A Sage Piece Of Advice On Double Pushchair From An Older Five-Year-Old
Which Lightweight Double Pushchair Should You Buy?
It's easy to move around with a lightweight double pushchair, especially if you have kids with different ages. They're generally easy to fold, steer, and transport up and down stairs.
This City Mini GT2 offers side-by-side seats with plenty of legroom, adjustable reclining and massive UPF 50+ canopy with peekaboo windows. It also has a clever frame that can expand in width to take a second seat and compatible car seat(s).
Side-by-Side
The majority of the lightweight double pushchairs we've tested are side-by-side models and they're generally best for kids who can sit up unassisted because they aren't equipped with car seat integration. The Thule Urban Glide 2 Double, and Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double, are both excellent options. They offer adjustable recline for both seats, a huge canopy, and padded five-point safety harnesses. They're also easy to move despite their bigger footprint, and are ideal for parents who are worried about fitting through doorways.
The Cybex Duet pushchair is unique because it has a clever frame that expands to add a second child seat. This makes it smaller than other side-byside pushchairs. It can be pushed through standard doorways and is easy to maneuver on public transport. It is also a jogger which is great for those who plan to use it in conjunction with an infant car seat or carrier.
Another great side-by-side, lightweight double is the UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double, which allows for even more customization through a modular frame. The innovative design allows the conversion of an individual or double buggy by adding two carrycots or child car seats. It can even accommodate twins. It's an outstandingly practical choice for families with growing children and the UPPAbaby is among the lightest and stylish umbrella strollers around.
If you're looking for a more compact and lightweight double, you can try the egg2 which folds to the size of a small suitcase. It can be used either as a double or single by adding 2 carrycots or baby car seats. Our home testers were amazed by how easy it was to move even with a full load of kids.
Double pushchairs with side-by-side seating aren't foolproof however -when your children are the same age or at the same stage, they might be fighting over who rides in which seat. If they are at different heights then a tandem style may be ideal for them as it allows them to face each other.
Tandem
While side-by-side models are best suited to siblings of similar age, tandem lightweight double strollers come with their own appeal. They can be fitted with a larger car seat, and some come with convertible seats or an additional carrycot in the middle. They are generally more spacious and simple to access and exit from however their baskets tend to be smaller than those on single buggies. Many have larger canopies with windows that peek out and padding for the leg cushions.
The iCandy Peach is another example of a great value lightweight tandem. The fabrics are a little less luxurious than those of some of our top-rated doubles. However, it still looks great and is easy to use. Its one-handed folding is awe-inspiring. While it requires some practice, Kirstie from our Lab called it "genius". The carrycot is not foldable when it is attached. However, the mechanism to attach and remove the carrycot is quick and easy.
Tandem strollers that are lightweight usually make tighter turning than side-byside models. However, they can be more difficult to navigate on uneven surfaces and curbs. They are also slower to accelerate and heavier to move. This can put stress on your back.
Another alternative is a convertible double buggy, that starts out as a single and then you can add adapters to make it into a double. This can include the option of a second seat or carrycot in front, or the children can be seated side-by-side. Some have the option of including a buggyboard that can help an older child keep up with a younger brother or sister.
The Uppababy Vista V2 is a great example of a convertible as it can also convert into a twin pram by the purchase of additional cocoons (PS59 each) that provide a flat space for newborns. They can be attached together or placed on top of each other. You can also use the car seat that came with the pushchair in the event that it is compatible with the. These dual-use buggies are made from high-quality materials that can be used for many years without showing any wear. This means they have a high resale price.
Single-to-Double
Designed for outdoor-loving families who are looking to upgrade from a single stroller, this lightweight double buggy turns into a jogger thanks an impressive kit that comes with air-filled tyres as well as all-wheel suspension. It's also a good choice for twins, or children from different age groups and as triple tandem, it's able to be able to handle the rough terrain. It's also a great choice for parents who are looking for an elegant design that's as elegant as a single and is available in a range of fabrics.
This iCandy model is easy to fold using a single-handed system. It's heavier than other single-to-double pushchairs, but home tester Karolina says it's maneuverable even with two toddlers inside and carrying a carrycot.
The seat can be used as a parent-facing and you can buy add-ons for this stroller like the Roma Gemini carrycots (PS100 each) which are great for newborns. Our test panel found that the seats were comfortable for toddlers, with excellent headrests and lumbar support. There are many options to recline the seats and the front seat is can be adjusted to different positions, and the back seat having an option to recline.
The biggest drawback of this kind of buggy is that it tends to be wider overall than side-by-side doubles and makes it difficult to navigate through doorways and can be difficult to maneuver up and down kerbs. However, the wheels and suspension on these types of strollers generally are capable of coping with paved surfaces and the fact that they're lighter than the side-bysides means that you still find plenty of storage space. It's important to remember that strollers of this type aren't as adept at getting through narrow aisles in supermarkets, and may struggle to handle a large amount of shopping. It's easier to turn around even on the smallest of curving paths however, even this can be difficult. Some are also easier to turn than others, with the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double and the Baby Trend Sit N' Stand Double, for instance.
Convertible
The great thing about convertible double pushchairs is that they are able to adapt to a family's changing needs. They are typically single buggies. They have adapters that allow you to include a second child's seat, a carrycot, or (in certain instances) a car-seat to the frame. Some can be converted back to a single buggie when your child reaches the age of walk or wants to ride a buggyboard.
This stylish tri-fold double stroller is among of the lightest strollers on our list. It can carry up to 40 lbs per child and has an extra storage basket in between the seats. The spacious canopy with peekaboo window, multi-position reclining seats and a front and back suspensions to ensure smoother riding on rough terrain were praised by home testers. It also comes with a handy cup holder for parents and a large, easy-to-access basket. The backs of the bags have small pockets which are just big enough to fit the phone and keys.
This top-of-the-line, lightweight side-byside can be used in more than 20 different configurations, and comes with an additional seat and carrycot. Its impressive set of features includes a high-profile handlebar for easier steering and a rear and front suspension to smooth rough terrain; a self-standing compact fold with handy straps for easy schlepping and seven-inch wheel lock that swivels in the front and back wheels that measure 10 inches with suspension for a smoother ride. The only drawback is that you'll have to purchase a separate car seat or baby carrier.
best lightweight double stroller -functional tandem is a top pick among our home testers for its maneuverability and large shopping basket that is accessible from both seats facing the parent. It is easy to maneuver due to its light weight (about the weight of a few single pushchairs). Many have praised the clever way it attaches the second seat or riding board in the back. Parents also appreciated the fact that it could accommodate infant carriers and car seats from various brands, including those that don't normally fit into other double buggies.