BOB Rambler vs. Revolution Flex 3.0: Jogging Stroller Comparison

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A travel system may be an everyday must-have for most parents, but active parents who love to get out and run or stroll trails will likely want to add a jogging stroller to the mix. And BOB gear makes some of the best on the market. The brand boasts six different jogging strollers and has both single and double options, so how do you choose the best one?

If you need a two-seater, the decision is made for you—only the Revolution Flex 3.0 comes as a “duallie,” or double stroller. But if you’re looking for a single, our gear experts say the Bob Rambler is another worthy option.

Both are high-quality jogging strollers,—and you really can’t go wrong with either—but there are important differentiations, particularly in handlebar height (a big consideration for tall parents!), color selection and price. To help you choose the right one for your family, our gear experts tested, reviewed and compared the BOB Rambler vs. Revolution Flex 3.0. Here’s what they had to say.

Main Difference Between the BOB Revolution and Rambler 

There are three main differences between the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 and the BOB Rambler jogging stroller. First, the BOB Rambler is about $80 less than the Revolution Flex 3.0. But the up-charge is justified: The Revolution has more bells and whistles, including adjustable handlebars, larger rear wheels that can accommodate rougher terrain and more storage pockets. The BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 also comes in two colors, while the Rambler comes in just a single shade.

BOB Rambler: Pros and Cons 

• Retail Price: $469.99
• Avg. GoodBuy Gear Price: $332
• Avg. Seller Payout: $249
• Age Range/Weight Limit: Birth to 44 inches or 75 pounds, whichever comes first
• Dimensions (unfolded): 45 x 24.5 x 39.5 inches
• Dimensions (folded): 38.5 x 24.5 x 13.5 inches
• Stroller Weight: 25.2 pounds

Best for: Families who want a quality jogging stroller, but don’t necessarily want to pay up for extra features

Perhaps most notably, the Rambler is the cheaper of the two strollers—it’s about $80 less expensive. Still, it’s a high-quality jogging stroller that parents can use for walking from birth (with a compatible infant car seat) and for running from eight months on. It has three durable, air-filled 12.5-inch wheels equipped with a mountain bike-style suspension system that expertly takes bumps in the road, so you can take your kiddo for a smooth ride on pavement, grass, gravel and more.

Like other jogging strollers, including the Revolution, the Rambler is bulky and requires two hands to fold. But if space is a concern, you’ll love that it’s both a few inches smaller and a few pounds lighter than the Revolution.

It has most of the same features you’d expect in a sophisticated running stroller, too: a five-point harness, a reclining seat, an extended UPF 50+ canopy with a peek-a-boo window and a large storage basket.

Pros 

• Less expensive of the two strollers
• A few inches smaller than the Revolution
• A few pounds lighter than the Revolution
• All-terrain wheels with premium suspension

Cons 

• Fixed handlebars
• All three wheels are the same size, so it’s not quite as rugged as the Revolution
• Requires two hands to fold
• Hard to store and transport

BOB Revolution Flex 3.0: Pros and Cons 

• Retail Price: $549.99
• Avg. GoodBuy Gear Price: $448
• Avg. Seller Payout: $299
• Age Range/Weight Limit: Birth to 44 inches or 75 pounds, whichever comes first
• Dimensions (unfolded): 45 x 24.5 x 43 inches
• Dimensions (folded): 39 x 24.5 x 16 inches
• Stroller Weight: ‎28.5 pounds

Best for: Families who have extra money and space to get a slightly larger jogging stroller with more bells and whistles

It may be $80 more than the Rambler, but the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 is one of the best strollers for parents who want a great jogger. It has state-of-the-art suspension and three durable air-filled tires, but the Revolution’s rear wheels are a more impressive 16 inches. This means it’ll have less trouble on rougher off-road terrain. Just as importantly, the Revolution has handlebars that can be adjusted to nine different positions, making it easier for both short and tall parents to get the right fit.

Like the Rambler, the Revolution can be used for many years. Use it while walking from birth (with a compatible infant car seat) and for running from eight months on. Parents who like to have it all, even when on the go, will also appreciate all the convenience features the Revolution Flex 3.0 boasts. It has the same five-point harness, reclining seat and large storage basket as the Rambler, but it also has reflective material on the extended UPF 50+ canopy and six additional storage pockets.

Unfortunately, the Revolution is even bulkier than the Rambler and weighs a few pounds more. It also requires two hands to fold and can be very difficult to stash in a small space like a closet or trunk.

Pros 

• Taller, more rugged rear wheels
• Adjustable handlebars
• Reflective material on the canopy
• Six storage pockets in addition to the large storage basket
• Comes in a double version

Cons 

• More expensive of the two strollers
• Heavier and bulkier that the Rambler
• Requires two hands to fold
• Hard to store and transport

BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 vs. Rambler: Comparison Chart 

Price Comparison 

At $469.99, the BOB Rambler is $80 less than the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0—a stroller that costs $549.99. That said, if you’re willing to spend a little bit more, you will “unlock” added features like adjustable handlebars, larger rear wheels and additional storage pockets. The good news: If you shop secondhand (like here at GoodBuyGear!), you can score both strollers at a discounted price.

