on run-ability and ease of use.
The Sport earned a 6 of 10 for run-ability. It didn't score as well as its BOB brothers and it failed to match the scores of the Thule Urban Glide 2 and the BOB Revolution Flex that both earned 9, or the fixed wheel Thule Glide 2 that earned a 7.
This stroller offers adjustable tracking that works well and keeps the stroller running true. The Sport is easy to tip back for turning, a necessity for running, and is easy enough to maneuver at speed. The knobby tread on the rubber tires work well off-road, but make running more difficult by increasing vibration in the handlebar. This stroller is similar to the BOB Ironman to run with but has some extra weight that makes it less than ideal for hilly terrain. Our professional runner feels it has a nice forward motion and rolls smoothly enough.
The Sport Utility earned a 6 of 10 for ease of use, along with all of the other BOB products. The Burley Solstice earned a 9 in this metric, with the fixed wheel Thule Glide 2 earning a 7.
The Sport Utility has a two-handed fold that includes an easy to use red handle under the seat. This stroller has a manual fold lock and does not self-stand. The strap that keeps it folded is sort of a hassle and it can take some wiggling to get it in the right position.
This stroller has single action brakes. This means that they are easy to apply and release, and are sandal foot friendly. There is a metal bar in between the back wheels on the 2015 model and a slightly larger plastic pedal on the 2016 version. The Sport Utility also has a deceleration handbrake that works well to slow the stroller to a stop and relieve the runner of some of the strain of slowing the stroller manually.
The Sport Utility has a large storage bin that is easy to access from the back and sides. It has a maximum weight capacity of 10 lbs and it fit our large diaper bag with ease. The bin is relatively far under the handlebar and you are going to have to squat or bend to use it. The stroller also has roomy mesh pocket on the back of the seat and mesh passenger pockets next to the seat.
The canopy on the Sport is large and will cover most children all the way to the knees. The canopy is sturdy with a large vinyl peek-a-boo window and ventilation at the back. The cover on the window has hook and loop closure, and the canopy has reflective material on the front corners for better night visibility.
The Sport has a 5-point harness that is simple to remove, attach, and tighten. It has easy to adjust shoulder height options and an adjustable crotch strap. The latch is easy to snap together and pops open when the button is pushed.
This seat has a two-handed recline that is deep for napping. It has a large ventilation area at the top of the seat for additional airflow once reclined. The seat itself is thermos-molded canvas, as is the footrest that extends down from the seat to the footrest.
The Sport Utility is like the other BOB jogging strollers and has optional car seat adapters for a variety of infant car seats. This allows you to use the stroller with children under 8 months of age as a walking stroller. The manufacturer warns that babies under 8 months of age should not be jogged with. All the BOB adapters have a two-step process to safely install. This includes that the seat is clicked-in and secured with straps.
The Sport Utility earned a 6 of 10 for maneuverability. The Thule Glide 2 earned a 7 and the Thule Urban Glide 2 received a 9, with the BOB Revolution Flex earning the high for BOB strollers with an 8.
Pushing the Sport Utility on flat surfaces isn't too hard, but turning requires tipping the stroller back and can be a pain, especially in tight places like a store or café. This stroller is almost impossible to maneuver in smaller spaces as the length gets longer when you tip it back and bumping things with the front wheel is commonplace. Pushing off-road is easier and the knobby tread helps it navigate gravel and trails with ease. Negotiating curbs is tricky thanks to the adjustable suspension that can cause a bouncier decent than you might expect. Keeping a firm grip on the handlebar goes a long way in maintaining control.
The handlebar on this stroller is higher than average and large in diameter. It is covered in a dense foam that feels nice in hand. The bar does not have an ergonomic shape, but the handbrake is nicely placed and didn't get in the way while running. This stroller has conveniently added padded sling style seat, padded shoulder straps, and adjustable suspension, making this stroller more comfortable than most for passengers.
The Sport Utility earned a 6 of 10 for weight and folded size. This stroller is about 25 lbs, which is average for the group. The Sport folds to 17,850 cubic inches, which puts it in the larger half. Some parents might have trouble lifting this stroller or fitting into their trunk space. The Thule Glide is both lighter and smaller than the Sport Utility, and performed better for run-ability.
The Sport Utility earned a score of 9 of 10 for quality, but this impressive score is lower than the Thule Glide that received a 10. The fabric on the Sport is a heavy canvas on thermo-molded seats and padding with reflective elements. It has a thick aluminum frame with tight connections and high-quality plastic components. It comes with adjustable shocks and almost no flex in the frame, even at the hinge points. There are no rough edges on the metal or fabric, and no poor stitching or random threads. It is a little industrial and utilitarian, but highly functional and durable.
