A Double Buggy Is a Must-Have For Families With Two Kids
A double buggy is an essential item for families with more than one child. It is possible to navigate urban roads or off-road trails with ease while keeping your children safe and happy.
When selecting a double stroller, there are a lot of factors to consider. First, ensure that it can fit through your door and into your car boot when folded.
Lightweight
It's thrilling to welcome another child into the family but there are a number of practical issues to be considered. The addition of a new child to the family will require redesigning living spaces, rethinking the seating arrangements in vehicles, and investing in a double buggy.
There are plenty of great options to choose from depending on whether you're looking to purchase twins or simply want something that is narrow. Our lab experts love 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. The Peach is well-balanced and is a breeze to maneuver. It may feel a little long when used in double mode.
Side-by-side buggies are ideal to keep children in a single space, but they can be somewhat larger than the single stroller. This makes it difficult to maneuver up and down kerbs. The Mountain Buggy Duet Luxury is the slimmest side-by-side on the market, and at just 63cm wide, it's the same size as the single pushchair. It's easy to maneuver through doors and into public transport. It is compatible with a variety of car seats and can expand with your family. It can be used as a tandem or mono buggy once your children are old enough to be seated together.
Its height adjustable handle is great for steering and the suspension makes light work of rough surfaces. It's great for older children, as the seat is elevated in a stadium style. This allows them to have a better view of the action. It's not as light as some other models on this list but it's a great choice.
It's crucial to select a double buggy that is easy to push. Choose a handle that has a cushioned grip that is made to fit your height. Also, a large basket that has plenty of compartments and pockets. It's also worth checking how easy it is to fold and put away your buggy when not using it.
Easy to manoeuvre
There are some incredible new double buggies available that allow you to travel with two children much easier. The iCandy Orange, for example is a multi-purpose model that can fit twins or one toddler and a baby with both car seats facing forwards or backwards. It can also accommodate a third child with piggyback's board (sold separately). Its sleek, light frame with swivel wheels and suspension make it easy to move through the city and on rougher terrain.
The Joie Evalite Duo is another side-by-side model that's incredibly light and has a compact footprint. They can be easily put away with the seats attached. However, they need some muscle to push over kerbs and are more difficult to maneuver on uneven surfaces. The UPPAbaby Vista 2 can be used in tandem mode using both seats/carrycots and can be used to push one buggy. Its clever frame expands widthways.
If you intend to use public transport often, think about whether you'll require a double buggy that has big wheels as these tend to cope better with uneven or rough surfaces. Also, consider how easy it is to fold and unfold the buggy and how wide it is when folded to see whether your car is able to accommodate it. If you reside in a tiny town or village and have narrow pavements, opt for a double buggy that has the child is seated behind the other, instead of sitting next to them, as this makes it easier for them to navigate tight spaces.
A lot of storage
A double buggy isn't essential for all families but it can make outings easier for families with toddlers and newborns. Take a look at the side-by-side buggies for an easy-to-steer, lightweight model. These offer lots of space under in the form of a deep basket and additional rear and side pockets to store all the baby necessities. Some models have handles that are adjustable that can be adjusted to fit parents of different heights. They fold up neatly to a compact form, making them ideal for small spaces or in the boot.
All-terrain double strollers are a great option if you're looking for a stronger model. These are typically twins and can be more difficult to maneuver but they're often equipped with a reclined seat for infants and older children and are a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts and active families. Some even allow you to transform the buggy into Jogger, which makes them perfect for running and exercise.
A majority of the top double buggies can be used with a variety of combinations of car seats, carrycots and seats. This makes them an excellent option for families with twins or siblings that are similar in age, but it's worth looking over the specs of any model you're considering to ensure that it's a good fit for your needs.
There are two main kinds of double buggy - twin, where your children sit side-by-side, and tandem where one seat is placed in front of the other. The primary benefit of a twin buggy is that your children can interact without having to rotate or argue over who gets the best place. However, twin buggy tend to be larger and may be difficult to navigate through the supermarket's doorways and aisles.
Tandem buggies tend to be smaller than single buggies, but are nevertheless longer. They're also less stable when bouncing up kerbs and might require dismantling to fit in the car boot. The majority of double buggies feature independent seat recline, which is now an option that is standard. Make sure that the model has the ability to adjust each child's seats to the position they're most comfortable in.
Comfort
A quality double buggy will offer both children and parents plenty of comfort. Check for padding on the straps, the amount of recline each seat can do and if the seats can be independently adjusted so that you can adjust them as your children develop. Check the weight limits too and whether both have a sun canopy or an hood to protect them from wind and rain.
If you're looking for a versatile alternative to a double pushchair , consider a baby carrier. They're great for toddlers who wish to walk, but still need the comfort of a ride. They're also ideal for newborns and babies. Some carriers can be used with a child car seat to give you more flexibility.
Many parents find a side-by-side double buggy to be the most convenient to use, but there are also some innovative models available, such as the Mountain Buggy Duet Luxury in herringbone, which is amazingly slim and is the thinnest double buggy that is side-by-side available (it's the same size as a single stroller).
The Wave from Mamas & Papas is another clever choice that offers more configuration options than other tandem buggies. It starts out as a mono pushchair and then you can add an additional seat or carrycot (and sometimes, a third) to the frame by using adaptors, giving you the option of a variety of seating arrangements. It's smooth to steer, has an excellent suspension and Lab experts loved the ease of fold. You just pull up on two straps (one under each seat) and the whole thing collapses in half in a matter of seconds.
Double buggys are an investment that will last for many years. They also have a good resale cost. When comparing prices it is important to keep in mind that buying a brand name model will allow you to get extra accessories and upgrades later. Our top-rated double buggies include a handy changing Bag & Carrier in the price. This is an essential item that'll save you time and hassle on the day you need to travel with your babies.