There have been so many things about which I have felt incredibly unsure over the past year, but of this I am certain: returning to running after having a baby is hard – especially if, like me, you were unable to exercise throughout pregnancy due to hyperemesis gravidarum.
I started my ‘postpartum project comeback’ by following the NHS’s Couch to 5K programme (after getting signed off by my GP and the all-clear to run by a specialist pelvic floor physiotherapist). And, wow, it was humbling. My knees panged from constantly rocking my baby, my hips ached in ways I didn’t know were possible, and I felt immediately out of breath. What used to be my ‘easy’ pace now spiked my heart rate. My rhythm was off. I felt weak and wobbly. Running was, completely and utterly, unfun. I needed an intervention.
This is where the Thule Urban Glide 3 Stroller, to be specific – comes in.
Thule Urban Glide 3
Blacks
£675.00
I’ve actually owned this buggy since my daughter was born, using it every day with the bassinet (which transforms your stroller into a pram for newborns) for walks to Bushy Park and supermarket errands. But it wasn’t until she hit six months and was big enough (and had enough head control) to sit facing forward that I felt ready to swap the bassinet for the forward-facing seat and take the buggy out for a run. Suddenly, dusting off my running shoes after such a long break from exercise didn’t feel quite as intimidating – I had a little co-pilot keeping me company.
This buggy has quickly become a favourite among running influencers@award_pt , @twicethehealth , @fay_bloom_
How I tested the Thule running buggy
I’ve been using the Thule buggy for the past year – first with the bassinet for daily walks, then, once my daughter could sit upright, for runs. I tested it on pavements, park paths and light trails, in sunshine and torrential rain, pushing it during nap time and mid-meltdown.
Assembly and first impressions
Setting up the Thule Urban Glide 3 Stroller was far less complicated than assembling a flat-pack cot (a 45-minute saga I’m still not over). The Thule arrived mostly built, with just the wheels and hood to attach. All relatively painless.
First impressions? Sleek. Streamlined. Sporty. And…large. So large, in fact (it’s 69cm wide), it didn’t fit out our front door (so, naturally, we took a saw to the door, rather than the buggy, so it could just about squeeze through). You can pop off a side wheel to fit it through tighter spaces (if you don’t fancy permanently damaging your front door frame…), although this is a bit of a pain – so consider this your warning to measure first.
Ease of use on everyday outings
For something designed with running in mind, it performs surprisingly well as an everyday buggy. Yes, it’s big – and no, it’s not the easiest to wedge between tightly packed café tables (in fact, unless you’re sitting outside, I wouldn’t even bother taking it inside a café!) – but what it lacks in compactness, it makes up for in ease. The swivel front wheel (which locks into place for running) makes steering feel effortless, even one-handed, whether you’re navigating busy pavements or weaving through park paths.
Storage, folding and portability
Storage is a clear win. The under-seat cargo basket is seriously spacious – easily holding a changing bag, food shopping and all the extra baby clutter you somehow accumulate. Crucially, it’s properly covered, so you’re not arriving home with everything splattered in mud. There’s also a zippered pocket for valuables – ideal for tossing your house keys into, and actually being able to find them later.
Folding it down is relatively straightforward, though not entirely effortless – especially one-handed, with a baby on your hip. Once folded, it’s still rather bulky, so smaller car boots may struggle.
In short: you ideally need enough space for this buggy to remain upright, parked and ready to go. If you have a garage, perfect. If, like me, you don’t, get ready for it to take up half your living room.
Performance while running
Running with the Thule Urban Glide 3 Stroller feels impressively smooth and easy to manoeuvre at pace – and that really is its standout feature. The combination of suspension and large 16-inch air-filled tyres takes the edge off bumps and uneven ground in a way most everyday buggies simply can’t match. Although it’s worth noting the tyres do require inflating with a bike pump, so you’ll need to get your hands on one if this is something you don’t already own.
There’s also a wrist strap for safety and a twist hand break which is super easy to use.
After around eight months of heavy use, the foot brake did give out, which wasn’t ideal. But to Thule’s credit, I took it into their Kingston store, and it was replaced under warranty with no fuss.
I also managed to get a flat tyre after an over-ambitious detour through brambles (user error, arguably). But replacing the inner tube was straightforward – and inexpensive (I bought some cheap inner tubes off Amazon).
Weather protection and built-in features
Living in the UK means that testing anything in the rain is less of an ‘if’ and more of a ‘when’. The extendable canopy offers great coverage and, paired with a rain cover (which, annoyingly, is sold separately at £49.99), it kept my daughter dry through some genuinely questionable weather.
Small details, like the peekaboo window, make a real difference – particularly for checking on a sleeping baby without disturbing them (though the rain cover does block it, thanks to its opaque back panel).
I like that you can adjust the handlebar height too – this is especially useful if you’re sharing pushing duties with someone taller.
Comfort and support for little ones
Some reviewers note that the seat is slightly more reclined than other buggies, which might not suit older babies who want to sit bolt upright. But for us, it hasn’t been an issue – my daughter is only little and seems perfectly happy in the more relaxed position watching the world go by.
I did buy the bumper bar (£34.99) as an extra, which she loves holding onto (and it doubles as a handy place to attach toys).
Comfort-wise, what really stands out is how flat the seat goes when fully reclined. It’s nearly horizontal, making it ideal for on-the-go naps. There’s also a harness that feels secure without being fiddly, and overall, the design feels safe and well thought through.
RW verdict: Is the Thule running buggy worth it?
At £750.00 (or £675.00 on discount), this running buggy isn’t cheap – especially if you already own a standard buggy. It’s also not compact. But, if you’re serious about returning to running postpartum – or you live somewhere rural and want a buggy that can genuinely keep up with an active lifestyle – then, in my opinion, the Thule Urban Glide 3 Stroller is worth the investment. Even if my runs now include snack breaks and nursery rhymes (and a much slower pace than pre-pregnancy), this buggy has given me the confidence to run again – and actually enjoy it.