How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
If you're looking for a double stroller there are a variety of options. To help you select the most suitable one for your family, we talked to child development expert and mom Katie Billingsley.
It is recommended to choose a stroller which is easy to fold, push and carry. Look for a model that can hold two infant car seat or a toddler that has a riderboard.
Safety
If you want to ensure your children are safe while walking, look for a double stroller that has features such as all-terrain tires and a hand-operated brake. These wheels and brakes will assist you in navigating trails as well as sidewalks, gravel, and other paths without your kids slipping or rolling away. The best double strollers offer plenty of storage space for equipment and essentials for kids like snacks and toys.
Choosing the right
luxury Double stroller stroller for your family starts by determining how old and far apart in age. A majority of double strollers can only accommodate one child seat. However, the ones that offer a variety of configurations that let you pick the seating that is best for your family.
Side-byside doubles are a popular option, and are great for kids of similar ages who want to interact with each other. Double-decker designs permit you to place one seat over the other, or attach a riderboard to older siblings. Newborns can be placed in a bassinet attached to the frame, or with an attachment that allows you to look at your baby. If you have twins or are expecting twins, a dedicated twin stroller is the best way to go.
Look for a double-wheeled stroller that is capable of handling off-road terrain and even hiking. A majority of these strollers are designed with active parents in mind and have features that allow you to take your kids on any adventure, no matter how rough the terrain or how steep the climbs may be.
The top double strollers are equipped with intelligent features that aid in navigation through difficult terrain and in bad weather. This jogging stoller, for instance, features wrist loops so that you can ensure your child's safety when going downhill at a higher speed or in adverse weather conditions. It also features a full-coverage canopy with ventilation to ensure your children stay comfy in the summer heat.
If you're looking for a light, compact double stroller, look at this model from Joovy. It weighs in at just over 23 lbs, making it lighter than some single strollers. It's ideal for air travel or storing in trunks or overhead compartments. It also comes with a huge storage basket and a simple one-step parking brake.
Seating
Unlike the behemoth strollers of the past these double strollers are sleek and offer an array of configurations that can be adapted to families. Some of them function as traditional side-byside strollers while others - like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller--work as a base to which car seats, toddler seats or bassinets snap into. They are available in a variety of widths and weights that can accommodate children from newborns to kindergarten.
A good double stroller will be simple to fold and maneuver and allows you to adjust the height of your handlebar to ensure you are comfortable throughout your outings. A well-designed handlebar should be comfortable to hold, and it should invite you to walk in a proper posture (ask other parents for tips on this). It should offer a variety of storage options to fit all the essentials your children will require.
If your twins have a similar age, a tandem stroller may be the ideal option for your family. The seats on these models sit side by side, enabling you to interact with both of them and keep an eye on them simultaneously. They can also recline independently which means that one child can rest while the other is ready to go.
The downside to twin strollers is that it's larger than a single-occupant model which makes it difficult to maneuver around walkways, aisles for shopping and narrow doorways. For some families the benefits are well worth the extra effort and size.
If you are looking for a compact double-stroller then the UPPAbaby V2 Double is a great alternative. The UPPAbaby Vista
double infant stroller is a great option for urban living due to its shock absorption capabilities, elegant design, and ability to accommodate two infant car seats. It also has an optional running board that can be used by older children who are mobile.
Another alternative is a wagon-style double stroller, such as the Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller. The model is basic but it comes with plenty of storage space and seating. It also has sturdy wheels that can take on any terrain. It also has an SPF canopy that is 50+ and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and don't recline fully flat, which makes it difficult for little children to reach their food trays or get comfortable.
Simple to Use
A double stroller is usually an investment that you hope to use for many years. When you are shopping for a double stroller, be sure it's easy to use and clean. Fortunately, the best double strollers are designed to be as user-friendly as possible and come with plenty of features that are convenient for parents.
All strollers we tested can be folded easily and compactly using just one hand. They are light and perfect for travel. Many of them fit in the majority of trunks and can be checked at the gate on planes. Additionally, the majority of our testers reported that their strollers folded down to smaller sizes than their single-seat counterparts and some even included the option of carrying a strap for carrying.
If you're looking for a versatile double stroller that can grow with your family Look no further than the Valco Snap Duo Trend. This side-by-side stroller works with infant car seats, a bassinet and other accessories, which means you can use it from birth to preschool age. Each seat comes with five points of harness, a large canopy and plenty of sun protection.
Another highly-regarded option is the Joovy Twin Roo. It is light compact and weighs only 22 pounds when folded. The front seat reclines almost to a flat position, and the back seat can be adjusted for every child. There's a huge storage basket and a simple, one-step linked parking brake which makes this stroller simple to move and use.
The only downsides of the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to the model in question. Kerry says that the packaging is innovative and fun, however it comes in five boxes which could be a bit cumbersome to carry around. She also noticed that the Genuis magnetic buckle was a bit awkward and took a while to master. In the end, though, she was very happy with this stroller and would definitely recommend it.
Storage
Strollers are available in various sizes and designs that include tandems (single-file seating) and side-by-side doubles and many that let you customize the setup with a car seat or bassinet attachment. Some even have add-on rider boards for older siblings. However, they're not all created equal -- some are sleek and easy to use, whereas others are bulky, heavy and difficult to fold and store.
If you're looking for a stroller that is light that can hold two kids The Joovy Caboose Graphite is a great option. It was the lightest stroller in our tests, with a weight of just under 23 lbs. It folds easily and comes with all the features parents would want for a fun day out with two kids.
The UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double is a second model that our testers loved particularly for its sleek design and easy to use. It can fit two infant car seats, or a toddler's bassinet and seat without the need for adapters. The rear seat can be removed to make it into a triple or quad stroller. It comes with a large basket for storage, and it can be upgraded by adding a parent organizer and all-terrain tires, as as storage bags for the sides.
Billingsley states that the best
double tandem pushchair stroller to use for a toddler is one that has numerous options for customization. This includes a seat or a bassinet that can be removed. That's because toddlers often have limited endurance, and a stroller with the bassinet attachment can give them a safe place to rest for a nap. A
double umbrella stroller stroller should also come with a sturdy harness system and recline positions, as well as plenty of storage room for toys and snacks.
The ZOE Twin+ is popular with parents due to its light weight and flexibility. It's airline gate-check-friendly, fits through most doors (without removing the front wheels), and can expand into a quad or triple stroller that has an additional tandem seat. The near-flat, independently reclined seats and extra-long sun canopies that are adjustable are just a few of the highlights. A large underseat basket as well as parent and child cup holders round out the impressive set of features. Taylor says the one disadvantage is that it has a a large footprint when folded, and is difficult for parents to carry.