Advice on Double Strollers

We have a graco double stroller and have been happy with it, I can't remember the model but its brown and green in color. It works very well, easy to set up/take down, rolls easily, great handle height and position, easy to steer, its a front to back design, large functional basket, my combi basket carseat fit in it, great sunshade too. the only drawbacks, heavy at 40 pounds and can take up a bit of space in the back of the minivan or suv. I would not opt for a sidebyside unless it was the BOB brand, very awesome but expensive. My tall 3 yo fits in the front seat just fine and my 17 month old is comfi in the back or front. This was a huge decision for us and really researched everything and in the end have been very happy with this one!

Hello,

I have a 6yr old, 3yr old and 9 month old twins. Had a side by side, was a major pain because we couldn't get around in dept. stores, could barely get through some door ways and not even through others. I was leary about the tandom seaters because I had heard that they were hard to steer. My hubby found an older Graco duo at a consigment store. It is tandom seating and for $40 we gave it a try. I love it and it is a life saver with the twins. It is an older model so it doesn't have the new bells and whistles but it definately gets the job done. Plus to my suprise it is very easy to steer. So I say go tandom not side by side, but maybe you can go to a store where you can try both out a little. Good luck.

I have researched this topic quite a lot. I have a two year old and we are expecting number two in november. (Yea!) I was reluctant to buy an infant seat and stroller system for the new baby, knowing how much I didn't like the travel system I had with my first baby. (graco)
I also, like most others, am on a budget. I Found that the baby trend sit/stand stroller was the most affordable. It's not heavy and has storage under and cup holders. It also is not a side by side model, so you can navigate through narrow doorways.
I was getting my daughter's 2 year pictures made and saw another mother with the baby trend stroller I had my eye on and asked her how she liked it. She said it was awesome. I also needed an infant carrier that isn't two bulkey since I will have two car seats in my honda pilot. I am slightly crazy about organization and maximizing space. The baby trend infant carrier (got it at target for 49 bucks!, usually $80,but it was an open box buy) fits perfectly in my car leaving room for a passenger between the two car seats. I then purchased the stroller at the strollerdepot.com, FREE shipping! I have it now and am very pleased. I can't wait for adventures out with my TWO kids.

We're expecting baby #2 in March and our daughter will be 22 months then. We bought the sit and stand by Baby Trend on Craig's list for $50. Make sure you ask to see if it has the bar to hold an infant seat (not all have them) if you buy used. I think it's a good option because it givest the older child some flexibility. And when you're out with your husband and the older child wants to walk or something, it's not so bulky that it seems like waste to have a double stroller with only one child in it.

We have the Joovy Tandem Sit N Stand. My kids are further apart in age (4 1/2yrs & 11mths) so this was the way to go for us. I was not going to be lifting the big one in and out of the stroller. The front can hold an infant seat and has a regualr seat for later. The back has a seat (more like a jump seat- no back) with a buckle and a standing platform with hand grips for them to sit or stand. I got the Joovy new at babiesrus last year for $114. You could look for it used though if that's too expensive. Try yard sales and consignment stores and sales. Most of the comsignment sales in my are happened in August and March/April but maybe your area has some later.

try looking online for local twins clubs. they ocassionally have group yardsales and that is a great way to get a double stroller (actually, double anything!) at a lower cost. The parents there can also tell you what they like about the different models available.
As a mom of twins (my first-borns) then also to two babies just 15 months apart by the time the twins turned 6, I can assure you that the inline types are best. The side-by-sides are best when used outdoors, but are very hard to manage in tight spaces. Also consider the types that convert from stroller to carseat. They make transitions much quicker, especially when the weather changes unexpectedly.
Test how easily the stoller folds down for storage as well as how much space it takes up. We stored ours under the baby bed until we no longer used a crib. Then we had to find a new storage spot.
Hope this helps!
L.

I have a Phil and ted and It is great!! it allows for a lot of variation on baby age too. you can have a baby and toddler where the baby is in the back near you ( an option not found on many other strollers) it also allows for 2 toddlers when the baby grows. It is also great because the handle bar is adjustable. my husband is 6foot 2 and I am 5 foot 3 so we need that feature. he can walk with is with out kicking the back. it is great!!

T.,
The Phil & Teds double stroller is wonderful!! It's a little pricey but is well worth it - maybe you could find one used. Best of luck and congrats!

I use the Graco Duoglide and it is great. It is easy to manuveur and lighter than some of the others. If I take off the tray it even fits in the trunk of my Honda Civic. The carseats will snap on for the infant and works well for older kids as well.

Graco makes a good one.

I can only recommend the one I have: Phil and Teds Sport double.. I cannot even tell you how much I LOVE this stroller.. it is well worth the $400 I paid for it..

