Double Stroller Explained In Less Than 140 Characters

How Easy Is It to Push and Fold a Double Stroller?

A good double stroller will allow you to move around, whether you're walking with your toddler or running with your twins. Choosing a double stroller that is easy to fold and push is crucial.

Our Lab experts suggest side-byside models with equal recline and ample storage space, including car seat adapters for infants.

Seating

Seating options are important when shopping for a double-stroller. Based on your children's age and stage it is possible to consider a side-byside option that allows both children to sit together, or a tandem model that allows one child to stand while the other is seated.

The seating arrangement can affect your comfort as you navigate through busy streets and sidewalks. Consider looking for a stroller with reclining seats, reclined footrests and ample canopy options that provide shade for both passengers. Avoid hanging bags from the handlebars as they could alter the stroller's center of gravity and cause it to tip over.

Double strollers of good quality will also have convenient storage compartments for your essentials. Check for compartments in the seat backs or underneath the seats to keep toys, snacks and other necessities handy. You can also use organizer bags as well as consoles for parents that attach to the handles of the car to keep things close at hand during walks or outings.

A side-byside pram for newborn is the best option for parents who have children of the same age. They are generally more stable than the stacking type and offer better views for both passengers. Some options also accept two car seats for infants, allowing you to move your sleepy children from the car to the stroller and not wake them up.

Sit-and stand models are a great option for parents with older children who don't mind their children sitting on their own and prefer some freedom. They can also allow an older child to ride in the front. This type of double-stroller is not compatible with newborns and may require more maintenance over time. However, it could be an excellent option for active families that need the versatility of a stroller that converts into an adult-only model.

The best double strollers will be sturdy and maneuverable, even in muddy terrain or narrow spaces. They are also light and foldable to make it easy to store them in your garage or trunk. This makes them easy to carry when traveling. Finally, they feature robust construction to ensure the longevity and safety of your children, and they meet the American Academy of Pediatricians' (AAP) guidelines for safety.

Canopy

A canopy helps protect both the passenger and the sun's rays. Some models even offer an visor to further protect kids' faces. Models with giant shades like the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 Duallie and the UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double received our top marks for their canopy options. Both models offer adequate coverage and cover children from head to toe, while inline models often lack shade or offer a single canopy which only covers one seat. This can be a problem for siblings that want different levels protection.

A good canopy should fit easily on the stroller, and many of our top-rated models do just that. Check the dimensions of the canopy before buying, as some models may require additional space to extend fully and avoid hitting the handles.

Some parents prefer a double stroller with a bassinet and car seat adapters as well as other accessories to give them more options later on. The UPPAbaby Vist v2 Double, for instance, comes with a toddler seat as well as an added RumbleSeat. This makes it an ideal choice for families who have twins or young children and need to transport them simultaneously. This stroller compact is also able to offer a unique sit-and-stand configuration for older children who prefer to ride on their own.

Other accessories that can help make your stroller more useful include parent consoles or bags for organizing, which can help keep your essentials in reach. They're particularly useful for strollers that aren't used frequently, when you might want to keep snacks and toys away from prying hands. Some of these accessories can be secured by either a strap or snap, which makes it easy to take them off when you're ready to put them on the stroller once more.

If you're seeking a double-stroller which can be transformed into a toddler stroller, with an incline board or bench seat it is the stroller to choose. The Graco RoomFor2 Travel System and UPPAbaby Vista v2 Duallie both feature a bassinet that is compatible with car seats, toddler seat and RumbleSeat. Both can be converted into a triple stroller (official statement) with the addition of a running board, which is ideal for active families with one child who is in motion.

Wheels

The type of wheels on the stroller can make a big difference in how easy or difficult it is to push. In general, larger wheels are more maneuverable and are able to 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 ones and are able to handle rougher surfaces.

Stroller wheels come in different designs, sizes and materials to meet a range of environments and needs. Swivel wheels, for example can help to navigate tight corners and narrow spaces. Fixed-wheels are more stable and better for smooth surfaces. If you plan to use your stroller on rough terrain or off-road, air-filled tires are a better option than the standard rubber tires. These tires are similar to bicycle tires and absorb shocks, making for an easier ride.

Double strollers that are side by side are larger than tandem strollers and can be more difficult to maneuver through narrow doors or crowded aisles. They give your children the same amount of room to sit and stretch their legs. They are also usually more maneuverable than tandem strollers.

If you plan to use your stroller travel for a running or bike it as a double jogger, you need to choose one with all-terrain tires or jogging wheels. These are thicker, larger and have sealed ball bearings for smoother rides on uneven surfaces. Certain models, such as the baby pram Jogger City Mini GT2 Double Stroller, are compatible with car seats which let you jog with your children securely strapped to their car seats.

Other all-terrain/jogging duos, such as the Valco Baby Tri Mode Duo X allow an additional seat in front however they're usually too heavy to be considered umbrella doubles. Also, in our testing, the restraint buckles on this model were among the hardest to secure, which could be a problem when you're trying to get two children into the stroller at once. The stroller is costly with a price that is hundreds higher than our main top-rated single-to-tandem pick, but it offers top-quality materials and a good resale value.

Storage

A quality double stroller should provide ample storage space for both children and parents. Lack of storage space could make it difficult for parents to complete errands and bring all the equipment they require on a family day out. In our Lab tests, the UPPAbaby double scored very well in this measurement. It has a large and easy-to-access storage basket that can accommodate up to 30 pounds.

Strollers that have multiple compartments and pockets can aid families in organizing small items like keys, wallets, and phones. A parent console or organizer bag that is attached to the handlebars of the stroller can be a convenient way for parents to store their personal belongings during outings with the children.

The UPPAbaby vista has a large basket and is able to carry two infant car seats. (Not both bassinets, however.) It also comes with an adjustable telescoping bar as well as easy-to use brakes. It also has the highest maximum weight capacity in our line-up and it folds to fit the majority of door frames.

On the flip side, our testers found that the wagon-style Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite has an excellent handlebar that can be adjusted, ideal for parents of various heights. The wagon also comes with 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.

The biggest challenge with any stroller is folding it it back to its original shape after you've used it. This is especially the case when you have a toddler or infant with you. It's therefore important to choose one that folds quickly and effortlessly. Both the UPPAbaby Vista v2 stroller and Evenflo Pivot Xpand have a single-handed, simple-to-use mechanism that allows parents to fold their strollers quickly and efficiently, regardless of the configuration they're in.

While a double stroller might seem like a daunting purchase, parents who intend to utilize the product for several years should remember that they'll generally pay more for this kind of equipment than single strollers. It's also worth checking whether a stroller can be disassembled into smaller pieces for storage and transport This is a crucial factor if you're in a tight space for your vehicle or living space.