5 Lessons You Can Learn From Tandem Double Buggy
Buying a Tandem Double Buggy
A tandem double buggy could be a great option for twins or children who are very close in age. They're a bit smaller than side-byside buggies, and ideal for maneuvering tight spaces such as doors, on public transport and on rough terrain.
Some can be converted to travel systems that use two carrycots or child car seats. They are typically heavier, longer and less stable than a single pushchair.
Convertible
There are a variety of options for adding a second seat or making a single stroller double. The UPPAbaby Vista V2 is a large, gorgeous stroller that can easily be converted from a single to double by adding the rumble seat (available separately). It is more expensive and less maneuverable due to the fact that the second seat is positioned in front of the first seat. Nuna Demi Grow offers a similar option however, it doesn't have storage underneath the seat when it's used as a double stroller.
Other options include twin buggies with all-terrain wheels as well as joggers that have fixed wheels that can be used to carry two children. They are more expensive, but they are designed for long trips on rough terrain and come with higher resale prices.
Independent recline of the seat
If you require a double strollers buggy to transport children of various age groups, then you'll want one that has recline independent for both seats. This will allow your child's older to rest in the back while the baby sleeps in the bassinet and vice versa.
You'll also need to think about the size of the pushchair as it will impact how easy it is to navigate through doors and on public transport. If you have extremely narrow doors, it may be a good idea to consider a side-byside pushchair like the Mountain Buggy Duet which has the benefit of having a footprint that is similar to a single buggy, however it can use two seats and car seat adaptors.
Tandem buggies are usually slightly longer than side-by-side models and so aren't as difficult to maneuver up and down kerbs, however, they can accommodate a wider variety of car/car/seat combinations, and are a great option for twins or siblings of various age groups. They can also be more expensive than single-to double buggies, but are a good investment if you intend to keep it for many years and will have a decent amount of resale value in the event that you sell it on when your children are out of it.
This feature allows you to place your child in the most comfortable position for naps or to observe. This is particularly important if you have a younger child in the rear seat who may want to lie back and take a snooze while the more mature child wants to sit up and observe their surroundings.
Certain brands have a distinctive design that allows the back seat of their vehicles to recline into a position that is almost flat, ideal for babies. For instance, the iCandy Orange has raised stadium-style seating that can recline both the toddler seat that comes with it and the additional RumbleSeat into multiple positions so your kids can have the option of deciding where to sit, and also comes with an excellent UPF 50+ canopy that has peekaboo windows.
Larger than twin buggies
They are perfect for siblings of different age groups, and you can move around without worrying about your children touching. They're typically a little larger with one seat placed behind the other and offering a fully-flat recline for babies (or an upright position for toddlers).
Mountain Buggy Duet is a popular option. It has the slimmest design that is side-by-side, and a footprint comparable to one stroller. It also features an adjustable handle, which makes it easy for parents of different heights to push and a handbrake that can be useful when you have to climb difficult terrains. It is suitable from birth and is compatible with a range of car seats and carrycots, which means it is a great travel system.
Another option is the iCandy Wave, which has the convenience of a single click to fold and can be used in duo or mono mode. The frame's clever design expands to accommodate an additional chair and can be used with up to two car seats or carrycots. This makes it a great choice for older siblings that would like to sit together. It's a bit bigger than the other models, but it still feels light and has a comfortable suspension for kerbs.
There are also a variety of 3-wheeler inline tandems that are available - check out Phil and Teds inline models, or iCandy's Peach and Pear buggies, for instance - which offer stability and swift steering. Most of them can be folded into the size of a single buggy, which is helpful if you struggle with storage at home or need to carry it in and out of the boot on public transport.
It's important to remember that a wide double buggy will feel heavier and bulkier than a single buggy that is smaller So make sure it's what you need before you buy. It is likely to be used on trains, buses and subways often, therefore it must be simple to operate and use. You may also need to juggle it on and off the car seat while taking your children to school or nursery so you'll need to ensure it can be easily manoeuvred in tight spaces.
The best time to start is when you are born.
You'll need a stroller for your entire family, regardless of whether you're expecting twins or you have another child after having your first. Double buggies are typically slightly heavier, bulkier and cost more than single strollers. However, they can also be easier to maneuver through narrower doors or around obstacles like curbs. They are also compatible with piggyback ride-along boards (either from the manufacturer or as an additional accessory purchase) to allow you to transport three children at a time.
Tandem pushchairs put one child in front of the other. They are a good option for children who are of similar ages and are able to get along. They're not 100% secure. Siblings sitting side-by-side can punch or kick each other and children of different heights may fight over who sits higher. This issue can be resolved by a tandem high-low design that elevates the seat to the back. Your older child will not be sitting at the lower part of the car, and won't have much of an eye.
The iCandy Wave is a great choice for parents looking for an easy-to-use double buggy that converts to fit both a newborn in a carrycot and an older child in the main seat. It features an innovative frame that can be expanded in size when you add a second child seat. It can also fold flat for compact twin stroller (Google blog article) storage. The cushioned seats are comfortable, the straps are easy to fasten, and the buckles some of the most impressive we've seen in any of our tests. You can recline both seats independently and the canopies are spacious and large with UPF 50+ protection as well as peekaboo windows.
The only drawback of the iCandy is that it's a little expensive, but a quality tandem double stroller will last for a long time and retain its resale value. So you'll likely recoup some of the cost in the long run. The iCandy doesn't come with the same seating options as our other top selections. However, it's an ideal choice for families that don't want spend much cash.