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When putting together our baby registry, it’s an understatement to say I was overwhelmed. It came as a surprise to me, considering I write about gear for a living. I’ve packed and prepared for some pretty epic adventures in my life—from a multi-day gravel ride in Morocco, to a snowshoe tour of Hokkaido, Japan, to a dawn-to-dusk paddle down the Chicago River.
But baby gear? It’s a different beast. The internet has a way of convincing you that you need every kind of product to be a successful parent. The obvious: cribs, bottles, changing pads. The obscure: baby food blenders, snot suckers, holistic creams. And the downright overkill: a onesie with an AirTag pocket (yes, someone really bought this for us). Somewhere between must-have and masterful marketing, I found myself wrestling with the question, “How much of this is actually necessary?” The reality: Not much of it.
There’s one item, however, that I couldn’t have lived without during my baby’s first year: the Thule Urban Glide 3 stroller. It has been a total lifesaver for getting outdoors, traveling, and adventuring as a family. Our daughter, AJ, turns one in March, and this stroller has logged more than 300 days of use with us in her first year alone. Below, I’ll dive into what makes this stroller stand out as our daily driver.
Thule Urban Glide 3
(Photo: Courtesy REI)
Pros and Cons
+ Efficient and easy to pack
+ Large wheels and suspension for varied terrain
+ Responsive and quick on turns
+ Comfortable handlebar with soft grip
– Not the most compact
– Expensive
Let me get this out of the way: I’m not a jogger, and I don’t plan to start. Still, despite being marketed as a jogging stroller, the Thule Urban Glide 3 has become the most-used piece of baby gear in our daily routine.
With burly 16-inch wheels, this stroller has no issues navigating varied terrain, such as the rooty, rock-covered, and woodchip trails that we walk several times a week at our neighborhood park. The built-in suspension on the back wheels adds extra comfort for our daughter instead of jostling her around like a ragdoll.
The ergonomic handlebar features a brake that’s designed specifically for runners but isn’t essential for every day. (Photo: Erica Zazo)
This winter, Chicago has seen more snow than most towns out west (sorry, y’all), making our mid-day walks a bit more challenging than we’re used to. During our first big snowstorm of the year, we got nearly six inches of snow. The Urban Glide 3 plowed through unshovelled sidewalks with ease.
Joggers will appreciate a built-in brake on the handle and wrist strap for extra safety. As non-joggers, my wife and I find these nice to have but not critical for our everyday use. What does stand out, though, is the ergonomic, adjustable handlebar that can adjust to fit the height of the user. And its buttery, padded grip makes for an extremely comfortable handfeel, no matter if you’re running or walking.
The oversized canopy folds down to almost entirely shade kiddos from the sun. (Photo: Erica Zazo)
One thing we’d change about this stroller is the position of the seatback. While the seat reclines nearly flat, it stops just shy of a 90-degree upright angle. A fully upright seat would make a big difference for our always-alert kiddo on walks and outings, especially while venturing out over longer distances.
Built-In Storage and Breathable CoverageWe’re the type of parents who like to be overprepared and packed for everything we may need when leaving the house. We’re also the type of parents who, early on, would stress about every possible threat to our baby: sunburn, overheating in the summer, or blindly forgetting something she might need mid-walk. This stroller helped ease our new-parent anxieties with plenty of pockets to bring extra gear and smart design to keep our little one protected from the elements.
Having a baby in spring meant we were destined for warm-weather walks after being cooped up all winter long in Chicago. The Urban Glide 3 embodies the Nordic mantra “there’s no such thing as bad weather” and stays true to its Swedish roots with a design built to take on the elements. An oversized canopy folds down to almost entirely shade your kiddo from the sun. It wasn’t until AJ was about seven months old that her feet popped out beyond the shaded cover of the stroller hood.
Peek-a-boo! The mesh windows offer visibility as well as ventilation in the canopy. (Photo: Erica Zazo)
We also love the variety of peek-a-boo windows and mesh vents incorporated into the canopy, which allow us to check in on AJ to see if she’s napping and provide much-needed airflow on hot, muggy days. We almost always leave the large mesh window on the canopy open to keep an eye on her while we walk. She enjoys looking up at us, too.