They now have a NEW, IMPROVED one (LOL) but it will run you closer to $700. Yeah.

Look into it.. I know $400 is a LOT, but for the convenience and durability, and resale value (I am sure), it is well worth it IMO.

Just an idea.. maybe you could sell your Bumbleride.

Good luck, and congrats on your new one!!

J.

Congrats on your new baby!
I have 2 children 19 months apart. I bought the Phil & Ted's stroller with the 2nd seat. It's a great stroller that's really smooth and easy to maneuver but if I could do it all over again, I would get the Maclaren Twin Techno. The P&T got great reviews but my older son never really liked the 2nd seat at the bottom. The front seat reclines a bit too much for my kids' liking as they are always sitting up without back support to see what's going on. I ended up buy an Inglesina Twin Swift side-by-side which both my kids enjoy better, and for me, it's easier to open and close. It's definitely no Maclaren, but since I spent all that money on the P&T I didn't want to spend so much on another double stroller (which I probably should have done anyway - the Inglesina is kinda crappy). With the side-by-side and a newborn, I wouldn't have objected to taking him out of the carseat and putting him in the stroller with body support cushions. I started doing that anyway at around 3 months since my younger son got so big and heavy I couldn't carry him in the carseat any longer. I do believe if you get the Chicco double, you can snap in an infant carseat. Hope this helps!

After much research and playing with them in the store, we got a Graco Duoglyder for our twins. We LOVE it. It's easy to steer, easy to work, gets thru spaces without any trouble. It has storage underneath and lots of great features. It works as a travel system as well, so we've used it since they were tiny and still use it now that they're almost 2. They really are much easier to use than a side by side. Congrats- and good luck!
B.

Have you thought about a sit and stand stroller? My son had just turned 2 when I had my third son. At that age, they have learned to unbuckle a stroller anyway and are wanting to be more independent. I found that this was great! My 2 year old felt like he was "the big brother" and could sit or stand on the stoller as I was pushing it, and the baby sits up front. It also allows my 2 year old to have the freedom of getting down when we stop to look at something, and then he hops back on when its time to go again. I HIGHLY recommend it. And, the best thing is we bought one in great used condition for $40 on craigslist! If you don't see any for sale, you can post a WANTED ad...that's how I found mine and I love it!

Keep checking craigslist.com for a used one if $$ is an issue. Check the brand, do a little research on what a new one would cost & familiarize yourself with it's features, then go see some used ones!

P

Not sure of what brand is best. But the side by side is much easier to steer and control.

We have the Graco Double stroller that allowed us to fit our Graco Snugride in it when our second got here. I like it, it's not super expensive or fancy, but it is affordable and Target carries it and I think Walmart does too. Keep an eye out for sales or scan the internet for locals selling it. Check out any church consignment sales, if you have any in your area that are still going on, or even garage sales. Good Luck.

A. B

Hi T.,
I have a Baby Trend Sit-N-Stand LX stroller that my kids and I love. My son is 3 and 1/2 and my daughter just turned one. It gives my son the choice of either sitting or standing. I got it at Target for $83. It was listed on the internet for $119 but rang up for only $83 so I'm not sure if it was on sale or if that was Targets regular price. In any case, it is very nice.

I had a Graco Duoglider when my kids needed one, and enjoyed it. All of them are bulky (except the lighter very expensive models), but the Graco was reasonable and convenient.

go to toys r us and try them out... walk around the store with them..... try consignment stores near you like once upon a child and others.... good luck...
ps i love my graco duo glider!!

I definitely recommend the Graco DuoGlider!!! There is another model the DuoRider, but the DuoGlider is the side by side model. I had the Eddie Bauer model with one seat behind the other. I thought it would be great because the front seat can be flipped around to face the child in the back. The stroller was AWFUL to steer and veered from side to side. My back and upper arms were killing me after the first day and I came home fromt the mall and told my husband that if I never went anywhere again because we couldn't afford another stroller that would be absolutely fine with me...I wasn't going to use that one ever again!! I sold it on craigslist. My neighbor across the street recommended her Graco stroller which is the side by side. I was concerned because it seemed so wide I thought it would be a chore to get through isles and doors. Was I pleasantly surprised???!!! I LOVE my stroller. I've steered it with one hand, a toddler on my hip, and a cup of starbucks coffee in my hand. It is very easily maneuverable. It also has tons of storage space for shopping bags....ALWAYS A PLUS!! :)

Good luck on your search and decision making! Oh by the way, the retailed for $110 brand new two years ago when I bought mine, but I got an excellent deal on craigslist. I bought a used one with absolutely NO flaws for $50.

hi, i really like the sit n stand strollers. they can accomodate a carrier and also has a buckle in the back part for your older one. my kids love it. had i known about this particular stroller i would not have purchased a traditional double. good luck.