When you’re purchasing a new double stroller, there are a lot of things to consider that you might not have thought of.
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How to Choose the Right Double Stroller for You and Your Kids
When you’re shopping for a double stroller, it doesn’t have to be a stressful decision. There are a lot of things to consider, but hopefully, this guide will make it easier for you to narrow down what you’re looking for in a new stroller.
Strollers, especially double strollers, are not cheap. Well, there are some cheap ones out there, but the hassle they’ll cause you are nowhere near worth the $50-$100 it will save you. If us telling you doesn’t convince you… then the first time you try pulling a cheap, heavy, and hard to set up stroller out of your van while holding a child will.
A lot of our readers have said that when they are researching double strollers, they’ll do everything from combing internet review sites to making charts and graphs that compare features and prices.
One of the first things you need to realize is that you probably won’t find the perfect stroller that has every single feature you want. For example, the only thing I would change on my Honda would be to add air-conditioned seats. Unfortunately, I’m not willing to buy a Lexus to get them. You’ll probably have to give up some features to either get a stroller that’s within your budget or to get a stroller that does have the features that are most important to you.
There are several different types of double strollers that you will need to choose from when buying a tandem stroller. Each type obviously has its advantages and disadvantages.
Twin Strollers
A twin stroller is usually for … twins. The idea is that both seats have identical features, thus accommodating two children that are very near or the same in age. One of the obvious disadvantages to a twin stroller is how wide it is.
Usually, they’re not wider than doorways, but you will quickly find situations where the width is annoying. Another potential problem you can run into is that there are six sets of wheels instead of just four.
These are a little more hard to push and steer. On the plus side, with the seats being side by side you can quickly access either child without anything in the way.
Tandem Strollers
Tandem stroller, one child sits behind the other. These are easier to maneuver because there are four wheels, and they are narrower than a twin stroller.
Whichever child sits in the back will obviously have their view obstructed by the front seat, but most tandem strollers compensate for this by being able to raise the back seat.
Also, the back seat is usually made for the larger child, who obviously rides higher.
Sit and Stand
If you have a small child and are planning on adding a new baby to the family than this might be the option for you.
The new child will have a regular stroller seat, while the older child who constantly wants to walk and then ride five minutes later can ride the stroller or jump off and walk as they please. The older child can easily step into the stroller and ride standing or sit down.
Double Jogging Strollers
Any stroller could technically be used as a jogging stroller, but if you’re a serious runner, you’ll definitely want a real jogging stroller.
The best ones are absolutely effortless to push and practically steer themselves. Read about the best double jogging strollers here…
What Features Do You Want In Your Double Stroller?
When you are reading double stroller reviews to find the right stroller for you, there are several main features that vary depending on the stroller.
You need to have an idea beforehand of exactly what you’re looking for. The next few paragraphs will give you an idea of what you should look for.
Basket
Most strollers that you look at will have a basket of some sort to hold your diaper bag, jackets, toys, snacks, purse, or whatever you need to carry around. So, you need to think about what things you always take wherever you go, and find a stroller with a good-sized basket that can hold your stuff.
How big or small do you need the basket to be? One thing to remember is that some stroller baskets are always easily accessible, while some are only accessible when the rear seat is in a certain position.
Adult Storage Tray
A lot of strollers have a storage tray you. It might have a cup holder or a tray where you can put a cellphone or keys.
This is a nice feature to have, even though you will usually probably just hang your purse from one of the handlebars.
Snack Trays for Kids
Most strollers will have a snack tray for one or both kids. Usually, if the stroller has trays it will also have drink holders as well.
These serve many other purposes besides holding snacks as you can imagine. These trays can hold toys, coloring books, and anything and everything that your child will want to keep around.
Recline
Usually, on double strollers the back seat is always adjustable. However, while some rear seats recline all the way, some only recline a little bit. As you know, whether or not this will work for you will depend on your child.
Some children always fall asleep when in the stroller, and some always want to sit up straight and watch what’s going on.
Weight and size
This is a big one. If you will usually be dealing with the stroller on your own, then size and weight are important things to consider.
The other aspect is how much space you in your vehicle and living space to store and transport a stroller. Some of the best made, most durable strollers are usually on the heavy side, so there are definitely trade-offs.
If you will be using your stroller several times each week you will quickly regret buying a heavy stroller.
Age and Size of Your Children
This is another important thing to consider. Think about the age of your kids and how long each of them will need or want a stroller.
I personally wish my mom would still push me around the mall and buy me milkshakes and french fries. Some strollers are interchangeable with child car seats or even carriers. These can make taking your baby places a lot easier.
Ease of Folding
Some strollers are like an advanced piece of origami to fold up, and some are extremely easy to fold and unfold.
There is no reason to buy a stroller that is hard to fold and unfold… there’s no upside to that. Also, you’ll find yourself trying to deal with your stroller with one arm quite often. Keep that in mind as well.
