Delta Children Apollo Jogging Stroller Review: The Affordable All-Terrain Champion?

I remember the moment vividly. The sun was just starting to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. It was perfect jogging weather. My little one was strapped into our standard, four-wheel “mall stroller,” and I was determined to get in a quick three-mile run on the park trail. Ten minutes in, we were both miserable. Every crack in the pavement felt like a jolt, every patch of grass a quagmire. The small, hard plastic wheels were no match for the varied terrain. My son was fussy and uncomfortable, and I was frustrated, my rhythm broken with every jarring bump. That’s the untold story for many active parents: the desire to maintain a healthy lifestyle clashing with the limitations of conventional baby gear. You need a stroller that doesn’t just transport your child, but joins you on the adventure, whether that’s a gravel path, a hilly park, or just a cracked city sidewalk. The search for a true jogging stroller isn’t about luxury; it’s about reclaiming a piece of your pre-parent identity without compromising your child’s comfort and safety.

What to Consider Before Buying a Jogging Stroller

A Jogger Baby Stroller is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for active parents who refuse to be sidelined. Unlike traditional strollers, these are purpose-built machines designed for stability at speed and performance on uneven surfaces. Their core benefit lies in their three-wheel design, large, air-filled (or puncture-proof foam) tires, and sophisticated suspension systems. This combination smooths out bumps, providing a safe and comfortable ride for your little passenger while allowing you to walk, jog, or run without the constant, jarring feedback that plagues standard strollers. It’s an investment in freedom—the freedom to explore trails, parks, and beaches, and to seamlessly integrate your fitness routine into your daily life with your child.

The ideal customer for this type of product is a parent, grandparent, or guardian who loves the outdoors and wants to stay active. You might live on a gravel road, frequent local parks with mixed terrain, or simply want a single, robust stroller that can handle anything from a grocery run to a 5k. However, a dedicated jogging stroller might not be the best fit for everyone. If your life is primarily urban, involving tight spaces, narrow store aisles, and frequent use of public transport, a more compact, lightweight travel stroller might be a better choice. Similarly, if you rarely venture off smooth pavement and prioritize a featherlight, one-handed fold above all else, the added bulk and weight of a jogger could be overkill. It’s about matching the equipment to your lifestyle.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Jogging strollers are inherently larger than their standard counterparts, both when open and folded. Measure your trunk space and key doorways in your home. The Delta Children Apollo Jogging Stroller boasts a surprisingly compact fold for its class, but it’s still essential to ensure it fits your life. Consider the folded dimensions (18.5”L x 15.5”W x 31.5”H) and compare them to your available storage.
• Performance & Wheels: This is the heart of a jogging stroller. Look for large rear wheels (16 inches is a great standard) and a slightly smaller front wheel (12 inches) for a good balance of stability and maneuverability. Crucially, the front wheel must have a locking mechanism. You want it to swivel for walks and lock straight for jogging to prevent wobbling and ensure safety. The Apollo’s shock-absorbing frame is a premium feature that makes a huge difference in ride quality.
• Materials & Durability: The frame should be sturdy yet reasonably lightweight, typically aluminum. The fabrics should be durable, water-resistant, and easy to clean—spills and dirt are inevitable. The Delta Children Apollo uses high-quality, sleek black fabric that not only looks premium but, as we found and users confirmed, is easy to wipe down.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: How simple is the fold? Can you do it with one hand? How accessible is the storage basket? Also, consider long-term care. While the Apollo features puncture-proof wheels, many joggers use air-filled tires which offer a superior ride but require occasional pumping and potential inner tube repairs, a point some users have noted as a trade-off for performance.

While the Delta Children Apollo Jogging Stroller is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks 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: Premium Feel Without the Premium Price Tag

Unboxing the Delta Children Apollo Jogging Stroller was a refreshingly simple affair. In a world of products that require engineering degrees to assemble, this was a breath of fresh air. As many users noted, assembly took literal minutes—all we had to do was click the two large rear wheels into place and it was ready to roll. The initial feel is one of substance and quality that frankly belies its affordable price point. The all-black frame and fabric give it a sleek, modern, and high-end aesthetic. The foam handlebar feels comfortable and substantial in hand, and the frame itself exhibits very little flex or rattle. The fabrics are thick and feel durable, and the massive, extendable canopy clicks into place with a satisfying sound. From the moment we unboxed it, we could tell this was a well-thought-out product designed for real-world use, immediately giving us confidence in its ability to perform.

