Thule Sleek Vs. UPPAbaby Vista
Posted by Active Baby Canadian Online Baby Store on 2018 Sep 20th
The UPPAbaby Vista is a well-known and very popular stroller. While it is very high-quality and worth every penny, you may be looking for alternatives. Enter the Thule Sleek.
Thule is known for their jogging strollers, but the Sleek—new for 2018—will surprise you. Stylish and chic, this multi-functional stroller is built for city adventures and is an excellent alternative to the Vista. Thule’s first expandable stroller is sure to shake things up!
Seating
The purpose of an expandable stroller is to give some flexibility to parents by allowing different seating options, in both single and double mode, allowing the stroller to adapt and grow with your family. Although the Vista allows for one extra child when strolling-- 3 in total, vs the Sleek’s both allow for multiple options.
The Sleek’s bucket-style toddler seat is reversible and has two recline positions, with the recline operated one-handed. Even in the lowest setting, it is still somewhat reclined, so using it with babies 3 months and older is advisable, as they will have better neck control. The Vista operates similarly, and if you are looking for a greater variety of recline positions, the Vista takes the lead, with a total of five.
The Sleek features an upright position that is quite straight, which is great for the curious toddler. It also has an adjustable leg rest that accommodates your growing child. Once again, the Vista has a slight advantage with 3 positions, to the Sleek’s 2.
An adjustable 5-point harness with padded straps keeps baby both comfy and safe in both strollers, and the included bumper bars open from either side, giving easy access to baby.
The seating capacity of the Sleek is very similar to the Vista, with the regular seat’s capacity maxing out at 48.5 lbs and the sibling seat allowing up to 33 lbs, while the Vista takes up to 50 lbs in the regular seat and 35 lbs in the Rumbleseat.
Bassinet
While the Vista comes with a bassinet, the Sleek has the option of adding one that can attach to the stroller frame, allowing it to be used for newborns. The weight limit for the Sleek’s bassinet is 19.5 lbs, which is again comparable to the Vista’s 20 lbs. The canopies are made with UPF 50+ material to protect delicate skin form the sun. An adjustable sunshade has a sun visor and a mesh panel that opens with a zipper. While both are made with high-quality materials, the Vista does have an edge in heavier, yet softer material.
Infant Car Seat
Car seat compatibility is a must for your stroller, and both UPPAbaby and Thule know this. Accordingly, both the Sleek and the Vista, can be turned into a travel system compatible with infant car seats. The Thule Sleek can hold two car seats with the purchase of special adapters. The car seats usable with the Sleek will initially be more limited, with compatible seats coming from Chicco and Maxi-Cosi.
Two-Child and Three Child Options
The Thule Sleek can expand to a tandem stroller and use a bassinet, infant car seat, or sibling seat. It’s great for families with kids that have a small age gap between them. The stroller also comes with the necessary adapters, saving you money on accessories.
Both the Sleek and the Vista offer the ability to transport an additional child by adding a board for them to stand on, positioned behind the stroller.
Canopy
The Vista has a great canopy with the largest sunshade in its category, but the Sleek gives it a run for its money. Both are a good size, and both have avoided the noisy Velcro on other peekaboo windows, with the addition of magnetic closures. The Vista has a lock to hold it securely in place, while the Sleek has the ability to move up and down, giving your child greater headroom as they grow.
Handlebar
Both the Vista and the Sleek come with telescoping handles to make life easier for parents of different heights. The Sleek has 8.5 inches of adjustability compared to the Vista’s 3 inches. By having a telescoping handlebar, as opposed to one that rotates as seen on other models, taller parents needn’t worry about kicking the stroller as they walk.
Wheels and Suspension
The wheels of the Sleek are almost identical in size to the Vista, with the former being 8” (front) and 11” (rear) and the latter being 8”/ 11.5”. Both have pivoting front wheels, allowing for greater manoeuvrability, even with two kids, as well as 4-wheel suspension for comfort even on bumpy roads.
The Sleek also features reflective rims to improve visibility during morning and evening strolls.
Storage Space
The Vista wins quite handily in this category with a very large basket under the seat that can hold up to 30 lbs of all your essentials, such as diapers, snacks, and toys. The Sleek’s basket is smaller, with a capacity of 11 lbs. Both models feature a zipper on the basket to keep your items secure
Size and Weight
Once again, the Vista and Sleek are fairly close in this category. The Sleek weighs in at 28 lbs when one toddler seat is attached. The Vista meanwhile, weighs 26.3 lbs with a seat, or 27.8 lbs with the bassinet. Neither is terribly light, but this is compensated by their features and versatility.
Fold
Neither the Vista nor the Sleek feature an especially flat fold, but both can fold quite easily, with or without the seat attached. The Vista is able to fold and unfold in the standing position, whereas the Sleek must be laid down to unfold, which may result in a transfer of dirt from the tires or the ground to the stroller, or your hands. Storage and transport are easier with the seat removed, however. Additionally, the Thule’s push buttons require greater force to operate
Ultimately, both strollers offer incredible value and versatility, with relatively minor differences, though for some, the Vista’s inclusion of a bassinet may be a deciding factor.
Either way, you are buying a high-quality stroller that will serve you well for years to come.
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