How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
There are many options available when it comes to double strollers. To help you choose the best one for your family, we talked to the expert in child development and mom Katie Billingsley.
Look for a stroller that's reasonably easy to fold, push and carry. And consider a model that's versatile enough to accommodate two car seats for infants or a toddler and an adult rider board.
Safety
Choose a double-stroller which includes all-terrain wheels as well as a brake that is operated by hand if want to keep your kids safe while walking. These wheels and brakes help you navigate paths and dirt without worrying about your children falling or rolling. The best double strollers offer plenty of storage space for gear as well as kid-sized necessities like snacks and toys.
The first step in choosing the right double stroller is to figure out the age of your children and how far apart they are. A majority of double strollers can only accommodate one child seat. However, the ones that do come with a variety of configurations that let you pick the seating that is best for your family.
Side-by-side doubles are a classic option, and they're great for children of similar ages who like to play with one another. Some options have a more double pram pushchair-decker style, allowing the user to place one seat higher than the other or attach a rider board to older siblings. Newborns can be snuggled into a bassinet, which is attached to the frame or in an individual attachment that allows you to have an unobstructed view of your baby. If you are expecting twins or already have twins then a twin stroller will be the best option.
For families that are more adventurous opt for a double stroller that can handle off-road terrain, or even hiking. A majority of these strollers have been designed with active parents in mind, and include features that allow you to take your kids to any adventure, regardless of how rough the terrain or how high the climbs may be.
The top double strollers come with intelligent features that aid in navigation in difficult terrain and bad weather. For instance this jogging stroller comes with a wrist loop for your child, so you'll be able to ensure that they're safe when you run downhill or at speeds that are higher. It also comes with a canopy that covers the entire area and has ventilation to ensure your children stay cool in the summer heat.
This model is a light and compact double stroller from Joovy. It weighs less than 23 lbs. This makes it perfect for air travel and storage in overhead compartments or trunks. It also comes with a large storage basket and an easy-to-use one-step parking brake.
Seating
Unlike the behemoth strollers of old the modern double strollers are sleek and offer an array of configurations that can be adapted to families. Some double strollers are designed to be used as side-byside models, while others, like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Dual Stroller, can be used as a base for car seats, toddler seats as well as bassinets. They are available in a range of widths and weights that can accommodate children from newborns to kindergarten.
A good double stroller will be simple to fold and maneuver and will allow you to adjust your handlebar height to ensure you are comfortable throughout your outings. A great handlebar is one that is easy to hold and should allow you to walk in a proper form (ask other parents for tips on this). It should have a range of storage options to accommodate everything your children will need.
If your twins are of a similar age, a tandem stroller may be the ideal option for your family. The seats of these models are placed side by side, enabling you to be able to interact with both of them and keep an eye on them at the same time. They also recline independently, so that one child can lie down while the other is awake and ready to go.
The downside to a twin stroller is that it's wider than a single-occupant model which makes it difficult to navigate walkways, aisles for shopping and narrow doors. For some families, however the benefits are worth the extra effort and size.
If you're looking for a compact double buggy-stroller then the UPPAbaby V2 Double is a good alternative. The UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double is a great option for city dwellers due to its shock absorption capabilities, sleek design, and ability to accommodate two infant car seats. It also comes with an optional running board that can be used by older children who are mobile.
Another alternative is a wagon-style double stroller, like the Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller. The model is basic but it comes with plenty of storage and seating space. It also comes with heavy-duty wheels that can tackle any terrain. It also has an SPF canopy that is 50+ and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and cannot recline completely flat, making it hard for small children to reach their snacks or to relax.
Easy of Use
A double stroller is usually an investment you're likely to use for a long time. When you are shopping for one, you want to ensure that it's simple to operate and clean. The top double pram buggy strollers have been developed to be user-friendly and have many useful features.
All the strollers that we tested fold easily and compactly with just one hand. They are light and are ideal for traveling. A lot of them fit into the majority of trunks and are checked for gate-checking on planes. Additionally, the majority of our test subjects found that their strollers folded down to smaller dimensions than their single-seat counterparts and some even had a carry strap for convenient carrying.
The Valco Snap Duo trend is a double stroller with many options that can adapt to the needs of your family. This side-by-side stroller can be used with infant car seats, a bassinet, and other accessories, meaning you can use it from birth until the age of preschool. Each seat has a 5-point harness and a large canopy that provides plenty of shade from the sun.
Another popular option is the Joovy Twin Roo. The stroller is light and incredibly compact, measuring just 22 lbs and 26 inches in width when folded. The front seat reclines almost to a flat stance, and the back seat can be adjusted to fit every child. This stroller is easy to maneuver and use thanks to its large storage basket, easy one-step parking brake and large storage basket.
The only drawbacks of the Joovy Twin Roo are minor and specific to the model. Kerry says that the packaging is smart and enjoyable, however, it comes in five boxes that can be a little cumbersome to carry around. She also found the Genuis magnetic clasp to be somewhat difficult to use, and it took a while before she could get it to work. She was happy with the stroller in the end and would recommend it.
Stores
Strollers come in all sizes and shapes, ranging from tandems with side-by-side doubles to tandem (single-file seating) designs, and many allow you to modify your stroller with a bassinet, or car seat attachment. Some have rider boards which can be added for older siblings. But, they're not all Terrain double stroller created equal. Some are sleek and easy to use, while others are bulky, heavy and difficult to fold and store.
If you're looking for a lightweight stroller that can accommodate two children The Joovy Caboose Graphite is a great choice. It was the lightest stroller in our tests, weighing just under 23 lbs. It folds easily and has all the features parents would want to enjoy a day out with two children.
The UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double is a second model that our testers loved particularly for its sleek design and ease of use. It can accommodate two infant car seats, a toddler's seat and a bassinet. There are no adapters needed. The rear seat can also be removed to create a quad or triple stroller. It comes with a large storage basket and can be upgraded to include a parent organizer with wheels for all-terrain and side storage bags.
Billingsley says the ideal double stroller for toddlers is one that supports different options for customization, including the ability to remove a seat or a bassinet. That's because toddlers often have limitations in endurance, and the stroller with a bassinet attachment will provide them with a safe space to rest for a nap. She says a double stroller must also have a good harness system and recline positions, as well as plenty of storage space for snacks and toys.
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/7007/94/baby-jogger-city-tour-2-double-travel-pushchair-lightweight-foldable-portable-double-buggy-pitch-black-94.jpgÿ)The ZOE Twin+ is a popular choice among parents because of its light weight and the versatility. It is airline gate-check friendly and fits through the majority of doorways (without removing the wheels on the front), and can be made into a quad or triple stroller by adding an add-on tandem. Its nearly-flat, independently reclining seats, extra-long sun canopies and adjustable footrests are further highlights, while its large underseat storage basket and inclusion of parent and child cup holders round out the impressive feature set. The one downside according to Taylor the manufacturer, is that it doesn't have a an elongated profile when folded, and could be difficult to stow.(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/7007/3/hauck-duett-2-double-pushchair-black-baby-toddler-tandem-reversible-seat-compact-foldable-with-raincover-3.jpg)
