Buying a Tandem Double Buggy
A tandem double buggy could be a great option when you have twins or children who are close in age. They are smaller than side by side buggies and are great for narrow spaces like doors, public transport and rocky terrain.
Some can be converted to travel systems that use two carrycots or car seats for children. They can be heavier, longer and less stable than a single pushchair.
Convertible
There are a variety of options for adding a second seat or changing a single stroller into double. The UPPAbaby V2 is spacious, gorgeous stroller. It can easily be changed from a single to a double by adding the seating area with a rumble. It is more expensive and less maneuverable due to the fact that the second seat is located on top of the first seat. The Nuna Demi Grow is a comparable model with great seating versatility but lacks under-seat storage when used in doubles mode.
Other options include twin buggies with all-terrain wheels and joggers with fixed wheels that can hold two children. They are generally more expensive, but they're made for long trips over rough terrain and can have more resale value.
Reclining seat recline independently
If you are looking for a double stroller which can accommodate children of various age groups, you'll require one with a recliner that is independent for both seats. This will allow your child's older to sit back and relax while the baby sleeps in the bassinet, and vice versa.
Consider the width of your pushchair to determine how easy it is for you to navigate through doors and public transport. If you have extremely narrow doorways then it might be worthwhile to consider a side-by-side pushchair, such as the Mountain Buggy Duet which has the advantage of having a footprint that is similar to a single buggy however, it is able to take 2 seats and car seat adaptors.
Tandem buggies generally are a little longer than side-by-side models, and aren't as difficult to maneuver through kerbs and up and down, however, they can accommodate a wider range of car/car/seat combinations, and are a great option for twins or siblings of different age groups. They are also more expensive than single-to-double buggies, but are a worthwhile purchase if you plan to keep it for a long time and will retain a decent amount of resale value in the event that you sell it on after your children have grown out of it.
This feature will allow you to put your child in a comfortable position for naps or to observe. This is important if your child is in the back seat and wants to take a nap while the more mature child prefers to sit and observe the surrounding.
Certain brands have a unique design that allows the back of their vehicles to fully recline into a position that's almost flat, perfect for babies. For example the iCandy Orange has raised stadium-style seating and can recline both the toddler seat included as well as the optional RumbleSeat to multiple positions, to give your kids a the option of deciding where they will sit, as well as providing an excellent UPF 50+ canopy that has windows that peek out.
Wider than twin buggies
There's no need to have twins to benefit from a bigger double buggy. They're perfect for siblings of different age groups. They allow you to move around without worrying about your children touching. They're usually a bit longer, with one seat behind the other. The seats can be reclined fully for infants, or put in an upright position for toddlers.
Mountain Buggy Duet is a popular choice. It is the slimmest design side-by-side on the market and a footprint similar to the footprint of a single stroller. It has an adjustable handle that makes it easier for parents to push, and a handbrake, which is useful on steep hills. It is suitable from birth and is compatible with a variety of car seats and carrycots, meaning it makes an excellent travel system.
The iCandy Wave is another option. It can be folded in mono or duo mode with just one click. Its innovative frame can be expanded widthwise to accommodate a second chair and can be used with up to two carrycots or car seats which makes it an ideal choice for older siblings who want to sit together and enjoy the view. It's a little longer than other models, but it feels light and has soft suspension for kerbs.
There are also a variety of 3-wheeler inline tandems that are available Check out Phil and Teds' inline models or iCandy's Peach and Pear buggies, for instance - which offer stability and swift steering. Often these can be folded down to size a single buggy which is useful for those who struggle with storage at home or need to carry it in and out of your car on public transport.
It's important to keep in mind that a double-buggy with a wider width will feel bulkier and heavier than a smaller single buggy, so make sure it's what you need before purchasing. You'll need to take it on and off trains, buses and subways often, so it should be simple to use and manage. You may also need to juggle it onto and off the car seat when you take your children to nursery or school so you'll need to ensure it's easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
From birth, you're a suitable candidate
If you're expecting twins, or you have a child following your first, you're likely need to find a stroller that can accommodate the entire family. Double buggies are typically heavier, bulkier, and more expensive than single strollers. However, they are easier to maneuver in tighter doorways and around obstacles such as curbs. Many are also compatible with piggyback ride-along boards (either from the manufacturer or as an accessory purchase) which means you can carry three children at a time.
Tandem pushchairs place one child in front of the other. They're a good choice if your children are close in age and are able to get along. They're not foolproof. Siblings seated side-by-side may punch or kick one another and children with different heights can fight over who sits higher. This issue can be addressed by a tandem high-low design that elevates the seat to the rear. Your child's older will not be seated on the lower part of the car, and won't have much of an opportunity to see.
The iCandy Wave is a good choice for parents looking for an adjustable double buggy that can be converted into a carrycot that can accommodate both the newborn and the older child. It has an innovative frame that increases in size when you add a second child seat. It folds flat for compact storage. The padded buckles, straps and seats are all of the best quality we have encountered in our testing. The seats can be reclined independently, and the canopies are big and spacious with UPF 50+ protection and peekaboo windows.
The only drawback to the iCandy tandem is that it's a bit costly. However, a quality tandem will last for years and retain the highest resale value, so in the end you'll likely recover some of the cost. The iCandy does not have the same seating arrangements as our other top picks. It's nevertheless an ideal choice for families who don't wish to spend a lot of money.