Thule Chariot Cross 2 with Jogging Kit Review

Thule was founded over 70 years ago by Erik Thulin. Started in Sweden in 1942, the company originally made gear for the fisherman of Sweden. Some twenty years after, the first ski rack for cars was introduced into their collection. It was then followed by a rack with a basket. Many years later, Thule is now recognized internationally as a go-to supplier for active people looking for gear designed for transporting bicycles, winter and water toys, and other cargo. Thule now makes some products with kids in mind. Their strollers and bike trailers are a perfect fit for adventurous parents with children.

Performance Comparison

Below all the jogging strollers in our review are graphed by their overall scores. The Thule Chariot Cross 2 (shown in blue).

The sections below include information on performance details of the Cross 2 as it compared to the competition in this review. The overall scores are derived from the individual metric results with an emphasis on run-ability and ease of use.

Run-Ability

The Cross 2 earned a 7 of 10 for run-ability. This is better than much of the competition, but not as impressive as the Thule Urban Glide 2 and the BOB Revolution Flex with scores of 9.

The Cross tied with the Burley Solstice and Thule Glide 2 for running ability. The Cross 2 has a fixed front wheel that has improved and easy to use adjustable tracking that works with the turn of a dial. The adjustable handlebar and suspension increase run-ability by improving the runner's biomechanics during running which should lead to less fatigue and overall effort related to pushing a stroller while running.

During testing, we felt the Cross was a good mover despite the heavier weight and larger size, and we did not have difficulty tilting it back for turns, a must do action for running due to a fixed front wheel. This stroller tracks straight and has the best rolling resistance in the group. While not as nice to run with as the lighter narrower options, it is still a good choice for the serious runner that also plans to partake in other outdoor sports.

Ease of Use

The Cross 2 earned an 8 of 10 for ease of use. This is an improvement over the ease of use score for the Thule Chariot Cougar 2, which the Cross 2 replaced.

Ease of use impacts your daily experience with a stroller and captures how an ordinary regular features function.

Fold and Unfold

The Cross has a relatively easy two-handed fold process with a lock that closes automatically(above left). The stroller is able to self-stand when folded. If you are looking for a more compact fold, the process can be more involved with anywhere in between 3-12 steps. The Cross 2 has color-coded transition buttons (above right) that guide parents through the complete fold process, including the removal of the quick release wheels. The self-stand feature is potentially only good for storage, but it is a benefit that can helps parents manage a larger product. Unfolding the Cross is also easy enough as a reversal of the folding steps, but it is convoluted with more steps than the most of the competition.

Brakes

The Cross 2 has single action brakes that are more accessible (above left) than the brakes on the discontinued Cougar. They are easy to set and release with a sandal foot friendly pedal that is color coded so you know when they are properly set (above right).

Storage

The storage bin on Cross folds out from the back of the stroller beneath the handlebar (above left). This bin is large and held our extra-large diaper bag with a nice interior pocket to help keep things organized and smaller items within reach.The narrower rectangle shape of the bin means we really had to work to get it in, but it will fit with room to spare. The bin has a max capacity of 8.8 lbs, which is low for a product for two because two children will likely have more supplies than one. We suspect that supplies for two will weigh more than 8 lbs, especially for all-day adventures. We think it's likely that parents may fill the basket to greater than it's capacity and worry about the potential tipping hazard this may cause. When not in use parents can clip the bin up and out of the way (above right).

The Cross 2 also has passenger stow pockets inside the cabin. These pockets can hold most things, but smaller riders won't be able to reach them while buckled in. There is also an elastic pocket on the back of each seat that would be a good place to store things such as wallets, keys, phone, or water bottles.

Sunshade

The Cross sports a sunshade that is very different from those found on most other strollers. The shade is a clip-on piece of fabric that blocks the sun and can slide up or down for direct coverage. When the seats are reclined there is a tinted vinyl peek-a-boo window to check on little ones from behind. The front of the Cross can be protected with one mesh zippered cover and/or one vinyl cover depending on your needs and the weather. Both covers can also be rolled up and stored out of the way entirely.

Harness

The Cross 2 has two seats and both have easily adjustable 5-point harnesses. They are also relatively easy to buckle and unbuckle. The straps use a non-rethread style adjustment with an 8-inch range of height options. The buckle on this Thule is easier to operate than its predecessor on the Cougar 2 because it does not require nesting of the buckle parts.

Seat

The Cross 2 seats can recline and each moves independently for individual comfort. The seat has three recline positions and can be reclined with one-hand. None of the options are truly flat, but the angle should be sufficient for most sleepy little ones to nap. The seat doesn't offer leg or footrests, which means children sit with legs stretched out in front of them.

Car Seat Compatibility

The Cross 2 does not work with any infant car seat and the Thule accessories for infants should NOT be used with the jogging kit and babies should not be taken jogging or off the beaten path until they are at least 8-12 months old or you get the thumbs up from their pediatrician.

