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BOB Revolution SE Stroller Review

I was provided with a BOB Revolution SE Stroller at no cost to facilitate this review.

Chances are if you’ve stumbled upon this blog post you are either pregnant or have a new little baby in your life and you’re working on choosing a stroller that will suit your needs. Congratulations! There is nothing like the joy of new life! We’ve shared a lot of baby gear reviews on this site over the years and today I’m excited to tell you all about the BOB Revolution SE Stroller. If you’re looking for a jogging stroller, this just may be the one you’ve been searching for!

Stroller Quality Matters

Rewind to the year 1987 and I am not yet a year old. My family is on one of their regular evening walks, enjoying the comfortable temperature as I ride along in my stroller. Little did they know that they would be harshly introduced to the hood and headlights of a 1969 Ford Mustang. Yes, a negligent driver rocketed that beautiful machine directly into my father, mother and me, and scattered us like bowling pins into the desert sand in the Mohave dessert. Luckily, the vehicle missed my older sister.

I, in my stroller, sailed a fair distance off of the road and into the desert where it came to a halt on my side. My dad was knocked unconscious several yards down the road. My mom, who was conscious, had a concussion and several other injuries. My sister, who was somehow missed by the ballistic missile of a car, took me from the panicked driver who had removed me from my stroller.

We were, clearly, very lucky to have survived that without more serious injury. Had I been carried rather than in a stroller, I might have been seriously or fatally injured. If my sister had been hit, she could have been killed. Given the situation, it could have been a lot worse than it ended up.

Technology incorporated into strollers has come a long way since 1987. The type of stroller I was in would have been very basic and spartan. No off-road wheels. No five-point harness. No suspension. No cup holders. No basket for additional items. It was a stroller for on-road use and nothing more! Modern strollers are simply better built and more utilitarian than the strollers of the past.

Because a stroller very well may have saved my life, I’m particularly invested in the purchase of strollers for our children. I want to make sure they will have a stroller that’s not only attractive and functional, but also of the highest safety standards. Of the many options available to consumers, BOB has some of the most creative and utilitarian strollers available.

BOB Strollers

BOB (short for Beast of Burden) is one of the originators of the modern jogging stroller. BOB was originally founded by Roger Malinowski and Philip Novotny to produce bicycle trailers for hauling additional gear. When Roger and Philip began to start families, they were inspired to design and build a superior jogging stroller that held the same high standards as their trailers. The result was the BOB Sport Utility Stroller, complete with patented suspension system, tough polymer wheels, easy-fold frame, a reclining, padded seat and several other features no one had ever put on a stroller before. Just a few years later, BOB introduced a lockable swiveling front wheel to their line of strollers. This dramatically improved the turning radius while maneuvering in tight spaces. BOB was acquired by Britax in 2011.

When we were given the opportunity to review a BOB Revolution SE stroller, we jumped at the chance. BOB has always been a well-respected name and their quality speaks for itself. We love being outdoors and the BOB Revolution SE will be fantastic for our spring, summer, and fall excursions. I cannot wait to get it out on a trail.

BOB Revolution SE

Features of the BOB Revolution SE

The Revolution SE comes packed with features. Pretty much everything but the kitchen sink, in fact! With a BOB, you are definitely cruising in style.

Lockable Swivel Front Wheel: The lockable front wheel is great for indoor or outdoor maneuverability. When trying to navigate tight spaces or congested locations, unlocking the front wheel to allow free rotation improves the turning radius and cornering ability of the Revolution SE. Should the terrain turn rough while out on a trail or path, the wheel can be locked forward for increased stability.

Adjustable Suspension: Any feature that decreases the chance of waking a sleeping child is a good thing. The adjustable suspension helps improve ride quality so your children aren’t constantly jostled around like clothes in a dryer.

BOB Revolution SE BOB Revolution SE

BOB Travel System: BOB B-Safe Infant Car Seats and the BOB Infant Car Seat Adapter allow for easy transition from house to car to stroller, all without having to unbuckle your baby! If you are a parent, you will understand how much more convenient this really is. These items are sold separately.

BOB Revolution SE

Accessory Adapter Ports: The Accessory Adapter ports allow for quick and easy attachment of a BOB Infant Car Seat Adapter or snack tray.

