This is an updated review that includes customer feedback I gathered from the past year. I typically recommend this stroller to taller parents of taller/older kids. Always keep in mind that this stroller is heavier than Schwinn or, for that matter, any other jogging stroller. It’s a bit hard to push and maneuver just because of its size.
Joovy’s quality and construction are unsurpassed. This premium jogger has all of the high-end features and a well-thought out design. It offers extra convenience for the runner and the child.
Along with its closest competitor, BOB Ironman, it is the best on the market.
Walkingmama says: I rate Joovy over BOB, because, with similar features and hi-end materials, Joovy offers a larger leg drop and a taller handlebar. , as there’s No rear axle minimises the fixed handle issue : you can take longer steps even if the handle doesn’t fit your height.
Good price, extras included and it looks hot – I give it 5 stars!
Table of Contents
SUMMARY
Rugged, yet sporty the Zoom ATS is great for tough tasks: running, walking, rollerblading – and everything has been done to ensure a smooth, comfortable ride. Sturdy and easy to steer, this jogger is one that will last for many years, as it’s suitable for even 4-5-year-old kids thanks to an astonishing leg drop of 13″ (vs 8-10 or the other strollers). An advantage – Joovy is the largest stroller available on the market and its capacity is impressive (it carries 75 lbs).
For serious runners – Joovy ATS has a fixed handle bar, which is one less than thrilling thing about this stroller. But Joovy offers a solution that minimizes this issue: it has no rear axle, which makes your run more comfortable (you’re not constantly stepping on it while running).
A setback might be the difficulty in taking corners and manoeuvring, again due to its size and weight. But you just need a little mastery to learn how to take corners and then it goes just fine!
My review is based on two criteria: Sports (performance, off-road, durability, safety) and real life (ease of use, child’s comfort, storage space etc)
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Is Joovy Zoom ATS Good For Sports?
Measuring the stroller for performance, alignment, durability and safety.
- Excellent Performance – how easy is it to push? Joovy Zoom ATS is so smooth and easy to push. Jogging at a pretty decent pace, it almost steers itself with enough pressure! Great for running, excellent for walking and certainly for rollerblading, as it has great shocks, a taller handle and all the safety features.
- Off-road – The Joovy Zoom is one smooth ride. Its great shock absorbers smooth out the bumps and provide a comfortable ride for your little one. Great for all terrains, works on concrete, grass and mud in the park.
- Alignment – how well does the jogger keep straight? Joovy Zoom ATS holds a straight roll pretty well, although, it has had a few more complaints about alignment than BOB Ironman. However, thanks to the front wheel excentre, it’s very easy to fix right on the go. Always check that the tyre pressure is equal – this might be the cause of the veering in most cases.
- Durability – Joovy is a very sturdy jogger. Parents who have used it say that they could easily see it being passed on to their second and third children.
- Handle – not adjustable. However, Joovy’s handle bar is tall 42″ and also there’s no rear axle between the rear wheels, which suites for the taler parents, as allows for maximum stride length. All this minimizes the disadvantages of the fixed handle bar. The handlebar grip is foamy, has enough cushioning on it and it helps absorb sweat from your hands while running.
- Safety – well thought out for a safe ride: good balance, reflective tape on the harnesses, hand brake, parking brakes and a running leash – to make sure the stroller won’t get away from you. I like that Joovy has no plastic parts inside or outside the canopy, it’s good news for safety.
Note: Joovy ATS seems to be designed for taller people and more athletic parents, as it takes extra effort to push this big stroller holding on to the taller handle.
To summarize: To all of those parents who feel like athletes inside, this stroller is probably the best choice. Especially good for taller kids.
Does it work for Strollnetics?
Initially I’ve been dissapointed as for my STrollnetics exercises you need an adjustable handle bar. But as our Strollnetics Model Mom Venis posses Joovy, we needed to come up with the new grips for her to make Abs workout. And we did! (check this short video on how to). Now with Joovy ATS you can make all the workouts: Arms, Abs and Buttocks.
