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Chicco isn’t normally in the business of offering all-terrain strollers, and you should honestly probably take that as a hint before buying a jogging stroller from a brand that is more versed in building stroller systems. If your primary goal is keeping cost down, then Chicco might be the way to go, but it’s tough to maneuver, seems a bit flimsy, and doesn’t perform as well as other jogging strollers that are more worth their price point.
However, the Chicco Activ3 is lightweight, with small rear wheels. You can use it for your regular outings and for exercise. It’s much easier to maneuver walking than it is running, and it will keep your baby comfortable.
Chicco Activ3 Stroller is an easy fit into my busy days. And just seeing how SAFE and COMFORTABLE my little one is, I know the right choice was made. Durable and easy to maneuver, and you'll LOVE the sizable storage basket!
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General specifications:
- Control console with hand-operated brake and swivel controls
- Multi-position reclining seat with mesh backrest
- Accepts Chicco KeyFit and Fit2 car seats with click-in attachments
- 12-inch puncture-proof tires
- Locking front wheel
- Adjustable suspension system
- Storage basket beneath seat
- Adjustable sun canopy
- Removable parent tray with cup holders
- Mesh storage pockets behind seat
- Easy fold
- Free-stand once folded
- One-hand reclining seat
- 5-point safety harness
- Removable child bumper bar
- Adjustable padded handle
Setup
The Chicco Activ3 comes with a comprehensive set of instructions. Thankfully, they’re very detailed and easy to follow, because the stroller is not easy to put together. It comes in pieces and it will take you quite some time to assemble it.
It’s large and heavy, so it takes more than two hands to get the pieces put together. Once it’s done, you’ll be thankful that’s over.
Features
For the price, the Chicco Activ3 is loaded with great features, which is great if you’re looking for something that has what you need but doesn’t cost as much as some of the other more premium jogging strollers.
Safety
Of course, as with any product you put your child in, you want it to be safe. The Chicco Activ3 does have some pretty cool safety features. It’s designed for infants and children up to 50 pounds.
It can accept Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 30, or KeyFit 2 car seats sold separately or as part of the travel system. They simply snap into place and there’s no need to strap it in. You’ll still want to strap your little one into the car seat itself though.
There’s a braking system that you can activate by stepping down on the pedal. You simply lift back up on it to disengage. It’s safe and easy.
The handle is adjustable for parents, which makes it safe to walk or jog without risk of you losing your grip on a handle that’s not at the right height. You can choose from one of four positions to find the angle that’s just right.
There’s also a wrist tether that attaches to the rear axle at the bottom of the stroller rather than the handle. This safety feature ensures that if you trip and fall while jogging, the stroller will safely come to a stop without tipping over backward.
Those strollers that have safety tethers attached to the handles run the risk of rolling away, reaching the end of the tether, and then tipping over backward with the baby inside.
Comfort
The Chicco Activ3 seems to have good suspension. It will smooth out the bumps for your little one. It’s adjustable, and you can control it with your foot. You can loosen the suspension for rough terrain and tighten it for smooth surfaces.
Each 12-inch wheel is made of rubber and they don’t need to be inflated. While the front wheel swivels, you can lock it for more stability. Just pull the handle to lock it without bending over.
While all of this might seem cool and convenient, it’s all a bit unnecessary. Higher-priced strollers with better suspension don’t need to be adjusted because they can handle all kinds of different terrain on their sturdy tires and durable components.
The Chicco Activ3 is also pretty bulky. It weighs 27 pounds, which is average, but it’s awkward. If you remove the wheels, it’s more compact, but it’s a pain to do that.
The seat
The seat has more comfort and safety features once your baby can sit upright. There’s a padded seat that reclines in four positions. There’s a lever that adjusts how it reclines and you can do it with one hand. It doesn’t lie completely flat as some strollers do. It only goes down at about a 45-degree angle. Some babies may be able to nap in that position and some may not.
The adjustable 5-point harness is adjustable, so it will grow with your child, and the lap belt will adjust to fit a larger child. It can hold up to 50 pounds and the seatback is 20 inches tall and 13 inches wide. The buckle isn’t very heavy duty, so as your child grows, he may be able to get out of it or break it altogether.
There’s also no snack tray, so while you could bring a snack and a drink with you, you’d have to put them in your cup holder and hand them to your child every time he wanted them. There is a padded bumper bar your child can hang onto and it swivels and removes so he can get in and out easily. That’s not a trade-off I’m willing to make, but maybe some parents are.
Chicco Activ3 Stroller is an easy fit into my busy days. And just seeing how SAFE and COMFORTABLE my little one is, I know the right choice was made. Durable and easy to maneuver, and you'll LOVE the sizable storage basket!
Storage
Like most other jogging strollers, the Chicco Activ3 has a sizable storage basket under the seat. It’s easy to access anything you need, like a diaper bag, extra snacks, and drinks, toys, or whatever else you want to bring along.
There’s a parent tray with two cup holders and a middle compartment, although it’s easy for things to bounce out, so be careful putting anything in there.
Canopy
You can protect your child from the sun with the adjustable canopy that extends over the top of his head. In fact, it’s big enough to extend from the top of the stroller all the way down to the bumper bar. Chicco finally got this right. It’s huge. If your child does fall asleep or it’s a particularly windy day, this is a great way to keep them protected.
The window at the top still gives you a great view of them and you can always fold it all the way up if you want to keep it open.
Folding
The Chicco Activ3 does fold all the way down and stands alone. Twist the folding mechanism while pushing the button and it will collapse on its own. You can do it with one hand once you get the hang of it.
