Thule Spring 2 review: a compact all-terrain three-wheeler that grows with your family

Thule Spring 2 five-point harness and reflective wheels

How I tested the Thule Spring 2

I tested the Thule Spring 2 for three weeks with my taller-than-average three-year-old, using it daily around my local area. We took it on trips to the park and into town, as well as on car journeys to grandparents’ houses, trying it out on grass, gravel, tarmac and hills.

As part of the process, I compared it directly with the Thule Urban Glide 3 (4-wheel model), which I reviewed last year, to see how it measured up against this popular travel system. After testing, I scored the Spring 2 across eight key criteria - performance, quality and durability, ease of use, value for money, safety and stability, ease of folding and unfolding, comfort, and adjustability and storage - giving it a final score of 83 out of 100.

The Thule Spring 2 can be used with a carrycot or car seat for newborns

What’s the difference between the Thule Spring and the Thule Spring 2?

The biggest change between the Thule Spring 2 and the original Thule Spring is that the newer model is now suitable from birth, whereas the original could only be used from six months.

You can pair the Spring 2 with the Thule bassinet or attach a car seat using Thule’s car seat adapters, transforming it into a flexible travel system. It’s compatible with a wide range of baby car seats, including models from Maxi-Cosi, Cybex, BeSafe, Nuna and Chicco.

Alongside its expanded travel system compatibility, the Spring 2 also features a new one-handed fold and improved suspension, making it more practical and comfortable for everyday use.

Thule Spring 2: what’s in the box and how easy is it to assemble?

The buggy arrives in three main parts - the frame, the wheels and the hood - and assembly is straightforward. The wheels simply push on and click securely into place, while the hood clips onto either side of the frame and fastens with Velcro. From start to finish, it took me around 10 minutes to get the Spring 2 ready to go.

One thing to note is that the Spring 2 doesn’t include a rain cover or bumper bar as standard, although both are available to buy separately. I did have the chance to try the Thule Elements High-Performance Footmuff (worth a staggering £160 t0 £250 depending on the size you need) and snack tray as optional extras though - the snack tray was a particular hit with my three-year-old.

Thule Spring 2: how does it look?

Overall, I really like the look of the Spring 2. Its design is in keeping with other Thule pushchairs, including the Urban Glide 3, and each colour option is paired with a neutral black frame for a sleek, understated finish.

I tested the soft beige version, which looks lovely but does show dirt and stains easily. There are four colours to choose from - mist green, mid blue, black and soft beige - and, given the option, I’d probably go for a darker shade, especially as my three-year-old loves to snack on the go.

The fabric feels durable and hard-wearing, although it isn’t quite as plush as the material used on the Thule Urban Glide 3.

How safe and sturdy is the Thule Spring 2?

The padded five-point harness clicks easily into place - even when I was in a rush - and throughout testing, the straps and padding sat comfortably against my daughter’s body. 

The Spring 2 also features a wrist strap, which I found particularly reassuring when navigating hills, and the brake worked reliably on both flat ground and inclines, although I did find it slightly stiff to apply when trying it with sandals.

Although the Spring 2 has smaller rear wheels than the Thule Urban Glide 3 to keep the overall design more compact (8.5 inches versus 16 inches on the Urban Glide 3), its foam-filled tyres still cope well with a variety of terrain. I tested it on tarmac, gravel and grass, where it felt secure and steady, although it did require a little more effort to glide smoothly over thicker grass or through mud.

The decent suspension helps absorb bumps and keeps the ride comfortable rather than jarring, even on uneven paths, and the front wheel swivels for easy manoeuvrability. It can also be locked in place when you want extra stability on rougher ground.

Kerbs were equally manageable - the buggy felt balanced when tipping back onto its rear wheels and was easy to bump up and down without jolting my daughter or feeling unstable. The chassis feels reassuringly sturdy overall, and I didn’t experience any tipping or wobbling during testing.

Reflective strips on the wheels are a thoughtful addition for visibility in lower light, bringing it in line with the safety features found on the Urban Glide 3.

The buggy locks automatically when folded, which adds peace of mind when lifting it into the car or storing it at home, although I found it didn’t stand upright by itself.

The handlebar height can be adjusted to four different positions

How comfortable is the Thule Spring 2?

While the seat doesn’t lie completely flat, the recline is generous enough for naps on the go and is adjusted using a simple pull strap at the back. My daughter always looked comfortable, and the built-in leg rest gave her somewhere to properly rest her legs.

The main buggy seat is forward-facing only, which may be a little roomy for smaller babies. For newborns, it’s best to use the Thule bassinet or a compatible car seat instead. You can attach the bassinet without removing the stroller seat, which makes the switch straightforward, although I didn’t test the bassinet myself.

I liked that the seat's padded five-point harness adjusts easily, making it simple to get a snug, secure fit depending on your child’s age. The maximum seat capacity is 22kg, which on paper should see most children comfortably through the toddler and preschool years. However, my taller-than-average three-year-old was already nearing the seat height limit so, in our case, I’m not entirely convinced it would comfortably last her much longer.

