Thule Urban Glide 3 Double Review

Thule (Too-La) is a Swedish brand established in 1942. It has become a worldwide leader in products that help people live more active, easier, and more stylish lives. Their offerings include outdoor gear, car racks, bike carriers, strollers, child carriers, and more.

Ease of Use

The Thule Urban Glide 3 doesn't slow you down. Folding, braking, harnessing kids, and accessing storage all feel smooth and predictable.

Nothing feels fiddly or annoying in daily use. It's easily near the top of its class in this metric.

Fold and Unfold

The folding and unfolding process becomes natural with little practice. Once we dialed in the steps, we could do it swiftly.

The four-step folding process is a cinch, and it folds right down and locks into place quickly and effortlessly.

Unfolding requires two hands because the stroller is heavier and a tad bulky, but it's a straightforward and user-friendly process.

Storage

Storage is well-designed for everyday use, but the Thule doesn't include a parent tray or cup holder, which isn't a dealbreaker for us, but some parents might miss it.

The main basket is the star, even though the 15-pound weight limit is slightly lower than that of some competitors in its class. It's big, open, and easy to access, and it comfortably fits a large or extra-large diaper bag, plus more. We had to stoop down to gain access, and when the seats are reclined, access becomes very limited without waking passengers. There's a zippered pouch on the storage basket to keep smaller items organized and secure. It's a nice design touch that also adds peace of mind by helping keep items from falling out or getting exposed to the elements.

You'll also find extra storage throughout the stroller, including mesh pockets behind the seats and small pockets next to each rider. When the seats are reclined, the in-seat mesh pockets are a little more difficult to reach.

Harness

The harnesses on the Urban Glide 3 Double are a real plus for parents. The shoulder straps adjust easily with slide buckles, so there's no fussing or rethreading as kids grow, and the waist strap is also easy to tighten. The real standout is the magnetic buckle. It makes getting kids in and out quick and simple, reducing frustration during busy outings. When you're buckling two kids in and out multiple times a day, these small design choices can make a big difference.

Brakes

The brakes work smoothly and dependably. The foot brake with red/green indicators engages with a satisfying click and keeps the stroller parked, while the handlebar deceleration brake helps slow the stroller down hills, giving that extra bit of control when you need it most.

Maneuverability

The Thule Urban Glide 3 Double is a dream to push on hard surfaces like sidewalks and pavement, and it can handle rougher terrain, such as gravel paths, grass, and light trails, with surprisingly little effort thanks to its suspension and air-filled tires. One-handed steering is very doable on flat ground.

It can fit through a standard 32" doorway, though it's a tight squeeze, and clipping a wheel is easy if you're not careful. It handles tight turns and weaves through crowded spaces easily enough, but it is long and unwieldy inside some small indoor areas. However, that doesn't take away from how well this double performs. It feels nimble, responsive, and a joy to push.

The larger air-filled tires stand out and help the Thule Urban Glide feel smoother, more stable, and easier to push across different terrain. They do, however, require occasional inflation and can go flat, requiring repair.

Transporting and Storing

The Thule Urban Glide folds down to a relatively compact size for a double, but it isn't the most compact option in the group and is a bit heavier than average. However, loading and unloading still feel easy, with places to grab and lift, and it fits well in most trunks, especially with the wheels facing up.

Weight and Folded Size

The Thule weighs about 35 lbs, which is a bit heavier than some doubles, but it has some nice grab points for lifting it in and out of the car.

Folded, it measures 31.1"W x 19.1"H x 34.6"L, with a volume in cubic inches of 20,553. It can also stand on its own for easy storage. Remove the rear wheels, and the height drops to around 14 inches, making it even easier, although inconvenient, to fit in a trunk or a tighter space.

Kid Ride

We think most kids will be really comfortable in the Thule Urban Glide 3 Double, especially for families on longer walks or during active days.

It earns one of the highest scores for kid comfort in the group.

Seat

You can adjust each seat independently on the Thule Urban Glide, so one kid can nap while the other sits more upright. The seats don't sit as upright as some other doubles, but they are still comfortable. The padding is cushy, and the recline system is smooth to operate with nap-worthy angles.

When the seat is reclined, there's a mesh window in the upper back for airflow, and a fabric flap you can close to block wind or light.

The leg rest includes a support bar under the seat that lets you prop it upright, primarily lifting the calf and foot. It works, especially for smaller children, but offers limited adjustability and won't be useful for older children.

Sunshade

The canopies on the Urban Glide are really practical. They stay put, provide great coverage over kids' faces, and keep the sides well protected, so we didn't have to worry about the sun sneaking in. The clear vinyl peek-a-boo window makes it easy to keep an eye on riders without having to lean over. There's a mesh vent for airflow, but you'll need to open the canopy extension to use it, since the peek-a-boo window is plastic.

Continuous Sleeping Comfort

If you want a stroller that can tackle the toughest terrain and deliver the smoothest ride at the same time, the Urban Glide is for you. We tested it on asphalt, cracks, and other bumpy ground, measuring excessive jolts that might disrupt a passenger's sleep, and noted only 8 events in total. Likely thanks to the larger pneumatic tires, rear shock absorbers, and hammock-style seats, passengers are insulated from the impacts of rough terrain.

Quality

From top to bottom, the Thule exudes quality. It feels solid and well-crafted, earning one of the highest quality scores in the group.

It has tough, padded fabric with reinforced stitching, a sleek aluminum frame, and a clever design that keeps it both durable and functional. The air-filled tires roll smoothly, and reflectors add safety. Backed by a lifetime frame warranty, we think this stroller is built to last.

Car Seat Compatibility

Out of the box, the Thule doesn't include any car seat adapters. You will need to purchase them separately to use an infant car seat with this stroller. With the right adapters, it's compatible with a wide range of infant seats from brands like Britax, Cybex, Joie, Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, and Thule. You can also use some seats as strap-in without adapters, including certain models from Baby Jogger, Cybex, Graco, Nuna, and Maxi-Cosi. It's important to note that the Thule Urban Glide 3 Double only accommodates one infant car seat. If you're planning for two infants, there are a handful of double strollers that accept two infant car seats, or you can carry one in a baby carrier.

Ease of Setup

Getting it ready to roll is painless. The assembly is quick and straightforward, taking about 10-15 minutes, including attaching and inflating the tires and snapping on the canopies. The manual is mostly pictures, which can be a bit confusing at first, especially for the canopy orientation, but once we figured out the labels, it was simple. No tools are needed, and the minimal packaging keeps everything neat.

Twins

The Thule Urban Glide 3 Double is a great side-by-side stroller for twins. However, it isn't designed as a newborn-from-day-one solution. It's best suited for families once kids are a bit older and can sit comfortably in the seats. The identical seating arrangements, however, are perfect for siblings who might fight over seats that are different, something more commonly found in inline style doubles.

Should You Buy the Thule Urban Glide 3 Double?

If you're looking for a high-quality, everyday side-by-side double that keeps kids comfy and makes life easier for parents, the Thule Urban Glide 3 Double is hard to beat. It offers smooth handling, sturdy construction, a generous recline, and cozy canopy coverage for naps. This stroller can pull double duty for jogging and tackle gravel hiking paths with ease. While it's an investment, it's a solid choice for adventures that require more off-road and at-speed fun.

What Other Double Stroller Should You Consider?

It's hard to beat the Thule Urban Glide 3 Double's performance and quality, but if money is tight, the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double is super smooth, like the Thule, with similar agility, quality, and comfort at a more affordable price point. However, it is not a jogger, and despite the 3-wheel design, it should not be used as such. If you are hoping for a stroller that will accommodate two infant car seats, consider the UPPAbaby Vista v3 Double, which also offers fantastic maneuverability for an enjoyable ride in town or out. While it is not as agile off-road as the Urban Glide due to its inline design, its customizable seating options are tough to beat if you have two infants.