Is the Thule Urban Glide 3 Worth It? A Parent’s Honest Review
- Ben Barwick
- May 30
- 4 min read
Over the last few months I have been getting to grips with running using the Thule Urban Glide 3.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and experience of using the Urban Glide 3. This is my first time running with a buggy and I have to say I am impressed.
Unboxing and First Impressions
The Thule Urban Glide 3 arrives in a decent-sized box and requires the tyres being fitted and a bit of unfolding. You’ll be up and ready to run in no time.
It feels big, and compared to friends with smaller buggies I felt some jealousy of how much more manageable their strollers are. However, with big comes sturdy, and you certainly have no complaints putting a little one into this. The harness clips them in with no issues.
We have the 3-wheel model, but Thule also retail a 4-wheel one, and you certainly get great mobility with this single front wheel. Over time I have found that this single front wheel makes navigating around town more challenging, as it is not as good when you need to lift up the front or back to go up or down steps. It’s fantastic in a straight line, but it doesn’t pivot as smoothly in tight, urban settings.
Running Experience
I’ll start by talking about the running experience, and I have to say I am impressed. The buggy is easy to push and very responsive. There is a brake built into the top handle, which gives you great control over the speed—especially useful if running downhill. The attached tether means you can strap the buggy to yourself, and then use a light touch when you are up and running.
Not something I knew about a year ago, but pavements around us are useless when pushing a buggy. They are small, cars are parked on them and there are potholes everywhere. I would not be comfortable pushing the buggy along the pavement whilst running. There is not enough room. I have found you want to be running along the road. This might understandably cause some people anxiety. I have been keen to run on quieter roads around me and not venture too far. It has perhaps limited some of the running routes I might usually take, but it’s a worthwhile trade-off for peace of mind and safety.
Equally, this would not be suitable for anything but the kindest off-road routes. The buggy is certainly stable enough, but the path needs to be wide enough. Plus, you have a passenger on board to think about, and this is a run—not a carnival ride.
The buggy is full of air vents and zips that can be undone to create the ideal climate in there. Whether it's a warm summer day or a cooler breeze, you can adjust things to keep your little one comfortable.
Day-to-Day Use
It’s easy to manoeuvre when out and about—especially in open spaces or on longer walks.
However, it is big. Not great when you're on your own, and my wife found it very frustrating to use. It’s difficult to take it into smaller shops, navigate narrow aisles, or manage public transport. So although it’s excellent for active use, it’s not the most practical choice for everyday errands or town centre trips.
That said, it’s brilliant for longer walks. If we’re heading to the park, or out for a proper weekend wander, it’s a solid option.
When we originally purchased this, we had to also buy the bassinet attachment. This took about 30 minutes to fit, but created a very stable first pram. However, with the bassinet on top it makes this pushchair enormous! Whilst you can’t run with your child for the first 6 months and are using this anyway, it feels important to know that this will be your life for a while. It’s not a grab-and-go stroller—it’s a commitment.
One downside for us is the lack of a bar across the seat—it means it’s difficult to attach toys to keep your baby entertained on longer outings. Not a dealbreaker, but something to keep in mind.
Top Tips
When running, try not to lean onto the handles.
Use one hand when pushing along so the other can swing naturally.
Swap hands around to give your arms a break.
Lock the front wheel to make sure you’re not going all over the place. It can be a little annoying to get this pointing exactly straight, but a bit of trial and error will get you there.
Accessories
The rain cover is really useful when the weather is bad. It keeps baby nice and dry without steaming things up too much inside.
We also purchased the tray accessory. This allows for a water bottle to be placed in, and has a secure space for a phone or similar. This has been so useful.
I’ve loved putting the Beats Pill Bluetooth music player inside the cup holder and being able to run along singing to some of my favourite music. It’s a great little mood boost and our baby seems to enjoy the soundtrack too.
Conclusion
Great to run with for sure. The size and weight make you feel comfortable using it—it’s sturdy, safe and built to move.
That said, we’ve had to purchase a smaller buggy for town and that’s been a game changer. The Thule Urban Glide 3 is just too big and cumbersome for day-to-day use. That then adds to the overall cost of this thing. We don’t regret buying the buggy at all, but it might not be a great one if this is the only buggy you have.
One thing we did find is that the Thule Urban Glide 3 is so stable that you can attach all sorts of shopping and bags to it and not worry about it falling backwards. Do that with the lighter buggy and it could all topple over.
I haven’t been able to ask our little passenger yet how she is finding the experience, but she does seem to be enjoying it. There have been naps, smiles and a fair few singalongs—so I’m taking that as a win.
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