For active families, selecting the right stroller is key, which is why Thule’s premium strollers are tailored for parents who want to keep on moving. When it comes to durability, safety and adventure-ready gear, Thule has long been the brand to turn to, and their strollers are no exception, with innovative designs ideal for urban and outdoor lifestyles alike since 1942. In this review, we compare four of Thule’s best stroller options, the Urban Glide 4-Wheel, Spring, Shine, and Chariot Cross2. We will explain the features, pros, cons, and best use case for each option to help you narrow down the best fit for your family.
Overview of Thule Strollers
|
Model |
Category |
Price (Approx.) |
Weight |
Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Urban Glide 4-Wheel |
All-Terrain Jogging Stroller |
$500-$650 |
34.2 lbs |
Active parents, jogging, mixed terrains |
|
Spring |
Lightweight Urban Stroller |
$350-$450 |
21.8 lbs |
City parents, daily use |
|
Shine |
Compact Stroller |
$300-$400 |
21.6 lbs |
Urban travel, newborns to toddlers |
|
Chariot Cross2 |
Multisport Trailer/Stroller |
$1,000-$1,200 |
31.5 lbs |
Multisport families, two children |
Detailed Comparison
Design and Portability
Urban Glide 4-Wheel: 34.2 lbs, sturdy; one-hand fold, but it doesn’t stand up to save trunk room. Its four-wheeled build gives it better stability for jogging, but it’s not quite as compact.
Spring: 21.8 lbs, one-hand, self-standing fold perfect for small cars Its adjustable handlebar and streamlined frame makes it suitable for urban environments, but it’s not designed for rugged trails.
Shine: Weighing in at 21.6 lbs, it has a one-hand, compact fold that fits small spaces and travel bags. Its lightweight build is ideal for urban life but not a great choice for the rough and tumble.
Chariot Cross2: Weighing 31.5 lbs, this multisport trailer/stroller has a less portable, two-step fold. intended for biking, jogging or just walking around, its bigger footprint favors functionality over form.
Winner: Shine for its light, travel-friendly fold.
Comfort and Safety
Urban Glide 4-Wheel: Padded seat that reclines; 5-point harness; adjustable suspension; large UPF 50+ canopy. Safety and stability features include reflective accents and a handbrake for joggers.
Spring: Padded seat with five-point harness, multi-position recline, and vented UPF 50+ canopy. Its adjustable footrest provides comfort for growing kids.
Shine: Features a reclining seat with a 5-point harness, padded leg rest and a UPF 50+ canopy. It can be used with a bassinet or a car seat for newborns, focusing on early comfort.
Chariot Cross2: Two padded seats (50 pounds each) with 5-point harnesses, adjustable suspension, weatherproof canopy. Its multisport design makes it comfortable for multiple activities.
Winner – Chariot Cross2, for dual-seat comfort and multisport safety features.
Terrain and Maneuverability
Urban Glide 4-Wheel: Wide rear wheels and a lockable, suspended front wheel handle trails, grass and sidewalks like a champ. It is four-wheeled stable, perfect for jogging but less nimble in confined areas.
Spring: Simple, no-frills three foam-filled tires, front wheel suspension, for city sidewalks and light gravel. Its adjustable handlebar assists when navigating the city, but it won’t tackle rough terrain.
Four small, foam-filled tires perform better on smooth urban conditions like malls or parks. It fights off-roading, and it obeys a city-oriented habit.
Chariot Cross2: Big, air-filled tires and an adjustable suspension conquer trails, snow, and gravel. It’s built for multisport (biking, jogging, strolling) but large for city life.
Overall: Urban Glide 4-Wheel for overall and all-terrain jogging.
Car Seat Compatibility
Urban Glide 4-Wheel: Works with Thule Maple infant car seat or select Maxi-Cosi, Chicco, and Nuna car seats with adapters (sold separately), starting from birth.
Spring: Works wtih (Threading Thru) Thule Maple or other major-brand car seats (i.e. Maxicosi) are adapters making it newborn travel system.
