Thule Spring Review

Thule (Too-La) was launched in Sweden by Erik Thulin in 1942. They started by making gear for fishermen. They transitioned to outdoor gear as time went on. Their main goal was to help adventurers transport their outdoor supplies with greater ease. For more than 70 years, Thule has been developing products for the outdoors with a lineup of gear from top-ranking baby backpack carriers and best bike trailers for kids to roof racks and other strollers from our strollers review.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Use

Compared to the competition, the Spring is one of the easier options to use, with intuitive features that function as they should.

Fold and Unfold

The Spring's fold is a one-handed operation that includes lifting the seat flap, sliding a lever, and lifting a handle. The lever can slide in either direction, making it suitable for left or right-handed people.

The stroller self-stands and has an automatic lock and carry handle. It takes two hands to unfold.

Brakes

The Spring has a left side pedal on the rear axle of the stroller. This lever is easy to set and release and is sandal foot-friendly.

Storage

The storage bin on the Spring is fairly large and has open access from almost any side.

We were able to fit an extra-large diaper bag inside with ease. However, it only has a maximum allowable weight of 11 lbs. While this is the average for the group, some of the competition has weight limits up to 30 lbs, making this limit seems potentially inadequate.

The Spring also has a mesh pocket on the back of the seat. This pocket won't hold much but could be useful for a smartphone or wallet you need quick access to, or even to stash your baby's pacifier.

Sunshade

The Spring's sunshade is big and has a nice taunt look even when closed, which is uncommon in most strollers. It has a zippered mesh panel you can use as a peek-a-boo window for spying on little ones and added ventilation, and it offers UPF 50+ protection.

When open, the panel helps the canopy extend past the knees of most passengers and get it low enough to block all sun.

Harness

The Thule harness is easy to use, even if it is a little convoluted.

The harness requires separating all 4 straps into the buckle. The button is firm but not stiff and easily depresses. The straps are well-padded, and it is one of the only options with padding all the way around the waist strap for added comfort.

Seat

The Spring seatback reclines with a plastic toggle that unites two side straps. It is a fairly traditional adjustment method, but this one works well and only requires one hand to drop and two hands to raise.

It lays almost flat for cozy napping. The leg rest is well padded, but it is not adjustable, and the footrest is narrow.

Car Seat Compatibility

The Spring is compatible with a few brands of infant car seats, including the Chicco KeyFit 30, Chicco Fit2, the Cybex Cloud Q, Cybex Aton M, Cybex Aton 2. Maxi-Cosi Mico 30, Nuna Pipa, and the Pipa Lite and Lite R. We tested our Spring with the Chicco Keyfit 30.

The adapter comes with clear instructions for assembly and attachment. You have to remove the canopy on the Spring, but it is fairly easy to accomplish. It has a click-in attachment method that slides in perfectly without a hiccup, and it feels stable once installed.

Ease of Setup

Maneuverability

Strangely, the Spring is one of the few options that are easier to push off the beaten path than on it. But, overall, it is easier to push than much of the plastic wheel competition, even if it can't compete with the rubber tires products.

Pushing on flat surfaces is harder than we would have thought. It is harder to push one-handed because there is an adjustment button in the center of the handlebar. It has a lot of flex in the frame, which translates to a slower response time, but the three wheels offer tight turns. Off-road, it is somewhat better, but the flex in the frame makes it feel sloppier than it needs to be.

The handlebar on the Spring is adjustable and slides in and out for extra height. The design is good and puts taller pushers further from the rear axle than handlebars that rotate for adjustment. However, the center adjustment button makes pushing one-handed awkward or impossible.

Weight and Folded Size

The Spring is relatively lightweight for a full-size stroller and has a compact fold. While not on par with lightweight or umbrella strollers, it is still impressive if your goal is light and easy to stow or carry.

This stroller is 22.7 lbs and measures 7,650 cubic inches when folded. The fact that it stands on its own also makes it easier to use as a travel stroller for public transportation.

Quality

The Spring's quality is on par with other Thule products and stands out compared to much of the competition.

The fabric fits the frame nicely and is wrinkle-free without errant threads or snags. The canopy looks good and has a taut fit. The frame has hidden rivets and connection points as well as limited visible seams. The material is tightly woven and feels synthetic, durable, and easy to wipe clean. All of the zippers glide smoothly, and the mesh feels stiff and durable. The plastic wheels have a sticky rubber coating that helps improve overall traction. The wheels are large and roll smoothly without resistance. The overall fit and finish are sleek and polished with a simple and thoughtful design.

Accessories

Thule offers various accessories that might come in handy. Some of our favorites include:

• The Thule Spring Rain Cover helps keep little ones dry if the weather takes a turn.
• The Thule Spring Snack Tray allows older toddlers to keep a favorite sippy cup and treasures close at hand.
• The Thule Spring Chicco Car Seat Adpater works to allow infant car seat attachment.

Should You Buy the Thule Spring?

You'll love the Thule Spring if you appreciate a sleek, lightweight daily stroller that is high-quality and convenient to use. Between its smooth pushing and three-wheel design that makes tight turns, this stroller is great for moving around city streets, and it's enjoyable to push on long walks. It has a quick, one-handed fold that creates a very small package compared to the competition, so if you see yourself frequently folding and loading a stroller for outings and trips, there's a great chance you won't mind the task with the Spring. If you're mainly voyaging the paved paths, we think this durable stroller is tough to beat.

What Other Full-Size Strollers Should You Consider?

The Thule Spring is not designed for jogging, so if you want thebest jogging stroller, the Thule Urban Glide 2 is the better option. It can double-duty as a jogger and everyday stroller, making it a one-and-done purchase for those who fancy both functions. The Urban Glide is bulkier when folded and perhaps a no-go for parents searching for lightweight or compact, but, if you plan on parking the Urban Glide in your garage, this drawback shouldn't interfere much. With that said, if you want to save some money, the Baby Jogger City Mini 2 is worth considering. Despite its "Jogger" name, we don't think this option is suitable for jogging, so don't be fooled. But, this basic stroller is cheaper and good for daily walks.

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