For parents, the four handlebar height positions make it genuinely practical for different heights. At 5’6”, I found the lower setting ideal, and adjusting it one-handed is simple. The soft grip is comfortable on longer walks too. 

As we're still in the depths of winter, I also tested out the medium/large Thule Elements High-Performance Footmuff and my preschooler found it to be very cosy, especially on long winter walks. It looks and feels almost like a sleeping bag thanks to the thick, insulated material, and it was very easy to attach to the seat by threading the harness through the slots. It's available in two sizes (small and medium/large) depending on your child's age - we tried out the latter and found it fit my three-year-old well - but the £160 to £250 price tag does feel like an investment.

The Thule Spring 2's UPF 50+ hood provides ample coverage, with a handy peekaboo window

What is the Thule Spring 2 like to use day to day?

This is where the Spring 2 really shines. Around town, it feels nimble and easy to steer one-handed, but it’s still solid enough to handle park paths and uneven pavements without feeling flimsy. It’s not especially lightweight compared with typical compact strollers, but that bit of extra weight makes it feel stable and well balanced rather than bulky.

Width-wise, the buggy fits through most standard doorways (under 64cm), which makes popping into shops far less stressful than with the wider Thule Urban Glide 3 (4-wheel).

The hood is generous and offers UPF 50+ protection, with a zip-out extension that covers most of my three-year-old’s body when reclined (just her lower legs were left uncovered). Mesh ventilation panels double as a peekaboo window, which I used more than I expected. That said, the fabric feels slightly less plush - and a little flimsier - than the hood on the Urban Glide 3.

My daughter was particularly taken with the snack tray (an optional extra), although you do need to remove the bumper bar clips to attach it. Once fitted, it became a firm favourite for park trips and longer outings.

I didn’t test the Spring 2 on public transport, but at 10.8kg and without a reliably self-standing fold, it would be more manageable for occasional trips rather than daily bus or train use.

Thule Spring 2 storage basket

What’s the storage basket like?

The basket is a good size and can hold up to 10kg. It’s smaller than the Urban Glide 3 basket and doesn’t have a cover, but it easily handles shopping and everyday essentials. 

The Thule Spring 2 fits neatly into the boot of a medium-sized car

Thule Spring 2: how easy is it to fold and unfold?

With folded dimensions of 75 x 45 x 39cm, the Spring 2 isn’t a cabin-approved stroller, so it’s not the best option if you’re specifically looking for a travel buggy. However, it's more compact when folded than other Thule models like the Urban Glide 3 and fit much better in the boot of my Volvo V40 without me having to remove the wheels.

Folding is fairly straightforward once you know where to look. The release lever is tucked underneath the seat fabric, which I didn’t find easily at first - I needed a quick glance at the instructions to locate it. That said, the fold is easy to master and can be done one-handed. Pull up on the lever and the buggy folds neatly in on itself.

There’s a locking catch at the side to keep it securely folded. Unfolding is quick and simple: release the catch and it opens back out smoothly in under 10 seconds. I like that the fold lever doubles as a carry handle, making it easier to lift in and out of the car.

The Thule Spring 2 can be carried using the under-seat carry handle

Is the Thule Spring 2 easy to clean?

The polyester fabric feels hard-wearing, but in a lighter shade it definitely shows the realities of park life and snack time. The seat fabric can be removed for a deeper clean, which is reassuring, although it’s not something I'd want to do regularly. In day-to-day use, I found a quick wipe-down was the most realistic option - but if mud is a frequent feature of your walks, a darker colour is a safer bet.

Is the Thule Spring 2 good value for money?

Priced at just under £500 (RRP), the Thule Spring 2 is noticeably cheaper than the Thule Urban Glide 3 (4-wheel), but still delivers many of the same benefits in a more compact, easier-to-manage package. For me, the real selling point is that it’s a compact all-terrain three-wheeler - you get that solid, go-anywhere feel without the bulk of a full-sized travel system.

While it can be used with a newborn, it’s worth factoring in that extras such as the bassinet, car seat adapters, rain cover and bumper bar aren’t included in the base price, so the overall cost can quickly climb.

Compared with rivals like the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 or UPPAbaby Ridge, the Spring 2 sits firmly in the mid-to-premium bracket. I’d say it’s best suited to families who want one buggy that can handle most situations - from town errands to park paths - without committing to something larger and heavier.

About the author

Laura Westerman is an editor, writer and Deputy Head Editorial Content at Mumsnet. Mum to a three-year-old, she is fully invested in finding the best and most affordable products for families.

With over nine years’ experience as a full-time editor, including seven years spent writing, commissioning and editing product reviews and round-ups, Laura has developed particular expertise in buggies and car seats. She has a keen eye for what parents genuinely value and is passionate about delivering honest, practical reviews that help make parents' lives that little bit easier.

In addition to her work as a writer and editor, she has also appeared in a number of product review videos for Mumsnet's YouTube channel.