Ten Tandem Double Buggys That Really Help You Live Better
Buying a Tandem Double Buggy
If you have twins or children very similar in age, a tandem double buggy is a great choice. They are a bit smaller than side by side buggies and are perfect for small spaces such as doors, public transport, and rough terrain.
Some can be converted to travel systems that take two carrycots or car seats for children. However, they are heavier and longer than single pushchairs, and may feel less stable in bumping up the kerbs.
Convertible
There are a variety of options for adding a second seat or changing a single stroller into double. The Vista V2 from UPPAbaby is spacious, gorgeous stroller that converts easily from a single stroller to best double strollers by adding the rumble seating (available separately). It is more expensive and less maneuverable since the second seat is located in front of the first seat. Nuna Demi Grow provides a similar choice however, it doesn't have storage underneath the seat when it is used as a double stroller.
Other options include all-terrain twin buggies, as well as fixed-wheel joggers that can hold two children. These tend to be more expensive, but they're made to last longer on rough terrain and could have a higher resale value.
Reclining the seat independently
If you need a double buggy that can transport children of different ages then you're going to require a model with an independent seat recline for both seats. This will allow your child's older to relax in the back while the baby sleeps in the bassinet and vice versa.
You'll also have to think about the size of the pushchair as this will affect the ease of navigate through doors and on public transport. If your doorways are very narrow, you might want to consider a side-by-side pushchair such as the Mountain Buggy Duet. It has a footprint similar to a single stroller double however can still fit two seats and car seat adaptors.
Tandem buggies tend to be larger than side-by-side models, making them more difficult to maneuver up and down kerbs. However they can also accommodate a wider range of combinations of seats/carrycots/car seats and can make the perfect choice for twins and siblings of various ages. These buggies are more expensive than single buggies to double, but they're worth the cost if you plan on keeping it for many years. They'll also keep some value if sold when your children have outgrown it.
This feature will allow you to place your child in an ideal position for naps and observation. This is important when your child is in the back seat and wishes to take a nap while the older child prefers to sit up and observe the surrounding.
Some brands feature a unique design for their seats that allows the back seat to completely recline into a nearly flat position that is perfect for babies. For example the iCandy Orange has raised stadium-style seating and can recline the toddler seat included as well as the optional RumbleSeat into various positions so that your children have a the option of deciding where to sit as well as offering an excellent UPF 50+ canopy that has windows that peek out.
More spacious than twin pushchairs buggies
They are ideal for siblings with different ages, and you can move around without having to worry about your children touching. They're usually a larger with one seat positioned behind the other. The seats can be reclined fully for newborns or in an upright position for toddlers.
Mountain Buggy Duet is a popular choice. It is the slimmest design that is side-by-side, and a footprint that is similar to a single stroller. It also features an adjustable handle, which makes it easier for parents of different heights to push, and an adjustable handbrake, which is helpful when climbing difficult hills. It can be used from birth and is compatible with a variety of car seats and carrycots. This means it is a great travel system.
The iCandy Wave is another option. It folds in either mono or duo mode with just a single click. Its innovative frame expands widthways to accommodate a second chair and it can be used with two carrycots or car seats which makes it an ideal option for older siblings who want to sit together and enjoy the view. It's a bit larger than other models, but it still feels light and has soft suspension for kerbs.
There are also plenty of 3-wheeler inline tandems that are available - check out Phil and Teds' inline models or iCandy's Peach and Pear buggies, for instance they provide stability and swift steering. They can be folded into a single buggy if you have limited space at home, or need to transport it from your car to the bus stop.
It's important to remember that a large double buggy will feel bulkier and heavier than a compact single buggy So make sure it's what you need before purchasing. It is likely to be utilized on buses, trains, and subways frequently so it must be easy to operate and use. You may also have to move it on and off the car seat when taking your children to nursery or school so you'll need to ensure it's easy to maneuver within small spaces.
From birth, you are a good candidate
Whether you're expecting twins or have a second child after your first, you're going need to find a stroller that can accommodate the whole family. Double buggies are typically heavier, bulkier, and more expensive than single strollers. However, they are more maneuverable in tighter doors or around obstacles such as curbs. They are also compatible with piggyback ride-along boards (either from the manufacturer or through an additional accessory purchase) to allow you to transport three children at once.
Tandem pushchairs double place one child in the front of the other, and they're often a better choice when you have two children that are close enough in age to get along well. But they're not completely safe: Siblings in side-by-side seats can kick or punch each other, and children who are different heights can argue over who gets to sit higher. This issue can be addressed by a tandem high-low design that elevates the seat in the back. Your child's older will not be sitting at the lower part of the car, and won't get much of an opportunity to see.
The iCandy Wave is a great alternative for parents who want an easy-to-use convertible double push chair buggy that can fit both a newborn in a carrycot and an older child in the main seat. It has an innovative frame that can be expanded in size when you add a second child seat. It can also fold flat to make it a compact storage. The cushioned buckles, straps and seats are all of the highest quality we have encountered in any of our tests. You can recline both seats independently and the canopy is large and generous with UPF 50+ protection and windows that peek out.
The only downside to the iCandy tandem is that it's quite expensive. However, a quality tandem will last you for years and retain a high resale price, so at the end of the day you'll likely recover some of the cost. It also doesn't offer the same selection of seating configurations as the other top choices, but the iCandy is a good choice for families who don't wish to spend a fortune.