MY BOB HISTORY
After I found out I was growing a small human, the very first thing I put on our baby registry was a run stroller — what I was most familiar with, what I saw most often on the road, what I still consider the “original gangster,” standard setter of all run strollers: a BOB stroller.
As my husband and I definitely have a height difference of a few inches, and as where we live is anything but flat (make your own “uphill both ways” joke here,) I opted for a 2015 BOB Revolution PRO. The PRO is essentially BOB’s base Revolution model with an added adjustable handlebar (like the Revolution Flex) and an added handbrake.
What can I say? My coworkers came through big time on this one. It’s an unwritten rule of sorts at work that runners receive a run stroller as their shower gift. Britax I knew was going to be my jam based on reviews, so we had a B-Safe 35 car seat already. Honestly, if I could do it all over again, I’d skip buying the used B-Agile (which has since found a new home with my sister and niece) and just get the adaptor for the car seat for the BOB; I love it that much!
ENTER #BOBTEAMSF
We’ve tackled a lot together, me and the BOB with mini riding along. Glorious first postpartum miles. Training for races where the outcome was uncertain. “Run commutes” to pick up mini after school. Ever reliable, I can always count on my BOB. However, I added a lot of reflective, as well as lights and a Road ID to it because I know that not everyone is alert. No runner can count on drivers seeing them, or even fellow sidewalk goers! If you know me, I never say no to more reflective and am sometimes the butt of jokes about shiny things. I wanted our BOB to scream “Hey! Can’t miss us! You’re going to remember us for sure!”
Recently, I was given the opportunity to be a part of BOB Team SF, an organized group of stroller runners who virtually trained together for the San Francisco Marathon 5K, which allows strollers in the back of the first corral. The training was lead by “that pregnant runner,” the Flying Flower herself Olympian Alysia Montaño. As if this couldn’t get any better, it did: BOB generously gave each of us one of their brand new Revolution Flex Lunar strollers to train and race with!
THE LUNAR HAS LANDED.
I wanted to be thorough in my review and give some stroller runners some insight as to why the Revolution Flex Lunar very well be my new go-to over our Pro. Thus, I didn’t want to post a review until after we had done all our training and raced with it.
The new Lunar edition takes their adjustable handlebar and swivel-wheel clad Revolution Flex and gives it a 360 reflective overhaul. Hit it with flash and it looks like this:
At first glance, she’s GORGEOUS. If a run stroller can be sexy, she’s it, and after a cat mishap (ahem) forced me to remove the lowboy basket for cleaning I saw she can also very well be one hell of a toddler hot rod (see below.) However, the 360 reflective canopy and basket are the most obvious differences. There’s more to it.
Here’s how it throws down versus a 2016 Revolution PRO.
| Model | Weight | Capacity | Handlebar Height | Overall Width | Full Dimensions and Specs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flex Lunar | 28.5lb; 12.9kg | 75lb; 34kg | 34.5 – 48 in; 87.6 – 122 cm | 25.4 in; 64.5 cm | link |
| Revolution PRO | 30.5lb; 13.8kg | 75lb; 34kg | 34.5 – 48 in; 87.6 – 122 cm | 25.4 in; 64.5 cm | link |
As you can see, the main difference on paper is the weight. However, there’s more than meets the eye for me! Versus the 2015 Pro, here are some differences that make me lean towards the Flex Lunar:
- Larger, more accessible lowboy basket. That “15% more storage space” is really felt when I’m picking little up on a Friday with park snacks and still need room for her lunchbox, jacket and more.
- Singlehanded recline adjustment. When little was teeny, I’d have to stop, rest the recline against my leg and ever so slowly and carefully let out the straps as I never developed a smooth release technique. As demonstrated by my BOB Team SF here, it’s now very fast and easy. Parents and caregivers on the run know those precious seconds count!
- The interior pockets seem like they’re larger, so they better accommodate a wee HydroFlask, Camelbak etc. and a packet of almond butter each.
- It simply handles lighter. I can’t quite explain this perception, but I swear I noticed it even before I went hotrod status. I thought I’d miss the handbrake on all the downhills but I feel I have better overall control, can turn sharper with three wheels down and locked and can maneuver easily. Navigating race day I did not feel like I was driving a land boat.
One added perk of having two strollers in rotation is that one is always handy, and it’s given me the opportunity to let BOBcurious friends and family take one for a solid test drive (steer? push?) before committing. The end result thus far? One friend who upgraded to a BOB Flex Lunar, one coworker who bought a dualie for his twin girls and I’ll be seeing my sister soon to see what her verdict is. She’s been happy with the handling on the hand-me-down B-Agile, so I’m pretty sure the BOB is going to blow her mind!
Both the Pro and the Flex Lunar have a wrist strap so they can’t ‘run away’ without you, an adjustable handlebar and a foot brake (see again ‘run away.’) To be frank I actually use the handbrake walking downhill more than I have ever used it while running. Additionally, both can be carseat-convertible friendly with an added adaptor bar, so it starts coming down to preferences and needs.
If you’re in the market for a do-it-all stroller, one that can handle the 6am to-school commute in low light just as well as it handles all day at Disneyland, the Flex Lunar is a fantastic option. It will absolutely be my race day choice moving forward for any stroller races, and a natural go-to for early and late runs. Our good ol’ Revolution Pro is still near and dear to my heart but what can I say? Mama likes the new whip.
Full disclosure: while BOB generously provided me with a 2017 BOB Revolution Flex Lunar stroller, all thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
LittleBeastling 