Stroller Alternatives for the Athlete + Also Mom

Thule Urban Glide 2

Thule Sleek

Thule Sleek

UPPAbaby Vista

Bugaboo Ant

Thule Chariot Cross

Thule Chariot Cross

Thule Chariot Cross

Thule Chariot Cross

Nuna Mixx2

Silver Cross Wave

Joovy Qool (Photo: Jenn Hallack)

ZOE Traveler

Thule Glide

You live an active life, which is why I think the Thule Urban Glide 2 is the perfect stroller for your growing family. Run with it. Stroll with it. The Urban Glide 2 is beautiful, insanely functional, and is equally great for a jog or hike through the woods as it is for a quick jaunt to the park or a leisurely walk on city streets. The only bummer is that it does not convert to a double stroller. If you think you’ll have a second kid within the next three or so years, just know you eventually may need to buy a double stroller—or you may want to consider a different stroller in the first place. 

Below are some other strollers I recommend for you, including the pros and cons of each.

The two best strollers for Athletes + Also Moms like you are the…

You might also consider the…

Strollers you may be considering that I’m less excited about include…

Convertible Strollers:

Single Strollers:

  • Silver Cross Coast (the Nuna Mixx2 is similar and less expensive)
  • Bugaboo Fox (the Nuna Mixx2 is similar and less expensive)
  • Cybex Priam Lux / 2-in-1 (the Nuna Mixx2 is similar and less expensive)
  • Joolz Hub (the Nuna Mixx2 is similar and less expensive)
  • UPPAbaby Cruz (size up or size down rather than choose this “in betweener”)

All-Terrain / Jogging Strollers

  • Bob Strollers (all styles are significantly less attractive than the Urban Glide 2)
  • Mountain Buggy Strollers (all styles are significantly less attractive than the Urban Glide 2)
  • Burley Trailers / Strollers (all styles are significantly less attractive than the Urban Glide 2)
  • Bumbleride Speed (more expensive and less attractive than the Urban Glide 2) 
  • Bumbleride Indie (more expensive and less attractive than the Urban Glide 2) 
  • Baby Jogger Summit X3 (significantly less attractive than the Urban Glide 2)

Compact Strollers:

  • Babyzen YOYO+ (the Bugaboo Ant is better and similarly priced, see a side-by-side comparison here)
  • UPPAbaby Minu (the Bugaboo Ant is similar and a more compact fold)
  • Bugaboo Bee (the Bugaboo Ant is similar and a more compact fold)
  • Silver Cross Jet (the Bugaboo Ant is similar and has a taller backrest for taller kids)

But hey, maybe you find a great deal on one of these strollers or can get one secondhand from a friend. If you’re paying full price, I’d choose an alternative, but if you find a deal, these strollers are all pretty great too.

Thule Urban Glide 2 – The Gorgeous Jogging & All-Terrain Stroller ($480+)

Thule Urban Glide 2 Pros

    • Light (25.3lbs)
    • Not super expensive ($480+ for stroller only, $660+ including bassinet)
    • Newborn compatible with purchase of bassinet sold separately
    • Has taller seat for taller children
    • Doubles as an excellent jogging and trail hiking stroller
    • Sporty, luxury details without pretension

Thule Urban Glide 2 Cons

    • Large fold (34.2” x 27.2” x 13.3”)
    • Does not convert to a double stroller

Learn more about the Thule Urban Glide 2 here.

Thule Sleek – The Sportier Luxury Stroller

Thule Sleek Pros (vs. Thule Urban Glide 2)

    • Similar folded size (32.6” x 23.8” x 16.5”)
    • Newborn compatible with purchase of bassinet sold separately
    • Has taller seat for taller children, measuring 20-24.8” tall (canopy lifts for more headroom)
    • Converts into a double stroller with the addition of a second seat
    • Handles off-path terrain reasonably well
    • Sporty, luxury details without pretention

Thule Sleek Cons (vs. Thule Urban Glide 2)

    • Heavier (27.9lbs)
    • Similar large folded size (32.6” x 23.8” x 16.5”)
    • Expensive ($999 including bassinet, $799 without)
    • Is not a jogging or trail-walking stroller

Get the Thule Sleek instead of the Thule Urban Glide 2 if…

    • You don’t want a jogging/all-terrain stroller or plan to buy a separate, high-end jogging/all-terrain stroller.
    • You want a stroller that converts into a double stroller with the addition of a second seat.
    • You prefer the sportier luxury look.
    • You don’t mind a heavier, larger stroller as your main ride. 

