A Double Buggy Is a Must-Have For Families With Two Kids
A double buggy is an essential item for families with two kids. It can help you navigate urban roads and off road trails without difficulty while keeping the kids comfortable and happy.
When choosing a double stroller, there are many aspects to take into consideration. Be sure that it will fit through your car boot and your doorway when folded.
Lightweight
The prospect of bringing a second child home is an exciting prospect but there are also lots of practical aspects to consider. Adding another child to the family means changing the layout of living spaces, thinking about car seats and, of course, buying the latest double buggy.
There are many great options available regardless of whether you're looking for twins or need something a bit smaller. Our lab experts recommend the iCandy Peach, which comes with a range of accessories that competitors cost extra for. It is very compact and folds up to occupy a tiny space in your boot. The Peach is well-balanced and is a breeze to move. However, it can feel a little long when you're in double mode.
Side-byside buggies can be fantastic for keeping your children in a single place but they are typically larger than a single buggy which makes them difficult to navigate through kerbs. The Mountain Buggy Duet Luxury is the slimmest side-by-side on the market and, at 63cm, it's the same as one pushchair. This allows it to be easily pushed through doors and public transport. It's compatible with a variety of car seats and will grow with your family - it can be used as a mono and tandem buggy when your children are ready to sit side-by-side.
The suspension is excellent for rough terrain, and its height-adjustable handle makes steering easy. It's a great choice for older kids since the seat is elevated in a stadium style. This gives them a better perspective of the action. It's not as light as other models in this list but it's still a nippy option.
It's crucial to select a double buggy that's comfortable to push. Find a handle with padding and a grip shaped to your height. Also, consider a big basket that has plenty of pockets and compartments. It's also worth checking how easy it is to fold and store your buggy when you're not using it.
Easy to Manoeuvre
There are some amazing new double buggies that allow two children to travel much more convenient. The iCandy Orange, for example is a multi-purpose choice that can fit twins or one toddler and one baby with both car seats facing forward or backwards. It can also accommodate a third child with piggyback's board (sold separately). Its sleek, light frame, swivel wheels, and suspension make it easy to maneuver in the city and over rougher terrain.
The Joie Evalite Duo is another side-by-side model that is extremely light and has a small footprint. They can be easily moved around with the seats on. However, they require a bit more muscle to push them over kerbs and are more difficult to maneuver on uneven surfaces. The UPPAbaby Vista 2 is another great choice as it can accommodate both carrycots and seats in tandem, but can also be used as a single buggy due to its clever frame that can be expanded widthways, and a height-adjustable handle which makes it easy to steer with only one hand.
If you plan on using public transportation frequently you might want to consider a double-buggy with large wheels. They are more for rough or uneven surfaces. Also, consider how easy it is to fold and unfold the buggy as well as how wide it is when folded to see whether your car is capable of accommodating it. If you live in a small town or village and have narrow pavements, opt for a tandem double buggy in which the child sits behind the other, instead of sitting in front of them, as this will make it easier to navigate tight spaces.
Storage is available in abundance
A double buggy isn't essential for all families however it can make outings more manageable for those with toddlers or newborns. If you're looking for a lightweight model that's easy to steer, check out the range of double buggies that are side-by-side. These offer lots of space underneath in the form of a large basket, as well as additional rear and side pockets to store all your baby essentials. A lot of models come with handles that can be adjusted to accommodate parents of different heights. They fold up neatly to a compact form making them ideal to use in tight spaces or in the boot.
If you're looking for a more robust double buggy, consider one of the all-terrain models. They are typically twins and more difficult to maneuver, but they often have a reclining seat that is great for toddlers and infants. They're an excellent choice for outdoor enthusiasts and active family members. Some permit you to transform the buggy into a jogger, making them ideal for running and exercising.
Many of the best double buggies can accommodate many different combinations of car seats, carrycots and seats. This makes them an excellent option for families with twins or children who are similar in age but it's worth looking over the specifications of any model you're thinking about to ensure it will fit your requirements.
There are two primary kinds of double buggy - twin which is where your children are side-by-side, and tandem, where one seat is in front of the other. The primary benefit of a twin buggy is that your children will be able to interact instead of having to take turns or fight over who gets the prime place. However, twin buggys tend to be larger and can be difficult to navigate through the supermarket's doorways and aisles.
Tandem buggies are generally smaller however they're still more than single models. They're also less stable when going up kerbs, and may require dismantling to fit in your car's boot. Reclining the seat independently is nowadays a standard feature on most double buggies, so ensure that your model can be adjusted by each child's seat to the position they're most comfortable in.
Comfort
Double buggys that are comfortable for parents and children are the most comfortable. Make sure you check the padding of the straps and the amount of recline each seat can attain. Also, verify if the seats can be adjusted separately so that you can adjust to your child's needs. Check the weight limit, and if each has a hood, or sun canopy that protects from rain and wind.
If you're looking for a versatile alternative to a double pushchair then consider a baby carrier. They're great for toddlers who want to walk, but still need an extra ride. They're also perfect for infants and newborns. Some carriers can be used with a car seat for children, giving you even more flexibility.
Many parents find a side-byside double buggy to be the most convenient to navigate, but there are some truly innovative models on the market, like the Mountain Buggy Duet Luxury in herringbone which is extremely thin and is the lightest double buggy with a side-by-side layout on the market (it's the same size as a single stroller).
The Wave tandem buggies made by Mamas & Papas are another good option. They provide more configuration options than other tandem buggies. It starts out as a single pushchair, but you can add an additional seat or carrycot (and sometimes a third) to the frame by using adaptors, allowing you to have the option of a variety of seating arrangements. It is easy to steer, has a great suspension and Lab experts were impressed by how easy it was to fold. You just pull up on the two straps (one under each seat) and then you can fold the entire thing in a matter of just a few seconds.
The purchase of a double buggy is an investment but you'll be able use it for years and also have an acceptable resale value. When looking at prices, it's important to remember that buying a brand name model will allow you to get extra accessories and upgrades later. Some of our best-rated double buggies come with a useful changing Bag and Carrier for the price. This is a must-have item that will save you time, hassle and money when traveling with your baby.