Canopy
If you’re going to be taking junior and junior outdoors a lot, then you’ll want a stroller with a canopy. Most strollers come with a canopy or something that provides shade for your kids.
There are also plastic or waterproof canopies that you can purchase separately that will make your kids and the things you’re carrying waterproof. Too bad there’s no room for you in there.
Harness system
Some strollers have simple lap belts, while others provide better security than Pelican Bay. Most strollers now come with either a three-point harness or a five-point. A five-point is more useful for infants because they’re always tipping over or sliding out of their chairs. A toddler will do better with a three-point harness.
Cost
How much money you’re going to have to part with may or may not be a concern for you. But… you can find very good strollers within your price range. Double strollers can range in price from $70 to over $1000.
You will need to find a happy medium… meaning if you buy the cheapest one there is you will most likely regret it while buying the most expensive one probably won’t get you anything you couldn’t have got from a model $100 cheaper.
Summary
Like we’ve already covered, you will want to get a stroller that will meet your needs. First, you should decide whether you want a twin, tandem, or sit and stand stroller for your kids. Then, you need to narrow down the type of stroller you want by the features you really need.
Probably one of the first steps you should take before starting your search is to choose your price range. You’ll obviously need to have a little flexibility in case you find a stroller with features that you have to have. Then, just decide on the features you and your kids need in your stroller, and go from there.
Lucky for you, here at double stroller reviews, the only double strollers you’ll find on this site are the absolute best. We’ve gone through hundreds of models and thousands of reviews, and chosen only the best, highest-quality, and best-selling double strollers that exist. None of the strollers you’ll find here would be a bad choice.
Is The Thule Urban Glide Double Jogging Stroller Worth Your Money?
Those who want to work out but do not want to have to hire a baby sitter for their small children should consider a Thule Urban Glide double jogging stroller.
This gives you a way to keep both of your children with you even while you run. It is designed to be lightweight so that it does not slow you down significantly, and you can even write off the weight of your children as extra calories burned.
You will save money and get into better shape at the same time.
One nice thing about this stroller is that the engineers created it so that it would roll smoothly and easily at all times. This makes it ideal for running. With some other strollers, the wheels will turn sideways on one side, causing the stroller to skid.
A small stone or a crack in the sidewalk could send you hurtling to the ground, knocking your children over in the process. With this stroller, the strong design and large wheels mean that you will never face this type of problem.
You can run with confidence, knowing that the stroller is not going to give you any surprises.
The suspension system is also very good, ensuring your children a smooth ride. You do not want them to be bouncing around with every little bump. If they were, they would be very uncomfortable and would not be happy to be in the stroller for long.
You would have to cut all of your runs short. This double stroller has been made so well that they will usually fall asleep while you are running. There is nothing jarring about it at all. It has large wheels and a suspension system that was created with running in mind, so you can jog for as long as you desire while your children are relaxing in their seats.
Who This Double Stroller is Best For
There are added benefits to this stroller as well, including an MP3-player connection system that allows the music to be played out of built-in speakers. You and your children can enjoy your favorite music while you run.
You would never want to put your headphones on while jogging since that would prevent you from listening to your children if they needed you. This system gives you the best of both worlds, and it can also help to keep the children entertained if they tend to get bored during long runs.
If there is a downside to the Thule Urban Glide Jogging Stroller , it has to be the added weight from the large wheels. These are needed because they give the stroller its smooth ride and help it to avoid getting stuck on stones and cracks, as strollers with smaller wheels will do. However, they weigh ten times as much as these small plastic wheels.
They are made of rubber and metal, which are naturally a lot heavier than plastic. You have to push this extra weight while you run. Overall, though, the upsides certainly are more than enough to make up for this disadvantage.
Peg Perego Duette Double Stroller
The Peg Perego Duette double stroller is a very high-quality and luxurious stroller that comes with a high price tag.
The Good: The Duette has comfy seats, very luxurious features, and a super smooth ride.
The Bad: High price tag, heavy, and it won’t fit in most sedans.
The Bottom Line: The Peg Perego Duette double stroller is basically the limousine of double strollers. Everything about this stroller is the epitome of luxury (as far as baby items go). It’s large, it’s big, and it weighs 45 pounds.
So this isn’t exactly the fastest and lightest stroller to whip in and out of your car 5 times a day, but it provides a very luxurious ride for your kids, and once it’s set up it glides like a dream. You can read our full review below the video…
The seats on this stroller are very roomy and they can hold up to 40 lbs. each. The seat padding is thick and luxurious, and each seat comes with a five-point harness to secure your children while also maintaining maximum comfort.
The harness is a floating harness, which means that a child can lean forward and the harness allows them to move. This is a good and bad thing: it’s good because it is much more comfortable for the kids and they don’t freak out from being strapped down, but the freedom also allows them to figure out how to lean forward and then slip it off of their shoulder.
