Ask CBB: Double Strollers for 2 (kids) under 2 (years old)
CBB Reader Jamie emailed us looking for recommendations for a double stroller for her 20 month son and newborn baby (ETA January 2008). A resident of urban Chicago, she says she's definitely a city mom who walks all of the time. She has an Mountain Buggy Urban single stroller but her son doesn't like it because he can't fully sit up in it- it has a slight incline- so he is constantly pulling forward to sit up. Her dream stroller is a twin Bugaboo but it doesn't exist (although a Dutch company makes a knockoff double, it's not available in the US). Her other requirement is that she be able to put a car seat on it.
We consulted Jo, from Let's Go Strolling, on the best strollers for Jamie and other parents who have two kids under two years old. Here are our recommendations.
(Let's Go Strolling offers free shipping on all purchases over $99 plus she has created exclusive coupon codes for each of the strollers that she sells. You must buy that stroller in order to get the deal. All coupons expire 6/30/07.)
Single strollers with toddler seats
The Valco Baby Runabout Trimode is a beautiful plush all terrain stroller with many nice features like a generous basket, air tires for a smooth ride, good canopy and easy recline mechanism. For the Valco the toddler is always in front of the younger rider. The Sport Buggy with toddler seat is slightly better for shopping and errands since it has a smaller wheelbase than the Valco with toddler seat so it is more maneuverable in tight spaces but the Valco toddler seat has a higher weight limit, has more padding in the main seat, and the seat of the main rider has more recline positions when holding 2 children. However, both strollers push beautifully and have the ability to hold two kids with the footprint of a single stroller. Read CBB Guest Reviewer Lisa's review. For more info, visit ValcoBaby.com.
Available for at Let's Go Strolling for $485 + $60 for the toddler seat and save 10% and get a free cupholder when you use coupon code CBBVAL.
The
Bumbleride Queen B is a very plush pram-like stroller. Ths stroller
has steerable air tires which means you can make a 3 point turn like a
car but it doesn't have steerable wheels. The toddler seat can hold up
to 35 lbs. This is a fun walk around the neighborhood or town stroller
but not as practical for an in-and-out of the car lifestyle since it
has a big fold and is on the heavier side (40lbs with toddler seat).
Also the seat can face either direction! Gwen Stefani has one. For more info, visit Bumbleride.com.
Available at Let's Go Strolling for $429 + $80 for the toddler seat and free Universal Cupholder when you use coupon code CBBITS.
The phil&ted Sport Buggy is the upgraded E3 with nice upgrades and quality
improvements. It is a high quality strollers that is remarkably light
and easy to steer even with 2 kinds in it. For the Sport Buggy the
older child is initially in front of the newborn who is lying flat but
then later - depending on the age of your children - one child goes in
the toddler seat in the rear and the toddler seat now has some recline
for younger or napping babies. The Sport Buggy stroller is terrific
for long walks as well as shopping and errands since it has a small
wheelbase so it is more maneuverable in tight spaces plus it can hold a
car seat and a second child at the same time (although this is
technically "off-label"). The Phil and Ted's has a tall main seat so
it fits older siblings well for a long time and with the additional
pannier bags - can hold a fair amount of "stuff" along with your two
kids with the footprint of a single stroller. Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow have one in lime green. For more info, visit RegalLager.com.
Available at Let's Go Strolling for $400 + $90 for the double kit plus enter coupon code CBBPT in the ordering instructions for a free matching phil&teds cupholder/hangbag.
Side by side strollers
My favorite double all-terrain stroller is definitely the Valco Baby Twin Trimode; it has the most deluxe features and ease of use and best value. It can take a Graco, Britax or Peg car seat on one side and comes with great padding, independent canopies, a bumper bar, tire pump, and full rain covers. The Valco is only 29” wide so it fits through a standard doorway and pushes beautifully. Another plus for many parents is that the seats are nicely structured and sit very upright which many toddlers really want. Additionally it has tall seats and even taller preschool kids can still fit in it. Lastly - if you have that expected or unexpected third - you can add a toddler seat to fit 3 kids! For more info, visit ValcoBaby.com.
Available at Let's Go Strolling for $659 and save 10% and get a free cupholder when you use coupon code CBBVAL.
The Inglesina Twin Swift is a great lightweights stroller with
compact fold and narrow footprint. It is the perfect travel or
on-the-go stroller for 2 and at a great price point. Additionally it
has 3 handlebars instead of the typical 2 which makes it easy to push
one handed with the middle handlebar and still drink your latte. Also
more handle for all your shopping bags to go on. The Inglesina is very
sturdy and a lightweight favorite. For more info, visit Inglesina.com.
