REASONS TO BUY
Easy to install without the base
Easy to use
REASONS TO AVOID
Crash test HIC results
Quality/comfort
Baby Jogger City GO Review
An easy to use seat that is generally average
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Skinny
The Baby Jogger City Go scored below average in our tests. The City Go earned a good score for ease of installation using the carrier without the base and it also performed well in our tests for ease of use. We like that this seat offers a color-coded European belt path for a quick install and we think the features make it easy for parents to use on the go. However, overall, it disappointed in many tests by being largely average and offering little to choose it over its less expensive counterparts. This seat is on the heavier side making it a poor option for urban dwellers, and the lower installation scores give us pause that it could potentially be installed incorrectly. While there isn't anything to hate about this seat, we think parents can find better options elsewhere with more impressive crash test results and easier forms of installation across the board.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Baby Jogger originated in 1984 by fathers who wanted to jog with their toddlers. To solve their jogging dilemma, these savvy parents invented the first real jogging stroller. From that point on, Baby Jogger created multiple types of strollers, the majority of which you cannot jog with despite the company name, and several car seats. In 2015, Baby Jogger was acquired by Newell Rubbermaid, and they continue to create popular strollers and car seats.
Performance Comparison
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Crash Test
In our evaluation of the crash test results, the Baby Jogger Go earned an average score indicating a possible slight margin of protection over much of the competition with results for G-force chest clip being higher than the majority of seats and the HIC score being lower than most.
The Baby Jogger City Go has the standard shell and dense foam design of the majority of the competition. The Go claims side impact testing that ensures baby stays retained in the harness and does not make claims of any other benefit to the testing or features found on the seat.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The following charts show the Baby Jogger City Go test results (in black) compared to the car seats that have the best crash test scores for both the head and chest sensors (in green). The Cybex Aton 2 earned the highest test results for the chest sensor (44 where 60 is the max, and lower numbers are better), and the GO was only slightly worse in chest forces with a 46, and well under the Federal safety standard of 60.
Credit: MGA Research, BabyGearLab
Credit: MGA Research, BabyGearLab
For the head sensor (HIC), the Go performed below the average with one of the highest (most forces) test results.
Baby Jogger advertises the City Go as side impacted tested, something many parents might be keen to learn. However, the details of this testing are related to harness retention in an accident; it does not indicate that the seat is safer than any other product in the event of a side-impact collision. Currently, there are no set standards or even agreed-upon definitions for side impact protection claims. We believe claiming side impact protection that only demonstrates harness retention of the child is not what most parents think side-impact tested means. In our minds, it is a type of "safety-washing" and an attempt to sway parents with misleading information. To Baby Jogger's credit, they have at least defined what their testing means instead of making you search for details concerning their side-impact statements.
The City Go uses push button LATCH anchors that are easy to insert, but the straps are difficult to tighten and loosen which hurt its score during testing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Install - LATCH
The City Go is average for LATCH installation. Because studies indicate that injuries in a car crash are often related to car seats that are not installed properly, we think ease of installation is important. Choosing a seat that is easier to install could potentially increase the chances of correct installation.
The Baby Jogger City Go offers a nice bubble level with clear picture indicators that make it easier for parents to determine if the seat is installed at the proper angle.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The City Go has push-button LATCH anchors that are easy to install. The seat base has six adjustable positions and two bubble level indicators to help parents achieve a level installation. Ease of tightening and loosening the straps hurt the Go's installation score.
Installing the Baby Jogger City Go using the vehicle belt instead of the LATCH anchors is easier thanks to a belt lock-off that keeps the seat secure and in place.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Install - Belt
The City Go is better than average for installation using the vehicle belt. This score is better than its score for LATCH installation but not as good as its score without the base. The City Go has a color-coded belt path for easier installation and an easy to use belt lock-off.
The belt lock-off on the City Go is easier to use than some of the competition with similar designs. The belt lays flat during use and prevents some of the struggle related to a bunching belt prohibiting the closure of the lock-off.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Both features help make the installation using the vehicle belt path easier. In our experience, belt lock-offs make installation with this method far easier and significantly more stable.
The Baby Jogger City Go sports the European belt path that has the shoulder belt going around the back of the carrier to help hold it in place.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Install - Without the Base
The City Go is easy to install without the base. This score is its highest installation score and maybe a direct result of the European belt path that allows for quick, stable, and easy installation for parents on the go. The American belt path is also simple, but doesn't wrap around the back of the seat and feels less secure once installed.
The belt path for the baby Jogger City Go is light grey, which helps parents thread the belt quickly on the go without confusion over where does it go next.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Go has a color-coded belt path that helps parents recognize the belt installation quickly, even if they are somewhat unfamiliar with the installation.
Adjusting the shoulder height of the harness straps on the Baby Jogger City Go is a one-handed process operated from the back.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
The Go is one of the easier options in the review to use. This score is one point lower than the high score for the products we tested. Ease of use impacts daily life with a car seat.
The buckle on the City Go is similar in design and feel to several others we tested. It is easy enough to operate, but the chest clip can be harder for larger fingers to squeeze.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Harness
The Go has a similar buckle to those found on the Chicco and UPPAbaby seats. The buckle is easy enough to press, as is the chest clip, but the clip is harder to work with larger fingers. Tightening the harness is accomplished with a strap at the foot of the seat; it is a little tough to pull, but not the most difficult one in the group. The shoulder height adjustment is a non-rethread style that works with the push of a button on the back of the moving headrest. This adjustment is smooth and works well with one hand. The shoulder straps have 17 possible height positions, and the crotch strap has 2.
The City Go carrier handle is easy to rotate, has four positions and doesn't interfere with an open canopy. The handle can be in any position for car travel.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Handle
The handle is adjusted by pressing in on dual buttons on either side simultaneously and pivoting the handle up. The handle rubs on the canopy when the canopy is down, and the handle is down, but they do not interfere when they are both up, which is more important. The handle has four positions.
Carrier and Base Connection
Installing the carrier onto the base is easy and smooth. The carrier rests easily on the top of the base, and gravity pretty much does the rest without much need for additional pressure.
The Baby Jogger City Go users' manual has a storage space under the base. The manual is retrievable without moving the base, but larger hands may need to uninstall the base to reach it. This location is better than some, but leaves the manual at home should you travel without the base and have lingering questions about installation sans base.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
LATCH Anchors and Manual Storage
The LATCH anchors store by clicking on either side under the base, which is not very elegant, but it keeps them out of the way. The Go manual slides into two clips on the bottom of the base for safekeeping. While this keeps it out of the spill and spit-up danger zone, it also means you need to remove the base to access it, and you won't have it should you be traveling sans base and forget how to install it.
The overall comfort and quality of the Baby Jogger City Go are below average compared side-by-side with the competition. The slick warning labels next to baby's face and the frumpy looking canopy hurt its score for this metric.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Comfort/Quality
The Go is about average for comfort and quality in this group. The Go has decent padding on the seat, but the warning labels are on the headrest, which put the less friendly plastic badges right near the baby's head. While warning labels are required, other seats manage to place them in more comfortable locations. The canopy is larger than most and feels durable, but also looks frumpy and ill-fitted to the seat. The overall look and feel are about average. There isn't much to hate or love about this design that is run-of-the-mill and boring.
The carrier portion of the Baby Jogger City Go is only average with several higher scoring seats weighing less. A lower weight makes carrying your baby around easier should you need to do so without a stroller.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Weight
The City Go weighs 10.23 lbs, which is the average for the group but can feel heavy with a baby inside. Carrier weight may be only marginally relevant for parents moving the carrier from car to stroller or inside their house steps away. Still, it can be critical for parents that need to carry the carrier long distances or spend time in the city where toting a baby may be more common.
Manufacturer Video
—
Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz
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