The Child Jogger Summit X3 has been one of the vital standard operating strollers out there for a number of years and it has been a helpful addition to our family throughout testing, making it straightforward to get out for a run whereas my toddler son sleeps.
It’s an costly buy and there are areas the place the design might be improved, such because the non-adjustable handlebar, however the Summit X3 is a good all-round stroller that copes brilliantly with off-road runs and walks.
Child Jogger Summit X3: Worth And Availability
The Child Jogger Summit X3 was initially launched in 2016 and prices $549.99 within the US and £529 within the UK.
How I Examined This Operating Stroller
I’ve been operating frequently with the Summit X3 over the previous 4 months, and my spouse has additionally used it throughout this time. I’ve used it primarily for runs in an area forest, which has been muddy for many of my testing, in addition to on runs on paved surfaces.
Design And Meeting
The Summit X3 is a stroller with three air-filled wheels, all of which have suspension. The massive entrance wheel will be set to fastened, which you want when operating, or swivel, which is extra helpful for on a regular basis use. You may change the wheel setting utilizing a lever on the facet of the stroller.
There’s a brake on the handlebar and a strap you should utilize to tether your self to the stroller, each are necessary for staying in management when operating downhill. The peak of the handlebar can’t be adjusted and it was a bit low for me when operating—I’m 6ft and my spouse is 5ft 8in, and the peak suited her higher.
The reclining seat is padded and the five-part strap, whereas is fiddly to do up at occasions, holds your little one in place comfortably and, most significantly, securely when operating. There’s a giant adjustable hood that gives safety from the solar (it’s UV 50+-rated), and it folds down far sufficient to maintain the wind out of a kid’s face when operating. There are mesh home windows on prime you should utilize to examine in your child whereas operating.
There’s a rear pedal brake you should utilize to anchor the stroller. As soon as this bought muddy I discovered it laborious to function the brake with my foot and infrequently needed to attain right down to press it into place with my hand. Though the directions weren’t notably clear, it was straightforward sufficient to assemble the stroller in round 10 minutes.
Operating With The Child Jogger Summit X3
The Summit X3 is easy to run with due to the big wheels with suspension, even when taking it off-road. Many of the runs I did with the stroller have been on forest paths with muddy and rutted sections, and it dealt with them nicely. The stroller feels sturdy and I’ve not had any punctures.
One downside with runs within the mud or alongside leaf-strewn paths was that the entrance wheel can get clogged up shortly. On one outing I needed to poke a stick via the hole on the prime of the wheel a number of occasions to clear it out. My spouse has additionally skilled some entrance wheel wobble when operating with the Summit X3, which hasn’t been an issue for me but.
Operating with any stroller isn’t essentially the most pure motion, however this was exacerbated for me due to the fastened handlebar, which was low for me. The stroller is vast and has some weight to it, which is sweet for stability particularly on uneven floor, however means it will possibly really feel heavy to push up hills on the paths. This wasn’t such a noticeable downside when on asphalt although, and you’ll run fairly shortly with the Summit X3 when on laborious, flat floor. I’d want to save lots of my velocity periods for after I’m not pushing a stroller.
I can’t converse for each little one, however mine all the time fell asleep shortly after I ran with the Summit X3—it was typically a neater and extra dependable strategy to get him down for his afternoon nap than pushing him in his pushchair.
Folding And Day by day Use
The Summit X3 has a one-handed folding system the place you pull the strap within the middle of the seat up and the entire stroller collapses into place. There’s a knack to this. First you pull the small loop with a finger after which the bigger loop with the remainder of your hand.
It may be executed one-handed, however solely with apply, after which truly lifting the stroller with one hand isn’t that straightforward, because it weighs 28.4lbs/12.8kg and is giant and awkward. I wanted two arms to unfold it due to this. The wheels are so giant it’s not the simplest to retailer even when folded, particularly because it doesn’t stand unsupported, nevertheless it did match the trunk of our small automobile comfortably.
The vast base of the wheels is beneficial for operating, however makes it laborious to maneuver the Summit X3 at occasions, particularly in slender retailer aisles. Whereas we did use the Summit X3 frequently when not operating—and it’s nice for walks on tough terrain—it may be cumbersome to make use of round city in contrast with a non-running stroller.
There’s a giant compartment below the seat for storage, which is beneficial for procuring, and a mesh pocket on the again of the seat you’ll be able to pop a water bottle in when operating, although I discovered it laborious to achieve into the pocket with out coming to a cease.
Is The Child Jogger Summit X3 Value It?
The Summit X3 is an costly buy however one that may make an enormous distinction in becoming in your train whereas taking care of kids. My spouse and I loved utilizing it for normal runs and it was perfect for the forest paths we predominantly used it on. I used a Out ‘n’ About Nipper Sport (UK solely) with our eldest little one and located the Summit X3 to be an enchancment on that, with a smoother experience particularly when off-road, although the Nipper is cheaper.
