How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
There are a lot of options in the field of double running stroller strollers. To help you choose the best one for your family, we spoke with child development expert and mom Katie Billingsley.
Choose a stroller fairly easy to push, fold and carry. You should consider a stroller that can hold two infant car seats or a toddler with a riderboard.
Safety
Choose a double-stroller which has all-terrain wheels and a brake that is operated with a hand if you want to ensure your children are safe when walking. These wheels and brakes help you navigate trails and gravel without your children slipping or rolling. The best double strollers offer plenty of storage space to store gear and kid-sized essentials like snacks and toys.
Choosing the right double stroller for your family starts by understanding how old and far apart in terms of age your children are. Most double strollers can only accommodate one child seat, but the ones do come with a variety of configurations so you can choose the type of seating that is most suitable for your children and your lifestyle.
The classic doubles are great for children of similar age who like to interact. Some double-decker designs allow you to put one seat above the other, or add a riderboard for older siblings. Babies can be sat in a bassinet attached to the frame, or in an attachment that lets you play peek-a-boo with your baby. If you have twins or are expecting twins, a dedicated twin buggy from birth stroller is the best way to go.
For families who are more adventurous opt for a double stroller that is able to take on off road double buggy-road terrains or even hike. Many of these strollers were designed with active parents and their children in mind. They have 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 clever features that help you navigate in a difficult terrain or bad weather. This jogging stoller for instance, comes with wrist loops so that you can ensure your child's safety when running at higher speeds or in harsh weather conditions. It also features a canopy with full coverage that is ventilated to keep your children cool during summer heat.
If you're looking for a light, compact double stroller, take a look at this model by Joovy. It weighs in at just over 23 pounds, making it lighter than other single strollers. It's ideal to take on air travel or for storing in trunks and overhead compartments. It also comes with a huge storage basket as well as an easy-to-use one-step parking brake.
Seating
Contrary to the giant strollers of old these double strollers are sleek and support a variety of designs to accommodate families. Some double strollers are designed to be used as side-by-side models, while others, like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Dual Stroller can be used as an alternative to car seats, toddlers seats as well as bassinets. They are available in various sizes and weight limits, allowing infants and children up to kindergarten.
A quality double stroller should be easy to fold and maneuver and will allow you to adjust your handlebar height to ensure that you're comfortable on all of your outings. A well-designed handlebar is one that is easy to grip, and it should encourage you to walk in a proper form (ask other parents for tips on this). It should also offer a variety of storage options that accommodate all the essentials you'll need for your children.
If your twins are of a similar age and are in the same age group, a tandem stroller might be the ideal option for your family. These models come with seats that are side-by-side which means you can interact with them both and keep an eye on both of them at the same time. They also recline separately so that one child can sleep while the other is ready to go.
The downside of a twin stroller may be that it is wider than a model that is designed for a single occupant. This makes it difficult to maneuver narrow doorways, store aisles or even walkways. For certain families, however the benefits are worth the extra effort and size.
If you're in the market for a compact double buggy double stroller, the UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double is a fantastic choice. Its shock absorption, streamlined design and capacity for two infant car seats, plus an optional running board for mobile older children make it a perfect option for urban living.
A wagon-style double stroller like the Delta Children LX Stroller Side-by-Side is another alternative. This model is bare bones, but it offers plenty of space for storage and seating. It also has heavy-duty wheels to handle any terrain. It also comes with a canopy with 50+ SPF and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and cannot recline completely flat, making it hard for small children to reach their snack trays or to relax.
Easy of Use
Double strollers are often a large investment that you will be using for a long time. When choosing a stroller you need to make sure it will be easy to use and clean. Luckily, the most effective double strollers are designed to be as user-friendly as they can and come with a wide array of useful features for parents.
For starters, all of the strollers we tested folded easily and compactly (with just one hand!). They're also lightweight, making them ideal for traveling. A lot of them fit into most trunks and can be checked at the gate on planes. Additionally, the majority of our testers reported that their strollers folded to a smaller size than their single-seat counterparts, and some even included a carry strap for convenient carrying.
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-by-side stroller can be used with infant car seats and other accessories. It can be used from birth to the age of preschool. Each seat has five points of harness with a large canopy, as well as plenty of sun protection.
The Joovy Twin Roo is another option that is highly regarded. The stroller is light compact and weighs only 22 lbs when folded. The front seat reclines to a flat position and the back seat can be adjusted for each child. There's a huge storage basket and an easy, one-step connected parking brake which makes this stroller user-friendly and easy to maneuver.
The only downsides of the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to the model in question. Kerry states that the packaging was enjoyable and clever, however it came in five boxes which could be trouble to carry around. She also found the Genuis magnetic clasp somewhat difficult to use and it took a while before she was able to master it. She was pleased with the stroller at the end and would recommend it.
Storage
Strollers are available in various sizes and designs and styles, including tandems (single-file seating), side-by-side doubles, and many that allow you to customize the setup with an automobile seat or bassinet attachment. Some have rider boards that can be added for older children. There are many different types of rider boards. Some are lightweight and easy to use, whereas others are bulky, heavy and difficult to fold.
If you're looking for a lightweight stroller that can accommodate two children, the Joovy Caboose Graphite is a great choice. It was the lightest option in our tests at close to 23 pounds. It is also easy to fold, yet it still has all of the features parents need for a fun outing with two children.
The Vista v2 double by UPPAbaby is another model that our testers loved. They especially liked its sleek design and easy-to-use. It can fit two infant car seats or a toddler bassinet and seat without adapters. The rear seat can be removed to turn it into a triple or quad stroller. It comes with a large basket for storage, and can be upgraded with an organizer for parents and all-terrain tires, as well as side storage bags.
Billingsley says the ideal double stroller for toddlers is one that offers different options for customization, including the ability to remove a seat or a bassinet. Toddlers are typically limited in their endurance and strollers that have an attached bassinet will give them a safe space for them to rest. A double stroller must also come with a sturdy harness system and recline positions, and plenty of storage space for snacks and toys.
The ZOE Twin+ is a popular choice for parents because of its light weight and flexibility. It's gate-check-friendly for airlines, fits through most doors (without removing the front wheels) and can be expanded into a quad or triple stroller with an added tandem double buggy seat. The near-flat, independently reclining seats and the extra-long sun canopy that can be adjusted are other highlights. A spacious underseat basket and the inclusion of cup holders for both parents and children complete this impressive feature set. Taylor says the one downside is that it has an enormous size when folded and can be difficult for parents to carry.