Hauck Runner 3 Review

Are you looking for a Hauck Runner 3 review? Well, look no further – this is perhaps the most indepth review you will find online, written by our pushchair expert. Hauck have recently launched an updated versions of their Runner Pushchair, the Hauck Runner 3. We were excited to get our hands on one and put it through our rigorous and honest testing process.

The Runner 3 sits in a relatively small category of pushchairs of true running stroller. However many people will use this as an All-Terrain even if they are not into running and we have reviewed this as an all-terrain as well as looked at it’s capabilities for running. Although a small category, since Covid and with the increase in popularity of Park Run, these types of pushchairs are becoming more and more mainstream and not just used by the more elite runners.

Read our in-depth Hauck Runner 3 review to find out more.

The Basics*

Model

• Runner 3

Brand

• Hauck

Available Colours

• Olive

RRP

• £360

What’s in the box?

• Pushchair
• Cup Holder
• Instructions

Warranty

• 12 months

Hauck Runner 3 at a glance

Suitability

• Birth to 22kg (around 48 months)

Fold mechanism

• 2-hand fold

Handle Bar

• Rubber
• Adjustable to 4 positions
• Range : 75cm – 109cm

Seat unit

• Suitable from birth
• World-facing seat unit with infinity recline
• Adjustable leg support
• Hauck Runner 3 seat unit: 52cm (H) x 38cm (W) x 33cm (D)
• Seat Weight Limit: 22kg

Harness

• 5-point harness with comfort pads
• Height adjustable

Wheels

• Air filled PU tyres
• Lockable front wheel
• Adjustable suspension

Canopy

• UPF 50+ sun canopy with extendable sun visor and ventilation

Basket

• Weight Limit – 3kg
• Basket cover

Accessories Available

• 2-in-1 Carrycot – RRP £59.95
• Puncture Repair Kit – RRP £14.95
• Brake Repair Kit – RRP £14.95

The Hauck Runner 3 Review

First Impressions

We had seen the original Hauck Runner and the Runner 2, so we were excited to see why Hauck had decided to bring out a new model when the Runner 2 was already so popular! The first thing that really struck us was that the Runner 3 looks better. It’s lost it’s neon and black look (which we know some people liked) of the original Runner and the plain, all-black look of the Runner 2. Personally we much prefer the Olive finish of the Runner 3!

There are some important differences between the Runner 2 and the Runner 3. These differences are important to consider, especially whilst there are still Runner 2 pushchairs on the market which are considerably cheaper. It is important to note that the Runner 3 isn’t merely a ‘face lift’ and a change of fabrics. The DNA of this pushchair may remain similar but it is certainly not the same.

The Runner 3 has a much-improved suspension including the ability to adjust the suspension on the back wheels. It also has a hand brake that was not provided on previous models – this makes it, in our eyes, a true jogging pushchair. There are other subtle differences but these are the main, headline upgrades.

Chassis

The chassis on the Hauck Runner 3 is black and well finished. Everything about the chassis is black and we like this as it gives it a more sleek look. All the rivets are black adding to the sleekness of this chassis.

Below the seat unit is a foot rest which has a deep lip to it. This is substantial and very practical with two tiny hols to allow water to run through on wet days. Although strong enough to do the job it needs to, it does feel a little less robust than we would have liked.

Wheels

The Runner 3 is equipped with 3 decent sized wheels. The back wheels have a diameter of 40cm whilst the front wheel is slightly smaller at 30cm. These are all air-filled which has always been traditional in all-terrain pushchair. However, we are seeing more and more all-terrain pushchairs that feature the PU (Polyurethane) which benefits from being puncture-proof.

Air tyres will give an excellent ride for your little one, but you could be more prone to punctures. Hawthorn bushes are a big culprit for this!. If you do get recurring puncture, we recommend investing in ‘Slime’ which is available from most bike shops. It’s also handy to have a bike pump stored somewhere in case they need inflating. Top Tip : Do not over inflate as this could cause the inner tube to pop!

We would have liked to see a little pump either supplied with the pushchair or available as an accessory – there is nothing like being prepared. However, this certainly is not a deal breaker for us, and is just a ‘nice-to-have’!

The front wheel is a swivel wheel, allowing you to use the Runner 3 just as easily in town as out on country walks.

How to lock the Hauck Runner 3 front wheel?

The majority of the time, you will have the front wheel on swivel mode. However, if you are incredibly bumpy terrain or sand, it may be beneficial to be able to lock this wheel. To lock the front wheel simply locate the small grey lever which is situated just above the wheel. You can lock the front wheel in any position and as you manoeuvre the pushchair, it will lock into place. This is very simple to use. Our only concern is that the spring on this lever is exposed which could be prone to getting muddy or dirt being trapped within.

Suspension

The Hauck Runner 3 deserves it’s own section about the suspension as it has an adaptable suspension. Basically this means that you can adjust it to ensure the best ride for your little one, whatever their age (weight) or terrain you are covering. This is easy to do once you know how. Locate the large springs on the rear chassis axle. Under each of these is a lever. Pull it back to extend the springs which will result in a softer ride. If you push them forward, then the ride will be harder. Just watch your nails as they are quite stiff!

Brake

There are two different ways of using the brake on the Runner 3. Firstly, there is a foot brake which is located in the middle of the back axle. It’s very simple to use and flip-flop friendly. Press down to engage the brake and push forwards to disengage the brake. We like how solid the brake is and there are no nooks and cranies for mud to get stuck in.

Secondly there is a hand brake which is located on the handle bar. This is great for anyone who decide to go our running (or even slow jogging). It’s also very useful if you are walking down a hill to slow the pushchair down. The handbrake is just to the right of the centre of the handle bar and is very easy to use. It’s pretty much the same as a bicycle brake and is used in the same way – for slowing or stopping.

Handlebar

Basket

We love the fact that the Hauck Runner 3 basket comes with a cover which ingeniously stays in place with two magnets at the rear. If you do have an all-terrain pushchair, the chances are that you are going to push it come rain or shine. The cover will prevent the contents of you basket getting soaked or covered with mud, although the sides of the basket are mesh so this is not 100% weatherproof. This is an addition that we would like to see on more pushchairs.

The basket itself is fairly large although we have seen bigger on all-terrain pushchairs. It would have been nice to see an internal pocket within the basket for your essentials but we can live without this. The weight limit of the basket however is only 3kg so be careful not to overload it. Given the size of the basket, we had anticipated that this would be the standard 5kg – some pushchair now go up to 10kg so this is relatively low.

Seat Unit

This is a big plus point for the Hauck Runner 3, as the seat is certainly spacious. The back height is 52cm which makes it bigger than a lot of pushchairs. This is a great option if you have a child who is tall or you want to use your pushchair for longer (remember the 22kg weight limit though!) The seat is black which looks great against the black chassis.

Seat Recline

The recline on the Hauck Runner 3 allows this to be suitable from birth is what we refer to as an infinity recline. This means that you can recline it to exactly the angle that suits you (or rather your little one). The recline is continuously adjustable. It is operated via a strap recline. A lot of strap reclines can be a little fiddly. However, we found the Runner 3 easier than most to operate due to the wide straps. You will find that a lot of all-terrain pushchairs will have a strap recline. If it was a fixed recline and you go over very bumpy terrain, there is a risk that the seat back could jolt out of position and suddenly recline further.

To recline the seat, simply squeeze the toggle and the seat will recline to the position required. It is however, more tricky to get the seat back in a more upright position as you have to push the seat forward, squeeze the toggle and move it upwards all at the same time!

Once reclined, the seat on the Hauck Runner 3 provides a very protected area for your napping little one. If the canopy is up it, it offers a great protection from the elements. During the warmer months, you can also unzip the back panel and roll and toggle it up. The back is meshed allowing good airflow around the seated area.

As seat designs go, there is nothing offensive about this seat. However, we were less keen on the heavily Hauck branded straps. Whilst we appreciate that branding is important, the wording was cut in half due to how the straps had been manufactured and we found that irritating!

Harness

The harness on the Hauck Runner 3 is your typical pushchair 5-point harness. It comes with black comfort pads which although do their job, we would have liked to have seen them being a little more substantial. As comfort pads go, these are quite thin.

The harness itself is a 5 point harness and is adjustable. to adjust however, you do need to rethread and we would have loved to have seen a sliding harness as these are so easy to use. The buckle is easy to use and the should and waist straps slide together and stay in place, resulting in an easy action for parents. The buckle is quite plasticky however but we do appreciate that the Hauck Runner is cheaper than most all-terrain pushchairs so there will have to be some compromises of course.

Bumper Bar

The bumper bar on the Hauck Runner 3 is quite substantial. It has a chunky and robust feel to it which adds to the overall look of this pushchair. It’s easy to remove or attach which which is great, especially if you are out and about in inclement weather. You can remove it from either the left or right-hand side and it has a gate and swivel opening which we were pleased to see. To open, there is a small hidden button on the inside. The bumper bar is covered in rubber and whilst we might have liked to have seen a leatherette covering, this is practical!

Canopy

The canopy on the Hauck Runner 3 is impressive. Let’s face it, if you are the sort of parents / carers who enjoy walking or running, the chances are that you venture out whatever the weather. The canopy on the Runner 3 is UPV 50+ which we were pleased to see. We liked the added touch of the reflective piping as an added safety feature. The canopy in it’s original format is pretty good but you can unzip it to reveal an additional panel. This panel has ventilation on either side too. There is also a small pop out visor which unlike many, is far from flimsy.

