The Ultimate Glossary Of Terms About Best Double Stroller

How to Choose the Best Double Stroller

There are a variety of options in the field of double strollers. To help you select the best one for your family, we talked to child development expert and mom Katie Billingsley.

Find a stroller that's relatively easy to fold, push and carry. Consider a model that can accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler as well as a rider board.

Safety

If you want to keep your children secure on your walks opt for a double stroller that has features like all-terrain tires as well as an electronic brake that can be operated by hand. These wheels and brake help you navigate trails, gravel, and sidewalks without your children falling or rolling away. The best double strollers come with ample storage space to store equipment and essentials for kids like snacks and toys.

Choosing the right double stroller for your family begins with understanding the age and distance in terms of age your children are. A majority of double strollers can only accommodate one child seat. However, those that offer a variety of options that let you pick the seating that's best for your family.

Side-by-side doubles are a classic option, and they're great for kids of similar ages who like to be social with one another. Double-decker designs permit you to place one of the seats over the other, or add a riderboard for older siblings. Babies can be sat in a bassinet that is attached to the frame, or in an attachment that lets you peek-a-boo at 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 opt for a double stroller that is able to take on off-road terrains or even hike. A lot of these strollers were designed with active parents in mind, and include features that allow you to take your children on any adventure, regardless of how rough the terrain or how high the climbs might be.

The best double strollers come with intelligent features that help you navigate in a difficult terrain or bad weather. This jogging stoller, for instance, features a wrist loop, so you can ensure your child's safety when running at higher speeds or in harsh weather conditions. It also has a full-coverage canopy that is ventilated to keep your children cool in the summer heat.

If you're looking for a light compact double stroller, look at this model from Joovy. It weighs less than 23lbs. This makes it perfect for air travel and storage in overhead compartments or trunks. Additionally, it comes with an enormous storage basket as well as a parking brake that is linked in one step that is easy to use.

Seating

Contrary to the giant strollers of the past these double strollers are sleek and can accommodate various configurations that can be adapted to families. Some are used as traditional side-by-side strollers while others--such as the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller - function as a base for car seats, toddler seats or bassinets snap into. They come in a variety of widths and weight limits to accommodate children from birth through kindergarten.

A quality double stroller should be easy to fold and move, as well as allowing you to adjust the height of your handlebar to ensure you are at ease on all your excursions. A well-designed handlebar is easy to hold and will encourage you to walk in a logical manner (ask for advice from other parents). It should come with a variety of storage options that can accommodate all the essentials your children need.

If your twins are close in age, you may discover that a tandem stroller is best for your family. These strollers have seats that are side-by-side, so you can interact with them both and keep an eye on each of them at the same time. They also recline separately which means that one child can nap and the other is ready to go.

The disadvantage of twin strollers is that it's wider than a single and double stroller-occupant model and can make it difficult to navigate the aisles of shops, sidewalks and narrow doorways. However, for certain families, the advantages are worth the extra space and effort.

If you're looking for an ultra-compact double stroller, the UPPAbaby Vista V2 double buggy with carrycot is a fantastic choice. The UPPAbaby Vista Double is a great choice for city dwellers due to its shock absorption, sleek design, and ability to accommodate two infant car seats. It also has an optional running board that can be used by older children who are mobile.

Another option is a wagon-style stroller, like the Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller. This model is bare bones, but it offers plenty of storage space and seating. It also comes with heavy-duty wheels that can take on any terrain. It also comes with an SPF canopy that is 50+ and adjustable handlebars. However, some parents feel that the seats are a little too low and they don't recline to a fully flat position, which makes it difficult for small children to sit comfortably or reach their snack tray.

Simple to Use

A double stroller is often an investment that you hope to use for many years. When shopping for one you need to ensure that it is easy to operate and clean. Luckily, the most effective double strollers are designed to be as user-friendly as is possible and include a variety of features that are convenient for parents.

All the strollers we tested could be folded easily and compactly using just one hand. They're also light, making them ideal for travel. A lot of them fit into the majority of trunks and are checked at the gate on planes. Our testers found that their strollers could be folded down smaller than their single-seat equivalents. Some even had a carry strap.

If you're looking for a versatile double stroller that can grow with your family, look no further than the Valco Snap Duo Trend. This side-by-side stroller can be used with infant car seats as well as other accessories. It can be used from birth up to the age of preschool. Each seat comes with five points of harness with a large canopy, as well as plenty of sun protection.

Another popular option is the Joovy Twin Roo. It is light and incredibly compact, measuring just 22 pounds and 26 inches wide when folded. The front seat reclines to nearly the full flat position and the back seat features an adjustable recline for every child. There's a huge storage basket and a simple, one-step linked parking brake which makes this stroller easy to maneuver and use.

The only drawbacks of the Joovy Twin Roo are minor and specific to that model. Kerry says that the packaging is smart and fun, however it comes in five boxes, which could be a bit cumbersome to carry around. She also found the Genuis magnetic clasp to be somewhat awkward and took her a while before she was able to master it. In the end, though, she was very happy with the stroller and would highly recommend it.

Storage

Strollers are available in various sizes and designs, including tandems (single-file seating) as well as side-by-side doubles and many that let you modify the layout using the use of a bassinet or car seat attachment. Some even have add-on rider boards for older siblings. However, they're not all created equal -- some are elegant and simple to use, while others are bulky, heavy and difficult to fold or store.

If you're looking for a light double stroller, take a look at the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest stroller in our tests, with a weight of just under 23 lbs. It's also easy to fold and comes with all the features parents want for a great day out with two children.

The Vista v2 double by UPPAbaby is another model our testers loved. They particularly liked 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 be removed to create a quad or triple stroller. It comes with a huge basket for storage, and can be upgraded by adding an organizer for parents and All Terrain Double Buggy-terrain tires, as as side storage bags.

Billingsley says the best double stroller for toddlers is one that supports different options for customization, including the ability to remove a seat or a bassinet. This is due to toddlers having limitations in endurance, and a stroller with the bassinet attachment can give them a safe place to nap. A double stroller should also include a harness system that is reliable and recline positions, and plenty of storage room for toys and snacks.

The ZOE Twin+ is popular among parents due to its lightweight and flexibility. It is airline gate-check friendly and fits through the majority of doorways (without taking off the wheels on the front), and can be converted into a quad or triple stroller by adding an extra tandem. Its nearly-flat, independently reclining seats, extra-long sun canopy and footrests that can be adjusted are other highlights, while its large underseat storage basket and inclusion of kid and parent cup holders round out the impressive list of features. Taylor states that the only disadvantage is that it has a the largest footprint when folded, and it can be difficult for parents to carry.