Ease of Setup

The Cross took almost 16 min to assemble; this includes the additional of the jogging kit. It is only average for ease of setup with an international style manual we find difficult to use. The manual is harder to follow and requires flipping back and forth to follow the steps. There are more parts to assemble on the Cross than there were on the Thule Chariot Cougar 2 (the discontinued trailer the Cross replaced). Assembly requires a single tool that comes in the box.

Maneuverability

The Cross earned a 7 of 10 for maneuverability with the jogging kit fixed front wheel attached. This is a lower score than those joggers that offer a locking swivel front wheel like the BOB Revolution Flex and the Thule Urban Glide 2. However, it is on par with the fixed wheeled BOB Sport Utility and the BOB Ironman.

While easy enough to push and traverse various terrain thanks to large rear rubber air-filled tires, the Cross is difficult to turn thanks to its overall size and the fixed front wheel. The width of this stroller makes it a tough one to use indoors or on narrow trails, but the width is part of why it work so well as a bike trailer and adventure wagon. So there is a trade-off that makes this one a poorer choice for indoor outings and could limit hiking options to wider trails.

The adjustable handlebar and suspension help make this a more comfortable product for pushers and passengers. The larger range of height options and covered foam make the handlebar nicer than the previous version (above left) with an included safety strap. The adjustable suspension (above right) is a rare find on only a few products we tested the help increase overall comfort based on passenger weight and roughness of the terrain.

Weight and Folded Size

The Cross 2 is lighter and smaller in the strolling mode than the Thule Chariot Cougar 2, the trailer it replaces in the Thule lineup. However, with the jogging kit attached, the Cross weighs 31.9 lbs. It measures 31.3"W x 21"H x 51.5"L and 33,851 cubic inches when folded. This is almost 1,000 cubic inches smaller than the Cougar.

The Cross 2 is the largest stroller in this review with the second largest, the Burley Solstice measuring only 23,138 cubic inches. This means the Cross might be harder to lift and store in some smaller cars.

The back wheels are quick release and the front jogging kit can also be removed to fit the stroller in a tight spot. But this means you will need to dismantle the stroller somewhat before leaving your adventure. This is something to think depending on what you drive or how you plan to get the stroller from A to B.

Quality

The Thule Cross earned a 9 of 10 for quality, the second highest score in the group tying with the Thule Urban Glide 2 and the BOB Revolution Flex. Only the Thule Glide 2 earned a higher score.

The Cross 2 has an improved design using materials that work well and feel solid without flex or rattling. Everything on this stroller is relatively seamless and works in conjunction with the other components. The fabric material is a thick ripstop with thermo-molded seats that integrates into the frame with few exposed fasteners. The vinyl windows are tinted for decreasing the direct sunlight and it is somewhat pliable for durable long-term use.

Manufacturer Video

Accessories

Thule offers additional conversion kits (sold separately) depending on the activity (it comes standard with the strolling and bike trailer kits). We purchased the jogging Kit for this review. Which leaves the:

• 
  Thule Chariot Cross Country Ski Kit — The cross country ski kit is a cool addition for including baby in winter sports activities. This kit includes all necessary components for your cross-country skiing adventures. The package includes stroller skis and a harness attachments.

Comfort accessories include:

• 
  Thule Chariot Padding 2 — The Chariot padding provides comfort and protection to the stroller seats to make clean up easier. This easy to use addition catches dirt, crumbs, and spills and can prolong the life of your cabin interior while providing little ones a nicer place for napping on longer trips.

Conveniences accessories include:

• 
  Thule Console 2 — The Console 2 provides what many parents feel is a necessity to any stroller. This console has two cup holders and a covered pocket. This console clips on quickly and gives parents quick access storage for small items like keys and mobile phones.

• 
  Thule Hydration Cage — Looking for a handy place to keep your water bottle? Staying hydrated is cool and easy with the Thule hydration cage. This holder is a good addition for parents who aren't interested in the full console but still want to sip some H2O while running.

Other Versions

Thule offers several trailer options similar to the Chariot Cross 2. However, most of these options lack suspension which makes them a non-starter for us. We think traversing over rougher terrain or moving at speed should come with suspension. In addition to the Cross 2 with suspension, the Chariot Lite 2 also has suspension and was featured in our review of the The Best Bike Trailers for Kids.

Thule Chariot Lite 2 — This is another two-seater stroller that is similar in style to the Cross 2 but has a price tag of $200 less. The Lite 2 has a soft pouch with less storage space, but it could be enough for older children or shorter trips. The Chariot Lite seats do not recline and will be difficult to nap in. This may be no big deal for older children, but it could be hard with the younger set. We think older kids and parents will be happy with the Lite 2, but we think parents of younger ones should invest more for the Cross 2.