Available at Let's Go Strolling for $245 and free Universal Cupholder when you use coupon code CBBITS.
The Baby Planet Unity Sport looks to be a solid double
umbrella stroller that is relatively lightweight. It has a unique
handlebar which is nice for comfortable steering but you can't hang
bags off it which is a bit of a bummer. The stroller seems plush and
nicely made though and when you are done with it - the company will
recycle it for free! Check out this review of the Unity Sport on About.com. For more info, visit BabyPlanet.com.
The Zooper Tango
is a plush double that is suprisingly lightweight . At 28 lbs it weighs
less than the Maclaren Twin strollers. It has two individually
one-hand recline seats, individual canopies and bumper bars (good for
snack trays) and boasts a sizeable basket. Additionally it can hold
the most popular carseat brands on one side for great on the go
convenience. The Zooper is 30.5" so you might have to angle through
narrow doorways but it will fit all standard ADA approved doorways that
are 32". The Tango has a flat (but wide) fold) that is very easy to do
and latches shut which is great for travel. For more info, visit Zooper.com.
Available at Let's Go Strolling for $399. and free Siena Snack Tray when you use coupon code CBBZOO.
Tandem strollers (one seat in front of the other)
The Jané Powertwin holds two kids in a tandem stroller but is an all-terrain stroller with air tires and a swivel front wheel for easy maneuverability and boasts a slim profile. The Jane also has a hand-brake for those with hilly terrain that they walk over and comes equipped with a tire pump and raincover. The biggest disadvantage to this option is that although it has a seat limit of 45lbs/ seat, the seats are small and bigger children do not fit as well in the Jane Powertwin as any of the side-by-side all-terrain strollers. Also it does not currently hold a US/Canadian approved car seat. The Jane infant car seat may be available in the US by the end of the year. For more info, visit JaneUSA.com.
Available at Let's Go Strolling for $539 and a free cupholder when you use coupon code CBBJANE.
This Jané Twin Two stroller will be available in the US in the fall. It takes a car seat. For more info, visit Babyworld.co.uk.
The following are great double strollers but do not accept a car seat.
CBB Reader Glendi wrote to tell us that Jo recommended the BOB Revolution Duallie which she ended up purchasing. She says,
I am very happy with it. It's versatile enough to work as an everyday and jogging/trail stroller, fits an infant seat (with the purchase of an adaptor kit) and is relatively easy to fold up (for a double, anyway!) Definitely worth checking out!
CBB Reader Kristin also loves her Duallie. She wrote in,
I LOVE it. I have absolutely zero complaints about it, my 19 month old son who won't sit still in hardly any stroller anymore asks to go in it (we have the mesa orange, he calls it his tractor) and my 3 month old son seems very comfortable in it as well. I was hesitant at first because I don't run, but we walk everywhere and you can maneuver this stroller over bumps and through turns with two kids in it and a coffee in your hand. The basket is excellent and the accessories are great. I can't say enough about it...I originally had my heart set on the twin techno because I love my Maclaren Ryder but my older son didn't fit in it so if you have bigger toddler I would try to test him out in it. The BOB fits through standard doors and I have done indoor shopping wi th it without any problems. When I know it won't fit somewhere or for restaurants I use the Baby Bjorn and a single stroller.
For more information, visit BOBtrailers.com. Available at Let's Go Strolling for $529.
The Maclaren Twin Triumph is a good minimalist side by side umbrella stroller It provides individual reclines and the compact double umbrella fold. Some complain that this stroller is much less durable than the Maclaren Twin Traveller/Twin Techno version but others like the few extra pounds that Maclaren has shaved off in this version. At 30" wide this stroller just passes through a doorway but has generally good steering and even steers well with kids of different weights. ($207-250)
My friend Julia just bought a Baby Jogger City Series Double for her twins and loves it. I have the single version and think it's really great. Like the single, the double has great suspension which makes for a super smooth ride, padded seats, good storage, adjustable height and angle handle (great for taller parents), and best of all, an easy fold. I'm told that it's a very popular double stroller in cities like
Manhattan because it fits through standard doors. I've definitely seen
a lot of them at the playground in my neighborhood.
However, I don't think it would be good for Jamie's son because there is always a recline, even when it's fully upright. But if your kid doesn't mind, this could be a good stroller for you. Also, while the City Series single takes a car seat, the double does not. For more information, visit BabyJogger.com.
Available at Let's Go Strolling for $549 plus a free belly bar and use coupon code CBBBJ to save 10% on any Baby Jogger stroller.
For other popular double strollers that we don't recommend click Continue Reading.
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