Double Stroller Introduction
A double stroller is a necessity for parents with two siblings close in age or with twins. There are many different types of double stroller and choosing one that fits your lifestyle can be a challenge. Each type of stroller comes with different features and accessories that will make transporting your little ones a dream, regardless of your budget.
A modern double stroller is lightweight and easy to maneuver, unlike a classic double stroller, and they no longer handle like an uncontrollable shopping cart with a mind of its own. With pneumatic tires, swiveling wheels and suspension they soak up the pot holes and bumps of the modern urban city with ease. Navigating the mall, grocery store or your apartment building is a breeze for the driver, whilst providing a silky smooth and safe ride for your precious occupants.
Modern parents expect a reasonable number of standard features and accessories including: a bassinet, cup holders, winter boots, infant carrier accommodations, and plenty of storage space.
Buying Considerations
The main consideration when purchasing a double stroller is whether you wish your children to ride side by side or in tandem. Both have their own merits and compromises, both for the parent driving and for the passengers.
A tandem double stroller is more maneuverable through doorways, down store aisles and navigating the busy downtown sidewalk. However, problems can arise as to deciding which child gets the best view by riding in the front seat.
A side by side stroller solves this problem as both passengers get to experience the ride and interact with each other along the way. With the extra width with this configuration maneuverability does suffer when negotiating narrow doorways or other tight spaces.
Double Stroller Types
The first decision for you to make when shopping for a double stroller, is what sort of activities are you going to enjoy with your children. If you regularly enjoy the outdoors and would like to take the little ones with you, then an all terrain double stroller would be best.
However, if you are just looking for a light runabout for trips to the mall or grocery shopping, then the umbrella double stroller fits the bill. Depending on your intended use each type of double stroller will have compromises that will determine which is right for your family.
Double Umbrella Stroller
With the lightest weight, the umbrella stroller is the best handling and the easiest to fold down to lift into the back of your car.
Due to their lightweight nature they will not come with as much passenger support or storage as a standard stroller.
Varying in price from less than $100 to over $300, there is a large choice on offer but quality of materials on the cheapest models may prove costly in the long term.
Featured Models
- Jeep Wrangler Twin Sport All-Weather Umbrella Stroller $99
- Maclaren Twin Triumph Stroller $249
Double Standard Stroller
Standard strollers offer the widest range of features, styles, price range and quality of construction and materials.
Suitable for all general activities, short of rough off road use, the standard stroller fits the bill for a lot of parents.
There is a large price range of standard double stroller models, from $100 to over $500.
The more expensive models will come with more accessories, better suspension and tires, and have elegant one hand folding mechanisms.
Featured Models
- Graco DuoGlider LX Stroller $149
- Inglesina Twin Swift Stroller Blue $245
Double All Terrain Stroller
For more active parents who like the outdoors, an all terrain stroller offers the perfect ride for your little ones when tackling hiking trails and rough terrain.
Easily able to handle the mall and even the most demanding downtown environment, the all terrain stroller offers the greatest versatility.
With this added flexibility comes a price, starting at close to $400 to well over $600.
These strollers come with lots of storage space, larger tires and suspension that soaks up those bumps.
Featured Models
- Eddie Bauer All-Terrain Tandem Stoller Bryant $240
- Indie All Terrain Double Stroller in Spice $590
Double Jogging Stroller
For the most active of parents, the jogging double stroller allows your young children to accompany you on this healthy activity.
The larger wheels make them harder to handle in the corners but will give a smooth ride for the passengers.
The only drawback is that they are not designed for downtown environments, which may make an all terrain option a better one for you.
Starting in price from $300 to over $500, they are not the cheapest option but if jogging is your game they are the only one to consider.
Featured Models
- Schwinn Free Wheeler 2 Double Jogging Stroller $259
- Bob Ironman Sport Utility Stroller Duallie $479
Double Stroller Buying Tips
- Be sure to check for sturdiness and stability and make sure the stroller is well balanced and won’t tip backwards when some downward force is put on the handlebars. A wide wheelbase with the seats mounted low within the frame makes for a double stroller that handles beautifully.
- For the best support for your children choose a double stroller with an upholstered and padded frame. Don’t forget that washable seat padding is best.
- Find a double stroller with ergonomic handlebars that fit your height. Due to their size and weight a double stroller is more difficult to push than a single stroller, so a comfortable handlebar and handgrip is a must. Try to get a model with adjustable handlebars which will accommodate taller drivers
- If you have young twins a fully reclining seat is a must so that their heads can be supported when they lie flat.
- Look for a five-point harness to secure your precious passengers. A five-point belt (which goes over the shoulders, around the waist and between the legs) is more safe and secure than a three-point belt.
- A side-by-side double stroller is wider than a tandem, so look for a model is less than 30 inches wide. This allows for easier maneuverability though doorways and crowded grocery store aisles.
- Just like buying a family car, be sure to take a test drive of a few different models. A double stroller is more difficult to push and handle than a single, especially with the additional weight of two kids.