The Most Pervasive Problems With Double Buggy
A Double Buggy Is a Must-Have For Families With Two Kids
A double buggy will be a necessity for families with more than one child. You can travel through urban streets or off-road trails easily while keeping your children safe and happy.
When you are choosing a double stroller, there are a lot of aspects to take into consideration. Firstly, check that it can fit through your door and into the car boot when folded.
Lightweight
Bringing home a second child is an exciting possibility, but there are a lot of practical issues to be considered. The addition of another child to the family will require changing the layout of living spaces, thinking about car seats and, of course, investing in a new double buggy.
Whether you're shopping for twins or simply want something narrow there are plenty of excellent options that are available. Our lab experts recommend the iCandy Peach, which comes with a set of accessories that rival brands charge extra for and folds very neatly into place to occupy a tiny space in your boot. It is simple to maneuver and moves well, according to testers. However, it can be a bit long when you're in double mode.
Side-by-side buggies can be great for keeping your children together but they tend to be larger than a single buggy, which can make them hard to navigate up and down kerbs. Mountain Buggy Duet Luxury, with its 63cm width, is the tiniest on the market. It is easy to pass through doors and into public transport. It's compatible with a range of car seats and will expand with your family and can be used as a mono or tandem buggy when your children are ready to be seated side-by-side.
The height-adjustable handle is ideal for steering, and the suspension makes light work of slick surfaces. It's ideal for older children because the seat is elevated in a stadium style. This provides them with a better view of the action. It's not as lightweight as other models in this list but it's still a nippy option.
You'll be pushing your double buggy frequently, so it's important to choose one that is easy to push. Look for a handle that's padded and well-shaped to suit your height, and a large basket with plenty of pockets and compartments. When you're not using your buggy, it's worth taking a look at how it folds up and stored.
Easy to manoeuvre
There are some fantastic double buggies on the market that make getting out and about with two kids much easier. The iCandy Orange, for example is a multi-purpose model 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' boards (sold separately). Its sleek frame, light frame, swivel wheels, and suspension allow it to be easily moved around town and on rough terrain.
The Joie Evalite Duo is another side-by-side model that's incredibly lightweight and has a tiny footprint. They can be easily moved around with the seats on. However, they need some more strength to push over kerbs and can be more challenging on uneven surfaces. The UPPAbaby Vista 2 is another great choice as it can accommodate both carrycots and seats in tandem mode, but it can also be used as a single buggy due to its clever frame that can be expanded widthways, and a height-adjustable handle making it really easy to steer with only one hand.
If you intend to use public transportation frequently you might want to consider a double buggy that converts to single-buggy that has large wheels. They are more designed for rough or uneven surfaces. Similarly, check the ease with which you can fold and unfold the buggy and how wide it is when folded to see if your boot will be capable of accommodating it. If you reside in an area that has narrow streets, choose a tandem double stroller where the child is placed behind their partner, instead of behind them. This makes it easier to maneuver through tight spaces.
Storage is available in abundance
Double buggies aren't required for every family, but they do help with outings for families with infants and toddlers. Check out the side-by-side buggies for a lightweight, easy-to-steer model. These have a large basket underneath and side and rear pockets to store all the essentials for your baby. There are a variety of models with adjustable handles that can be adjusted to fit parents of different heights and fold down neatly into a compact shape ideal for use in small spaces or for tucking away in the boot.
All-terrain double buggys are a good option if you're looking for a stronger model. These tend to be twin and are more difficult to manoeuvre, but they'll often come with a reclining seat designed for infants and older children and are a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts and active families. Some allow you to transform the buggy into running jogger, making them ideal for running and exercise.
Many of the best double buggies will be able to accommodate a variety of of carrycots, seats and car seats. This makes them an excellent option for families with twins or siblings that are close in age, but it's worth checking the specs of any model you're considering to make sure it's suitable for your needs.
There are two primary kinds of double buggy - twin, where your children sit side-by-side, and tandem with one seat in front of the other. A twin buggy has the main advantage that children can interact instead of fighting over who sits in front. Twin buggys are often wider and can be more difficult to navigate through aisles and doors at the grocery store.
Tandem buggies are generally smaller than single models, but are still longer. They are also less stable and may require dismantling to fit in your car boot. Reclining the seat independently is now a fairly standard feature on most double buggies, so make sure that your chosen model will let you adjust each child's seat to the position they're most comfortable in.
Comfort
A good double buggy should provide both parents and children plenty of comfort. Make sure you check the padding on the straps as well as the amount of recline that each seat is able to achieve. Also, make sure that the seats can be adjusted separately so you can adapt the seat to your child's size. Be sure to check the weight limit, and if they both have a hood or sun canopy that protects from rain and wind.
Consider the use of a baby carrier as an alternative to a double stroller. They're great for toddlers who wish to walk, but still need a ride. They're also ideal for infants and newborns. Some carriers can be used in conjunction with a child car seat to give you even more flexibility.
Many parents find a side-byside double buggy the most comfortable to use, but there are some unique models out there like the Mountain Buggy Duet Luxury in herringbone which is amazingly thin and is the lightest side-by-side double buggy on the market (it's the same size as a single stroller).
The Wave from Mamas & Papas is another clever choice that offers more configuration options than most other tandem buggies. It's initially an uni-pedestrian pushchair. Later, you can add a second seat or carrycot (and sometimes, a third) to the frame with adaptors, allowing you to have a wide range of seating arrangements. It's smooth to steer, has a great suspension, and Lab experts loved the ease of fold. You just pull up on two straps (one under each seat) and the entire unit folds in a matter of seconds.
The purchase of a double buggy is a big investment, but you'll be able to make use of it for many years and will also get an acceptable resale value. When comparing prices, keep in mind that it is best to purchase a brand-name model as this will allow you to acquire additional accessories and upgrades in the future. For instance, a few of our top-rated double buggies come with an easy changing Bag and Carrier included in the price. This is an essential item that'll save you time and hassle on the day you need to travel with your kids.