In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

BOB Alterrain Pro Review

Great option if you regularly take adventures off the beaten path or enjoy jogging with your errands
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BOB Alterrain Pro Review
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Price:  $700 List
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Manufacturer:   BOB
By Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Mar 31, 2024
74
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#8 of 18
  • Ease of Use - 40% 8.2
  • Maneuverability - 25% 8.4
  • Transport/Storing - 15% 3.0
  • Quality - 10% 8.7
  • Kid's Comfort - 10% 6.8

Our Verdict

The BOB Alterrain Pro is an excellent jogging stroller, but its size and price might make it less appealing as a favorite full-size stroller. The Alterrain scored well in most metrics we tested, including being easy to push and turn, easy to use and set up, and with exceptional quality and features for comfort. It is a sleek-looking jogger with a longer wheelbase and a good contender for those who run regularly. Because the Alterrain is one of the heaviest and biggest in the review, it might not be as good as a stand-in for your full-size stroller since managing it in a tight space could be challenging. It also has smaller storage, and the 10lb basket limit could be a deal-breaker if you hope to shop. Overall, we like the Alterrain, no doubt; however, it makes a better jogger than an everyday errand runner, and we think that some competing joggers make better double-duty options.
REASONS TO BUY
Easy fold/unfold
Hand brake
Moves over everything
REASONS TO AVOID
Very long
Heavy
Expensive
Editor's Note: We tested 18 full-size stroller or jogging crossover options to help parents find the best choice for their needs in March 2024.

Compare to Similar Products

 
bob alterrain pro
This Product
BOB Alterrain Pro
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Full-Size Stroller
Editors' Choice Award
Best Double Duty Jogger
Best Value Award
Lower Price Impressive Full-Size Stroller
Best Value Award
Budget Full-Size For Growing Families
Price $700 List
Check Price at Amazon
$700 List
$699.99 at Amazon
$650 List
$599.95 at Amazon
$650 List
$649.95 at Amazon
$350 List
$281.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line Sharp looking jogger that is easy to push over just about anythingA quality choice that uses thoughtful design to create an easy-to-use option, but it has a higher price and a larger foldThis jogger is a dual-purpose choice with better storage and easy maneuverability over most surfacesWhile it performs well on flat surfaces, this high-quality option struggles off-road if those are your goalsA budget-friendly expandable stroller with good storage but limited other features and a heavier weight
Rating Categories BOB Alterrain Pro UPPAbaby Cruz v2 Thule Urban Glide 2 Cybex Balios S Lux Evenflo Pivot Xpand
Ease of Use (40%)
8.2
8.5
8.4
7.8
8.0
Maneuverability (25%)
8.4
8.3
8.5
7.1
5.4
Transport/Storing (15%)
3.0
6.7
5.7
6.8
4.2
Quality (10%)
8.7
9.3
8.0
8.0
6.7
Kid's Comfort (10%)
6.8
8.5
6.7
7.6
7.3
Specs BOB Alterrain Pro UPPAbaby Cruz v2 Thule Urban Glide 2 Cybex Balios S Lux Evenflo Pivot Xpand
Capacity Limits Minimum: 8 weeks (walking) 8 months (jogging)
Maximum: 75 lbs/44 in
Minimum: 3 months
Maximum: 50 lbs
Minimum: 6 months
Maximum: 49 lbs/ 44 in
Minimum: Birth
Maximum: 55 lbs
Minimum: Birth
Maximum: 55 lbs/43"
Measured Weight 34 lbs 25 lbs 26 lbs 25 lbs 30 lbs
Measured Folded Dimensions 25.4"W x 17.3"H x 39.5"L 22.9"W x 16.5"H x 33"L 27.2"W x 15.5"H x 36.5"L 24"W x 16"H x 31"L 26.7"W x 19.23"H x 32.7"L
Folded Volume 17,357 cu in 12,469 cu in 15,388 cu in 11,904 cu in 16,790 cu in
Handlebar Height Min/Max 32.5"/47.5" 40"/43" 30"/46" 39.5"/43" 33"/44.7"
Mfr. Max Allowable Total Storage Weight 10 lbs 30 lbs 14 lbs 24 lbs 11 lbs
Car Seat Compatibility Britax B-Safe 35, B-Safe 35 Elite, B-Safe Ultra, Endeavours
Chicco KeyFit 30, KeyFit 30 Zip, KeyFit Zip Air, KeyFit Magic, Fit2
Graco All SnugRide models, SnugRide Click Connect models, SnugRide SnugLock models
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 , Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido
Chicco KeyFit 35, KeyFit 30, KeyFit 30 Zip, KeyFit 30 Zip Air, Fit2, Fit2 LE, Fit2 Air
Cybex Aton, Aton 2, Aton Q, Aton M
Clek Liing
Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30, Mico NXT, Mico AP, Mico Max Plus
Nuna PIPA, PIPA lite, PIPA lite lx, PIPA lite r, PIPA rx, PIPA lite rx, PIPA urbn
UPPAbaby Mesa
BOB Unity
Britax Affinity Unity, B-Safe, B-Safe 35, B-Safe 35 Elite, Chaperone, Unity, Unity ISOFIX Compatible
Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 30, KeyFit Plus
Combi Shuttle 33
Evenflo Discovery 5
Graco SafeSeat, SnugRide, SnugRide Click Connect, SnugRide Click Connect 30, SnugRide Click Connect 35, SnugRide Click Connect LX 35, SnugRide Click Connect 40
Maxi-Cosi CabrioFix, Citi, Pebble
Nuna Pipa
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30, Primo Viaggio 4-35
Safety 1st Comfy Carry Elite, onBoard, onBoard Air
Safe-n-Sound Unity, Unity Neos
UPPAbaby Mesa
Cybex (All)
Maxi Cosi Mico 30, Maxi Cosi Mico Max, Maxi Cosi Coral XP
Nuna Pipa lite
Chicco KeyFit/KeyFit 30
Evenflo SafeMax, LiteMax
Graco all with SnugRide, SnugLock 30/35
Peg-Perego Primo Viaggio 4/35
Wheel Type Pneumatic Foam Filled Plastic Pneumatic Foam Filled Plastic Foam Filled Plastic
Brake Type Single Single Single Single Single

