A Productive Rant About Compact Double Buggy
What to Look For in a Compact Double Buggy
Kerry says this side-by-side is slim enough to get through the majority of doors and accommodate two car seats or carrycots. It folds up self-standing and a handy carry strap for easy schlepping.
It's also lightweight to carry and wheel up/down stairs. The canopies are spaciously sized and have windows that peek out.
Size
Double buggy features you should consider include an enormous shopping basket, rear and front suspension, and strong frame. You may want to look at whether it is a travel system or whether the car seat or carrycot is possible to add. These are important considerations when you are required to take your children on public transport, or on long trips.
You should consider the Leclerc Kooper X2 if you are looking for a small, double buggy you can use from birth. This clever model is a side-by-side buggy that has an adjustable frame that can expand widthwise to accommodate two children. The seats have the option of recline and can be placed in a different way, which gives you the option of one child leaning back relaxing for a nap, while the other looks out at their surroundings. The seats also come with a large UPF 50+ canopy and an option to peek inside.
Another great option for newborn twins is the Mountain Buggy Duet. This is the slimmest twin pushchair available on the market. It measures only 63cm in length and should fit through the majority of doors. It can be used with two car seats or one carrycot, and comes with lying-flat seats that can be used from birth.
Tandem double buggies, which have the children positioned in a row, are a popular choice for twins, or parents of a baby and a toddler. However, they do tend to have a larger space than single-seaters and may be difficult to manoeuvre on narrow pavements or through doors.
The iCandy Orange is a popular tandem buggy and has been designed to grow with your family. It comes with 30 different seating options. The iCandy Orange tandem buggy is suitable for twins, a child and a toddler or even three kids when you include the iCandy 'PiggyBack board' (available separately). It is equipped with a soft suspension system that makes kerbs easier to navigate. It can be used in either single or double mode. It is also possible to attach a single stroller to the top of it for extra storage space.
Weight
A great double buggy should be light and easy to push. It should have a large shopping basket, front and back suspension to make it easier for the child to navigate more difficult terrain, and also be suitable for twins and siblings of different age groups.
A lot of compact double buggies come with frames that are specifically designed to accommodate infant car seats and come with adaptors with branded brands to match the most popular models from Cybex, BeSafe and Maxi-Cosi. They are a great choice if you have younger children with medical needs and you want to avoid having to use separate strollers.
However, they tend to have a larger footprint than side-by-side buggies and are more difficult to fit through doorways and on public transport. If this is important to you, check the product's details to determine if there are any alternatives available.
If you're looking for the smallest double pushchair on the market take a look at the Mountain Buggy Duet. It's the slimmest side-byside available at 63cm wide and is suitable for twins in the newborn stage or even one toddler and one baby. It is built to last with a sturdy design and superior functionality with big air-filled tires that are suitable for all terrains but are also able to go about the city.
Another great option is the UPPAbaby Vista 2, which can accommodate twins with one toddler and one baby or two kids using piggy back boards (which you must purchase separately). It has a self-standing fold and carry strap, making it super-easy to schlep, and has front and rear suspension to help you deal with rougher terrain. It's heavier than the Joie Evalite Duo, but less heavy than trifold buggies. This is a great choice for older children.
Folding
A good double buggy needs to be compact for storage. A ideal choice is the Baby Jogger City Select 2. This model is a side by side and has a very smooth fold. The frame expands when you fold, so it's narrower that one stroller. This makes it easier to navigate through doorways and public transportation, and it also means you don't need an additional car to push the buggy around.
It's a great option for parents of twins as it can be used with two seats, and car seat adaptors. It can accommodate another child on the 'piggyback board' of the buggy. It also has an array of configurations including elevated stadium-style seats to give both children an overview of their surroundings. There's even a brake on the adjustable handlebar that makes it easier to push up and down hills.
Another good option is the Mountain Buggy Duet, which has the smallest side-by-side footprint on the market at 64cm. This makes it ideal for parents who are worried about fitting a double-doorway on public transport, while it can still handle rough terrain like a true off-roader. It can be used for twins or a toddler with a baby, or two children of similar age. Each seat can recline independently, ensuring that the kids are comfortable.
The iCandy Peach is a good alternative. It can be used in mono or tandem mode, and can accommodate two car seats or a carrycot with the option of a toddler seat. It's a little larger than other doubles but it offers an excellent maneuverability, particularly on smooth surfaces and is an excellent choice for those who want an elegant but practical buggy.
There are numerous affordable double buggies, like the UPPAbaby Vista 2. This is a compact side-by-side that fits a newborn in a carrycot, a toddler in a seat, or three kids if you add the Pizazz-branded PiggyBack ride-on board. It features an auto-standing fold, a huge canopy that provides protection for children and an option to peekaboo. It's also relatively light for a double buggy and comes with a larger undercarriage basket to store shopping.