Thule Urban Glide 3 Review

Ease of Use

The Thule Urban Glide 3 does not disappoint with user-friendly, intuitive features designed to enhance strolling adventures.

Fold and Unfold

The Urban Glide 3 folds easily by placing the handlebar in the lowest position, lifting the leg rest, and using the quick twist-and-slide handle….if it works. We found that more often than not, the handle wouldn't stay in position, preventing it from closing, locking, or standing. Unfolding is simple: just undo a latch and toss the stroller open. It is bulky, so be prepared to use some muscle to shake it open, and it will not self-stand.

The stroller we purchased for this review struggled to self-latch as advertised, so we had to latch it manually. It also occasionally would re-latch itself while unfolding, making the process more cumbersome. We didn't experience any of these issues with the Urban Glide 3 we purchased for our jogging stroller review.

Storage

The Thule has a large, covered storage area that holds up to a 15 lb. The sides can be zipped closed, and the basket's end features a Velcro strip to protect your items. We love a basket that closes and keeps contents clean.

The basket's triangular shape can make storing larger items challenging, especially when you want to close it. The storage area is functional for day-to-day excursions, but it's not designed to accommodate a decent-sized grocery run or a larger diaper bag. Fully reclined, the access space closes significantly, and you will have trouble accessing the area without waking any sleeping passengers.

The back of the seat features a mesh pocket for additional storage   Credit: Natalie Kafader

Previous Next

However, there is a generous amount of additional storage, including zippered pockets on the basket's front and back exterior, a mesh pocket on the back of the seat, and two small passenger stow pockets in the seat area for snacks.

Harness

Thanks to the soft webbing fabric, the thoughtfully designed 5-point harness on the Urban Glide slides easily when adjusting for shoulder height or size differences. The user-friendly buckle opens and closes easily.

The shoulder and waist straps are attached, a step up from more convoluted nesting buckles that require frustrating adjustment. The shoulder strap and crotch area feature plenty of extra padding that your child will appreciate during downhill runs or sudden stops.

Brakes

The Urban Glide 3 has a straightforward, single-action parking brake and a hand brake for slowing down when moving quickly or on downhill sections.

The parking brake is easy to engage, but disengaging it is less than ideal and requires a smaller surface area and the end of your foot to lift the lever.

The handbrake is center placed and twists easily to slow forward movement. Some testers struggled to push the stroller with one hand due to its placement.

Car Seat Compatibility

The Urban Glide 3 is not compatible with any car seats as-is, but adapters are available for some popular brands, including BOB, Britax, Chicco, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, Peg Perego, Safety 1st, UPPAbaby, and more.

Ease of Setup

The Thule takes 10-15 minutes to set up, with no tools. It features illustration-only instructions, most of which are easy to decipher, but this can also be confusing if the illustration doesn't make sense or if you aren't a visual person. Every part was wrapped in plastic, but there's minimal protective padding. Installing the wheels was simple, but the canopy can be a bit finicky and requires some force to snap onto the frame. The pneumatic tires require filling, and a pump is not included.

Maneuverability

The Urban Glide 3 is above average among the competition for its fluid, responsive handling across all terrains.

The ergonomic, adjustable handle offers comfortable one-handed steering. We like that pushers of different heights can find a perfect fit. The twisting hand brake helps control speed without stopping, and we think it is easier to operate than the squeeze lever on other strollers.

The front wheel is smaller and features reflective trim for nighttime safety   Credit: Natalie Kafader

The larger back wheels have reflective trim for nighttime safety and can be easily be removed by pushing the center button   Credit: Natalie Kafader

Previous Next

The three air-filled rubber wheels enable the Urban Glide to tackle tricky terrain, including dirt trails, gravel, and rugged trails like a champ. We had no trouble navigating uneven terrain, and the shocks help keep passengers comfy and protected from the jostling of off-road travel.

The larger wheels enable the Thule to shine on hard, flat surfaces. However, it struggles to turn from a stop, like the rubber is too grippy. It easily pops up and over curbs fluidly and without hesitation, while strollers with harder wheels struggle.

