Double Strollers Tips From The Top In The Industry

Buying Guide For Double Strollers

If you have two kids who are close in age, a double buggy with carrycot stroller could be an invaluable investment. These narrow tandem strollers or flexible side-by-side buggies allow you to keep an eye on both children at the same time while braving the grocery aisle, parks and anything else life throws at you.

Comfort

When looking for a double stroller, comfort is an important factor to consider. This includes the seating arrangement as well as the overall size, which will have an impact on the ease of use and storage. "Parents should check how much the stroller weighs as well as its folded dimensions," says child development expert and mom Katie Billingsley of Fourth Trimester Postnatal Retreat. "They should also take a look at the recline options for seats and age ranges to ensure a good fit for their family."

A quality double stroller should be able to handle a variety of surfaces easily, from suburban sidewalks to parks, and from toddler booster seats to infant car seats. It should come with a variety of seating options for children at different ages, as well as features that provide comfort, such as a peek-aboo window and adjustable canopies which protect children from the sun or rain.

The seating options are important to many families who utilize a double stroller from the time of birth until childhood. Billingsley says there are two major categories that are in-line, with one seat in-front of the other, and side-by-side with seats adjacent to one another. "Some parents prefer an in-line model due to its sleek appearance and versatility, while others like a wagon-style double stroller to maximize space for heavy items or grocery bags."

In-line models are more likely to show this kind of discordance. Some products may offer different recline options, with one being almost flat and the other one remaining fairly upright. Billingsley recommends selecting a product with a near-flat recline as well as leg rest adjustments for both seats. This will ensure that both children lie down comfortably.

In the end, she suggests to look for strollers that have storage compartments that enable parents to access their snacks, toys, and personal items while on the move. She suggests that it's helpful to look for a twin umbrella stroller that has an organizer console for parents or a parent bag that can be attached to the handlebars. This will allow you to keep your essentials in reach.

A few of the top-rated double strollers can be extended, allowing parents the flexibility to customize the setup based on their family's needs. The Mockingbird Expandable, for instance is a highly-rated double stroller that can be used from birth using a single and double stroller seat, then transformed into a tandem (with two seats and a bassinet) when the child gets older.

Safety

Double strollers have to be able to carry the weight of two passengers--plus any additional cargo. Strollers must be simple to maneuver and push, especially when on rough terrain and in tight spaces. The best strollers have ergonomic handlebars and adjustable heights, making it easier for parents to maintain a good posture when pushing them. A no-rethread harness which makes the adjustment of seat belts more quickly and easily to do, is a nice feature to look out for. Safety features include a sturdy brake system, as well as wheels that slide over any surface.

Some parents prefer side-by-side designs that allow both children to view one another during family outings. This arrangement can help prevent siblings fighting over who gets to sit where but it's not a guarantee. If the seats are different heights, a child could kick or punch another during a walk when the seats are on different levels.

For parents with twins or siblings who are close in age, a tandem-style stroller offers the benefit of being able to see both children at the same time. Double strollers can be wider, and may not fit through certain interior doors. You could consider a single-to-double stroller that can be transformed from a single to double buggy stroller to double in various ways. Popular models include the CYBEX gazelle S.

Whether you choose a side-by-side or tandem-style stroller, make sure that the stroller is JPMA-certified to meet the strictest safety standards. Be sure to check the weight limits that apply to each seat, as over-weighting could lead to frame fatigue or other issues.

While it's easy for us to focus on the many bells and whistles of a new stroller, it's important to remember that a stroller is essentially a baby carrier that will be carried around for long durations of time. It should be comfortable for both the passengers as well as easy to clean and maintain, and ideally it should have an intuitive, familiar design that the person pushing it is able to effortlessly move it around without having to think twice about how to move forward and turn left or right, or even apply the brakes.

User-Friendliness

For families who are constantly on the move, a double stroller should be able to navigate a variety of terrains. Features like adjustable canopy, peek-aboo windows and dependable braking systems are essential to ensure the safety of your children, but there are many other aspects that influence stroller comfort of use. For instance, a stroller must be compact enough to fit into the trunk of your car yet provide ample storage space for food items and other things. It's also important to include thoughtful touches, such as a cup holder for one parent or consoles for parents, as well as a snack tray. These are able to make traveling with two kids significantly easier.

During our testing We evaluated each stroller on how well it performed on a variety of surfaces and how well it maneuvered in tight spaces. We also considered how easy it was to fold the stroller in half and then unfold it as well as if a particular feature improved the overall functionality. A stroller with no-rethread straps is easy to adjust the seat belts. This is a major selling point for parents who are constantly in motion, as it does away with the need to rethread their harness.

The UPPAbaby 2 Double scored highly in this measure because it came with a variety of seating configurations and additional accessories to accommodate families that are growing. The wagon-style double stroller can be expanded to accommodate two seats as well as a bassinet, or a toddler riding board that is perfect for families who are active and planning long, tiring days with multiple kids of various ages. It also glides smoothly over pavement, cobblestones and ballfields--and it folds flat to make simple storage in a closet or trunk. Our test subject Kerry was impressed by the simple and easy-to-use nature of the stroller's design. Its smart packaging with clearly labeled sections as well as a an informative user guide made assembling this stroller an absolute breeze.

Stores

Double strollers can hold twice as much as one stroller so be sure to look for plenty of storage space. Ideally, you'll want a stroller that can accommodate the basic necessities for both kids: nappies, bottles, snacks and toys, in addition to parents' items such as wallets, phones keys and wallets. Find baskets under the seat as well as other pockets, and think about a stroller with an expanding cargo area that can carry heavy items such as lunch bags and diaper bags.

A good double stroller should have the ability to adapt as your family grows. Billingsley states that certain models come with the option of a bassinet attachment that can accommodate newborns. Others have child seats which can grow with the child until they are able to ride on the back. Some double strollers even permit a rider's board that allows older children to be part of the fun.

You'll find a wide variety of double strollers available on the market, from elegant, high-performance models that can handle rough terrain to budget-friendly models more suited for daily use. While shopping, take a look at reviews from other users and the opinions of families just like yours to get an idea of what to expect from the double stroller you pick.

Double strollers come in three different design formats such as tandem, side-byside, and wagon-style. Billingsley states that side-by-side strollers are the most adaptable and ideal for twins or children of similar ages. Tandem double strollers, on contrary, have two seats that are arranged adjacent to one another and facing in opposite directions--a good option for kids of the same age, or for siblings who like to interact with each other. Tandem strollers are more difficult to maneuver through tight spaces and are less likely to fit through doorways than their side-by-side counterparts.

Take a look at this top choice by Safety 1st if you prefer a wagon style double seat stroller stroller. Our testers were impressed by the fact that this low-cost model comes with a variety of seating options as well as the ability to snap in two infant car seats or a single child in an convertible toddler seat. Our reviewers also praised the memory foam seats as well as the canopy, which has 50+ SPF and foam-filled wheels that never go flat. And when it's time to fold, this model requires only a couple of pulls on the straps of each seat (under where the kids sit) to fold it in half.