Thule Strollers: Product Line and Tips for Choosing

When choosing a children's transport, the attention of young families is increasingly attracted by products of famous European companies. Especially famous for their quality and reliability of goods from Northern Europe, in particular Scandinavia. Consider the range of products of the Swedish brand Thule.

Thule Group, which owns the Thule brand, was founded in Sweden in the distant 1942. The company is engaged in the production of various goods for outdoor activities and travel: bags, backpacks, car fasteners, external luggage carriers, bicycle trailers, bicycle seats and baby strollers. The company considers its task to facilitate the active life of its customers by creating reliable and high-quality accessories.

The company's slogan is “Active life is easy.” The company pays great attention to environmental friendliness of its products.

The total number of factories and sales offices of the company worldwide is about 40. More than 2,200 employees work in them. The company management is located in the Swedish city of Malmo. The company's products are represented in the markets of 140 countries of the world, including Russia. Thule Group's total global sales of goods in 2017 exceeded $ 650 million. Thule is a brand that cares about its customers and has rich traditions that allowed it to win recognition almost all over the world.

Since the company's goal is to manufacture products for outdoor activities, a characteristic feature of all Thule baby strollers is a combination of reliability and safety. In particular, all models of children's vehicles are equipped with five-point seat belts. Child protection from adverse weather conditions provides large and durable hoods.

Another important advantage that stems from the brand’s sports orientation is that all the wheelchairs produced by the Swedish company are much easier and more maneuverable than most of the analogues. The use of a modern suspension system provides excellent cushioning even on rough terrain.

The production used the most durable, environmentally friendly materials and advanced technology. However, you will have to pay more for a high level of quality, reliability and comfort than for similar products of lesser-known brands - the prices for children's transport companies are in the range from 420 to 1,400 €.

In this case, all the strollers of the company are subject to a two-year basic warranty, which can be further extended (up to +8 years for the frame of children's transport, up to +2 years for the fabric elements).

The entire product range of the Swedish company can be divided into three main groups:

• three-wheeled sports / strollers with aerodynamic contours, which are represented by variations of the basic models Glide and Urban Glide;
• multifunctional bicycle trailers, which include different versions of the basic lines of Chariot and Coaster XT;
• universal stroller 3 in 1 - Sleek.

The goods of the “cane” form factor, the classic “2 in 1”, as well as the new-fashioned, but heavy transformers under the Thule brand are not yet produced. All models of three-wheeled strollers are equipped with an adapter to install Thule Bassinet’s original cradle or car seat 0+. However, by default, this accessory is not included in the package, which does not allow to classify products into the category “2 in 1”.

Consider the model range of the brand in more detail.

At the moment, the company releases only one version of the Glide model - Thule Glide 2.This three-wheeled treadmill is designed for one child only. Its maximum load capacity is 34 kg. The curb weight of this child transport is 10 kg 400 g. Due to the combination of 18-inch rear wheels and a 16-inch front wheel, this option has excellent maneuverability in all weather conditions and on virtually any surface. The large width of the wheelbase (69 cm) ensures excellent stability of the product.

This children's transport can be easily folded with one hand. At the same time, its dimensions when folded are 93.5 by 58 by 33 cm. The positions of the hood and the back of the seat, as well as the height of the model handle, can be adjusted. The observation window in the hood is equipped with a convenient magnetic closure.

The rims of the wheels and the edge of the hood of this model are covered with reflective elements, which increases the safety of movement in the dark.

This model is available in two versions:

• Urban Glide 2 - a variant of the model Glide 2 with a smaller diameter of the rear wheels, which is 16 inches. The mass of the product is 11 kg 400 kg, and its dimensions when folded is 87 by 69 by 34 cm. Other specifications and accessories correspond to the Glide 2 variant.
• Urban Glide 2 Double - variation for twins, in which the seats are adjacent horizontally. The load capacity is increased to 45 kg, the wheelbase is expanded to 80 cm. The weight of the product is slightly increased compared to single variants and is 15 kg 500 g. Dimensions of this children's transport when folded are 87 by 76.5 by 41 cm.

This model is presented in several varieties, each equipped with a Thule VersaWing system for switching between bike trailer, jogging / stroller or ski trailer options.

• Chariot sport - four-wheeled bike trailer with lifting front wheels. It is equipped with removable windows and climate control system. With a mass of 14 kg, the product can carry 34 kg. When folded, the model measures 85.5 by 62 by 37.5 cm.
• Chariot Sport 2 - version with two seats and increased carrying capacity up to 45 kg. The product weighs slightly less than 16 kg.
• Chariot cross - Lightweight version with two seats weighing less than 13 kg with a load capacity of 34 kg.
• Chariot cross 2 - option with a loading capacity of 45 kg with a mass of 14 kg 500 g
• Chariot lite - the most compact version, having a mass of 11 kg 700 g with a load capacity of 34 kg. It is equipped with fixed windows.
• Chariot Lite 2 - option with the carrying capacity increased to 45 kg with a weight of only 12 kg 500 g

Unlike the Chariot line, this model is used exclusively as a bicycle trailer. It allows you to transport up to 2 children with a total weight of up to 45 kg. Model weight - 12 kg.

This multipurpose 3-in-1 model has 14 different assembly options, thanks to the removable cradle and car seat can be used for kids of any age. Customizable chair has 3 positions, can be set as facing the parent, and facing the street. It is possible to install an additional chair. The front pair of wheels has a diameter of 12 inches, and the rear is 8 inches. The frame weight is less than 11 kg.

Authors of reviews about the products of the company Thule note the highest quality and reliability of all models presented on the Russian market. At the same time, many note that in children's lightness and maneuverability, this children's transport significantly exceeds the products of most other companies.

The main disadvantage noted is the large width of the rear wheel axle, which makes it difficult for the carriage to pass through the narrow doors of shops, exit the narrow ramps and transport the product in some elevators. Also, some wheelchair owners complain that when folded, these products cannot stand without support and take up relatively much space, which makes it difficult to store them in small apartments.

Another relative disadvantage of the company's products, from the point of view of parents, is a high price compared with the products of many competitors.

Choosing a stroller, you should pay attention to some basic nuances.To protect the weak spine of a child, a special newborn, it is important to choose a model with a rather rigid back and bottom.

Although all Thule product options are very compact, you should measure the width of the apartment’s doors and the elevator before buying, in order to understand whether the pram will pass through them unfolded or folded. It will also be useful to prepare in advance the place in which children's transport will be stored.

Pay special attention to the equipment of the selected model. It is better if all necessary accessories are included in it by default. Among them are especially important:

• basket and / or bag;
• cup holder;
• raincoat;
• mosquito net.

Three-wheeled versions of wheelchairs are ideal for traveling and playing sports with a child (for example, for running). If the majority of your walking routes will take place inside the city, and your settlement is not equipped with a sufficient number of ramps for the exit of the curb, then it is worth considering the four-wheel version. In extreme cases, try to roll a three-wheeled product from the curb several times before purchasing.

When choosing a color scheme for the stroller, remember that newborns do not perceive too bright colors and flashy prints. But older children, on the contrary, love more cheerful colors, images of favorite cartoon heroes.

The ease with which Thule products are produced also has a downside - in theory, the wheelchair can tip over if the prescribed mass balance is violated. Therefore, never hang your handbag on the handle of a child's transport or check the stability of the structure in advance (when there is no child in it).

If your family already has a car seat for the baby, then check in advance its compatibility with the mounting system on the selected stroller.

To find out which Thule brand’s stroller is better to buy, see the next video.