10 Double Strollers Tricks All Experts Recommend

Buying Guide For Double Strollers

A double stroller is a good investment when you have two kids with similar age. These narrow tandem strollers or flexible side-by-side buggies let you keep your eyes on both kids at the same time while braving the grocery aisle, parks and anything else life throws at you.

Comfort

When shopping for a double stroller for your child, comfort is a key aspect to take into consideration. This includes both the seating arrangement as well as the overall dimensions of the stroller which can impact the accessibility and storage. "Parents must determine what the stroller weighs and its dimensions when folded," says child development expert and mom Katie Billingsley of Fourth Trimester Postnatal Retreat. "They should also take a look at the seat recline options and age ranges to ensure a good fit for their family."

A good double stroller will be sturdy enough to traverse various surfaces with ease, from parks trails to suburban sidewalks and from infant car seats to toddler booster seats. It should have a variety of seating options for children at different age groups, and features that provide comfort, such as a peek-aboo windows and adjustable canopy options that protect children from the sun or rain.

The seating options are important to many families who will use double strollers from the time of birth until the age of. Billingsley says there are two primary categories that are in-line with one seat in front of the other, and side-by-side with seats adjacent to one another. Some parents prefer the in-line option due to its sleek design and its versatility. Others like a wagon-style double running stroller stroller for maximum space for bulky or grocery items.

Some products may offer different recline options, with one seat almost flat while the other is upright--this type of disparity is more common in the in-line models. Billingsley suggests choosing a model that offers both a near-flat recline and leg rests that can be adjusted for both seats to ensure both children can lie back comfortably.

She also suggests that parents look for strollers that have storage compartments to allow them to quickly access snacks, personal items and toys on the move. She also suggests that it is beneficial to find a stroller that has a parent console, or organizer bag that is attached to the handlebars. This can aid parents in keeping their essentials at hand.

A few of the top-rated double strollers can be enlarged giving parents the ability to alter the configuration according to their family's requirements. For example, the Mockingbird Expandable is a highly rated double stroller that can be used with a single seat Twin Buggy From Birth birth, and then transformed into a tandem (with an additional seat and bassinet) as the child gets older.

Safety

Double strollers need to be able to support the weight of both the passengers as well as any additional cargo. Strollers must also be easy to move and push, particularly in tight spaces and on terrain that is difficult to navigate. The best strollers come with ergonomic handlebars with adjustable heights to ensure that parents maintain a good form when pushing them. A harness that does not need to be rethread which makes the adjustment of seat belts faster and easier, is another nice feature to look for. Safety features include a durable brake system, as well as wheels that slide over any surface.

Some parents choose the side-by-side design to ensure that both children see each other on family outings. This arrangement can reduce sibling squabbles over who sits in which seat however it's not foolproof. If the seats are located at different levels, a child might kick or punch another during a walk when the seats are on different levels.

For parents with twins or siblings who are close in age, a tandem stroller can be beneficial in being able see both kids at once. However, they can be wider than other double strollers, and they might not fit through all doorways in the interior. For maximum flexibility, think about a single-to-double stroller which can switch from a single stroller to a tandem in various ways, like the popular CYBEX Gazelle S. These models can be adapted to a wide range of configurations and let you click in infant car seats or cot attachments, according to your requirements.

If you opt for a side-byside or tandem-style stroller, be sure the product is JPMA-certified to meet stringent safety standards. Pay attention to the maximum weight limit for each seat. Overstepping these limits can cause frame fatigue or other issues.

While it's easy to focus on all the extra bells and whistles on a new stroller, it's crucial to keep in mind that a stroller is essentially a baby carrier that is used for extended durations of time. It should be comfortable for both the passengers as well as easy to clean and maintain, and ideally it should feature an intuitive, familiar design that the person pushing it is able to effortlessly move it around without having to think twice about how to move forward, turn left or right, or use the brakes.

Easy of Use

For families who are constantly on the move, a double stroller needs to be able to navigate various terrains. Features like adjustable canopy, peek-aboo windows and reliable braking systems are essential to ensure the safety of your children however, there are other elements that influence stroller comfort of use. A stroller should be compact enough to fit into the trunk of your car, but still have plenty of storage space for groceries or other items. It is also important to consider thoughtful additions like a cup holder with a single parent, parent consoles and an eating tray for children -- all things that make life with two kids much easier.

During our testing, we evaluated each stroller on the basis of its ability to perform on different terrains and its ability to maneuver through tight spaces. We also considered how easy it was to fold the stroller and unfold it as well as if a particular feature enhanced the overall functionality. A stroller with no-rethread straps makes it simple to adjust the seat belts. This can be a big benefit for parents who are always moving around, since it does away with the need to rethread the harness.

The UPPAbaby Vista v2 double jogging stroller scored high in this measure, since it came with a variety of seating configurations and additional accessories to accommodate families that are growing. The wagon-style double stroller is able to accommodate a second seat, a bassinet or even a toddler riding board that is perfect for families with active children who plan long, tiring days with multiple kids of varying age groups. It easily glides over cobblestones and pavements and ballfields. It can also be folded flat to be stored in a trunk or a closet. The design of this stroller is simple and easy to use, which was appreciated by our tester Kerry. The clever packaging with clearly marked sections as well as a the user's guide made it simple to put this stroller together.

Storage

double umbrella stroller strollers can carry twice more than one stroller, so make sure you search for ample storage space. You'll want a stroller that has enough storage space to accommodate the essentials of both children and parents including bottles, toys, snacks, and diapers. Look for pockets and baskets under the seats. Also, think about a stroller with an expandable cargo space that can take in bulky items like diaper bags and lunchbags.

A good double stroller with car seat stroller should be able to change as your family grows. For example certain models come with a bassinet attachment that can be used for newborns, and others come with child seats that can be adapted to your kids until they're ready to ride on the back of the stroller, Billingsley says. Some double strollers even allow for a rider board to let older siblings be part of the fun.

There's a wide selection of double strollers available on the market, from sleek, high-performance models that are able to handle rough terrain to budget-friendly models that are more suitable for use in the everyday. When shopping, take a look at reviews and opinions of families like yours to get a better idea of what to expect from the double stroller you choose.

Double strollers are available in three designs: tandem, side-by-side and wagon-style. Billingsley says that side-by-side strollers are the most flexible and suitable for twins or children of similar ages. Tandem double strollers on the other hand, feature two seats set close to each other and facing in opposite directions--a good option for kids who are the same age or for siblings who love to interact with each other. Tandem strollers can be difficult to maneuver through tight spaces and are less likely to fit through doorways than their side-byside counterparts.

If you're looking for a wagon-style double stroller check out this top model from Safety 1st. Our testers were impressed by the fact that this low-cost model offers multiple seating configurations and the option to snap in two infant car seats or a single child in a convertible toddler seat. Our reviewers also praised the memory foam seats and canopy that has 50+ SPF and foam-filled wheels that never flatten. And when it's time for you to fold, this model needs just a couple of tugs on straps on each seat (under where the kids sit n stand double stroller) to fold in half.