Thule Urban Glide 2 Review

The Swedish company, Thule (Too-La), started in 1942 by creating products for fishermen. Today their products range from roof racks and luggage boxes to bike racks, trailers, and strollers.

Performance Comparison

Run-Ability

Thule is one of the most run-able strollers we've tested. The swivel wheel options (with the wheel locked) scored higher on average for run-ability than the fixed wheel strollers which historically were considered the ideal by die-hard runners.

It has a locking swivel front wheel and adjustable tracking with large easy to use knobs located where the wheel connects to the frame. This stroller runs straight on pneumatic rubber tires, and tips easily to navigate the trail. We experienced a little play in the front wheel, but the stroller doesn't wander, and the play resulted in less need for back tipping to turn and our professional runner remarks it is "very runnable."

This jogger has an adjustable height handlebar with an ergonomic design the cuts the corners of the handlebar for great hand placement while on the go. The bar cover is dense foam with a twisting handle brake designed to slow the stroller.

Ease of Use

This stroller is one of the easier to use joggers in the review.

Though it lacks an intuitive design, it offers features that are simple to use and function well with a light blue color at adjustment points.

Fold and Unfold

Folding is smooth and you only need one hand (even if it is more comfortable with two) to operate the twist and fold mechanism under the leg rest (above left) to fold the stroller half. The fold handle doubles as a handhold to roll or lift the stroller. This option doesn't self-stand making it harder to stow, but it has an auto-lock (above right) feature and more compact fold which pulls in the rear wheels for a smaller footprint.

Brakes

The brakes are single action with an extra-large plastic pedal (above left) in the middle of the rear axle that is easy to set and release. It also has a deacceleration brake (above right) that is a unique twisting handbrake in the middle of the handlebar. It is easy to grip and turn and does a respectable job of slowing the stroller.

Storage

The storage bin is large and comes with a weatherproof zippered cover (above left) to keep items clean and prevent them from falling out. The basket is easy to access from the rear and sides with a weight allowance of 10 lbs, and we fit our large diaper bag inside. The Urban Glide 2 has a mesh pocket on the back of the seat that is large enough for most convenience items, and passenger mesh pockets inside the passenger area (above right).

Sunshade

Thule improved their awesome canopy by adding zippered ventilation to the back (above left) and changing the visor to the same material as the rest of the canopy. The shade is one of the nicest canopies in the review, with a large, vinyl peek-a-boo window (above right) sporting a magnetic closure.

The canopy rotates forward unlike the stationary canopy on the BOB, and it snaps in place for a sleek look.

Harness

The 5-point harness on the Urban Glide 2 is easy to put on and adjust with straps that tighten the shoulder and waist simultaneously with one pull on each side. It also features adjustable shoulder and crotch straps which make the harness easier to fit. The new Urban Glide 2 has an improved buckle that only requires one hand and pops open with a squeeze.

Seat

The seat is a sling style with a nicely padded non-adjustable leg rest and easy to clean footrest. The seat back has a one-handed adjustment toggle that is easy to operate, and the back lays flat enough for comfy napping. The reclined seat has a vented area at the top for additional airflow that you can cover if the weather is cold.

Car Seat Compatibility

Thule offers optional infant car seat adapters including the Thule Urban Glide Car Seat Adapter for Chicco, the Thule Car Seat Adapter for Maxi Cosi, and the Thule Infant Car Seat Adapter. These adapters allow you to safely walk baby in their infant car seat carrier attached to the stroller while they are too young to jog (8-12 months, discuss with your pediatrician). The Chicco adapter works with Keyfit infant car seats including the Chicco Keyfit 30 that won an award in our infant car seat review. The Maxi-Cosi adapter will also work with the Cybex Aton 2 infant car seat. These adapters allow click-in attachment of the Aton 2, which has the best crash test score making it an impressive combination. The Thule Infant Car Seat Adapter is somewhat of a universal adapter that works with a variety of brands including the award-winning UPPAbaby Mesa and Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35, and some seats by Graco, Britax, Bob, and Safety 1st.

