I remember the exact moment I realized we needed something more for our stroller. We were navigating a crowded farmers’ market, and our toddler, who had just graduated to a more upright posture, was getting restless. He wasn’t content to just sit back; he wanted to be part of the action. He kept leaning forward, straining against the harness, trying to grab onto the sides of the seat. His little hands had nowhere to rest, no anchor point to give him a sense of control and security. It was clear he wanted a “dashboard,” a place to hold on and survey his world. This constant forward lurching not only seemed uncomfortable for him but also subtly threw off the balance of the stroller, making it just a little harder to steer. It was a small problem, but one that repeated itself on every walk, turning what should have been relaxing outings into a constant battle of readjustment. This is the universal, unspoken challenge many parents face: how to make the stroller seat as engaging and comfortable for a curious child as it is safe.
What to Consider Before Buying a Jogging Stroller
A jogging stroller is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for active parents who refuse to choose between their fitness routine and spending quality time with their little one. It bridges the gap between a sedentary parenting life and an active one, offering a smooth, safe ride for the child over varied terrain, from pristine park paths to bumpy trails. The main benefits are superior suspension systems that absorb shock, large, air-filled tires that glide over obstacles, and a lockable front wheel for stability at speed. These features combine to create a secure, comfortable cocoon for your baby while you get your miles in.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the challenge of integrating a workout routine into their daily parenting schedule. They are parents who live in areas with accessible jogging paths, parks, or trails and value high-performance gear that can keep up with their lifestyle. However, a dedicated jogging stroller might not be suitable for those who primarily navigate tight urban spaces, like small cafes and grocery store aisles, as their larger footprint can be cumbersome. It’s also overkill for parents who only need a stroller for leisurely walks around the block. For those users, a more compact, traditional, or travel stroller might be a more practical and economical alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Consider the stroller’s folded and unfolded dimensions. Will it fit in your car trunk? Can you navigate it through your doorways? A jogging stroller is typically larger than a standard one, so measuring your available storage space and typical pathways is a non-negotiable first step.
- Capacity/Performance: Look beyond just the weight limit. Performance is dictated by the wheels and suspension. Large, bicycle-style, air-filled tires (12″-16″) offer the smoothest ride. A locking front swivel wheel is critical; it provides maneuverability for walking when unlocked and stability for jogging when locked. A handbrake is also a premium feature that provides better control on hills.
- Materials & Durability: The frame is typically aluminum, which offers a great balance of strength and low weight. The fabric should be durable, water-resistant, and easy to clean—look for high-denier fabrics like 600D polyester. Check the quality of the wheels and bearings, as these are high-wear components that determine the stroller’s longevity and ride quality.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: How easy is the stroller to fold? Can it be done with one hand? An intuitive folding mechanism is a lifesaver. Maintenance involves regularly checking tire pressure and cleaning the frame and fabric. Accessories like the Baby Jogger City Select Belly Bar can significantly enhance usability, but you must confirm compatibility before purchasing.
Understanding these core aspects of a jogging stroller will ensure you choose a model that truly fits your active family’s needs. Once you have the perfect stroller, enhancing it with the right accessories is the next logical step.
While the Baby Jogger City Select Belly Bar is an excellent choice for an accessory, it’s always wise to see how full stroller systems stack up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
First Impressions: Sleek, Simple, and Purpose-Built
Unboxing the Baby Jogger City Select Belly Bar is an understated affair, which is exactly what you want from a simple accessory. There’s no frustrating assembly or confusing instruction manual with microscopic diagrams. It arrives as a single, solid piece, ready to go. The initial feel is one of quality. It has a reassuring heft without being heavy, and the smooth, matte black plastic perfectly matches the aesthetic of the City Select stroller frame. The centerpiece is the padded cover, made from a durable polyester fabric that feels both soft to the touch and resilient enough to withstand the inevitable onslaught of snacks and drool. Our first action was to test the push-button adjustment mechanism. The buttons on either side depress with a satisfying click, allowing the bar to pivot up and down smoothly into several locking positions. It feels well-engineered, not flimsy. Compared to some universal-fit accessories that rely on clumsy clamps or straps, this purpose-built design inspires immediate confidence. It’s clear this isn’t an afterthought; it’s an integrated component designed to seamlessly extend the stroller’s functionality.