Learn more about the Thule Sleek here.

UPPAbaby Vista – The Super Practical Luxury Convertible Stroller

UPPAbaby Vista Pros (vs. Thule Urban Glide 2)

    • Smallish fold for its size (33” x 25.7” x 17.25”) 
    • Luxury details, including a leather handlebar and modern, tailored look
    • Newborn compatible out of the box (bassinet included)
    • Converts into a double stroller with the addition of a second seat
    • Handles off-path terrain reasonably well

UPPAbaby Vista Cons (vs. Thule Urban Glide 2)

    • Heavier (26.6lbs)
    • Shorter toddler seat (19.5”)
    • Expensive ($899 – $979) 
    • Not a jogging or trail-walking stroller

Get the UPPAbaby Vista instead of the Thule Urban Glide 2 if…

    • You don’t want a jogging/all-terrain stroller or plan to buy a separate, high-end jogging/all-terrain stroller.
    • You want a stroller that converts into a double stroller with the addition of a second seat.
    • You prefer the luxury look.
    • You don’t mind a heavier, larger stroller as your main ride. 

Learn more about the UPPAbaby Vista here.

 Nuna Mixx2 – The Luxury Single Stroller

Nuna Mixx2 Pros (vs. Thule Urban Glide 2)

    • Less expensive ($599 as is or $729 including bassinet sold separately)
    • Luxury details and modern, European look
    • Full-flat recline
    • Newborn compatible with or without bassinet sold separately
    • Handles off-path terrain reasonably well

Nuna Mixx2 Cons (vs. Thule Urban Glide 2)

    • Heavier (29.2lbs)
    • Large fold (35.8″ x 23.6″ x 16″)
    • Also does not convert to a double stroller
    • Not a jogging or trail-walking stroller

Get the Nuna Mixx2 instead of the UPPAbaby Vista if…

    • A full flat recline is important to you (this is one of the few luxury strollers that has a fully reclining toddler seat instead of a bucket seat.) 
    • You don’t think you’ll need a double stroller eventually or don’t mind buying another stroller when that day comes. (For example, if you don’t plan to have more children or plan to have your children 3+ years apart.)
    • You don’t want a jogging/all-terrain stroller or plan to buy a separate, high-end jogging/all-terrain stroller.

Learn more about the Nuna Mixx2 here.

Bugaboo Ant – The Super Compact Luxury City & Travel Stroller –

Bugaboo Ant Pros (vs. Thule Urban Glide 2)

    • Significantly lighter (15.8lbs)
    • Significantly smaller fold (21.8” x 15” x 9.1”)
    • Similarly less expensive than many strollers ($499 for stroller only, $599 including newborn cocoon)
    • Perfectly compact and easy to navigate through tight spaces
    • Newborn compatible as is or with purchase of Bugaboo Cocoon sold separately
    • Has height-adjustable seat for babies from birth to the preschool years (15” – 22”)

Bugaboo Ant Cons (vs. Thule Urban Glide 2)

    • Does not handle bumpy terrain well (great for sidewalks/pathways only)
    • Does not convert into a double stroller
    • Complex, multi-step fold
    • Not a jogging or trail-walking stroller

Get the Bugaboo Ant instead of the Thule Urban Glide 2 if…

    • You live in a tiny apartment and only have room for to store a small stroller.
    • You mostly walk on pavement and when you off-road you wear baby instead.
    • You don’t think you’ll need a double stroller eventually or don’t mind buying another stroller when that day comes. (For example, if you don’t plan to have more children or plan to have your children 3+ years apart.)
    • You don’t want a jogging/all-terrain stroller or plan to buy a separate, high-end jogging/all-terrain stroller.

Or get both! Many parents buy the Bugaboo Ant as their second stroller in addition to a full-sized stroller like the Thule Urban Glide 2.

Learn more about the Bugaboo Ant here.

Silver Cross Wave – The Super Luxury Convertible Stroller

Silver Cross Wave Pros (vs. Thule Urban Glide 2)

    • Super luxury details
    • Newborn compatible out of the box (bassinet included)
    • Converts into a double stroller with the addition of a second seat

Silver Cross Wave Cons (vs. Thule Urban Glide 2))

    • Heavy (30.8lbs)
    • Large fold (37” x 23.6” x 15”)  
    • Expensive ($1299 as a single stroller)

Get the Silver Cross Wave instead of the Thule Urban Glide 2 if…

    • Luxury is super important to you and you don’t mind paying more for it.
    • You don’t mind a heavier stroller with a larger fold, because you will not be heaving this stroller in and out of your car with much/any frequency.
    • You don’t want a jogging/all-terrain stroller or plan to buy a separate, high-end jogging/all-terrain stroller.

