BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 Review

Ease of Use

The Flex is below average for ease of use. Not much has changed in this stroller in a decade, and what used to be straightforward now struggles to compare to competitors.

Fold and Unfold

The fold is not apparent or intuitive without the instructions, and doing it a few times. The side triggers are stiff and require some strength to squeeze them.

Each side of the Revolution has a squeeze handle that needs to be operated simultaneously to initiate the fold.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

The fold handle on the Revolution is read and located under the back of stroller near the seat bottom.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

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It requires two hands to release the frame for folding: squeeze the dual levers on each side, then pull the handle under the seat. It falls forward and is awkward when folded. It doesn't stand on its own, doesn't auto-lock, and the buckle that keeps it folded always feels too short, even though we have managed it every time. Unfolding is easier one-handed if you can lift it, but it requires more effort than many other strollers.

The storage bin on the Revolution has good rear access, but the mesh sides can lead to dirty contents as road dirt is kicked up by bigger tires.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

WHile the Revolution bin is big enough for our large diaper bag, the weight limit is only 10 lbs. This is the average limit for this style of stroller.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

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Storage

The storage bin is a good size and has average access from the back, but reclining the seat significantly reduces this access space. It has a 10 lb limit, and it is not covered like some other joggers. It has been upgraded from older versions of the Flex with two zippered pockets inside the bin. This helps keep things better organized and prevents important items like keys and phones from falling out. The Flex also has additional storage pockets for up to 3 lbs of extra storage. There are pockets on the back of the canopy/seat and inside the seating area for passenger snacks, sippy cups, and treasures.

Harness

The harness is the standard BOB with adjustable points and four slide buckles. While there are more challenging harnesses out there, there are also easier ones. The shoulder straps have a padded sleeve, but aren't super skin-friendly. There are five adjustable points that must all be brought together to fit into the buckle, which is not ideal when wrestling a cranky toddler. The buckle is somewhat stiff but not hard to use; it just takes a little more oompf. We appreciate the red D-rings for adjusting the lap belt and the non-tethered shoulder straps, but it has more parts and steps than necessary.

Brakes

The single-action brake on the Flex is a middle pedal that is easy to press and lift to release. It used to be a smaller metal pedal and is now a larger, angled plastic pedal. It is kind of at a funky angle, but it wasn't hard to use.

Car Seat Compatibility

The Flex can be used with a handful of infant car seats by purchasing adapters. These brands are Britax/BOB, Chicco, Cybex, Graco, Maxi Cosi, Nuna, and Peg Perego.

Ease of Setup

The Flex is easy to assemble and takes between 5-10 minutes. It comes with an Allen wrench to tighten the front axle; some might want a wrench to hold the nut. The directions are straightforward, and you might need a bike pump to inflate the tires.

Maneuverability

The Flex is a higher scorer in maneuverability. With large rubber tires, adjustable shocks, and an adjustable handlebar, the Revolution is easy to push and manipulate.

The front wheel on the BOB can be locked in place for running or when moving over uneven surfaces, such as those on a hiking trail. The adjustable handle makes moving up and down surface changes like curbs easier, regardless of height. There is potential for lateral tippiness on curbs due to the design.

On flat surfaces, the Flex is easy to move. It turns easily, and despite the longer length, it feels nimble if you just watch the nose to avoid bumping into things. It does feel more like an off-road SUV than a sports car.

Off-road, the Flex is the champ and a standout. The adjustable shocks keep the ride comfortable and help offset the struggle of pushing a stroller over uneven terrain.

Transporting and Storing

The Revolution is best for those with larger cars or SUVs, or those who plan to adventure right out their front door. It does not score well for transportation and storing because it is large, heavy, and awkward when folded. This jogger weighs 29 lbs in our tests, so while it isn't the heaviest, it is a beast nonetheless. Many parents will need two hands to lift and carry it, which means you can't carry a child in the other hand.

The Flex is only 14,748 cubic inches when folded. This isn't the smallest option, but smaller than most other joggers. The real problem is that there is no great handle to carry it; it's heavy, and the larger wheels get caught on things when lifting it into a car or onto a bus, if you can make it through the bus door.

You can see the quality of the Revolution in the material choice and the manufacturing finishing details.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

The front wheel on the Revolution offers alignment adjustment to keep the wheel straight when running.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

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Quality

The Flex is a nice stroller with above-average quality and performance. The frame is a solid aluminum with a plastic hinge where the parts come together and fold. It has a utilitarian look and feel and is not as sleek as other BOBs, but it still looks nice and has limited exposed fasteners.

The fabric on the main seat is a rougher canvas built to last, with less attention to skin-friendliness. It has a tight weave and is relatively easy to keep clean. The canopy and footrest feel even more durable, which is nice given the wear and tear they will undergo as little ones get bigger and climb into and out of the ride independently.

The Flex has larger, dense, plastic wheels with higher-quality rubber and pneumatic tires. You will have to put air in the tires from time to time, which is a minor inconvenience, and we prefer the foam-filled rubber tires on some competitors that never go flat or need a tube change. These wheels roll true and do not wobble. The overall fit and finish are good, but the Flex has a more rugged feel than some of the other, more refined joggers we tested.

Kid's Comfort

Kid comfort on the Flex is better than most. The sling-style seat is padded, and the lack of a frame provides some give for bumpy roads. The adjustable shocks can also offer a little support so little ones feel less of every rock and twig.

The seatback reclines enough for napping while the leg rest is stationary. The footrest is narrow, but still comfortable as the legrest is wide. The seatback adjustability is a somewhat dated mechanism with two straps running through a central plastic toggle. It takes one hand to lower the seat back to infinite possible positions and two hands to pull the straps to raise it back up.

The canopy is one of the largest in the group and covers a significant length of the stroller. It has a vinyl window for peeking at passengers and a mesh window for ventilation. Both have a flap with a magnetic closure. This is a step up from the Velcro closure on older Revolution models.

Continuous Sleeping Comfort

Soothing strolls are the name of the game on long runs, and when we tested the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 for possible wake-up events going over standard, average terrain, we measured only four low-intensity potential wake-ups. We assume this is due to the pneumatic tires and overall suspension this stroller offers, but no matter why, the results are a super smooth ride for sleeping passengers.

Should You Buy the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0?

We love the Revolution and have traditionally given it awards in multiple categories. While it missed an award for full-size strollers, it could still be one to consider if you're hoping to buy a single stroller that can work for jogging, off-road travel, and everyday errands and tasks. Other joggers scored higher than the Flex, but if you love a BOB or have your heart set on one, we think you'd be happy adding this one to your gear lineup.

What Other Full-Size Strollers Should You Consider?

Our favorite crossover is the Guava Roam, which is both cheaper and impressively small, making it a good choice for smaller spaces. This little powerhouse outperforms the Revolution in every way, and the compact fold is smaller than even some travel strollers. We also really like the UPPAbaby Ridge v2. It has a similar price to the Flex, and it is easier to fold, easier to maneuver, higher quality, and offers better passenger comfort.

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