A Double Buggy Is a Must-Have For Families With Two Kids
A double buggy is an essential item for families with two children. It is possible to navigate urban roads or off-road trails without difficulty while keeping your children comfortable and happy.
There are a variety of factors to think about when choosing a double buggy. First, ensure that it can pass through your door and into the car boot when folded.
Lightweight
It's exciting to bring the second child home, but there are many practical issues to be considered. The addition of a child to the family will require redesigning living spaces, rethinking car seats, and of course, investing in the latest double buggy.
Whether you're shopping for twins or simply require something smaller, there are lots of excellent options on the market. Our lab experts recommend the iCandy Peach, which comes with a set of accessories that rival brands cost extra for. It can fold up very well to take up little space in your boot. Testers find it rolls well and is a breeze to maneuver. However, it can feel a little long when you're in double mode.
Side-by-side buggies can be great for keeping your children in a single place however they are generally larger than a single buggy, which can make them hard to navigate up and down kerbs. The Mountain Buggy Duet Luxury is the tiniest side-by-side on market though and, at just 63cm wide, it's the same size as the single pushchair. double infant stroller makes it easy to fit through doors and on public transport. It's compatible with a variety of car seats and can grow with your family It can also be used as a mono or tandem buggy when your children are old enough to sit side by side.
The suspension is ideal for rough terrain, and its adjustable height makes steering a breeze. It's a great choice for older kids, since it has a seat elevated to give them an improved view of the action. It's not as lightweight as other models on this list but it's still a good choice.
It is essential to choose a double buggy that is comfortable to push. Find a handle with a cushioned grip that is shaped to your height. Also, a large basket with lots of compartments and pockets. It's also worth checking how it's easy to fold and store your buggy when you're not using it.
Easy to manoeuvre
There are some amazing new double buggies that make traveling with two kids much more convenient. The iCandy Orange, for example is a multi-purpose choice that can fit twins or one baby and a toddler with both carrycots/seats facing forwards or backwards. It can also accommodate a third kid using a piggyback' board (sold separately). Its sleek, light frame, swivel wheels, and suspension allow it to be easily moved through the city and on rough terrain.
The Joie Evalite Duo is another side-byside model that's extremely light and has a compact footprint. They can be easily stored with the seats attached. They do require more effort to push over kerbs, and can be difficult to maneuver on uneven surfaces. The UPPAbaby Vista 2 can be used in tandem mode with both carrycots and seats and can be used to push a single buggy. Its clever frame can be expanded width-wise.
If you're planning to use public transportation frequently, think about whether you'll need a double buggy that has big wheels since they tend to cope better with uneven or rough surfaces. Consider how easy it is to fold and unfold the buggy, as well as the size of the buggy when folded, to see if it will fit in your boot. If you reside in a tiny village or town with narrow streets, consider a tandem double buggy in which the child sits behind the other, instead of sitting directly in front of them, since this makes it easier to navigate tight spaces.
Plenty of storage
A double buggy isn't a necessity for every family but it can make outings more manageable for those with toddlers or newborns. Look into the side-byside buggies for an easy-to-steer, lightweight model. These offer lots of space under in the form of a spacious basket, as well as additional side and rear pockets for everything your baby needs. There are many models that feature adjustable handles that can be adjusted to fit parents of different heights. They also fold easily into a compact size suitable to be used in tight spaces or to store away in the boot.
If you want a more robust double buggy, you can choose one of the all-terrain models. These tend to be twin and are more difficult to manoeuvre, but they'll often come with a reclined seat for newborns and older infants and are a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts and active families. Some allow you to convert the buggy into a running jogger, making them ideal for exercise and running.
A lot of the top double buggies are able to accommodate various combinations of car seats, carrycots and seats. This makes them an excellent option for families with twins or siblings who are similar in age but it's worth looking over the specifications of any model you're considering to ensure that it will fit your requirements.
There are two types of double buggy - twin which is where your children are together, or tandem, where one seat is in front of the other. A twin buggy has one main advantage that children can interact instead of fighting over who should sit in front. However, twin buggys tend to be wider and can be tricky to navigate through supermarket entrances and aisles.
Tandem buggies tend to be smaller, but they're still longer than single models. They're also less stable when bouncing up kerbs, and may require dismantling to fit in your car boot. Reclining the seat independently is now a common feature on most double buggies, so do ensure that the model can be adjusted by each child's seat to the position that they are most comfortable in.
Comfort
Double buggys that are comfortable for parents and children are the best. Look out for padding on the straps, how much recline each seat is able to do and whether the seats can be independently adjusted so you can adapt them as your children develop. 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 flexible alternative to a double pushchair then consider a baby carrier. They are great for toddlers who wish to walk but need the comfort of a ride. They're also ideal for babies and newborns. Some carriers can be used in conjunction with a car seat to give more flexibility.
Many parents find a side-by-side double buggy the easiest option to use, but there are some truly innovative models on the market, like the Mountain Buggy Duet Luxury in herringbone that is incredibly 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 from Mamas & Papas is another clever option that provides more configuration options than most other tandem buggies. It's initially a mono pushchair and then you can add a second seat or carrycot (and sometimes, a third) to the frame using adaptors, which gives you 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 underneath each seat) and you can collapse the entire thing in a matter of just a few seconds.
Double buggys are a good investment that will last for many years. They also offer a reasonable resales cost. When comparing prices it's important to consider that buying a brand name model can allow you to purchase additional accessories and upgrades later on. For example, some of our top-rated double buggies come with an easy Changing Bag and Carrier included in the price. This is a must-have accessory that will save you time, effort and money when you travel with your baby.