Winner: BOB Rambler

Weight Comparison

The two jogging strollers are close in weight, but ultimately, the BOB Rambler is lighter. The Rambler weighs 25.2 pounds, while the Revolution weighs 28.5 pounds—an approximately 3 pound difference that can be largely attributed to the larger all-terrain wheels on the Revolution Flex 3.0.

Winner: BOB Rambler

Size Comparison 

If space is a big issue for you, it’s worth noting that the BOB Rambler is about 2.5 inches slimmer when folded and a few inches shorter when unfolded. Don’t let this be the deciding factor for you, though. In person, the two strollers look and feel very comparable. And sometimes the added height when unfolded is actually a plus—like for tall parents who don’t want to crouch over the handlebars when walking or running.

Winner: BOB Rambler

Age/Weight Range Comparison 

Overall, the age, weight and height minimums and maximums on the two all-terrain strollers are exactly the same. With a compatible infant car seat, both strollers can be used for walking from birth. After eight weeks, parents can continue to use the two joggers with their kiddo in the seat—as long as they’re only walking. At eight months, your little one is old enough to sit in the seat while you jog. They won’t outgrow either seat until 44 inches or 75 pounds, whichever comes first.

Winner: Tie

Wheels

Both strollers have great all-terrain wheels you can count on for a smooth ride—even when you’re running. The air-filled tires on both models are highly durable, plus feature a mountain bike-style suspension system to absorb excess shock to keep your little one safer and more comfortable on the road. Both models also have a 360-degree swivel and lockable front wheel, but the Revolution Flex 3.0 ultimately takes the win, thanks to larger rear wheels that make it just a bit more rugged. The Revolution has 16-inch rear wheels, while the Rambler has 12.5-inch front and rear wheels.

Winner: BOB Revolution Flex 3.0

Adjustable Handlebars

At 39.5 inches, the handlebar on the BOB Rambler is relatively high, but it’s fixed in a single position—and one that may feel a bit too tall for shorter parents. The Revolution, on the other hand, has nine-position adjustable handlebars, so both short and tall parents can find the right fit for them.

Winner: BOB Revolution Flex 3.0

Features

Nice-to-have features—those that don’t necessarily affect the overall functionality of the stroller, but make the experience more elevated—are very similar on the two strollers. Both strollers have a five-point harness (no re-thread, meaning you don’t have to take the whole seat apart to adjust it as your kiddo grows), a reclining seat, an extended UPF 50+ canopy with a peek-a-boo window and a large storage basket. Both models are also compatible with the brand’s full line of accessories, including a parent handlebar console, a child snack tray, a weather and sun shield and a travel bag. The Revolution Flex 3.0, however, also has six extra storage pockets, so you can tote even more, plus a reflective canopy for safety in dim conditions.

Winner: BOB Revolution Flex 3.0

Fold/Unfold

The biggest drawback to both BOB strollers is the fold. Both the Rambler and the Revolution are relatively bulky strollers that don’t fold down very easily or compactly. The two-step folding process requires both hands. Neither stroller locks into place automatically, either, which means you might fumble a little unless you remember to lock the wheels and latch the whole thing. What’s more, both strollers are so chunky when folded, the average family will have trouble fitting them in the trunk, especially if you're transporting other gear. The only way to make them a bit slimmer is to remove the wheels—a process that can be both cumbersome and messy, depending on the weather and where you were strolling.

Winner: Tie

Car Seat Compatability 

Both strollers are compatible with a variety of infant car seats—Britax, Chicco, Graco, Peg Perego, Cybex, Maxi Cosi and Nuna—via adapters (sold separately), so you can use the stroller from birth. It’s important to note, though: Baby can only ride this way while walking. You’ll have to wait until eight months to use either stroller as a true running stroller.

Winner: Tie

BOB Rambler vs. Revolution: Which is Better For You? 

It’s hard to declare a definitive winner in the BOB Rambler vs. Revolution debate—both jogging strollers are well-made, highly functional, long-lasting strollers. They both have their strong suits, too.

Overall, the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 is the more sophisticated option. The price reflects this, but only by $80—not a steep jump considering what you get. If you invest in the Revolution, you’ll have a stroller that can handle just about any off-road and rough terrain—something that may be particularly important if you want a stroller that can handle snow. It also has a few extra conveniences like adjustable handlebars, a reflective canopy, added storage pockets and your choice of two colors.

That said, jogging strollers are all pretty bulky, so if you’re looking for something as compact as possible, you’ll appreciate the fact that the Rambler is a few inches smaller and a few pounds lighter but still has important features like durable air-filled tires, a five-point harness and more. And while it lacks those extra storage pockets, the reflective tape or the two color choices, it is the more budget-friendly choice.

Of course, you can always find a great deal on either model—plus minimize your carbon footprint—by shopping for an open box or gently used jogging stroller at GoodBuy Gear.

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