Thule Yepp Nexxt and Yepp Nexxt 2 Maxi Review

Lightweight and with a low center-of-gravity, the Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi and its newest update the Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Maxi, are some of the highest quality rear child bike seats on the market. The updated seat is almost identical to the original, so we will cover both in this review. (Both are currently available for sale in the US.)

While the quality of the ultra lightweight Yepp Nexxt (and 2) Maxi is excellent, only two shoulder strap height settings does limit its use with younger riders, and large wheel guards may get in the way of the pedal stroke for some riders on some bikes. Read our full review below for all the details.

Thule Yepp Nexxt (2) Maxi Overview

RATING: Highly Recommended

MSRP: $279

BEST FOR: Parents that are looking for a well-ventilated seat that is also very lightweight. Best for ages 18 months and older.

MOUNT TYPE: Rear Rack or Rear Frame

AGE RANGE: 12 mo. to 40 lb.

View on Amazon – Nexxt Rack

View on Amazon – Nexxt Frame

View on Amazon – Nexxt 2 Frame

View on Amazon – Nexxt 2 Rack

Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi Video Review

Prefer watching over reading? See the Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi in action in our video review. Please note that the Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 is not featured in this video, but all the information is still applicable to the updated seat.

Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi vs. Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Maxi – What’s the difference?

There are only a few minor differences between the original Yepp Nexxt Maxi and the Yepp Nexxt 2 Maxi. The Yepp Nexxt 2 now complies with updated European safety standards, which went into effect in 2023. They really do feel and perform like the same seat. If you’ve heard good things about the old one, you’ll like the new one.

The big difference you’ll certainly notice is the shape of the seat. The new Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 is shaped slightly differently than the original. It’s a little shorter, a little wider, and the sides of the seat are contoured instead of straight. According to Thule, this is to provide more comfort and protection to little heads, arms, and legs.

US standards have not changed since 2018, and both the old and new Yepp Nexxt Maxi seats comply with the US Safety Standard ASTM F1625 for rear child bike seats.

Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi Review – Great, But Not Perfect Seat

For this review, we tested:

(1) The 2018 Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi rack-mounted seat (orange seat in photos, initially tested in 2018, but used by our other mom testers after that)

(2) The 2023 Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Maxi frame-mounted seat (mint seat in photos, initially tested in February 2023)

As soon as our youngest turned 12 months in 2018, we jumped right on the child bike seat bandwagon. Taking the baby along for family bike rides was going to transform our family outdoor time.

For the first 10 months, we opted for the smaller Thule front-mounted seat and loved everything about it. But at 22 months old, our super giant toddler was about to max out the weight capacity of her front-mounted seat. As a result, we were super stoked to be checking out the higher weight capacity Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi rear seat.

Overall Performance

I hadn’t been looking forward to the full-time transition to a rear-mounted seat because they tend to throw off my balance a bit and don’t allow me to really relax as I’m riding. Full disclosure – I’m a cautious rider and definitely don’t have the sense of balance of Simone Biles.

So I was very pleasantly surprised to find that the Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi was more stable than I was expecting – I was totally able to relax and truly did enjoy the ride!

While not nearly as stable as a front-mounted seat, it was stable enough to immediately give me a boost of confidence. Lighter than most other seats, there was less weight behind me, overall resulting in less of an effect on my balance.

While many parents consistently ride with slightly heavier and higher-set seats without issue, if you’re a cautious rider or don’t have the best sense of balance (ME!!!), I the Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi would be a great rear seat option.

Adult Rider Comfort

I personally love front-mounted seats because they don’t affect your balance nearly as much, and you also have a more interactive experience with your toddler sitting in front of you. That said, there comes a time when a child is just too big to be sitting in a front-mounted seat!

For me, when it comes time to transition to a rear-mounted seat, the less weight the better, and also the lower the child sits the better. Both weight and child placement can have an effect on your balance, which of course also affects your comfort.

Weighing in at just 6.2 lbs. for the rack-mounted Thule Yepp Nexxt 2, (6.6 lbs. for the original), the Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi is the lightest rear seat offered by Thule. (The Yepp 2 rack-mounted is 7.7 lbs.)

Large Child Leg Shields Can be Problematic

While a relatively minor issue, the Yepp Nexxt Maxi’s leg shields are worth mentioning in regards to adult rider comfort. The footrests of the Yepp Nexxt Maxi are enclosed on the bike-side by a large plastic shield.

This prevents your child’s legs and feet from coming into contact with the bike’s wheel if they manage to get their feet free from the foot straps. The potential issue here is that it’s possible that these shields can hit the back of your calves or the back of your feet as you ride.