Advantages
- Gives child a secure and comfortable place to hold on
- Installs and removes in seconds with a simple click-in system
- Cover is easily removable and machine washable for simple cleaning
- Adjustable angle allows for a customized fit for growing children
Limitations
- Does not feature a swing-open gate, requiring full removal for child entry/exit
- Compatibility can be confusing; it is specifically for the City Select seat but often purchased for other models
A Deep Dive into the Baby Jogger City Select Belly Bar’s Performance
An accessory as simple as a belly bar lives or dies by its daily usability. It’s not about flashy tech; it’s about how well it solves its core problem and integrates into the parent and child’s routine. We spent weeks with the Baby Jogger City Select Belly Bar, evaluating it through the lens of installation, child comfort, parent convenience, and long-term durability.
Installation and Compatibility: A Perfect Fit or a Frustrating Puzzle?
For its intended stroller, the Baby Jogger City Select, the installation is a dream. It’s a ten-second job, if that. You simply line up the connectors on the bar with the accessory ports on the stroller seat frame and push until you hear two audible, reassuring clicks. That’s it. It’s locked in, secure, and feels like part of the original stroller. Removal is just as easy: press the release buttons on each side and lift it out. This simplicity is a major strength. There are no tools, no clamps to tighten, and no guesswork. The fit is precise and wobble-free.
However, the biggest point of friction with this product isn’t its performance but its compatibility. As we found in our research, and as confirmed by a multitude of user reviews, there is widespread confusion about which Baby Jogger models this bar fits. The product is named and designed specifically for the City Select stroller seat. Despite this, many purchase it for the City Tour, City Mini, City Elite, or other models, leading to frustration. We saw numerous reports from users who received the wrong item or bought it for an incompatible stroller. That said, we also found a surprising number of users who successfully fitted this exact bar onto older or different models. One user noted it was a “perfect fit” for their 2012 Citi Mini Double Jogger, and another for their 2010 City Elite Double. This suggests that the accessory port design may be shared across some models and years. Our expert advice is unequivocal: this bar is a guaranteed fit only for the City Select. If you plan to purchase it for a different model, you are taking a gamble. We strongly recommend measuring your stroller’s accessory ports or consulting user forums dedicated to your specific model before buying to avoid the hassle of a return.
In-Use Experience: A Tale of Two Users (Child vs. Parent)
From the child’s perspective, the Baby Jogger City Select Belly Bar is an unqualified success. The moment we clicked it into place, our toddler’s entire posture and demeanor in the stroller changed. He immediately grabbed onto it, using it to sit up straighter and survey his surroundings with a newfound sense of command. This sentiment was echoed perfectly by one user who said, “You could tell before we got it he wanted to hold on but didn’t know where.” The bar provides that crucial anchor point. It becomes a dashboard, a handle, and a play station. We found it perfect for attaching stroller toys, giving him something to interact with on longer walks. The padded, soft-touch cover is comfortable for little hands, and its adjustable angle means you can position it perfectly whether the child is sitting upright or slightly reclined. It undeniably makes the stroller a more functional and engaging space for a child.
From the parent’s perspective, however, there is a single, glaring design flaw that holds this product back from perfection: it does not swing open. To get a child in or out of the stroller, you must either awkwardly slide them under the bar (which is only feasible with smaller babies) or remove the bar entirely. For an older, more independent toddler who wants to climb in and out themselves, this is a major hassle. One user who frequents theme parks rightly called this a “pain,” stating, “Most strollers, the bar or tray is built so that you can unlatch one side and open it… This one, however, does not.” We found ourselves taking the bar completely off and placing it in the stroller basket every time we stopped at the playground or a cafe. This repetitive action negates some of the convenience and, for a premium-priced accessory, feels like a significant oversight in the design. It’s a trade-off: you gain immense child comfort at the cost of some parent convenience.
Build Quality and Maintenance: Designed for the Messiness of Real Life
Baby Jogger has a reputation for robust construction, and the Baby Jogger City Select Belly Bar is no exception. The core is made of a high-quality, durable plastic that feels solid and secure once attached. We noticed one user’s comment that the bar is “flexible” rather than rigid. We tested this and found it has a slight give under pressure, which we believe is an intentional design choice. A completely rigid bar could be more jarring in a sudden stop, whereas a bit of flex can help absorb minor impacts, enhancing safety. It’s certainly not flimsy, and at no point did we feel it was structurally compromised.
The standout feature in this category is, without question, the machine-washable cover. Any parent knows that any surface within a toddler’s reach will eventually be covered in a mysterious, sticky film. The ability to simply unzip the polyester cover, toss it in the washing machine, and have it come out looking brand new is not just a convenience; it’s a necessity. The fabric held up perfectly to multiple wash cycles in our testing, with no fading or fraying. This commitment to easy maintenance demonstrates a deep understanding of the product’s real-world use. This simple feature ensures the belly bar can look clean and hygienic for years, protecting the value of your investment and making it a feature that really sets it apart from non-washable alternatives.
