The Advanced Guide To Double Pushchair
Which Lightweight Double Pushchair Should You Buy?
It's easy to move around in a lightweight double pushchair, especially if you have kids with different ages. They are easy to fold, steer and transport up and over steps.
This City Mini GT2 offers side-by-side seats with plenty of legroom, adjustable reclining and huge UPF 50+ canopies with peekaboo windows. It also comes with frames that can be expanded in the width to accommodate a second car seat or an additional passenger.
Side-by-Side
The majority of light double pushchairs that we tested are side-by-side designs and are best suited for kids who can sit up on their own because they aren't equipped with car seat integration. The Thule Urban Glide 2 Double, and Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double, are both excellent options. They offer recline adjustments for both seats, a large canopy, and padded five-point safety harnesses. They're also easy to maneuver despite their larger footprints, and are ideal for parents who are worried about fitting through doorways.
The Cybex Duet pushchair is unique because of its clever frame that can be expanded to accommodate an additional child seat. This makes it lighter than other side-byside pushchairs. This means it can fit through standard doorways and is easy to maneuver on public transport. It also doubles as a jogger which is great if you plan to use it in conjunction with an infant car seat or baby carrier.
Another great side-by-side, lightweight double is the UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double, which allows for even more flexibility and customization thanks to its modular frame. It has a smart design that allows you to transform it into a single buggy or a double with the addition of two car seats or carrycots (it can even take twins). It is a practical option for families that are growing. The UPPAbaby umbrella stroller is one of the lightest, sexiest and most stylish available.
Try the egg2, which can be folded down to the size and weight of a compact suitcase. It can be used either as a double or a single by adding two baby car seats or carrycots. Our test subjects were awed by how easy it was to move around even with a full load of children.
Side-by-side pushchairs that are lightweight twin buggy aren't foolproof, though -- if your children are at the same age or at the same stage, they might be fighting over who is allowed to ride in which seat. And if they're taller than each other, a tandem model could be better for them, as it lets them confront each other.
Tandem
While side-by-side models may be better suited for siblings who are the same age tandem pushchairs are light and lightweight, and offer their own perks. They can take a bigger car seat, and some even have seats that can be reversible or a carrycot in the middle. They tend to be more spacious and easier to move into and out of, although their baskets are typically smaller than those on single buggies. Many also feature more generously large canopies that have peekaboo windows, as well as one parent cup holder and padded leg cushions for little ones.
The iCandy Peach tandem is another great example of a lightweight tandem that offers great value. The fabric is a bit less luxurious than some of our top-rated doubles. However, it looks stunning and is easy to use. Its one-handed folding is impressive. Although it takes some time to master, Kirstie from our Lab called it "genius". It can't be folded with the carrycot attached, however the mechanism for attaching and removing it is simple and quick.
Tandem lightweight double pushchairs will generally make more precise turns than side-by-side models however they are more difficult to drive over bumps and uneven surfaces. They are also slower to accelerate and heavier to move. This can put stress on your back.
A convertible double buggy is an additional option. It is initially an individual however, you can add adapters to make it double. They can have a second seat, carrycot or both in the front. Or the children can be seated together. Some also have the option of adding a buggy board, which can help older children keep up with younger siblings.
The Uppababy Vista V2 is a great example of a convertible, as it can also convert into a twin pram by the purchase of additional cocoons (PS59 each) that provide a flat space for newborns. They can be placed in a row or joined to face each other and you can also use them in conjunction with the baby car seat that comes with the pushchair (as long as you choose an appropriate one). These dual-use buggies are made of quality materials and can last for many years without showing any wear. This means they come with the highest resale value.
Single-to-Double
This lightweight double buggy is designed for outdoor-loving family who want to upgrade from an individual-stroller. It can be converted into a jogger using the kit that comes with air-filled tires and all-wheel-suspension. It's also a great option for twins or children of different age groups and, as a triple tandem, it can handle rough terrain. It's a great choice for parents who want a stylish design that is as elegant as a single. It is available in a variety of colors.
We were impressed by the way this iCandy model folds into itself with just one hand, making it really simple to master. It's heavier than other single-to-double pushchairs, but home tester Karolina says it's still very capable of maneuvering even with two toddlers and carrying a carrycot.
The seat can be used parent-facing, and you can also purchase additional accessories for this stroller such as the Roma Gemini carrycots (PS100 each) that are perfect for infants. The seats are comfortable for toddlers, with excellent headrests and lumbar support. And there are many options for recline and recline, with the front seat adjusting to various positions, and the rear seat having the option to recline.
The biggest drawback of this kind of buggy is that it tends to be wider overall than side-by-side doubles which makes it more difficult to get through doorways and can be tricky to maneuver around kerbs. However the suspension and wheels on these models generally do a good job of dealing with pavements and the fact that they're significantly lighter than the side-by-sides, means you still have a decent amount of storage space. These strollers can be difficult to maneuver in supermarkets with narrow aisles, and they may struggle to carry a large amount. Even though it's easier to turn the stroller on a small curved path, it can be a problem. Some are also easier to turn than others, with the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double and the Baby Trend Sit N' Stand Double, for example.
Convertible
The great thing about convertible double pushchairs is the ability to adapt to the changing family requirements. They are typically single buggies, and come with adapters that allow you to add a second child's chair, a carrycot, or (in some cases) an automobile seat to the frame. Some can be converted back to a single when your child reaches the age of walk or wants to ride a buggyboard.
One of the lightest double buggy with carrycot stroller (their explanation) double strollers on our list, this stylish tri-fold model is able to hold children up to 40 lbs each. It comes with a handy basket in between the seats for storage. Home users loved its large canopy with windows that peek out multi-position reclining seats, as well as front and rear suspensions to ensure smoother rides on rough terrain. It also comes with a handy cup holder for the parent, and a large, easily accessible basket. They did note that the backs have tiny pockets, which are only large enough to hold phones and keys.
This lightweight, high-end side-by-side is available in more than 20 models. It also includes a second chair and carrycot. It features a high-profile steering handlebar, rear and front suspensions to smooth out rough terrain, an ultra-compact fold that stands up on its own with straps for easy transport and seven-inch front wheels with swivel locks as well as ten-inch back wheels with suspensions to ensure more comfortable riding. The only downside is that you'll have to purchase an additional car seat or baby carrier.
This versatile tandem is the top pick of our home testers due to the fact that it is easy to maneuver and has an enormous shopping basket that is accessible from both seats when they are in the parent-facing position. It is simple to maneuver due to its light weight (about the same as a few single pushchairs). Many users praise the clever way it attaches the second seat or riding board to the back. Parents also appreciated the fact that it can accommodate car seats and infant carriers from a variety of brands. This includes some that are not typically compatible with other double buggies.