October 25, 2020

Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight Jogging Stroller Review

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The Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight Jogging Stroller is a fantastic choice for families who’re into fitness or simply want a stroller that’s equally at home in the city and on not-so-hospitable terrain.

It was recently picked by Women’s Running Magazine as one of the top 3 jogging strollers in the country, where it faced off against some very expensive models.

The Zoom 360 has a three wheeled design. The front wheel has a diameter of 12.5 inches and the rear wheels, 16 inches. The larger wheels enable the stroller to perform well on a variety of surfaces – it’s perfect for outings to the countryside, visits to the beach or strolls along dirt trails. Joovy has also thrown in an air pump along with the package – that’s very thoughtful of them.

Most strollers with traditional 4 wheel designs are built strictly for urban use The puny wheels are just not equipped to take on anything other than short grass and they’re certainly not recommended for jogging. Such models are not suitable for people who live on farms or have an affinity for sports and adventure.

At first glance, the Joovy Zoom 360 seems to tick all the right boxes - it’s light, maneuverable and has a strong chassis. Let’s explore its features in more detail.

Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight Jogging Stroller Features:

6061 Aircraft Aluminum Frame: The Zoom 360 is highly durable and yet, it’s 10% lighter than the earlier model. Aluminum is resistant to corrosion and weighs only a third of steel.

The stroller weighs in at 25 lbs, which is quite good for a jogging stroller. The seat is approved for an occupant weighing up to 75 pounds.

Air Tires: These aid in maintaining optimum traction on all kinds of roads – from smooth tiles to sandy river banks. The included air-pump is very light and portable. It can be housed within one of the stroller’s storage compartments so it’s readily available whenever required.

There’s a reason why all jogging strollers have pneumatic rubber tires – they’re best suited to the job. Normal plastic wheels just cannot match them in terms of grip and versatility. However, air tires do require a bit of TLC, which may entail the occasional visit to a bicycle repair shop. If not maintained properly, the tubes may puncture and render the stroller unusable until fixed.

Swivelling Front Wheel: The stroller is very easy to steer thanks to the swivelling front wheel. Despite being larger in size compared to umbrella strollers, the Zoom 360 doesn’t feel bulky. On the contrary, it’s quite nimble and sporty.

The front wheel can be locked for jogging. At the rear, there’s a linked parking brake to hold the stroller in place, even on inclines. Some jogging strollers have a running brake, the Zoom 360 doesn’t have one but comes with a leash instead to prevent the stroller from rolling away too far from the parent.

All Wheel Suspension: This Joovy features a straight rear axle and all wheel suspension for a smooth, composed ride over almost any surface. The stroller is very easy to push and soaks up bumps without jerking and jolting frantically.

Comfortable Seating: The Zoom 360 has a nice, high seat. It’s confidence inspiring for the passenger and also grants a very good view of the surroundings. The seat reclines to multiple positions, enabling the occupant to rest or sit up and enjoy the ride. A 5-point harness ensures that the kid is strapped in securely and stays safe during all excursions, big and small.

The stroller is not equipped with a child tray but has mesh pockets on the inner sides of the seat. These can be used to store your kid’s favorite toy, treats etc.

The large, adjustable overhead canopy provides very good Sun protection and has a peek-a-boo window. There’s a storage basket underneath the stroller seat for snacks and other supplies. It has high edges and doesn’t sag when full.

Convertible To A Travel System: Not many jogging strollers are convertible to travel systems but the 360 Zoom is. Joovy manufactures adapters that enable the stroller to accept infant car seats of select makes and models. Please refer to the Joovy website for more details.

The adapters have a simple click-in mechanism for quick attachment and fast transitioning from car to stroller and vice versa.

Parents will have to purchase the car seats separately. Needless to say, it’s not advisable to use the stroller for jogging with an infant on board.

Quick Fold: The stroller is easy to fold and has an automatic lock to prevent it up from opening up accidentally. The wheels can be released in a jiffy for compact storage.

If the front wheel is locked and the rear brakes are engaged, the stroller stands up independently when folded. This gives parents time to take of other things and since the stroller fabrics don’t come into contact with the ground, they stay cleaner for longer.

Parent Organizer: It’s made out of neoprene to save weight. Features 2 beverage holders and a covered storage compartment for keys, cellphone etc.

Safety: The stroller is JPMA certified and complies with all industry standards.

Pros:

Usable from birth to 75 pounds
Self-standing fold
Large pneumatic rubber tires give it multi-terrain capability
Rides smooth thanks to all wheel suspension
Aluminum frame
Available in 4 exciting shades - Black, Charcoal, Red and Blueberry
Accepts infant car seats (not all jogging strollers do)
Highest seat among jogging strollers
Air pump included

Joovy is a reliable brand with good customer service. We’ve tested their products extensively and are very satisfied with them (just like thousands of other Americans).

Cons:

Handle is not height adjustable. It’s fixed at 40 inches. Very tall individuals may have to lean forward to use the stroller

Should’ve had a running brake. A tether does the job but it’s not as reassuring as an actual brake, especially when going downhill.

Some parents are not OK with having to engage in a bit of wheel maintenance. Are you one of them? It’s not difficult but cannot be overlooked.