[UPDATE] This review has been updated with customers’ feedback from the last year. In my experience, this stroller is mostly chosen for off-road walking or jogging, and less so for rollerblading and running. But if I may say – it’s a matter of taste: do you prefer driving SUVs or sport cars (like Ironman)? If we disregard the customers who overlooked the fixed front wheel and are disappointed because of this, the SUS rides well and smoothly. This stroller is at its best out in the open. I can’t say that it’s a hugely popular model but it has its fans – and they’re very happy indeed!
If you’re looking for an outdoorsy stroller, look no further.
This is a durable, all-terrain jogger that’s hard to beat.
Dads just love the BOB Sport Utility Stroller! Well, men have their own views on a stroller’s appearance: a tough look, sturdy feel of the frame and smoothness of the ride.
Walkingmama says: SUS is something like a jogger hybrid of a mountain-bike and a Cadillac (it’s so comfortable for babies). Despite the heavy look, it rolls easily on any trail. It’s a high quality jogging stroller. One warning: like other BOB models, the seat height is a bit low; parents of taller children – beware!
Parents say – it’s the cheapest of the BOB lines and a very good purchase!
Table of Contents
Summary
BOB Sport Utility Stroller is one of the best reviewed jogging strollers on the net and I have nothing but positive things to say about it.
Despite being a bit heavy, and having a non-dynamic look, SUS runs beautifully and is perfect for any terrain, especially off-road trail jogging or walking.
Here’s a natural question: what’s the difference between BOB Sport Utility and BOB Ironman, except for the price tag?
- BOB SUS and BOB Ironman both have 16” wheels, however, Ironman has harder, slicker 1.5” tires – for an even easier roll on paved roads, whereas SUS’s tires are wider, 2” for rugged terrain.
- Both have the famous BOB advanced three-inch suspension with shock absorbers, which have two positions, making them suitable for both small and big babies. Great for jogging even on bumpy roads.
- The dual-trigger folding mechanism is the same for BOB Ironman and SUS.
There’s no difference in the quality of construction, features or materials used for both BOB SUS and BOB Ironman. It’s more about the look and feel of the stroller: SUS feels better in the deep forest, and Ironman on the road.
Excellent shocks, sturdy, tough and rugged – they can handle trails at walking pace and are wonderful for jogging. BOB Sport Utility has many well-thought-out design features, like a shock release knob and tracking knob for a straight roll.
It seems as if BOB’s designersput a lot of thought into this stroller.
Another important thing: SUS’s seat height is a bit short. If your child is heading for 40 inches – choose a bigger
stroller – Joovy Zoom ATS or Baby Jogger FIT.
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Is the BOB Sport Utility Stroller good for sports?
Sports usage includes: performance, alignment, durability, off-road performance and safety.
- Performance – how easy it rides
BOB Sport Utility Stroller can be pushed with just one hand. Nearly every parent has found it a pleasure to run with this stroller. Maneuvered with virtually no effort, quite manageable to lift and excellent all-around traction. The stroller goes so smoothly, it can easily roll away from you.However, when going uphill, a couple of pounds less would be nice. It’s quite a workout. - Durability: how sturdy it is and how long it lasts
All BOB strollers are very durable – that’s the premium feature you’re paying for. No complaints on durability. Welded aluminum frame, durable polycarbonate plastic wheels. The stroller is sturdy and very robust. 70lb capacity, which is great but, because of its short seat, children tend to grow out of BOB strollers before they reach this weight limit. In general, it’s great for to 2 to 3 year-old-kids (up to 40” tall). However, if you completely open the roof of the canopy – taller children would still fit. - Good alignment – the stroller doesn’t pull to the sides
BOB SUS has almost no alignment complaints, although two reviewers complained about difficulties with the front wheel pulling in one direction or the other. For problems like this one, BOB SUS has an adjustabletracking feature that eliminates drift for a smooth and straight ride. It’s a handy feature, which I like.
All the Hi-End joggers, like Joovy Zoom ATS or Baby Jogger F.I.T, have almost no alignment problems: however, if a problem appears, it can easily be solved by simply adjusting the lever on the front wheel axle. For BOB joggers – it’s the same adjustment, just performed by a simple twist of the front wheel knob.
- Off-road – this is what BOB Sport Utility Stroller was created for
Semi-slick tires with water dispersion grooves, in tandem with great shocks – an excellent off-road recipe! Urban, suburban, beach, snow, mountains or deep woods, parents love this jogging stroller’s absolute mastery of bumps. SUS can be navigated anywhere. Safety – it has a standard safety set: rear and hand brakes, 5-point harnesses, a safety strap. There is a reflection tape on the canopy. Parents like this rear brake, as it can be easily kicked on and off. In addition, it’s very tough and secure. The hand brake also has a nice feature: a parking button that allows you to park the stroller quickly while loading or unloading it.
- Wrist strap – attached between the two back wheels of the stroller. The manufacturers say it’s safer as the baby will not be at any risk if you do happen to fall. However, it is easy to step on the strap as it hangs down at your feet.
- Handle bar – non-adjustable handlebar. Well padded. Placed 42” from the ground.
Is BOB SUS suitable for Walkingmama Stroller Fitness?
Not really. Walkingmama Stroller Fitness is all about doing exercises right on the go by holding the stroller’s handle one way or another. You need to adjust the handle height to work out the different muscles.
With BOB Sport Utility stroller you are perfectly equipped for all kinds of walking and running, including weight loss walking, hiking and rollerblading pushing a stroller!
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Is BOB Sport Utility Stroller good for real life?
Measured for ease of use, child’s comfort, storage space and parent extras.
- Ease of use: includes folding, adjusting and use of harnesses.
- Folding: BOB’s folding mechanism makes it very easy to fold & unfold the stroller. If it doesn’t fit into your trunk, just remove the wheels (via the quick-release lever). BOB SUS is convenient for transportation and storage. Use the safety strap to lock it when folded.
- Adjusting: the seat reclines easily by pulling a strap. Deep, almost flat recline.
- Use of harnesses: no complaints, they’re easy to use. The harnesses are both safe and comfortable for the child. It would be nice to have some reflectors on them (there’s just one reflector on the canopy roof).
- Child’s comfort includes reclining seat, seat height & width, canopy, foot rest, quality of fabric and suspension
- Seat: quite roomy, soft, and reclines almost flat. The seat width is 14.5″, the same as BOB Ironman and Joovy ZOOM ATS, but it’s narrower than Baby Jogger FIT. The seat height could be higher – some parents note that 40″ inch babies have difficulties fitting into the BOB SUS.
- Canopy: a massive sun canopy (it even covers legs) that provides generous shade. Nice viewing window. It would provide even more space for the child if it had a curved roof (like Baby Jogger FIT). Another thing to be aware of: when the seat is fully reclined, the back is exposed.
- Foot rest: fabric leg rest. Placed a bit high and almost at a straight angle: it would be better if it had a longer drop (like Joovy’s ATS).
- Quality of fabric: high quality fabric – tough and more resistant to staining. The seat is composed of closed cell foam which stops mold and the smell of the materials. Water-resistant.
- Suspension: excellent. SUS absorbs shocks amazingly well, making the ride especially smooth. Suspension can be adjusted to accommodate the increasing weight of the child as he grows. One user even said that it can jump curbs when he’s jogging.
- Storage space: lots of space for storage (an underneath basket, a large back pocket, and two internal pockets). The baskets are easily accessed.
- Parent extras: everything has to be purchased separately, including the rain shield and the parent’s console.
Car seat adaptable YES
with BOB Infant Car Seat Adapter (sold separately).
Does it have any weaknesses?
- Not-adjustable handlebar: Taller parents (nearing 6ft and over) might not feel comfortable while running. BOB manufacturers justify this by saying that the non-adjustable handlebar is safer to use – I would strongly disagree with this, as a quality handlebar will last for years. Aside from this point, I can’t see much correlation between an adjustable handlebar and the safety of the stroller. A swivel wheel is, in my opinion, much more controversial when it comes to safety. If you’re looking for a jogging stroller with an adjustable handlebar, Schwinn/Instep Arrow is the only option.
- Seat height could be higher: I have had several complaints about 36″ tall children hitting their heads on the canopy.
- Alignment:. BOB SUS may pull a bit to the sides. However, this is quite easy to fix with the adjustment knob on the front wheel. If that doesn’t help – the reason might be fluctuations in tire pressure, as the tires are so thick. Check your tires and always make sure they are balanced.
Some parents say BOB Sport Utility is big and heavy. Well, jogging strollers tend to weigh more than umbrella strollers :-).
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Elena….I am interested in this stroller but I am looking to use it on paved roads as well as off road trails…I heard this stroller doesn’t do well in paved roads… what are your thoughts?
Hello Joanna! Good question!