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Is Joovy Zoom ATS good for real life?
Does it pass the real life test? Here I need to add that Joovy is not certainly the easiest stroller to maneuver in a shopping mall. It’s an outdoorsy stroller mainly designed for running, jogging and speed walking.
Let’s consider Joovy ATS in terms of folding, child’s comfort, extra storage and parent extras.
- Impressive one-step fold. Folds better than any jogger I’ve seen – with an automatic lock. Watch the video and be amazed!
- Adjusting – seat reclines 70 degrees easily and quietly using the strap.
- Harnesses – 5-points with reflective stitching for safety at night. Some parents say the straps could be wider, but this, I believe, is just a matter of personal taste.
Child’s comfort includes: canopy, seat width and recline, foot rest, quality of fabric and shock absorbers
- Canopy – Joovy has a huge canopy with a visor – it’s sufficient to keep the sun off your child regardless of where the sun is. The closable window allows you to check the child while running – no need to stop every time – this feature is very much appreciated by parents.
- Wide aluminum footrest that the baby can put his legs on. It’s better, in my opinion, than BOB Ironman’s one, which is a bit narrow and placed a bit high, so bigger children are sitting with their knees bent under their chins! Joovy’s footrest is wider, more reclined and placed right by the front wheel, so the child can extend his legs more.
- Hi-end fabrics – the materials are excellent. Joovy Zoom ATS is made of very thick 6000 D fabric that is great for protecting your child from all temperatures.
- The seat is wide – kids love how roomy Joovy is. The interior seat width is 14″, which is suitable for toddlers (4-5-years-old). The seat is also placed high up from the ground – floor to seat measures 23″ and kids love it. The seat is well padded, with nice mesh pockets for the baby to keep toys, snacks or a bottle right by their hands. The longest leg drop of all the jogging strollers – 13″ vs the usual 8-9″. Well done, Joovy!
- Shock absorbers that work – Joovy offers simple but effective open spring suspension that works seamlessly with the giant 16″ wheels. This stroller rolls right over everything, even sidewalk bumps.
Extra storage – Joovy jogger has a large storage basket under the seat which is very easy to access, unlike Schwinn Arrow’s one. Joovy’s basket is huge and parent-friendly.
Parent Extras
Joovy has all the extras included: rain/wind cover, pump and great neoprene parent organizer. The parent’s console is great, with two large bottle holders and a zip pocket for your keys and mobile – very handy indeed.
Dimensions:
Seat Width: 14″
Seat Back Height: 18″
Seat to Canopy: 25″
COMPATIBILITY: not car seat compatible
Does it have any weaknesses?
Joovy Zoom ATS seems to have no real issues to report, although, a few points are worth mentioning:
- It’s quite big and heavy – most of the feedback reports are about the size of the stroller: it’s really big and therefore not extremely light ( like Schwinn Arrow). It doesn’t impact the ride, as it pushes very well, you just need to get used to it. As parents say, it takes quite a lot of upper-body strength to get it to turn, as you really have to push down hard to get the front wheel to lift with the spring suspension. As for me, I personally don’t mind an extra workout for my arms while walking.
But, if you are on the short side, this is not the stroller for you. - Alignment – according to consumer reports, Joovy Zoom ATS has minor alignment issues at times: it may pull a bit to the right or left, however, with the front wheel adjustment lever and excentre, this can easily be fixed right on the go. The alignment problem is common for all joggers: in high-end models, like Joovy and BOB it can be resolved by adjusting the front wheel to the center, while in less expensive models the alignment issue could be caused by a more serious reason, for example, the front frame’s fork could be bent. Always check the tyre pressure – it must be equal in both tyres.
- The rain cover is a bit short – it has excellent coverage, but at the very front, there is no velcro to keep it closed. This might cause your child’s legs to get wet in heavy rain, especially in the front as it might fold slightly due to rain or wind.
