Buying a
tandem double buggy (
what is it worth)
A tandem double buggy can be a fantastic option when you have twins or children who are very close in age. They are a bit smaller than side-by-side buggies and are perfect for narrow spaces like doors, public transport and rough terrain.
Some can be converted into travel systems that can take two carrycots or car seats for children. However, they are heavier and longer than single pushchairs, and may not be as stable when in bumping up kerbs.
Convertible
There are a variety of options for adding a second seat or converting a single stroller to double. The UPPAbaby is a large, beautiful stroller. It is easily changed from a single to a dual by adding an Rumble seat. It is more expensive and less maneuverable due to the fact that the second seat is placed behind the first seat. Nuna Demi Grow is a similar model, but it lacks storage under the seat when it is used as a
double stroller with bassinet stroller.
Other alternatives include
twin stroller buggies with all-terrain wheels and joggers with fixed wheels that can accommodate two kids. They are more expensive, but they are made for long-distance trips over rough terrain and come with a higher resale price.
Independent seat recline
If you're looking for a double stroller that will accommodate children of various ages, you will need one with independent seat recliner for both seats. This will allow your older child to be able to relax while your baby is in a bassinet and vice versa.
Take into consideration the width of your pushchair, as this will determine the ease of you to maneuver through doors and public transportation. If you have very narrow doors, it could be a good idea to consider a side-byside pushchair, such as the Mountain Buggy Duet which has the benefit of having a footprint similar to a single buggy, but can still take 2 seats and car seat adaptors.
Tandem buggies generally are a little longer than side-by-side models and therefore aren't easily maneuverable up and down kerbs, but they can accommodate a wider range of seat/carrycot/car seat combinations making them a good option for twins or siblings of various ages. They also tend to be more expensive than single-to-double buggies but are a good investment if you intend to keep it for years and will retain a decent amount of resale value if you decide to sell it off when your children have grown out of it.
This feature will allow you to place your child in an ideal position for naps or observation. This is especially important if you have a younger child in the rear seat who will want to lie back and take a snooze while the older child would prefer to sit up and look around their surroundings.
Certain brands come with a unique design for their seats that allows the back seat to completely recline to an almost flat position, which is ideal for infants. For example the iCandy Orange has raised stadium-style seating and can recline both the toddler seat included and the add-on RumbleSeat into multiple positions so that your children have a the option of where they want to sit, as well as providing an excellent UPF 50+ canopy with peekaboo windows.
Larger than twin buggies
You don't need to have twins to benefit from a larger double buggy - they're ideal for siblings of various 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 completely for newborns or in an upright position for toddlers.
Mountain Buggy Duet is a popular choice. It has the slimmest design that is side-by-side and a footprint that is like one stroller. It also has an adjustable handle, which makes it easy for parents of different heights to push as well as a handbrake, which is helpful when climbing difficult hills. It can be used from birth and is compatible with a variety of car seats and carrycots, which means it makes an excellent travel system.
The iCandy Wave is another option. It can be folded in mono or duo mode in a single click. The clever frame expands in width to accommodate a second chair and can be used to accommodate up to two car seats or carrycots. This makes it a great option for older siblings who wish to sit together. It's slightly larger than other models, but it still feels light and has soft suspension for curbs.
There are plenty of 3-wheeler tandems that have inline wheels that offer stability and quick steering. Check out Phil and Teds inline models, or iCandy Peach and Pear buggies. They can be folded into one buggy if you are limited in space at home or need to transport it from the car to the bus station.
Be aware that a double-wide buggy will be heavier and more bulkier than one that is compact. Make sure you know what you want before you purchase. You'll be taking it on and off subways, trains and buses often, so it should be easy to use and manage. You may also have to juggle it onto and off the car seat while taking your children to nursery or school so you'll need to know it's easy to maneuver in small spaces.
The best time to start is when you are born.
You'll need a stroller for your entire family whether you're expecting twins, or if you have a child after having your first. Double buggies are generally a bit heavier, bulkier and more expensive than single strollers, however they can also be easier to manoeuvre through narrower doors or around obstacles like curbs. They 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 ahead of the other. They're a great option if your children are close in age and are good friends. They're not 100% secure. Siblings sitting side-by-side can kick or punch each other, and children of different heights could argue over who is sitting higher. A tandem high-low model can solve this issue by elevating the seat at the rear, which prevents your child's older one from being on the bottom and not having any view.
The iCandy Wave is a good choice for parents looking for an adjustable double buggy that can be converted into a carrycot that is able to accommodate both the newborn and the older child. It features a clever frame which can be expanded in size when you add the second child seat. It folds flat to make it a compact storage. The cushioned straps, buckles, and seats are all of the best quality we have encountered in any of our tests. The canopies have a generous size with UPF 50+ protection, as well as a the window is peekaboo. Both seats can be reclined independently.
The only drawback to the iCandy tandem is that it is a bit expensive. However, a quality tandem will last for many years and have an attractive resale value which means that in the end, you'll likely recoup some of the cost. It doesn't have the same variety of seating configurations that some of our other top choices however, the iCandy is a good choice for families who don't wish to spend a fortune.