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Beast of Burden (BOB) company began in 1994 in California with Roger Malinowski and Philip Novotny at the helm. With the combined specialties of a bicycle professional and the airline mechanic, they originally created Yak bike trailers. After fatherhood came calling, the two saw a gap in the market for a rugged stroller suitable for jogging. And with this, the original BOB was created. Today, some BOB products even make our list of strolling favorites. Britax now owns the BOB company.

Performance Comparison



bob alterrain pro - the alterrain is one of the easier jogging strollers we've tested.
The Alterrain is one of the easier jogging strollers we've tested.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Ease of Use


The Alterrain is easy to use, with features that are thoughtfully placed and designed, and it earned a high score in this metric.

Folding the Alterrain is easy, and despite its size and weight, it isn't too unruly.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Fold and Unfold


The Alterrain is one of the easier to fold and unfold. It requires one hand and uses a slide and twist handle under the leg rest. It stands on its own when folded and locks in place.

bob alterrain pro - the folding handle on the alterrain is simple, with a push-to-engage...
The folding handle on the Alterrain is simple, with a push-to-engage design to twist. It only takes one hand but two are preferred to keep control of it folding in half.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

The Alterrain can then be rolled like luggage when folded so you don't have to carry it.

bob alterrain pro - the alterrain storage bin is big enough for our large diaper bag and...
The Alterrain storage bin is big enough for our large diaper bag and has a zippered cover, but it has a limit of 10 lbs, which might not be enough but is on par with other high-ranking joggers.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Storage


The storage bin is large and has a zippered cover. It has average access, but the real limitation is the 10 lb limit of the bin. While this is better than some joggers, many full-size options have limits over 20 lbs. For storage of small quick access items like a phone or keys it also has a small zippered pocket on the back of the canopy and two medium mesh pockets on the back of the seat. The passenger has two mesh pockets inside the seat for holding treasures.

The buckle on the Alterrain is stiffer than other BOBs, but it works well and is not challenging.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Harness


The harness is a no-rethread adjustment harness with shoulder straps that slide up and down a strap sewn on the back of the seat.

bob alterrain pro - the alterrain harness is somewhat utilitarian with exposed straps...
The Alterrain harness is somewhat utilitarian with exposed straps and adjustment points.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Adjustments are easy to make for size. The buckle is stiff but it makes a satisfying click when in place. All 5 points on the harness are adjustable for length, including the crotch strap.

The brake pedal on the Alterrain is a round bar that is easy to set and release.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Brakes


The Alterrain has two brake styles, a handbrake and a parking brake.

The handbrake on the Alterrain is easy to use and is primarily...
The handbrake on the Alterrain is easy to use and is primarily designed to slow the stroller when running or moving downhill.
If you have a longer stride, there is a chance your feet might knock...
If you have a longer stride, there is a chance your feet might knock on the rear axle or brake pedal on the Alterrain.

The handbrake slows the stroller while running, especially in downhill situations. The parking brakes are single-action, and the pedal works well, but it takes more pressure than some to ensure it is engaged.

Car Seat Compatibility


With the purchase of adapters, you can pair your Alterrain with some infant car seats from the following brands: Britax, Chicco, Graco, and Peg Perego.

The high-quality Alterrain comes well packed and removing packaging material is a big part of the assembly job.
Credit: Graham Faulknor

Ease of Setup


The Laterrain comes largely assembled, and the remaining components will take 5-10 minutes to add. You don't need tools, it is somewhat intuitive and has clear instructions. It requires adding the wheels and canopy; it might require some tire inflation.

The Alterrain might be longer than some, but it still navigated tight turns without too much trouble, thanks to the swivel front wheel.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Maneuverability


If you want a smooth mover to head off the beaten path or to effortlessly navigate hard surfaces, the Alterrain is a good choice. With quality wheels and tires that are rubber and air-filled, the Alterrain is an easy stroller to push.

bob alterrain pro - the larger rubber tires help the alterrain move easily over even...
The larger rubber tires help the Alterrain move easily over even thicker, longer grass.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

It is a little sporty and more like an SUV than a sports car on flat, hard surfaces. It is easy to push but long and needs a little extra space over shorter options. The suspension is soft and the rear wheels are wider apart than other BOB strollers in this review making it feel somewhat less precise in its movements.