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Lilybubba says
If it has a fixed handle, can you do rollerblading with it?
Lena says
Yes, you can surely do rollerblading with Joovy Zoom ATS – a fixed handle never bother you while skating.In case with Joovy ATS rollerblading is very convenient, as it’s handle placed high to match your new height on the rollers. Have great skating! On rollerblading pushing stroller tips, read my post here
Heather says
Does your 6 year old fit in it now? How tall is he? I’m looking for a stroller for my daughter so I can train for a 1/2 marathon. She’s currently 45″ tall and growing 🙂
Lena says
Hi Heather,
I can’t tell you whether my son fits into Joovy or not – I don’t posses this stroller. But here I found some pictures – perhaps you’d find them useful!
Anyway, if Joovy is too short, then I don’t think there are any alternatives on the market.
http://pinterest.com/pin/159737118006224134/
http://pinterest.com/pin/159737118006224129/
victoryforallV says
Hi: I am 5’4″. Am I too short for the handle? Also, since Joovy is large, is it cumbersome to move in and out of the car? And, how does it lock after collapsing? Is the piece that connects the parts when collapsed sturdy? The one we have is plastic and broke off. Also, when collapsing, if your fingers are in the wrong place, it can pinch them, ouch! as it did to me. So, can your fingers gets sqeezed when collapsing a joovy? Thanks.
Lena says
Hello,
To answer your questions:
– Our Strollnetics model Venus is 5’2 tall and she uses Joovy with no problem. Check her posts about this!
– Joovy ATS has most amazing folding I’ve ever seen. Check the video in my review video – I don’ t think pinching of the fingers is possible with it.
– Cumbersomeness and sturdiness – yes Joovy is a quality sturdy stroller when comes to the parts. To get it into the trunk – if you have a small sedan than perhaps you need to remove the rear wheels.
Some moms find Joovy heavy but it depends on the personal height and strength perhaps. I don’t mind an extra arms workout but some might find it heavy. Our next Venus update this Fri will be about why she has chosen Joovy for her so maybe this will help you to make decision!
Cheers,
Lena
Jimmy says
You said the seat to canopy height is adjustable from 20″ to 25″ could you please show me a video demonstrating how this is possible?
Lena says
Hi Jimmy,
Yes, it’s kinda adjustable: when semi-opened, it’s higher than fully closed. Sadly, I don’t have a video but this picture illustrates what I mean. Look at the black and red Joovies vs blue one.
Vera says
Can children sleep in it?
The seat back goes down all the way?
Lena says
Sure, Joovy Zoom ATS’s seat back goes down almost flat.
Sudarto says
I am happy reading your article. Your explanation about the Joovy Zoom ATS is very complete. Turns out it has a lot of functions. It can meet many needs. Of course, this is very fun. We can use without fear of something unpleasant. Thank you.
Lena says
Thanks a lot! Joovy Zoom ATS is truly one great stroller. My favorite, actually. It’s such a pity that it’s been discontinued..Still, I’ll try to get one for my second child (expected after NY, but I’m planning in advance:-) Hope to get Joovy, as it’s a big, it’s sturdy, good for running and rollerblading, with lots of extras included!
Leslie says
Do you know Why was it discontinued? Was it a safety issue? Would love to find one myself if you have any luck! Wonderful articles and amazing source, you are the only person who made stroller shopping bearable, I’ve been so overwhelmed! You’re a life saver!
Lena says
Thank you Leslie! Yes I know it’s discontinued-no it’s not a safety issue. Rather the market issue, as most of the parents are looking for a swivel-wheel stroller.
There’s a ATS’s sister a stroller called Joovy Zoom 360 which is equally great just has a rotating front wheel.
Check it out
Still, if you’re looking for a fixed wheel Joovy, it was available on Amazon just some time ago but not on Joovy’s webstore yes