What Other Users Are Saying
Synthesizing feedback from dozens of users, a clear picture emerges. The vast majority of positive reviews center on the child’s reaction. Parents consistently report that their children love having the Baby Jogger City Select Belly Bar. Comments like, “My son really enjoys holding onto it” and “This allows my daughter to sit up while in her stroller” are ubiquitous. It’s widely seen as a product that transforms the stroller experience for the child, making them feel more secure and engaged. The ease of installation on the *correct* stroller model is also frequently praised as a key benefit.
On the other hand, the negative feedback is just as consistent and focuses on two key issues. The most prominent complaint, by a wide margin, is the lack of a swing-away feature. One user summed up the general frustration perfectly: “if your kid wants to get out of the stroller, you have to take it off, or they have to slide under it.” This is a deal-breaker for some, especially parents of older toddlers. The second major source of frustration is the rampant confusion over compatibility, with numerous users expressing disappointment after ordering the bar for an incompatible stroller model, a problem not helped by fulfillment errors from various online retailers.
How Does the Baby Jogger City Select Belly Bar Compare to Alternatives?
The Baby Jogger City Select Belly Bar is a specialized accessory for an existing stroller system. However, if you’re in the market for a complete jogging stroller, perhaps one that includes a child tray or bar as standard, it’s worth looking at the top competitors in the category. This provides context for what a full, integrated system offers.
1. Chicco TRE Jogging Stroller
The Chicco TRE is a full-featured jogging stroller that competes at a premium level. Unlike the City Select, which is a modular stroller that can be adapted for jogging, the TRE is a purpose-built jogger. Its standout feature is the hand-operated deceleration brake and parking brake on the handlebar, offering superior control during runs and on hills. It comes with a parent console but not a child bar or tray as standard, which remains an optional accessory. For parents who are serious runners and prioritize top-tier braking and control, the Chicco TRE is a formidable option, though they will still need to purchase a child-facing accessory separately, much like with the Baby Jogger.
2. BOB Gear Rambler Jogging Stroller
BOB Gear is arguably the most recognized name in jogging strollers, and the Rambler is their more compact and accessible model. It delivers the legendary mountain bike-style suspension system that BOB is famous for, providing an exceptionally smooth ride for the child. The Rambler is lighter and has a smaller footprint than many of its competitors, making it a great choice for parents who want jogging performance without a massive frame. Like the others, a child snack tray/belly bar is sold separately. A family might choose the BOB Rambler for its best-in-class suspension and brand reputation, especially if a plush ride for the child is the absolute top priority.
3. Graco Modes Jogger 2.0 Stroller
The Graco Modes Jogger 2.0 offers a different value proposition. It’s a complete travel system that aims to be a one-stop solution from infancy through the toddler years. Crucially, it comes standard with both a parent tray and a child’s tray that pivots for easy entry and exit—addressing the single biggest complaint about the Baby Jogger accessory. While its jogging performance and suspension may not be as refined as the Chicco or BOB, its all-in-one convenience and included features provide tremendous value. Parents on a budget or those who want a single stroller that does it all (including having a swing-open tray) without needing to buy extra accessories would find the Graco Modes Jogger 2.0 a very compelling alternative.
The Final Verdict: A Worthy Investment with One Major Caveat
After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the Baby Jogger City Select Belly Bar is a transformative accessory that significantly improves a child’s comfort, security, and engagement during stroller rides. For the child, it is an absolute win, turning a passive seat into an active cockpit. The build quality is excellent, the design is sleek and integrated, and the machine-washable cover is a brilliant, parent-friendly feature. It solves the “restless toddler” problem beautifully and is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make to your City Select stroller.
However, the recommendation comes with one significant condition. You must be willing to live with the lack of a swing-open gate. The need to completely remove the bar for your child to get in and out is a repetitive inconvenience that detracts from an otherwise stellar product. If you have a younger baby or if the extra two seconds to remove the bar doesn’t bother you, then the benefits far outweigh this drawback. But if you have a fiercely independent toddler, this could become a daily frustration. If you can accept that one flaw, we wholeheartedly recommend this product as a must-have upgrade for your City Select.
Ready to give your child a more comfortable and engaging ride? You can check the latest price and availability for the Baby Jogger City Select Belly Bar today.
