How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
There are many options available in the field of double strollers. To help you pick the best one for your family, we spoke with child development expert and mom Katie Billingsley.
Find a stroller that's relatively easy to fold, push and carry. Consider a model that can hold two infant car seat or a toddler that has a riderboard.
Safety
Look for a double-stroller that has all-terrain wheels and a brake that can be operated by hand if you want to ensure your children are safe when walking. These wheels and brakes assist you in navigating trails and sand without children slipping or rolling. The best double strollers come with plenty of storage space to store equipment and essentials for kids like snacks and toys.
The best double stroller for your family starts by determining how old and far apart in age. A majority of double strollers are designed to can accommodate one child's seat, but those that do come in a variety of configurations so you can select the seating option that best suits your kids and your lifestyle.
The classic doubles are perfect for children of similar ages who like to interact. Some options have a more double-decker style, allowing you to put one of the seats above the other or attach a rider board for older siblings. Babies can be placed in a bassinet, which is attached to the frame or in an independent attachment that offers a peek-a-boo view of your baby. If you have twins or are expecting twins, a specially designed twin stroller is the best way to go.
For more adventurous families, look for a double stroller that is able to handle off-road terrain or even hike. A lot of these strollers are designed with active parents in mind and come with features that let you take your kids to any adventure, regardless of how rough the path or how steep the climb might be.
The top double strollers come with thoughtful features to help you navigate in a difficult terrain or bad weather. This jogging stroller, for example, has a wrist loop so that you can ensure your child's safety while running downhill at higher speeds or in extreme weather conditions. It also features a full-coverage canopy with ventilation so your kids stay comfy in the summer heat.
If double buggy with car seat looking to purchase a light compact double stroller look at this model from Joovy. It weighs in at just over 23 pounds, which makes it lighter than other single strollers and perfect for air travel or storing in trunks or overhead compartments. It also has a large storage basket as well as an easy-to-use one-step parking brake.
Seating
In contrast to the massive strollers of old these double strollers are sleek and can accommodate an array of configurations that can be adapted to families. Some are used as traditional side-by-side strollers while others - like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller--work as a base that 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 should be simple to fold and maneuver and allows you to adjust your handlebar height to ensure that you're comfortable throughout your outings. A well-designed handlebar should be comfortable to hold, and it should allow you to walk with proper posture (ask parents for advice on this). It should have a range of storage options to accommodate all the necessities your children need.
If your twins are similar in age, you might consider a tandem stroller that works best for your family. These strollers have seats that are side-byside, so you can interact with them both while keeping an eye on each of them simultaneously. They can also recline independently so that one child can rest while the other is ready to go.
The drawback of a twin stroller can be that it's wider than a model for a single person. This could make it difficult to maneuver narrow aisles in store aisles, doors or sidewalks. However, for certain families, the benefits are worth the extra space and effort.
If you are looking for a compact double-stroller then the UPPAbaby V2 Double is an excellent alternative. Its shock absorption, streamlined design, and capacity for two infant car seats - plus an optional running board for older children make it a perfect option for city-living.
Another option is a wagon-style stroller, like the Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller. The model is basic however it has plenty of storage and seating space. It also has heavy-duty wheels to tackle any terrain. It also comes with an SPF canopy that is 50+ and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and do not recline completely flat, making it difficult for children to reach their snacks or relax.
Simple to Use
A double stroller is often an investment of a large amount and one you're likely to use for years. When shopping for one you must ensure that it's easy to use and clean. The best double strollers are designed to be user-friendly and have many useful features.
All the strollers that we tested could be folded easily and compactly with just one hand. They are light and ideal for traveling. Many of them fit in most trunks and can be checked at the gate on planes. Many of our test subjects found that their strollers can be folded down smaller than the single seat equivalents. Some even came with a carrying strap.
If you're in search of a multi-purpose double stroller that will grow with your family take a look at the Valco Snap Duo Trend. This side-by-side stroller works with infant car seats, bassinets, and other accessories, which means you can use it from birth to preschool age. Each seat features five points of harness with a large canopy, as well as ample sun protection.
The Joovy Twin Roo is another option that is highly praised. This stroller is lightweight and extremely compact, weighing just 22 pounds and 26 inches in width when folded. The front seat reclines to a flat stance, and the back seat can be adjusted for every child. The stroller is simple to operate and maneuver due to its large storage basket, easy 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 clever and fun, however it comes in five boxes, which could be a bit cumbersome to carry around. She also felt that the Genuis magnetic buckle was a little difficult to master. In the end, however she was very pleased with her stroller and would definitely recommend it.
Stores
Strollers are available in various sizes and styles and styles, including tandems (single-file seating) as well as side-by-side doubles and some that let you customize the configuration using the use of a bassinet or car seat attachment. Some have rider boards that can be added to accommodate older children. But, they're not all created equal -- some are sleek and easy to use, while others are bulky, heavy and difficult to fold or store.
If you're looking for a light double stroller, check out the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest choice during our tests. It weighs around 23 pounds and is also easy to fold, yet it still has all of the features parents need to enjoy a great time with two children.
The Vista v2 double from UPPAbaby is another model that our testers loved. They particularly liked its sleek design and user-friendly. It can accommodate two infant car seats, a toddler's seat, and a bassinet with no adapters required. The rear seat can also be removed to create triple or quad stroller. It comes with a large basket for storage and 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 stroller to use for toddlers is one that has numerous options for customization. This includes a seat or a bassinet that can be removed. Toddlers are often weak in endurance, and strollers that have a bassinet attached will give them a safe space for them to rest. A double stroller should also include a harness system that is reliable and recline positions, and plenty of storage space for snacks and toys.
The ZOE Twin+ is popular with parents due to its lightness and flexibility. It is airline gate-check friendly, fits through most doorways (without removing the wheels on the front) and can be made to a triple or quad stroller by adding an additional tandem. The near-flat, independently reclined seats and extra-long sun canopy that can be adjusted are among the other features. A large underseat storage basket as well as cup holders for the child and parent complete the impressive set of features. One downside according to Taylor, is that it doesn't have a a small footprint when folded and can be difficult to stow.