A large cargo basket underneath the stroller seat is wide and deep enough to fit a diaper bag, a small blanket, and some toys—or any combination of supplies you need to bring with you on the go. We even fit a small cooler in the cargo area for picnics at the park. Behind the seat is a large rear mesh pocket for stashing smaller items like water bottles or books.
Easy to Pack Down and Travel WithWe took AJ on her first international flight to New Brunswick, Canada at nine months old. It was a non-negotiable to bring a stroller with us to make navigating the airport and adventuring abroad easier for all of us. At first, the Thule Urban Glide 3 felt like overkill compared to smaller, more compact travel strollers. But we knew this stroller would be the most practical for our trip, which included hikes on coastal trails and long days exploring towns.
One TSA agent at Chicago O’Hare blurted out, “Wow, you brought your SUV with you!” I felt a little embarrassed at first, but I quickly realized we made the right decision when I was able to haul our diaper bag, hiking backpack, milk cooler, and all three of our coats on the Urban Glide swiftly through security and to our gate.
Airport security: 0. Stroller: 1.
Though not the most compact, the Thule Urban Glide 3 is easy to pack down into a travel bag. (Photo: Erica Zazo)
The Thule runs a little taller and wider than your average stroller thanks to its burly rear wheels and stocky frame. But it’s right in line with others in its class, like the UPPAbaby Ridge or Jeep TurboGlyde, in terms of size. Where the Thule really outshines the competition is its sleek Scandinavian look, durable design, and lightning-fast fold.
For air travel, we brought along the Thule stroller travel bag. It takes all of five seconds to break down the stroller using an intuitive handle at the base of the front wheel. With a quick twist of the wrist, the stroller folds flat. You can even do this with one hand. From there, it’s as simple as sliding the stroller into the travel bag. This adds a few minutes of effort, especially the first attempt, but once it’s packed away, it’s easy to carry down the jet bridge and repeat the process on each leg of the journey.
Even for parents who aren’t runners, the Thule Urban Glide 3 is a worthwhile investment for its all-terrain capabilities and more. (Photo: Erica Zazo)
A Slew of Smart Accessories
Dozens of compatible stroller accessories make the Thule Urban Glide 3 feel less like a single piece of gear and more like a fully customizable system. From her newborn days through about six months, we used the infant sling to support AJ’s neck and create a cozy cocoon for napping on the go. Now she rides in the standard seat, outfitted with add-ons like the snack tray to keep her Cheerios and sippy cup secure on longer outings.
For the coldest months, the Thule Footmuff has been essential in fending off Chicago’s brutal winter. The thick, insulated stroller sack adds serious warmth plus water-resistant protection from wind and snow, even on sub-30-degree days. We also regularly use the rain cover to block the wind, especially in winter, and, of course, precipitation all year round.
The transparent rain cover shields bundled babies from rain, sleet, and snow. (Photo: Erica Zazo)
Should You Buy the Thule Urban Glide 3?
If you’re a parent like me who wants one piece of gear that can handle city living and more off-the-beaten-path adventure, the Thule Urban Glide 3 is a no-brainer. It’s designed to handle all types of terrain and conditions, adapts as your kids grow, and is stacked with plenty of features that make traveling with the family much easier.
The Urban Glide 3 feels less like a specialty jogging stroller and more like a do-it-all rig built to handle adventure with little ones. From errands and park laps to airport sprints and days on the trail, it’s an extremely smooth, sturdy, and versatile stroller that works seamlessly for everyday life.
The Thule Urban Glide 3 can handle offroading on trails and snowy, unplowed sidewalks without bouncing the baby. (Photo: Erica Zazo)
It’s not the lightest or least expensive stroller on the market. But if you’re going to spend the money anyway on an essential piece of gear, you might as well invest in a stroller that’s built for the long haul. Exceptionally capable, thoughtfully designed, and downright durable—this stroller is outdoorsy parent-approved.
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