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.