Double Stroller - Mountain View,CA

At first I thought I wanted a Graco tandem double so that my infant carseat would snap in. But after trying both types at the store, pushing them around the aisles, folding and unfolding, etc., I decided the tandem strollers were too bulky and felt like pushing a bus. So I opted for the side-by-side, which felt like a wide load, but was better than a bus.

Turns out, once I started using it, I LOVED my side-by-side! The one I chose folded pretty compactly and was narrow enough to fit through all doorways except the smallest of dressing room doors. (Be sure to get one that is *less* than 30 inches wide.) Also, the seats reclined fully so I could put my newborn in without worry. (I would have only used the infant carseat about 7 months anyway.) It maneuvered well and lasted a long time, and I was able to resell it and recoup more than half the cost (and I had bought it second hand to begin with).

But the best thing about having a side-by-side was watching how my children interacted. Big brother would reach over to hold baby sister's hand, help her with her blankie, or retrieve her pacifier. And as they got older they would talk to each other and keep each other company. And then they got the the stage when they could both get in and out on their own...bliss!

By the way, my children are 21 months apart, and I used the stroller for nearly 3 years. I had a Maclaren. A friend of mine also chose a Maclaren for her double stroller and loved it. I have another friend who had a Combi Twin Savvy and loved hers too. I absolutely loved having a side-by-side and would do it again in an instant.

2 moms found this helpful

Here's my response to a similar request not long ago:
I love my Vallco Tri Mode Twin... it's a side-by-side that fits through standard doorways... I roll it right through my front door. It maneuvers like a dream even one-handed and can spin a 360 in place. It can accomodate an infant seat and if you have a 3rd child there's an add-on seat for the front even. I know another mom with the twin version and it's the only stroller she has (it lives in her car)... she loves it. I also know a MaMa who opted for the singleton TriMode and bought the "jump seat" for her toddler... she hates how hard it is to maneuver stacked with two kids and wishes she'd gone with the side-by side. I did tons of research and in-store test drives and fell in love with the TriMode Twin. Yes, it's very pricey but with all the walking we've done I wouldn't trade it for the world. Even my husband talks it up to folks expecting their 2nd baby and he wasn't originally thrilled to be plunking down so much for a stroller! On the Phil & Ted's I couldn't get past the idea that one kiddo wouldn't have much to see and would be taking up that teeny little basket for their grubby shoes. The best add-on I've had for my stroller was a clip-on cup holder by BabyJogger... it's self-leveling and can be attached to the center bar so it won't be in the way. The TriMode Twin has plenty of storage and you won't get tired pushing it... the true tires really make a difference. The sunshades go all the way down to the bumper bar so your kiddos will never be blinded by the sun or blown away.

And to add now that it's raining... the rain covers zip into the sunshades and go all the way over the footplate so you're precious little ones won't get wet while you're blowing off MaMa steam in the rain :P If it's a short errand I'd rather walk in the rain than have to take two kiddos in and out of the car... this way they get in at home and out at home!

1 mom found this helpful

I have 2 girls that are 17 months apart. We got the Phil & Ted and are so happy we did. Like others have said, not a lot of storage when using the second seat as that child's feet are in your basket, but I also started carrying a backpack instead of my fancy, over the shoulder diaper bag. It also made me realize how much stuff I was carrying around that I didn't need. When the 2 year old is sitting in the back/bottom, she occasionally kicks at the baby, but with some verbal reminders she stops. My sister has twins and after pushing the long double snap and go, she also got a Phil & Ted. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

I have a tandem and who ever is in the front gets there seat kicked. I have tried baby in front tot in back and baby was kicked then I tried baby in back tot in front and tot's seat was kicked. I think it is just to much fun seeing their sibling flying forward for them to resist. If I could do it over I would get a side by side for this reason. Hope that helps...

