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Hello, fellow mommas! Feeling the sand between your toes and wading into the water does sound nice, doesn’t it? I’ve got you covered if you’ve been fantasizing about a beach day but aren’t sure which stroller works best with beach conditions.
I will discuss how to choose a quality beach stroller that can stand up to sand, wind, and water. Then, we can dive into the 8 best beach strollers for sale online. Ready? Grab your sunscreen, and let’s go!
Contents
Bottom Line Upfront
Photo by Candace Osmond
There are so many good beach strollers out there. But personally, I used Safety First stroller in light brown and absolutely loved it. It’s more of an all-terrain stroller which worked great for me. But I was surprised that it performed so well on the beach.
Top 3 Picks
After carefully selecting the 8 best beach strollers for having a safe, relaxing day in the sand with your baby, these 3 stuck out. Each one is made from quality materials, withstands the wear and tear of the beach, and boasts a cute design. Check these out before we learn more!
Best Beach Stroller for Walking: Evenflo Pivot Xplore All-Terrain Stroller Wagon
If you’re salivating over the idea of a beach day with twins or two kiddos, check out this stroller that can fit 2 babies.
Best Beach Stroller for Jogging: BOB Gear Alterrain Pro Jogging Stroller
It’s hard to beat this stroller in terms of quality. This stroller keeps your baby safe while you jog along the sands.
Best Affordable Beach Stroller: Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Stroller, Phantom, 50 Pounds
This beach stroller is just over $100, which makes it the least expensive stroller on today’s list!
What is a Beach Stroller?
A beach stroller is a lot like a regular stroller, but it:
- Is sturdier
- Is heavier
- Has shock-absorbing wheels
- May have ergonomic handbrakes
- Offers optimal storage space
- Withstands wind, water, and sand
Beach Stroller vs. Regular Stroller
Beach strollers are much more heavy-duty than your regular stroller. Meant for cruising on the sand, beach strollers are strong against weathering elements whereas a regular stroller could completely fail. This chart explains it all.
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Beach Stroller
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Regular Stroller
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What Should a Beach Stroller Have?
Now that we’ve established what a beach stroller is vs. a regular stroller, I want to get more specific. In this section, I’ll dig deep into each of the details for beach strollers I described above and why each is important.
Tires Good for Sand
Regular stroller wheels are thin and flimsy compared to beach stroller wheels. Unlike regular strollers, beach strollers can have bicycle tires or all-terrain tires that are thick and won’t sink into the sand.
Materials Good for Sand and Water
Metal alloy and aluminum are both heavy-duty materials that won’t rust or stop functioning from a little sand and water. Many of the strollers I’m going to recommend have either a metal alloy or aluminum frame because these materials are lightweight and resilient.
Rust-Proof Hardware
The beach is notorious for rusting cars, signs, strollers, and anything else made of metal. The salty ocean spray just has a way of eroding things.
You can avoid pushing around a rusty, unsafe stroller by buying one with rust-proof hardware. Quality beach stroller brands will understand how metals suffer from the ocean and will have built-in countermeasures.
Sun Canopy
We all know it’s super important your baby doesn’t overheat. That’s why you need a beach stroller with a sun canopy, which offers your little one shade inthe sun. The sun canopy should be large enough that none of your baby’s skin is exposed to harmful UV rays.
Storage
Parenting requires lots of little pieces of equipment, doesn’t it? You need snacks, bottles, diapers, wipes, a change of baby clothes… the list goes on.
That’s why I always recommend buying a beach stroller with storage. There should be a basket or compartment to store everything you need for a stress-free day at the beach when accidents happen or crying starts.
Age Appropriate
Certain beach strollers are meant to hold babies, and some are meant to hold toddlers. It isn’t recommended you take a newborn onto the beach at all, so most beach strollers are made for children over at least 6 months. Check to see how much weight a stroller can carry before buying it for your little one.
Safety Certifications
Check to make sure the beach stroller you’ve had your eye on has obtained all the safety certifications it needs to officially be considered safe. I look for beach strollers that are JPMA-certified and exceed ASTM safety standards. This way, you know the stroller has been inspected and tested.
Quality Straps and Closures
One sure way for your beach vacay to turn into a sandy nightmare? Your stroller falls apart. It’s always good to mind the straps and closures on the beach stroller you want. Every piece of the stroller should fit into place securely and not jostle around once fastened.
Harnesses
The harness is the buckle you use to fasten your baby into their seat. Always buy a beach stroller with a harness because it can be dangerous for your child to crawl out while you’re pushing them around. It’s going to ruin your and your baby’s beach day if they fall out onto the sand.
Extra Features You Should Consider
I would consider these features optional, but still convenient to have. Not all beach strollers have these extra features, but some of the strollers I’m going to show you down below do.
Snack Trays
These are plastic trays you can use to place snacks on! Walking around while pushing or pulling a little one can get tiring, and you might need to refuel. You can use snack trays to hold your baby’s snacks, too.
Drink Holders
You can store your baby’s bottle and your cup of soda in drink holders if the beach stroller you want has them. Carrying drinks is a pain, so it’s a huge help to have a stroller that carries the drinks for you.
Reclining Seat for Naps
Some beach strollers come with a reclining seat. Having your baby take a nap in their reclining seat might be preferable to, well, crying. Your baby might be more comfortable getting to lay down, too.
How It Folds
Who wants a hassle on beach day? Not me! That’s why the beach strollers I’m going to recommend all fold easily. No one wants to struggle with clamps and clasps while folding up their stroller at the end of the day.
Size
Consider how much room your stroller needs. Do you have 1 baby, or 2? Are you going to go to the beach with other parents who also have babies? You might want a bigger stroller.
Beach Safety for Babies
The beach can be an unsafe place for a baby, which is why this section will give you some need-to-know info about keeping your little one safe. These are some helpful tips to make sure your baby stays sunburnt-free and happily cool through your beach outing. Be sure to read over this before we get into the best beach strollers!
Using Sunscreen
A baby’s skin is more sensitive than ours, which means they can get sunburnt much more easily. It’s easier for their sunburns to be more severe, too. Always make sure you buy sunscreen for your baby that:
- Is Made for babies’ sensitive skin
- Offers high SPF coverage
How Long Should Babies Be Out in the Sun?
If they’re 6 months old or less, their skin isn’t ready to be exposed to direct sunlight, yet. It’s super important you keep them in the shade and don’t take them to the beach this young. If they’re older than 6 months, then I recommend you don’t take them outside between 10 am-4 pm.
Hydrating
Once your child is above 6 months old and on solid foods, you can give them boiled water that has been thoroughly cooled down to keep hydrated. Give them small amounts of cool water throughout the day to keep them hydrated. Make sure to give your baby water more frequently than usual if it’s a hot or very sunny day.
Water Safety
It is completely unsafe to put a baby under 2 months old into the ocean water or into a swimming pool. Babies this young can’t thermoregulate their own bodies as well as we can, so it’s very easy for them to get too cold.
Even when your baby is older, while they’re still a baby, I don’t recommend putting them in the water. It’s so easy to get pulled into a riptide or swept under a current suddenly that it just doesn’t feel safe under any circumstances.
Best Beach Strollers
This is the moment you’ve been waiting for! Put on your sunglasses and get ready to snap some beach selfies, because you’ll love these beach strollers. These are the best beach strollers in terms of quality, design, safety, and having a reasonable price. Without further ado, let’s get ready for a day relaxing in the sand… ahh…
Evenflo Pivot Xplore All-Terrain Stroller Wagon
Best: Beach Stroller for Walking
About
This is a high-quality beach stroller from Evenflo with a 50+ SPF sun canopy that helps block UV rays. The handle is reversible, so it’s up to you whether you want to push or pull the stroller.
I totally love that it comes with a convenient storage basket, and you can rotate the basket into the wagon if only 1 kid is in the wagon at a time.
- Weight: 34.7 lbs.
- Price Range: $270-$300
- Best Feature: 50+ SPF sun canopy
All-terrain wheels make it perfect for cruising over soft or crunchy sands. There are 3 different color choices to pick from, too, which are wayfarer, adventurer, and gypsy.
Pros
- Handy protective sun canopy
- 3 different color schemes to pick from
- Large all-terrain wheels are great for pavement and the beach
Cons
- No drink holders or snack trays
Creative Outdoor Push-Pull Collapsible Folding Wagon Stroller for Kids
Best: Maneuverability
About
This is another beach stroller perfect for 2 kids! This navy blue and gray beach stroller has tall, thick wheels that swivel 360 degrees. This makes it perfect for maneuvering around the beach, sidewalks, dirt paths, and grass.
- Weight: 30 lbs.
- Price Range: $260-$280
- Best Feature: Very roomy wagon
The canopy on top is removable, though it’s a must if you’re taking a baby. One perk I love about this stroller is how easily it folds up-it’s just like a lawn chair!
Pros
- Large size can hold multiple kids and up to 150 lbs.
- Can be used for children or pets
- Wheels swivel 360 degrees
Cons
- Not a lot of extra storage space compared to other strollers
BOB Gear Alterrain Pro Jogging Stroller
Best: Stroller for Jogging
About
If you’re searching for a high-quality stroller, let me introduce you to this one. This fold-and-go beach stroller makes it easy to pack up and unfold for a beach day. With an ergonomic handbrake, you’ll maintain total control even while going downhill.
- Weight: 32.3 lbs.
- Price Range: $660-$700
- Best Feature: Extremely high-quality
The canopy is perhaps my favorite part-it’s wind-proof, water-proof, and rated UPF 50+. Don’t worry about your baby feeling any shocks along the way, either, with this stroller’s Smoothshox suspension and tires filled with air.
Pros
- Ergonomic handbrake and shock absorption
- Weather-resistant sun canopy that protects your child from the sun
- Many color options
Cons
- Very pricey
Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Stroller, Phantom, 50 Pounds
Best: Price
About
Your baby will be so comfortable they can fall asleep inside this beach stroller with a reclining seat and secure safety harnesses.
- Weight: 25.5 lbs.
- Price Range: $120-$140
- Best Feature: Alloy steel is a very strong material
This stroller has all the extra features-a food tray, drink holders, and a storage compartment below the seat. The front wheel can swivel 360 degrees, which makes it easier on you to avoid obstacles by the ocean.
Pros
- 3 large bicycle tires
- Food tray and drink holders
- Padded seat reclines
Cons
- Only meant to hold up to 50 lbs.
BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 Duallie Double Jogging Stroller
Best: Double Jogging Stroller
About
This jogging stroller meant to take on sandy terrains is perfect if you’ve got 2 children to take with you. The sun canopies are enormous, and they entirely shield your babies from the sun’s harmful rays.
- Weight: 33.1 lbs.
- Price Range: $720-$760
- Best Feature: Huge, protective sun canopies
There is an extra-large cargo basket below the seats, and there are 10 additional pockets for even more room! The handlebars are adjustable, so it’s easy to set them at the perfect height for you.
Pros
- Enormous sun canopies
- Shock absorption with air-filled tires and suspension capabilities
- Lots of storage space
Cons
- Very expensive
WONDERFOLD W4 4 Seater Multi-Function Quad Stroller
Best for: Large Size
About
You can seat 4 babies inside this quad beach stroller. The frame itself is constructed from alloy steel, which makes it resistant to rusting out.
- Weight: 50 lbs.
- Price Range: $580-$620
- Best Feature: Holds 4 kids at one time
The canopy on top offers much-needed UV protection, and the harnesses will keep your children safely inside. You’ll be happy to know that the front wheel comes equipped with suspension while the rear wheels offer braking capabilities.
Pros
- Large size-can fit 4 babies
- Suspension and braking capabilities
- Sun canopy offers UV-protection
Cons
- Very pricey since it’s meant for 4 kids
Veer Cruiser – Next Generation Premium Stroller Wagon Hybrid
Best: Modern Design
About
This high-quality, modern beach stroller has a contemporary look and feel. I love the sleek design and aluminum frame that withstands beachy conditions.
- Weight: 32.5 lbs.
- Price Range: $680-$720
- Best Feature: Extremely safe due to quality design
A food tray and drink holders offer parents even more convenience. With a lockable handle, it’s easy to switch from pulling to pushing this stroller, too. The only downside? This stroller doesn’t come with a sun canopy.
Pros
- One of the highest-quality strollers on the list
- Certified by JPMA and meets ASTM safety standards
- Can accommodate your baby’s car seat
Cons
- No sun canopy, so it can’t be used on hot/sunny days
Safety 1st Smooth Ride Travel System OnBoard 35 LT Infant Car Seat
Best: Safety Precautions
About
This is one of the least expensive beach strollers on the list, though it isn’t lacking in quality.
- Weight: 32 lbs.
- Price Range: $200-$240
- Best Feature: Easy to fit a car seat into the stroller
This stroller is made with safety in mind, so the harnesses that strap in your baby’s car seat are very secure. With built-in side impact protection and back and neck support for infants, you can rest easy knowing your child is protected.
Pros
- Comes with car seat
- Large fold-out sun canopy
- JPMA-certified and goes beyond ASTM safety standards
Cons
- The wheels aren’t the best for traversing the sand
FAQs
Answer: The 8 strollers I’ve recommended above are great for your beach day! Beach strollers have tires that won’t sink or get stuck. They have a large sun canopy, sometimes have breaks, and have other features that make them unique.
Answer: A regular stroller? No. The wheels are going to sink, the hinges are going to get stopped up with sand, and the materials aren’t water/sand-proof. This is why I always recommend taking a beach stroller on the sand because it’s designed to handle beach terrain.
Answer: There are jogging beach strollers which are perfect for taking out on the sand. That being said, I wouldn’t recommend taking a regular jogging stroller to the beach. The tires aren’t built for the terrain.
It’s Time for a Beach Day!
Are you ready for the perfect day at the beach with your little one? Even if there are accidents along the way, with one of the best beach strollers we’ve talked about, you’ll be more than prepared.
And, as I mentioned before, I personally used the Safety First stroller so I can vouch for its awesomeness. Especially for the price. Did you have a favorite of the top-selling beach strollers I mentioned in the article? Want more great recs? Consider our picks for the best car seats!