Performance Deep Dive: Putting the Delta Children Apollo to the Test

A stroller can look great standing still, but its true worth is measured in miles. We put the Delta Children Apollo Jogging Stroller through its paces over several weeks, covering everything from smooth pavement and grocery store aisles to rugged park trails and bumpy gravel roads. Our goal was to understand not just if it could jog, but how it integrated into the complex, messy, and wonderful life of an active family. The results were, in a word, impressive.

The All-Terrain ‘Cadillac’ Ride: Suspension and Wheels in Action

The single most important feature of a jogging stroller is the ride quality, and this is where the Apollo truly shines. The combination of a shock-absorbing frame and large wheels (12-inch front, 16-inch rear) creates an astonishingly smooth experience. We purposefully aimed for cracked sidewalks and uneven grassy fields that would have stopped our old stroller dead in its tracks. The Apollo glided over them with ease. One user perfectly described the ride as being “like a Cadillac,” and we couldn’t agree more. The suspension system visibly works, absorbing the jolts before they reach the passenger, allowing our little one to nap peacefully even as we navigated rough patches. On a long gravel road, a surface notorious for creating a terrible, bumpy ride, we were able to maintain a brisk walking pace and even a light jog with minimal vibration. Another user who lives on a gravel road confirmed this, stating, “The shocks and air tires on this stroller kick butt! Now we have done a few walks and some test jogging on gravel with no issues!!”

For jogging, locking the front wheel is non-negotiable for safety, and the mechanism on the Apollo is simple and secure. Once locked, the stroller tracks straight and true, feeling stable and predictable at speed. The large rear wheels provide excellent momentum, making it feel easier to push than its 33-pound weight would suggest. The puncture-proof nature of the wheels is a fantastic convenience, eliminating the fear of a flat tire miles from home. While some running purists might argue that traditional air-filled tires offer slightly better cushioning, we found the performance of these high-quality foam wheels, combined with the frame’s suspension, to be more than adequate for even the most demanding terrain. It’s a quality you can feel on every run, and you can see its full specifications and details online.

Parent and Child Comfort: Thoughtful Design for the Long Haul

Delta Children clearly understands that a jogging stroller is also an everyday stroller. The comfort and convenience features packed into the Apollo make it a joy to use, whether you’re running a marathon or just running errands. For the child, the multi-position reclining seat is a game-changer. It goes to a near-flat position, which is fantastic for on-the-go naps. We saw this praised repeatedly, with one parent noting how perfect the full recline was for their son to nap comfortably during a long day at Disney. The five-point harness is secure and easy to adjust, and the reflective piping is a thoughtful safety touch for dusk or dawn excursions. The massive, water-resistant UPF 50+ canopy extends remarkably far, providing excellent protection from sun and light rain. It creates a cozy little cocoon for a sleeping baby.

For the parent, the included organizer is a huge win. The two deep cup holders securely fit everything from a standard water bottle to a large Hydro Flask, and the central compartment is perfect for a phone and keys. Below, the extra-large storage basket is easily accessible and cavernous enough for a diaper bag, jackets, and shopping. We did note, as a few users did, that the child’s swing-out tray sits quite high. For our 10-month-old, it was right in their line of sight. However, the tray is so easy to remove completely that this became a non-issue; we simply popped it off for runs and put it back on for snack time. The only minor annoyance we shared with another reviewer was the peek-a-boo window flap—it’s secured by Velcro and lacks a magnet or toggle to keep it rolled up, so it tends to flap closed. It’s a small quibble in an otherwise brilliantly designed system of features that make it a joy to use daily.

Practicality for the Real World: Folding, Storage, and Travel

The downfall of many high-performance jogging strollers is their sheer size and cumbersome nature. They can be monstrous to fold and impossible to fit in a smaller vehicle. The Delta Children Apollo Jogging Stroller manages to strike an excellent balance between robust performance and everyday practicality. The folding mechanism is intuitive and relatively easy to execute. It collapses into a surprisingly compact and self-contained package. At a folded size of 18.5”L x 15.5”W x 31.5”H, it’s far from a tiny travel stroller, but it’s remarkably manageable for a full-featured jogger.

