Thule Glide 2 Review

Thule (pronounced Too-La) is a Swedish company founded by Erik Thulin. The company started creating products for fishermen in 1942, and as the years went on, they created more products for outdoor enthusiasts and families. Their new focus centered on gear that made adventures and the transportation of outdoor toys easier. Thule continues to expand their product line, including roof racks, luggage boxes, bike seats for kids, bike racks, the best bike trailers for kids, and top-ranked full-size strollers.

Performance Comparison

Run-ability

The Glide 2 is easy to run with but not as easy as its swivel-wheeled brother, the Thule Urban Glide 2.

The Glide 2 has a fixed front wheel with adjustable tracking that works well to keep the stroller moving in a straight line. While tracking takes a little effort, we don't think you will need to make adjustments often. This stroller has pneumatic rubber tires, low rolling resistance, and tips back easily making wide turns easy.

The Glide 2 has an adjustable handlebar (above left) for better biomechanics that could translate to running longer distances. The twisting handbrake (above right) works well, and we used it regularly to slow the roll. There is some flex in the frame where the stroller folds, but we found it absorbed some of the pressure on the runner while tipping and turning. Our professional runner feels it is a good lightweight option for those who require less weight for hilly terrain.

Ease of Use

The Glide 2 is relatively straightforward and on par with some of the easier to use competition.

Fold and Unfold

The Glide 2 fold is one-handed with a twist and pull folding handle (above left) under the seat. It requires two hands to lift the seat for access to the handle, and it doesn't self-stand, but the new version has an auto-lock (above right). Unfolding is a two-step process that is simple but will take some practice to do smoothly.

Brakes

The Thule Glide 2 has single-action brakes that are easy to set and release but aren't the best for sandaled feet. The larger rocker-style plastic pedal on the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 is easier on the tops of feet.

Storage

The storage bin has a maximum weight allowance of 10 lbs and is accessible from the back and sides. We were able to fit a large diaper bag inside. The stroller also has a back seat mesh stow pocket, and the passenger has two inside stow pockets (above right). If you were about items falling out, the BOB Alterrain Pro sports a covered bin.

Sunshade

The canopy on the Glide 2 is large and sleek, with a fabric visor and a plastic peek-a-boo window (above left) with a magnetic closure cover. The new canopy has a zip-open panel that reveals added ventilation (above right) when you unzip it. The entire canopy can rotate forward to the knee for running with a low sun or oncoming wind.

Harness

We found the five-point harness of the Glide easy-to-use. The new buckle is much better than the old version, and it pops open with only one hand. The harness is one of the easiest to adjust with one strap making the waist and shoulder straps smaller simultaneously.

Seat

The Glide 2 has a padded leg rest and an adequate footrest for taller children. The seat back adjustment is a one-handed plastic toggle and has a recline suitable for napping. The seat offers good air circulation through a vented portion at the top which can be covered in cold weather.

Car Seat Compatibility

The Glide 2 is compatible with a variety of infant car seats that can allow parents to walk with babies that are too young to jog with (babies under 8-12 months, ask your pediatrician). They offer three different adapters for purchase. The Thule Infant Car Seat Adapter is somewhat of a universal adapter that will work with a variety of infant car seats listed on their website as a downloadable pdf. These seats include many popular brands and the award-winning Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 and UPPAbaby Mesa. The Thule Urban Glide Car Seat Adapter for Chicco works with the Chicco Keyfit 30 and the Thule Car Seat Adapter for Maxi Cosi works with infant carriers from Maxi-Cosi, Cybex, and Nuna.

Ease of Setup

It took 5:24 minutes to set up the Glide 2 from unpacking to ready to use.

This stroller doesn't require any tools to assemble and only needs the wheels put on. The manual is okay, but we didn't like it as much as the previous version as the pictures weren't as useful.

Maneuverability

The Glide 2 struggles compared to the swivel wheel options, as the fixed wheel design limits tight turns and navigating through small spaces, but it did earn the highest score for fixed wheel models.

The fixed wheel and longer length of the Glide 2 meant it bumped into objects in the course, but it is easy to tip and turn if you plan and have the room. This stroller manages well over various terrains, and we barely broke stride going over gravel and grass. Overall, it is easy to push and turn as the longer handle helps make the turns smoother and limits bending, but the fixed wheel takes more energy and space to turn than a swivel wheel.

This stroller has a padded sling style seat, nice suspension, and rubber air-filled tires to provide a comfortable ride for passengers. The adjustable handlebar is foam covered, and tires and suspension provide a forgiving design for pushers moving over bumpy surfaces.

Weight and Folded Size

The Glide 2 is relatively light and small. This stroller weighs 24.4 lbs which is a full 4 lbs heavier than the old model. It measures 20,352 cubic inches when folded. The Baby Trend Expedition is even smaller and lighter.

These measurements make the Glide 2 one of the larger options and no longer the lightest with several possibilities weighing less and folding smaller. It can be slightly smaller if you remove the wheels, but we don't think parents are going to bother. The larger size makes this stroller harder to fit in smaller spaces.

Quality

The Glide 2 earned a top score for quality. The fabric on this stroller is nice, feels breathable, and does not snag. The seat has minimal padding, but the fabric is fitted tightly to the frame. This stroller has a sharp-looking aluminum frame that is sleek and hides all connection points and has a seamless connection with the fabric in a groove. The folding joint has some movement, but it doesn't impact the stroller performance. It is the sleekest stroller in the group with all the components creating a clean fit and finish. Thule offers quality products, including the Thule Chariot Cross 2 with Jog Kit.

Should You Buy the Thule Glide 2?

The Glide 2 is the only fixed front wheel traditional jogger we tested this go. In the past, serious runners preferred the fixed front wheel to help keep strollers on track while moving at speed. However, in the past 4 or 5 years, we've seen a shift to locking swivel wheels working as well or better for running and they also give you the versatility to use them in close quarters where the lack of turning in the fixed wheel can be a problem. That being said, some hard-core runners, who are looking for a dedicated lightweight running stroller may still prefer the Glide 2 for its lower weight and smoother performance in our running tests. If you already have an everyday stroller, take running seriously, or regularly run in hilly areas, we suspect the Glide 2 can meet your needs and bring a smile to your face.

What Other Jogging Stroller Should You Consider?

If a swivel front wheel is your thing, or you hope to buy one stroller for multiple uses, then the Glide 2 is likely not the best fit for you. The fixed front wheel creates a long footprint that doesn't do well indoors or in tight spaces with high traffic. If you need the versatility of a runner and making tight turns when not running, we suspect the Thule Urban Glide 2 might be a better choice. If you think you want to run, and also take part in other outdoor adventures like biking and skiing, then the Thule Chariot Cross 2 with Jog Kit might be a good option to meet your needs.

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