REASONS TO BUY
Easy to move
Off-road-ready
Jogger
REASONS TO AVOID
Multi-part adapter
Cumbersome and heavy
BOB Alterrain Pro Combo Review
Multi-part car seat adapter is a disappointment for this well-regarded jogger
Credit: Abriah Wofford
By Wendy Schmitz ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ October 7, 2020
Contributions From: GearLab Review Team
RELATED: Best Stroller and Car Seat Combos
Our Verdict
The BOB Alterrain Pro is a high-quality jogger from BOB with some upgrades and sleekier style over the other BOBs in this lineup. We like a lot about this BOB, including the upgraded suspension, large canopy, quick new fold, and better materials. However, the infant car seat carrier connection includes three-part adapters and a wobbly overall installation. This attachment requires the purchase of an adapter, and while the adapter is easy to set up, it means you need to keep track of three components, and the final result is disappointing in our tests compared to the competition. Also, this stroller is one of the heaviest and biggest when folded, making it a prohibitive option for many new mothers who could have weight limit restrictions on what they can lift.
Our Analysis and Test Results
If you have a new baby and can't find a jogging stroller to suit your needs, all you need is a buddy and some know-how to make your own. Roger Malinowski and Philip Novotny, owners of the Beast of Burden Company (BOB), located in San Luis Obispo, California, were two such men. As a bike pro and airline mechanic, the men designed the BOB Sport Utility. The two went on to create the first locking swivel wheel on a jogging stroller in 2005. In 2011, the BOB company was purchased by Britax.
The adapter for the Alterrain includes two attachment points for the stroller frame and a metal bar that slides into the points for carrier attachment.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Attaching Car Seat
The Alterrain Pro works with a handful of infant car seats from BOB, Britax, Chicco, Peg Perego, and Graco using an adapter. Most of the adapters are three parts, including two attachments for the stroller frame and a frame structure that slides into the attachment points.
The adapter for the infant car seat carrier clips onto the frame of the Alterrain and the metal bar slides into the adapter attachments.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
We tested our Alterrain Pro with the Britax B-Safe 35; as Britax owns BOB, this could be considered a native brand seat to the Alterrain Pro.
Attaching the adapter to the stroller is easy enough, but we worry that with three parts to keep track of that parents might struggle to retain them all. The toddler seat and canopy remain on the stroller. While this negatively impacts the overall weight and size, it does mean you can use the canopy to cover the carrier for more protection from the elements and lookie-loos. The carrier is placed inside the frame and clicks in place over the metal bar for attachment. The connection doesn't feel as secure as some of the competition. The various parts each wiggle a little bit, so altogether it translates to a lot of wobble. While we are grateful the Pro doesn't have the strap part of the car seat attachment like other BOBs, we wish it felt more stable overall.
No Running Until 8 Months
Experts recommend that you shouldn't jog or run with your baby until they can sit unassisted with head and neck control to help bear the brunt of the jarring action of jogging. This strength usually happens at 8+ months. We recommend you discuss your outdoor or running adventures with your pediatrician before you head out.
Experts recommend that you shouldn't jog or run with your baby until they can sit unassisted with head and neck control to help bear the brunt of the jarring action of jogging. This strength usually happens at 8+ months. We recommend you discuss your outdoor or running adventures with your pediatrician before you head out.
The ALterrain is one of the largest and heaviest strollers in the group.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Weight and Folded Size
The Alterrain Pro is the most cumbersome and one of the heaviest options in this lineup of combo strollers. This stroller weighs over 33 lbs and measures 17,357 cubic inches when folded. This size might be limiting for new moms who had c-sections or those with smaller cars and trunks.
The front wheel on the Alterrain locks in place for jogging or moving over uneven terrain.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Maneuverability
With larger rubber tires and a smooth moving swivel front wheel, the Pro moves well over almost any surface from snow to gravel and grass; you'll have no problem heading off-road with this BOB. The Pro has non-adjustable suspension and a rotating handlebar that makes pushing and riding more comfortable no matter what surface you move over.
The carrier sits more inside the toddler seat than older BOBs used to.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
The Pro isn't the easiest in the group to use, but it does manage an average performance for this metric.
Fold and Unfold
The Alterrain Pro has a new fold for the BOB, and it reminds us of a fold you see on competing jogging strollers. The leg rest lifts, and there is a handle to slide and twist that unlocks the frame and folds it in half. The stroller self-stands and rolls like luggage, making this hefty beast a little easier to move from place to place when not in use.
The Alterrain brake pedal is a roller bar that works well, but looks strange.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Brakes
This BOB has single-action brakes with a large roller shaped pedal in the back. The brakes are different than other BOBs, and they are somewhat harder to engage with a pin and hole system. The system works well and is sandal foot-friendly.
Storage
The Alterrain Pro has a nice-sized storage bin with a protective cover that zips in place. This stroller is one of the few that includes a cover to keep items contained and clean on your off-road adventures. Access to the bin is primarily from behind and hindered by a reclined seatback. It holds up to 10 lbs, which could be limiting if your diaper bag is full. The stroller also has a seatback pocket, canopy pocket, and inside passenger stow pockets.
You can use the canopy on the Alterrain to help cover the infant carrier for more protection.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Sunshade
The canopy stays in place when you attach an infant carrier and is large enough to cover the carrier for full protection. The cover is UPF 50+ and has a vinyl peek-a-boo window with a magnet cover closure.
Ease of Setup
This BOB took us 5:46 minutes to assemble with a better than average user guide to help us. Set up requires no tools, and you only need to snap on the rear wheels, front-wheel with the quick release, canopy and zip the back.
The Alterrain is a high-quality jogger that is better at jogging than attaching to a car seat carrier, in our opinion.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Quality
The Alterrain Pro is one of the highest quality options in the group with exceptional materials and evident attention to detail in the manufacturing process. We love the new materials, the new sleek frame, and the better folding design. The overall fit and finish of this stroller shows that BOB has finally entered the new era of jogging strollers bringing the consumer what they want in a tidy and sharp-looking package.
Manufacturer Video
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare BOB Alterrain Pro Combo versus top competing products:
You Might Also Like
