There are tons of ways to get around, but there aren’t many that are as fun as biking. And not only is it fun, but it’s got tons of other benefits too! It’s environmentally friendly, affordable (as long as you already have the bike), and it offers tons of mental and physical health benefits. But maybe you’ve run into a problem with the lack of storage and passenger seating.
Luckily, there’s a pretty easy fix. And that’s a bike trailer. Bike trailers attach to the back of your bike and cruise with you. They come in a ton of styles and sizes—there are ones for children and even cargo! They’re usually pretty affordable, require very little maintenance, and are super easy to set up. What’s not to love, right?
If you agree that bike trailers are pretty great, and you’re ready to own one yourself, we’re ready to help you find your perfect fit. Bike trailers will differ by price, size, wheel type, weight capacity, materials, and so much more. And we strongly encourage you to think about every feature. It’s the best way to find your ideal match.
This comprehensive guide will investigate the best bike trailers in Canada right now and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.
The Thule Coaster XT 2-Seat Bicycle Trailer & Stroller brings a lot of good things to the table. As its name suggests, it doubles as a stroller, so you’ll be able to use it for kids of various ages and for all types of outings. Plus, it has two seats, so you can bring multiple kids along for the trip. It’s also well-balanced with only one child, though!
One of the things we like most about it is how much storage space it has. The front wheel doesn’t need to be removed in trailer mode, so you can’t lose it, and there’s a large basket behind the kid seats that you can use to store all of your belongings. Since it folds down easily and comes with a nice rain cover, you’ll be able to use it in every weather condition and anywhere you’d like to travel to.
We have a couple of warnings to give you before we wrap up. While there’s nothing overtly wrong with this stroller, you might be disappointed by its lack of extra attachments—it isn’t designed for jogging or skiing like some other Thule trailers. Also, in stroller mode, the handlebar might be a bit short for people 5’10” and taller.
Overall, the Thule Coaster XT 2-Seat Bicycle Trailer & Stroller is the best all-around bike trailer for kids. It’s perfect for one or two children, it can be used in two different modes for every outing, and it’s incredibly lightweight for parents and comfortable for kids. What’s not to love?
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers have a high opinion of the Thule Coaster XT 2-Seat Bicycle Trailer & Stroller. Although not designed to be a jogger, many parents have no problems using it while running. They love how much storage space it has and how quickly it converts from trailer to stroller mode and folds down for storage. One father even got into a wreck with his son, and the harness kept the child perfectly safe and uninjured when the trailer tipped over.
Buy If…
You need it to double as a stroller
Onboard storage is a must-have
You have two kids that want to ride together
You want the option of travelling with it and riding in bad weather
Don’t Buy If…
We admire so many things about the Thule Chariot Lite Multisport Trailer & Stroller. And we’re so excited to share them all with you. Our favourite thing about it is how versatile it is. As is, it can be used as a bike trailer or a four-wheeled stroller. However, you can also buy extra kits that make it perfect for jogging (a large and center front wheel) or skiing (dual hitch posts and skis). How cool is that!?
This thing is incredibly steady on all types of terrain too, so it’s a good option for hikes and off-roading. Since it folds down very compactly, you’ll be able to throw it in the car and drive to the best adventure spots. For the jogging and regular stroller modes, the handlebar is adjustable, so it can adapt to the height of every adult who needs to use it. No one needs to be left out. Or uncomfortable.
One of the only issues we have with this option is the price. It simply won’t be a reasonable option for every parent, and since we’d love every parent and kid to enjoy the magic of this bike trailer, that’s pretty disappointing. We also want to be very clear that there’s only room for one kid in this trailer at a time, so if you have a duo at home, this won’t be a good fit. Unless they’re willing to take turns.
All in all, the Thule Chariot Lite Multisport Trailer & Stroller is the best single-kid bike trailer money can buy right now. And although you’ll have to spend a lot to make it yours, it sure is worth it. No matter where your expectations are right now, this one will meet and exceed them.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 2/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers are thrilled with the quality of the Thule Chariot Lite Multisport Trailer & Stroller. It fits perfectly in the trunk when it’s folded down and all of the activity kits make it perfect for every adventure. They appreciate the rain cover and sunshade a lot. The quality is amazing and they really couldn’t be happier. They would buy it again in a heartbeat.
Buy If…
You want all of the adventure types open to you
You’ll be travelling in different types of terrain regularly
It needs to travel and store well
Multiple adults will be using it
Don’t Buy If…
We’ve got lots of great things to say about the affordable Aosom 2-in-1 Child Bike Trailer. Its safety consciousness is impeccable—it’s outfitted with reflectors, a safety flag, and a 5-point harness in each kid’s seat for ultimate safety. Oh yeah, and it also has two kid seats! Perfect if you have multiple kids of your own or your child is bringing along a friend.
You may be wondering about the 2-in-1 part of this one. Well, it can be converted to a stroller! Just flip down the front center wheel and remove the hitch bar. Easy peasy! Since the entire thing can fold down flat, you’ll be able to stow it in the car for longer distance journeys or store it in your house if you won’t be using it for a while. Convenience is everything, after all.
Our main disappointment with this one is its build quality. It’s just not as durable as some of the other options, so ideally, you won’t need to rely on it for more than a year or two. The attachment piece for your bike is also only compatible with wheels between 24” and 28”, so if your bike falls outside that range, this won’t be a good fit. Just a heads up.
