Thule
Thule, best known for its bike trailers and bike seats, expanded into strollers in 2014 with the jogging model the Urban Glide. Thule is a premium stroller brand similar to Bugaboo or Cybex.
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 now 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 single-to-double categories.
Flagship Model: Thule Urban Glide 2
The Thule Urban Glide 2 (25.3 lbs., see price on Amazon) is a tri-wheel all-terrain stroller with air-filled tires. (The number refers to the second generation of the stroller’s design, not the number of kids it can transport.)
Key features include:
- Light weight. Other jogging strollers on the market can tip the scales at 30+ lbs.!
- 16″ air-filled rear tires 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.
- Built-in suspension and sleek design.
- Lockable front wheel. If you plan to jog, locking the stroller's front wheel keeps the stroller from wobbling.
- Multi-position canopy with side ventilation and sun shade.
- Mesh storage pockets inside seat.
- One-hand seat recline.
- Newborn options including bassinet or infant car seat adapters for an additional cost.
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, see the Glide 2 below).
There is a double version of the Urban Glide 2 (33 lbs., see price on Amazon), which has a similar name but holds two children in a side-by-side configuration.
Jogging Stroller: Thule Glide 2
The Thule Glide 2 (23 lbs., see price on Amazon) 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 and 18"in the rear.
Compact Strollers: Thule Shine and Thule Spring
Billed as a stroller for city life, the Thule Shine (21.6 lbs., see price on Amazon) has an adjustable leg rest, ventilated canopy and reclinable padded seat that reverses. For use from 6 months and up, the Shine has all-wheel suspension and a compact, one-handed, standing fold. Included with the stroller is a large cargo basket, adjustable handlebar, bumper bar and rain cover. Accessories include a bassinet and infant car seat adapters at an extra cost.
The Thule Spring (21 lbs., see price on Amazon) is Thule's lightest weight and most affordable stroller. The fold is similar to the Shine as is the adjustable handlebar. The front wheel swivels and can be locked into position. Only the front wheel comes with suspension, unlike the Shine's all wheel suspension. The wheels are foam filled 8.5" tires and the canopy has an extension as well as vents. A separate car seat adapter is available for infant car seats.
Single-to-Double: Thule Sleek
Following the trend of flexible strollers that morph from single to double, Thule offers the Thule Sleek (27.9 lbs., see price on Amazon). Like the UPPAbaby Vista, the Cybex Gazelle and the Mockingbird stroller to name a few, the Sleek allows you to add a second seat, bassinet or car seat adapters (at an additional charge) to make the stroller work for two children.
The Sleek includes an extendible, ventilated canopy with sun visor, reversible seat, all wheel suspension, and compact fold. An adjustable handlebar, bumper bar and cargo basket with zip top round out the features.
Safety Recalls
In 2020, Thule recalled 4000 Sleek strollers. The CPSC and Thule warned parents that stroller handles on the Thule Sleek could detach, posing an injury hazard to children. No injuries were reported.[1]
Also in 2020, the CPSC and Thule recalled car seat adapters for the Thule Sleek stroller. "The plastic brackets on the car seat adapter can break, posing a fall hazard to infants." No injuries were reported.[2]
Are Thule Strollers Non-Toxic?
According to Thule's website, their strollers and accessories all use textiles that are OEKO Tex certified meaning they are tested for substances harmful to human health.
"At Thule, we have a strict Restricted Substances List (RSL) to ensure that our strollers – as well as all our products – do not contain harmful substances."
Where are Thule Strollers Made?
All Thule strollers are made in China.
When can a baby ride in a Thule Stroller?
According to the instruction manuals on all Thule strollers, they can only be used out of the box by infants 6 months and older. Thule sells bassinets and infant car seat adapters for most of its strollers at an additional charge, allowing parents to use them from birth.