We were hoping that the updated Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi 2 would have fixed this issue, but the leg shields are the same. Moving the seat farther back may prevent contact, but there are some constraints with how far back the seat can be adjusted. (This issue occurs on both the rack and frame mounted versions.)

Based on the design of my rack, I have to be specific about where I mount the seat so that the Yepp Nexxt Maxi’s clamp arms can tighten properly on the rack. There are many different styles of racks, so not every rack would have this limitation.

That said, because the seat needs to stay relatively centered over the rear axle of your bike, you will always have limitations in how far back you could move the seat.

Alternatively, it’s pretty easy to make a slight adjustment to the position of your body or feet so that shields don’t hit your legs or feet anymore. Thule’s similar seat, the Yepp 2, has much smaller leg shields.

Size and Age of Child

All of Thule’s rear-mounted seats are rated for babies, toddlers, and kids from 12 months up to 40 lbs. (This is the US rating. It’s a bit different in Europe.) We tested the Thule Yepp Maxi seat on our 22-month-old (30 lbs.) a 15-month-old (22 lbs.), and a 33-month-old (36 lbs.)

Shoulder Strap Placement Best for 18 months+

Based on the placement of the shoulder straps, the Yepp Nexxt Maxi is better for toddlers and kids at least 18 months old. There are only two shoulder strap height placements and the lowest setting is a bit high for most 12 – 18-month-olds.

Below you can see how the shoulder straps fit on our testers. The lower of the two settings is perfect for our tall 22-month-old, so if you’re getting a seat for a slightly older toddler, the Yepp Nexxt Maxi is a great fit.

On the 15-month-old, there’s a less-than-ideal gap between his shoulder and the start of the strap. As a result, the straps aren’t quite as secure and can more easily shift to the sides.

Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi Shoulder Strap Height Adjustments

NOTE: These images are of the Yepp Nexxt. Based on our measurements, the Yepp Nexxt 2 shoulder straps may start very slightly lower (about 0.5 cm).

If you’re starting your child in a rear seat at 12 months, we’d recommend either the Thule RideAlong Lite which has a third lower setting, or the Thule RideAlong which has continuously adjustable shoulder straps that cinch down much lower.

Seat Height and Helmet Recess

A child bike seat needs to be tall enough so that as a child grows, they still have proper back support, and the shoulder straps are at an ideal position. (The child below is 39″ tall.) The Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi is standard in height for a child bike seat, and the upper portion swoops back to allow for space for a child’s helmet.

If your child’s helmet is not bulky, the Yepp Nexxt Maxi provides sufficient room, as you can see with our testers all wearing Giro Scamp helmets. Even for a younger rider who has more of the seat back behind his head, our 15-month-old tester also had sufficient room for his flat-backed Giro Scamp helmet.

Frame or Rack Mounted – Bike Compatibility

Child bike seats are tricky because not every seat fits on every bike. That’s why most rear child bike seats are offered in both frame and rack mounted options – it expands the likelihood that you can find a seat that works with your bike.

Should you choose the frame-mounted or the rack-mounted Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Maxi? We have a very detailed guide to help you determine if your bike is compatible with a frame or rack mounted seat. Please read it!

Rack-Mounted Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi

If your bike already has a rack, or can take a rack, you shouldn’t have any issues mounting the Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi. If you’re not sure if your bike can take a rack, check out our page Best Child Bike Seats and Fit Guide. I have an Axiom rack on my Priority Classic Plus Gotham Edition Step-Through in the image below.

Many women choose a rack-mounted child bike seat because on most typical women’s bikes (bikes with a slanted or sloping top tube, also called a step-thru frame), there isn’t enough room on a bike’s frame to attach the seat’s mounting block.

Step-thru frames also make it significantly easier to get on and off your bike with a child bike seat in the back.

Rack Mounting System – How it Works

Once you have a rack installed on your bike, mounting the Yepp Nexxt Maxi only takes about a minute. (The seat actually comes fully assembled. Huzzah!)

Like most high-end, rear-rack mounted seats, you set the seat on the rack and turn a knob in the rear. This knob tightens the rack mounting clamps underneath the seat until they clamp down onto the sides of the rack.

Removing the seat just requires you to turn the knob counter-clockwise to loosen the clamps. While it’s really simple and only takes about a minute, it’s not exactly what we’d call a “quick-release”. A frame-mounted Yepp Nexxt Maxi only takes a few seconds to mount and unmount.

Be sure to attach the back-up safety strap to your seat post, for the very unlikely event that the seat clamps come loose from the rack.

Frame-Mounted Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi

If the seat tube of your bike (directly below the seat post) is about 4″ long and free of wires, the frame-mounted Yepp Nexxt Maxi may be a good fit. The mounting block needs space to mount, but also must be placed high enough on your frame so that the Yepp Nexxt has enough clearance between the bottom of the seat and the top of your rear tire.

