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UPPAbaby strollers are ubiquitous at the zoo, the playground and your neighborhood sidewalks—and now, you'll see them zip by on jogging paths and hiking trails, too.
In 2021, UPPAbaby launched the RIDGE, its first stroller built for running and all-terrain adventures.
As popular as UPPAbaby is, the RIDGE has tough competition in BOB, the company that's been specializing in jogging strollers for more than two decades.
The RIDGE shares much in common with BOB strollers—especially the Alterrain Pro, BOB's top-of-the-line model. But it also has features that set it apart, like a mountain bike-style disc brake system and foam-filled wheels that will never go flat.
In this post, we'll compare the UPPAbaby RIDGE with BOB's current line of jogging strollers: the Alterrain Pro, Alterrain, Revolution Flex and Rambler.
After the success of strollers like the single-to-double VISTA, UPPAbaby entered the jogging stroller market with the RIDGE in 2021.
The RIDGE differs from most jogging strollers because its tires are not air-filled. The foam-filled rubber wheels made by car tire manufacturer Kenda are durable and shock-absorbing, but you won't need to inflate them on the go.
The RIDGE can be used for your baby's first walks by attaching a car seat like the UPPAbaby MESA or adding a bassinet (if you already own an UPPAbaby stroller, it's the same one that comes with the VISTA and is compatible with the CRUZ).
Watch the video below to see the RIDGE in action.
BOB has been making jogging strollers since 1994, pioneering innovations like the swiveling front wheel along the way. The company is so well-known for its jogging strollers that you might even hear parents call any jogger "a BOB."
The company's jogging stroller lineup includes four models:
See the video below for a comparison of the BOB Alterrain Pro, Alterrain and Revolution Flex models.
The UPPAbaby RIDGE is priced comparably to most high-quality jogging strollers, at $599.99.
BOB offers a wider range of price points, from $449.99 for the Rambler to $679.99 for the Alterrain Pro.
All joggers—UPPAbaby and BOB included—are among the heavier strollers on the market, in part because they have the largest tires.
The BOB Rambler is an exception because its tires are smaller (12" in diameter for both front and back tires, compared with the 16" rear tires on the RIDGE and other BOB strollers). That gives the Rambler a weight savings of 3 to 6 pounds, compared with other models.
The UPPAbaby RIDGE offers a smaller footprint than BOB strollers, with a reduced length of about 7 inches and reduced height of 5 inches.
The BOB Rambler is the most compact when folded, while the UPPAbaby RIDGE and BOB Alterrain Pro, Alterrain or Revolution Flex will take up a similar amount of space in your trunk.
Jogging strollers—BOB and UPPAbaby included—are among the best options for older or larger toddlers because of their high weight limits and ample seat sizes.
The seat on BOB strollers is slightly larger than that of the UPPAbaby RIDGE, measuring a half-inch taller and a half-inch wider.
BOB strollers also feature a wider, deeper footwell between the seat and front wheel for your child to rest her legs. The footwell on the RIDGE is flat but includes a ledge that serves as a footrest, as well as a rubberized finish at the bottom of the seat to protect the stroller from dirty shoes.
While both UPPAbaby and BOB joggers can be reclined to a range of positions using a drawstring on the back of the seat, the RIDGE seat is more upright than the seats on BOB strollers—allowing a better view for kids who like to sit up and see the world.
See the photo below for the differences between the seats on the BOB Alterrain Pro (left) and UPPAbaby RIDGE (right).
Check with your pediatrician on when it's safe to begin running with your baby, as every child differs in their development. But most experts don't recommend jogging until the baby is at least 6 months and has gained the head and neck strength to sit up independently.
While the seats of both UPPAbaby and BOB jogging strollers aren't recommended for newborns, the strollers can be used from birth by attaching an infant car seat using adapters. The UPPAbaby RIDGE can also be used with the UPPAbaby bassinet.
BOB strollers have a higher weight and height limit than the UPPAbaby RIDGE, but all models should fit most kids until they're around age 4.
One of the biggest differences between the UPPAbaby RIDGE and BOB jogging strollers is the wheels. The RIDGE is unusual among jogging strollers in that its tires are filled with foam, not air.
BOB strollers have air-filled tires that provide rebound and shock absorption, similar to a mountain bike. The heavy-duty rubber wheels on the RIDGE—manufactured by Kenda, a maker of auto tires—are filled with EVA foam, a material used in sports equipment and exercise mats.
Serious runners may prefer the performance of air-filled tires, but the advantage of the foam-filled wheels on the RIDGE is convenience—you'll never need to pump up the tires or worry about getting a flat on the go.