BOB Revolution SE

Reclining Seat and Multi-position Canopy: The padded, reclining seat gives your child increased comfort over other stroller brands. If your little one falls asleep, the last thing you want is to injure their neck muscles as their head slumps forward. Reclining the seat allows them to nap comfortably. The large canopy will protect them from sun exposure and the elements. The five-point harness assures that your children cannot wriggle out of the seat and provides increased safety over a lap belt. A viewing window is stitched into the top so you can check on your child with ease.

BOB Revolution SE BOB Revolution SE

Polymer Composite Wheels and Pneumatic Tires: Rough terrain is no problem for this stroller. The tough polymer wheels can stand up to daily abuse. There are no solid plastic “tires” here! The actual pneumatic tires and tubes will help dampen the toughest of rides.

BOB Revolution SE

Cargo Basket: The undercarriage basket and seat-back pocket assure that you can comfortably store plenty of essentials while you are out and about.

Parking Brake: When engaged, the parking brake helps secure a stopped position. It can be engaged/disengaged easily with one foot.

BOB Revolution SE

What We Think of the BOB Revolution SE

Our outdoor activity had been limited by the recent rash of snow and ice but an excursion on a rare warm day was just what we needed. The BOB performed magnificently, as expected. This performance held true even on the last remaining remnants of ice and snow.

Having a front wheel that can be toggled between locked forward and free swivel is great for steering options on various types of gravel or pavement. It definitely made turns and position adjustments a lot more simple. This, in addition with the quality tires and the suspension system, makes the BOB comfortable and easy to control, even with one hand.

The cargo basket is large enough for basic necessities that are a given when one has a young child. Items such as snacks, toys, blankets and the like fit easily enough and it lightens the load on your shoulders if you are accustom to carrying a backpack or diaper bag.

The brakes are very simplistic but this gives them the benefit of being almost fail-proof. The brakes engage with the quick touch of your foot. This simplicity is quite welcome when you have your hands full!

The accessory ports that allow the quick addition of a snack tray or car seat adapter are a nice feature. We did not have the opportunity to test any available accessories but the system seems simple enough. Having an adapter with which you can attach a BOB B-Safe Car Seat is a great help. It definitely beats having to take a sleeping infant out of their seat to transfer them into a stroller.

The reclining seat in combination with the large canopy makes for a dark, cozy place for your little ones to nap. Keeping the sun out of their eyes is always a concern on any parent’s mind and the canopy of the Revolution SE assures that you get maximum coverage, especially when compared to many other brands. The viewing window on the top allows you to check on them without stopping or disturbing their sleep. Jacob found that he enjoyed talking to us through this little port.

BOB Revolution SE

We were definitely happy with the handling abilities and utility of the BOB Revolution SE. It handled any terrain we felt fit to take it across with ease and provided a smooth, comfortable ride for our children at the same time. The quality of construction is top-notch while still being light weight. It collapses very simply and to a surprisingly small size for a larger stroller. It can fit in most modern vehicle trunks with a little room to spare. If you need it to break down even smaller, the wheels can quickly be detached and reattached at your destination.

Janessa and I agree that the BOB Revolution SE would be a great purchase option for any reader who loves outdoor excursions. The large tires, swiveling front wheel and suspension combine into a fantastic package and because the stroller has a 70 pound weight limit, we are able to use it for any of our 3 children. If you are in the market for a stroller, make sure that BOB is on your list! Make sure you watch our full video review to see this stroller in action!

Lily Kwan

Friday 20th of March 2015

This stroller looks very nice. Thanks for sharing!

Christina Strapp Lambert

Thursday 19th of March 2015

There are so many things I love about this stroller! I like how easy it is to assemble. I also like the large basket underneath. I love the large canopy also.

Zahava g

Thursday 19th of March 2015

Sounds like it has everything!

Frank

Thursday 19th of March 2015

Thanks for the review, I love the tires, suspension, and that its lightweight. I'm training for 1/2 marathon and would love to start bringing my son on runs.

Renee Miller

Thursday 19th of March 2015

I love BOB strollers and I could certainly use this for half marathon training in June!