Thule
Thule is best known for its bike trailers and bike seats, expanding into strollers in 2014 with the jogging model the Urban Glide.
The company, located in Malmö, Sweden, was founded in 1942 by Eric Thulin. Their first outdoor equipment product was a ski rack, introduced in 1962. What followed were a car roof basket, a ski box, a surfboard carrier, bike racks and more. Their emphasis on outdoor equipment extended to gear for families including bike trailers, bike seats and strollers.
Even though Thule is based in Sweden, all Thule strollers are made in China.
Thule divides their strollers into all-terrain, jogging, compact and double categories.
Flagship Model: Thule Urban Glide 2
The Thule Urban Glide 2 (25.3 lbs.; the number refers to the second generation of the stroller’s design, not the number of kids it can transport) is a tri-wheel all-terrain stroller with air-filled tires.
Key features include
- Lightweight. Other jogging strollers on the market can tip the scales at 30+ lbs.!
- 16″ air-filled rear tires are designed for gravel or other off-road surfaces.
- One-hand compact fold.
- Height-adjustable handlebar with twist-action hand brake. There is also a foot brake.
- Storage basket with zippered cover—to keep your things from getting muddy on trails.
- Built-in suspension.
- Lockable front wheel. If you plan to jog, locking the stroller's front wheel keeps the stroller from wobbling.
- Multi-position canopy has side ventilation and sun shade.
- Mesh storage pockets inside seat.
- One-hand seat recline.
- Double version also available.
On the downside, the visible brake cord mars the otherwise sleek design. Most strollers at this point have hidden brake cords. For serious runners, the lockable front wheel isn't ideal as it can still vibrate (a fixed front wheel jogger is preferable).
Jogging Stroller: Thule Glide 2
The Thule Glide 2 is very similar to the Urban Glide 2 except the front wheel is fixed. This fixed front wheel makes it much better for serious runners as it doesn't have vibration issues. The wheels on the Glide 2 are also a bit larger than the Urban Glide 2's wheels at 16" up front 18"in the rear.