How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
There are a lot of options in the field of double strollers. Katie Billingsley, a child development expert and mother, helped us choose the right model for you.
Look for a stroller that's fairly easy to push, fold and carry. And consider a model that's versatile enough to accommodate two car seats for infants or a toddler as well as an adult rider board.
Safety
If you want to ensure your children are safe while walking opt for double strollers that have features like all-terrain tires and a brake operated by hand. These brakes and wheels will assist you in navigating trails and sand without children slipping or rolling. The best double strollers have plenty of storage space to store items for your kids, including snacks and toys.
Choosing the right double stroller for your family starts with understanding the age and distance in age. Most double strollers can only can accommodate one child's seat, but those do come with different configurations, so you can pick the seating option that is most suitable for your children and your lifestyle.
The classic doubles are great for children of similar age who are keen to interact. Double-decker designs permit you to put one of the seats over the other, or even attach a riderboard to older siblings. Newborns can be placed in a bassinet connected to the frame or in an attachment that allows you to play peek-a-boo with your baby. If you have twins or are expecting twins, a twin stroller is the way to go.
Find a double-wheeled stroller that is capable of handling off-road terrain as well as hiking. A majority of these strollers have been designed with active parents in mind, and have features that let you take your kids to any adventure, regardless of how rough the terrain or how high the climbs may be.
In addition to all-terrain tires the top double strollers feature thoughtful features that make getting around tough terrain and weather easier. This jogging stoller for instance, comes with a wrist loop so that you can ensure your child's safety while going downhill at a higher speed or in extreme weather conditions. It also features a canopy that covers the entire area and has ventilation to ensure your children stay cool in the summer heat.
This model is a light and compact double stroller from Joovy. It weighs in at just over 23 lbs, making it lighter than most single strollers. It's ideal for air travel or storing in overhead compartments or trunks. It also comes with a large storage basket as well as an easy-to-use one-step parking brake.
Seating
In contrast to the massive strollers of old the modern double strollers are sleek and offer an array of configurations to fit families. Some are used as traditional side-by-side strollers while others - like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller--function as a base that car seats, toddler seats or bassinets can be plugged into. They are available in a variety of sizes and weights to accommodate children from newborns through kindergarten.
A quality double stroller should be simple to fold and maneuver, as well as allowing you to adjust your handlebar height to ensure you are at ease on all your excursions. A good handlebar should be comfortable to grip, and it should allow you to walk with proper form (ask other parents for advice on this). It should come with a variety of storage options to accommodate all the necessities your children will need.
If your twins are similar age and are in the same age group, a tandem stroller might be the best choice for your family. The seats of these models are positioned side by side, enabling you to interact with them both and keep an eye on them at the same time. They can also recline separately so that one child can nap while the other is awake and ready to go.
The downside of a twin stroller could be that it is larger than one designed for a single-occupant. This could make it difficult to navigate narrow aisles for stores, doors or even walkways. For some families, the advantages are worth the extra size and effort.
If you're looking for an ultra-compact double stroller, the UPPAbaby Vista Double is a fantastic choice. The UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double is a great option for city dwellers due to its shock absorption capabilities, sleek 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.
A wagon-style double stroller such as the Delta Children LX Stroller Side-by-Side is another alternative. The model is basic but it comes with plenty of storage and seating space. It also has heavy-duty wheels to tackle any terrain. It also has an umbrella with 50+ SPF and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and cannot recline fully flat, making it hard for small children to reach their food trays or to relax.
Easy of Use
A double stroller is usually a significant investment and one you're likely to use for years. When you are shopping for a double stroller, be sure it's easy to use and clean. The top double strollers are designed to be user-friendly and include many useful features.
All the strollers that we tested fold easily and compactly with just one hand. These strollers are lightweight and perfect for travel. Many of them can be checked at the gate on planes and fit in most trunks. Furthermore, the majority our testers reported that their strollers folded down to a smaller size than their single-seat counterparts, and some even had an adjustable carry strap for easy carrying.
The Valco Snap Duo trend is a double stroller with lots of options that will grow with your family. This side-byside stroller works with infant car seats and other accessories. It can be used from birth to preschool age. Each seat comes with a 5-point harness and a large canopy. It also offers plenty of sun protection.
strollers double is another option that is highly praised. It is light and incredibly compact, measuring just 22 lbs and 26 inches wide when folded. The front seat reclines almost 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, simple parking brake that is one step and a large storage basket.
The only negatives of the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to the model in question. Kerry says that the packaging is innovative and enjoyable, however, it comes in five boxes that can be a little cumbersome to carry around. She also felt that Genuis's magnetic buckle was awkward and took a while to master. She was happy with the stroller in the end and would recommend it.
Storage
Strollers come in all sizes and shapes, from side-by-side doubles to tandem (single-file seating) styles, plus many allow you to customize your layout by adding a bassinet or a car seat attachment. Some come with rider boards designed for older kids. But, they're not all made equal. Some are elegant and simple to use, while others are bulky, heavy and difficult to fold and store.
If you're looking to purchase a light double stroller, check out the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest stroller we tested in our tests, with a weight of less than 23 pounds. It is also easy-to-fold and comes with all the features parents need to enjoy a day out with two kids.
The Vista v2 Double from UPPAbaby is a second model that our testers adored, especially for its sleek design and easy to use. It can accommodate two infant car seats, a toddler seat, and a bassinet with no adapters needed. The rear seat can also be removed to make it a 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 well as storage bags for the sides.
Billingsley says that the ideal double stroller for a toddler is one that offers different options for customization, including the ability to remove a seat or a bassinet. This is due to toddlers having little endurance, so the stroller with an attachment for a bassinet will provide them with a safe space to rest for a nap. She says a double stroller should also come with a sturdy harness system and recline positions, as well as plenty of storage space for toys and snacks.
The ZOE Twin+ is a popular choice among parents due to its light weight and the versatility. It's gate-check-friendly for airlines it can be accessed through all doors (without having to remove the front wheels) and expands into a quad or triple stroller with an added tandem seat. The near-flat, independently reclined seats and the extra-long sun canopies that are adjustable are just a few of the highlights. A large underseat basket and the inclusion of cup holders for both parents and children make up the impressive set of features. One drawback, according to Taylor, is that it lacks a an elongated footprint when folded and can be difficult to carry.