Thule
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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 BOB or Cybex.
Located in Malmö, Sweden, Thule was founded in 1942 by Eric Thulin to make outdoor recreation equipment (its first products were fishing gear). Thule's famous ski rack was introduced in 1962.
Thule continued to expand in the outdoor category with car roof carriers, bike racks and surfboard carriers. An emphasis on family-friendly categories in the past 20 years saw the introduction of bike trailers, bike seats and (in 2014) 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 too much.
- 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 are preferred by serious runners, since strollers with turnable/lockable front wheels can vibrate when running.
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
After the success of the Urban Glide, Thule expanded into strollers aimed at urban parents.
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. Unlike the Shine, the Spring has wheel suspension on the front wheels only.
The Spring's wheels are foam-filled 8.5" tires and the canopy has an sun visor and ventilation. A separate car seat adapter is available for infant car seats as an accessory.
Single-to-Double Stroller: Thule Sleek
Following the trend of modular strollers that morph from single to double, Thule debuted the Thule Sleek (27.9 lbs., see price on Amazon) in 2019.
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, which tests fabric for a range of chemicals and certifies those that are safe for use.
"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," says the company.
Where are Thule Strollers Made?
All Thule strollers are made in China.
When can a baby ride in a Thule Stroller?
Thule strollers are recommended for use from six months and up, according to instruction manuals for all Thule stroller models. To accomodate younger infants, Thule sells bassinets and infant car seat adapters as extra accessories for most of its strollers, allowing parents to use them from birth.
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