The Ultimate Glossary On Terms About Best Double Stroller
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 select the most suitable one for your family, we spoke with child development expert and mom Katie Billingsley.
Find a stroller that's relatively easy to fold, push and carry. And consider a model that's versatile enough to accommodate two car seats for infants or a toddler and a rider board.
Safety
If you want to keep your children secure on your walks opt for double strollers that have features such as all-terrain tires and an electronic brake that can be operated by hand. These wheels and brakes help you navigate trails as well as sidewalks, gravel, and other paths without your children falling or rolling away. The best double strollers offer plenty of storage space for gear and kid-sized essentials like snacks and toys.
Choosing the right double stroller for your family starts with understanding the age and distance in age your kids are. A majority of double strollers are designed to can accommodate one child's seat, but the ones do come with a variety of configurations so you can pick the seat that best fits your kids and your lifestyle.
small double stroller are great for children of similar ages who want to play. Some double-decker designs allow you to put one of the seats over the other, or add a riderboard for older siblings. Babies can be sat in a bassinet attached to the frame, or with an attachment that allows you to play peek-a-boo with your baby. If you are expecting twins or already have twins and want to have a twin stroller, it will be the best option.
Choose a stroller with two wheels that is capable of handling off-road terrain and even hiking. A lot strollers were created with active parents and their children in mind. They come with features that will let you take them on any trip, no regardless of how difficult or steep the climbs are.
In addition to all-terrain tires, the best double strollers have thoughtful features that make getting around difficult terrain and weather more enjoyable. For example this stroller for jogging has a wrist loop for your child, so you can be sure they're secure when running downhill or at faster speeds. It also features a canopy that covers the entire area and has ventilation so your kids stay comfortable during the summer heat.
If you're looking to purchase a light compact double stroller, take a look at this model by Joovy. It weighs just over 23 pounds, which makes it lighter than most single strollers, and ideal for air travel or storing in overhead compartments or trunks. Additionally, it comes with an enormous storage basket as well as a one-step linked parking brake that's easy to use.
Seating
In contrast to the massive strollers of the past the modern double strollers are sleek and can accommodate a variety of configurations to fit families. Some work as traditional side-by-side strollers while others--such as the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller--function as a base that car seats, toddler seats or bassinets click into. They are available in a variety of widths and weights that can accommodate children from newborns through kindergarten.
A quality double stroller should be easy to fold and move, as well as allowing you to adjust your handlebar height to ensure you are comfortable throughout your excursions. A well-designed handlebar is easy to hold and will encourage you to walk in a safe manner (ask for advice from other parents). It should come with a variety of storage options to fit everything your children will need.
If your twins are close in age, you might consider a tandem stroller that works best for your family. These models have seats that are side-by-side, which means you can interact with them each other and keep an eye on both of them simultaneously. They also recline separately which means that one child can sleep while 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 and can make it difficult to navigate the aisles of shops, sidewalks and narrow doors. For some families the benefits are worth the extra effort and size.
If you're looking for an ultra-compact double stroller, the UPPAbaby Vista Double is a great choice. Its shock absorption, streamlined design and capacity for two infant car seats--plus an optional running board for more mobile children--make it an ideal option for city-living.
Another option is a wagon-style double stroller, such as the Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller. This bare-bones model offers lots of space for seating and storage space, along with heavy-duty wheels that manage any terrain. It also comes with a 50+ SPF canopy and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and do not recline fully flat, which makes it difficult for children to reach their snacks or relax.
Simple to Use
A double stroller is usually an investment you're likely to use for a long time. When you are shopping for a double stroller, be sure it's easy to use and clean. Luckily, the top double strollers are designed to be as user-friendly as possible and come with plenty of features that are convenient for parents.
For starters, all of the strollers we tested fold up easily and compactly (with just one hand!). They're also light, which makes them ideal for traveling. A lot of them fit into the majority of trunks and are checked for gate-checking on planes. In addition, the majority of our testers reported that their strollers folded to smaller dimensions than the single seat models, and some even came with the option of carrying a strap for carrying.
If you're looking for a versatile double stroller that can grow with your family Look no further than the Valco Snap Duo Trend. This side-by-side stroller can be used with infant car seats, a bassinet and other accessories, so you can use it from birth to preschool age. Each seat features five-point harnesses with a large canopy, as well as ample sun protection.
Another option that is highly regarded is the Joovy Twin Roo. The stroller is light, compact and only 22 pounds when folded. The front seat reclines to nearly a full flat position and the back seat features an adjustable recline for every child. This stroller is easy to use and maneuver thanks to its large storage basket, simple one-step parking brake and large storage basket.
The only drawbacks of the Joovy Twin Roo are minor and specific to this model. Kerry notes that the packaging was fun and innovative, but it also came in five boxes, which can be a bit of an inconvenience to carry around. She also noticed that Genuis's magnetic buckle was a little difficult to master. In the end, however she was extremely pleased with the stroller and would definitely recommend it.
Stores
Strollers are available in various sizes and styles that include tandems (single-file seating) as well as side-by-side doubles and some that let you modify the layout using an automobile seat or bassinet attachment. Some even have add-on rider boards for older children. But, they're not all created equal -- some are sleek and easy to use, while others are bulky, heavy and difficult to fold and store.
If you are looking for a stroller that is light that can accommodate two children, the Joovy Caboose Graphite is a great choice. It was the lightest option in our tests at around 23 pounds and is also easy to fold, but it still has all of the features parents require to have a great time out with two kids.
UPPAbaby's Vista v2 double is another model our testers loved. They were particularly impressed by its sleek design and user-friendly. It can accommodate two infant car seats, a toddler's seat and a bassinet. There are no adapters required. The rear seat can be removed to create a triple or quad stroller. It has a huge storage basket that can be upgraded to include an organizer for parents with wheels for all-terrain and side storage bags.
Billingsley states that the ideal double stroller for a toddler is one that supports multiple customization options, like the ability to remove a seat or a bassinet. Toddlers are often limited in their endurance and strollers that have an attached bassinet will provide a safe place for them to rest. She suggests that a double stroller should also have a great recline position and harness system, as well as ample storage space for snacks and toys.
The ZOE Twin+ is a popular choice among parents due to its light weight and the versatility. It is airline gate-check friendly, fits through most doorways (without taking off the wheels on the front) and can be expanded into a quad or triple stroller by adding an additional tandem. Its near-flat independently reclining seats, extra-long sun canopies and footrests that can be adjusted are other highlights, while its large underseat storage basket as well as the inclusion of parent and kid cup holders round out the impressive set of features. Taylor states that the only drawback is that it has a large footprint when folded, and it can be difficult for parents to store.