THEY SHOULD RENAME THIS STROLLER to something like a "sport stroller", since it is for much more than jogging. I wonder if some people don't try it because they think, "I'm no athlete. Why do I need this?" The InStep ZII Double (Ultra model, in this case) can go just about anywhere (except between clothing racks at jam-packed department stores or through turnstiles -- not that I've tried that last one, but I can just imagine!).

Before the birth of our second child I began researching double strollers and figured we'd need a "regular" tandem stroller for the mall and for use around town and on trips. Of course, for walks and flea-marketing (a favorite pastime of our family), I wanted a jogging stroller, too, for the smoother ride over rough terrain and curbs. Now, I have both and I'm ready to sell my regular tandem stroller!

We purchased the InStep 10K Ultra (same as the ZII Double but made of aluminum and blue in color instead of green) on-line at GEAR4U.com for a lower price than any regular merchandiser and for just $12 more than the regular ZII Double (IF you are buying on-line). The difference in weight is worth the few extra dollars, especially if you're like me, having to haul the stroller inside or to the car every day for various reasons. We use it a lot!

**The lowest price we found for the ZII Double in a store (Baby Depot at Burlington Coat Factory) was $179 plus tax. The lowest price on the 10K Ultra was $199 plus tax. At Babystrollers.com the ZII Double is $156 plus shipping ($18) and at Gear4U.com the 10k Ultra is $168 plus shipping ($23). Basically, by purchasing it on-line, we saved $30 over the regular store price and had it delivered to our door via UPS within 4 days. E-mail to/from Gear4U is FAST and informative. InStep.org offers extras for any of their products, including bug screens, weather shields, under-carriage baskets, etc. for a better price than any other on-line merchants.

We bought our Graco DuoGlider first, since we knew it was the best of its kind and the only double tandem stroller available at our Toys R Us. It was $150 and drove like a dream. It goes over rocks and bumps without pitching all over the place, but for getting up over curbs and on rough terrain it is useless. Pushing down on the handle to lever a 35-lb. toddler into the air in order to jump a curb is a work-out in itself and after a few curbs, you'll curtail your travels! I took one walk through our town with this stroller and will never try it again. It isn't enjoyable in the least!

I searched on-line for the InStep brand strollers, knowing their prices are better than others (most other makers run about $300 or more for similar products). I found a few "sales" on the ZII Double at $179 with no shipping around the holidays, but I waited too long and missed those. I'm glad of that, since I stepped up to the 10K Ultra model for a bit less ($168) even with shipping! ($18). Now that I've pounded the price at Gear4U.com into the ground, let me get onto the features of this product.

Some assembly is required, but you don't need to be a power tool wizard or an engineer to put it together. I did it with my 2-1/2 year old in the room and didn't even get frustrated when she tried to help and talked endlessly about taking a stroller ride . . . not a small feat, if you have a child of that age. The main body of the stroller comes intact and all you have to do is slip on the back wheels (LITERALLY, slip them on) and do a bit more work to secure the front wheel and engage the workability of the caliper brake. You'll need a screwdriver to attach the foot rest to the frame, but that's about it! The wheels offer a quick-release feature that makes toting the stroller in the car a breeze. Once collapsed, the stroller lies amazingly flat, and if you remove the wheels and stash them nearby, you can pack quite a bit into a station wagon or mini van, allowing your stroller to perch on top of everything else like a canvas cover. Not bad at all! The light weight of the 10K Ultra allows you to do this without much effort. The only drawback to lugging the stroller around is that it doesn't lock in the collapsed position, but I haven't had it pop open because it can't without your help. If you leave the wheels on the stroller when it's folded, it will stand on the three wheels like a tripod, and if your vehicle allows, you can let it stand up like that and still store your other gear. JUST BE SURE TO ENGAGE THE BACK BRAKES or your stroller will run away from you.

The mechanisms that keep the stroller open are easy and quick, once you get a few tries in using them. I can fold and unfold this stroller in about the same time it takes to do so with the mammoth Graco tandem stroller we have, and I'm sure the stroller will stay open because of the insertion of pins in the locking mechanisms. I'm never sure about the "auto-locking" mechanisms on other types of strollers. Although "instant" is quick, "manual" is more sure!

