This Is What Tandem Double Buggy Will Look In 10 Years' Time
Buying a Tandem Double Buggy
A tandem double buggy can be a great option for twins or children who are close in age. They are a bit smaller than side-by-side buggies and are great for narrow spaces like doors, public transport, and terrain that is rocky.
Some can be converted into travel systems that take two carrycots or child car seats. However, they are heavier and longer than single pushchairs, and might feel less stable when as they bump up the kerbs.
Convertible
If you're looking for a convertible stroller that can be converted from a single to a double or to add a second seat to an existing one, there are several options available. The UPPAbaby is a spacious, gorgeous stroller. It is easily transformed from a single stroller to a double by adding the rumble seat. It's costly and less maneuverable than other dual strollers since the second seat goes behind the front seat. The Nuna Demi Grow is a similar model with a wide range of seating options, but does not have storage under the seat when used in doubles mode.
Other options include all-terrain twin buggies and fixed-wheel joggers that can accommodate two children. They are more expensive however, they are designed to last longer on rough terrain and have more expensive resales.
Independent recline of the seat
If you're looking for a double stroller which can accommodate children of different age groups, you'll require one with an independent recliner for both seats. This allows your child of a higher age to rest in the back while the baby is in the bassinet and reverse.
You'll also have to think about the size of the pushchair, as it will impact how easy it is to traverse doors and public transport. If your doorways are very narrow, you may want to consider a side-by-side pushchair such as the Mountain Buggy Duet. It has a footprint that is similar to a single stroller however can still accommodate two seats and car seat adaptors.
Tandem buggies generally are slightly longer than side-by-side models, and aren't as easily maneuverable through kerbs and up and down, however, they can accommodate a wider variety of seat/carrycot/car seat combinations so can be a good option for twins or siblings of various age groups. They can also be more expensive than single-to-double buggies, but are a good purchase if you plan to keep it for a long time and will have a decent amount of resale value in the event that you decide to sell it when your children are out of it.
Another thing to look for is if the backs of the seats can recline independently from one another because this allows you to place your child in the ideal position to nap or observe. This is especially important when you have a younger child in the rear seat who will prefer to lay back and relax while the older child would prefer to sit up and observe their surroundings.
Certain brands have a unique design that allows the back of their vehicles to recline fully to a position that is almost flat, ideal for newborns. The iCandy Orange, for example is a stadium-style seat that can be reclined into several positions. It also has UPF 50+ sun protection and windows that peek out.
Larger than twin buggies
It's not necessary to have twins in order to benefit from a bigger double buggy - they're ideal for siblings of various age groups. They allow you to move around without having to worry about your children touching. They're typically a little larger with one seat placed behind the other, and typically offering a fully-flat recline for newborns (or an upright position for toddlers).
Mountain Buggy Duet is a popular choice. It has the slimmest design of the two-in-ones on the market, and a footprint comparable to the footprint of a single stroller. It has an adjustable handle that makes it easier for parents to push and a handbrake that is useful on steep hills. double stroller with bassinet is suitable from birth and is compatible with a range of car seats and carrycots. This means it's a great travel system.
The iCandy Wave is another option. It can be folded in either mono or duo mode in a single click. Its innovative frame can be expanded to allow for a second seat and can be used with two carrycots or car seats making it a great option for older siblings that wish to sit together and enjoy the view. It's a little bigger than the other models, but it feels light and has soft suspension for the kerbs.
There are also plenty of 3-wheeler inline tandems available such as Phil and Teds' inline models or iCandy's Peach and Pear buggies for instance - which provide stability and quick steering. They can be folded into one buggy in case you have a small space at home or you need to transport it from the car to the bus station.
Be aware that a two-wheeled buggy will be more heavy and more bulkier than a single compact buggy. Be sure you know what you want before you purchase. You'll be taking it off and on trains, buses and subways often, so it should be simple to use and manage. It is possible that you will need to move the car seat when taking your child to school or to nursery.
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 you have another child after you've had your first. Double buggies are generally heavier and bulkier as well as more expensive than single strollers. However they are also easier to maneuver in tighter doors and around obstacles such as curbs. They are also compatible with piggyback ride-along boards (either from the manufacturer or via an accessory purchase) to allow you to transport three children at the same time.
Tandem pushchairs put one child in front the other. They're a great choice if your children are close in age and are able to get along. But they're not completely safe Siblings in a side-by-side seat could kick or punch each other, and children with different heights may argue over who sits higher. This problem can be solved by a tandem high-low model that raises the seat in the rear. Your older child will not be sitting at the bottom of the car and won't get much of an eye.
The iCandy Wave is a great alternative for parents who want an easy-to-use convertible double buggy that can fit both a newborn in a carrycot and an older child in the main seat. It features a clever frame which increases in size when you add the second child seat. It folds flat to make it a compact storage. The padded seats are comfortable, the straps are simple to secure and the buckles some of the best we've seen on any of our tests. The seats can be reclined independently and the canopies are big and spacious with UPF 50+ protection as well as windows that peek out.
The only drawback of the iCandy is that it's a little on the expensive side but a high-quality tandem will last for years and will retain its resale value, so you'll likely recoup some of the cost in the end. It doesn't have the same selection of seating configurations as others of our top picks, but the iCandy is a good option for families that don't want to shell out a lot of money.