Thule Glide 3 pushchair review

Swedish outdoor brand Thule is well-known for its adventure-ready gear for all members of the family, from bike trailers to roof racks — and its running pushchairs are designed with the same performance-focused mindset.

The Thule Glide 3 is a premium jogging pushchair built for sporty parents who take their running seriously. Designed for speed and stability, it features a fixed front wheel, advanced suspension system, large air-filled tyres, an integrated twist hand brake, reclining padded seat and under-seat storage.

Due to its higher price tag (£659), it sits in the premium jogging stroller category alongside models like the Out’n’About Nipper Sport and Baby Jogger Summit X3. However, Thule positions the Glide 3 as a lighter and more streamlined option for dedicated runners. The brand also highlights its performance credentials — Thule pushchairs have even been used to set Guinness World Records for the fastest 10k and marathon while pushing a stroller.

How easy is the Thule Glide 3 to set up?

The instructions are a series of illustrations, without written explanations, which I found a little tricky to navigate.

Parts of the set-up were intuitive, like putting the wheels on, but other parts I had to work a bit harder on, like unfolding the buggy frame. But once I’d located the clip, it was a doddle. It took about 15 minutes to set up the pushchair, then it was good to go!

How easy is it to fold and unfold the Thule Glide 3?

Figuring out how to collapse the buggy left me scratching my head for quite a while — and the instructions didn’t help. All other buggies I’ve used have been collapsed from the top, usually around the handlebar. This one is different. I had to call in the help of my husband, who figured out that this is the method:

• Lift the flap (built-in leg rest) at the bottom of the buggy
• Push and turn it
• The buggy will collapse — it can be done one-handed, once you know how

To unfold the pushchair:

• Pull the clip on the side of the pushchair
• Lift the handlebar up and the buggy will flip open easily

How compact if the Thule Glide 3 when folded?

‘Compact’ would not be a word I would use to describe the Thule Glide 3. At 18 inches, the rear wheels are large and, when attached to the buggy, the whole thing can only just about fit into the boot of my car. The wheels can be removed easily, but with a toddler in tow, I’d rather not have to faff about putting them back on when we reach our destination.

At home, the buggy only just squeezes through the doorframes, which is not ideal when my son has fallen asleep out and about and I’m trying to manoeuvre the pushchair into the house without waking him.

When it’s folded and the wheels are removed, it’s fine to store in the hallway. However, when it’s folded with the wheels attached, it takes up a lot of space because it can’t stand up on its own sideways.

When collapsed, it’s fairly lightweight for a jogging pushchair which tend to be bulky and heavy — and it's easy to carry.

What is the Thule Glide 3 like to push?

The spongy handlebar is comfortable to hold and is easily adjustable, which is very handy as I’m 5ft 4in and my husband is 6ft 7in. When the handlebar is at its lowest angle, Sammy can reach it if he stands on his tiptoes and likes to give his teddy bear a ride.

When I’m walking in a straight line, the stroller is easy to push one-handed. However, due to the fixed front wheel, it veers off course frequently, which requires two hands to correct. The suspension is excellent and takes some of the strain off of my arms and wrists when during longer walks or runs.

The handlebar brake and wrist strap are fab features for speed control — particularly when travelling downhill.

How well does the Thule Glide 3 perform when jogging?

The buggy feels stable and smooth while jogging, and Sammy seems comfortable and secure. The hand brake and wrist strap give me extra reassurance that the buggy remains under control at higher speeds.

While the fixed front wheel helps maintain stability and momentum, helping to to go faster, it does make steering more difficult, particularly when navigating around people or obstacles on the promenade at the beach.

How does the Thule Glide 3 handle rough terrain?

As well as using the buggy on smooth, paved walkways, I also tested it out on more uneven ground such as woodland paths, gravel, grass and slopes of varying inclines. It handled equally well on all of these surfaces.

The suspension and large, air-filled tyres absorb bumps easily, making the ride comfortable for both parent and child. I’d definitely recommend this buggy for countryside walks, woodland wanders and trail runs.

Is the Thule Glide 3 practical for everyday use?

As an everyday buggy, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it.

Due to the large wheels, it can be cumbersome getting through certain doorways. And because of the fixed front wheel, it's trickier to navigate around obstacles such as wheelie bins, lampposts and — ugh! — dog poop.

However, the large wheels are a plus point when it comes to handling kerbs.

Overall, I'd say it's possible to use daily, but it's a bit of a palaver due to its bulky size. It definitely lives up to its billing as a specialist running buggy, rather than your everyday pushchair.

How comfortable is it for your child?

Sammy is very comfortable in the well-padded, supportive seat which is easy to recline.

He’s napped in it many times, with the extendable canopy providing decent coverage from the sun and wind. As for me, I love that the five-point harness is simple to adjust and doesn’t get tangled. Crucially, he can’t wiggle his arms out of it — one of his tricks in other buggies. The buckle is magnetic, which makes it very quick and easy to fasten and release.

What do you think of the design and build of the Thule Glide 3?

The design is modern and slick. The frame is lightweight yet sturdy and will no doubt go the distance when it comes to long-term use.

It’s been designed specifically for running, allowing room for your natural running stride. My biggest bugbear with the design is the fixed front wheel. While it’s better to have a locked front wheel when running for stability and speed, the fact that it has to remain locked makes it inconvenient for everyday manoeuvring. So if you're planning on using this buggy for running and as an everyday pushchair, the Thule Urban Glide 3 might be a better option for you.

How good is the storage on the Thule Glide 3?

The storage compartment isn’t huge, but big enough for water bottles, snacks, nappies and wipes. I can fit my nappy bag into it, but not much else.

If I’m doing errands like picking up dinner from the supermarket, I use a buggy clip for the nappy bag so that I can transport groceries home in the bottom of the buggy. The mesh pocket is handy for milk bottles and other bits and bobs.

How easy is to clean the Glide 3?

After several muddy woodland walks, the buggy understandably picked up some splashes of mud. Thankfully, these were easy to wipe off using soap and warm water. The fabrics aren’t removable, which could make deeper cleaning more difficult if there were significant stains.

The plastic of the handlebar has already been scuffed — possibly from resting on the floor when the buggy is folded.

What’s in the box?

• Buggy frame, which includes a canopy and storage compartment
• Two 18-inch rear wheels
• One 16-inch front wheel

Sustainability features

Thule has a dedicated section on its website outlining the company’s sustainability.

It prides itself on the fact that it has a strict Restricted Substances List (RSL), so that all of its strollers and accessories are made from materials that are free from harmful substances.

The box that the buggy came in can be recycled but, unfortunately, some of the plastic wrapping used during shipping cannot be.

The buggy itself feels durable and built to withstand the test of time, meaning it could easily be passed on or resold once Sammy has outgrown it.

Is it worth the money?

At around £650, this pushchair sits firmly in the premium category. It the front wheel could swivel as well as lock, I would say that, while expensive, you would probably get your money’s worth as you’d use the buggy every day for a few years.

However, because it's better suited specifically for running, many parents may find they still need a second buggy for everyday use.

Where can I buy the Thule Glide 3?

It is available from John Lewis, Natural Baby Shower and Thule.

MadeForMums verdict:

I would recommend the Thule Glide 3 for serious runners who want a dedicated jogging pushchair and have space at home for another buggy for everyday use.

It’s a seriously impressive piece of kit when it comes to speed-walking, jogging and running — particularly on rougher terrain due to its sturdy, grippy wheels and strong suspension.

But if you want a similar buggy that can ‘do it all’, I’d suggest the Thule Urban Glide 3 instead due to its swivel front wheel.