BOB Blaze Review

Name: BOB Blaze
Brand: BOB

Ok runner, but other options offer more for less

BOB Blaze Review — Credit: Abriah Wofford

Price: $500 List

Manufacturer: BOB

By Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz ⋅ Sep 30, 2019

OVERALL
SCORE

Run-ability - 35% 7.0
Ease Of Use - 25% 8.0
Maneuverability - 20% 6.0
Quality - 10% 9.0
Weight/Folded Size - 10% 6.0

View at BOB

Our Verdict

The BOB Blaze is a jogging stroller designed with serious running in mind. This stroller has a fixed front wheel, adjustable tracking, a slowing handbrake, and spoked wheels with large rubber pneumatic tires. While the quality of the Blaze is good, and the features plentiful, this jogger is not the best for running compared to much of the competition including other BOB options. This stroller is also challenging to maneuver and the fixed wheel makes it frustrating to use in small or crowded spaces making it a poor choice as your only stroller or commuter. While we like BOB, and we like the Blaze and the parent console it comes with, there are better BOBs that are easier to run with and more versatile and can meet almost any running goal.

REASONS TO BUY

Easy to use

Handbrake slowing

Parent console

REASONS TO AVOID

Fixed wheel

Bulky fold

Poor maneuverability

Our Analysis and Test Results

BOB is a California company started by a pair of dads looking for a great jogging stroller so they could have greater adventures with their babies. The dads created the first fixed wheel running stroller that evolved over time into the locking swivel wheel revolution we know today. The Blaze fixed wheel design more closely mimics the original Sport Utility with upgrades to decrease the weight and improve run-ability.

Performance Comparison

bob blaze - the blaze isn't as easy to run with as other bob options. — The Blaze isn't as easy to run with as other BOB options.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Run-Ability

The Blaze is designed for the serious runner with few nods to convenience you'd need for everyday errands. The fixed front wheel has adjustable tracking (below left) and ours was easy to adjust and ran straight and true down the path. The spoked wheels are designed to be stable and lightweight and the handbrake (below right) provides useful slowing abilities when traversing up and down hilly terrain.

The tracking on the Blaze is a small dial on the side of the wheel... — The tracking on the Blaze is a small dial on the side of the wheel frame.

The handbrake on the Blaze work well, but if you don't run on hilly... — The handbrake on the Blaze work well, but if you don't run on hilly terrain it may be superfluous.

Overall, the Blaze offers customization for better ergonomics and it tips to turns easily when it needs to. However, despite the runner design, this option didn't perform as well as several of the locking swivel wheel competition that were easier to run with.

bob blaze - the blaze is easier to use than some of the competition thanks to... — The Blaze is easier to use than some of the competition thanks to more storage and a covered bin.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use

The Blaze is easy to use despite lacking some features parents might want in an every day stroller.

To release the locked frame for folding you need two hands to... — To release the locked frame for folding you need two hands to simultaneously squeeze the levers.

The Blaze folding handle is located under the seat and from behind.

Fold and Unfold

The Blaze fold is a straightforward affair with three steps including the manual locking strap. The stroller frame unlocks with dual levers and the fold handle is easy to pull. Unfolding is also simple and quick.

bob blaze - the blaze brake pedal is easy to use but has trouble fully engaging... — The Blaze brake pedal is easy to use but has trouble fully engaging without jostling the stroller a little to slide the teeth in lace.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Brakes

The Blaze has a handbrake for slowing to a stop while running and a single action parking brake. The parking brake is a rocker pedal in the center of the brake bar above the rear axle. It is easy to use but we had some difficulty getting the teeth to engage and had to wiggle the stroller somewhat to ensure proper engagement.

Storage

The Blaze has a 10 lb allowance storage bin (above left) with zippered cover (above right) and there is a mesh pocket on the back of the seat. It also has two inside mesh pockets for the passenger.

bob blaze - the bob parent console has two deep cup holders and a zippered... — The BOB parent console has two deep cup holders and a zippered center pocket.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Oddly, this BOB comes with a parent console which is challenging to use when you run as items are more likely to fall out at speed. It has two cup holders and a center pocket with a zippered cover.

The new BOB canopy on the Blaze includes a vinyl window and... — The new BOB canopy on the Blaze includes a vinyl window and ventilation under a cover with magnet closures.

Sunshade

The Blaze canopy is a standard BOB canopy that covers to the knees, has a vinyl peek-a-boo window and a ventilation panel above the window. The canopy can rotate forward for protection against low sun or wind.

Harness

The 5-point harness is easy to put on and take off with red pull tab tightening and non-rethread height adjustment. The buckle works well and doesn't require excessive force to release.

Seat

The Blaze seat reclines almost flat, has molded padding and stationary leg rest. Recline adjustment requires a single hand to move flat and two hands to raise. The sling-style design is comfy and good for napping.

Car Seat Compatibility

While you can't run with babies under 8 months old, you can attach a car seat to your Blaze for leisurely strolls on flat surfaces with your younger baby. BOB offers a few car seat adapters that require assembly and attach to the stroller frame using a screwdriver. All of the adapters require clicking the car seat on and then using straps to finalize the connection. We aren't big fans of the two-step process as we worry parents will accidentally or intentionally skip the strap step opening the possibility for injury.

Ease of Setup

The Blaze is challenging to set up compared to the competition. It took just over 11 minutes to assemble with better than average documentation. This BOB took longer than most as it has a front fender to attach (with a screwdriver) that has confusing instructions. It also has a parent console.

bob blaze - the fixed front wheel of the blaze makes movement in smaller spaces... — The fixed front wheel of the Blaze makes movement in smaller spaces a challenge.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Maneuverability

The Blaze is challenging to maneuver thanks to the fixed wheel design that requires it be tipped back in order to turn. This tipping combined with the longer footprint means you need ample space to negotiate enclosed spaces.

bob blaze - to turn any fixed wheel stroller like the blaze, you must tip to... — To turn any fixed wheel stroller like the Blaze, you must tip to turn it which takes up more room than a swivel wheel option.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

It requires two hands to tip and the finagling to move it over also needs two hands. We think most parents will find it frustrating to use when not running and will quickly see the advantage of a swivel front wheel for everyday use.

bob blaze - the larger footprint and fixed front wheel of the blaze result in a... — The larger footprint and fixed front wheel of the Blaze result in a larger folded package than other BOB strollers making it a poor choice if you lack space.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Weight and Folded Size

The Blaze should be lighter than other BOBs given the dedicated runner design, but it isn't much lighter with a weight of 26.9 lbs which is negligibly lighter than some BOBs and heavier than others. It measures 19,930 cubic inches when folded which is over 5,000 cubic inches larger than most products where the wheel can turn in for a more compact fold.

Quality

Despite some of its shortcomings, the Blaze is a well-constructed jogger that uses durable materials designed for longevity and heavy use. The frame and wheels are rattle-free and the fabric fits the frame nicely. Overall, the fit and finish is rugged but sleek for a BOB which tends to be more utilitarian than sporty. We like that this stroller offers customizable features not found on all of the competition and that you'll be able to use it trouble-free for years.

Manufacturer Video

— Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz