Thule Urban Glide 3 Review

Article by Michael Ellenberger

Thule City Glide 3 ($650)

Michael: If two individuals love one another very a lot, and in addition love working… effectively, lengthy story quick, there comes a time while you’re searching for a working stroller! Thule was type sufficient to ship me the City Glide 3 – a stroller which I had already been eyeing myself – and my spouse and I’ve put it by way of its paces (no less than, comparatively talking – I plan on including a follow-on assessment after a summer season and fall of mileage) and I’m glad to say – even with comparatively preliminary testing (about 50 miles onboard, throughout a pair totally different terrains) – this factor guidelines the street.

Let me knock out some fundamentals. The Thule City Glide 3 (ours, in a stunning black colour – very smooth!) retails at $650. Thule provides some reductions periodically, however I feel that worth, in comparison with the competitors, is truthful – I additionally glanced on the UPPAbaby Ridge ($600 at retail), the BOB Gear Wayfinder ($580) and the Chicco Activ3 Jogging Stroller (retail at $350). For what it is value, and for these dad and mom questioning, our “on a regular basis” stroller is the Chicco Corso, and we’re massive followers, so I anticipate even the “price range” choose of the Activ3 is no less than half-way first rate. However I digress.

The primary query we had was – when to make use of this! Talking as a non-medical occupation, with the recommendation of medical professionals, we have been advised to attend till child can help its personal head (for us, about 5 or 6 months, as I recall). Then, you’re good to go.

There’s at all times the query of in case your child will take pleasure in being within the stroller – thus far, throughout a number of runs, that hasn’t been a problem, however I’ve not taken her out when (a) highly regarded or (b) for very lengthy runs (the longest run to this point totaling about an hour). Once more, a subsequent assessment, once we’ve logged lots of of miles, can even be informative.

Functionally, there’s a little bit window atop the cover so that you can see in in your baby, however in any other case, they’re strapped in, and also you’re pushing blind (that is, after all, the case for any working stroller – simply noting it right here). Thule makes some nice add-ons, like an prolonged cowl and a cargo tray, however the UG3 can also be loaded with storage – there’s a big, zip-and-velcro bin below the seat, a mesh rear-seat pocket, and a smaller, zippered sleeve for gear. I can readily think about bringing snacks, a cellphone, a packable jacket (for you and child!) with out noticeably slowing down the journey – which is nice, as a result of I hate carrying issues on my particular person after I run (thus why you hardly ever get on-the-run pictures from me – I hate carrying my large iPhone) – however now, it’s way more streamlined.

Let’s speak turning and management! The City Glide 3 has inflatable rear tires, which make it smoother rolling – additionally they detach readily for transport. Primarily we’ve taken this factor on calm suburban streets, but additionally on bumpy sidewalks, with repeated railroad crossings, and on some (admittedly mild) trails.

The entrance wheel additionally locks (aka can’t spin side-to-side), which I’ve come to grasp as a fundamental necessity for working strollers (this was information to me, earlier than I started my analysis). It’s each a security threat to have the wheel spinning but additionally, extra virtually, simply simpler to run with the locked wheel when working on something apart from completely paved roads. The UG3 has some terrifically adjustable handlebars which let you take strain off the entrance wheel (by urgent down on the bars) to make turns, however often it’s also possible to vaguely tilt-to-turn, the way in which you typically hardly want to show a motorcycle’s handlebars to make a gradual flip. It’s an acquired talent, I suppose, however one which got here quick on the run.

I’ll word – the wheel lock is my least favourite a part of the entire stroller, as a result of it feels flimsy. Each time I twist to lock it (see the grey knob, under) it looks like I’m going to crack the plastic, or alternatively that I’m simply doing one thing flawed. The wheel locks – there’s even a wheel (additionally proven) to regulate the trueness of the wheel – however it’s not a very nice course of. Fortunately, you don’t have to do that typically, except you’re commonly switching between working and non-running mode (and wish the free wheel for walks).

The UG3 additionally has a rear brake, which is good – it requires a wrist twist, and the guide suggests it’s for maintaining the stroller at bay on downhills. This is sensible to me, although even within the hiller-than-Chicago suburbs, I didn’t actually have trigger to make use of it – I don’t typically tackle hills higher than, say, 50’ at a time, and had no downside sustaining the velocity simply by pulling again on the handlebars. After all, this may additionally change primarily based on (a) the burden of the runner and (b) the burden of the child, so your mileage (and my mileage, as she grows!) could differ. In the event you’re a runner someplace loopy – like my buddy Garrett in San Francisco – I anticipate you’ll be giving that brake much more use.

How about velocity and effectivity? I’ll be the primary to confess I’m not in tip-top form, by any means, however I did take the UG3 on runs quick (no less than, to the tune of 6:30s) and gradual (name it 8:00s), and was impressed in each circumstances. The smoothness of the wheels (and common lightness of the stroller itself) actually made the pushing really feel… pure? Sure, no less than one among your arms is locked to the handlebar (typically by way of the wrist-strap, which can also be a pleasant addition), so you possibly can’t use a “pure” arm carriage, and no, I received’t be utilizing this for exercises any time quickly (or no less than, not my selection), however… for simple runs, it’s actually no more work to run with the stroller than with out it.

One factor that stunned me (however realistically shouldn’t have) – working into the wind is a lot tougher while you’re additionally pushing the UG3, and the UG3 is without doubt one of the lightest working strollers on the market. Identical deal for hills (although I anticipated that).

Kathleen Valadez is a former collegiate runner for Washington College in St. Louis, the place she ran 18:03 for 5000m and 37:52 for 10,000m, and competed on the NCAA Cross-Nation Championships. Kathleen now runs recreationally, the place she logs miles indoors on the treadmill, or outdoor on the roads, typically accompanied by her trusty canine, Waffles and/or her stunning daughter. She lately received the Western Springs Tower Trot 5K.

A significant profit is the adjustable handlebar place; you possibly can set them to tilt “up” or “down” relying in your desire, and altering this angle can actually assist each with working consolation on-the-go (the identical manner chances are you’ll wish to barely combine up grip on a motorcycle’s handlebars), and to tune the stroller to the whims of various customers.

I hope it is apparent from the assessment writ massive, however my conclusion is that the Thule City Glide 3 is an excellent working stroller, and – for those who’re a runner desirous to get out the door together with your baby – a useful no brainer. I can’t but ask child if she’s pleased with the journey (although I can quickly!), however it feels clean, and also you’ll be rewarded with a lot of smiles (or, for those who’re fortunate, some sleep!). For the runner and never the passenger, there is a related reward – this factor is actually fairly pretty to make use of, and I don’t discover myself dreading utilizing it… quite the opposite, I’m excited to get out the door with it.

My largest criticism, as talked about, is the flimsy-feeling lock mechanism, however the lock itself is safe and with out situation to this point. I feel that is only a case of low cost plastics, and doesn’t detract from my expertise right here, which could be very constructive.

Dad and mom of all ages know the stress that may go into stroller choice, and I don’t declare that the City Glide 3 would be the excellent stroller for all customers (for instance, for those who’re commonly working off-road, I don’t understand how the inflatable tires and suspension could maintain up). However for these of us winding the city or suburban streets, I’d wholly advocate the UG3 – it’s made my (working) life higher, that’s for positive.

Looking for the City Glide 3 at Thule and at our companions under is far appreciated and helps help RoadTrailRun

Samples have been offered at no cost for assessment functions. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and should earn fee on merchandise bought through buying hyperlinks on this article. These partnerships don’t affect our editorial content material. The opinions herein are solely the authors’.

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