Most jogging strollers take up a ton of space in the car or when stores, but Guava Roam is a jogging stroller that is portable at the same time. I was excited to try it out after already owning a number of other jogging strollers and knowing the quality of Guava brand after our beloved Guava Lotus travel crib.
Keep in mind, this review isn’t sponsored and no one is influencing my opinions. Well, maybe apart from my kids who are testing the comfort of this stroller.
Pros & Minor Cons of Guava Roam Stroller
Age Range – 6 months to 50 pounds (22kg)
Stroller Weight – 28.5 pounds (13kg)
Folded Size – 29 x 17 x 15 inches
Maneuverability & Design
I always say that most people will tell you that they like their stroller unless a certain model truly sucks or they feel like they overpaid for it. I like the Thule jogging stroller already and our first jogging model was BOB, so I had high standards.
The large airless wheels and all-terrain suspension make it easier to push than BOB and definitely easier than Uppababy Vista (which is already pushed smoothly). Most importantly, it’s not as heavy as other jogging strollers which might not seem like a big deal but it is when you’re going uphill. And the big reason why despite loving it and having all the functions one might want, I don’t often use Wonderfold Wagon because it’s too heavy.
The parental handlebar is adjustable (34” – 45”) which is crucial when it comes to actually jogging. It has a toggle to lock and unlock the front wheel so you don’t have to constantly bend down and switch it back and forth, so it doesn’t wiggle when you’re running with it. Or even when you’re not running it can help with rocks and cobblestones.
Folding and Unfolding of Guava Roam Stroller
I was originally slightly concerned by the Guava Roam folding mechanism, as it leaves the parental handle on the bottom. I’d say it’s the worst part of the stroller because if you fold it and the ground is wet, muddy or dusty, there’s no way for the parental handle to stay clean and then you gotta touch it again.
Plus, the stroller only comes in black. You might think it’s great because it’s a dark color but I always find black getting dirtier easier than grey or navy.
But, the fold is about half the size of other jogging strollers which is crucial as I could even consider taking this stroller with me on my travels if I knew I would have to use hiking paths a lot.
Guava Roam stroller requires two hands to fold and unfold it (you can technically fold it with one hand if you learn the trick), but it’s an easy movement requiring you to pull a strap. It’s super useful that instructions on how to fold and unfold the stroller are printed underneath the seat cover, so a relative or airport employee can look it up when needed.
Seat Compartment, Recline & Canopy
My younger son tested is the prime user of this stroller and he’s a picky one as he dislikes most strollers, but never complained in Guava yet. The seat seemed roomy enough for it and he was able to see everything just fine as the backrest isn’t too inclined backward.
While the seat has a capacity of 50 lbs, I will confidently say that you won’t be using it for that long as my older son who’s 4 and 36 lbs still fits, but I don’t see him fitting comfortably for much longer. Definitely not until he reaches 50 lbs, because he won’t fit lengthwise.
The seat is well padded with removable covers that can be easily machine washed if needed (in our case it’s always needed with Holden).
The canopy stays in place and never bounces back as it’s reinforced, so that’s a huge plus. However, since the canopy has metal rods inside I do hear that it wears off with time or when you’re gate-checking it and gets holes, so it’s something to keep in mind.
There’s also an infant car seat adapter, so it can be used from birth.
Storage Spaces
You don’t need much storage space when you’re actually jogging, but everything is safe and secure in Guava. You will be able to fit some small diaper bags in the under-seat compartment.
The Guava Roam has a back pocket which is crucial for phones, keys, or wallets.
Final Verdict
If I were to pick one jogging stroller, or even an off-road stroller, I’d pick Guava Roam over bulky BOB or Thule. It basically offers the same features in a much more compact version.
If I were to compare this stroller to another I’d say it works similarly to Baby Jogger City Mini GT2, which ironically despite the name isn’t a jogging stroller that has slightly more functions but it’s not meant for running with it.
Owning a stroller that can be used for everyday errands, running, and travel just makes a lot of sense and this is when Guava Roam ticks all the boxes. Would I get for living in New York City or traveling abroad? No, unless a lot of hiking was involved, but if you’re an active family living in a hilly all-weather spot then it might be a great option for you!
Hi, I’m trying to decide between the GUAVA Roam, the Baby jogger GT 2, and Uppa baby Cruz. I just want a good stroller for long walks in the neighborhood or around the city . Something smooth riding but not huge. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Lisa
Honestly, either of these could work, but since you mentioned long walks I assume that it might potentially involve nap time. That said, Uppababy Cruz would be my last choice – simply because the seat is profiled vs actually reclining back, meaning that your child will always be in the same sitting position, just tiled backwards, vs actually coming close to lying down.
Thanks, between the other two choices is there any preference? I’ve heard the gt2 seat doesn’t sit fully upright? Also, a cross bar is important to me. Do you think I could add one to the guava ? Any other thoughts you have about a good everyday stroller would be appreciated. It’s really hard these days when you can’t find them in stores to actually test them yourself!
90% of strollers don’t sit fully upright and 99.9% of jogging strollers won’t. Neither GT2 or Guava sits fully upright, but then the belly bar on the GT2 is a winner.
For everyday stroller neither of the ones you mentioned would be my first choice. Cybex e-Priam or Priam would be my first choice (don’t be scared about the price, it’s often on sale for a fraction, especially at retailers). Second choice would be Bugaboo Fox.
These are full-size strollers though. Personally, I ended up using a more compact option for city walks fairly quickly and only used full-size ones for off-road hikes and muddy fairs, but I’m not an over-packer and didn’t need to go grocery shopping with a stroller anymore. That said, we liked Babyzen Yoyo or Inglesina Quid the most and used them as everyday strollers most of the time.
Do you feel like either the GT2 or the Guava does better on rough terrain? We have a lot of gravel around our house and I’d like to be able to use it comfortably on walking trails. We have a BOB and it works great in those situations, but it’s just too large folded.
Guava is small, but it’s a powerful little stroller and the wheels can handle gravel.
Seems like a good NYC choice given how it seems to fold small (smaller than the city jogger?) and can handle bad sidewalks or streets or Central Park (even if you’re just off roading to the grassy areas)