Thule Spring Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
Thule Spring | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Awards | Lower Price Impressive Full-Size Stroller | Budget Full-Size For Growing Families | Best Tightest Budget Stroller | ||
Price | $400 List Check Price at Amazon | $650 List $552.76 at Amazon | $350 List $299.99 at Amazon | $173 List | $150 List |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | The frame flex and smaller wheels are a distraction from an otherwise interesting stroller | While it performs well on flat surfaces, this high-quality option struggles off-road if those are your goals | A budget-friendly expandable stroller with good storage but limited other features and a heavier weight | Budget-friendly jogger with off-road capabilities, but the quality is on par with the price | The lower price makes the flaws of this jogger easier to accept |
Rating Categories | Thule Spring | Cybex Balios S Lux | Evenflo Pivot Xpand | Baby Trend Expediti... | Baby Trend Expedition |
Ease of Use (40%) | |||||
Maneuverability (25%) | |||||
Transport/Storing (15%) | |||||
Quality (10%) | |||||
Kid's Comfort (10%) | |||||
Specs | Thule Spring | Cybex Balios S Lux | Evenflo Pivot Xpand | Baby Trend Expediti... | Baby Trend Expedition |
Capacity Limits | Minimum: 6 months Maximum: 64 lbs/ 44 in |
Minimum: Birth Maximum: 55 lbs |
Minimum: Birth Maximum: 55 lbs/43" |
Minimum: 6 months Maximum: 50 lbs/42 in |
Minimum: 6 months Maximum: 50 lbs/42 in |
Measured Weight | 23 lbs | 25 lbs | 30 lbs | 28 lbs | 24 lbs |
Measured Folded Dimensions | 17"W x 15"H x 30"L | 24"W x 16"H x 31"L | 26.7"W x 19.23"H x 32.7"L | 24.5"W x 16"H x 36.5"L | 23.1"W x 33.1"H x 16.3"L |
Folded Volume | 7,650 cu in | 11,904 cu in | 16,790 cu in | 14,308 cu in | 12,463 cu in |
Handlebar Height Min/Max | 39"/43" | 39.5"/43" | 33"/44.7" | 41.5" | 41" |
Mfr. Max Allowable Total Storage Weight | 14 lbs | 24 lbs | 11 lbs | 11 lbs | 15 lbs |
Car Seat Compatibility | Clek Liing Cybex Aton and Cloud Series Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30, Mico Max Plus Nuna PIPA, PIPA RX, PIPA Lite, PIPA Lite LX, PIPA Lite RX and PIPA Lite R |
Cybex (All) Maxi Cosi Mico 30, Maxi Cosi Mico Max, Maxi Cosi Coral XP Nuna Pipa lite |
Chicco KeyFit/KeyFit 30 Evenflo SafeMax, LiteMax Graco all with SnugRide, SnugLock 30/35 Peg-Perego Primo Viaggio 4/35 |
Baby Trend (All) | Baby Trend (All) |
Wheel Type | Foam Filled Rubber | Foam Filled Plastic | Foam Filled Plastic | Pneumatic | Pneumatic |
Brake Type | Single | Single | Single | Double | Double |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Thule (Too-La) was launched in Sweden by Erik Thulin in 1942. They started by making gear for fishermen. They transitioned to outdoor gear as time went on. Their main goal was to help adventurers transport their outdoor supplies with greater ease. For more than 70 years, Thule has been developing products for the outdoors with a lineup of gear from best baby backpacks carriers and best bike trailers for kids to roof racks and other strollers from our strollers review.
Performance Comparison
Ease of Use
The Spring offers above-average ease of use for the group.
Fold and Unfold
The Spring fold is initiated under the seat. A stiff flap lifts up so you can slide and lift the handle. There is a lever on each side for left or right-handed people.
Storage
The Spring storage bin is only medium in size, but it fits our large diaper bag with easy access. However, it only has an 11 lb limit, which is something to consider if you want to fetch groceries. A mesh pocket on the back of the seat will accept 3 lbs more, but it isn't a big space.
