Every family has different needs for strollers, and most are a hefty investment. You will want one that fits your lifestyle and family size and is durable enough to last at least five years.
A tricky topic prevails in many of my parenting groups: Should we make do with a single stroller or upgrade to a double? Some folks say to forgo a double instead of a glider board attachment. My hard and fast rule is that if your child naps, they need a seat.
If you’re on the fence about upgrading to a double, you can delay your decision and use a carrier for a baby and a single stroller for quite some time before deciding. For us, we have two toddlers 25 months apart, twin-sized. Meaning they are close in size. Before deciding on a double, I used a carrier for the baby and a single stroller for quite a bit.
Once you’ve decided to upgrade, there’s more you need to know! There are two types of doubles: tandems and side-by-sides. I’ve used both types and here’s my perspective on them.
Tandems
They allow the flexibility to position the seats in many different directions. They’re also narrow and will fit through most doorways. One main issue is that you may have to raise the telescopic handlebar to accommodate both toddler seats, which could be uncomfortable. I’m 5’6” and felt that the handlebar was too high. Also, most tandems allow for room for a third child when you add a rollerboard attachment.
Uppa Baby Vista
These have a max capacity of 85 lbs. for both children. The main seat’s max weight is 35 lbs. the rumble seat is 50 lbs. Of the tandems, this has a smoother ride and better maneuverability due to the stroller’s overall length. Plus, you can fold down with both seats attached! The stroller weight with both seats is 32.6 lbs., heavier than the standard double.
Baby Jogger City Select
These have a max capacity of 90 lbs. for both children. Both of the seats’ max weights are 45 lbs. It can only fold with one seat attached and weighs 28 lbs. Considerably lighter (4.6 lbs.) than the Uppa Baby Vista, which is notable when you lift and fold the stroller to put it into a car trunk.
Bottom Line: I did not like the tandems because they were cumbersome to maneuver, the turns were wider, the ride was bumpy, and the tandems tended to tip over when taking turns or going up and down curbs. The bigger kid must be on the lower seat to keep the center of gravity low, preventing tip-overs. You also share the lower seat with your diaper bag if the seat is positioned facing you.
Additional Tips: I’ve found great success selling my old strollers (in good condition) on the secondary market, whether through friends, parent groups, or Marketplace via Facebook. Use that cash to fund your double, or buy a used double.
Side-by-Sides
With the addition of many newer companies in the stroller market, side-by-sides can now have flexible seating arrangements. Some are even narrower and can fit through most doors. What I like most about side-by-sides is my toddlers’ ability to climb into their own seats, and there is no fighting over the “better seat” since both are the same.
Mountain Buggy Duet
I’m a fan of the Mountain Buggy brand. We own a Nano (single) and use it for travel. The Duet is cool because it can convert from a single to a double by expanding the frame. It’s only 25” across at double-width, allowing it to fit in most standard doorways! It also allows for multiple positions, facing you or away on either toddler and/or car seats. Folding is more complicated because you must align the handlebar and wheels in the correct position before folding. The fold isn’t compact, but the toddler seats can be attached for folding. It does stand on its own when folded, which is a nice feature for storage. Finally, it weighs 34 lbs. as a double, and the max capacity is only 80 lbs. combined!
Baby Jogger Summit X3
After our extensive search for the perfect double, we finally landed on this glorious model. My husband and I are runners. We already own a Bob Revolution SE. When our second kid was about 6-8 months (with head/neck control), we were itching for a run with both kids. The Summit X3 is a beast. It’s heavy at 37 lbs. and really wide, 32.5”, and hard to maneuver through doors. However, it has a higher max capacity weight of 100 lbs. It’s also a smoother ride because shock absorbers are on both the back and front wheels.
Additional Tips: You can save cash by buying a model from the previous year, mostly available on Amazon. We purchased ours on a Cyber Monday deal and snagged it for easily $250 off the full price!
Bottom Line: Side-by-sides are wider and may not fit most standard doorways. They are also much heavier than the tandem models, which is a big consideration if you’re hauling the stroller in and out of the car. The heavier weight does come with the benefit of a smoother ride. It is even smoother if you have inflatable tires and shock absorbers. One added benefit is that the side-by-sides often come with a hand brake (the models I’ve recommended above do!). Most tandems do not. It makes a difference when pushing some odd 100 lbs. downhill. Please note that if you purchase a jogger, make sure it’s a jogging model. Baby Jogger is a stroller brand, but every model they make, except for the Summit X3, is NOT a jogger.
