How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
If you're in the market for a double stroller, there are a lot of options. To help you pick the best one for your family, we talked to child development expert and mom Katie Billingsley.
Choose a stroller fairly easy to fold, push and carry. And consider a model that is able to accommodate two car seats for infants or a toddler and an adult rider board.
Safety
Find a double-stroller that comes with all-terrain tires and a brake that is operated by hand if want to keep your kids safe while walking. These wheels and brake help you navigate trails as well as sidewalks, gravel, and other paths without your children falling or rolling off. The best double strollers have plenty of storage space for gear and kid-sized necessities like snacks and toys.
Selecting the best double stroller for your family starts by determining how old and far apart in age. Many double strollers can only accommodate one child seat. However, some do come with a variety of configurations that allow you to choose the seating that is best for your family.
The classic doubles are perfect for children of similar ages who are keen to interact. Certain models feature a double-decker design, which allows you to put one seat above the other or add a rider board to older siblings. Newborns can be placed in a bassinet connected to the frame or with an attachment that lets you look at your baby. If you are expecting twins or already have twins then a twin stroller is the best choice.
For more adventurous families consider a double stroller that can take on off-road terrains or even hiking. Many of these strollers were designed with active parents and their children in mind. They have features that will let you take them on any adventure, no matter how rough or high the climbs are.
The top double strollers are equipped with thoughtful features to make it easier to navigate in a difficult terrain or bad weather. For instance this jogging stroller comes with a wrist loop for your child so you're sure that they're safe when you run downhill or at speeds that are higher. It also comes with an all-over canopy that's ventilated to keep your children cool during summer heat.
If you're looking for a lightweight, compact double stroller, take a look at this model by Joovy. It weighs just 23 pounds, making it lighter than other single strollers and perfect for air travel or storage in overhead compartments or trunks. It also comes with a large storage basket as well as an easy-to-use one-step parking brake.
Seating
Double strollers of today are sleeker and can be configured in many ways to suit your family. Some work as traditional side-by-side strollers, while others -- like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller--work as a base that car seats, toddler seats, or bassinets click into. They come in various widths and weight limits, allowing infants and children up to kindergarten.
A quality double stroller should be easy to fold and move and will allow you to adjust your handlebar height to ensure that you feel at ease on all your excursions. A good handlebar is easy to grip and should encourage you to walk in a proper manner (ask for tips from other parents). It should have a range of storage options that can accommodate all the necessities your children will need.
If your twins are close in age, you might find a tandem stroller works best for your family. These models come with seats that are side-by-side, so you can interact with them each other and keep an eye on each of them at the same. They also recline independently so that one child can nap and the other is ready to go.
The drawback of a twin stroller is that it's more spacious than a model with a single occupant which makes it difficult to maneuver around walkways, aisles for shopping and narrow doors. But for certain families, the benefits are worth the extra size and effort.
If you're looking for a compact double stroller the UPPAbaby Vista Double is a great option. The UPPAbaby Vista Double is a great option for city living thanks to its shock absorption, sleek design, and ability to accommodate two infant car seats. It also comes with an optional running board that can be used by older children who are mobile.
Another option is a wagon-style stroller, like the Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller. This model is bare bones but it comes with plenty of storage and seating space. It also comes with heavy-duty wheels to handle any terrain. It also features an SPF canopy that is 50+ and a handlebar that can be adjusted. However, some parents feel that the seats are a little too low and can't recline completely to a flat position, which makes it difficult for small children to sit comfortably or reach their snack trays.
Simple to use
Double strollers are usually an investment that will be using for a long time. When you are shopping for a double stroller, be sure that it is easy to use and clean. The top double strollers have been developed to be easy-to-use and come with many useful features.
All the strollers we tested fold quickly and compactly in one hand. They're also lightweight, making them ideal for traveling. A lot of them fit into the majority of trunks and are checked at the gate on planes. Additionally, the majority of our test subjects found that their strollers folded down to smaller sizes than their single-seat counterparts, and some even came with a carry strap for convenient carrying.
The Valco Snap Duo trend is double stroller with many options that can grow with your family. This side-by-side stroller can be used with infant car seats and other accessories. It can be used from birth until the age of preschool. Each seat is equipped with a five-point harness and an enormous canopy that offers plenty of shade from the sun.
Another popular option is the Joovy Twin Roo. This stroller is lightweight, compact and only 22 pounds when folded. The front seat reclines to a flat stance, and the back seat can be adjusted to suit every child. There's a huge storage basket and an easy, one-step linked parking brake that makes this stroller extremely easy to maneuver and use.
The only drawbacks to the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to the model in question. Kerry says that the packaging is innovative and fun, however it comes in five boxes, which can be a little cumbersome to carry around. She also noticed that the Genuis magnetic buckle was a little awkward and took a while to master. However, in the end, she was very happy with this stroller and would highly recommend it.
Stores
Strollers are available in various sizes and designs that include tandems (single-file seating) as well as side-by-side doubles and many that allow you to customize the setup with a car seat or bassinet attachment. Some come with rider boards that can be added for older children. But, they're not all created equal. Some are sleek and easy to use, whereas others are heavy, bulky and difficult to fold or stow.
If you're looking for a stroller that is light that can fit two children and two children, the Joovy Caboose Graphite is a great option. It was the lightest stroller we tested in our tests, with a weight of just under 23 lbs. It's also easy to fold and has all the features parents need for a great day out with two kids.
The UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double is a second model that our test subjects loved, especially for its sleek design and easy to use. It can fit two infant car seats or a toddler's seat and a bassinet without adapters, and its rear seat can be removed to turn it into a quad or triple stroller. It has a huge storage basket that can be upgraded to include an organizer for parents wheel, all-terrain wheels, as well as side storage bags.
Billingsley states that the best double stroller to use for toddlers is one with numerous options for customization. This includes a bassinet or seat that can be removed. That's because toddlers often have little endurance, so having a stroller that has the bassinet attachment can provide them with a safe spot to rest for a nap. She suggests that a double stroller should also have a great harness and recline position, as well as ample storage space for snacks and toys.
The ZOE Twin+ is a popular choice among parents because of its light weight and flexibility. It is airline gate-check friendly, fits through most doorways (without removing the wheels on the front), and can be expanded to a triple or quad stroller by adding an additional tandem. The near-flat, independently reclined seats and the extra-long sun canopies that are adjustable are among the other features. A spacious underseat basket as well as cup holders for both parents and children round out the impressive features. The one downside, according to Taylor the manufacturer, is that it doesn't have a the smallest footprint when folded and can be difficult to stow.
