Thule Urban Glide 2 Double review

While the Thule Glide 2 is designed specifically for runners, the Thule Urban Glide 2 is a sleek all-terrain stroller offering to meet parents’ city and country needs.

The double version is not the only side-by-side pushchair out there – there are plenty to choose from – but it has some solid features to make it stand out. It’s better-looking than the Out n About Nipper Double (to my eye, anyway!), and has everything you need to transition easily from everyday stroller to sturdy running buggy.

Buyers’ guide to double buggies

I tested the Thule Urban Glide 2 double pushchair with my three- year-old and nearly-five-year-old. We used it on the relatively smooth pavements around town (navigating a few potholes along the way), and on the uncut grass of our local parks. Three large air-filled tyres, suspension, a lockable front wheel and a useful handbrake make it a great piece of equipment for parents who want to exercise during their childcare time.

And when you’re popping into town, set the wheel to the swivel setting for a stroller that’s a dream to push (even with two heavy children inside), with comfy seats and a large shopping basket that’s just begging you to stop by the supermarket on your way home.

You get a lot for your money – literally, it’s huge! – but it’s not the cheapest twin pushchair out there. For nearly £200 less you could pick up the Out n About Nipper Double (or Double Sport), for example. However, as a premium pushchair it’s good value for money, with a robust frame you should expect to last for a while, and a generous weight limit for each seat.

What were your first impressions?

I was super-excited to get my hands on the new Thule and had plenty of questions before I even opened the box. These included what would it be like to run with, would it fit through my front door, and how useful is the pushbar twist brake. I was pleased to see it came in one (albeit huge) box, so less packaging to dispose of.

After I’d popped the rear wheels on (easy) and flipped it the right way up, my first thought was that it was massive - swiftly followed by “what the heck is my long-suffering husband, who feels we should be past the pushchair stage by now, going to say?”.

How does the Thule Urban Glide 2 compare to other all-terrain/ running buggies you’ve used?

Compared to other doubles, the Thule is wider (it is 80cm between the back wheels), whereas the Nipper Double is around 72cm), and this unfortunately means it did not fit through the front or internal doors in my house.

My youngest is outgrowing her daily nap, but if you’re counting on walking your little ones to sleep before wheeling them inside and enjoying a cuppa, best measure your doorframe before buying.

It also meant that the fab shopping basket, which I gleefully filled up in the supermarket, had to be emptied on the doorstep before I could fold the buggy to bring it in the house. Not so handy, but fine if you have a wider front door.

Overall it feels much larger, although to be fair I think the enormous-looking wheels add to this impression as much as its actual dimensions.

On the plus side, the Thule may be approaching the size of a small car, but it’s impossible not to feel like a superhero when pushing it. Its height also meant it was comfortable for my tall husband to push, and overall it feels very sturdy.

In terms of manoeuvrability, it feels as smooth if not smoother than the Out N About Double to push with the front wheel on a swivel setting. When locked (essential for jogging safely), it feels as stable as the Out n About Double 360 or Phil & Teds’ Sport, so I felt quite happy running with it.

However, if I was using it with younger babies, I would personally prefer the increased stability of a permanently fixed front wheel – found on the Out N About Double, or the Bugaboo Runner.

Read our full review of the Out N About Sport Double.

The Thule Urban Glide 2 double is sold on being multi-purpose – is it a genuine all-rounder?

Yes and no. As in, it definitely can work well all-round, but it’s not for everyone. If you have a large home, or at least a wide front door and perhaps a porch or garage to store it, and don’t want to use public transport often, then this is a great everyday-sports hybrid.

Our front door is average size, and I really value the times my three-year-old nods off in the buggy and can finish her nap in the porch while I get on with chores. So, having to fold the Thule to get it into the house was a negative for me.

I also like to browse the local shops, and it simply wouldn’t fit through many of the narrower aisles. However, if you are walking round wide-aisled supermarkets, bumpy country lanes, parks and seeking a sturdy model you can jog with as well as use every day, the Thule is a fantastic mix of sturdy and smooth-riding.

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How does it feel to push when loaded with two children on off-road surfaces, or when jogging?

Surprisingly easy! I have to confess, the thought of running while pushing a heavy double buggy containing a tall 3- and nearly-5- year-old did not have me rushing to find my trainers, but when I did, I was impressed.

We generally stuck to the pavements around town and in our local park, and I found even going up a (slight) hill was quite manageable. It’s definitely harder than running solo, but if you look at it as a strength training exercise it’s a great addition to any fitness regime.