The front wheel swivels for agility but can also be locked into place to increase stability by turning a knob at the front of the stroller. The knob is easy to operate and clearly marked.

While it handles like a dream despite its size, it would be hard to recommend this stroller for city dwellers, as it will be a tight squeeze in some apartments or on narrow sidewalks, corridors, or alleyways, since it is relatively wide and long compared to more urban-friendly options.

Transporting and Storing

The Urban Glide 3 is a jogging stroller, making it larger and heavier, but it's still relatively easy to transport and store if you have the space.

Although its weight is average compared to a jogging stroller, it is slightly lighter than most full-size strollers. The Thule weighs 26.2 lbs, making it cumbersome for some, but it is easy to grip and lift as long as the weight is in your wheelhouse.

The Thule is 14,735 cubic inches when folded, which is expected given the jogging stroller's design. If you need it to fit in a slightly smaller space at home or in the car, the rear wheels pop off quickly for transport, but you'll still need to find a spot for them, and it isn't practical to do so to use public transportation. This is not a bus-friendly stroller due to its size and the lack of self-standing ability.

Quality

The Urban Glide 3 is streamlined and refined, featuring high-quality materials that feel durable.

The solidly built Thule offers a sturdy, high-quality polyester cover and canopy with nylon details that feel soft enough for bare skin, durable, and are easy to wipe down to combat messes.

The air-filled tires have a thick tread and a center button for quick removal. The wheels don't wobble, and the adjustable tracking is a nice addition. We appreciate the reflective detailing to increase visibility and safety during nighttime excursions.

The aluminum frame is lightweight but feels incredibly sturdy, with no wiggle or rattle of joints or connection points. The folding joint moves slightly, but it still feels secure. The fabric tucks into the grooves, resulting in an overall streamlined appearance. There are minimal exposed fasteners or connection points to distract from the sleek look.

Kid's Comfort

The Urban Glide 3 has several features designed to keep kids cozy.

The large sling seat has an adjustable recline and a built-in leg rest. This version of the Thule has improved the all-over seat and harness padding over the Urban Glide 2, and little ones will appreciate the extra cushioning.

The seat reclines easily using a toggle on the back. When reclined, there is a large, vented area at the top. The most upright position was still slightly reclined, as is typical for jogging strollers. The leg rest is padded and can be adjusted somewhat using a metal bar accessed under the cushion.

The full-coverage canopy is impressive in size and maintains its shape thanks to a stiff lip around the edge. It's fantastic at protecting little ones from the elements thanks to the pop-out visor, peek-a-boo panels, and zippered extended coverage that features side mesh panels for optional enhanced breathability.

Continuous Sleeping Comfort

Who doesn't appreciate a sleeping baby? While traversing asphalt or uneven terrain, we measured potential events where a child might wake up. The Urban Glide 3 scored a surprisingly high eight events of fairly high intensity. While this isn't the worst we tested, it suggests the ride could be fairly bouncy, with greater potential for accidental wake-ups.

Should You Buy the Thule Urban Glide 3?

The Thule Urban Glide 3 is a good choice for outdoor adventurers or those who want a crossover stroller for everyday errands and hitting the trails. The Thule is made from high-quality materials, is comfortable for children, and offers solid maneuverability on rougher terrain. For families that love the Thule brand and are willing to overlook this stroller's shortcomings, we think you'll be happy, but there are higher-scoring jogging strollers available that cost less, fold smaller, and are easier to run with.

What Other Full-Size Strollers Should You Consider?

The Thule might be too big or weigh too much, which could be prohibitive in smaller living quarters or urban districts. The Guava Roam is a versatile crossover that is super small when folded and offers impressive versatility and quality for the price. It is our favorite crossover option with better runability and far easier-to-use features. It even costs less than the Urban Glide! If you want a more affordable 3-wheel all-terrain wonder, you might consider the Baby Trend Expedition. Although it isn't the best jogger, it is good for moving over uneven terrain and is stupidly cheap for what you get.

Manufacturer Video