Very generally, men’s style frames will work, but women’s style (step-thru) frames will not. However, there are many factors which affect compatibility, such as if your saddle is set low to the frame, and if your saddle has springs underneath it.

The main benefit of the frame-mounted Yepp Nexxt Maxi is that you don’t have to purchase a separate rack. The mounting bars also provide a little bit of suspension that you won’t get if you’re mounting the seat directly to a rack.

Frame Mounting System – How it Works

After attaching the mounting block to your bike’s frame, you insert the metal mounting bars into the holes in the mounting block. You will hear it click when it’s locked.

To remove the seat, pull the bottom portion of the mounting block’s face towards you, which releases the locking mechanism. Then pull the seat up and out of the mounting block.

Where you place the mounting block on the bike’s frame will determine how much clearance there is between the bottom of the child bike seat and the top of your rear wheel. You need 8 cm. (Image on the left below.)

If the seat is too low (image on the right), you’ll need to raise the mounting block. If your bike’s frame design prevents you from raising the mounting block enough, you’ll need to try the rack-mounted version.

Additional Features of the Thule Yepp Nexxt (2) Maxi

Harness System – Shoulder Straps

Non-slip foam pads on the shoulder straps help keep the straps in place and also make the rider more comfortable. They’re the same style of straps found on the Yepp Nexxt Mini (front-mount). The straps have stayed in place just fine for the most part, but sometimes do slide a bit to the sides. Even so, we really don’t have any complaints.

That said, if you want a seat where it’s basically impossible for the straps to slide off, check out the Thule RideAlong. The straps actually attach to one another behind the child so that they can’t slip off.

Buckle

The Yepp Nexxt Maxi has a super cool magnetic buckle that easily snaps into place. Unlocking does require two hands – one hand to slide the magnet out of place, and the other to un-attach the buckle snaps. While not hard, it’s a bit tricky to do while also keeping your bike upright, so make sure your bike is leaned against the wall before you try it!

This same buckle is on the front-mounted version, but it’s much easier to use when the child is in front of you and you’re cradling them as you undo the buckle.

Seat Material/Venting

With two large holes in the back of the seat, the Yepp Nexxt Maxi has better ventilation than most child bike seats. The seat back is a durable, black, foam material that really helps to keep the weight down.

While the first Yepp Nexxt we ever received was a very smooth foam, on every Yepp Nexxt we’ve received after that (four different seats), the material is slightly rough. It’s strange, because they look very similar, but they certainly don’t feel the same.

We wish the foam were smoother because portions of your child’s body rest against it, but we don’t feel that it’s a reason to not buy the seat. We’ve found it easy to work around with the right clothes, and we’ve never had a test rider complain about it.

You might want to skip the tank top because it’s possible the black foam could irritate the backs of your child’s arms. That said, we did go for a ride with our 33-month-old tester in a tank top, and she still had no complaints.

The seat bottom is a soft, textured, dense foam that adds great cushioning for little bums as well as a little shock absorption. Compared to the Yepp 2 and the Thule RideAlong Lite, the seat padding is definitely superior.

Thule Yepp 2 vs. Yepp Nexxt 2

Suspension

Unless you live in an area with lots of speed bumps or pot holes, you probably don’t need suspension. It sure can be nice to have, but shouldn’t be a make-or-break decision for most parents. The Yepp Nexxt Maxi frame-mount has suspension, provided by the ability of the dual mounting bars to flex slightly. The rack-mount does not have suspension.

Thule’s other popular Yepp rear seat (just Yepp, not Yepp Nexxt), has also been updated recently. While we have no way to quantify the difference in suspension between the two, according to our communication with Thule, the new ThuleYepp 2 seat is designed with more suspension and shock-absorbing features than the Yepp Nexxt 2. Both the frame and rack versions of the new Yepp 2 have suspension.

Footrests

We’ve used a lot of footrests in our day, and those found on Thule Yepp and Yepp Nexxt models are our hands-down favorite. Like most footrests, they easily slide up and down to adjust for the length of your child’s legs.

But where the Yepp Nexxt footrests stand out is in their foot straps. The foot straps are easy to tighten, and they actually stay in place! Oddly enough, even on high-end seats, often the foot straps are hard to adjust and come loose regularly.

Bottom Line on the Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi

We love Thule child bikes seats, and the lightweight Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi and Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Maxi are no exception. Beautifully designed and easy to use, it’s a sure winner in our book.

The Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Maxi offers slightly more protection for little arms and heads, but is otherwise functionally the same as its predecessor.

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