How Easy Is It to Push and Fold a Double Stroller?
A double stroller that is well-designed will help you move around whether you’re walking with your toddler or running with your twins. Finding a double stroller which folds easily and is easy to push is crucial.
Our Lab experts recommend side-by-side models that have equal recline and ample storage, plus car seat adapters for infants.
Seating
Seating options are important when you are shopping for a double stroller. You may want to consider a tandem stroller that allows one child to stand while the other one sits or a side-by- side option that lets your children sit together.
The seating arrangement can impact your comfort when you’re walking on busy sidewalks and streets. Find strollers with reclined seats with footrests that recline, as well as large canopies to shade the two passengers. Beware of hanging pram bags on the handlebars, as they can alter the stroller’s center of gravity and cause it to tip over.
A good quality double stroller will have useful storage for your necessities, too. Look for compartments under the seats or behind the seats. These are excellent places to store your snacks, toys, and other essentials. The organizer bags and consoles for parents connected to the handles are also useful to keep things within reach when you go for walks or outings.
If you have children who are getting older, a stroller that is side-by-side could be the best option. They’re usually more stable than stacking types and offer better sightlines for both passengers. Some models can also accommodate two car seats for infants which allows you to move your sleepy children from the car to the stroller without disturbing them up.
Sit-and stand models are a great option for parents with older children who don’t mind their kids sitting separately and who like some freedom. They can also permit the larger child to go in the front. This type of double stroller usually isn’t newborn-compatible and might require more maintenance as years progress, but it’s an excellent option for active families that require the flexibility of an individual stroller that converts to a two-kid version.
The most effective double strollers are sturdy and easy to maneuver even on rugged terrain or in tight spaces. They’re also light and fold for compact stowing in your trunk or garage, making them easy to transport and manage when traveling. Additionally, they have a sturdy construction to ensure the security and durability of your children, and they meet the American Academy of Pediatricians’ (AAP) guidelines for safety.
Canopy
A canopy protects both the passenger and the sun’s rays, and some models come with an visor to further protect children’s faces. Our top-scoring models for canopy options were the BOB Revolution Flex v3.0 Duallie, and the UPPAbaby Vista v2 Dual. Both come with huge shades. They both provide plenty of coverage and cover kids from head to knee, whereas inline options tend to be less generous with shade or have one canopy that only covers one seat, which is problematic for siblings that want different levels of protection.
Most of our top-rated canopys can be fitted onto strollers easily. But be sure to check the dimensions of the model before you purchase, as certain canopy may require additional space in the basket for full extension, and to prevent hitting the handles when folded.
Some parents prefer double strollers that come with the option of a bassinet or car seat adapters to give them more options in the future. For example, the UPPAbaby Vist v2 Double features a toddler seat and an add-on RumbleSeat, making it a great option for families with twins or young children who require the transport of more than two kids at once. This stroller is also able to offer an innovative sit-and-stand design for older kids who prefer to ride on their own.
Other accessories that can make your stroller more practical include parent consoles and bags that organize, which allow you to keep your essentials in reach. These bags are particularly useful when you want to store toys and snacks away from the view of. Some of these accessories can be secured using a strap or snap making it easy to remove them once you’re ready to put them on the stroller once more.
If you’re planning on investing in a long-term plan, look for a double stroller compatible with infant car seats and will transform into a toddler stroller complete with a bench seat or glider board. Both the Graco Travel System RoomFor2 and UPPAbaby’s Vista Duallie feature a bassinet that is compatible with car seats, a toddler’s seat and a RumbleSeat. Both strollers can be expanded into triple strollers with the addition of a running board. This is a great option for families with one child who loves to travel.
Wheels
The kind of wheels a stroller has makes a difference in how easy it is to push. In general, larger wheels are more maneuverable and can handle more terrain. The material of the wheels also determines how easy or difficult they are to push. Rubber wheels are more durable than plastic ones and are able to withstand rougher surfaces.
Stroller wheels are available in a variety styles, sizes and materials to accommodate a wide range of needs and conditions. prams for sale instance, swivel wheel can help navigate narrow spaces and make tight turns. Fixed-wheels are more stable and ideal for smooth surfaces. If you intend to use your stroller on uneven terrain or off-road air-filled tires are more suitable than the standard rubber tires. These tires are similar to bicycle tires, and absorb shocks to provide a more comfortable ride.
Side-by-side double strollers are much larger than tandem strollers and can be difficult to fit through narrow entrances or store aisles. However, they offer your children equal seating space and allow them to stretch their legs. They are also typically more maneuverable than tandem strollers.
If you plan to use your stroller for running pram or biking then look for a double jogger with special all-terrain or jogging tires. These are large, thicker and feature sealed ball bearings for an easier ride on uneven surfaces. Some models, like the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double Stroller are compatible with a car seat, allowing you to jog while your children are safely strapped into their car seats.
Other all-terrain/jogging strollers, such as the Valco Baby Tri Mode Duo X can accommodate a second child in front but are too heavy to be classified as umbrella doubles. In our tests, we discovered 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 simultaneously. This stroller is expensive with a price that is hundreds higher than our main top-rated single-to-tandem option, but it does come with top-quality materials and a good resale value.
Stores
A quality double stroller should provide ample storage space for both children and parents. Lack of storage makes it difficult for parents to complete errands or take all the equipment needed to enjoy an outing with two kids. In our Lab tests, the UPPAbaby V2 double was a good score on this measure. It has a large accessible, easy-to-access basket that can accommodate up to 30 pounds.
Strollers that have pockets or compartments can help families keep track of small items, like keys, phones, and wallets. Additionally, a parent console or organizer bag attached to the handlebars could make a great place for moms and dads to keep their personal belongings when out with their kids.
The UPPAbaby vista has a large basket and is able to carry two infant car seats. (Not both bassinets, though.) It also features the ability to telescopically adjust its bar and has brakes that are simple to use. It also comes with one of the highest capacity seat weight ratings in our lineup and a simple fold that fits through the majority of door frames.
On the other hand our test subjects discovered that the wagon-style Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite has a great adjustable handlebar, ideal for parents of various heights. The wagon also features two UV screens that fold down to offer full sun coverage, and its snack tray and cup holders can hold plenty of bottles and snacks for kids.
A major challenge for anyone using a stroller is how to fold it and then get it back into shape after use, especially when you’re carrying an infant and a toddler in tow. It’s crucial to select one that folds quickly and quickly. Both the UPPAbaby Vista v2 stroller and Evenflo Pivot Xpand have a single-handed, user-friendly mechanism that allows parents to fold their strollers strollers quickly and efficiently, regardless of the configuration they’re in.
While a double stroller might seem like a huge investment, parents who plan to use the product for several years should be aware that they’ll typically spend more on this kind of equipment than single strollers. It’s also worth checking whether the stroller can be broken down into parts for storage and transport, which is an important aspect to consider if you’re limited in your space for your vehicle or living space.
