UPPAbaby Ridge All Terrain Stroller: built with powerful performance in mind

If you're looking for a pushchair that can fit into your exercise routine, the UPPAbaby Ridge is an all-terrain running pushchair that's “built with powerful performance in mind”.

Our parent tester Ben has been using the Ridge to run with his one-year-old for the last month and about 50km over a variety of terrains. Ben and his partner have also been using it for the occasional walk into town, too.

Testing the UPPAbaby Ridge All Terrain Stroller

As Deputy Head of Digital on Motorcycle News, I’m more used to off-roading on two wheels (and more crucially, with an engine) but I’ve also been a runner on and off for 18 years. But when my daughter came along in late 2023, I started to find it difficult to fit in any exercise.

I thought a running buggy would be just the thing to let me get my jogging fix while also looking after the baby. I was keen to choose one that can cope with off-roading because sticking to the tarmac limits the routes I have to choose from and also gets boring quickly.

The Ridge combines intuitive simplicity with clever design and a tough finish that’s hard to find fault with. It’s a big outlay, especially if you already have a standard ‘transport solution’ set-up but I think it’s worth investing in a good product when it will take all-terrain abuse. The idea of getting stranded in the woods, miles from home with your baby because a wheel fell off your pushchair doesn’t bear thinking about!

Build

I’m very impressed by the build quality of the UPPAbaby Ridge which feels well-designed and beautifully made throughout. The main chassis is made from sturdy-feeling metal, which does mean the pushchair is quite heavy overall but that’s a price I’m willing to pay for durability.

I certainly notice this heft when lumping it around but it’s less obvious on the move because of the large wheels and tyres. When running into a headwind or uphill, the weight becomes more obvious again but it’s still perfectly manageable.

The big, chunky tyres are foam-filled so that you will never get a flat and they feel more like bicycle wheels than the sort of thing you get on a standard buggy which translates to smoother running over harsh terrain. I’ve tackled some seriously harsh tracks strewn with rocks and forest paths full of tree roots and – although the buggy bounced around quite a lot – my daughter slept through the lot. The suspension must work better for the occupant than the pusher because I was convinced she’d have felt some of the bigger hits.

Every button, switch and adjuster feels well-made and sturdy, including the single, twisting catch for collapsing (which can be done with one hand) and erecting the pushchair (which requires both hands).

When folded up, the pushchair freestands (as long as the handle is in the correct position) and this makes it a bit easier to store at the side of a room or a small cupboard but it’s still a pretty large unit overall – conspicuously so in small shops or cafés. It fits in the boot of our compact SUV (Seat Ateca) without removing the wheels but you’d need to think about clearing space in a smaller car to squeeze it in, I think.

Basket underneath is large and fastens shut with a combination of zips and an elasticated loop closure, which means nothing will shake loose over harsh terrain. This will easily accommodate the rain cover plus plenty of other stuff. I’ve had a nappy bag, large hoodie and jogging bottoms in there no problem and we often carry bits of shopping in there, too.

You also get a small zipped pocket on the hood that’s ideal for your keys and smartphone rather than carrying them in a pocket and a water bottle carrier is included that clips to the side of the frame. UPPAbaby have a range of other optional accessories you can purchase separately if you like.

Usability

The front wheel of the Ridge is a swivel that makes it incredibly easy to steer in walking mode and can be locked for running. This leaves just enough movement for gradual steering at pace but holds your line nice and steady. If you need to get around a tight turn in running mode then you just tilt the pushchair onto its back wheels. I’ve found the steering very easy to get used to even running with one hand on the handlebar.

I’m very keen on the backrest adjustment (from sitting to laying down and vice versa) which is controlled via a simple clasp and strap arrangement which is intuitive and quick to use but also infinitely adjustable rather than having a few locked-in positions.

As I’ve already mentioned, the UPPAbaby seems to roll over pretty much anything you throw at it. I started off sticking to the local pavements and cycle paths and then gradually upped the ante on the off-road sections I tried and now, 50km in, there’s not much I wouldn’t try.

From a running perspective, you need to be realistic about what pushing an additional 13kg (plus the weight of your baby and whatever else you’re carrying) will do to your pace, technique and fatigue. I run with my right hand on the handlebar, meaning I am only swinging my left and that’s quite a big adaptation, too. Your splits will be slower and you won’t be able to run as far so start off slow and short and build up. I jumped up to an 11km route too quickly and ended up with a sore knee due to my body not having adjusted to the altered technique.

Performance

The twin disc brakes are powerful to the point of overkill (in my native Norfolk at least) and you have to be quite progressive with the lever to prevent the wheels from locking. You also get a lanyard that goes around your wrist for in case you lose control on a slope.

The five-point harness is simple to clip up and has an intuitive pull adjuster on each shoulder to make sure your precious cargo is held firmly in place (particularly reassuring on bumpy terrain).

The handlebar is adjustable in several positions and can accommodate a large range of pusher heights. At just shy of 6ft, I still don’t use the highest setting and my 5ft and half an inch partner can use it comfortably in a lower setting, too.

The foot brake uses the same twin discs as the hand lever but operated by a simple green for go, red for stop pedal arrangement. It’s actually nice not having to hook your toe underneath a pedal to take the brake off – far from a deal breaker, but an improvement nonetheless.

Final verdict

The UPPAbaby Ridge is a quality pushchair that’s given me the freedom I need to fit exercise into a busy work and home life. I love the way it handles choppy terrain, giving me route flexibility and variation to keep things interesting.

There are quite a few running pushchairs on the market at or around the £150 mark, then a big jump to models like the Ridge from £600 and beyond. At £700, I’m not going to try and tell you that the UPPAbaby is a cheap option but I can say that the quality of the design and the build is palpable.

I’d be sceptical about the very bottom of the market for the rough, off-road routes I favour, but that’s not much help if you simply don’t have the budget. But if you can afford it, you certainly won’t be disappointed by the Ridge, it’s a extremely good quality and really easy to use.

Samantha Ball is a Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby, having written for the brand since 2018. She's a mum of two aged seven and three, and is currently expecting her third. She loves searching for the best and current trending products for little ones. She loves to bake, but spends most of her free time between football and ballet classes.