A Double Buggy Is a Must-Have For Families With Two Kids
A double buggy will be essential for families with more than one child. It will enable you to navigate urban roads and off-road trails with ease while keeping your kids safe and happy.
When selecting a double stroller, there are a lot of factors to consider. Firstly, check that it will fit through your doorway and into your car boot when folded.
Lightweight
Bringing home a second baby is a thrilling prospect, but there are plenty of practical aspects to consider. The addition of a child to the family will require reorganising living spaces, rethinking car seats, and of course, investing in a brand new double buggy.
There are plenty of great alternatives available regardless of whether you're looking for twins or simply want something narrow. Our lab experts recommend the iCandy Peach, which comes with a set of accessories that competitors charge extra for and can fold up very well to take up a small amount of space in your boot. Testers find it rolls well and is a breeze to move. However, it may seem a bit long if you're in double mode.
Side-by-side buggies work well to keep children in a single space however they can be somewhat larger than one stroller. This makes it difficult to maneuver through kerbs and up and down. The Mountain Buggy Duet Luxury is the slimmest side-by-side on the market, and at just 63cm wide it's the same width as one pushchair. This allows it to be easily pushed through doors and on public transport. It's compatible with a range of car seats and can adapt to your growing family and can be used as a mono and tandem buggy when your children are ready to be seated side-by-side.
Its height adjustable handle is great for steering and the suspension is able to make light work of rough surfaces. It's great for older children since the seat is elevated in stadium style. This allows them to have a better view of the action. It's not as
lightweight double buggy as other models on this list, but it's still a good option.
You'll be pushing your double buggy a lot so it's crucial to select a model that feels easy to push. Look for a handle that's well-padded and shaped to match your height, and an ample basket that has plenty of pockets and compartments. If you're not using your buggy, you should consider considering how easily it folds up and stored.
Easy to Manoeuvre
There are some incredible double buggies on the market that make going out and about with two kids much easier. The iCandy Orange, for example is a multi-purpose choice that can accommodate twins or one toddler and one baby with both seats/carrycots facing either forwards or backwards. It can also accommodate a third kid using piggyback's board (sold separately). Its sleek, light frame with swivel wheels on the front and suspension ensure it's easy to manoeuvre through the city and over rough terrain.
Other models with side-by-sides, like the Joie Evalite Duo are also incredibly lightweight and have a compact footprint so they're easy to fit through doors and on public transport, and often you can put them away with the seats still attached. However, they need a bit more muscle to push over kerbs and can be more challenging on uneven surfaces. The UPPAbaby Vista 2 is another great choice as it can accommodate both carrycots and seats in tandem mode but can also be used as a single buggy thanks to its clever frame that expands widthways. It also has an adjustable height handle, making it easy to steer with just one hand.
If you are planning to use public transport frequently, you may want to consider a
double infant stroller-buggy that has big wheels. These are better designed for rough or uneven surfaces. Find out the ease to fold and unfold, and also the length of the buggy when folded, to see if it will fit in your boot. If you reside in a tiny town or village and have narrow roads, you should consider a tandem double buggy in which the child sits behind the other, instead of in front of them, as this makes it easier to navigate narrow spaces.
Storage is readily available
A double buggy isn't a necessity for all families, but it can make outings more manageable for those with toddlers and newborns. Look into the side-byside buggies if you want an easy-to-steer, lightweight model. They offer plenty of space underneath in the form of a large basket, as well as additional side and rear pockets for all your baby essentials. There are many models with adjustable handles to suit parents of different heights and fold up easily into a compact size ideal for small spaces or for tucking away in the boot.
If you want a more robust
double travel stroller buggy, try one of the all-terrain options. These tend to be twin and can be more difficult to manoeuvre, but they'll often come with a reclining seat for infants and older children, and are a great option for outdoor enthusiasts as well as active families. Some allow you to transform the buggy into Jogger, which makes them perfect for running and exercising.
A lot of the top double buggies are able to accommodate many different combinations of carrycots, car seats and seats. They are an excellent choice for families with twins, or siblings with similar age. However, it is important to check the specifications of any model you are interested in.
There are two types of double buggy which are tandem and twin. In tandem the seats are placed in front of the next. The main advantage of twin buggy is that your children will be able to interact without having to switch places or fight over who gets the prime place. Twin buggys are often wider and can be more difficult to navigate through aisles and doorways at the grocery store.
Tandem buggies tend to be smaller than
single to double pushchair buggies, however they are nonetheless longer. They're also less stable when bumping up kerbs and might require dismantling to fit in the car boot. Recline-based seats are now a fairly standard feature on a lot of double buggies, so make sure that your chosen model allows you to adjust each child's seat to the position they're most comfortable in.
Comfort
Double buggys that are comfortable for both parents and children are the best. Check the padding on the straps and the amount of recline that each seat can achieve. Also, verify if the seats can be adjusted independently so that you can adapt to your child's needs. Check the weight limits too and whether they both have a sun canopy as well as a hood to shield them from wind and rain.
If you're looking for a flexible alternative to a double pushchair then consider a baby carrier. They are great for toddlers who wish to walk but require an extra ride. They are also great for infants and newborns. Some carriers can also be used with a car seat for children to give you even more flexibility.
Some parents believe that a side-by-side double buggy is the most practical option. However, there are some innovative models on the market, like the Mountain Buggy Duet Luxurious in herringbone. It is the thinnest
double buggy side by side available on the market.
The Wave tandem buggies made by Mamas & Papas are another good option. They come with more configuration options than other tandem buggies. It starts as a mono-pushchair and then you can add a carrycot or a second one to the frame using adaptors. This provides you with an array of seating options. It is easy to steer, has a great suspension and Lab experts loved how easy it was to fold. Simply pull up on the two straps (one underneath each seat) and then you can fold the entire thing in just a few just a few seconds.
The purchase of a double buggy is an investment, however, you'll be able to keep it for a long time and will also get an excellent resale price. When comparing prices, keep in mind that it is best to purchase an established brand as this will allow you to acquire additional accessories and upgrades in the future. Our top-rated double buggies come with a useful Changing Bag & Carrier in the price. This is a must-have accessory that will save you time, effort and money when you travel with your baby.