The seats also have cushioned side pieces so that they can lean to the side and comfortably take a nap without having their neck and head in an awkward position. Each seat also has an adjustable footrest with two positions, up so that their legs are fully supported, and down which lets their feet freely hang.
The two seats also easily change positions that let you position the two seats in four different ways: both facing front, both facing back, back-to-back, or the two seats facing each other. Each position has its obvious pros and cons.
Back to back is the favorite seating arrangement because your kids can’t annoy each other and fight, spit, pull hair, or steal treats from each other. Each seat also comes with a matching foot cover, which is basically a blanket that snaps on around your child’s legs to keep them warm on a chilly day or in the evening.
The Duette also has a neat safety feature which is a mesh net that goes around the safety bar so that a small child can’t slide out of the front of the stroller.
The canopies on this stroller are one of its best features. They are thick and padded, and they fold all the way down to the baby bar giving your children complete coverage and protection from wind, rain, sun, snow, and anything else they want to be shielded from. When the canopies are folded all the way down to the baby bar, there is also a zipper on the back that provides extra ventilation when needed.
The wheels on the Peg Perego Duette are 12″ tires and it has a high-quality suspension system that provides a stable and smooth ride for your kids. It features a linked brake bar that provides you with a one-touch brake that stops the entire stroller.
The front wheels can either swivel or be locked in place, and you can easily lock them from an easy-to-use mechanism right on the steering handle of the stroller… no bending over required.
The handlebar is also adjustable up and down to accommodate whoever is pushing the stroller. The handlebar on this stroller is actually a steering wheel and lets you control the direction of the front wheels. Since the Duette is a heavy stroller, when you have two kids in it, you’ll definitely feel it when you push.
The Duette has a very large basket underneath the stroller and provides you with a lot of storage space. A very large diaper bag might be a tight fit, so it’s best to use a mid or small-sized diaper bag when you’re out and about with this stroller.
When transporting the stroller, it will be tough to pull off in a sedan. You’ll really want to have a van or an SUV to transport this one around. The reason is, you have to take off each seat to fold the stroller.
Each seat comes off easily with the push of two buttons, and then the chassis folds down flat. The tires do come off for transport if you need them to, which will make the package a little bit smaller. When it’s all folded up, the chassis has two large carry handles that make it easy to lift and carry.
Travel system functionality: The Peg Perego Duette does allow for two car seats to be strapped into the chassis, but they have to be the Peg Perego brand car seats.
Who this double stroller is for:
If you have the room to transport this Stoller, meaning a van or an SUV, this is one of the most luxurious and comfortable strollers for your kids available.
Who this isn’t for:
If you only have a sedan, you need a smaller stroller, such as the Contours Options II
This stroller is also expensive, you can get similar features for a lower price in the Contours Options II
How To Choose A Good Double Jogging Stroller
If you’ve been agonizing over choosing a double jogging stroller, we feel your pain. You know that they are more expensive than regular strollers, but you also know that if you’re going to be putting in some serious mileage behind one, it needs to be high-quality. Oh, and your kids need to like riding in it as well. That matters.
P.S.- At the end of this article we will recommend what we’ve found to be the two best double joggers for over and under $300- so if that’s all you want to know you can skip there now.
Tips On Choosing a Good Double Jogging Stroller
Choosing the right double jogging stroller for you doesn’t have to be a painful decision. While you should definitely research and find the features that you want, one of the first things you need to realize is that there isn’t one perfect stroller that you’ll find that satisfies all your desires.
I know, it sucks. You’ll most likely narrow it down to 2 that will be similar with each one having one major thing that you want that the other doesn’t. For example, I love how Lexus’s have air-conditioned seats, but I like the price of Hyundais. Choosing a double jogging stroller is much the same way. A $200 wouldn’t hurt the ol’ wallet too bad until your kids refuse to ride in it and you realize it pulls to the left and has a wobbly back tire.
What a Good Double Jogging Stroller Must Have
The number one, a must-have feature of a good jogging stroller is a fixed front wheel. Yes, it makes them harder to turn and you won’t be able to do that spinning trick that drives your dog crazy, but it makes all the difference in the world when you’re on your third mile and you’re tired and the stroller is still gliding along almost all by itself.
The only counter to this is if you’re an off-roader and you’re going to be running on trails or a variety of surfaces… then you will want a swivel-wheel on the front.
Another thing that makes perfect sense, that you probably already know, is that the better double joggers will have inflatable wheels like a bike. The cheaper, not-as-good ones will have just plastic wheels.
What this all really comes down to is your budget. You should nail this down before you even start shopping because if you let your kids sit in one of the expensive ones, they won’t want to get out, especially if they’re used to an inferior stroller.
The high-end strollers these days seem to have magical powers on kids… as in putting them to sleep or making them so comfortable that the kids’ eyes roll back in their head and they start drooling all over themselves- no cookies or milkshake required.
To recap- the two main things to decide are if you want a fixed-front wheel or a swivel-front wheel, and then what your budget is. Once you’ve figured that out, check out these recommendations: