How Easy Is It to Push and Fold a Double Stroller?
When you're taking your toddler on the streets or jogging with your twins, having the best double stroller will make it easier for everyone to get around. Finding a double stroller which is easy to fold and push is essential.
Our Lab experts recommend side by side models that feature equal recline, plenty of storage and car seat adapters that can fit infants.
Seating
When you are looking for a double stroller, seating options are important. You might want to think about a tandem stroller that allows one child to stand while the other one sits or a side-by- tandem option that allows your children to sit together.
The seating arrangement can affect your comfort when you're navigating the busy streets and sidewalks. Look for strollers with reclining seats, reclined footrests and ample canopy options that provide shade for both of the passengers. Beware of hanging bags on the handlebars because they can alter the stroller's centre of gravity, causing it to tip.
Double strollers that are of good quality will also have convenient storage compartments for your necessities. Look for storage spaces under the seats or in the backs of the seats. These are great places to store your snacks, toys and other essentials. You can also use organizer bags as well as consoles for parents attached to the handles of the car to keep things close at hand during walks or outings.
If you have children nearing their age, a stroller that is side-by-side could be the best choice. They are generally more stable than stacking models and offer better visibility for both passengers. Some models can accommodate two infants in a car seat, allowing you transfer your sleeping children from the car to the travel pram and not wake them.
Parents with older children who don't mind sitting in separate places or who enjoy a bit of independence might like the sit-and-stand option that allows an older child to climb onto the front and enjoy a ride. This type of double stroller typically isn't suitable for newborns and could require more maintenance as years go by, however it can be a great option for active families that need the versatility of a single stroller that converts to a double-kid version.
The most effective double strollers are sturdy and maneuverable, even in a rough terrain or tight spaces. They are also lightweight, foldable and compact to make it easy to store them in your trunk or garage. This makes them easy to carry when traveling. They're made to last and meet the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP).
Canopy
A canopy protects both passengers from the sun's rays, and some models come with a visor to further shield children's faces. The top scoring models for canopy options were the BOB Revolution Flex v3.0 Duallie, and the UPPAbaby Vista v2 Dual. Both come with huge shades. They both offer plenty of coverage and cover kids from head to knee, whereas inline options tend to be less generous with shade or have a single canopy that only covers one seat, which is problematic for siblings that want different levels of protection.
The majority of our top-rated canopys can be fitted onto strollers with ease. Be sure to verify the dimensions of the canopy before purchasing, as some might need extra space to extend fully and avoid hitting the handles.
Some parents prefer a double stroller that includes a bassinet and car seat adapters, as well as other accessories to give them more options in the future. The UPPAbaby Vist v2 Double, for instance, has a toddler seat as well as an added RumbleSeat. This makes it a great option for families with twins or young children and require transport at the same time. This versatile stroller also offers a unique sit-and-stand configuration for older children who prefer to ride on their own.
Other accessories that can make your stroller more functional include parent consoles and bags for organizing, which can help keep things in reach. These bags are especially useful when you want to store toys and snacks away from the view of. Some of these accessories are secured by snaps or straps that makes it simple to remove them when you're ready for the stroller to be used again.
If you're looking for a double stroller that can be transformed into a toddler stroller with an incline board or bench seat, then this is the stroller to choose. Both the Graco travel pushchair System RoomFor2 and UPPAbaby's Vista Duallie come with a bassinet that is compatible with car seats, a toddler's seat as well as a RumbleSeat. Both can be converted into a triple stroller with the addition of a running board, which is ideal for families with an active kid who prefers to stay active.
Wheels
The type of wheels used on the stroller can make a big difference in how easy or difficult it is to push. Generally speaking, larger wheels are easier to maneuver and can handle more terrain. The material of the wheels can also impact how easy or difficult they are to push. Rubber wheels are more durable than plastic wheels and are able to withstand rougher surfaces.
Stroller wheels come in a variety styles sizes, shapes and materials that can meet various needs and environments. Swivel wheels, for instance can help to maneuver through tight corners and narrow spaces. Fixed-wheels are more stable and suitable for smooth surfaces. If you intend to use your stroller on uneven terrain or off-road air-filled tires are better than standard rubber tires. These tires are similar to bicycle tires that absorb shocks to provide a more comfortable ride.
Double strollers that are side-by-side are wider than tandem models and can be more difficult to navigate through narrow doors or in crowded aisles. They offer your children the same amount of room to sit and stretch their legs. They're generally also more maneuverable and easy to steer than tandem strollers.
If you intend to use your stroller as an exercise bike or run, choose a double jogger that comes with special all-terrain tires or jogging wheels. These are large, thicker and come with sealed ball bearings for a smoother ride over uneven surfaces. Certain models, such as the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double twin stroller are compatible with car seats that allow you to run with your kids safely to their car seats.
Other strollers with jogging/all-terrain capabilities, such as the Valco Baby Tri Mode Duo X accept an additional child in the front, but they are too bulky to qualify as umbrella doubles. In our tests the restraint buckles on this model were among the hardest to fasten, which can be a challenge when trying to fit two kids in the stroller at the same time. This stroller is expensive and costs a lot more than our top single-to tandem option, but it does come with top-quality materials and a good resale value.
Stores
A quality double stroller should have ample storage space for both parents and children. Lack of storage space could make it difficult for parents to go on around and carry everything they need for a family outing. 3 in one pushchair our Lab tests, the UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double scored well in this metric, with a large and easily accessible basket that can hold up to 30 lbs.
Strollers with multiple compartments and pockets can help families organize small things like keys, wallets and phones. A parent console or organizer bag that attaches to the handlebars of the stroller can be a great option for parents to store their personal belongings when out with the children.
In addition to a large basket the UPPAbaby Vista comes with two infant car seats (though not both bassinets), and it has an adjustable handlebar that telescopically extends and easy-to-use brakes. It also has one of the biggest capacity weight ratings for seats in our collection, and an easy fold that fits through most standard door frames.
Our test participants also discovered that the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite wagon comes with a fantastic adjustable bar that is ideal for parents with different heights. The wagon also features two UV screens that fold down to offer full sun coverage, and its snack tray and cup holders can hold plenty of kid snacks and bottles.
A major challenge for anyone using a stroller is how to fold it down and then get it back into shape after use, particularly if you're dealing with two children in the stroller. It's essential to pick one that folds quickly and smoothly. Both the UPPAbaby Vista v2 stroller and Evenflo Pivot Xpand have a single-handed, user-friendly mechanism that allows parents to fold their strollers quickly and efficiently, no matter the configuration they're using.
Double strollers might seem like an investment that is costly, but parents who plan to use it for several years will be paying more than they would for single strollers. It's also worth looking into whether a stroller can be divided into pieces to make it easier to transport and store This is a crucial factor if you're in a tight living or vehicle space.