"Rugged," "stable," "adjustable," and "maneuverable" are some of the words that I use when describing the BOB Sport Utility Stroller to others. This jogger stroller is built on a sturdy aluminum frame and features adjustable shocks, which translates to a remarkable suspension system that makes for a comfortable ride for baby, even on dirt trails. The adjustable shocks feature also enables the ride to be just as comfortable for the child when he gets older as it was when he was smaller. (The stroller has a reasonable maximum weight limit of 70 lb., or 32 kg.) The stroller's padded seat is made of durable, stain-resistant polyester, and the shoulder harness is also padded for comfort. The seat reclines much further than a lot of similar strollers made by other manufacturers: a full 70 degrees from the vertical position. The Sport Utility Stroller has a 3-wheel design, with a fixed front wheel (with a fender), which allows me to jog behind it if I feel energetic. Even without a swiveling front wheel, which some of the higher-priced BOB models have, the Sport Utility Stroller is extremely maneuverable. I can turn it on a dime, and the 16-inch, "knobby" tires make driving the stroller on the cracked and very uneven sidewalks in the neighborhood a breeze. The tire design also provides for superior traction.

The sun hood on this stroller is longer than the hood on most other strollers, and it can be adjusted to multiple positions to block the sun. The hood has a "peek-a-boo" window built into it, so if my grandson is particularly quiet, I can lift the polyester flap and peer through the clear vinyl to see if he is okay without disturbing him if he is sleeping. The Sport Utility Stroller also has a lot of places to stash items. There are two smaller seat pockets and a large pocket on the back of the seat. In addition, there is a large storage "basket" underneath the seat, into which I recently loaded a regulation-sized soccer ball and a tote bag packed with lunch, snacks, and toys. I can also recommend the handlebar consul accessory for this stroller. It is reasonably priced at $19 and attaches with four durable polyester, velcro straps. It consists of a zippered storage pocket that will hold a wallet, cell phone, keys, etc. and two, reasonably deep, drink holder pockets.

Among the safety features of the BOB Sport Utility stroller are two brakes. One is a hand brake. The other is a rear-wheel parking brake, which is easy to set and release with a flip of my foot, and I never worry that it will fail to hold the buggy firmly in place. I also like the design of the stroller's safety wrist strap--a feature I especially appreciate since there are some fairly steep hills in the neighborhood. Unlike the safety strap on models offered by other manufacturers, the wrist strap on the BOB Sport Utility Stroller is attached to the bottom of the stroller frame, not to the handlebar. Should I trip and fall with the strap around my wrist, I wouldn't be pulling down on the handlebar, which could cause the stroller to topple backwards.

The BOB Sport Utility Stroller weighs 23 lb. (10.5 kg) and will fold to 41.6 in. (105.7 cm) long and 17.5 in. (44.5 cm) high with the wheels on, so it will fit in a car trunk or a closet with no difficulty. This being said, its bigger profile is a negative. I would not want to negotiate narrow store aisles with this stroller, even with its ease of maneuverability. An umbrella stroller is packed for these types of trips.

The MSRP for this stroller is $299.99, and it is priced very competitively with other strollers of this genre. Schwinn has a swivel-wheel jogger for as low as $219.99, but its maximum capacity is only 50 lbs., compared to this stroller's 70-lb. capacity. In the Baby Jogger stroller line, the Summit XC model is the most similar to the BOB Sports Utility Stroller, and it has an MSRP of $499.99. Well-priced, with numerous attractive features and only one slight negative, I give the BOB Sport Utility Stroller my highest recommendation.