Comparing: Thule Urban Glide 2 and BOB Joggers

There are pieces of my pre-mom self that I need to hold onto, no matter what. They’re the things that bring me joy, keep me sane, and allow me some freedom. One of those things, is running. It’s been an important part of my entire adult life. Running throughout my pregnancy was just the beginning of my struggle to keep it up. From those hot July 2020 miles, in a mask, running through morning sickness, to the brisk December ones, when each step felt like I might pee my pants. But even harder was finding the time, the energy, and the motivation to get myself back out there, postpartum.

So when T was finally old enough to ride in a jogger (usually they recommend waiting until about 9 months/when they have good neck control), I couldn’t wait to go out and buy a BOB. That’s what my sister had, and most of the people I know have. But I had heard some good things about the Thule Urban Glide 2, so I opened up the question to the running community that I am part of. I was surprised at how passionate people felt one way or the other. Ultimately, I chose the slightly more expensive, Thule. And I’m absolutely never going back. I have since jogged with a number of BOB strollers that I’ve borrowed while on trips, and they’re awesome, but in my opinion, there is absolutely no comparison.

Here are the key differences, that I’ve noticed:

• Tech specs: Despite being a little bit larger, the Thule is 3.5lbs lighter than the BOB.

• Safety: Both have handlebar wrist straps. But the Thule also has a handlebar brake that allows you to easily, slow the stroller while going downhill.

• Wheels: Both have swivel locking front wheels, however the Thule has no wheel wobble. I typically run a 7:20ish pace, and even sidewalk cracks cause the BOB to wobble so badly that I’ve almost gone over the handlebars.

• Convenience: They both feature a basket under the seat, but the Thule basket has a lid that zips shut. They also both fold up very easily, though the Thule isn’t quite as compact due to the wider space from rear to front wheel.

• Comfort for the runner: Both have adjustable handlebars, and both have a very smooth ride (aside from that wobble on the BOB).

• Comfort for the passenger: Both have large canopies, nearly a full recline, ventilation, UV protection, and great suspension systems. But the seats are very different. The BOB is very unstructured, like a bucket seat. Now that T is older, that doesn’t seem like such a big deal, but when he was still young, I had to prop pillows around him to keep him from slouching and falling over in the BOB. The Thule is a proper seat, like a normal stroller. He sits comfortably, and safely, without a lot of jostling.

So am I trying to sway you, sure. Because, like the other momma joggers that I spoke to, I’m passionate about the jogger I use. It’s been my lifeline at certain times throughout the past 19 months. The Thule Urban Glide 2 is the most expensive piece of baby equipment I purchased, and it’s the only one I would say is 100% worth what I paid for it. I’d buy it again.

Raising Outdoor Babies

A lot of people comment on the fact that T never seems bothered by weather. We get outside when it’s freezing (literally my threshold this winter was anything over 20 degrees F), raining, windy, snowing, or piping hot. We don’t have a lot of choice because we live in a place with four seasons, including a sometimes harsh winter. I’m not an expert on child temperament or behavior, but what I know is that from the time he was a few days old, I was taking T outside daily.

It wasn’t always easy getting outside, especially when he was very young, and we had a lot of excursions that were a complete bust. But here are a few tips, and some of the gear that helped us along the way! Please note, I do not get paid for any gear that I recommend on this site. These are items I paid for or were purchased as gifts for us and I truly recommend them.

0-6 Months: Two words: baby wearing. In the early days, we mostly just did walks outside, and my ErgoBaby 360 was my lifeline. I was able to take T on easy hikes, to the beach, around town, to walk the dog, even to Costco, all while wearing him. He usually slept while in the carrier, which made my heart explode, because I know he felt safest when he was held close. The two accessories I used a ton were the infant insert and the winter weather cover (I had a January baby in New England).

6-12 Months: The pre-walking stage was all about exploration, for both of us. I would Google different parks and playgrounds, and then we’d check them out. We struck out a few times, but we mostly found some gems! T would either crawl, or we’d bring his Radio Flyer Tinker Truck (an older version of this), which was his favorite push toy.

On-The-Go Kit: I keep a bin in my car that I swap out seasonally. But it’s always packed with the items I may need, anywhere we go. In the summer, that means, shoes, baseball caps, sunscreen, a towel, a change of clothes, and diapers. In the winter it’s snow boots, mittens, snow pants, jackets, beanies, and of course diapers. I’ve pretty much got a sweatshirt or fleece in there year-round.

Exercise for Mom: I’m a runner. It’s how I stay sane, it’s the number one thing I do for me. So the freedom to get my miles in, even with T, is essential to my mental (and physical) health. I know that all running moms feel very passionate about their jogging strollers, and for most moms I know, that is the BOB. But I will die on the hill that is the Thule Urban Glide 2. Perhaps this is sad to admit, but there have been times, over the last year, where it’s felt like my best friend. I get questions about my jogger preferences, and I love it so much, so I’ll likely do a post specific to the Urban Glide, or a review. Stay tuned!