How Easy Is It to Push and Fold a Double Stroller?
A double stroller that is well-designed will allow you to move around regardless of whether you’re walking your toddler or jogging together with your twins. However, finding one that is easy to fold and push is essential.
Our Lab experts recommend side-by-side models that have equal reclining, plenty of storage and car seat adapters to accommodate infants.
Seating
When you are looking for a double stroller, the seating options are crucial. Depending on your kids’ age and stage it is possible to consider a side-byside option that lets both children sit together or a tandem style that allows one child to stand while the other is sitting.
The seating configuration also impacts your comfort as you navigate through busy streets and sidewalks. Look for strollers with reclined seats with footrests that recline, as well as large canopies to provide shade for two passengers. Beware of hanging bags from handlebars, as they can alter the stroller’s center of gravity and cause it to tip over.
A good quality double stroller will include convenient storage for your essentials, too. Make sure you have compartments in the seat backs or underneath the seats to keep toys, snacks and other items in a convenient place. You can also use organizer bags and consoles for parents affixed to the handles of the car to keep things close at hand during walks or outings.
A side-by-side pram with car seat is the best choice for parents who have children of the same age. They tend to be more stable and provide better visibility for both of the passengers than stacking strollers. Some models can also accommodate two car seats for infants which allows you to move your sleeping children from the car to the stroller without waking them.
Sit-and stand models are a great option for parents with older children who don’t mind their children sitting on their own and prefer a little independence. They also allow an older child to ride in the front. This type of double stroller usually isn’t suitable for newborns and could require more maintenance as the years pass by, but it’s a great option for active families that require the flexibility of one stroller that can be converted to a double-kid version.
The best double strollers will be robust and easy to maneuver even in rough terrain or tight spaces. They’re also lightweight and fold up for compact stroller storage in your trunk or garage, making them easy to transport and manage when traveling. They’re also built to last and meet the safety guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP).
Canopy
A canopy protects both passengers from direct sun’s rays and some models even have a an apron that protects children’s faces. Shades that are massive like the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 Duallie and the UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double received our highest scores for their canopy options. Both models offer ample coverage and cover children from head to toe, however, inline options tend to skimp on shade or only offer a single canopy which only covers one seat. This can be a problem for siblings who require different levels of protection.
The majority of our top-rated canopys can be fitted onto compact strollers easily. Be sure to verify the dimensions of the canopy prior to purchasing, as some might require extra space to expand completely and not hit the handles.
Some parents prefer a double stroller with a bassinet and car seat adapters as well as other add-ons to provide them with more options later on. The UPPAbaby Vist v2 Double, for instance, has a toddler seat as well as an add-on RumbleSeat. This makes it a great option for families with twins or young kids and require transport simultaneously. This stroller has the unique sit and stand arrangement for older children who prefer to travel by themselves.
Parent consoles and organizer bags can also help your stroller be more efficient. They keep the essentials at hand. They’re especially useful for strollers that don’t get used often, when you might want to stash toys and snacks away from prying hands. Some of these accessories can be secured using a strap or snap, which makes it easy to take them off when you’re ready to use the stroller once more.
If you’re thinking of investing in a long-term plan consider a double stroller that is compatible with infant car seats and will be converted into a toddler stroller that has an adjustable bench or glider board. The Graco RoomFor2 Travel System and the UPPAbaby Vista V2 Duallie both come with an auto seat-compatible bassinet, toddler seat and RumbleSeat. Both can expand into a triple stroller with the addition of a running board, which is ideal for families with an active kid who prefers to stay in motion.
Wheels
The type of wheels on the stroller makes a big difference in how it is easy or difficult to push. In general, bigger wheels are easier to maneuver and are able to handle a wider range of terrain. The material that the wheels are made of is a factor in how easy or hard they are to push. Rubber wheels, for instance are usually more durable and can withstand rougher surfaces than plastic wheels.
Stroller wheels are available in a variety of styles, sizes and materials to fit a variety of needs and environments. Swivel wheels, for instance can help to maneuver around tight corners and spaces. Fixed wheels are more stable and suitable for smooth surfaces. If you plan to use your stroller on rough terrain or off-road air-filled tires are a better option than the standard rubber tires. These tires have a similar design to bicycle tires and can absorb shocks, resulting in an easier ride.
Double strollers that are side-by-side are wider than tandem models and can be more difficult to navigate through narrow doors or in crowded aisles. They offer your children the same amount of space to sit down and stretch their legs. They’re also generally easier to steer and maneuver than tandem strollers.
If you intend to use your stroller as an exercise bike or run, choose a double jogger with all-terrain tires or jogging wheels. These tires are bigger and more robust, and also have sealed ball bearings that provide smoother rides on uneven surfaces. Some models, like the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double Stroller are compatible with a car seat that allow you to run while your children are safely secured in their car seats.
Other all-terrain/jogging doubles like the Valco Baby Tri Mode Duo X, accept a second seat in front, but they’re generally too heavy to be considered umbrella doubles. And in our testing the restraint buckles on this model were among the toughest to secure, which could be a problem when trying to fit two kids into the stroller at once. This stroller is expensive with a price that is hundreds higher than our top single-to-tandem option, but it does come with high-quality materials and good resale value.
Stores
A great double stroller must provide ample storage space for both children and parents. Insufficient storage can make it hard for a parent to run errands or bring along all the gear needed for a day out with two kids. In our Lab tests, the UPPAbaby double scored very well in this metric. It has a large accessible, easy-to-access basket that can hold up 30 lbs.
Strollers pushchair with car seat pockets or compartments that are multiple can aid families in keeping the track of small things, such as phones, keys, and wallets. A parent console or organizer bag attached to the handlebars may provide a convenient place for moms and dads to store their own personal belongings when out with their kids.
The UPPAbaby Vista has a large basket and can carry two infant car seats. (Not both bassinets however.) It also has an adjustable telescoping bar as well as brakes that are easy to use. It also has the largest weight capacity in our collection, as well as an adjustable fold that will fit most standard door frames.
On the flip side our test subjects found that the wagon-style Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite has an adjustable handlebar that is ideal for parents of various heights. The wagon also has two UV screens that fold down to offer full sun coverage, and its cup and snack tray holders can hold a variety of bottles and snacks for kids.
The biggest challenge for any stroller is how to fold it and then get it back into shape after use, especially when you have two children in tow. It’s therefore important to choose an item that folds easily and effortlessly. The UPPAbaby Vista v2 and Evenflo Pivot Xpand both have an easy-to-use, single-handed mechanism that allows parents to swiftly and efficiently fold their strollers, no matter which configuration they’re in.
Double strollers may seem like an expensive investment, but parents who plan to use it for a number of years will pay more than they would for single strollers. You should also check if the stroller is able to be disassembled for storage and transportation. This is important when you have a limited space in your home or vehicle.