5 Laws That Will Help With The Best Double Stroller Industry
How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
There are many options available in the field of double strollers. To help you pick the best one for your family, we spoke with child development expert and mom Katie Billingsley.
Find a stroller that's reasonably easy to fold, push and carry. And consider a model that's versatile enough to accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler along with an adult rider board.
Safety
If you want to ensure your children are safe on your walks make sure you choose a double stroller that has features like all-terrain tires and a hand-operated brake. These brakes and wheels allow you to navigate paths and dirt without worrying about your children falling or rolling. The best double strollers also offer plenty of storage space for gear as well as kid-sized necessities like snacks and toys.
The first step in choosing the best double stroller is to know how old your children are and how far apart they are. Most double strollers only accommodate one child seat. However, the ones that offer a variety of configurations that let you pick the seating that's best for your family.
double car seat stroller -byside doubles are a popular option, and are great for children of similar ages that like to be social with one another. Double-decker designs permit you to place one seat above the other, or even attach a riderboard to older siblings. Newborns can be tucked into a bassinet, which is attached to the frame or as an individual attachment that offers a peek-a-boo view of your baby. If you have twins or are expecting twins, a specially designed twin stroller is the best way to go.
For families that are more adventurous consider double strollers that can handle off-road terrain or even hike. A lot of these strollers are designed with active parents in mind, and come with features that let you take your children on any adventure, no matter how rough the terrain or how steep the climbs may be.
The best double strollers are equipped with intelligent features that aid in navigation in difficult terrain and bad weather. For example this jogging stroller comes with a wrist loop for your child so you'll be able to ensure that they're safe while running downhill or at speeds that are higher. It also features a full-coverage canopy that is ventilated to keep your children cool during summer heat.
If you're looking for a lightweight compact double stroller take a look at this model by Joovy. It weighs less than 23 lbs. This makes it perfect for air travel and storage in trunks or overhead compartments. Plus, it has a large storage basket and a parking brake that is linked in one step that is simple to use.
Seating
Contrary to the giant strollers of old, today's double strollers are sleek and can accommodate an array of designs to accommodate families. Some double strollers are designed to be used as side-by-side models while others, such as the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Dual Stroller, can be used as a base for car seats, toddlers seats as well as bassinets. They are available in a range of sizes and weights to accommodate children from newborns to kindergarten.
A quality double stroller should be simple to fold and maneuver and will allow you to adjust your handlebar height to ensure you are at ease on all your outings. A good handlebar is one that is easy to grip, and it should invite you to walk in a proper form (ask other parents for advice on this). It should also have various storage options that will accommodate all the essentials you'll need for your kids.
If your twins are near in age, you might consider a tandem stroller that works best for your family. The seats of these models are positioned in a row, allowing you to interact with them both and keep an eye on both of them at the same time. They also recline separately, so one child can nap and the other is ready to go.
The downside of a twin stroller could be that it is wider than a model for a single-occupant. This could make it difficult to maneuver narrow aisles for stores, doors or even sidewalks. However, for some families, the advantages are worth the extra space and effort.
If you're in the market for a compact double stroller the UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double is a great choice. Its shock absorbers, streamlined design and the capacity to accommodate two infant car seats - plus an optional running board for mobile older children--make it an ideal choice for city living.
A wagon-style double stroller, such as the Delta Children LX Stroller Side-by-Side is another option. This basic model comes with lots of space for seating and storage space, along with heavy-duty wheels that manage any terrain. It also comes with a canopy that has 50+ SPF and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and cannot recline completely flat, making it difficult for little children to reach their food trays or get comfortable.
Ease of Use
Double strollers are often an investment of a significant amount that you will be using for a long time. When choosing a stroller you must make sure it will be easy to use and clean. The top double strollers are designed to be user-friendly and include many convenient features.
To start, all the strollers we tested folded easily and compactly (with one hand!). They're also light, which makes them ideal for travel. They can fit in the majority of trunks and can be checked at the gate on planes. Most of our testers also discovered that their strollers could fold down much smaller than the single seat equivalents. Some even had a carry strap.
The Valco Snap Duo trend is a double stroller that has many options that will grow with your family. This side-by-side stroller can be used with infant car seats, a bassinet and other accessories, so you can use it from birth to preschool age. Each seat features five-point harnesses, a large canopy and ample sun protection.
Another highly-regarded option is the Joovy Twin Roo. It is light and extremely compact, weighing just 22 pounds and 26 inches in width when folded. The front seat reclines almost to a flat position, and the back seat can be adjusted to suit every child. The stroller is simple to operate and maneuver due to its large storage basket, simple parking brake that is one step and a large storage basket.
The only drawbacks of the Joovy Twin Roo are minor and specific to the model. Kerry says that the packaging is innovative and enjoyable, however, it comes in five boxes which could be a bit cumbersome to carry around. She also found the Genuis magnetic clasp a bit clunky and it took her some time before she was able to master it. She was happy with the stroller in the end and would highly recommend it.
Storage
Strollers come in a variety of sizes and shapes, ranging from tandem doubles that are side-by-side to (single-file seating) designs, and many allow you to customize your layout with a bassinet, or car seat attachment. Some have rider boards that can be added to accommodate older siblings. They're not all created equal. Some are light and easy to use while others are heavy, bulky and difficult to fold.
If you're looking for a light double stroller, check out the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest stroller we tested in our tests, with a weight of just under 23 lbs. It folds easily and has all the features parents want for a great day out with two kids.
The Vista v2 Double from UPPAbaby is another model that our test subjects loved, especially for its sleek design and easy to use. It can accommodate two infant car seats, a toddler's seat, and a bassinet with no adapters required. The rear seat can also be removed to make it a quad or triple stroller. It comes with a large basket for storage and can be upgraded with a parent organizer and all-terrain tires, as as side storage bags.
Billingsley states that the ideal double stroller for toddlers is one that has different options for customization, including a removable seat or bassinet. That's because toddlers often have limitations in endurance, and having a stroller that has the bassinet attachment can provide them with a safe space to nap. She suggests that a double stroller should also include a harness system that is reliable and recline positions, as well as plenty of storage room for toys and snacks.
The ZOE Twin+ is popular among parents due to its lightweight and flexibility. It is gate-check-friendly for airlines and fits through the majority of doorways (without taking off the wheels at the front), and can be converted to a triple or quad stroller by adding an additional tandem. The near-flat, independently reclining seats and extra-long, adjustable sun canopies are just a few of the highlights. A large underseat storage basket as well as parent and child cup holders make up the impressive features. The only disadvantage, according to Taylor the manufacturer, is that it lacks a an elongated footprint when folded and can be difficult to store.