How Easy Is It to Push and Fold a Double Stroller?
A good double stroller will make it easier to move around, whether you’re walking with your toddler or jogging with your twins. It’s important to find one that’s easy to push and fold is essential.
Our Lab experts recommend side by side models with equal recline, plenty of storage and car seat adapters that can fit infants.
Seating
When you are looking for a double stroller, the seating options are important. Based on your kids’ age and stage, you may want to consider a side-by-side option that allows both children to sit together, or a tandem style that lets one child stand while the other one is seated.
The seating arrangement can affect your comfort when you walk through busy streets and sidewalks. You should consider strollers that have reclined seats, reclined footrests and generous canopies that provide shade for both of the passengers. Also, don’t hang bags on the handlebars as they can change the stroller’s center of gravity and increase tipping.
A quality double stroller comes with handy storage space for your essentials as well. Make sure you have compartments in the back of the seats or underneath the seats to keep toys, snacks and other items in a convenient place. Parents consoles and bags connected to the handles are also helpful to keep essentials in reach when you go for walks or outings.
If you have children close in age A stroller with a side-byside design could be the best option. They are usually more stable and provide better visibility for both the stroller and the passenger than stacking strollers. Some options also accept two infant car seats which allows you to move your sleeping kids from the car to the stroller and not wake them.
Parents with older children who don’t mind sitting in separate places or who prefer a little some independence may like a model that lets the bigger child to climb onto the front of the stroller and ride along. This type of double stroller usually isn’t newborn-compatible and might require more maintenance as the years pass by, but it can be a great option for families with active children who require the flexibility of one stroller that can be converted into a two-kid model.
The most effective double strollers are sturdy and maneuverable even in muddy terrain or narrow spaces. They are also light and foldable to be easily stored in your garage or trunk. This makes them easy to carry when traveling. They are constructed to last and comply with the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP).
Canopy
A canopy protects both the passengers and the sun’s rays, and some models come with a visor to further shield kids’ faces. Models with giant shades like the BOB Revolution Flex 3 in 1 pram.0 Duallie and the UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double have earned us highest scores for their canopy options. Both models have ample coverage and cover children from head to toe while inline models often skimp on shade or only have a single canopy that only covers one seat. This can be a problem for siblings that want different levels protection.
A good canopy should fit easily on the stroller, and a number of our top-rated models accomplish that. But be sure to check the dimensions of the model prior to making a buy, as some canopies may require additional space in the basket for full extension, and to ensure that the handles don’t get hit when they’re folded.
Some parents prefer double strollers that come with a bassinet or car seat adapters to provide them with more options in the future. For example the UPPAbaby Vist v2 Double features an infant seat as well as an added RumbleSeat which makes it a perfect choice prams for sale families with twins or children who might need to transport more than two children at the same time. This stroller has an unique sit-and-stand configuration for older children who prefer riding alone.
The organizer bags and consoles for parents can also make your stroller more useful. They keep essentials close at hand. 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 with a strap or snap that makes it simple to take them off when you’re ready to use the stroller again.
If you’re planning on investing in a long-term plan consider a double stroller that’s compatible with infant car seats. It can also transform into a toddler stroller that has the option of a bench seat or a glider board. The Graco RoomFor2 Travel System and the UPPAbaby Vista v2 Duallie both have a car seat-compatible bassinet, toddler seat and RumbleSeat. Both can be converted into a triple stroller with the addition of a running board which is perfect for families with an active child who likes to be active.
Wheels
The type of wheels that are used on the stroller makes an enormous difference in how it is easy or difficult to push. Generally, larger wheels are easier to maneuver and can take on more terrain. The material of the wheels also determines how they are to push. Rubber wheels, for example are generally more durable and can withstand rougher surfaces than plastic ones.
Stroller wheels are available in a variety styles, sizes, and materials to meet various needs and conditions. Wheels that swivel, for instance can help to maneuver through tight spaces and tight corners. Fixed-wheels are more stable and better for smooth surfaces. If you are planning to take your stroller off the road or over rough terrain, think about getting air-filled tires instead of regular rubber tires. These tires are similar to bicycle tires that absorb shocks for a more comfortable ride.
Side-by-side double strollers can be larger than tandem strollers, and they can be difficult to maneuver through narrow doors or store aisles. 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 are planning to use your stroller as a running or bike then you should choose a double jogger that has special all-terrain wheels or jogging tires. These tires are bigger and thicker, and come with sealed ball bearings that provide a smoother ride on uneven surfaces. Some models, like the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double Stroller are compatible with car seats, that allow you to run with your kids safely in their car seats.
Other all-terrain/jogging doubles, like the Valco Baby Tri Mode Duo X can accommodate a second seat in front, but they’re generally too bulky to be considered umbrella doubles. We found that the buckles on this stroller were the most difficult to secure. This could be a problem if need to squeeze two children in the stroller at the same time. The stroller is costly, costing hundreds more than our main top-rated single-to-tandem option, but it does come with high-quality materials and good resale value.
Storage
A well-designed double stroller should have enough storage space to accommodate the children and the parents. Lack of storage space can make it difficult for parents to run for errands and to bring everything they need for a family outing. In our Lab tests the UPPAbaby V2 double was a good score in this measurement. It comes with a big and easy-to-access storage basket that can support up to 30 lbs.
Strollers that have pockets and compartments that are multiple can aid families in organizing small items such as keys, wallets and phones. Additionally, a parent console or organizer bag that is attached to the handlebars could be a handy location for dads and moms to keep their personal belongings while out with the kids.
In addition to a spacious basket The UPPAbaby Vista also has two infant car seats (though not both bassinets) and also has a telescoping handlebar and easy-to-use brakes. It also comes with one of the highest capacity weight ratings for seats in our lineup and an easy fold that fits through the majority of door frames.
On the flip side our test participants found that the wagon-style Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite has a great adjustable handlebar, ideal for parents of various heights. The wagon also comes with two UV screens that fold down to provide complete sun coverage and its cup and snack tray holders can hold plenty of kid snacks and bottles.
A big challenge for any stroller is how to fold it up and then get it back into shape after usage, especially when you’re carrying a toddler and an infant in the back. That’s why it’s important to select a stroller that is easy to fold and easy fold. The UPPAbaby Vista v2 and Evenflo Pivot Xpand both feature an easy-to-use, single-handed mechanism that lets parents quickly and pram with car seat efficiently fold their strollers, no matter which configuration they are in.
While a double stroller might seem like a daunting purchase, parents who plan to utilize the product for several years should be aware that they’ll usually pay more for this kind of stroller than single strollers. It’s also worth checking whether the stroller can be broken down into parts for storage and transport This is a crucial aspect to consider if you’re limited in your space for your vehicle or living space.