The best running buggies for active parents, tried and tested

This versatile buggy is a 4-in-1 multi-sport stroller, ideal for running, cycling and even cross-country skiing. Just ask TV presenter, fitness expert, founder of The StrongLikeMum app and mum of four, Shakira Akabusi, who we've spotted using it with her tribe.

What we love
Its unique features include innovative ‘ hands-free’ technology, designed to give parents a natural running experience. Active parents can convert the Zeno into a bike trailer for smooth rides and road trips or even enjoy a cross-country ski trail on hilly terrains. Plus, it offers quick and easy switching between the four different sports configurations.

Nikki tested it for M&B with her 16-month-old and used the running adapter while training for a 5k run. More confident runners could use the waist attachment and pull the carriage behind them for a more challenging workout. Meanwhile, our tester's husband commutes to work on his bike and with the bike adapter, he was able to collect their son from nursery. Nikki explains, "It means we can both fit our exercise and hobbies into daily life and bring Louie along for the ride, rather than leaving him at home or having to find alternative childcare." Generally impressed with the overall design, our tester said, "The harness seatbelt looked really sturdy and safe, and the inbuilt suspension in the trailer and air-filled tyres ensured that Louie wasn’t jostled about when we were running or cycling on rougher terrain."

What we don't love
It doesn't come with an adjustable handle height, and Nikki noted that the wheels are fixed in place, which can make the trailer feel a little rigid when turning corners, so adding a swivel function to them would give more flexibility when running or cycling.

Read our Cybex Zeno review here.

The V5 Out n About Nipper Sport has a lot going for it: it's lightweight, easy to fold, and the wide spacing between the front and back air-filled tyres gives it extra stability on all terrains. It's also suitable from birth with the additional newborn support.

What we love
Our mum tester Hatty was won over by how sturdy and versatile this buggy was for off-road adventurous walks and smooth jogs with baby in tow. "The three large 16” air-filled tyres and wheel suspension help to ensure a comfortable ride for baby across a multitude of terrains, whilst the easy-to-remove wheels and compact folding allow for it to be neatly stored.”

She also commented on how easy it was to assemble, apart from a small issue, which was sorted out quickly once she got in touch with customer support. Using it on a family holiday to Centre Parcs and a 5k run across the tarmac and off-road tracks around Blenheim Palace, Hatty was impressed with the wheels and suspension on the buggy, and the ride was surprisingly smooth. There's also ample storage space, which doesn't get in the way and the buggy also easily collapses and folds up well. "The wheels can be taken off with very little effort, and this allows for it to be compact in the car, something which we usually struggle with in our not-so-spacious boot."

What we don't love
While its fixed front wheel ensures smooth, straight-line movement for jogging and all-terrain walks, it made navigating corners difficult during everyday use, but while it's not designed for daily errands, it performs really well for jogging and all-terrain walks.

Read our Out n About Nipper Sport review here.

A stylish and plush jogger pushchair with deep, padded seats for the ultimate comfort for your little one. It also has state-of-the-art suspension, large tyres with a deep tread and a padded harness with lumbar support.

What we love
Our tester Ben used this all-terrain stroller to run with his one-year-old for a month and covered about 50km over a variety of terrains while testing it. "The Ridge combines intuitive simplicity with clever design and a tough finish that’s hard to find fault with...It’s a big outlay, especially if you already have a standard ‘transport solution’ set-up, but I think it’s worth investing in a good product when it will take all-terrain abuse." He found every inch of it well-built, sturdy and was also impressed with the foam-filled tyres, which he said felt more like bicycle wheels and offered a smoother running experience over harsh terrain. "I’ve tackled some seriously harsh tracks strewn with rocks and forest paths full of tree roots and – although the buggy bounced around quite a lot – my daughter slept through the lot."

Ben noted the small zipped pocket on the hood is ideal for your keys and smartphone and it also comes with a clip that can hold your water bottle on the side of the frame. The front wheel is a swivel that makes it incredibly easy to steer in walking mode and can be locked for running. "I’ve found the steering very easy to get used to, even running with one hand on the handlebar" Ben added. In terms of safety, the brakes do a good job but are a little sensitive, the wrist strap is good for an added layer of security, and the handlebar is adjustable too.

What we don't love
The stroller is a big unit compared to others on the market, so those with smaller cars may struggle to fit it in the boot.

Read our UPPAbaby Ridge All Terrain Stroller review here

The new iteration of Thule's well-known all-terrain stroller now comes with a four-wheel option. Not to be confused with the Urban Glide 2 & 3, this is a pushchair designed to handle everything from outdoor trails to city streets and light running/jogging. Ideal for newborns and toddlers, it is built to handle any rugged terrain.

What we love
Our dad tester found the Thule Glide 4-wheel was stylish and premium-looking pushchair that is a hybrid of everyday and all-terrain tackling off-road tracks really well too. "The one-hand folding mechanism is very user-friendly and quick. It is also equally simple to pop the pushchair back up once the side catch is removed. I loved that the seat remained on the frame when folded, which was a much better design that previous pushchairs I’ve used."

Our dad tester also found his daughter was napping for longer periods since swapping to this buggy. He also commented on the twist hand brake saying it was "a fantastic feature that made hill walking so much safer and manageable." Worth mentioning the under storage basket gives you ample storage space to stow away all your essentials.

What we don't love
Our dad tester felt his 12 month old struggled to sit up comfortably "as the highest setting on the seat is still quite reclined." He was also perturbed that the bumper bar and rain cover were not included as he felt these items were essential to use it confidently as a parent. Unfortunately when testing, one of the air-filled tyres got a puncture as a bramble thorn pierced through it so a replacement tyre had to be ordered.

