How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
There are a variety of options when it comes to double strollers. Katie Billingsley, a child development expert and mother, has helped us select the best one for you.
Look for a stroller that's relatively easy to push, fold and carry. Also, consider a stroller that's versatile enough to accommodate two car seats for infants or a toddler along with an adult rider board.
Safety
Find a double-stroller that comes with all-terrain tires and a brake that can be operated with a hand if you want to keep the kids safe while walking. These wheels and brakes allow you to navigate trails and gravel without your children slipping or rolling. The best double strollers come with plenty of storage space to store items for your kids, including snacks and toys.
Selecting second hand double buggy for your family begins with understanding how old and distant in terms of age your children are. A majority of double strollers are designed to allow one child seat, but the ones are available in different configurations, so you can pick the seating option that best suits your kids and your lifestyle.
Side-byside doubles are a popular option, and are great for children of similar ages who like to be social with one another. Some double-decker designs allow you to place one seat above the other, or even attach a riderboard to older siblings. Newborns can either be snuggled in a bassinet attached to the frame or with an attachment that lets you play peek-a-boo with your baby. If you are expecting twins or have twins and want to have a twin stroller, it will be the best option.
For more adventurous families consider double strollers that can take on off-road terrains or even hiking. Many of these strollers were developed with active parents and their children in mind. They come with features that allow you to take them on any adventure, no regardless of how difficult or steep the climbs might be.
The best double strollers are equipped with thoughtful features to aid in navigation through difficult terrain and in bad weather. For example this jogging stroller comes with a wrist loop for your child so you can be sure that they're safe while running downhill or at speeds that are higher. It also has a full-coverage canopy that is ventilated to keep your kids cool in the summer heat.
If you're looking for a light compact double stroller take a look at this model by Joovy. It weighs just over 23 lbs, making it lighter than most single strollers and perfect for air travel or storage in trunks and overhead compartments. It also has a large storage basket as well as an easy-to-use one-step parking brake.
Seating
Contrary to the giant strollers of old, today's double strollers are sleek and can accommodate various configurations that can be adapted to families. Some work as traditional side-by-side strollers, while others -- like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller--function as a base for car seats, toddler seats, or bassinets snap into. They come in a variety of widths and weight limits to fit children from birth to kindergarten.
A good double stroller should be easy to maneuver and fold, as well as allowing you to adjust the handlebar's height to make sure you're in a comfortable position throughout your trips. A good handlebar should be comfortable to hold and should allow you to walk in a proper form (ask other parents for tips on this). It should also have various storage options that accommodate all the essentials you'll need for your kids.
If your twins are of a similar age, a tandem stroller may be the ideal option for your family. These models have seats that are side-byside, so you can talk to them both while keeping an eye on each of them at the same. They also recline independently so that one child can nap while the other is awake and ready to go.
The disadvantage of a twin stroller is that it can be wider than a single-occupant model and can make 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 are looking for a compact double-stroller then the UPPAbaby V2 Double is an excellent alternative. The UPPAbaby Vista Double is a great option for city living thanks to its shock absorption, sleek design, and capacity to accommodate two infant car seats. It also comes with an optional running board that can be used by older children who are mobile.
A wagon-style double stroller such as the Delta Children LX Stroller Side-by-Side is another option. This basic model comes with a lot of seating space and storage, plus heavy-duty wheels that manage any terrain. It also comes with an umbrella with 50+ SPF and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and cannot recline completely flat, making it difficult for little children to reach their snack trays or to relax.
Simple to use
A double stroller is usually an investment of a large amount and one that you hope to use for years. If you are looking for a double stroller, be sure it is easy to use and clean. The best double strollers have been designed to be user-friendly and include numerous features that are convenient.
For starters, all of the strollers we tested fold easily and compactly (with one hand!). They are light and ideal for traveling. They can fit in most trunks and can be checked for gate-checking on planes. In addition, the majority of our testers reported that their strollers folded to a smaller size than their single-seat counterparts and some even came with the option of carrying a strap for carrying.
If you're in search of a multi-purpose double stroller that can adapt to your family's needs, look no further than the Valco Snap Duo Trend. This side-byside stroller works with infant car seats and other accessories. It can be used from birth to 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. It is light, compact and only weighs 22 pounds when folded. The front seat reclines to a flat position and the back seat can be adjusted for each child. The stroller is simple to maneuver and use thanks to its large storage basket, simple one-step parking brake and large storage basket.
The only negatives of the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to this particular model. Kerry says that the packaging is innovative and fun, but it comes in five boxes that can be a little cumbersome to carry around. She also found the Genuis magnetic clasp somewhat awkward and it took a while before she could master it. She was satisfied with the stroller at the end and would highly recommend it.
Stores
Strollers come in a variety of sizes and shapes, from tandem doubles that are side-by-side to (single-file seating) styles, and a lot allow you to customize your stroller by adding a bassinet or a car seat attachment. Some even have add-on rider boards designed for older kids. However, not all of them are made equal. Some are elegant and simple to use, while others are bulky, heavy and difficult to fold or stow.
If you are looking for a stroller that is light that can accommodate two children, the Joovy Caboose Graphite is a great option. It was the lightest stroller in our tests, weighing less than 23 pounds. It is also easy-to-fold and has all the features parents would want for a great day out with two kids.
UPPAbaby's Vista v2 double is another model our testers loved. They especially liked its sleek design and easy-to-use. It can accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler's bassinet as well as a seat without the need for adapters. Its rear seat can be removed to turn it into a triple or quad stroller. It comes with a large basket for storage and can be upgraded with an organizer for parents and all-terrain tires as well as storage bags for the sides.
Billingsley states that the best double stroller to use for a toddler is one with multiple customization options. This includes a seat or a bassinet that can be removed. That's because toddlers often have little endurance, so having a stroller that has the bassinet attachment can provide them with a safe space to rest for a nap. She says that a double stroller should also have a good recline position and harness system as well as plenty of storage space for toys and snacks.
The ZOE Twin+ is popular among parents due to its lightweight and flexibility. It's gate-check-friendly for airlines and fits through most doors (without removing the front wheels) and expands into a quad or triple stroller with an add-on tandem seat. The near-flat, independently reclined seats and the extra-long sun canopies that are adjustable are just a few of the highlights. A large underseat storage basket as well as parent and child cup holders round out this impressive feature set. Taylor says the one downside is that it has the largest profile when folded, and it can be difficult for parents to carry.