Double Buggy: The Good The Bad And The Ugly
A Double Buggy Is a Must-Have For Families With Two Kids
A double buggy is a must-have for families with two kids. You can navigate urban pathways or off-road trails with ease while keeping your children comfortable and content.
When choosing a double stroller, there are numerous factors to consider. Be sure that it will fit through your car boot and through your doorway when folded.
Lightweight
It's thrilling to welcome home a second child but there are a number of practical issues to be considered. The addition of a second child to the family requires changing the layout of living spaces, thinking about car seats, and investing in the double buggy.
There are a variety of options available regardless of whether you're looking for twins or simply need something a bit smaller. Our experts from the lab recommend the iCandy Peach because it comes with a number of accessories that rival brands will charge additional fees for. It also folds up very neatly to take up less space in your boot. It's easy to maneuver and rolls well, according to the test subjects. However, it could feel a little long when you're in double pram buggy mode.
Side-byside buggies can be fantastic for keeping your children in a single place however they are generally larger than a single buggy, which makes them difficult to maneuver up and down kerbs. The Mountain Buggy Duet Luxury is the slimmest side-by-side available on the market, and at 63cm, it's the same size as the single pushchair. It's easy to pass through doors and onto public transportation. It is compatible with a variety of car seats and can grow with your family. It can be used as mono or tandem buggy after your children are old enough to be seated together.
The height-adjustable handle is great for steering and the suspension is able to make light work of slick surfaces. It's a great option for older children, since it has a seat elevated stadium style to give them a better view of the action. It's not as lightweight than other models, but it's still a great option.
You'll be pushing your double buggy a lot so it's essential to choose a model that feels easy to push. Look for a handle that's well-padded and shaped to match your height, and a spacious basket with many compartments and pockets. It's also worth assessing how it's simple to fold and store your buggy when you're not using it.
Easy to maneuver
There are some incredible new double buggies that allow two children to travel much easier. The iCandy Orange, for example, is a multi-purpose option that can be used to accommodate twins or one baby and a toddler with both seats/carrycots facing either in the direction of forward or reverse. It can also accommodate a third child with piggyback's board (sold separately). Its slim, sleek frame with swivel front wheels, swivel rear wheels and suspension make it easy to maneuver around town and over rough terrain.
Other side-by-side models such as the Joie Evalite Duo are also incredibly lightweight and have a smaller footprint, making them easy to slide through doors and on public transport and you can often store them with seats still attached. However, they need a bit more muscle to push over kerbs and are more difficult to maneuver on uneven surfaces. The UPPAbaby Vista 2 can be used in tandem mode using both seats/carrycots, but it can also be used to push one buggy. The clever frame expands widthways.
If you intend to use public transport a lot, consider whether you'll need a double buggy that has big wheels, as they are able to perform better on uneven or rough surfaces. Check the ease to fold and unfold, as well as the size of the buggy folded to determine if it can fit in your car. If you reside in a small village or town with narrow streets, consider a tandem double buggy where the child is seated behind the other instead of next to them, as this makes it easier for them to navigate narrow spaces.
Storage is available in abundance
A double buggy isn't a necessity for all families, but it makes outings more manageable for families with toddlers and newborns. If you're looking for a lightweight model that's easy to maneuver take a look at the variety of double buggies that are side-by-side. These offer lots of space under in the form of a deep basket as well as rear and side pockets for all your baby essentials. There are a variety of models with adjustable handles to suit parents of different heights and fold in a neat, compact form suitable for small spaces or for tucking away in the boot.
If you want a more robust double buggy, you can choose one of the all-terrain options. They are typically twins, and are more difficult to maneuver, but they often have a reclining seat that is perfect for babies and toddlers. They're an excellent choice for active family members. Some even allow you to transform the buggy into running jogger, making them ideal for running and exercising.
A majority of the top double buggies can accommodate many different combinations of car seats, carrycots and seats. This makes them an excellent option for families with twins or siblings that are similar in age, but it's worth checking the specifications of any model you're considering to make sure it will fit your requirements.
There are two kinds of double buggy - twin which is where your children are side-by-side, and tandem where one seat is placed in front of the other. A twin buggy has one main advantage that children can interact instead of fighting over who should sit in front. Twin buggys are often wider and can be more difficult to maneuver through doorways and aisles in the supermarket.
Tandem buggies are generally a little shorter than single buggies, however they are still longer. They are also less stable and could require dismantling in order to fit into the car boot. The majority of thule double stroller buggies feature recline for the seat independently and recline, which is nowadays an option that is standard. Be sure that the model allows you to adjust each child's seat to the position they're most comfortable in.
Comfort
Double buggys that are comfortable for parents and children are the most comfortable. Check the padding of the straps and the amount of recline that each seat is able to achieve. Also, verify if the seats can be adjusted separately to allow you to adjust the seat to your child's size. Make sure you know the weight limit, and if each has a hood, or sun canopy that protects from rain and wind.
Consider a baby carrier to replace a double stroller. They are suitable for toddlers who are looking to walk but require an adult ride. they're also great for infants and newborns. Some carriers can also be used with a child car seat to give you more flexibility.
Some parents feel that a side by side double buggy is the most practical option. However there are some new models to choose from, such as the Mountain Buggy Duet Luxurious in herringbone. It is the lightest double buggy with carrycot buggy side by side on the market.
The Wave from Mamas & Papas is another clever choice that offers more configuration options than most other tandem buggies. It starts out as a mono pushchair and then you can add an additional seat or carrycot (and sometimes, a third) to the frame by using adaptors, giving you an array of seating arrangements. It is easy to navigate, has a fantastic suspension and Lab experts were impressed by how easy it was fold. Simply pull up on the two straps (one underneath each seat) and then you can fold the entire thing in a matter of seconds.
The purchase of a double buggy is a big investment, however, you'll be able to use it for years and also enjoy a decent resale value. When making comparisons, it's important to remember that purchasing a reputable model can allow you to purchase additional accessories and upgrades later. For example, some of our top-rated double buggies come with a convenient changing Bag and Carrier included in the price. This is a must-have item that will save you time, effort and money when you travel with your baby.