Read our Thule Urban Glide 4-wheel review here.

For parents with two tots of different ages and weights, the Nipper Double is an excellent choice. Expect a smooth ride thanks to the independent rear wheel suspension, 12" pneumatic wheels and swivel front wheel.

What we love
"This pushchair is lovely and lightweight, making it easy to manoeuvre on different surfaces with my baby and 3-year-old in it. It was very easy to assemble, only taking 5 minutes, and it comes with clear instructions," said our M&B tester. Intelligently built, the Nipper Double is very spacious but doesn’t look cumbersome, and our tester had no problem with it going through doorways.

Tested across the beach, woods, gravel and grass, parents agreed with the product's claim of being an all-terrain pushchair, true. "The wheels make pushing and steering a breeze, and it is fun to use as a mum. It folds down simply and is not difficult; it can be done with one hand, which is great when taking multiple children out for the day..."

What we don't love
Some did mention that when folded flat, it did take up a lot of room in the boot. Some reviewers have commented that the peekaboo hood could be fixed with magnets rather than velcro, as it sometimes woke their babies up. Other parents also commented on the lack of storage under the buggy.

Read our Out n About Nipper Double review here.

The Baby Jogger Summit is the perfect jogging companion for active families. It's been cleverly designed to keep you in control with practical features like a hand-operated deceleration brake and a tether strap on the handlebar as extra security to prevent the stroller from rolling away if you lose your grip or stumble.

What we love
You can switch between lock and swivel modes, and it also comes with premium, air-filled tyres and all-wheel suspension. Suitable for strolling/walking with your newborn with the deluxe carrycot (sold separately), but the seat that comes with, can be used for strolling from 6 months and jogging from 9 months. It also features reflective accents on the canopy and harness for enhanced visibility.

One reviewer said: "This stroller is simply the best I have ever owned! It has been designed and built beautifully! Perfect for long strolls over bumpy roads and gravel. Manoeuvres easily, and the brake is oh-so-useful when going down steep hills. The ride is so smooth (for both the 'driver' and the 'passenger'), my boy almost instantly falls asleep when he's in there."

What we don't love
In terms of the downsides, some reviews mentioned the under-pram storage is not enough and the pram is heavier than others on our list, but the one-handed compact fold makes up for this.

Specifically designed for the active parent, the Mountain Buggy Terrain™ can take you from newborn right up to toddler years. It's engineered for the mountains but designed for the city, which means it's ready to tackle all terrains with a baby in tow.

What we love
Stand out features include retractable leg extension, a longer seat back and an adjustable handlebar and the front wheel can be locked forward, back or 360° swivel. It also comes with both 16" and 12" rear air-filled tyres, which work with the hand-operated control brake for maximum control. One review said: "We are absolutely thrilled with the Mountain Buggy. Yes, it is quite bulky, but it offers good comfort and is so easy to use. The tyres can be easily removed from time to time."

What we don't love
Some reviews mention that it's difficult to release the foot brake with your foot underneath it

With plenty of handy features, including the large shopping basket underneath and a wrist strap for securing, the Ickle Bubba Venus Max Jogger Stroller can be used from birth, and for jogging from nine months.

What we love
As well as a handy tyre pump, UPF 50+ sun protection rain cover, this stroller also features quick-release rear wheels, and a handy zip pocket on the hood, while the self-locking swivel front wheel and wrist strap provide added control and security. One parent reviewer said: "I love this pushchair! I have been so much more active since getting it. So far, I can’t fault anything about it, I’ve even been using it on my everyday jobs like the shop and school run. My 20-month-old son is very comfortable and enjoys a nap on our longer walks; the hood is big and keeps him out of the sun. A pleasure to push around."

What we don't love
What it lacks is suspension and a handbrake - these essential features would have pushed this pram higher up in our buying guide. A few things that parents repeatedly commented on were the seat recline. They noted that the backrest must be fully reclined to fold the stroller, and it can be fiddly to adjust with a child in the seat. This recline position also makes the basket difficult to access. Additionally, some parents found the stroller quite heavy and felt it took up a lot of room when folded.

The Cybex Avi is perfect for parents who love to stay active and want to take their baby along for the ride. Like most, this pram is suitable from birth with a carry cot or car seat and for walking and is sleek as it is stylish. It's lightweight, has adjustable handlebar, reflective rings and stitches, suspension, and air-filled tyres, so perfect for all-terrain and, as you'd expect, the front wheel locks for rough ground or higher speeds.

What we love
Claire, our mum tester, noticed how the large wheels made it easier to push, especially when loaded with groceries in the storage basket underneath. She was also a big fan of being able to push it with one hand. As a trail runner, Claire took it out on muddy trails while running, and even though it was bumpy, she was impressed with the super-light suspension and air-filled tyres.

What we don't love
Claire noted that it is much wider than other prams, so you may get stuck in narrow aisles if you use it as your day-to-day pushchair (which it isn't designed for). Claire thought that several design elements could be improved. The safety leash is fixed to the left of the adjustable handlebar, but could offer a right-side attachment option for variation. Folding the pram pinches the knuckles as it's so tight. More importantly, the brake, while providing downhill resistance, doesn't fully stop the pram and backrest adjustment is a task and a half with a child in it, often requiring an awkward, two-handed manoeuvre while using a knee for support.

Read our Cybex Avi review here.