The large tyres and manoeuvrability of the Thule really help to make it a great jogging buggy. I also found the handbrake on the pushbar really effective for governing my speed, and I’d happily use this for a weekend or after-school run in the future.

It is worth noting, however, that the instruction booklet warns that you should not use it on rough off-road terrain or at excessive speeds, so we stuck to a slow jog and kept to pavements, and nothing bumpier than the longish, fairly uneven grass in the park.

How heavy is the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double?

It’s pretty heavy. It weighs 15.5kg, compared to the Nipper Double Out N About 360‘s 12.8kg or the Double Sport version at 11.5kg. It’s lovely and smooth to push though, so even with two children in it the pushchair weight wouldn’t matter so much. But if you’re lifting it into your boot, for example, you’ll definitely be using your muscles.

How does it ride on different surfaces?

Given its size and the solid frame, the Thule is a surprisingly graceful buggy to push. The large wheels, suspension, ergonomic pushbar and sturdy frame make it really smooth to push.

I even let a friend try it out on the school run and she liked it so much she pushed it all the way! Getting it over kerbs was effortless, even pushing two children singlehanded, because the wheels are so big. They also made light work of potholes and the long grass and bumpier ground in the park.

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What do you think of the wheels – tell us about them?

The wheels of the Urban Glide 2 double are fabulous and huge. The three wheels are supersized, with inflatable tyres, making both jogging and tackling uneven ground (such as a walk in the woods, or long grass) a breeze. The larger back wheels also made it very easy to go over kerbs, and I barely had to apply any pressure on the pushbar to raise the front wheel.

However, you can’t have it both ways, and when it comes to storing or putting it in the boot, those wheels can take up a lot of space.

You can have the front wheel on a swivel setting, which makes it very easy to push and steer, or you can lock it into position if you are on bumpy ground, or jogging. Switching between the two is very easy - just twist the very visible blue dial next to the front wheel.

Do the 16-inch back wheels and fixed/swivel front wheel make it easy for jogging?

Yes. If you’re heading out for a jog, you’ll want to fix the front wheel to make sure it’s a stable as possible. this will result in a more comfortable ride for your little passenger, and reduce the risk of the buggy overturning if you hit a bump in the road. As well as being air-filled, the size of the tyres makes the Thule ideal for jogging, and great suspension helps make it a smooth ride.

How compact is the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double?

Um, compact is definitely not a word I would apply to this super- sized beauty. The Thule feels unashamedly huge, and you are either going to feel like an absolute boss, or a bit self-conscious, as you push it around town (I swung between both).

It is one of the wider side-by-side models on the market at 80cm, compared to my usual Nipper 360 Double v3 (72cm wide), for example, or the Bugaboo Donkey 2 Twin (74cm), Mountain Buggy Nano Duo (73cm) or Baby Jogger City Mini Double (76.5cm).

And when you are squeezing through the corner shop or playing chicken with another oncoming stroller on the average pavements, you really do feel those extra centimetres. Using the Thule, I found I had to be conscious of our dimensions when taking our usual route, passing round bollards or going through the supermarket single-door exit.

With the Nipper Double, we usually pass through without a second thought, but with the Thule I had to slow down and take more care. Likewise, I felt quite self-conscious of how much pavement we took up when passing other people.

How easy is the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double to fold? Is it really one-handed?

Yes - the fold is fantastic! You can transform this bulky beast into a reasonably flat shape by simply sliding and squeezing the button beneath the footrests. It then smoothly folds down and the auto lock catch holds it in place. Very impressive.

Is the Urban Glide 2 double compact when folded?

With folded dimensions of 87x76.5x41cm, it is relatively compact, yes. It is also surprisingly flat. It was one of the features I noticed when first looking at the pushchair on the Thule website, so I was curious to see how it looked in real life.

Although it is big, it was flat enough to store quite neatly in our front porch when folded up. It’s also freestanding which was handy.

Is the frame strong, durable?

It feels very strong and sturdy, so I would definitely expect it to last through one or more children and to comfortably take the recommended 2 x 22kg weight limit.

What do you think of handle?

I really liked the handle. It is well padded, but a little thinner than the Nipper Double, which I found made it easier to grip. This is particularly reassuring when running as you want to keep a tight hold of it – there’s also a wristband to keep you together if you did accidentally lose your grip.

The pushbar has an unusual ergonomic shape which helped make steering really easy. Lastly, it can be raised to quite a high level, so it was comfortable for my 6’2” husband to push.