We tested it in the trunk of both a compact SUV and a standard sedan, and it fit comfortably in both. As one user with a sedan and SUV confirmed, “The stroller folds down really compact… it fits in both.” For those with even tighter space constraints, the rear wheels pop off with the press of a button, slimming its profile even further. At 33 pounds, it has some heft—that’s part of what makes it so stable—but we found it manageable to lift in and out of the car. Its travel-readiness was validated by a parent who took it to Disney, praising how easy it was to fold for trams and buses. This isn’t just a stroller you use around your neighborhood; it’s a capable companion for bigger adventures, making it a surprisingly practical choice for families on the go.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the sentiment from other parents is overwhelmingly positive, often centering on the incredible value the Delta Children Apollo Jogging Stroller provides. Many, like one user who has owned “7th or 8th” strollers, declare it their “absolute favorite,” citing its easy maneuverability and comfortable ride. The phrase “rides like a dream” or “smooth like a Cadillac” appears frequently, confirming our own findings on its superb suspension. One parent, initially skeptical of the glowing reviews, thinking they might be “bots,” ultimately “couldn’t be happier with the price I paid,” highlighting the stroller’s roominess, breathability, and ease of collapse.

However, the feedback isn’t without its critiques, which provides a balanced view. The most common complaint, though relatively minor, regards the tires. One user who gave the stroller 3 stars noted that after a few months, they had to patch the inner tubes and now have to “constantly air up the tires before taking it out for a jog.” This suggests that while the tires are robust, they may not be entirely immune to the maintenance needs of pneumatic-style wheels. Other minor points of contention we also observed include the high placement of the child’s tray and the Velcro-only flap on the peek-a-boo window, which can be “annoying.” These points, while valid, seem to be minor trade-offs for what most consider an unbeatable combination of price and performance.

How Does the Delta Children Apollo Jogging Stroller Compare to the Competition?

The jogging stroller market is competitive, with options ranging from budget-friendly models to premium powerhouses. The Delta Children Apollo carves out a unique space by offering high-end features at an accessible price. Here’s how it stacks up against three popular alternatives.

1. Delta Children Jeep Classic Jogging Stroller

As a sibling product from the same parent company, the Jeep Classic Jogging Stroller shares a similar DNA with the Apollo, focusing on a smooth ride and car seat compatibility. The Jeep-branded stroller often appeals to those looking for a slightly more rugged aesthetic. Both offer a comparable experience in terms of ride quality and core features like a parent tray and large storage basket. The primary choice between the Apollo and the Jeep Classic will likely come down to aesthetics, brand preference, and minor differences in the design of the canopy or folding mechanism. If you appreciate the quality and value offered by Delta Children but prefer the iconic Jeep styling, this is an excellent alternative to consider.

2. Baby Jogger City Tour 2 Travel Stroller

It’s crucial to understand that this is an apples-to-oranges comparison. The Baby Jogger City Tour 2 is a specialized travel stroller, not a jogging stroller. Its strengths are its incredibly compact, airline carry-on approved fold and its featherlight weight. It’s the perfect choice for families who travel frequently or navigate tight urban spaces where every inch matters. However, its small wheels and lack of suspension make it entirely unsuitable for jogging or even consistently rough terrain. A parent should choose the City Tour 2 if their absolute top priority is portability and travel. The Apollo is the choice for parents who need true all-terrain and jogging performance, even if it means a larger overall package.

3. Graco Modes Jogger 2.0 Jogging Stroller

The Graco Modes Jogger 2.0 is a direct and formidable competitor to the Apollo. Coming from another major, trusted brand, it also features air-filled rubber tires, a one-handed fold, and ample storage. The key differentiator for the Graco is its “Modes” system, which allows the toddler seat to be reversible or even be removed entirely to create a lightweight infant car seat carrier. This added modularity may appeal to parents who want more seating configurations and are already invested in the Graco Click Connect car seat ecosystem. The Apollo, in contrast, offers a more straightforward, streamlined jogging experience. The choice here comes down to whether you prioritize the versatility of Graco’s seating options or the sleek design and exceptional out-of-the-box ride quality of the Apollo.

Our Final Verdict: Is the Delta Children Apollo Jogging Stroller Worth It?

After extensive testing and poring over real-world feedback, our conclusion is clear: the Delta Children Apollo Jogging Stroller is an absolute standout in its category. It masterfully delivers on the core promises of a high-performance jogging stroller—a supremely smooth ride, unwavering stability, and excellent child comfort—without the intimidating price tag of its premium competitors. The thoughtful details, from the simple assembly and generous storage to the surprisingly compact fold, elevate it from just a “jogger” to a fantastic all-around, do-anything stroller.

While it has a few minor quirks, like the high child tray and the Velcro window flap, these are easily overshadowed by its immense value and stellar performance. We recommend it without hesitation to any active parent who wants one reliable, stylish, and incredibly capable stroller to handle everything from daily errands to weekend adventures on the trail. If you’re looking for a high-performance jogger that delivers an experience far beyond its price point, we wholeheartedly recommend you check out the Delta Children Apollo Jogging Stroller today.