How Easy Is It to Push and Fold a Double Stroller?
Whether you're taking your toddler on a walk or jogging with your twins, having the best double stroller will make it easier for everyone to move around. But finding one that's easy to fold and push is essential.
Our Lab experts recommend side by side models that feature equal recline, ample storage space and car seat adapters that can fit infants.
Seating
When looking for a double stroller, the seating options are crucial. Based on your kids' ages and stages it is possible to consider a side-byside option that allows both children to sit together, or a tandem style that lets one child stand while the other one is sitting.
Seating configurations can also impact your comfort when you're walking on the busy streets and sidewalks. Look for a stroller with reclined seats, footrests that recline and generous canopies that provide shade for both passengers. Also, avoid hanging bags on the handlebars because they could alter the stroller's center of gravity and increase tipping.
Double strollers of high-quality will also come with convenient storage compartments to store your essentials. Find storage compartments underneath the seats or in the backs of the seats. These are excellent places to store your snacks, toys and other essentials. You can also use organizer bags as well as consoles for parents attached to the handles of the car to keep essentials handy during walks or outings.
A side-by-side stroller is the best option for parents with children of similar ages. They are generally more stable than stacking types and provide better views for both passengers. Some options accept two infant car seats, allowing you to transfer your sleeping children from the car to the pram bag without disturbing them.
Parents with older kids who don't mind sitting separately or who enjoy a some independence may like a sit-and-stand model that allows the bigger child to climb onto the front and enjoy a ride. This kind of double stroller generally isn't newborn-compatible and might require more maintenance as the years go by, however it can be a great option for active families that require the flexibility of one stroller that can be converted to a double-kid version.
The most effective double strollers are durable and easy-to-maneuver, even in a rough terrain or tight spaces. They're also lightweight and fold down for compact storage in your garage or trunk, making them easy to transport and manage while traveling. They also have robust construction to ensure the durability and safety of your children, and they are compliant with the American Academy of Pediatricians' (AAP) guidelines for safety.
Canopy
A canopy protects both passengers from the sun, and some models offer a visor that shields children's faces. Models with giant shades like the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 Duallie and the UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double earned our top marks for their canopy options. Both models provide ample coverage and cover children from head to toe while inline options often lack shade or provide a single canopy that only covers one seat. This can be a problem for siblings that want different levels of protection.
Most of our top-rated canopys fit on strollers easily. Be sure to verify the dimensions of the canopy before buying, as some models may need extra space to extend completely and avoid hitting the handles.
Some parents like double strollers that come with the option of a bassinet or car seat adapters to provide them with more options in the future. For instance the UPPAbaby Vist v2 Double features a toddler seat and an add-on RumbleSeat making it a perfect choice for families with twins or children who might require the transport of more than two kids at a time. This versatile stroller also offers an innovative sit-and-stand design for older children who prefer to ride on their own.
Other accessories that can make your stroller more practical include parent consoles or organizer bags, which help keep things in reach. These bags are particularly useful when you want to keep snacks and toys away from view. Some of these accessories are connected with a snap or strap that makes it simple to remove them when you're ready for the stroller to be used again.
If you're thinking of a long-term investment opt for a double stroller that's compatible with infant car seats and Twin Pushchair will grow into a toddler stroller complete with the option of a bench seat or a glider board. The Graco RoomFor2 Travel System and the UPPAbaby Vista V2 Duallie both have an auto seat-compatible bassinet with a toddler seat as well as RumbleSeat. Both strollers can be converted to triple strollers by the addition a running board. This is perfect for families with active children. one child who is always be on the go.
Wheels
The kind of wheels a stroller has makes an impact on how it is to push. In general, larger wheels are more maneuverable and can take on more terrain. The material of the wheels also determines how easy or difficult they are to push. Rubber wheels, for Pram bags example are usually more durable and are able to withstand rougher surfaces than plastic ones.
Stroller wheels are available in a variety of styles, sizes and materials to suit a variety of requirements and environments. Swivel wheels, for instance can help to maneuver around tight corners and spaces. Fixed-wheels offer more stability and are more suitable for smooth surfaces. If you intend to use your stroller on uneven terrain or off-road, air-filled tires are better than standard rubber tires. These tires are similar in design to bicycle tires and can absorb shocks, which makes for a more comfortable ride.
Side-by-side double strollers are much wider than tandem models, and they can be difficult to fit through narrow doors or aisles in stores. They give your children the same amount of room to sit and let them stretch their legs. They're generally also easier to steer and maneuver than tandem strollers.
If you plan to use your stroller as an exercise bike or run it as a double jogger, you need to choose one that comes with special all-terrain tires or jogging wheels. These are large, thicker and have sealed ball bearings for smoother rides on uneven surfaces. Some models, like the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double Stroller are compatible with a car seats which allows you to jog while your children are secured in their car seats.
Other strollers with jogging/all-terrain capabilities like the Valco Baby Tri Mode Duo X accept a second child in the front, but they are too heavy to qualify as umbrella doubles. In our tests, we found that the buckles on this stroller were the most difficult to fasten. This can be a problem if need to squeeze two children in the stroller at once. The stroller is costly, costing hundreds more than our top single-to tandem model, but it comes with top-quality materials and an excellent return value.
Storage
A good double stroller should provide ample storage space for both parents and children. Insufficient storage can make it hard for a parent to run errands or bring along all the gear needed to enjoy an outing with two kids. In our Lab tests, the UPPAbaby V2 double was a good score on this metric. It comes with a big, easy-to-access basket which can accommodate up to 30 pounds.
Strollers that have multiple compartments and pockets can help families organize small items like keys, wallets and phones. A parent console or organizer bag that is attached to the handlebars of the stroller can be a great option for parents to store their personal belongings during outings with the children.
In addition to a large basket, the UPPAbaby Vista carries two infant car seats (though not both bassinets) and also has an adjustable handlebar that telescopically extends and brakes that are simple to use. It also has the highest maximum weight capacity in our collection, as well as a fold that fits the majority of door frames.
On the other hand our test participants discovered that the wagon-style Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite has an adjustable handlebar that is ideal for parents with different heights. The wagon has two UV screens that fold up to provide complete sun protection and its cup holders and snack tray can accommodate a variety of kid's bottles and snacks.
The biggest issue with any stroller is folding it it back in shape after using. This is especially the case when you have a toddler or infant with you. It's the reason it's essential to choose a stroller that is easy to fold and easy fold. Both the UPPAbaby Vista v2 stroller and Evenflo Pivot Xpand have a single-handed, user-friendly mechanism that allows parents to fold their strollers quickly and efficiently, regardless of the configuration they're in.
Although a double stroller might seem like a daunting purchase, parents who intend to use the product for a number of years should remember that they'll generally pay more for this kind of stroller than single ones. It's also worth determining if a stroller can be divided into pieces to make it easier to transport and store this is a vital factor if you're in a tight space for your vehicle or living space.