Harness
The Spring has a well-padded harness and is the only one with padded waist straps. The harness is a nested option that requires each component to be inserted separately into the buckle. The button is firm but not too stiff, and you need to remember to put the wist straps in the buckle before the shoulder straps. It seems unnecessarily convoluted.
Brakes
The Spring has a single-action brake pedal near the right wheel on the rear axle. It is easy to press and release. The pedal is bright red and easy to spot, with a rocker pedal style that is press to set and press to release, making it foot-friendly.
Car Seat Compatibility
The Spring has adapters available for some infant car seats from Nuna, Clek, Evenflo, Maxi-Cosi, UPPAbaby, and Cybex.
Ease of Setup
The SPring was easy to put together and took between 5-10 minutes due to packaging and reviewing the instructions. Overall, it was intuitive and straightforward.
Maneuverability
The Spring did not perform well in our maneuverability tests, with a surprisingly lower result.
This three-wheeled design stroller has smaller diameter wheels that impacted its results for maneuverability. One-handed steering was a challenge because of the adjustment button in the center of the bar. The frame had a lot of flex, which gave it a fairly slow response time. It felt a little more like an umbrella stroller when pushing, especially when moving over thresholds and cords.
Moving off-road, the Spring becomes more of a challenge, especially over grass, which you are likely to encounter at play parks.
The flex in the frame made it harder to push, making it sloppy when steering. However, moving up and over larger obstacles isn't terrible, given the lighter weight and ease of popping up the front wheel to traverse obstacles.
Transporting and Storing
The Spring is relatively lightweight and small when folded, giving it one of the highest results in our tests.
The Spring weighs 23.13 lbs, and the folding lever also acts as a carry handle. It is one of the lightweight options in the group, and it isn't awkward to lift and put in the car.
At 7,650 cubic inches when folded, it is one of the smallest options in the group, making it a compelling choice for those with limited space or who frequent public transportation.
Quality
The quality for the Spring is below average compared to the competition. The fabric is a ripstop style everywhere and feels durable and easy to clean. The canopy is taunt and looks finished and sleek to the stroller. The zippers work smoothly, and there is lots of thoughtful padding with shoulder and hip strap covers.
The wheels are foam-filled rubber, which is better than plastic. The smaller size hurt its functionality, but the sticky rubber coating gives it better action on harder surfaces.
The frame looks well put together and clean. However, it has a lot of flex from side to side, which impacts functionality and increases frustration when pushing. Overall, the sit and finish are nice, but the flexing in the frame is a disappointment, and it seems to have worsened over time.
Kid's Comfort
The Spring offers just above average results for kid comfort features. The sling-style seat has more padding than most. It has a deep recline with infinite possible positions. The adjustment mechanism is a toggle with two straps you can release with one hand, but you'll need two to raise it up: one to hold the toggle and one to pull the straps.
When reclined, the top portion has a nice ventilation space that can be covered when temperatures dip or the wind is high. The leg rest has heavy ripstop material that feels durable, but it isn't adjustable, and longer legs could dangle off the sides.
The Spring canopy is super large. It comes with a 50+ UPF rating and will protect against most sun until very late or very early in the day when the sun is low in the sky. The canopy also has a zippered mesh panel that makes it even larger but will impact sun and weather protection, so it is a trade-off. It is the only way to peek at little ones.
Should You Buy the Thule Spring?
We don't hate the Spring, but we probably wouldn't recommend it for many. It is a good-looking, nimble stroller with good storage. However, the smaller wheels and flexing frame created a situation that wasn't fun to push. We think parents will be attracted to the price and looks of this stroller, and it has some compelling features, but we think overall, there are higher-performing options that are nicer to push and turn and offer a smoother ride for little ones.
What Other Full-Size Strollers Should You Consider?
If you want a nice three-wheel stroller that is not a jogger, we prefer the Britax B-Free. While not an award winner, it is a compelling choice that is easier to push than the Spring and includes a comfy seat, good storage, and a quick fold in a compact package. It has a higher overall score than the Spring and is easier to transport.