Learn more about the Silver Cross Wave here.

Joovy Qool – The Less Expensive Convertible Stroller

Joovy Qool Pros (vs. Thule Urban Glide 2)

    • Significantly less expensive ($499 for the stroller only, $649 including bassinet sold separately)
    • Converts into a double stroller with the addition of a second seat

Joovy Qool Cons (vs. Thule Urban Glide 2)

    • Heavy (30.6lbs)
    • Longer fold (37″ x 24.8″ x 17.7″)
    • Not a luxury stroller and has more budget details

Get the Joovy Qool instead of the Thule Urban Glide 2 if…

    • You want a convertible stroller but don’t want to pay an arm and a leg.
    • You don’t mind sacrificing luxury details. 
    • You don’t mind a heavier stroller with a larger fold, because you will not be heaving this stroller in and out of your car with much/any frequency.
    • You don’t want a jogging/all-terrain stroller or plan to buy a separate, high-end jogging/all-terrain stroller.

Learn more about the Joovy Qool here.

ZOE Traveler XLC – The Less Expensive Compact Stroller

Zoe XLC BEST Pros (vs. UPPAbaby Vista)

    • Significantly lighter (11lbs)
    • Significantly smaller (and very simple) fold (22” x 17” x 6”)
    • Significantly less expensive ($175)
    • Compact and easy to navigate through tight spaces

Zoe XLC Best Cons (vs. UPPAbaby Vista):

    • Not newborn compatible with a carseat or otherwise
    • Not suitable for taller children (16” seat-to-canopy height)
    • Does not handle bumpy terrain well (great for sidewalks/pathways only)
    • Does not convert into a double stroller

Get the Zoe XLC BEST instead of the Thule Urban Glide 2 if…

    • You live in a tiny apartment and only have room for to store a small stroller.
    • You mostly walk on pavement. When you walk off-road, you wear baby instead.
    • You don’t mind babywearing exclusively for the first 3-6 months of your baby’s life.
    • You want to spend as little as possible on a super compact travel stroller.
    • You don’t want a jogging/all-terrain stroller or plan to buy a separate, high-end jogging/all-terrain stroller.

Zoe Traveler

Learn more about the ZOE Traveler here.

Thule Glide 2 – The Super Serious Running Stroller

Thule Glide 2 Pros (vs. Thule Urban Glide 2)

    • Designed for serious runners, with a large, fixed front wheel, excellent suspension, and a twist handbrake for speed control on hilly terrain
    • Lighter (23.8lbs)
    • Similarly priced ($479)

Thule Glide 2 Cons (vs. Thule Urban Glide 2)

    • Not designed to be an everyday stroller (you’ll need a different stroller to cruise around town)
    • Larger fold (34.3” x 30.1” x 16.2”)

Get the Thule Glide 2 instead of the Thule Urban Glide 2 if…

    • You are a serious runner and want a super high-performance stroller that you can use for running only.
    • You plan to buy a second stroller as your main stroller for cruising around town. 

Buy the Thule Urban Glide 2 here. 

Thule Chariot Cross 2 – The Super Serious Multi-Athlete Stroller

Thule Chariot Cross 2 Pros (vs. Thule Urban Glide 2)

    • Works overtime as a jogger, bike trailer, ski trailer, and even converts to something you can push around town
    • Small(ish) fold for its size (34.2” x 25.6” x 15”)

Thule Chariot Cross Cons (vs. Thule Urban Glide 2)

    • Heavy (30.6lbs)
    • Not newborn compatible with a carseat or otherwise
    • Does not convert into a double stroller
    • Very sporty/outdoorsy look (which is not always a con)
    • No handbrake for jogging on hilly terrain

Get the Thule Chariot Cross 2 instead of the Thule Urban Glide 2 if…

    • You and your family are very active and want one stroller to be your ride for a variety of outdoor activities.
    • You prefer a very athletic and outdoorsy look.
    • You plan to babywear for the first six months.

Buy the Thule Chariot Cross here.

Photos: UPPAbaby – Natalie Borton | Nuna – Kaylee Crane | Joovy – Jenn Hallack

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