Thule Sleek 2 is the latest offering from the Swedish outdoor brand, promising rugged build quality and the flexibility to grow with your family. With stiff competition in the premium stroller market, does it justify the investment?
Pros
+ Incredibly versatile with multiple seating combinations
+ Rugged and built to last
Cons
– Not ideal if you’re short, as the handle hampers seat recline
– No seat ventilation
What’s included?
There are two options for purchasing the Sleek 2. You can opt for just the pushchair, which comprises the foldable chassis and reversible pushchair seat or the Sleek 2 Bundle, which includes the bassinet, the adaptors to attach it to the chassis, and the adaptor kit to turn it into a sibling pushchair.
There are plenty of other accessories available, from car seat adaptors to rain covers, but they are all available at an extra cost, so things can start to rack up if you decide to throw everything at it.
Is it easy to use and fold?
Straight out of the box, Thule Sleek 2 is easy to construct. The wheels click into place with just a push, and the seat unit drops easily onto the chassis if you’re using it in the standard, single child configuration.
If you’re using the bassinet for your little one, it arrives flat-packed and is raised using a built-in lever underneath. It’s very stiff the first time you use it, and takes a bit of effort to clip into place, but after that it does get easier.
Once you get it clicked in, the bassinet feels sturdy and rigid, despite the fabric sides. The mattress has a removable, machine-washable cover, making it easy to keep things fresh.
Folding the bassinet is nice and simple. The mechanism in the base releases with a squeeze, and pressing two release buttons on the side supports, then flapping them up, completes the process.
To fold the chassis, pull the release triggers on each side of the handle and push the handle down until the catch clicks into place. Unfolding is the same process, with the triggers releasing the frame. We found that the first few times, the triggers were a little stiff, and that a slight downward push when unfolding the frame helped the unclipping process.
Once folded, it isn’t the most compact, but it should fit in most mid-sized SUVs or hatchbacks without too much trouble. The Subaru Forester could hold the stroller with the seat unit, leaving plenty of space for other things, but with the rear wheels left attached, there wasn’t enough space for the retractable parcel shelf to be pulled into place.
Is it comfortable?
The bassinet, which is made from water-repellent, rip-stop fabric, has a padded mesh liner and a removable mattress to keep the baby cosy and comfortable. There’s plenty of protection from the sun (or the drizzle, of course), from the large foldable canopy, which incorporates UPF 50+ UV protection.
For those sun-drenched outings, the bassinet has ample ventilation in both the base and the hood to keep the baby cool.
The seat unit is nicely padded to keep Mini Joe or Jane relaxed and happy. The seat can be partially reclined for a chilled position, or fully reclined for napping, and the leg rest can be adjusted to create the perfect position. Unlike the bassinet, the seat has no ventilation, which is a shame, but the sunshade extends far enough to create plenty of shade.
How does it handle?
Sleek 2 is designed for both urban and rural use, making it a good all-rounder, but the larger wheels and high seating position can make it feel just a touch top-heavy during fast, tight manoeuvring. It is pretty well planted, though, and with siblings on board, the extra weight should keep things in check.
The four-wheel suspension and foam-filled tyres do an excellent job of smoothing out the worst of the bumps over uneven ground, so pint-sized passengers are unlikely to be shaken from their slumber wherever the path takes you. If you encounter loose surfaces such as gravel or sand, the front swivel wheels can be locked in place to make cutting through them easier.
Does it have storage?
There is a storage basket slung underneath the seat or bassinet, and it’s big enough to house a medium-sized changing bag or some shopping. It can be accessed via a flip-down panel to the rear of the frame or the zipped top, ensuring some access no matter what seating configuration you’re using.
The horizontal strengthening bar that passes just above the edge of the basket opening does restrict things a little when the seat is world-facing, but it isn’t a deal breaker.
It’s most difficult to use when the bassinet is in use. It sits quite close to the zipped top, so the only really usable option is the flip-down section, which has a limited opening. It’s still useful, but getting a larger changing bag in would be a struggle.
So, what are the drawbacks?
While the design has been well thought out in most areas, there is one flaw that could hamper parents, particularly those who are a little on the shorter side.
The range of handle adjustment is excellent, particularly for tall parents and pram pushers, but if you’re under about 5’ 2”, you’re likely to need it at the lowest setting. With the seat in the parent-facing position or the bassinet attached, that’s no problem. Because of the Sleek 2’s high seating position, however, when it’s world-facing, the seat can’t be easily reclined as it clashes with the handle.
That means that when your passenger wants to nap, you’ll need to stop, raise the handle, recline the seat and then lock the handle back into position. It might not sound like a huge issue, but in practice, it could quickly become a frustration, and it feels like a fairly big oversight by Thule in an otherwise well-designed model.
Thule Sleek 2: The verdict
The Thule Sleek 2 gets a lot right, making it an excellent option for growing families who like to get out and about. The reflective strips on the wheels and bassinet add a little extra visibility at night and in gloomy winter conditions, and the easy-lock front wheels make rough tracks less troublesome.
There are a few niggles – handle gripes and basket accessibility issues – but they don’t overshadow what is a highly capable, go-anywhere pushchair. The chassis feels strong and rugged, and while it might suffer a few scratches over the years, it will last until little legs are happy under their own steam.
Thule Sleek 2 isn’t the cheapest option on the market, but if you’re looking for something that’s adaptable and built to last, it makes a very compelling case.
Tested: Thule Sleek 2
How much: Prices from £799
Average Janes rating: ★★★★☆
