Thule Chariot Cross 2 Review

The Thule Company started over 70 years, established in Sweden in 1942 when the founder, Erik Thulin, began making gear for Swedish fishermen. Twenty years later, they created the first ski rack, followed by a roof rack with a basket. Today, Thule has obtained international recognition for supporting active lifestyles with gear designed to transport toys like bike racks, cargo carriers, sports racks for winter and water toys, and more. Thule also makes strollers and bike trailers for outdoor parents with babies.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Use

The Chariot Cross is an improvement over the old version that it replaces with a slightly better than average ease of use performance.

Ease of use impacts your daily experience and is essential for preventing regular frustration. The charts below offer more detailed information on how the stroller compares to the competition in our testing within the ease of use metric.

Fold and Unfold

The Cross folds using two hands; it has an automatic lock (above left) and self-stands. The process isn't hard, but it is convoluted with anywhere between 3-12 steps, depending on how small you need it to be. It has color-coded buttons (above right) that help remind you what needs to happen to fold, including the quick-release wheels. The self-stand feature is probably only useful for storage, but it is an added benefit much of the competition lacks. Unfolding is about the same and is a reversal of the folding steps.

Storage

The main storage bin hangs off the back between the rear wheels and under the handlebar. The basket is large and holds our extra-large diaper bag, though the narrow shape of the bin means we had to jam it in. The basket has a maximum capacity of 8.8 lbs, which is not great for two children as supplies can easily weigh more than 8 lbs. We imagine many parents will overfill the basket thanks to its larger size, and we worry this could make it a potential tipping hazard.

It also has a stow pocket inside the cabin for little treasures and snacks. The pockets are big, but younger kids won't be able to reach them when buckled in. Each seatback has a pocket for additional storage of parent items, and we didn't have any items fall out during testing.

Harness

Both seats have identical 5-point harnesses that are easy to put on and take off. Adjusting the straps is a non-rethread style with an 8-inch range of infinite height possibilities. The buckle is easier than its predecessor on the Cougar 2 because it no longer requires nesting of the top buckle portions.

Brakes

The Cross brakes are much more accessible than the old Cougar brakes and are now sandal foot-friendly and single-action (above left). We didn't have any trouble setting them, and they have a useful color-coded indication (above right).

Maneuverability

The Chariot Cross has impressive maneuverability, tying with some of the best jogging stroller contenders. All of the top-ranked strollers have larger rubber air-filled tires that significantly improve pushing and turning over smaller plastic wheels.

The Cross is easy to push and turn no matter what the terrain. The new, more adjustable handlebar only makes this easier We had no trouble moving over flat surfaces, grass, gravel, or up and down curbs.

This stroller has an adjustable suspension, making it one of only two in this review. This feature is quick and moves smoothly with clear indicators that make the adjustment a snap.

The handlebar has a variety of possible positions, is covered in dense foam, has an ergonomic design, and comes with a safety strap. We like the new rotating bar and see it as a significant improvement over the Cougar 2 handlebar. With the padded sling-style seat that reclines, we think most passengers will be cozy in the Cross.

Transporting and Storing

Lugging heavy or larger strollers in your car or up a flight of stairs could impact your decision on which stroller to buy. Knowing the weight and folded size could be key depending on your lifestyle or car.

Weight and Folded Size

The Chariot Cross is a different kind of stroller with additional features that make it worthy of going off the beaten path. These features also make it heavier. It certainly will not be suitable for city living and crowded streets, but it isn't designed for that, and it makes no apologies.

The Cross weighs 31.6 lbs and measures 24,452 cubic inches when folded. Before you start thinking that is one massive beast, first notice that more than half of the competition weigh more than the Cross, making it one of the lighter options! The folded size hurts its overall score with only a few larger products in the test group. We caution parents to check their trunk space or car size before using the Cross, just in case it doesn't fit and needs to be returned.

Kid Ride

We test each stroller with child comfort and features in mind because a happy child is required for an easy adventure.