Shine: Compatible with (Thule bassinet or car seats (Maxi-Cosi, Chicco, Nuna) via adapters for newborn-to-toddler versatility
Chariot Cross2: Not a car seat compatible product; designed for older kids (6 months-50 lbs per seat). Multisport.
Winner: Shine for its bassinet and car seat options from the very beginning.
Storage and Extras
Urban Glide 4-Wheel: Has a big cargo basket (10-lb limit), zippered cover, and a parent console (sold separately). Its design is focused on gear for active days from riverside to summit.
Spring: Feature a medium size basket (11-lb. limit), rear zip pocket and an adjustable handlebar Provided with a cup holder, for more convenience in everyday life.
Shine: Comes with a roomy basket (22-lb limit) and a parent organizer (sold separately). Its size is packed full of storage for urban living.
Chariot Cross2: Features a super large cargo space, adjustable handlebar and a rain cover included. Optional kits (biking, jogging) provide multisport capability.
Winner: Chariot Cross2 — more cargo, more multisport.
Price and Value
Urban Glide 4-Wheel: It’s a premium jogging stroller, costing $500 to $650, that’s all-terrain and gets a 2-year warranty, offering good value to active parents.
Spring: At $350-$450, mid-range urban stroller with 2-year warranty, balances style with function, and is designed for everyday use.
Shine: The least expensive at $300-$400 with a 2-year warranty that delivers terrific value for compact urban and travel needs.
Chariot Cross2 Price: $1,000–$1,200; the most expensive option, but families who seek adventure will consider it worth every penny, especially with dual-child capacity and a 2-year warranty
WINNER: Shine for its number and practical and urban versatility.
Parent Feedback
Urban Glide 4-Wheel: Highly rated for a smooth ride across trails (4.8/5 on Thule’s site), but some note weight. “Just the thing for a jog in the park!” says a reviewer.
Spring: Praised for its urban ease and style (4.6 of 5 per retailer reviews), wanted by some for improved suspension. “It’s so easy to push in the city,” a parent says.
Shine: Schiphol-approved for newborns but lacks trunk access when reclining (4.5/5 on Amazon) “Just right for my tiny apartment,” one user says.
Chariot Cross2: Highly rated multisport versatility (4.7/5 via outdoor forums), but cost is an issue. “It is really easy biking and jogging with two kids,” a parent writes.
Who It’s For: Who Should Get Each Stroller?
Urban Glide 4-Wheel: A great choice for active parents who have one child (birth to 75 lbs) and jog or want to explore mixed-terrain, such as parks or trails.
SPRING — Ideal for city parents of one (6 months to 65 lbs) needing a stylish, lightweight stroller for everyday urban use.
Shine: Best Parents living in a city or on-the-go parents with one child (birth to 50 lbs) looking for a compact, newborn-ready stroller.
Chariot Cross2: Designed for adventure-minded families of one or two children (6 months to 50 lbs each), who bike, jog or stroll on a range of terrains.
Pros and Cons
|
Model |
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|---|
|
Urban Glide 4-Wheel |
All-terrain, jogging-ready, large basket |
Heavy, non-standing fold |
|
Spring |
Lightweight, adjustable handlebar, stylish |
Limited to urban terrain |
|
Shine |
Compact, newborn-ready, affordable |
Not for rough terrain |
|
Chariot Cross2 |
Multisport, dual seats, huge cargo |
Expensive, bulky |
Final Verdict
All Thule strollers are superstars in their class:
Best for Fit Parents: Urban Glide 4-Wheel crushes the jogging and all-terrain game.
Best for Urban Style: Spring has a streamlined look and rides urban-friendly.
Best for Travel: Shine is the compact, newborn-ready to toddler-ready curling iron.
Best for Multisport Families: With dual-child, multisport versatility, the Chariot Cross2 is a standout.
Unsure which is right for you? Take our Stroller Finder Quiz to find a Thule model that suits your lifestyle, or read our individual reviews of each stroller. Ready to shop? Find these models at Thule. com, REI, or Amazon. Every Thule product is durability- and safety-tested at the Thule Test Center, with a 2-year warranty.
