Joovy Zoom ATS Jogging Stroller: Zooming Down the Road

Joggers are a special breed, and jogging mommies (and moms-to-be!) have a lot more to take into account than others when it comes to selecting a stroller that will suit their needs. The good news is that there’s a new entry to the get-up-and-go market in the Joovy Zoom ATS ($300). With durability, sturdy construction and a comfortable ride for baby, it meets every criteria a serious jogger should have when deciding which ride to push.

Putting It Together:
Right out of the box, setting up the Zoom ATS is relatively easy. The 16-inch rear pneumatic wheels are quick release, so breaking down the stroller is just as easy, and attaching the footrest to the Zoom ATS is also fairly straightforward.  Setting up the handbrake and the fixed, front wheel took a little time — but I’ve always felt that a good jogging stroller shouldn’t snap together in a second or two. It’s going to take a beating, and you want to know that it can withstand all that you plan to dish out, right? All told, we were able to have the stroller fully operational in about 20 minutes which — for a jogger — is just about right.

The Ride:
Once you’re up and running, this is what you’ll find: A smooth ride for parent and child, for starters. The shocks on the Joovy Zoom ATS do a great job of absorbing the impact of bumpy sidewalks and potholes, making it a sensible pick for even a simple stroll around the block. When you’re ready to pick up the pace, that smooth ride becomes even more important. There’s very, very little jostling of baby, freeing you up to relax and enjoy your run without feeling the need to anticipate every little obstacle in your path.

The Seat:
There are three height adjustments for the shoulder straps of the five-point harness, making this a jogging stroller that will grow with your child. For a younger baby (the Joovy Zoom ATS can be safely used beginning at 6 months), the shoulder straps need to be positioned through sewn-in loops located on the seatback; for a taller child, use those same straps but without using the loops. Re-positioning the straps is fast — just unbuckle them from the harness buckle and feed them through the sewn-in loops, then secure by re-buckling them onto the harness buckle. The seat itself can be extended in either direction, from fully upright to fully reclined by way of an adjustment strap and lock tab. The canopy is a good size, with a sun visor and roll-back window so you can sneak a peek at baby as you run.

Storage and Other Features:
As for safety features, a rear parking brake is located next to the right wheel; the handbrake only functions when the stroller is moving, so be sure to engage this rear brake if you want to keep the stroller from rolling. A tether strap for your wrist provides an added measure of security. The basket is a good size, but is only designed to hold 5 pounds safely — it’s fine for a sweatshirt or blanket, and I wouldn’t jog with much more than that anyway. If you’re out and about and disaster strikes in the form of a flat tire, no worries! The Zoom ATS even comes complete with a tire pump.

Instead of a traditional cup holder, the Zoom ATS offers a parent organizer. This feature is unlike any I’ve ever seen on a jogging stroller before, and I absolutely love it. Made of neoprene, it stretches across the length of the handlebar and includes two deep cup holders and a zippered pocket. Another nice touch is the full-size rain cover, which is included with the stroller. Like all joggers, the Zoom ATS doesn’t offer a compact fold. It’s just not possible with a stroller designed to log hundreds of miles.  With that said, the Zoom ATS does have one of the more novel — and easy — folds I’ve ever seen. Under the seat is a tab labeled ‘fold,’ which when lifted, reveals a fold release lever. Simply push that in while grabbing the handle located in the middle of the release lever (also located under the seat) and pull up. Keep pulling in that direction, and before you know it the stroller collapses in on itself. A lock keeps the fold in place.

The Final Verdict:
All in all I’m really pleased with the Zoom ATS. From a practical standpoint, it is more than capable of handing daily, multi-mile runs for as long as I need it to — which is really all I’m looking for in a jogging stroller. Because of its size and fixed-wheel design, it’s not what I’d reach for to stroll the mall, but most joggers seem to accept that they’ll need a separate stroller for those occasions. Joovy enthusiasts will no doubt be pleased with this new entry to the jogging stroller market, and even if you’re new to the brand, you will too.

– Missy