Overall, the Aosom 2-in-1 Child Bike Trailer is our favourite for parents looking for an affordable option. It’s not the most durable trailer out there, but it’ll keep your kids safe and won’t interfere with your biking. Plus, it’s got room for two!
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Reviewers are pretty happy with the Aosom 2-in-1 Child Bike Trailer. Their favourite thing about it is how easy it is to convert between trailer and stroller mode. Since it also folds down really well, they’re able to travel with it in the car quite easily. They’ve found that the seams are a bit prone to tearing, though, so it’s definitely not ideal for rougher roads or adventures long-term.
Buy If…
Safety is your number one priority
You want to use it as a stroller too, not just a bike trailer
You have multiple kids
It needs to be portable
Don’t Buy If…
Dimensions: 29.5” x 55.9” x 39.8” (in trailer configuration)
Weight: 33.4 lbs
Colour: Black, red, and silver
Weight Capacity: 58 lbs
Frame Material: Alloy metal
The Burley Nomad Aluminum Touring Cargo Bike Trailer comes with tons of features that you’re bound to appreciate. It’s kind of impossible not to. Seriously. Take the hitch system, for example. Not only does it keep the trailer incredibly steady while riding, but it even lets you lay your bike down flat without knocking over the trailer too. How convenient is that?
And that’s only the beginning. The large capacity is perfect for all kinds of biking adventures, and since it has tie-down straps, small mesh storage bags along the side, and a divider, your organization will have never been easier. The wheels come off with the push of a button, too, and the whole trailer folds flat for storage. You can take it anywhere, and keep it safe in the off-season. If you even have one.
This is a rare one, folks. The only thing we can really find fault in is the price tag. And even that’s a bit of a stretch. We might wish that this trailer was more of a no-brainer purchase, but the quality is certainly worth the extra money. We get that it might be a deterrent for you, and that’s more than fair, but if you have the extra cash on hand, you couldn’t find a better cargo trailer to spend it on.
All in all, the Burley Nomad Aluminum Touring Cargo Bike Trailer is the best you can get in the cargo world. Its price tag might be higher than average, but it’s for a good reason. The overall quality and usability of this trailer simply can’t be beat.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers are blown away by the quality of the Burley Nomad Aluminum Touring Cargo Bike Trailer. They think it’s the perfect size for erranding, camping, and so much more. They’re thrilled by how easily it folds down for storage and car trips, and they haven’t had any issues with stability or durability. Everyone agrees that this trailer is more than worth the higher price tag.
Buy If…
You want to tow a lot of stuff and would be happy with some optional organization
You need it to be portable
You want to ride in all weather conditions
Stability is a priority
Don’t Buy If…
Raise your hand if you love a budget-friendly trailer! We sure do. And if you need one for carting stuff around town, the Aosom Multifunctional Bicycle Cargo Trailer is going to be your perfect match. Why? Well, it’s affordable (duh), and it has a ton of awesome features. Like the removal cargo area. That’s right, you can pack and unpack it anywhere, anytime. Then, just attach it to the trailer rack. Easy.
This option also has a weatherproof cover, so your stuff won’t be in danger if you’re riding on dirty roads or getting rained on. And, since the coupler attaches to your seat pole instead of the rear wheel hub, it can be used with pretty much any bike. If that isn’t enough, the handlebar might clinch the deal—you can push or pull this thing around without a bike anytime you feel the urge. Pretty handy, right?
There aren’t any features that we actively dislike, but there are a couple that just might not work for you. The first is the small capacity—if you’ll be hauling around a lot of camping gear or tons of groceries, this trailer just won’t be big enough. The other potential problem is the housing—it isn’t super durable on top, so this isn’t a trailer that can safely have heavy things stacked on top of it.
All in all, the Aosom Multifunctional Bicycle Cargo Trailer is a perfect choice if you’re after an affordable and quality option for hauling gear around. It’s not the largest trailer out there, but it has some special features that help make up for that. At least, we think so.
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Reviewers have mostly great things to say about the Aosom Multifunctional Bicycle Cargo Trailer. Some of them wish the cover was sturdier so they could stack things on top of it, but most people don’t have an issue with this. They love that the cargo area can be removed from the bike, and they trust their things will stay dry and clean thanks to the weatherproof Oxford cloth cover.
Buy If…
You want to be able to pack and unpack the trailer indoors
You want to ride in every weather condition
Fussing with wheel hub attachments doesn’t appeal to you
You want the option of moving the trailer by hand
Don’t Buy If…
Some bike trailers cost less than $150, others cost more than $1200. Of course, with a price range that wide, there’s going to be quite a bit of variation in models too. In general, more expensive bike trailers will be more durable and versatile, and will likely have higher weight capacities.
Interior capacity matters for every type of bike trailer, whether you’re looking at a cargo trailer or a kid trailer. In general, kid trailers will be the largest and can seat either one or two kids. Cargo trailers can come in a variety of sizes as well.
Many bike trailers will be able to fold down flat for storage at home or in a car. If you want to bring the trailer with you everywhere you go, you’ll want to prioritize this feature. It won’t be too hard to find.
Many bike trailers meant for kids can also be converted into walking strollers and jogging strollers, and sometimes can even be used while skiing. If you’ve got an active family, you’ll want to find the most multifunctional trailer possible.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.