You can tuck the handle away or leave it out and use it to roll the stroller like luggage. You can tuck the front wheel in to save a little bit more space.
Ease of Use
Thanks to the way it folds with one hand, the pedal braking, the large canopy, and the safety features, i’d say it’s a pretty easy stroller to use. You’re going to enjoy these features quite a bit and have plenty of peace of mind.
You can collapse it and open it back up easily when you need it, take it just about anywhere for a leisurely stroll or a job, and enjoy any outing you want. Almost everything can be controlled with one hand, making it pretty convenient.
Unfortunately, the one thing you may not enjoy is likely a deal-breaker for a lot of people. It’s just not highly maneuverable in jogging situations. You can lock the front wheel for more stability, but many will find that makes it even harder to control.
The rubber wheels are great for the suspension, but the stroller itself is flimsy and made of mediocre parts, so it just doesn’t steer that well. It’s a better walking stroller than it is an exercise companion.
Design
The design is mediocre as well. It’s simply not that attractive. It’s boxy, the lines are abrupt, and it’s not very appealing at all. Chicco products are great, but this isn’t one of them.
The lack of a cup holder or snack tray at the front severely limits its usability for many parents as a walking stroller or something you can take to the park. It’s nearly impossible to stop mid-walk and hand your child a snack every time they want one.
While the adjustable suspension system seems nice in theory, it’s unnecessary and drives the price up to a point that makes it too expensive for the value it offers. There are a lot of other strollers on the market that offer way more value and work a lot better at a lower price.
Alternatives
While the Chicco Activ3 isn’t necessarily the best option out there, there are a lot of really great options in the same price range that offer similar features, better value, and better usability.
Baby Trend Expedition
The Baby Trend Expedition is one of the best overall jogging strollers you can buy. It’s a popular model and is very inexpensive. It has a locking front wheel, folds compactly, and features durable steel construction.
It also matches many of the features of the other expensive models. It has an adjustable canopy, 5-point harness, padded reclining seat with multiple positions, and a center console for your phone or keys.
BOB Revolution SE
This is a pricey model, but it’s a very high quality stroller. It folds compactly to fit in your trunk and the seat reclines at a 70-degree angle to support a very young infant’s head. It’s also very stylish with an aluminum alloy frame and stain resistant fabric.
It has flexible suspension, has an accessory adapter for your infant car seat, a 5-point harness, and a wheel brake that you can easily and safely engage with your foot.
Graco FastAction Fold Jogger Click Connect
While this frame is a bit larger and heavier than others, it’s designed with trail runners in mind. It can handle trails and more rugged terrain easier than others. The parent’s console keeps your items secure while the child tray is large enough for baby bottles and sippy cups.
It will glide effortlessly across every terrain thanks to the sturdy construction and the front wheel swivels and locks. It’s easy to clean and maintain, it has more storage than most, it folds fast with one hand, and it reclines to multiple positions.
The FastAction Click Connect Fold Jogger has a multi-position reclining seat, expandable canopy, convenience trays, and an extra-large storage basket. Features a unique one-second, one-hand FastAction fold.
FAQ
If you’re on the fence about buying a jogging stroller or the Chicco Activ3, here are some frequently asked questions to help you make a better decision.
Answer: Chicco has made baby products for a long time. Their products are durable and good quality. Typically, their strollers are lightweight, which for many people is a benefit. However, it depends on what kind of stroller you’re looking for.
If you are looking for a traditional travel system, lightweight is always better, because a stroller combined with an infant in a car seat and a diaper bag is a lot to carry.
However, a jogging stroller needs to be sturdy, yet maneuverable, with good suspension and steering, so adding a bit of weight isn’t a bad thing.
Answer: Absolutely. There’s nothing wrong with using your jogging stroller for everyday use and getting rid of your other stroller. There’s no sense in having two of something when one will do just fine.
It means you have one less thing to buy, one less thing to pack, and one less thing to worry about. Jogging strollers are incredibly convenient and versatile.
Answer: It depends on your needs. Three wheel strollers are better for jogging and exercise activities. They can handle rough ground better and give your baby a smoother ride.
A four-wheel stroller offers more stability and there’s a bigger selection to choose from. They’re also more affordable and more compact. They fold easier and will fit in tighter spaces.
Answer: The main difference is the wheels. Jogging strollers have three wheels filled with air, which gives it a smoother rider, making it more comfortable. But it also has the same comforts of a regular stroller, like a reclining seat, a storage basket, and a large canopy.
Regular strollers have plastic wheels like make it harder to maneuver, less comfortable, and less likely to go over rough terrain.
None of that makes either one better, you just have to decide for yourself which one you need.
Answer: Chicco doesn’t show up on any best-of lists when it comes to jogging strollers. Many other manufacturers simply do it better. The Baby Trend Expedition is one of the best overall jogging strollers you can buy.
The BOB Revolution SE single jogging stroller is great for infants, the Baby Trend Range Jogger Travel System is great for traveling, and the Graco Fastaction Fold Jogger Click Connect stroller is perfect for trail running.
Answer: It’s pretty tough to run with a regular baby stroller. The suspension isn’t as good as it is in a jogging stroller, meaning the ride won’t be very comfortable for your child.
They’re also not as maneuverable. Any slight movement of your hand could send your stroller careening off in the wrong direction, whereas a jogging stroller is much easier to correct and get back on track.
Final Thoughts
If you’re shopping around for jogging strollers, make sure you do your research. The Chicco Activ3 might look appealing, but there are plenty of options. Its extensive list of features make it seem like it’s a great value, but think again.
It’s tough to put together, it’s not very easy to maneuver, and it’s made of some flimsy parts that aren’t as durable as they could be.
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