1 mom found this helpful

S.;
We have City Double stroller, and it is very good for us. I had gone through almost all strollers a few months back, and that's what I had chosen because, it was lighter (23 pounds versus 35 for Mountain Buggy for e.g), very maneuverable, compact, fits through the standard single door(!), and had a good amount of storage, fully and independently reclining seats, and in the price range of $300 - 350. It does have disadvantage though, now that I have been using it for 8+ months. It is good for parents, because of the qualities I described, but for my curious twins, it seems a bit restrictive to sit in it. They have only one option in sitting in it: reclined and with harness attached. They can't sit straight, or look out, and at 17 months and even earlier they want it. So, I'd prefer a stroller with a tray, which keeps kids in place but allows them more freedom of movement. I chose side-by-side stroller, b/c boys can see each other, and they are closer together, and more "equal" :-). Here is the link, if you want to check it out:
www.joggingstroller.com/Baby-Jogger-City-Mini-Double.pro

I love our Phil & Ted's with the optional 2nd seat. We have used this since my daughter was an infant with no problems. I can steer with one hand even with both kids in the stroller and never have problems fitting through anywhere since it is the width of a single stroller. Only drawback is you don't really have a basket in double mode, but we solve that by carrying a backpack with the necessities. My kids are almost 5 and 2.5 and we still use it all the time.

Not sure what the age differences are between your children but I have twins and I only have the BOB stroller side by side and I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything. That said it is very bulky and takes up a lot of room in the car so I use it mostly for walking out of my house to parks and grocery. It fits in every doorway I've come across and it's great for shopping because it has a basket underneath as well as I put tons of stuff on top of the canopies.
The kids enjoy being able to interract and touch each other. The seats fully recline and I've been using it since they were 3mo old and only 8lbs (preemies).
I tested out the Maclaren side by side and it wasn't good for when they were tiny because the straps were so bulky but I can see how that stroller would work now and it folded up nicely just not as much basket space from what I can remember.

This seems to be a hot topic as I hvae seen this question a few times in the past few months. I went and test drove a bunch of them at the store with my son in tow when he was 2 and I was preganant. Many of them i found to be hard to push and turn with just one child. I wanted s double stroller but worried a side by side would be hard to get in and out of stores and many stores have narrow spaces/doors getting into dressing rooms, etc. I fell in love with the http://www.target.com/Baby-Trend-Deluxe-Stand-Stroller/dp...
I checked out the Countoure which is super easy to push and it has changable seat positions. However, I found if you have tall children they look very uncomfortable with their feet haning off the seat as this stroller isn't good for children spaced out in age. I think it is great if you have twins. I wanted something that was going to grow with my children. I wanted to be able to have a travel system too which I can use my graco infant sungride carseat in the front for my now 5 month old. Many double strollers i found don't hold heavier children. My older son is now 3, 37lbs and at 2.5 i sometimes needed to still strap him in a stroller as he would run all over the place. I can change the back seat in seconds to let him also stand on the back. He loves that a lot. Feels like he has some control. I can also have all their cargo and the carseat with my now 18lb 5 month old in it and still the stroller moves well. This is by far the best stroller i found hands down with all the features one stroller would have for more money and its priced well for all the features you get in one. My older son doesn't feel like a baby sitting in the back and he is tall. He likes to peek through seeing his baby brother in front of him. Good luck.

SAHM, 39 with a super funny active 3yo and a 5 month old who is full of smiles and bubbles.

I have a "thing" for strollers, I have tried a lot. I have researched a lot! I have found no double stroller that can compete with the Bob Revolution. The stroller handles so well it is amazing! If you get the all wheel 12", then all the wheels are the same size and it is incredibly easy to handle. It can be outside on a trail or inside the mall. The front wheel pivets or locks in place. It folds pretty well too. If you want to be able to jog with the stroller, then get the Bob Revolution that has back wheels which are 12" but the front wheel is bigger. It still pivets or locks in place, but apparently the larger front wheel locked in place is is a bit safer for jogging.
If i had to choose a 2nd place i would probably get the Phil and Teds, but I much prefer having the kids on the same level so they can interact with each other and se ethe same thing.

I did a lot of research for double strollers. If you are interested, I have a Graco quattro tour duo , which is very gently used, and in almost new condition. It folds 20% smaller than the standard duo glide from Graco. Here is a link to the specifics. My stroller looks just like this one - http://www.albeebaby.com/grqutoduost61.html. Let me know if you would like to buy it. Honestly, I love it, but my older son prefers to walk more, so I recently bought a sit-n-stand for my two boys.

I used the Graco at most 15 times. I have EVERYTHING, manual, infant car seat adapter, etc. Plus, it is super clean. I was hoping to get $175 for it, but best offer works

When I needed a tandem stroller, I looked high and low for one that I could easily maneuver (even in narrow spaces), that didn't take up too much space in my car, and wasn't cumbersome to fold or unfold. What worked best for me was the Graco Quatro Tour. It is very easy to use, not too heavy, nice and compact, both kids can see where they are going because of the terraced design, and you can click a car seat into both seats (at the same time if you have two infants).
I bought this stroller because I was watching my own child and my niece who are only three months apart in age. My sister moved and I no longer babysit for her so I no longer need my stroller. I only used it four times but loved it. It's not as compact as the Bugaboo but it's difficult to compare a single stroller to a double. This stroller isn't too much bigger than most single strollers. That's one of the reasons that I bought it in the first place.
I'm going to sell mine if you are interested. It's in perfect condition and I have all of the accessories. Mine is the ionic pattern. Even if you are not interested in mine, you should check it out on the Graco website (link below) or go into Goore's and try it on for size. I think you'd be happy with it. Good luck with your research and congratulations.

http://www.gracobaby.com/catalog/product.aspx?modelNumber...

I use a Chariot Bike trailer that converts into a stroller. It manuevers really well over all types of terrain, even when fully loaded. it is definitely sturdy and easy to collapse, etc. You can get an infant sling to use with it for the first couple of months. It is rather wide I have gotten it into most stores, some with barely enough clearance though. they are made in Canada so aren't on store shelves here, but most bike shops can order them if you take web page printout with information into them.
www.chariot.com

When I was caring for three little ones, I found a "Runabout"to be tremendous. They're built by a bicycle shop in Oregon, so all parts can be replaced or changed out. The unit breaks down, but doesn't really fold like others may. The stroller is slim, so maneuvers easily in shops. And the children sit up high, so can see things! It is a good ride and almost pushes itself! This is the site I found mine used: http://www.tripletconnection.com/runabout_strollers/index... It really is a sturdy unit, so even after we grew out of ours, I was able to pass it on.

It would probably be a good idea to think about where you would most likely be using a stroller. If you will be taking it in areas where your pathway will be narrow, the side by side stroller may not be the best for you. The only one I've ever used, (and I haven't had much experience with any strollers) is a tandem. It can be bulky to handle, but the Graco my kids use for the grandchildren does wheel and turn smoothly. Some people have mentioned the child in the rear seat not having a good view, but I haven't noticed that to be a problem. We usually put the older, taller child in the rear seat and that seems to work out well.

I have the graco double stroller which I use for my twins and also occasionally for my 2 1/2 year old son and one of the babies. I think it is very handy and I really have no complaints. It folds down and sets up easily which is a plus if you travel or need a stroller for stores, etc. It's not a jogging stroller if that is something you are interested in.

Just like with single strollers, there's no double stroller that's ideal for all situations.

I have two boys 22 months apart and debated whether I even needed a double stroller. I was given a hand me down tandem stroller that was very hard to push and awkward. I assume that others are better. For the first 8 or 9 months, I wore the second baby and pushed a single stroller. Then I got a double BOB Revolution. It's big, but I can push and steer it one handed. There's not a lot of room for my big 2.5 year old, but he seems comfortable. It's perfect for most of what I use a stroller for: walking around the neighborhood, walking to the supermarket, outings to the zoo. If we travel, I'm sure I will wish I had a double umbrella stroller (like a Maclaren), but it's hard to justify getting one.

i have the Phil & Ted's, with the jump seat for the bottom. (our kids are 3 years apart) it's awesome. We got it because we were living in an area where we did 90% percent walking & most of it was on cobblestone streets/brick sidewalks. we've taken it on all types of terrain, traveling all over europe & now all up & down the california coast. it's worth every penny we spent on it.

I have a double stroller that is not tandem by Graco. It is light weight and easy to get around with. The down side of it is that the infant seat blocks the child behind from being able to see forward.

I have the Phil and Ted with the optional second seat. I have really loved it. It can be converted from a single to a double and back to a single, so it is not worthless when you only have one child with you, or when your older child does not always ride in a stroller anymore. It is more like the tandem strollers in that the second seat attaches either on top off or below the main seat, but it does not take up a ton of space like the Graco models. They only drawback is that you can not use it as a double with a car seat. If you can to put the infant seat in it you have to have it in single mode. This was never a problem for me because if I was going to be somewhere for a long time I just put my daughter in the stroller itself, and if she was sleeping and it was just a short trip I had my son walk.