How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
If you're looking for a double stroller, there are a lot of options. To help you select the right one for your family, we talked to child development expert and mom Katie Billingsley.
You should look for a stroller that is easy to fold, push and carry. Look for a model that can hold two infant car seat or a toddler who has a riderboard.
Safety
Find a double-stroller that 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 aid you in traversing trails as well as sidewalks, gravel, and other paths without your children falling or slipping away. The best double strollers have plenty of storage space for gear and kid-sized essentials like snacks and toys.
The first step in choosing the best double stroller is to figure out the age of your children and how far apart they are. A majority of double strollers are designed to can accommodate one child's seat, however, those are available in different configurations, so you can choose the seating option that is most suitable for your children and your lifestyle.
The classic doubles are ideal for children of similar age who want to play. Double-decker designs permit you to place one seat over the other, or add an additional riderboard for older siblings. Babies can be sat in a bassinet connected to the frame or with an attachment that allows you to look at your baby. If you have twins or are expecting twins, a twin stroller is the best way to go.
For families who are more adventurous consider a double stroller that can handle off-road terrain or even hike. A lot strollers were created 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 challenging or difficult the climbs are.
The best double strollers are equipped with thoughtful features to help you navigate in difficult terrain and bad weather. For instance, this jogging stroller includes a wrist loop for your child, so you're sure that they're safe while running downhill or at faster speeds. It also has an all-over canopy that's ventilated to keep your children cool during the summer heat.
If you're looking to purchase a light compact double stroller, check out this model from Joovy. It weighs just over 23 pounds, which makes it lighter than most single strollers, and ideal to take on air travel or for storing in overhead compartments or trunks. It also comes with a huge storage basket and a one-step linked parking brake that is simple to use.
Seating
Double strollers of today are sleeker and can be set up in a variety of ways to meet the needs of your family. Some are used as traditional side-by-side strollers while others - like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller--work as a base to which car seats, toddler seats or bassinets click into. They are available in a range of sizes and weights to accommodate children from newborns up to kindergarten.
A good double stroller must be easy to maneuver and fold, while allowing you to adjust the handlebar's height to make sure you're able to walk comfortably throughout your excursions. A good handlebar is comfortable to hold and will encourage you to walk in a safe manner (ask for tips from other parents). It should have a range of storage options that can accommodate all the necessities your children will require.
If your twins have a similar age and are in the same age group, a tandem stroller might be the ideal option for your family. These models have seats that are side-byside, so you can interact with them each other and keep an eye on each of them at the same. They also recline independently so that one child can sleep while the other is awake and ready to go.
The disadvantage of a twin stroller can be that it is larger than a stroller designed for a single person. This makes it difficult to maneuver narrow aisles in store aisles, doors or even the sidewalks. But for certain families, the advantages are worth the extra space and effort.
If double pram and pushchair are looking for a compact double-stroller then the UPPAbaby V2 Double is a good option. Its shock absorption, sleek design and the capacity to accommodate two infant car seats, plus an optional running board for older children--make it an ideal option for urban living.
A wagon-style double stroller such as the Delta Children LX Stroller Side-by-Side is another option. This basic model comes with lots of space for seating and storage, plus sturdy wheels that can handle any terrain. It also comes with an SPF canopy that is 50+ and adjustable handlebars. However, some parents feel that the seats are too low and don't recline completely to a flat position, making it difficult for smaller children to be comfortable or reach their snack trays.
Simple to Use
A double stroller is usually an investment that you hope to use for many years. When shopping for one you must make sure it will be simple to operate and clean. Luckily, the top double strollers are designed to be as user-friendly as is possible and come with a wide array of convenient features for parents.
All strollers we tested could be folded easily and compactly with just one hand. They're also light, making them ideal for travel. Many of them fit in most trunks and can be checked at the gate on planes. Our testers discovered that their strollers could be folded down much smaller than the single seat equivalents. Some even had a carry strap.
If you're looking for a versatile double stroller that will expand with your family take a look at the Valco Snap Duo Trend. This side-byside stroller is compatible with infant car seats, bassinets, and other accessories, so you can use it from birth until the age of preschool. Each seat comes with five points of harness and a large canopy. It also offers plenty of sun protection.
Another highly-regarded option is the Joovy Twin Roo. This stroller is lightweight, compact and only 22 pounds when folded. The front seat reclines to a flat stance, and the back seat can be adjusted for each child. There's a huge storage basket and a simple, one-step linked parking brake which makes this stroller user-friendly and easy to maneuver.
The only negatives of the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to this particular model. Kerry says that the packaging is innovative and enjoyable, however, it comes in five boxes, which can be a little cumbersome to carry around. She also noticed that the Genuis magnetic buckle was a bit difficult to master. She was pleased with the stroller at the end and would highly recommend it.
Storage
Strollers are available in a variety of sizes and styles, including tandems (single-file seating) as well as side-by-side doubles and some that let you modify the layout using a car seat or bassinet attachment. Some have rider boards that can be added to accommodate older children. But, they're not all made equal. Some are sleek and easy to use, while others are heavy, bulky and difficult to fold and store.
If you're looking to purchase a light double stroller, take a look at the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest choice in our tests at close to 23 pounds. It is also easy to fold, yet it still has all of the features parents require for a fun outing with two kids.
The UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double is a second model that our testers loved particularly for its sleek design and ease of use. It can fit two infant car seats, or a toddler's bassinet as well as a seat without adapters. The rear seat can be removed to turn it into a triple or quad stroller. It comes with a large storage basket that can be upgraded to include a parent organizer, all-terrain wheels, and side storage bags.
Billingsley says that the best double stroller to use for a toddler is one with numerous options for customization. This includes a seat or a bassinet that can be removed. Toddlers can be weak in endurance, and a stroller that has an attached bassinet will offer a safe spot for them to rest. She says a double stroller should include a harness system that is reliable and recline positions, and plenty of storage space for toys and snacks.
The ZOE Twin+ is popular among parents due to its lightness and flexibility. It's airline gate-check-friendly it can be accessed through all doors (without removing the front wheels), and can expand into a triple or quad stroller with an add-on tandem seat. double pushchair , independently reclined seats and the extra-long, adjustable sun canopies are among the other features. A large underseat storage basket, as well as cup holders for both parents and children complete the impressive features. One downside according to Taylor, is that it doesn't have an elongated footprint when folded and can be difficult to carry.