If you’re looking for a speed on a paved roads – that BOB SUS might be a little too slow/heavy comparing to the models with the thinner tires. It’s a simple physics: SUS’s wide knobbed tires together with the suspension slow down your move, especially when starting off. However, it’s a matter of seconds, a habit and your running abilities. On the other hand, it can jump curbs when jogging and makes smooth rollerblading (yet harder). I would say – think on how much time are you going to jog with it off road vs paved roads. If your daily jogging/running taking place on an asphalted roads – and you’re not a running pro/ or an athlete, I would look at some other models. If you’re jogging mostly in a forest/ off road – or you like to explore and to hike, BOB SUS is right for you! So drop me a line and I’ll try to help you further!
Thanks Lena! I run marathons but now I have a baby & it’s time to think about jogging strollers 🙂 I will do running on both paved roads & trail… Should I consider the revolution SE? Or the Baby jogger Summit? Will their front tires be able to handle tough terrain? I see the sports utility and I see that large front tire and I think what a badass stroller 🙂 I just want to make a good decision! Thanks Lena!
HI Lena
I was hoping to get a bob sus stroller as my only stroller. I camp and hike frequently and walk on the trails and beach often as well. I am not a runner and won’t be using it for running. I love that it can be an all terrain stroller. My one concern is that since it’s a fixed wheel I might not be able to use it for every day living, like grocery shopping, browsing store fronts, going to a store or doctor’s appointment etc. etc. What are you thoughts on getting the fixed wheel SUS versus the moving one that has the fixed option with the Revolution.
What do you think makes the most sense?
Thanks in advance!!!
Hi Melissa,
BOB SUS can be used for an everyday living, no problem. BOB SE is just easier to glide through tight spaces and busy crowded areas, but its size (wheel base, overal lenght and the width) is nearly the same as SUS’s, which make both of them just equial in front of the narrow grocery store:-)
It’s just a matter of habit how to maneuvre with the fixed front wheel.
What’s more important, is the fact that for the hiking and camping, as well as for the beaches you’ll always need a fixed front wheel anyway. More than that, SUS has rugged knobby tires for the firmer grip on the road. The tires are also wider – better off road performance again. Last, but not the least, SUS has a hand break, which is a very good safety feature going down the hills.
I would recommend you to have BOB SUS. If you manage hiking and camping with the stroller, you will manage rest of the world:-)
hahah!!! i think you are right! I’m hoping im not being too overzealous! haha!! thanks so much for your review and your quick feedback! I really appreciate it!
Hi Lena, I have been reading reviews for jogging strollers. I have run a bit in the past and I would like to take up running and rollerblading with my 13 month old. I have bottled it down to JoovyZoom, BOB Ironman and Sports Utility, and BabyJogger FIT (which I eliminated due to no shocks). I am 5’3″…I have tested a friend’s Ironman and found the handle to be a bit tall, so the JoovyZoom is probably not a good idea since it is taller. I will mostly be running on paved roads, with occasional beach running. Do you think the SUS will be overkill? Will I regret getting a bulkier stroller?what would you pick?
Hi Roberta,
Thanks for your question! Very good choice, indeed. The problem is that the taller handle bar makes pushing quite difficult. So Baby Jogger/Joovy is too big/heavy for you. For the rollerblading I’d prefer Ironman over SUS (the handle height is the same) but SUS weights 3 lbs more (26 lbs vs 23 of Ironman) and believe me it’s quite a job to rollerblade with the heavy stroller:-)
I see your stroller’s preferences and I fully support them, but would you think about Schwinn Instep Arrow? It’s lightweight (20 Lbs) with adjustable handle. Has shock absorbers. Another option is the Tike Tech X3, which is heavier but not so bad though (+adjustable handle, very smooth ride). Tike Tech weights 26 lbs, but an adjustable handle makes pushing easier than it would be for BOB SUS.
If case you don’t like these two (and I always say, you shall love how your stroller’s look:-) than Ironman would be still an option, you just have to work a bit more to get used to the handle bar. A nice arms workout, BTW:-) there’s no ideal strollers, so we have to make compromises..
Would you recommend the bob sus for beach walk & jogging? I also would like to use it for paved walks. Do you know if I buy an adapter for graco used would it work for any year stroller I may purchase? Thank you 🙂
Hi Lena,
I am knew to the Bob world. I orderd the Bob Sport Utility Stroller for running with my 2 year old. We have used it 3 times and it is pulling to the left terribly. I adjusted the front wheel after the first run and it helped a little but still pulls, toward the ditch so I am struggling for the 6 miles keeping it in the road…..any suggestions?
I have a stroller but trying to figure out what year it was made in. Serial number says SO 15131! I would like to purchase a car seat attachment for it?