Baby Trend Expedition Race Tec Review

For more than twenty-six years, Baby Trend has been making gear for kids. The company creates wallet-loving products for families. The first sit-and-stand stroller and the Snap-N-Go stroller were first developed by Baby Trend. They make lots of products from diaper pails and infant car seats to high chairs and strollers.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Use

The Race Tec is easier to use than the other Baby Trend we tested, but it is still only about average overall.

Fold and Unfold

The Race Tec requires two hands to fold with finger-hole releases on either side of the stroller frame. It is relatively easy to fold with a pull handle that folds it in half where it then self-stands. It is an awkward final product. The snack tray sticks out, and the whole thing can be made smaller by removing the tray and the back wheels.

Storage

The under-seat storage basket is a good size, and the access is great. However, it has a maximum allowable weight of only 5 lbs, which feels insufficient.

A basic diaper bag is likely to weigh more, and while many parents will overpack the basket, it will likely impact the longevity of the bin to be overweight.

The parent tray is a step up from the regular Expedition with two deeper (somewhat) bottle holders and a smartphone clip holder, so your phone size doesn't matter.

The groove/clip is a tight fit, and we had concerns about it cracking screens, so users should beware.

The child's tray has dual cup holders and a center snack section. The cup holders are shallow, and we worry that taller bottles will fall out and smaller sippy cups will be too wide to fit inside. You can fit six more pounds on the stroller between the parent console and the child tray, but neither is realistically holding anything other than bottles.

Harness

The Race Tec harness consists of rougher webbing, shoulder-padded sleeves, and a convoluted strap system that requires unclipping the shoulder straps to readjust the strap height. We worry parents will use the harness as a 3-point variation instead of a 5-point, as intended.

Brakes

The Race Tec has double-action brakes, a commonality of cheaper strollers. They are easy to use and work well, but you must press both pedals to engage the brakes. We worry that parents will do one and think it is “good enough.” You release the brake by lifting it from the underside. We also have concerns because you can think you've set the brakes when they appear to “click” into place, but with a good wiggle, the stroller broke free because the brakes weren't fully in place. Extra care should be taken to double-check the brakes.

Car Seat Compatibility

The Race Tec is compatible with Baby Trend infant car seats.

Ease of Setup

Assembly of the Race Tec is easy enough, even if the directions are somewhat confusing because it has instructions for parts that come pre-assembled. We did not need any tools to put the pieces together, even though the manual says you will. You also need a bike pump to inflate the tires before use. This is something we suspect not all families will have on hand.

Maneuverability

The larger wheels and rubber tires give the Race Tec a leg up on the smaller, plastic-wheeled competition, earning a higher score for maneuverability.

The front wheel is a good size and swivels unless you lock it in place for running or uneven terrain.

It rolls easily and turns well. The rear axle is wider than the other Expedition, and it feels less tippy when making tight turns. Moving over thresholds and cords was no big deal.

Moving off-road and flat surfaces onto grass or gravel is no big deal. The larger wheels and pneumatic tires let it move over almost any surface without a hiccup. This makes it a better option for those adventuring off the beaten path than a traditional stroller with foam-filled plastic wheels.

Moving up and over curbs is easy, too. Pushing down or lifting gup is well-balanced, but the lack of an adjustable handlebar might make things a bit harder for shorter pushers.

Transporting and Storing

None of the jogging-style strollers are lightweight or small, and the Race Tec is similar, with a measured weight of 28.13 lbs.

There are higher-ranking joggers that are lighter, but for the most part, they are heavier than this option.

This jogger self-stands, but it is still bulky and an awkward folded product. It measures 14,308 cubic inches when folded, which is significant, but it isn't near the biggest option, which is closer to 10,000 cubic inches bigger. However, if size is an issue, smaller folded strollers are available.

Quality

The Race Tec is not a high-quality option, but it is nicer than the Expedition we tested. It earned one of the lowest scores in the quality metric. The fabric is not fantastic with the majority of it feeling like an industrial backpack you carried in junior high. The fabric on the sides of the seat is somewhat better and is a ripstop material also used on the shoulder strap sleeves. The peek-a-boo window is loose mesh, and the storage bin is a combination of canvas and mesh.

The wheels are like a cheap bicycle spoke wheel with rubber tires; they measure about 12 1/2 in the front and 16 inches in the back. They are somewhat nicer than the other Expedition with tube stems that are easier to access and use. The frame is rigid and doesn't flex much, but it has many exposed fasteners and hinges. It is somewhat nicer than the cheaper Expedition, but it isn't anything to crow about. The overall fit and finish are below average, but for the price, it seems good enough.

Kid's Comfort

The kid comfort on the Race Tec is somewhat better than the regular Expedition, with a complete leg rest from seat to footrest and a little more padding in the sling-style seat. The leg rest is padded and wide but not adjustable.

However, it isn't the best in the group and we think there is room for improvement.

The seat back has an infinite position recline deep enough for napping. The recline requires one hand to recline and two to bring back up. It functions well but is dated, and other seats have better options.

The canopy here is bigger than the original Expedition but isn't a brag-worthy addition compared to higher-ranking options. It covers enough for overhead exposure and has a fabric visor.

Should You Buy the Baby Trend Expedition Race Tec?

If your budget is limited, have no fear; the Baby Trend is here. This 3-wheel jogger is a great value for the price. With pneumatic tires, a comfy seat, and easy maneuverability, it could be the perfect solution for some families with smaller budgets, especially if your goals include moving off flat surfaces or with quickness. While it is not the best solution for all, like those who are serious runners, have growing families, or have a bigger budget, it could be the right choice for many who might stroll infrequently or need to stick to a tight budget.

What Other Full-Size Strollers Should You Consider?

If you spend more money, then you might want to. If your goal is to run frequently or take every day strolls, then the Race Tec might not cut the mustard as well as a higher ranking option. The Thule Urban Glide 2 is a standout jogger with features that make it a great choice for an everyday stroller. This option can move over almost anything, has a quick and easy folding mechanism, and is comfy for parents and kids. If you want a more traditional full-size option, the Evenflo Pivot Xpand is a potential choice that can expand with growing families and has more traditional features, though it is not good at moving off the beaten path.

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