Seat

The Cross recline seats are an improvement over the limited recline on similar trailers. The Cross seats move independently for individual comfort. The operation is a simple one-handed process with three positions. None are flat enough for serious napping, thanks to the adventure possibilities of this product, but the slope should be sufficient to lull most little ones. Children sit with their legs stretched out in front of them, negating a need for leg or footrests. The seat's style allows for more freedom of movement than a traditional stroller, even though it is not adjustable.

Sunshade

The sunshade is not a traditional canopy. It is a piece of fabric that clips on to block the sun and can move up or down. There is a vinyl window at the top for peeking at little ones when you recline the seats. Ventilation is not part of the sunshade. The front of the Cross, where children climb in, is a zippered cover that can be mesh or vinyl, depending on the weather.

Quality

For quality, the Chariot offers impressive attention to detail and high-end materials that come together well.

This product has a great design and uses materials that work well and feel solid and connected without flexing or jostling. Everything has its place and works well in conjunction with the other parts and components. The Chariot has ripstop canvas with thermo-molded seats. The material integrates into the frame, and there are very few exposed fasteners. The windows are slightly tinted and made of a somewhat pliable plastic that feels durable.

Car Seat Compatibility

This stroller does not accept infant car seats. It does, however, have an optional Thule Baby Supporter and Thule Infant Sling for younger babies. These products can only be used for strolling, and parents should never use the Cross on uneven terrain or for jogging with babies under eight months old (discuss with your pediatrician before heading out).

Ease of Setup

The Cross took about 11 minutes to assemble, which is average for ease of setup. It has an international-style manual with all the languages grouped in each section and the corresponding pictures at the end or beginning. This design makes the manual frustrating, and it requires flipping back and forth to follow. It isn't hard to put together, but there are more pieces to assemble than the Cougar 2, and it requires one tool that comes with the stroller.

Twins

This product can be used with twins and has inserts for baby positioning and infant slings. It does not accept any infant car seats, and there are adventures you shouldn't take with infants like jogging, skiing, or anything that moves over uneven terrain. However, it could be a good product for twins if your goals do not include car seat carriers. If car seat transportation is a must-have, you could pair this stroller with the Joovy Twin Roo+, a double frame stroller that accepts a variety of infant car seat brands, is lightweight, has 4 cup holders, and is very budget-friendly at $130.

Should You Buy the Chariot Cross?

If you love the great outdoors and spend every season enjoying outside adventures, then the Cross might be the little adventure wagon you've been looking for. With the ability to stroll, bike, run, and ski, it is hard to find a better piece of baby gear for outdoor enthusiasts. If you hope to continue your fun on the run with a little one, then the Cross is one we think you'll love.

What Other Double Stroller Should You Consider?

While the Cross is an amazing trailer that does more, it could be outside your budget. If you still want a great multi-purpose stroller for more than strolling, then we love the Hamax Outback. This impressive little trailer is smaller and has much in common with the Cross for a lower price. We recommend parents compare the two products to see which is a better fit and to ensure they don't pay for more stroller than they need.

Accessories

Thule offers two additional conversion kits depending on the kind of activity you enjoy (it comes with the strolling and bike trailer kits):

• Thule Jogging Kit 2 — The jog kit comes with everything you need to start jogging. The kit is easy to attach and can be stowed onboard the Cross 2 when not in use. You should not jog with your baby until they are at least eight to twelve months old or as directed by your pediatrician.

• Thule Chariot Cross Country Ski Kit — The cross-country ski kit comes with the necessary components for adventures in cross-country skiing. This package provides more fun and outdoor exploration for you and your baby during the snowy months. With skis and harness attachments, you'll be up and skiing in no time flat.

Accessories for comfort include:

• Thule Baby Supporter — The baby supporter provides additional support and comfort for babies 6-18 months old who may need a little more padding but are too big for the infant sling. This support assumes your baby can sit up unassisted but needs a little help filling up the standard seat.

• Thule Chariot Padding 2 — The Chariot padding adds some additional comfort to the standard seats, but it also provides some protection to the stroller and makes clean-up easier for parents. This accessory is an easy way to help catch dirt, crumbs, and spills and lengthen your cabin interior life.

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