In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Thule Spring Review

The frame is so flexy it detracts from the other positives of this stroller
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Thule Spring Review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $400 List
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Manufacturer:   Thule
By Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Mar 31, 2024
67
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#13 of 18
  • Ease of Use - 40% 8.0
  • Maneuverability - 25% 4.3
  • Transport/Storing - 15% 8.4
  • Quality - 10% 5.3
  • Kid's Comfort - 10% 6.7

Our Verdict

The Thule Spring is a 3-wheel everyday stroller in our best full-size stroller review. It is lightweight and folds ultra-small, making it a good choice for those with limited space or lifting abilities. We love the deep reclining seat with additional padding over the average stroller. We think the folding process is easy and can be done quickly. The Spring has a reasonable price and can be paired with infant car seats by purchasing adapters. However, the Spring is not as high of quality as most Thule strollers, and the smaller wheels and flexing frame made it hard to push and turn on and off-road. The pushing problems make this stroller less of a favorite than it used to be, and it could be greatly improved with larger wheels and stiffer joints.
REASONS TO BUY
Compact
Lighter weight
Comfy seat
REASONS TO AVOID
Flexy frame
Small wheels make a rougher ride
Editor's Note: We updated our full-size stroller review with over a dozen strollers tested side-by-sid in March 2024.

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Bottom Line The frame flex and smaller wheels are a distraction from an otherwise interesting strollerWhile it performs well on flat surfaces, this high-quality option struggles off-road if those are your goalsA budget-friendly expandable stroller with good storage but limited other features and a heavier weightBudget-friendly jogger with off-road capabilities, but the quality is on par with the priceThe lower price makes the flaws of this jogger easier to accept
Rating Categories Thule Spring Cybex Balios S Lux Evenflo Pivot Xpand Baby Trend Expediti... Baby Trend Expedition
Ease of Use (40%)
8.0
7.8
8.0
6.5
5.9
Maneuverability (25%)
4.3
7.1
5.4
7.8
7.6
Transport/Storing (15%)
8.4
6.8
4.2
5.4
7.0
Quality (10%)
5.3
8.0
6.7
4.0
2.7
Kid's Comfort (10%)
6.7
7.6
7.3
5.4
3.5
Specs Thule Spring Cybex Balios S Lux Evenflo Pivot Xpand Baby Trend Expediti... Baby Trend Expedition
Capacity Limits Minimum: 6 months
Maximum: 64 lbs/ 44 in
Minimum: Birth
Maximum: 55 lbs
Minimum: Birth
Maximum: 55 lbs/43"
Minimum: 6 months
Maximum: 50 lbs/42 in
Minimum: 6 months
Maximum: 50 lbs/42 in
Measured Weight 23 lbs 25 lbs 30 lbs 28 lbs 24 lbs
Measured Folded Dimensions 17"W x 15"H x 30"L 24"W x 16"H x 31"L 26.7"W x 19.23"H x 32.7"L 24.5"W x 16"H x 36.5"L 23.1"W x 33.1"H x 16.3"L
Folded Volume 7,650 cu in 11,904 cu in 16,790 cu in 14,308 cu in 12,463 cu in
Handlebar Height Min/Max 39"/43" 39.5"/43" 33"/44.7" 41.5" 41"
Mfr. Max Allowable Total Storage Weight 14 lbs 24 lbs 11 lbs 11 lbs 15 lbs
Car Seat Compatibility Clek Liing
Cybex Aton and Cloud Series
Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30, Mico Max Plus
Nuna PIPA, PIPA RX, PIPA Lite, PIPA Lite LX, PIPA Lite RX and PIPA Lite R
Cybex (All)
Maxi Cosi Mico 30, Maxi Cosi Mico Max, Maxi Cosi Coral XP
Nuna Pipa lite
Chicco KeyFit/KeyFit 30
Evenflo SafeMax, LiteMax
Graco all with SnugRide, SnugLock 30/35
Peg-Perego Primo Viaggio 4/35
Baby Trend (All) Baby Trend (All)
Wheel Type Foam Filled Rubber Foam Filled Plastic Foam Filled Plastic Pneumatic Pneumatic
Brake Type Single Single Single Double Double

Our Analysis and Test Results

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 best baby backpacks carriers and best bike trailers for kids to roof racks and other strollers from our strollers review.

Performance Comparison



thule spring - the spring is easier to use than the average stroller.
The Spring is easier to use than the average stroller.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The Spring offers above-average ease of use for the group.

The Spring fold is quick and easy.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Fold and Unfold


The Spring fold is initiated under the seat. A stiff flap lifts up so you can slide and lift the handle. There is a lever on each side for left or right-handed people.

thule spring - while the bin on the spring was large enough for our large diaper...
While the bin on the Spring was large enough for our large diaper bag, the limit of 11 lbs could be a deal-breaker if you hope to buy groceries.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Storage


The Spring storage bin is only medium in size, but it fits our large diaper bag with easy access. However, it only has an 11 lb limit, which is something to consider if you want to fetch groceries. A mesh pocket on the back of the seat will accept 3 lbs more, but it isn't a big space.

The Spring has a multi-step process to fully buckle with nesting components.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Harness


The Spring has a well-padded harness and is the only one with padded waist straps. The harness is a nested option that requires each component to be inserted separately into the buckle. The button is firm but not too stiff, and you need to remember to put the wist straps in the buckle before the shoulder straps. It seems unnecessarily convoluted.