It’s very easy to adjust the height (just simultaneously squeeze the two buttons on either side and lift or lower it to your preferred height) so we could easily change it when we switched.

What do you think of the size of the seats?

The seat size is very good. At 3 and nearly 5 years old, both my girls were at the mid-upper end of the age range, but they both had plenty of space to stretch out and seemed very comfy even in warm weather.

The only concern I’d have for us would be the height, as the hood was quite close to their heads, but I’d say they were no shorter than other pushchair seats, and for younger or shorter children this would not be an issue.

Do the seats recline?

They do. When the empty seats were in the highest position, they didn’t look very upright to me and I worried that my children would get frustrated at the slightly reclining angle. However, once they got in it actually looked fine, and they seem very comfortable.

The seats are really easy to recline – just squeeze the clip behind the seat to release the strap holding the seat upright, or squeeze and pull to raise it back up.

What are the harnesses like?

The five-point harness was a bit fiddly to adjust (the detachable pads kept getting in the way) but was otherwise great. The shoulder and waist straps are attached to each other, so the girls just had to slip their arms in or out which made it nice and easy when they didn’t feel like getting in! You just click the button to release, which it also worked quite smoothly.

How comfortable does it feel for your little ones?

Both girls, aged 3 and 4, seemed very happy in their seats. I liked the fact that the waist straps had extra padding, and they both had plenty of space either side.

However, they are tall for their age and I noticed that with the hood up even my three-year-old’s head nearly touched the top, while my four-year-old declared it “uncomfortable!”. So, I think it might feel a bit claustrophobic for them in the rain.

On the move, I found it’s a very smooth pushchair to push, so they were very comfortable even on bumpier ground such as the long grass in the park.

How is interacting with your little ones when in the Urban Glide 2?

For a forward-facing pushchair, it’s really good. With the seat upright, I could see over their heads quite easily, so I could keep an eye on them. It also meant they could enjoy the view ahead, but look up to see me whenever they wanted. The seats have peekaboo windows so you can keep an eye on them when the hoods are up too, or if you have a younger baby who is mostly reclining.

Compared to tandem pushchairs, it was nice for the girls to sit side-by-side, sharing the same view and able to hold hands or chat together.

What do you think of the hood?

The hoods are fine – there is a separate hood for each seat, which is useful if you are trying to restrict your baby’s perspective while you encourage them to sleep while your older child is enjoying the view. They are not particularly far-reaching, so you would definitely need to invest in a rain cover if you wanted to take it out in the rain.

Tell us about the brakes.

The brakes are really easy to use. The extended shape of the footbrake means you have to apply minimal pressure to lift it up or down.

So even if you’re wearing flip-flops, it’s very comfortable to use. There is also a brake in the centre of the pushbar – you just squeeze and twist it towards you. It only works while you are holding it (so use the footbrake to park it!) but it’s a handy way to slow down, or stop.

How does the Urban Glide 2’s twist hand brake work for speed control – do you like this feature?

Yes, I do like this feature. You just squeeze the brake, and twist a little towards you if you want to slow down, or twist it completely to stop. If you are walking up or down hills, or jogging, this is a very nice bonus feature to have, as you can govern your speed in an instant, or come to a stop without thinking about where the foot brake is.

I tested it out while jogging and was impressed – it was really useful to slow the pushchair down on pavements when we were approaching a crossing, or when going downhill. It was also easy to bring it to an emergency stop. I found it even easier to use than the bar-mounted brake on the Nipper Sport, which you squeeze like a bicycle brake.

Does it fit in the boot of your car?

Sadly not, even with both the rear wheels removed it didn’t stand a chance of squeezing into our compact VW Golf boot.

What age child is the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double best for?

To get the most value, it’s obviously worth using it from as early an age as possible. However, its generous weight limit of 22kg per seat means it is likely to last you for several years, so I’d recommend it for all ages.

The only down side for younger babies would be that the seats are only forward facing, so interaction isn’t as good as it could be once you remove the parent-facing bassinet at the six months stage. The front wheel can be fixed for jogging, but is not a rigid as a permanently fixed wheel, so parents should bear this in mind when running with younger babies.

What’s the maximum weight/age of child that can use it?

The Urban Glide double can carry two children weighing up to 22kg each, with a maximum height each of 111 cm. Children’s height and weight can vary considerably, so it’s best to check, but it’s likely to accommodate your little ones very comfortably up until the time when they prefer to walk.

I’d say the Thule’s weight limit is very generous as many pushchairs only take up to 15kg per child.

Can the Thule Urban Glide double be used from newborn?