If you have a BOB, you'll need to keep the tires inflated amid temperature changes and occasionally replace the inner tubes or tires in the event of a puncture.
All UPPAbaby and BOB jogging strollers have suspension in both the wheels and the frame of the stroller to absorb shock along a run or over rough terrain.
The RIDGE has a responsive two-stage suspension system, consisting of two differently-sized springs within the frame that adapt to the weight of the child or the difficulty of the terrain. BOB strollers have shocks positioned near the seating area to prevent your child from feeling bumps in the road.
You don't want to worry about a runaway stroller when you're jogging down a steep hill. The UPPAbaby RIDGE and BOB Alterrain Pro strollers are equipped with a hand brake that allows you to decelerate on hills or rough terrain.
All UPPAbaby and BOB strollers also have a foot-activated parking brake when you're ready for the ride to stop. The UPPAbaby RIDGE has two color-coded, stop-and-go foot brakes on opposite side of the strollers.
Unique to the UPPAbaby RIDGE are disc brakes, as seen on high-performance mountain bikes, that offer better responsiveness and greater stopping power than the drum brakes on most jogging strollers.
Both UPPAbaby and BOB recommend waiting to use their jogging strollers for walking until your infant has gained a little head and neck strength (UPPAbaby recommends starting at 3 months, while BOB says 2 months). If you attach an infant car seat, you can use the strollers with a newborn. See the next section for a list of car seats compatible with each stroller.
The UPPAbaby RIDGE has an additional configuration option that's not possible for any BOB strollers: You can attach a bassinet to allow your newborn to lie flat in her first months.
If you already own an UPPAbaby VISTA or CRUZ as your everyday stroller, you can repurpose your bassinet: The same bassinet fits the RIDGE with the purchase of adapters. The bassinet is approved for overnight sleeping, making it a safe spot for your baby to continue her nap after your walk.
You can create a convenient travel system with the UPPAbaby RIDGE or any BOB stroller (but note that experts don't recommend running with a car seat attached).
BOB strollers are compatible with a wider range of infant car seats compared with the UPPAbaby RIDGE, which offers two different adapters: one for the UPPAbaby MESA and one for Nuna, Maxi-Cosi and Cybex car seats.
All of the below car seat and stroller combinations require the purchase of car seat adapters.
The UPPAbaby RIDGE and the BOB Alterrain series strollers share a similar, one-handed fold, with the strollers standing when folded to protect the fabrics and make for easier loading into your car. The strollers fold with a push and twist of a button (located under a seat flap at the front of the stroller) and lock automatically when folded.
The BOB Revolution Flex and BOB Rambler require a two-handed, two-step fold. For those models, you'll pull two triggers on the sides of the frame to fold the seat forward, then pull a red handle at the back of the stroller to complete the fold. Neither stroller stands when folded, and you'll need to lock it manually by connecting and cinching a buckle.
If you walk or run year-round—rain or shine—you might appreciate how rain and snow bead off the UPPAbaby RIDGE and BOB Alterrain Pro. The RIDGE is treated with water repellants, while the Alterrain Pro is 100 percent waterproof.
The RIDGE and BOB Alterrain series strollers have the most premium look and feel, while the BOB Revolution Flex and Rambler use more basic fabrics, with details like a peek-a-boo window that's plastic instead of ventilated mesh.
All UPPAbaby and BOB jogging strollers include reflective details for better visibility—an important feature when you're on the move—and the BOB Revolution Flex offers one color, Lunar, with a glow-in-the-dark pattern on the canopy and basket.
The UPPAbaby RIDGE comes in these three colors:
These colors are offered for the BOB Alterrain Pro:
The BOB Alterrain is available in these colors:
The BOB Revolution Flex comes in two colors:
The BOB Rambler is available in a single color:
Customize your jogging stroller with accessories that add convenience (like a console for your keys and phone), weather protection (like a sun or rain shield) and fun (like a tray for a mid-run snack break).
The UPPAbaby RIDGE is one of the only jogging strollers that can be paired with a ride-along board that allows your older child to stand behind the stroller (on a walk, not a run!) BOB strollers aren't compatible with ride-along boards.
So which is better: the UPPAbaby RIDGE or a BOB jogging stroller like the BOB Alterrain Pro, Alterrain, Revolution Flex or Rambler?
Only you can decide which stroller best fits your family's needs, but here are the benefits and drawbacks we see.
Strolleria is a family-owned and operated retailer dedicated to making the baby gear buying experience less overwhelming for parents.
If you have questions about the UPPAbaby RIDGE or BOB jogging strollers, feel free to contact us by starting a live chat, calling us at 480-442-9433 or e-mailing customercare@strolleria.com.
