Buying a Tandem Double Buggy
If you have twins or children close in age, a tandem double buggy is a great option. They are a bit smaller than side-by-side buggies and are great for small spaces such as doors, public transport and rocky terrain.
Some can be converted to travel systems that take two carrycots or child car seats. However, they can be heavier and longer than single pushchairs, and might feel less stable when bumping up the kerbs.
Convertible
There are a variety of options to add a second seat or changing a single stroller into a double. The Vista V2 from UPPAbaby is a spacious, gorgeous stroller that easily converts from a single to a double by incorporating the rumble seat (available separately). It is more expensive and less maneuverable because the second seat is placed behind the first seat. Nuna Demi Grow offers a similar option however, it doesn't have storage underneath the seat when it is used as a double stroller.
Other options include all-terrain twin buggies and fixed-wheel joggers that can accommodate two children. They are more expensive but they are designed to last longer on rough terrain, and come with higher resale prices.
Reclining the seat independently
If you need a double buggy to transport children of different ages, you'll want one that has independent seat recline for both seats. This will allow your older child to rest while the baby is sleeping in a bassinet and the reverse is true.
Think about the size of your pushchair to determine how easy it is for you to navigate through doors and on public transport. If you have narrow doors, it could be a good idea to consider a side-byside 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 accommodate two seats and car seat adaptors.
Tandem buggies are typically longer than side by side models, and therefore are more difficult to maneuver up and down kerbs. However they can be able to accommodate more combinations of seats/carrycots/car seats and are the perfect choice for twins and siblings of different age groups. They are more expensive than single buggies to double but they're well worth it if you intend on keeping it for many years. They also hold a good amount of value if sold when your kids have outgrown it.
Another crucial thing to look for is whether the backs of the seats can recline independently from one another because this allows you to put your child in the most optimal position for napping or observation. This is especially important when you have a child younger than in the rear seat, who will be inclined to lie down and relax while the older child would prefer to sit up and observe their surroundings.
Certain brands have a distinctive design that allows the back seat of their vehicles to fully recline to a position that is almost flat, ideal for infants. For instance, the iCandy Orange has raised stadium-style seating that can recline both the toddler seat included as well as the optional RumbleSeat into multiple positions so your kids can have the option of deciding where to sit, as well as offering an excellent UPF 50+ canopy with windows that peek out.
More spacious than twin buggies
They are ideal for siblings of different ages, and you can move around without having to worry about your children touching. They're typically a little larger too, with one seat sitting behind the other, and typically offering a fully-flat recline for newborns (or an upright position for toddlers).
Mountain Buggy Duet is a popular option. It has the slimmest design of the two-in-ones on the market, and a footprint similar to a single stroller. It also has an adjustable handle, making it easy for parents of different heights to push, and an adjustable handbrake, which is helpful when climbing difficult hills. It can be used from birth and is compatible with a range of car seats and carrycots, which means it makes an excellent travel system.
Another alternative is the iCandy Wave, which has a simple one-click to fold and can be used in duo or mono mode. The frame's clever design can be expanded widthwise to accommodate a second chair and can be used with two carrycots or car seats which makes it an ideal choice for older siblings who wish to sit together and share the view. double jogging stroller 's a little bigger than the other models, but it feels light and has soft suspension for kerbs.
There are many 3-wheeler tandems that have inline wheels that offer stability and swift steering. Take a look at Phil and Teds inline models, or iCandy Peach and Pear buggies. Often these can be folded into the size of a single buggy, which is helpful when you have trouble storing it at home or need to carry it in and out of the boot when you travel on public transportation.
Be aware that a double wide buggy will be heavier and heavier than one that is compact. Be sure you know what you want prior to making a buy. You'll be taking it off and on subways, buses, and trains regularly so it needs to be simple to use and manage. You may also need to move it on and off the car seat when taking your children to school or nursery so you'll need to know it can be easily manoeuvred within small spaces.
The best time to start is when you are born.
If you're expecting twins, or have a second child after your first, you're likely to need to find an appropriate pushchair for the entire family. Double buggies are typically slightly heavier, bulkier and more expensive than single strollers, however they can also be more maneuverable through narrower doors or around obstacles such as curbs. Get Source are also compatible with piggyback ride-along boards (either from the manufacturer or via a separate accessory purchase) which means you can carry three children at once.
Tandem pushchairs seat one child in the front of the other, so they're generally a better option when you have two children that are close enough in age to function well. They're not completely safe. Siblings who are sitting side-by-side could kick or punch each other and children with different heights may fight over who sits taller. double buggy newborn can be addressed by a tandem high-low model that elevates the seat to the back. Your older child isn't seated at the bottom of the car and won't have much of an eye.
The iCandy Wave is a great alternative for parents who want an easy-to-use double buggy that converts to accommodate a newborn in a carrycot and an older child in the main seat. It features a clever frame that expands widthways when you add a second seat, and folds flat for compact storage. The cushioned seats are comfortable, the straps are simple to secure and the buckles some of the most comfortable we've seen on any of our tests. You can recline both seats independently and the canopy is spacious and large with UPF 50+ protection and windows that peek out.
The only drawback to the iCandy tandem is that it is a bit costly. But a high-quality tandem will last for years and retain a high resale price, which means that in the end you'll likely recover a portion of the cost. The iCandy does not have the same seating arrangements as our other top picks. However, it's a good option for families who don't wish to spend a lot of money.