UppaBaby is a well respected, premium brand within the buggy market and many friends have UppaBaby buggies for everyday use (we just use a Babyzen Yoyo and Thule Urban Glide 2) which has definitely saved us a lot of space and meant we don’t need 3 buggies (or more!) as many families do.
I typically run 2-3 times a week with the buggy, usually 3-5 miles at a time and often with the dog too (although I imagine this will increase when I stop marathon training). As mentioned, the running buggy I use is the Thule Urban Glide 2, which is a top of the range running buggy that I’ve put well over 500 miles of walking and running over the past 16 months. I’m using that as my comparison buggy for the purpose of these reviews…
This is the latest iteration of the UppaBaby Ridge after the last model had to be recalled due to an incident with the rear disc brakes – which they have now fixed. Billed as a a performance, all terrain buggy that takes you from road to trail and off the beaten path. Here’s my honest review after running 20 miles with it across road and trail…
(I was gifted the UppaBaby Ridge for testing from Natural Baby Shower)
Key Features of the UppaBaby Ridge
- 12 inch front wheel and 16 inch rear wheels
- Foam never flat tyres
- 5 point harness
- Car seat adapters available
- Extendable hood
- Disc handbrake system
- Rear foot brake
- Safety strap
- Large cargo basket
- Mesh peekaboo window
- Drinks holder
- Rear suspension
- Adjustable backrest
- Swivel-locking front wheel
How much does the UppaBaby Ridge cost?
Prices seem to range from £499 at UK BabyCentre right now to £699 (RRP) – it’s on sale currently at John Lewis and Natural Baby Shower for £629.95.
How big is the UppaBaby Ridge?
Folded – 92.7 x 66x 47cm (compared to 87 x 69 x 34 cm of the Urban Glide 2)
It did annoy me that the handle couldn’t fold right down, adding some extra cm to the height which could be an issues in some car boots.
At 13.2kg, the UppaBaby Ridge is 1.7kg heavier than the Thule Urban Glide.
What age can the UppaBaby Ridge be used for?
The UppaBaby Ridge can be used from 6 months to 22kg but can have a car seat attached with adapters or a carrycot clipped on to make it suitable from birth.
UppaBaby Ridge Accessories
The raincover comes as standard with the UppaBaby Ridge which is really nice, you can also buy a Carrycot to use this buggy from birth (or use a carseat with adapters). I love the idea of clipping on the footboard when Bertie gets older if we have another!
Pros
Adjustable Front Wheel
I prefer running without a fixed wheel but appreciate the option of both a locked or unlocked wheel. I think it makes a running buggy more versatile to use on walks, out and about as well as on the run. Those tackling trails may want to lock the front wheel, but given that most of my runs are along the Thames Tow path where dodging people, dogs, bollards and ducks is paramount, then I find the a non-fixed wheel easier to control on the run.
The Look
There’s no doubt that this buggy looks slick and the design although very similar to the Thule Urban Glide 2, just looks better. I love the colour options including green, blue, taupe and charcoal. This definitely doesn’t look like a running buggy in the best possible way, and doesn’t look out of place at your local coffee shop (I tested this for you in Gails a few times – you are welcome), strolling around town or on a cross country walk.
I also liked that unlike some buggies, it can stand without support – useful for those lacking storage and leaving their buggies in their hallway without damaging paintwork!
Never-Flat Tyres
No need to worry about running over something sharp on your run or digging out a bike pump to refill your tyres with these foam filled ‘never-flat’ tyres…however also seen cons section below!
Extendable Canopy
The extending, zip out canopy comes lower than on other buggies I’ve tested – great in rain and sun (and ideal for nap time!).
Drink Holder
I love this feature more than I should but I love that it comes with a drinks holder attached to the buggy as standard!
Ease of assembly
This took less than 10 minutes from box to heading out for a run – simply click in the wheels and you are ready to go.
Seat Adjustability
As Bertie has gotten older, he prefers sitting more upright in the buggy. I love that the UppaBaby Ridge seat can be adjusted to allow him to sit up or recline almost flat when he falls asleep (and be easily modified with the strap at the back of the seat – without waking your passenger!).
Cons
The wheels
Yes, I’ve put these in both the pros and cons column, I do find that the use of the foam filled wheels compared to air filled tyres makes the ride noticeably less comfortable for both me and Bertie. There is a reason that bike tyres and car tyres are filled with air vs foam – they absorb impact better. Whilst foam filled tyres can indeed handle all terrains, air filled tyres do similar with more shock absorbing albeit with the risk of puncture. I WISH they had the option to change out the tyres for air filled – I honestly think this would be a whole different buggy and experience if they did.
The ‘Ride’
On anything but smooth tarmac the ride just feels a little bumpy. It is harder work for the runner than other buggies I’ve tested and the passenger is jostled around a little bit – however Bertie did sleep soundly during a 5 mile test run over mud, cobbles and pavement without seeming bothered by the bumping. I found myself having to push with two hands on anything other than totally smooth ground and definitely got an upper body workout too.
Cost
At £699.99, the UppaBaby Ridge is one of the more expensive running buggies on the market, and I know UppaBaby is a premium brand but personally, I don’t think the performance justifies the cost.
UppaBaby Ridge vs Thule Urban Glide 2
Quite honestly, when comparing the UppaBaby Ridge and the Thule Urban Glide 2, the main difference is how smooth the ride is in the Thule vs the UppaBaby Ridge. The Urban Glide 2 is easier to push with one hand on a multitude of terrains and feels lighter than the Ridge. Additionally the passenger is noticeably jostled around less in the Urban Glide 2 – although I do prefer the options of seat positioning for the child in the Ridge compared to the recline of the Urban Glide 2.
I tested these buggies side by side during a parkrun, running half with one buggy and half with the other and quite literally, pushing both buggies side by side along the Thames path with my friend’s kids as testers. I also asked for feedback from friends who reported the same, that it was a much smoother, easier ride in the Thule Ubran Glide 2.
Overall, if you want a stylish buggy that will get you around town and a jogging a couple of laps of the park, this is a good option – especially if you already have an attachment to the UppaBaby brand. However, cost wise, the Thule Urban Glide 2 is now cheaper than the UppaBaby Ridge, making it a no-brainer in my book to opt for the Urban Glide 2 if your primary use for these buggies is for running. To be perfectly honest, I’ve been a little shocked by the glowing reviews that I’ve seen the Ridge receive from websites comparing the ‘best’ running buggies and for a runner tackling mult-terrains for more than a few miles at a time, the Thule Urban Glide 2 is the standout.
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