BOB Wayfinder Review

Ease of Use

The Wayfinder ranks about average for ease of use.

Fold and Unfold

The Wayfinder folds easily for transport with one hand. It basically folds on its own once you unlock the frame. The thumb release button isn't our favorite; it can be uncomfortable to press, but it wasn't painful. Occasionally, we also had trouble with the front wheel inhibiting a smooth fold, but we suspect that with practice, this will get easier over time. Once folded, the handlebar provides stability so the stroller can stand on its own for storage.

The unfold is simple and easily accomplished with one hand.

Storage

The Wayfinder offers a storage bin that has a full zippered closure flap that can be rolled up and secured when not in use. The space is very large, the tapered back is easy to access, and the bin tilts upward and gets roomier side to side toward the front of the stroller. With the seat reclined, the access is minimal, and getting bags out disturbs sleeping passengers.

The storage bin itself is deep and holds items without pushing on the seat above it.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

Ability to protect your items with a zippered cover is invaluable on muddy, wet trails.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

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The storage bin also has a small pouch that can hold your cell phone or wallet. Plus, two mesh pockets inside the seating area are perfect for kid snacks and treasures.

Harness

The harness on the Wayfinder is smooth, soft webbing that slides fluidly. The buckle features a large button to release the lap belt with one hand. It's easy for adults to release, but stiff enough that even the most industrious toddler won't be able to unlatch it.

The Wayfinder uses a re-thread shoulder height adjustment that requires feeding the strap and buckle through four layers of foam, plastic, and fabric. The holes didn't line up well, and it was a slow, involved process. Once the shoulder strap height was set, we had no trouble buckling our passenger in.

The shoulder, lap, and crotch straps all use a slide buckle to tighten and secure. The shoulder straps are connected to the lap buckle, so we only had to secure the lap belt to get safely and securely on our way.

Brakes

The single-action brakes on the Wayfinder are easy to lock and unlock using a pedal on the right side near the back wheel. Even when barefoot, lifting the pedal to release the lock caused no discomfort, making this foot-friendly design. There is a deceleration brake on the handlebar for controlling speed while traveling downhill or jogging.

Car Seat Compatibility

You can purchase car seat adapters from BOB for some seats, including options from Britax, Maxi-Cosi, Cybex, and Nuna.

Ease of Setup

Instructions are a little confusing. This is surprising because all you need to do is attach the wheels, canopy, and cup holder. Everything clicks into place smoothly. From start to finish, the process takes less than ten minutes. We wish the instructions didn't make it seem harder than it really is. Be sure to have a tire pump handy, as the tires might need air.

Maneuverability

The Wayfinder loves a challenge and happily tackles in-town and off-road travels with nimble agility, providing an enjoyable pushing and navigating experience.

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The front wheel is adjustable and can swivel or be fixed in the forward position. Once locked in a stationary position, your jogger is ready to handle a run or travel on rocky, bumpy ground with ease.

The Wayfinder has a slightly longer wheelbase and side-to-side width than some of the other full-size strollers. This means it requires a little bit of finesse when navigating doorways, tight turns, and indoor walkways. It's easy and responsive to push with one or two hands, and the foam-wrapped handlebar is adjustable using the side buttons from 35" to 46.8". The handle's width is slightly narrower than other strollers' handlebars, which may be less comfortable for pushers with wider shoulders.

Off-roading on jogs or more rugged adventures is a breeze, thanks to the independent rear-wheel suspension and the larger, pneumatic tires. It easily handles the challenges of cracks, bumps, dirt, pine needles, and small rocks.

The Wayfinder easily pops up and down off curbs, although petite users might find it a little tippy. Strangely, it struggled to glide smoothly over a small bump as it transitioned from grass to the sidewalk. However, this was the only maneuvering test that gave it trouble. The Wayfinder isn't the best for maneuverability, but it doesn't disappoint.

Transporting and Storing

The Wayfinder isn't petite by any stretch of the imagination, but that is typical of most jogging strollers. We do appreciate the thoughtful design touches that they added to make it more manageable.

The Wayfinder weighs 31.1 lb, which is on the heavier side compared to other full-size strollers. It's a little easier to hoist in and out of car trunks if you utilize the handlebar and the folding handle to lift it. When storing flat, it's best to put it on its side or with the wheels facing upward; it rocks and isn't as stable.

This stroller folds up to 16,567 cubic inches, with a slightly larger width due to the wider wheelbase, but the back wheels tuck in when folded to help with this. It self-stands when folded, and the canopy and storage bin can be removed to store this stroller in tight spaces long-term, but this won't help you in public. Despite its heavier weight, it's not unmanageable, and we appreciated how simple and easy it was to store and transport.

Quality

The focus on quality was important when designing the Wayfinder, and this is apparent in the overall design and the choice of materials.

The fabric on the seat, storage bin, and canopy is smooth, water-resistant, and will hold up in stormy weather. The fabric was thicker than that of some other strollers we reviewed, and seemed durable.

The wheel and tire quality is above average. There is a bit of wobble in the front tire and some play in the rear, but nothing that will negatively affect this stroller's performance or its ability to deliver a stable ride.

The higher-quality aluminum frame withstands rugged day-to-day use without any looseness in the folding mechanism or other joints. The solid construction and sleek design result in a clean, tight look.

Kid's Comfort

All parents know that it doesn't matter how great a stroller is if your passenger is uncomfortable.

The comfortable padded seat holds passengers up to 65 lbs, allows them to sit relatively upright, and offers a near-complete recline that is easy to use thanks to a simple dual-strap/toggle mechanism. The setting options are infinite. It works well, but the toggle and design have been around for more than a decade, and we can't help but wonder if there is a better one-handed way to design seatback recline.

The adjustable, medium-size, UPF 50+ canopy doesn't offer as much coverage as we'd like (it is smaller than other BOB joggers), but aside from early and late hours, the sun protection should be more than adequate. There is a convenient, large roll-up mesh window for ventilation or to keep an eye on your child.

The fixed downward-angled leg rest on the Wayfinder is not adjustable, but it is fully padded for comfort and extends the full length of the leg. The seat itself seems a little long, which might be uncomfortable for smaller kids, whose legs won't reach the bend. The footrest area is nice, but it's on the narrow side, so feet might dangle over the sides depending on the size of the passenger's shoes. Due to the longer seat, shorter passengers' feet won't even reach the footrest area.

Continuous Sleeping Comfort

Keeping sleeping kids deep in slumber when strolling is always a great goal. We tested the potential for wake-ups while strolling on standard surfaces such as concrete and asphalt, as well as transitions between them. The Wayfinder performed well with only 4 potential wake-up events recorded.

Should You Buy the BOB Wayfinder?

The Wayfinder is a nice, higher-quality jogging stroller with all the features that you've come to expect in a full-size stroller, making it an excellent crossover option for families. Unfortunately, it is a little longer, heavier, and more expensive than other similarly styled options, and if you don't plan to jog, it could be the wrong style of stroller for you. Overall, if you want an easy-to-use stroller that's more than capable on all terrains and focused on passenger comfort, you'll be very happy with the Wayfinder.

What Other Full-Size Strollers Should You Consider?

If you are looking for a smaller, lighter, cross-over option, the high-quality Guava Roam is our absolute favorite. It has an incredibly petite fold size (smaller than many travel strollers), is easy to push and turn, and is adventure-ready for off-road use and moving at speed. Those seeking the best maneuverability in a full-size jogging stroller might also consider the UPPAbaby Ridge v2. This crossover has all the features of the Wayfinder, but its nimble handling offers a smoother ride, better storage capacity, and a ginormous canopy.

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