Baby Trend Expedition Review

Ease of Use

The Baby Trend Expedition is an inexpensive stroller that isn't as easy to use as most competitors. However, for the price, it gets the job done without being overly complicated or frustrating.

Fold and Unfold

The fold on the Expedition Jogger is a three-step fold, but felt unnecessarily sticky at points, and not as smooth as it could have been. Unlike many competitors, the stroller does not lock closed on its own; you have to manually lock it, at which point it will self-stand.

By contrast, unfolding requires unlatching the lock and shaking the stroller open. You will have to sit the seat back up from its fully reclined position once it's unfolded.

Storage

The low-scoring storage bin is square in shape and will hold a large diaper bag, but if the item extends too high, it will push into the seat bottom. Unfortunately, it can only hold up to 5 lbs, which isn't ideal if you have groceries on the agenda. Yes, you could put in more, but it will likely fail, as it doesn't appear very sturdy. Access is okay from the back, but if the seat is reclined, it will be a hassle.

The kid tray is nice but be aware its shallow and over bumpy terrain, items may fall out.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

Parent console is conveniently located but do not place hot beverages in these cupholders, the shallow depth means they can spill easily.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

Previous Next

There is additional storage in the parent console and kid's tray. The console has two cupholders that might fit a water bottle, and an additional covered compartment in the center of the tray that holds keys but isn't big enough for most modern smartphones. We appreciated the kids' tray, which has two very shallow cup holders that aren't the best at keeping taller bottles onboard and are better suited to a handful of Goldfish crackers. Smaller, younger kids might be unable to reach the tray when buckled in, making it somewhat useless for them. The kid tray also lifts up and out of the way, so that older kids can climb into the seat more easily.

Harness

The 5-point harness scored lower than competitors. The shoulder straps attach to the buckle area with hooks, which many parents might choose not to attach, compromising safety. You can adjust the shoulder harness height to three settings, and the straps tighten with a slide buckle. like the crotch buckle. The padded lap belt is not easy to adjust; its combo pull-and-slide buckle is frustrating because it gets hung up during adjustment.

Brakes

Unfortunately, the Expedition Jogger has dual-action brakes, so you have to push a pedal down on the rear axle behind each rear wheel to lock or unlock the wheels individually. Double-action brakes only work if both are engaged, and we worry some parents will fail to use both pedals. The pedals here are not foot-friendly to disengage, as the design requires lifting the pedal from underneath with the top of your foot, and the plastic is rough, and the pedal is stiff.

Car Seat Compatibility

The Expedition is compatible with Baby Trend infant car seats, but you should not run with a child under 8 months old and should consult with your pediatrician and the manual before moving at any speed higher than walking.

Ease of Setup

Set up takes less than 10 minutes, and the manufacturer's instructions are both written and include illustrations. While they weren't the easiest to interpret its a fairly intuitive process and doable because there aren't many parts to attach. Once you open the stroller, simply pop on the tires, canopy, parent console, and kid tray, and you are ready to go.

Maneuverability

Where the Expedition really stands out is its maneuverability. The three large, air-filled rubber tires and the shorter wheelbase, combined with a front lockable swivel wheel, enable it to rise to the challenge of almost any terrain.

It rolls fluidly on hard surfaces, navigates tight turns, and small gaps without hitting anything. It also traverses small obstacles with ease, including outdoor debris on sidewalks and indoor thresholds, without slowing down. Small standard-size curbs were no problem to navigate, with a small lift of the front tire.

This stroller shone with nimble agility when we moved off-road for more adventurous excursions. It easily tackles cracks, bumps, dirt, rocks, and pine needles, despite the lack of a built-in suspension. Thick grass requires a little bit of oomph, but not too much effort. The front wheel can be locked to provide even more stability, but unfortunately for taller pushers, the handlebar doesn't adjust.

Transporting and Storing

The Expedition measures 12,470 cubic inches and is somewhat unwieldy when folded.

Most joggers suffer this same fate due to the larger wheels, but it's still fairly easy to lift and load into a car. The quick-release rear wheels enable it to fold smaller for compact, longer-term storage.

The Expedition weighs about 24 lbs, making it lighter than most competitors and among the lightest joggers. The overall folded shape is awkward and bulky because the kid's tray sticks out; while it can be removed if you need to cram it in a small space, it isn't ideal for getting on a subway or bus.

Quality

The Expedition Jogger is an inexpensive stroller option, and the quality is what you'd expect for the price. Everything is there, but the materials aren't impressive, and we found ourselves wishing everything was just a bit better. But for the price, it's hard to complain too much.

The canvas material on this jogger is 100% polyester, likely chosen to keep costs low rather than for comfort or longevity. The seat fabric is not soft and feels similar to canvas material. The foam padding and the harness webbing feel cheap, but they get the job done. The fabric and mesh on the canopy and storage bin are thin and could easily develop tears or holes, particularly in the bin area if you overfill it or have sharp objects inside.

The wheels are larger than those of other full-size strollers and feature metal spokes like bicycle tires. The front wheel measures 12.5"in diameter, and the back comes in at 16.5". The rubber and the tread of the pneumatic tires are about average in quality. There is a little play in the back tires and some mild wobble in the front, but it doesn't stop the stroller from rolling straight or being frustrating to push.

The aluminum frame is solid and will hold up to average usage, but it isn't as sleek as pricier options. There is a lot of play in the folding mechanisms and some in the main stroller frame, but it isn't surprising for the price point and almost feels better than we expected for a stroller this cheap.

Kid's Comfort

The Expedition Jogger performs below average for kids' comfort with a stupidly small canopy and a leg rest that stops short of the footrest and isn't adjustable.

The stroller seat offers infinite recline positions, but it requires two hands to raise it back up, thanks to the two-strap toggle design we see on so many joggers. Passengers in the seat might find the process less than smooth, and if they won't sit up to relieve pressure on the seat back, you won't be able to raise it.

The canopy has very limited coverage and doesn't extend far enough to effectively protect passengers from anything but direct overhead sun. At any other time of day, or during inclement weather, it's going to be relatively worthless. There is a peek-a-boo mesh window for keeping an eye on your passenger, but nothing holds the flap to access that open or closed. If protecting your child from the elements is important to you, this canopy will be a deal breaker.

The non-adjustable leg rest is padded and ends several inches before the plastic foot rest area. While most kids won't complain about the design, there is a sharp fabric cutoff that could catch the backs of bare legs, which we don't see on most other joggers.

Continuous Sleeping Comfort

Nothing is better than enjoying a stroll and watching your little one snooze away peacefully. We tested the Expedition on average terrain to see how many potential wake-ups would occur when going over any surface that wasn't flat, and it registered only six potential wake-up events, mostly on the bumps and cracks. We suspect the larger pneumatic tires, flexible frame, and sling-style seat help absorb jarring disruptions that could startle slumbering passengers.

Should You Buy the Baby Trend Expedition?

The Expedition is an inexpensive stroller for budget-conscious users who want great maneuverability for occasional jogging or mild off-road excursions on grass or gravel. It checks most of the boxes on must-haves for parents considering a stroller purchase, although the quality and design of these amenities are lacking. It offers limited customization options for kids' comfort, but if you are seeking an affordable multi-purpose stroller with a jogging-style design, we think you'll be happy with the Expedition Jogger. One of our testers loves his and has used it for years with multiple kids.

What Other Full-Size Strollers Should You Consider?