The Alterrain has soft shock absorption that helps both the pusher and provides comfort to the passenger.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Off-road, it continues to excel and outperforms most competitors with the ability to roll over darn near anything (within reason, keep it safe!). However, the softer suspension means kids over 30 lbs might feel more bumps than they would on other joggers with stiffer suspensions. It is also easy to pop up in the front for navigating curbs, but the heavily weighted back end will need some strength to lift it up with a kid on board.

bob alterrain pro - as a jogger, it is no wonder the alterrain is a beast of stroller...
As a jogger, it is no wonder the Alterrain is a beast of stroller and it might not fit in smaller sedan trunk spaces.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Transporting and Storing


No jogger is truly small or lightweight, and the Alterrain is no exception. It weighs 33.50 lb in our tests, making it one of the heaviest in the review. If living is not your strong suit or you have a more petite stature, it could make handling this beast more than you want to tackle.


While it has an easy fold that is less awkward than some bulkier options, it still measures 17,357 cubic inches when folded. The other BOB we tested is almost 3,00 cubic inches smaller, indicating you don't need an absolute unit of a stroller if you want a jogger.

bob alterrain pro - the alterrain wheels are designed to snap on and take off without...
The Alterrain wheels are designed to snap on and take off without too much trouble in case you need to make it smaller for stowing.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

In short, if you plan to transport your stroller via public transportation or in your car frequently, you might want to do some measuring or choose a smaller jogger.

bob alterrain pro - the alterrain is a high-quality option with attention to detail...
The Alterrain is a high-quality option with attention to detail, like the dense wheel design and thick rubber tires.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Quality


If you love a good quality product, the Alterrain will impress, earning one of the highest scores in this metric. The seat material is a mix between canvas and softer fabric. It has a tight weave and isn't the most skin-friendly but it feels durable and easy to clean. The canopy and footrest are a much coarser canvas material, assuming more wear and tear over time.

bob alterrain pro - the overall fit and finish of the alterrain are impressive, and it...
The overall fit and finish of the Alterrain are impressive, and it looks like a polished product that was thoughtfully designed.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

The pneumatic rubber tires are top-notch with a durable, dense plastic rim that can be locked in place. All three wheels are nicer in size, which makes moving at speeds and over rougher terrain easy. The aluminum frame tubing is an oval shape with minimal left-to-right flex. It has a more finished look than the traditional BOB. The overall fit and finish are sleek and resemble a stealth bomber with no exposed fasteners and everything where it should be.

bob alterrain pro - the alterrain has a deep seat, a good recline, and a comfortably...
The Alterrain has a deep seat, a good recline, and a comfortably placed foot rest.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Kid's Comfort


The Alterrain earned a higher-than-average result for kid comfort. It has a lightly padded sling-style seat with an adjustable recline and stationary leg rest. The legrest is also padded and extends down fully to the plastic footrest.

The reclining mechanism on the Alterrain is two straps from the...
The reclining mechanism on the Alterrain is two straps from the sides of the seats that run through a toggle and can be tightened or loosened depending on your reclining needs.
The Alterrain's shocks and sling seat help absorb some bumps along...
The Alterrain's shocks and sling seat help absorb some bumps along the way proving more comfort for passengers.

The seatback has a push-button release toggle that allows you to recline the back. It takes one hand to pull and recline but two hands to hold the toggle and pull the straps through to raise it upright. It is easy enough to do, but it feels dated compared to some of the competitions that have a single mechanism you can operate with one hand, up or down.

bob alterrain pro - the alterrain pro has a vinyl peek-a-boo window and a mesh window...
The Alterrain Pro has a vinyl peek-a-boo window and a mesh window for ventilation.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

The canopy on the Alterrain is large and covers to the knee of most riders. It features UPF50+ and a vinyl peek-a-boo window with mesh ventilation. It isn't the ultimate canopy, but it is pretty darn close. The windows have magnetic covers, which we love. They are both effective and silent.

bob alterrain pro - if your adventures with your baby will take you off-road or moving...
If your adventures with your baby will take you off-road or moving fast, then the ALterrain might be a good choice, but we suggest considering all of the joggers because there were others that might also work.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Should You Buy the BOB Alterrain Pro?


The Pro is a high-performing jogger with enough features to make a suitable full-size stroller. This could potentially save you money and limit the number of strollers you need to buy. However, the Alterrain is bigger than our favorite joggers and costs more. If you are a serious runner, the cost is worthwhile, but if you aren't, it could be more stroller than you need.

What Other Full-Size Strollers Should You Consider?


If you want a good cross-over jogger for daily use as a full-size option, our favorite is the Thule Urban Glide 2. This option moves over almost everything and has covered storage for shopping treasures. It folds smaller and is lighter, making it a better option if your space is limited.

Manufacturer Video



Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz