A Double Buggy Is a Must-Have For Families With Two Kids
A double buggy is a must-have for families with two children. It is possible to navigate urban roads or off-road trails easily while keeping your kids comfortable and happy.
When you are choosing a double stroller, there are many factors to consider. Firstly, check that it can fit through your doorway and into your car boot when folded.
Lightweight
Bringing home a second baby is an exciting prospect but there are a lot of practical aspects to consider. 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.
There are plenty of great options to choose from depending on whether you're looking to purchase twins or simply need something a bit smaller. Our lab experts love the iCandy Peach, which comes with a set of accessories that rival brands cost extra for. It can fold up very well to take up little space in your boot. The Peach is well-balanced and is easy to maneuver. It can feel a bit long when used in double mode.
Side-by-side by side double pushchairs buggies work well to keep children in a single space, but they can be a bit wider than a single stroller. This can make it difficult to navigate up and down kerbs. Mountain Buggy Duet Luxury, with its 63cm width, is the slimmest available. This allows it to be easily pushed through doors and public transport. It's compatible with a variety of car seats and will adapt to your growing family It can also be used as a mono and tandem buggy when your children are old enough to sit side by side.
Its height adjustable handle is ideal for steering and the suspension is able to make light work of slick surfaces. It's an excellent choice for older kids, since it has a seat elevated to give them a better view of the action. It's not as light as some other models in this list but it's a great option.
It is essential to choose the right double buggy that is comfortable to push. Find a handle with padding and a grip designed to fit your height. Also, consider a big basket with many pockets and compartments. It's also worth looking into how it's simple to fold and store your buggy when you're not using it.
Easy to maneuver
There are some amazing new double buggies available that make going out and about with two kids much more enjoyable. For instance, the iCandy Orange is an all-in-one option that can carry twins (or one toddler and a baby) with both carrycots or seats facing forward or backward, and even a third one with piggyback boards (sold separately). Its light, sleek frame with swivel wheels on the front and suspension ensure it's easy to manoeuvre through town and on rougher terrain.
Other side-by-side models such as the Joie Evalite Duo are also incredibly lightweight and have a small footprint, making them easily able to be inserted into doors and on public transport, and you can often store them with seats still in place. However, they need some muscle to get over kerbs, and can be more challenging on uneven surfaces. The UPPAbaby Vista 2 can be utilized in tandem mode with both seats/carrycots and can be used to push a single buggy. The clever frame can be expanded width-wise.
If you intend to use public transportation often, think about whether you're going to need a double buggy with large wheels as these tend to perform better on rough or uneven surfaces. Find out the ease to fold and unfold, and also the length of the buggy when folded, to see if it will fit in your boot. If you live in a small town or village with narrow streets, consider a tandem double buggy in which the child is seated behind the other instead of sitting directly in front of them, since this makes it easier for them to navigate narrow spaces.
Plenty of storage
A double buggy isn't essential for every family however it can make outings more manageable for those with toddlers or newborns. Look into the side-byside buggies if you want a lightweight, easy-to-steer model. They come with a large basket underneath as well as side and rear pockets to store all the essentials for your baby. You'll also find many models with adjustable handles that can be adjusted to fit parents of different heights. They also fold neatly into a compact shape that is suitable for use in tight spaces or to store away in the boot.
All-terrain double strollers are a great option if you're looking for a more robust model. These are typically twins and can be more difficult to manoeuvre however, they're usually equipped with a reclining seat designed for newborns and older infants and are a good option for outdoor enthusiasts and active families. Some allow you to convert the buggy into a running jogger, making them ideal for running and exercise.
Many of the best double buggies can be used with many different combinations of carrycots, car seats and seats. This makes them an excellent option for families with twins or siblings that are similar in age, however, it's important to check the specs of any model you're considering to ensure that it will fit your requirements.
There are two types of double buggys that are tandem and twin. In tandem the seats are placed behind the other. The main advantage of twin buggy is that your children can interact, rather than having to rotate or argue over who has the top place. However, twin buggy tend to be wider and can be difficult to navigate through supermarket entrances and aisles.
Tandem buggies are generally smaller than single models, but are nevertheless longer. They're also less stable when bouncing up kerbs and may need dismantling in order to fit into the car boot. Recline-based seats are now a common feature on most double buggies, so do ensure that the model can be adjusted by each child's seat to the position that they are most comfortable in.
Comfort
A well-designed double buggy should give both parents and children plenty of comfort. Examine the padding of the straps and the amount of recline that each seat can attain. Also, check if the seats can be adjusted independently to allow you to adapt the seat to your child's size. Also, check the weight limit and whether both have a sun canopy as well as an hood to protect them from wind and rain.
Consider a baby carrier as an alternative to a double travel stroller stroller. They are ideal for toddlers who wish to walk, but still need an extra ride. They're also perfect for babies and newborns. Some carriers can also be used with a car seat for children, giving you even more flexibility.
Many parents find a side-byside double buggy the most comfortable to navigate, but there are also some innovative models on the market, like the Mountain Buggy Duet Luxury in herringbone, that is incredibly slim and is the tiniest double buggy that is side-by-side available (it's the same size as a single stroller).
The Wave from Mamas & Papas is another smart choice that gives you more configuration options than other tandem buggies. It starts as a mono-pushchair and then you can add a carrycot or a second one to the frame using adaptors. This provides you with an array of seating options. It's smooth to steer, has an excellent suspension and Lab experts were impressed by the ease of fold: You simply pull the straps up (one under each seat) and the entire thing collapses in half in just a few seconds.
A double buggy is an investment but you'll be able to make use of it for many years and will also get a decent resale value. When looking at prices it's important to consider that buying a name brand model will allow you to get extra accessories and upgrades later on. Some of our best-rated double buggies come with a useful changing Bag & Carrier in the price. This is an essential accessory that will save you time and effort on the day you need to travel with your children.