The rocker brake pedal on the Spring means you don't need to lift the lever with the top of your foot.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Brakes


The Spring has a single-action brake pedal near the right wheel on the rear axle. It is easy to press and release. The pedal is bright red and easy to spot, with a rocker pedal style that is press to set and press to release, making it foot-friendly.

thule spring - the close placement of the brake pedal near the wheel means...
The close placement of the brake pedal near the wheel means larger-footed people might rub the wheel when setting the brakes.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Car Seat Compatibility


The Spring has adapters available for some infant car seats from Nuna, Clek, Evenflo, Maxi-Cosi, UPPAbaby, and Cybex.

Assembly of the Spring is snapping the components of wheels and canopy onto the main frame.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Ease of Setup


The SPring was easy to put together and took between 5-10 minutes due to packaging and reviewing the instructions. Overall, it was intuitive and straightforward.

The spinning front wheel on the Spring wasn't always in the right position when pushing.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Maneuverability


The Spring did not perform well in our maneuverability tests, with a surprisingly lower result.

An adjustable handlebar makes pushing easier for taller parents, but the center-placed adjustment button makes the Spring harder to push with only one hand.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

This three-wheeled design stroller has smaller diameter wheels that impacted its results for maneuverability. One-handed steering was a challenge because of the adjustment button in the center of the bar. The frame had a lot of flex, which gave it a fairly slow response time. It felt a little more like an umbrella stroller when pushing, especially when moving over thresholds and cords.

The smaller wheels and flexing frame on the Spring made it harder to...
The smaller wheels and flexing frame on the Spring made it harder to push and turn on any surface.
The smaller wheels on the Spring make it harder to push off-road and...
The smaller wheels on the Spring make it harder to push off-road and in the thicker grass.

Moving off-road, the Spring becomes more of a challenge, especially over grass, which you are likely to encounter at play parks.

The Spring struggled with the transitions from surface to surface and could have performed better if the front wheel had been bigger.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

The flex in the frame made it harder to push, making it sloppy when steering. However, moving up and over larger obstacles isn't terrible, given the lighter weight and ease of popping up the front wheel to traverse obstacles.

thule spring - the spring folds flat compared to some but is not the smallest in...
The Spring folds flat compared to some but is not the smallest in the group.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Transporting and Storing


The Spring is relatively lightweight and small when folded, giving it one of the highest results in our tests.

The Spring weighs 23.13 lbs, and the folding lever also acts as a carry handle. It is one of the lightweight options in the group, and it isn't awkward to lift and put in the car.


At 7,650 cubic inches when folded, it is one of the smallest options in the group, making it a compelling choice for those with limited space or who frequent public transportation.

thule spring - the spring wheels are foam-filled rubber with a grippy feel.
The Spring wheels are foam-filled rubber with a grippy feel.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Quality


The quality for the Spring is below average compared to the competition. The fabric is a ripstop style everywhere and feels durable and easy to clean. The canopy is taunt and looks finished and sleek to the stroller. The zippers work smoothly, and there is lots of thoughtful padding with shoulder and hip strap covers.

thule spring - the softer foam cover on the spring is a thoughtful comfort addition...
The softer foam cover on the Spring is a thoughtful comfort addition to the handlebar.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

The wheels are foam-filled rubber, which is better than plastic. The smaller size hurt its functionality, but the sticky rubber coating gives it better action on harder surfaces.

The frame looks well put together and clean. However, it has a lot of flex from side to side, which impacts functionality and increases frustration when pushing. Overall, the sit and finish are nice, but the flexing in the frame is a disappointment, and it seems to have worsened over time.

thule spring - the deep recline is cozy for passengers and has a covered...
The deep recline is cozy for passengers and has a covered ventilation panel for more air-flow on hot days.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Kid's Comfort


The Spring offers just above average results for kid comfort features. The sling-style seat has more padding than most. It has a deep recline with infinite possible positions. The adjustment mechanism is a toggle with two straps you can release with one hand, but you'll need two to raise it up: one to hold the toggle and one to pull the straps.

The plastic toggle recline adjustment on the Spring is easy but...
The plastic toggle recline adjustment on the Spring is easy but feels sort of dated.
The recline on the Spring is deep and cozy for napping.
The recline on the Spring is deep and cozy for napping.

When reclined, the top portion has a nice ventilation space that can be covered when temperatures dip or the wind is high. The leg rest has heavy ripstop material that feels durable, but it isn't adjustable, and longer legs could dangle off the sides.

thule spring - the seat recline adjustment is a one-hand operation to lower with a...
The seat recline adjustment is a one-hand operation to lower with a central toggle and two side straps, but it requires two hands to lift.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The Spring canopy is super large. It comes with a 50+ UPF rating and will protect against most sun until very late or very early in the day when the sun is low in the sky. The canopy also has a zippered mesh panel that makes it even larger but will impact sun and weather protection, so it is a trade-off. It is the only way to peek at little ones.

thule spring - the thule spring has a lot going for it and if your space is...
The Thule Spring has a lot going for it and if your space is limited, it might be compelling, but overall it struggled in our tests for maneuverability and quality.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Should You Buy the Thule Spring?


We don't hate the Spring, but we probably wouldn't recommend it for many. It is a good-looking, nimble stroller with good storage. However, the smaller wheels and flexing frame created a situation that wasn't fun to push. We think parents will be attracted to the price and looks of this stroller, and it has some compelling features, but we think overall, there are higher-performing options that are nicer to push and turn and offer a smoother ride for little ones.

What Other Full-Size Strollers Should You Consider?


If you want a nice three-wheel stroller that is not a jogger, we prefer the Britax B-Free. While not an award winner, it is a compelling choice that is easier to push than the Spring and includes a comfy seat, good storage, and a quick fold in a compact package. It has a higher overall score than the Spring and is easier to transport.

Manufacturer Video



Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz