Responsible For An Double Pushchair Budget 10 Ways To Waste Your Money
Which Lightweight Double Pushchair Should You Buy?
It's easy to move around with a lightweight double pushchair, particularly if you have children of different ages. They are easy to fold, steer and transport up and down the steps.
This City Mini GT2 features side-by-side seating with plenty of legroom. It also features adjustable reclining, large UPF 50+ canopies and windows that peek out. It also features a smart frame that can expand in width to accommodate a second car seat and a compatible car seat(s).
Side-by-Side
The majority of the lightweight double pushchairs that we tested were side-by-side models. These are the best for children who can sit without assistance, since they tend to lack car seat compatibility. That said, the thule double stroller Urban Glide 2 Double and the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double are both excellent options that offer recline that can be adjusted in both seats, a huge canopy, and padded five-point harnesses. They're also easy to move despite their larger footprints, and are ideal for parents who worry about fitting through doors.
The Cybex Duet pushchair is unique because of its clever frame that expands in width to allow for a second child seat. This makes it smaller than other pushchairs with side-by-side seating. It is able to pass through doors of standard size and is easy to maneuver on public transportation. It also doubles as a jogger which is a great feature when you're planning to use it with a baby carrier or infant car seat, and comes in a range of fun colors.
Another excellent side-by-side lightweight double buggy double is the UPPAbaby Vista v2 double pram and pushchair, that offers more flexibility and customization thanks to its modular frame. It features a clever design that allows you to transform it into a single buggy or a double by incorporating 2 carrycots or car seats (it can even accommodate twins). It is a practical option for growing families. The UPPAbaby umbrella stroller is also one of the lightest, sexiest and most stylish available.
Try the egg2, which can be folded down to the size and weight of a tiny suitcase. It can be used as a double or a single by adding two baby car seats or carrycots. Our test subjects were awed by the ease of move even with a full load of children.
Side-by-side pushchairs that are lightweight aren't foolproof, though -If your children are of the same age or stage, they may still fight over who rides in which seat. And if they're taller than each other it could be that a tandem design might be better for them, as it lets them look at each other.
Tandem
While side-by-side models may be better suited for siblings with similar ages tandem pushchairs are light and lightweight, and are a different kind of pushchair with their own appeal. They can be fitted with a larger car seat, and some even have reversible seats or an extra carrycot in the middle. They are larger, and easier to get into and out of. However the baskets they use tend to be smaller than those found on buggies that are single. Many feature larger canopies, peekaboo windows and even cushioned leg cushions.
The iCandy Peach tandem is another good example of a lightweight tandem that provides great value. Its fabrics feel a little less premium than some of our other top-rated tandems, however, it still looks and feels great and is very easy to use. One of the most impressive things about it is its one-handed fold. While it requires practice, Kirstie in our Lab declared it to be "genius". It can't be folded with the carrycot attached, however the mechanism for attaching and taking it off it is easy and quick.
Tandem strollers are light and lightweight. They generally have a more precise turning compared to side-by-side models. However, they may be difficult to navigate on uneven surfaces and curbs. They may also be a little slower to accelerate and are heavier to move, which could put strain on your back.
Another alternative is a convertible double buggy that starts out as an individual and then you add adapters to turn it into a double. It can also have a second seat, carrycot or both in front. Children can share a seat. Some can also consider including a buggyboard that can help an older child keep pace with siblings who are younger.
The Uppababy Vista V2 is a great example of a convertible, since it can be converted into a twin pram by the purchase of additional cocoons (PS59 each) that create a lie-flat space for infants. They can be placed side by side or attached to each other's faces and you can use them in conjunction with the infant car seat that comes with the pushchair (as long as you choose an appropriate one). These buggies for dual-use are made of quality materials that can be used for many years without showing any wear. This means they have a high resale price.
Single-to-Double
This lightweight double buggy was designed for families who love to go on outdoor adventures and want to upgrade from an individual-stroller. It can be converted into a jogger with a kit that includes air-filled tires and all-wheel-suspension. It can also withstand rough terrain well and is a tandem triple is ideal for twins or children of various age groups. It's also a good option for parents who want a stylish design that's as sleek as a single and comes in a variety of fabric colours.
We loved the way that this iCandy model folds into itself with just one hand, making it very simple to master. It's also heavier than some of the other single-to-double pushchairs in this review, our home tester Karolina said that it still is very maneuverable, even with two toddlers and a carrycot inside.
The seat can be used as a parent-facing and you can purchase accessories for this stroller like the Roma Gemini carrycots (PS100 each) that are perfect for babies. Our test panel found the seats were comfortable for toddlers and had good lumbar support and headrests. There are a variety of 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 which makes it more difficult to navigate through doorways and is difficult to manoeuvre up and down kerbs. The suspension and wheels of these types of strollers are generally able to cope with surfaces that are paved. They're also lighter than most side-by-sides, so you can still get a lot of storage. These strollers aren't easy to maneuver in supermarkets with narrow aisles and they may struggle to carry a large amount. It's a little easier to turn around on the smallest of curved paths but even this can be a challenge. Some are also easier to turn than others, such as the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double and Baby Trend Sit N' Stand Double, for example.
Convertible
The benefit of convertible double pushchairs is the ability to adapt to the changing family needs. Most of the time, they begin as single buggies and include adapters that permit you to include a second child's seat or carrycot, or (in some instances) the car seat to the frame. Some can even convert back to a single when your child gets older and starts to walk more or prefers to ride on buggy boards.
One of the most lightweight double strollers on our list, this sleek tri-fold model is able to hold children as heavy as 40 pounds each and features an easy-to-use basket between the seats for storage. Home testers appreciated its large canopy with windows that peek out multi-position reclining seats, as well as front and rear suspensions for smoother rides on rough terrain. It also has a convenient cup holder for the parent and an ample, easy-to-access basket. However, they pointed out that the seats' backs have small pockets that aren't large enough to accommodate anything more than a phone and keys.
This premium, lightweight side-by-side can be used in more than 20 configurations and includes a second seat and carrycot. Its impressive feature set includes a handlebar with a high-profile design for easier steering and a rear and front suspension to smooth rough terrain; a self-standing compact fold with handy straps that make it easy to schlep and seven-inch wheel lock that swivels in the front and 10-inch rear wheels with suspension for a smoother ride. The only downside is that you'll need purchase a separate baby carrier or car seat.
This multi-functional tandem is the most popular of our home testers due to the fact that it is easy to maneuver and has a large shopping basket that can be accessed from both seats when they are in the parent-facing position. Its extremely lightweight weight (about the same as some single pushchairs) makes it easy to move. Many people praise the clever way it connects the second seat or riding board at the back. Parents also appreciated the fact that it could accommodate infant car seats and carriers from multiple brands, including those that don't normally fit in other double buggies.