A Vibrant Rant About Double Pushchair
Which Lightweight Double Pushchair Should You Buy?
A compact double pushchair makes it simple to move around, especially when you have children of different age groups. They are easy to fold, steer and transport up and down the steps.
This City Mini GT2 offers side-by-side seats with plenty of legroom, adjustable reclining and massive UPF 50+ canopy with windows that peek out. It also has an expanding frame width to accommodate a second car seat or a second passenger.
Side-by-Side
The majority of the lightweight double pushchairs we tested are side-by-side models and are best double stroller suited for children who can sit up on their own since these models tend to be lacking car seat integration. The Thule Urban Glide 2 Double and the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double, are both excellent choices. They have recline that can be adjusted for both seats, a huge canopy, and padded 5-point safety harnesses. These are also easy to maneuver, despite their larger footprint. They are perfect for parents who worry about fitting through doors.
The Cybex Duet pushchair is unique because of its clever frame that expands to add another child seat. This makes it lighter than other side-byside pushchairs. It can be pushed through standard doors and is easy to maneuver on public transportation. It is also a jogger, which is ideal for those who plan to use it with an infant car seat or baby carrier.
The UPPAbaby Vista v2 double is another great side-by-side, lightweight double. It provides even more customization thanks to a modular frame. Its clever design lets you to convert it into a double or single buggy by adding two carrycots or child car seats. It can even accommodate twins. It's a great option for families growing. The UPPAbaby umbrella stroller is one of the lightest, most stylish and fashionable strollers you can find.
If you prefer a more compact lightweight double, try the egg2 which folds to the size of a tiny suitcase. It can be used either as a double or single by adding two carrycots or baby car seats. Our home testers were amazed by the ease of maneuver, even with a full load of children.
Side-by-side lightweight double pushchairs aren't foolproof however -If your children are of the same age or at the same stage, they may still fight over who gets to ride in which seat. If they're at different heights, then the tandem model could be the best option for them, since it allows them to face eachother.
Tandem
While side-by-side models are more suitable for siblings who are the same age, tandem lightweight double pushchairs are a different kind of pushchair with their own appeal. They can take a bigger car seat, and some even have seats that can be reversible or a carrycot in the middle. They are bigger and easy to get into and out of. However, their baskets tend to be smaller than those on single buggies. Many have larger canopies as well as peekaboo windows, and even padding for the leg cushions.
The iCandy Peach tandem is another great example of a lightweight tandem that offers great value. The fabric is a little less premium than some of our other top-rated doubles but it looks and feels great and is user-friendly. One of the most impressive things about it is its single-handed fold - although it requires practice, Kirstie in our Lab has said it's "genius". The carrycot is not foldable while it's attached. However, the process to attach and remove the carrycot is easy and quick.
Tandem lightweight double pushchairs will generally have tighter turns than side-by-side models however they are more difficult to drive on uneven surfaces and curbs. They are also slightly slower to accelerate and may be heavier to move, which could put stress on your back.
Another option is a convertible double buggy, which is initially an individual and then you can add adapters to make it into a double. This can include an additional seat or carrycot in front or the kids can sit side-by-side. Some also have the option of adding a buggy board, which can help older children keep up with a younger sibling.
The Uppababy Vista V2 can be converted into a twin pushchair-sized pram by purchasing additional cocoons for PS59 each. These cocoons provide an area that is flat for newborns. They can be attached together or placed in a row. You can also use the car seat that was included with the pushchair, when it's compatible. Since they are made of high-quality materials, these dual-use buggies can often be used for years without displaying much wear, indicating they have the highest price resales.
Single-to-Double
This compact double stroller double buggy was designed for families who love to go on outdoor adventures and are looking to upgrade from a single-stroller. It can be converted into a jogger using the kit that comes with air-filled tires as well as all-wheel suspension. It can also handle rough terrain well and is a tandem triple is suitable for twins or children of various ages. It's also a good choice for parents who want an elegant design that's just as sleek as a single, and is available in a range of fabric colours.
We loved the way that this iCandy model folds down with just one hand, making it really simple to master. Although it's heavier than other single-to-double pushchairs in this review, our home tester Karolina said that it still feels extremely maneuverable, even when she had two toddlers and a carrycot inside.
The seat can be used with the parent facing and you can buy add-ons for this stroller, such as the Roma Gemini carrycots (PS100 each) that are perfect for babies. The seats are comfortable for toddlers and come with good headrests and lumbar support. There are a variety of options for reclining the seats with the front seat can be adjusted to different positions, and the back seat offering a reclining option.
The main drawback to this kind of buggy is that it is generally larger overall than doubles that are side-by-side, which makes it harder to get through doorways and can be difficult to maneuver around kerbs. The suspension and wheels of these types of strollers tend to be able to deal with paved surfaces. They're also lighter than most side-by-sides and, therefore, you can have plenty of storage. These strollers can be difficult to maneuver in supermarkets with narrow aisles, and they might struggle to carry loads. It's easier to turn them around even on the smallest of curving paths but even this can be a challenge. Some are easier to turn than others, such as the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double or Baby Trend Sit N' Stand Double.
Convertible
The benefit of convertible double pushchairs is that they can adapt to the changing family needs. Most of the time, they begin as single buggies, and come with adapters that allow you to add a second child's seat or a carrycot (in some cases) the car seat to the frame. Some of them can be converted back to a single as your child grows older and begins to walk more or prefers to ride on buggy boards.
One of the most lightweight double strollers on our list, this stylish tri-fold model can carry children as heavy as 40 pounds each. It comes with an easy-to-use basket between the seats for storage. The home testers loved the spacious canopy with peekaboo windows with multi-position reclining seats as well as front and rear suspensions for smoother rides on rough terrain. It also has a handy cup holder for the parent and a large, easy-to-access basket. However, they noticed that the backs of the seats have small pockets that aren't big enough to hold more than a cell phone and keys.
This high-end, lightweight side-by-side is available in more than 20 models. It also comes with a second chair and carrycot. Its impressive features include a high-profile handlebar for easier steering; front and rear suspension to smooth rough terrain; a self-standing, compact fold with handy straps that make it easy to schlep and seven-inch swing lock front wheels and 10-inch rear wheels with suspension for a smoother ride. The only downside is that you'll have to purchase a separate baby carriage or car seat.
This versatile tandem is a popular choice from our home testers due to its easy-to-maneuver size and impressively large shopping basket, which is accessible from both seats facing towards the parent. It is easy to maneuver thanks to its surprisingly low weight (about the equivalent of some single pushchairs). Many people praise the clever method of attaching the second seat or riding board to the back. Parents also appreciated the fact that it could accommodate infant car seats and carriers from a variety of brands, including some that don't normally fit into other double buggies.