What to Look For in a Compact Double Buggy
Kerry says this side-byside is slim enough to get through most doors and take two car seats or carrycots. It comes with a self-standing fold and handy carry straps to make it easy to schlep.
It's also very lightweight to carry and wheel up/down stairs. The canopies are generously sized and have windows that peek out.
Size
Double buggy features you must look for include the large shopping basket, front and rear suspension, and a sturdy frame. You may also want to consider whether it's a traveler or if you can add a car seat or carrycot. These are crucial considerations if you are required to take your children on public transport or for long distance journeys.
If you're looking for a small double buggy that you can use from the beginning take a look at the Leclerc Kooper X2. This side-byside model comes with a clever frame that can be expanded so that it can accommodate two children. The seats have the option of recline and can be set up independently, which gives you the option of one child leaning back taking a nap while the other is looking out at the surrounding. You also get a large UPF 50+ canopy, as well as a peekaboo feature.
Another great option for infant twins is the Mountain Buggy Duet. It is the tiniest twin pushchair on the market. It is only 63cm in length which means it can be able to pass through most doors. It can also accommodate two car seats or one carrycot. It also has lie-flat seats that are suitable from birth.
Tandem double buggies are popular with parents of twins, or parents who have a child and toddler. They do have a larger footprint than single-seaters and are more difficult to maneuver through narrow doors or on pavements.
The iCandy Orange tandem buggy is an extremely popular tandem that can expand with your family. It offers 30 different seating options. The iCandy Orange tandem buggy is suitable for twins or a child, toddler, or even three children when you add 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. You can attach one stroller on top for extra storage.
Weight
A good double buggy should be lightweight and easy to push. It should have an ample shopping basket, front and back suspensions to aid the child to traverse rough terrain, and be suitable for twins and siblings of different age groups.
double pram and pushchair are compact and have frames that can be used to store infant car seats. They also have branded adaptors that fit the popular models made by Cybex BeSafe and Maxi-Cosi. These are a great option for families with children with medical issues and you want to avoid the need to purchase separate strollers.
They are typically larger than side-byside buggies and are more difficult to fit in doorways or on public transport. Look over the product's specifications for alternatives if this is important to you and your family.
Mountain Buggy Duet is the slimmest double stroller available on the market. It is the tiniest side-by-side available with a 63cm width. It is able to carry twins or an infant and a toddler. It's a sturdy design and a superior function, with large air-filled tires that can be used on all terrains, but also happy to go about the city.
The UPPAbaby Vista 2 is another great alternative. It can accommodate twins, a baby and a toddler, or two kids with piggyback boards (which is required to be purchased separately). It has a self-standing fold and carry strap to make it easy to transport and has front and rear suspensions to help you cope with rough terrain. It's a little heavier than the Joie Evalite Duo but still lighter than most tri-fold buggies and is an excellent value for older kids.
Folding
The Baby Jogger City Select 2 is a great option for storing the double buggy. This side-by-side model features an extremely smooth fold and the clever frame expands widthways as you fold so that it's smaller than the standard stroller. This makes it much easier to navigate through doorways and public transportation, and it also means that you don't require an additional vehicle to transport the buggy around.
It's a great option for parents with twins as it can be utilized in duo or mono mode with two seats and car seat adaptors. It can accommodate a third child on the 'piggybackboard that is part of the buggy. It also offers many different configurations including elevated stadium-style seats to give both kids the view of their surroundings. There's even a handbrake on the adjustable handlebar that makes it easier to push up and down hills.
Get the facts is another good alternative. It has the smallest footprint side-by-side on the market measuring just 63cm. This makes it perfect for parents who are worried about fitting an extra door for a double on public transport, and it can still take on rough terrain like an off-roader. It can be used to carry twins or a toddler and a baby or two kids of the same age, and each seat can recline independently to keep the kids comfortable.
The iCandy Peach is a good alternative. It can be used in tandem or mono mode, and can accommodate 2 car seats/seats, or a carrycot and an infant seat. It's a bit larger than other doubles, but it is extremely maneuverable particularly on smooth surfaces. This is a fantastic option for those who want an elegant and practical buggy.
If you're on a tight budget there are plenty of affordable double buggies available like the UPPAbaby Vista 2. This is a compact side-by-side that can accommodate a newborn in a carrycot, a toddler in a seat, or three kids if you add the pizazz-branded PiggyBack ride-on board. It has an easy-to-stand fold, a canopy that offers protection for children as well as an option to peekaboo. It's also fairly light for a double buggy, and includes a larger undercarriage storage basket to store shopping.