Yes, if you purchase extra kit. Thule says the pushchair can be used from birth using the Thule Bassinet (£160) or infant car seat adapter (from £35), and you can remove the seat and canopy fabric to create a neater look. Without these additions, it can be used from six months.

Is there enough space in the basket and storage pockets?

There is a large shopping basket beneath the seats, which has the unusual feature of a zip-up cover. This is great if you want to pick up a few items from the shop midway through your run, as you know they’ll be very secure. It’s also very easy to access, which I found a great help when loading it up with a midweek shop.

There is also a net bag attached to the back of each seat, perfect for sliding in easy-access items such as snacks and drinks while you’re on the move.

What’s in the box?

The pushchair arrived in one huge box, containing the frame with the front wheel attached, two detached rear wheels, and instructions. I thought it was really well packed, with plenty of foam padding, but watch out for stray silicon sachets.

Is it easy/hard to build the product?

It was really easy to fit together. I was initially confused by an additional single sheet of instructions, which seemed to be advising on how to fit the front wheel (which was already fitted). But all I needed to do was tighten it, and fit the two rear wheels by pressing a button in the centre of the wheel and sliding it on.

Is it easy to clean after a trip to the muddy woods?

To keep it in tiptop condition, Thule recommends regularly cleaning the pushchair with simple warm water and a mild soapy solution – just make sure it’s dried completely before you fold it up and store it. If you’re preparing to drive home, you could cover muddy wheels in plastic bags or even cheap shower caps to protect your boot.

Although the pushchair didn’t get particularly muddy, I found the smart black finish did show up my three-year-old’s pretty standard collection of crumbs quite quickly so it’s good to know it’s wipeable.

Who would the Urban Glide 2 Double be most useful for?

Active parents who have two buggy-aged children will love the fact that the Thule can be used as an everyday run-around and a jogging pushchair. It’s very sturdy, so worth using from as early an age as possible, and it will last for several years, so you can expect to get your money’s worth.

Due to its width it’s best suited for families who have a garage or a front or porch door wide enough to accommodate it, as well as a large car boot if you want to drive and push. It’s also great for off- road (bumpy country walks, for example), but if you’re planning to pound narrow city pavements, you might want a slimmer alternative.

In a nutshell, if you have the space, it’s a fantastically smooth, versatile and pleasant pushchair to use.

Is there anything unique about this product?

There aren’t many double buggies on the market which work for jogging as well as everyday use. Like the Out N About Nipper Double, the Thule’s large, air-filled tyres and handbrake mean you can use it comfortably on bumpy ground, or take your little ones out for a run with the front wheel locked.

Unlike special sports buggies (like the Nipper Double Sport), you can also set the front wheel to swivel mode, making it much easier to steer when you are out walking.

The Thule has an unusual squeeze-and-twist brake on the pushbar, which makes it very easy to govern your speed or bring the pushchair to a stop quickly and easily. It also has a generous- sized basket with a zipped-up cover (fab for securing your shopping), and a beautifully easy single-hand fold to help it stand out from the crowd.

What is the price? Is this good value for money?

The Thule Urban Glide 2 Double costs £699.99, sitting somewhere between the mid-range and premium end of the market. There are more expensive double twin options out there (like the Bugaboo Donkey2 Twin pram and pushchair £1,430) but if you have a limited budget there is plenty of choice for less cash.

If having a model that works well every day and for jogging is important, you may want to look at cheaper options such as the Out n About Nipper Double 360 or Sport models (£524.95 and £534.95 respectively).

The shopping basket is included with the Thule, but a rain cover is not. Thule is not the only brand to charge extra for rain covers, but I do feel this is an essential item that should be included in the package (in the rainy UK at least!) and at £60, the Thule rain cover isn’t cheap.

You can also buy some other extras including a mesh cover (£60), an organiser with a zipper pocket and cup holders that clip in front of the pushbar (£50) or footmuffs (£73 each). Out of these, the rain cover is the only one I would class as being essential, although I’d definitely be tempted by the organiser.

MadeForMums verdict

I really enjoyed using the Thule Urban Glide 2 double pushchair. It’s so easy to push and was really comfortable for both me and my children to use.

I’m a big fan of buggies which convert from everyday to jogging (Out n About 360, Phil & Teds Sport), and Thule’s sturdy frame, brilliant wheels, ergonomic pushbar and handbrake were very well designed.

The only real downside for me was its size – I can’t fit this pushchair through my front door, or in my car boot, both of which are on my personal checklist of dream buggy requirements.

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