5 Laws That ll Help The Double Pushchair Industry
Which Lightweight Double Pushchair Should You Buy?
It's easy to move around in a light double pushchair, especially if you have children of varying age groups. They are easy to fold, steer and carry up and down stairs.
This City Mini GT2 offers side-by-side seats with plenty of legroom with adjustable reclining, as well as massive UPF 50+ canopy with windows that peek out. It also has a clever frame that expands widthways to take a second seat, and also a compatible car seat(s).
Side-by-Side
The majority of the lightweight double pushchairs that we test are side-byside models and they're generally best twin stroller for children that can sit up unassisted because they tend to be lacking car seat integration. That said they do have a few advantages. Thule Urban Glide 2 Double and Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double are both top choices that have adjustable recline in both seats, a wide canopy, and padded 5-point harnesses. They are also easy to maneuver, despite their larger footprint. They are ideal for parents who worry about getting through doors.
The Cybex Duet is a little different due to its clever frame that expands in width to accommodate an additional seat, making it slimmer than most other side-by-side pushchairs on the market. It can be pushed through standard doorways and is easy to move around on public transport. It's also a jogger, which is a great feature when you're planning to use it in conjunction with a baby carrier or infant car seat. It's available in a variety of exciting colors.
The UPPAbaby Vista v2 double is another fantastic side-by-side amazon double stroller (listen to this podcast) that is lightweight. It allows for an even greater degree of customization due to the modular frame. It features a clever design that lets you turn it into a single buggy or a double with the addition of two car seats or carrycots (it can even accommodate twins). It's an outstandingly practical choice for growing families and the UPPAbaby makes one of the lightest and most stylish umbrella strollers on the market.
If you're looking for a compact double stroller and lightweight double, you can try the egg2 which folds to the size of a compact suitcase. It can be used either as a double or single by adding two carrycots or baby car seats. Our home testers were amazed by the ease of move around, even with a full load of children.
Although they're lightweight double pushchairs side-by-side are not foolproof. If your children are of the same age and stage, they may still fight about who gets to sit in which seat. If they're taller than each other, a tandem model could be more suitable for them since it allows them to look at each other.
Tandem
While side-by-side models may be more suitable for siblings of the same age, tandem lightweight double pushchairs have their own charms. Some can accommodate carseats that are larger, and some have reversible seats. Others have an additional carrycot or reclined seat that can be flipped in the middle. They are more spacious and are easier to get in and out of. However their baskets tend to be smaller than those on single buggies. Many also feature more generously sized canopies with peekaboo windows as well as a parent cup holder and padding for the legs of young children.
The iCandy Peach tandem is another excellent example of a light tandem that offers an excellent value. The fabrics are a little less luxurious than those of some of our top-rated doubles. But, it looks fantastic and is simple to use. One of the most impressive aspects about it is the one-handed fold - although it does require practice, Kirstie in our Lab declared it to be "genius". It's not foldable without the carrycot attached, however the mechanism for attaching and removing it is easy and quick.
Tandem pushchairs that are lightweight twin buggy generally have tighter turns than side-by-side models, but they can be more difficult to drive on bumps and uneven surfaces. They are also slower to accelerate and heavier to move. This can put stress on your back.
A convertible double buggy is another option. It is initially one but you can also add adapters to make it a double. It could have an additional seat, a carrycot, or both in the front. The children can be seated together. Some have the option of including a buggyboard that helps an older child keep pace with a younger brother or sister.
The Uppababy Vista V2 can be converted into a twin stroller-sized pram by purchasing additional cocoons at PS59 each. These cocoons provide a flat space for newborns. They can be attached together or placed side-by-side. You can also use the car seat that came with the pushchair in the event that it is compatible. As they're made with quality materials, these types of dual-use buggies can often be used for many years without showing much wear, meaning they have the highest price resales.
Single-to-Double
Ideal for families who love to be outdoors and are looking to upgrade their single stroller, this light double buggy turns into a jogger thanks a nifty kit that includes air-filled tyres and all-wheel suspension. It can also handle rough terrain well and, as a tandem triple is ideal for twins or children of various age groups. It's also a good choice for parents looking for an elegant design that's as elegant as a single and is available in a range of colors for the fabric.
We were impressed by the way this iCandy model folds down using a single-hand mechanism that's very easy to master. It's heavier than other single-to-double pushchairs, however our home tester Karolina says it's still very capable of maneuvering even with two toddlers inside and carrying a carrycot.
The seat can be used parent-facing and you can buy add-ons for this twin stroller side by side, such as the Roma Gemini carrycots (PS100 each) which are great for newborns. Our test panel found that the seats to be comfortable for toddlers, with excellent lumbar support and headrests. And there are a variety of options for reclining and recline, with the front seat being able to be adjusted to different positions and the rear seat having a recline option.
The biggest drawback with this type of buggy is that it's generally larger overall than the side-by-side doubles which makes it more difficult to navigate through doorways and is difficult to manoeuvre up and down kerbs. However, the wheels and suspension are generally able to do a good job of dealing with pavements and the fact that they're lighter than the side-by-sides means you can still have plenty of storage space. These strollers aren't easy to maneuver in supermarkets with narrow aisles, and they can be difficult to carry loads. It's easier to turn them around on the smallest of curved paths but even this can be difficult. Some are easier to turn than others models, like the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double or the Baby Trend Sit N' Stand Double.
Convertible
Convertible double pushchairs are fantastic because they can be adapted to the changing needs of a family. They typically start as single buggies, and have adapters that allow you to add an additional seat, a carrycot, or (in certain cases) the car seat to the frame. Some even convert to a single buggie when your older child begins to walk more or prefers to ride on buggy boards.
One of the most lightweight double strollers on our list, this stylish tri-fold model can carry children up to 40 lbs each. It also has a convenient basket that can be placed between the seats to store things. The spacious canopy with peekaboo window, multi-position reclining chairs and front and back suspensions to ensure smoother rides on rough terrain were praised by the home testers. It also has a handy cup holder for the parent and an ample, easy-to-access basket. However, they noticed that the backs of the seats have tiny pockets that aren't big enough to hold much more than a smartphone and keys.
This light, high-end side-byside is available in more than 20 configurations. It also comes with a second chair and carrycot. Its impressive set of features includes a high-profile handlebar for easier steering as well as rear and front suspensions 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 10-inch rear wheels with suspension for a smoother ride. The only downside is that you'll have to purchase a separate baby carrier or car seat.
This versatile tandem is a top choice from our home testers due to its easy-to-maneuver size and impressively large shopping basket that is accessible with both seats in the parent-facing position. It is simple to maneuver thanks to its surprisingly low weight (about the same as a few single pushchairs). Many people praise the clever way it attaches the second seat or riding board at the back. Parents also admired the fact that it can accommodate infant carriers and car seat from multiple brands. This includes those that aren't typically compatible with other double buggies.