Ease of Setup

The Thule is very easy to assemble, with a build time of 5:13 minutes. The only assembly is putting on the rear wheels. No tools are required but there is an informational insert on how to remove the front wheel that is misleading. The manual is multi-language and the directions don't start for a few pages, but the illustrations are straightforward.

Maneuverability

This stroller is very easy to maneuver whether running with the wheel locked or walking with a swivel wheel.

The front swivel wheel helps it navigate tight spaces and pushing and turning on hard flat surfaces is a breeze. The Thule is very responsive, and our professional runner feels this stroller is lightweight and easy to turn.

Off-road the Urban Glide 2 excels, and we like how it handles rougher terrain, making it a good choice for managing a variety of unexpected outdoor surfaces from forest trails to playpark greenbelts.

It sports rear wheel suspension, pneumatic tires, and a padded sling style seat for a comfortable riding experience. The rear shocks make this stroller a little jumpy when going down curbs, but the longer handlebar keeps you standing straighter for better control.

Weight and Folded Size

Even though it is 2 lbs heavier than the previous version at 24.4 lbs, it is still relatively light compared to the jogging competition.

This jogger is the fourth lightest option in this review, and it has a smaller fold overall, at about 15,300 cubic inches.

These measurements make it lighter than similar options, so it may be easier to lift and carry. You can also use the quick release hubs to remove the wheels to make it smaller if your trunk space is limited.

Quality

The Urban Glide is a high-quality stroller with impressive materials. The components and materials combine to create one of the sleekest and sharp looking joggers in the review.

This stroller has nice fabric that feels good and appears breathable. The fabric didn't snag in our tests, and it fit the frame nicely in a groove that hides seams and fittings. The frame has a sleek design that is pleasing to the eye and is lightweight with very little flex. The Urban Glide 2 has molded plastic wheels with air-filled rubber tires that do not wiggle or vibrate where connected. The joints and connections are solid without flex or give and the overall fit and finish are sleek and unencumbered.

Manufacturer Video

Accessories

Thule offers several nice accessories you can purchase to use with the Urban Glide.

• Thule Snack Tray — A snack tray can come in handy if you use a jogger for everyday strolling. This addition rotates to the side for easy access getting into and out of the stroller and is easy to attach and remove. It is unlikely you will use this addition if strictly running as items can fall from it while moving quickly.

• Thule Car Seat Adapters —
  
  A car seat adapter makes strolling with an infant a breeze and extends the usable life of your jogger. Thule offers two car seat adapters that work with some Chicco, Peg Perego, UPPAbaby, Britax, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, Cybex, and Nuna options (see Car Seat Compatibility above).

• Thule Mesh Cover —
  
  The mesh cover is a nice addition for hotter weather that offers protection against bugs and the sun, but still allows for airflow. Depending on your climate, this accessory could be a must-have item to keep bugs at bay.

• Thule Rain Cover —
  
  This clear rain cover drapes over the seat to protect little passengers from rain, snow, or the wind without limiting visibility of the world around them. Arguably a must-have if you plan to run no matter what the weather.

Other Versions

Thule makes two different strollers for jogging with a single child and a variety of bike trailers that are compatible with a jogging kit (sold separately). We reviewed two Thule products in addition to the Urban Glide 2 including the:

• Thule Glide 2 —
  
  The Glide is a fixed wheel jogging stroller that performed similarly to the Urban Glide without the versatility and maneuverability of the swivel front wheel and a lower run-ability score. This stroller came in third place overall, scoring only one point higher than the Burley Solstice, which won a Top Pick award for ease of use and scored 9 points lower than the Urban Glide.

• Thule Chariot Cross 2 with Jog Kit --
  
  The Chariot Cross 2 earned a Top Pick award for outdoor adventure in this review and our double stroller review. It is a versatile bike trailer that seats two, has adjustable suspension and can convert to a stroller, jogger, or sled with the addition of conversation kits (sold separately).