I have used the jogging stroller since my son was 6 weeks old, and could have used it earlier, had I had the product at that time. In-Step offers pads for use with infants that attach to the safety harnesses, but we didn't purchase one. Our baby sleeps in his seat, which reclines almost fully to a horizontal position. The seat backs adjust to higher levels with the aid of adjustable straps behind them. You can raise them to any level you wish, rather than the one or two positions available on conventional strollers.
Your kids are as secure in this as they are in their car seats because of the 5-point harness system on each seat. A strap fits over each shoulder and slides onto the main belts at the waist, then through the canvas piece between the child's legs. As with a car seat, once you have the belts adjusted to your children, you just have to plunk them in and buckle up. You can leave out the shoulder harnesses if you wish, since their are no buckles attached to them to make imprints on your children if they should rest against them, but if you are a serious runner, I'd use the full harness. For us walkers, the shoulder pieces are a nice extra.

My children really like to ride in their stroller and we use it daily and sometimes several times during a day. My daughter can tuck a spill-proof cup and a few books or toys in beside her, plus there's a storage pouch on the back of each seat that will hold quite a bit. We've packed lunches and diapers, plus toys and other supplies and secured them with the locking drawstrings. You can't take an extended vacation with the storage space available, but you can get out for an afternoon!

The canopy that comes attached to the stroller is retractable and does a good job of shading children. There's a "skylight" in it that you can use to see your kids and they can look up to see you. It has a cover that secures with velcro, in case a small one is napping and the window allows in too much sun. My daughter always wants the canopy up because she gets the feel of being really cozy in her seat, like being in a little room as she rides along.
This stroller, with the larger bicycle style wheels (you will need a tire pump for this) offers a smooth, quiet ride. DO NOT let the stroller stand without the back wheel locks engaged -- your kids will roll away from you with little effort, even on seemingly flat ground.

I have told everyone who has two children about this product because it is so versatile. I've heard complaints that it doesn't steer easily -- it isn't as difficult as many people make it sound. With no turning wheels, how can someone expect to make a 180 degree turn with all wheels on the ground? You can't, but you can pivot the stroller in a much smaller turning radius than any other stroller by simply pushing down on the handle and turning with the back wheels on the ground only. Very quick, and very accurate -- almost too accurate, as this takes a bit of practice the first few times. Once you begin to move into a turn, you are already turned and ready to move forward. With a conventional stroller, you have to follow the front wheels around, making a longer turn. Be prepared for a quick 90 degree turn with this stroller.

I am ready to sell my Graco DuoGlider soon. It's a great stroller for the mall (fits through narrow spaces in stores) and it has a great, huge storage basket. It takes up too much space in the car, and just doesn't make a good "around town" stroller. Anyone having a second child should invest in an InStep Double Jogging Stroller. It will take you anywhere you want to go safely, smoothly and as fast as you can go!

Since purchasing and using this stroller for the past few months, we invested in the under-stroller basket that is available from InStep ($14.99 -- less than other on-line merchants). Their service is EXCELLENT. Within a day of placing my order, I received a call from an InStep representative who needed to verify my credit card number -- I had made an error while typing it in on-line. While correcting this, I asked him to send along a new locking mechanism for the seat-back bags as one of mine had cracked after a child stepped on it as the stroller lay folded on the sidewalk. Shipment of both the under-stroller basket and the locking mechanism for the seat bag were to take 7 - 10 business days. I had the package in my hands in TWO days, and without charge for the locking mechanism. I couldn't be more satisfied with the service.
For the past two weeks, a babysitter has had my InStep stroller at her house while she keeps my children in the mornings. She really enjoys taking them for walks in it because it glides so smoothly and runs over rocks, bumps, uneven sidewalks, etc. with ease. She is impressed that these movements don't even wake the baby. Since the stroller is lightweight and folds quickly, I can snap it shut and stow it in my trunk each afternoon so we can use it at home. My daughter can't imagine an evening without a "ST-OLLER RIDE, PWEASE!".

Also, as we strolled our favorite flea market this summer, many people stopped to ask where we purchased our stroller. They are not easy to find in stores, since most stores do not carry them. I have given the Gear4U.com information to everyone who asks. I wonder if they have stock?




Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 168
Age Range of Child: Other