A nice addition on the back of the canopy / seat is a pocket that will fit your phone in and a few other essentials. We like this!

On the front of the canopy is a small, subtle ‘hauck’ logo with a rubberised finish. This was reflected on the Hauck Travel N Care Plus and is a nice touch.  Overall we were very impressed with this very important all-terrain feature.

Rain cover

The Hauck Runner 3 comes with a raincover. We are pleased that it wasn’t an optional extra! The raincover is substantial which is what we would expect to see for a pushchair designed to go out in all weathers. It’s easy to fit – velcro at the back and the front is elasticated to pull under the footrest. There are ventilation holes at the side. We love that this raincover covers all the seat unit, even in the fully reclined position. It is however a better fit with the cupholder removed BUT it will work with it in situ.

Cupholder

The Runner 3 by Hauck comes with a cupholder included – a nice touch! It’s the perfect size for your bottle of water when out and about. It clips easily on the left hand side of the pushchair. It doesn’t seem to be the strongest cupholder we have seen so be careful, especially when folding your pushchair, that it doesn’t break. We would also recommend removing the cupholder and popping it in your basket should you need to use the raincover.

Fold

Folding a true all-terrain or jogging pushchair can be cumbersome, largely due to it’s size. We are not going to lie – if you have a boot the size of a Fiat 500, this may not fit in! (Please note, we haven’t actually tried this in a Fiat 500 but it takes up a fair amount of space even in a Range Rover Evoque)!

The fold and the unfold on the Hauck Runner 3 is pretty good and we were particularly impressed with way the fabrics and handle are all kept away from the muddy wheels. The flip side is that this is a big fold!

How to fold the Hauck Runner 3

As folds go, the fold on the Hauck Runner 3 is easy. Firstly engage the brake and ensure that the handle is inline with the chassis. There are two triggers either side of the frame and you simply pull these towards you. You will feel the safety lock release and the pushchair will fold intuitively down to the floor to a naturally self-standing position. We love that neither the fabrics nor the handle touch the floor or any of the wheels – this fold has been well thought out. As we have mentioned, this is not a compact folding pushchair! However, you can remove the bumper bar and the wheels should you require a more compact fold.

How to unfold the Hauck Runner 3

The easiest way to unfold the Runner 3 is to start with it in the self-standing position. This puts less pressure on your back. On the righthand side you will see the closing lock. Release this and pull the handle upwards. You may find that the front wheel swivels and this can be avoided by locking it before you fold it. However, as busy parent, most won’t think to do this on folding!

Performance

The Hauck Runner 3 performed really well both with a newborn and also an older, heavier toddler. The adjustable suspension allows you to set your pushchair up perfectly for you. and your little one. We found this pushchair easy and comfortable to push. We have tested many all terrain and jogging pushchairs over the years from some of the cheapest on the market to some of the most expensive. The Hauck Runner 3 sits firmly below average in price and therefore it excelled out expectations.

Please note that although this seat is suitable from birth, it is recommended that they are at least six months old before running with them in a jogging stroller. At this age, babies can typically hold their head up and control their movements, which is important for withstanding the speed and turns of running. However, some say your baby might not be ready until they’re closer to eight months old. When you do start running, take it slowly and increase the time you spend running slowly. For more tips about running with your pushchair, look here. 

Warranty

The warranty on the Hauck Runner 3 is 12 months. This is reasonably short and we would have liked to see a longer warranty.

Conclusion

Well, what can we say? For £360 this pushchair exceeds our expectations. Naturally there are areas that we would love to see improved BUT we are realistic enough to know that this would add to the cost of this pushchair. However, the one thing we would love to see would be the addition of thicker comfort pads for those bumpy journeys.

Although this is not part of the Hauck Runner 3 review, the ability to add a soft carrycot is a big bonus for those looking to use this pushchair from birth. This is an option not readily available in lots of instances. We would have liked to see the ability to add a car seat / infant carrier as this lack of option may put some parents off if this is their from-birth travel system.

We have awarded to Hauck Runner 3 a well-deserved 9 / 10 stars. It is certainly an all-terrain / jogging pushchair that should make your short-list and that you should seriously consider.

Pros

• Soft Carrycot available
• Basket cover included
• Adjustable rear suspension and hand brake
• Substantial UPF 50+ canopy
• Good value for money

Cons

• Basket only has a weight limit of 3kg
• No option to attach a car seat
• Basic harness with thin comfort pads
• Footrest feels a little flimsy

We hope that you have found the Hauck Runner 3 Review useful! Read more pushchair reviews here.

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