Seeking Double Stroller... Need Recommendations

I have a Valco Baby Tri-Mode Twin stroller. It is a dream-come-true stroller for me. I absolutely love it. I have two boys, 15 months apart, and I "suffered" through 3 lousy double strollers during my first year as a mom of 2, then I finally decided that I was going to have to spend a bundle to get what I was looking for, and I got it. My boys love to be in it, is very easy to push on any terrain at any speed, and it is narrow enough to fit through doorways and aisles with room to spare, and without knocking things down! It has plenty of storage and you can get cup holders for it. It has been worth every penny for me.

However, I must say that as my kids are getting older (the baby is now 2-1/2), I don't use it so much. So with your youngest already at 16 mos old, I don't know if you would get your "money's worth." I guess it really depends on what you use it for and how often you need a stroller, and if you plan on having another child anytime soon. If you are planning to have more, I would definitely tell you to go for it, if it is an option. They do make attachments for an infant carrier, and they even have options for loading it up with a 3rd child! The only drawback to this stroller (besides the price) is that it is rather bulky and heavy when folded. But that is a very small inconvenience for me considering how wonderful it is when I am using it.

If it is possible, try to test out a stroller with both kids in it before buying it. The extra weight really does make a difference and will make many considerations that don't apply with a single stroller. If you are considering one of the higher-priced strollers that are not carried in most retail stores, there is a store in Orange County that I have heard of that carries those strollers and will rent them out by the day. I haven't been there myself, but the website is www.octraveltykes.com.

Just some things to watch out for that I found problematic with other strollers: Tandem strollers are very long and difficult to maneuver. We tried the Kolcraft Contours and both of my boys were miserable every time I put them in it (don't know why). My boys definitely preferred side-by-side strollers, but the width can be problematic, and difficult to maneuver with the small wheels. Larger wheels, like with joggers, make a stroller much easier to maneuver with the weight of 2 children. We tried the Schwinn double jogger. It was great to maneuver, but the seats were angled inward and pushed the 2 kids together (my youngest really didn't like that) and the stroller was too wide to fit through doorways of many stores, so I couldn't use it for shopping. Almost every double stroller that is convenient to push will be bulky and combersome when folded, but there are some that are easier to deal with than others, it just depends on what is most important to you.

Good luck!

I went on Craigslist and found a great double jogger- schwin. It is much less expensive than buying new. Good luck!

I also have the Phil and Ted's. It's awesome!!! Well worth the money. You can get them on amazon or ebay!

Hi S.,

we have a Graco Traveler double stroler (tandem) and we loved it. Both chairs lean back, there's lots of storage underneath (and the back comes down so you can easily get to it when there's a child in the seat). It collapses easily and sets back up with one hand -- and fits in our trunk easily, too. I loved this thing. The Graco baby seats snap into it, too, though we're beyond that now :)

My sons have outgrown it. If you want to come to Fullerton and pick it up, you may have it for free. PM me.

Hi S.,

I have a 16m and 3 year old too! Skip the combi at all cost... They both weigh different amounts so it steers horrible and the wheels are to small for 2 kids weight. I have tried just about all strollers includeing the peg perego huge stroller and the only two I have found that are convenient for moms like us is the Phil & Teds with doubles and the Jane powertwin. These are the only two that work not only at the mall but at the zoo, beach and even light jogging. If you live in VTA cty there is a few consigmnet stores which could sell your old ones to take the burden off the pricey but well worth it cost. Even my husband Mr. frugal finally agreed that the Phil and Teds has been an irreplacable purchase in the ease it has provided us.

Hugs,

A. Newhouse
Designer & Owner Three Peas Co.
Urban chic apparel, accessories and boutique items to compliment your lifestyle
www.threepeasco.com

http://www.mamasource.com/request/8150599710588010497

that question was asked here on MamaSource not too long ago.
Just click the link above to read the responses.

Good luck,
Susan

I have a 4 year old and a 7 month old and we love our Phil & Teds, This stroller is ideal because it can be used as a single or a double. The storage is not that great and the stroller is a bit pricey, but I found it to be the best double stroller option on the market .

Love my BOB Revolution Duallie. Worth every penny!

M.

I LOVE my sit and stand. it was way easier than the graco duo glider stroller. And i think it has plenty of storage. but, I am not a person that needs a big ol' basket.

I second the BOB revolution duallie recommendation, but it does depend on what you use if for. I have a 3 yr old a 15 month and we use ours more for walking to the park, the store, etc. and less for mall shopping (I can't stand dealing with any stroller at the mall and have relied on carrying the little one in the Ergo). The BOB is easy to maneuver and goes anywhere. It must have purposefully been designed this way -- it fits through almost any door (by just a hair).
It is a little heavy to load in the car (I have a minivan and am 5'8" so not bad for me) and I find it a little difficult to shove a diaper bag in the storage under the seats. Otherwise, it is a great stroller for just about any purpose.

i am in love with the double Bob. it is all pros and hardly any cons. its not like an umbrella stroller when i pack it up for the trunk, but it fits in there. the kids love it too.

I have a Phil and Ted's double jogger--there is a seat that inserts below the upper seat. I LOVE it. We also have a Contour--not especially compact, but it has massive amounts of storage, it manouvers really well and the seat arrangement is versatile. The bummer on that one is I can't fit it into my trunk (I have a Ford Escort). The downside of both? Price. I found my Phil and Ted's secondhand, though. The Contour is a little pricey as well. For me, they are definitely worth it!

I cannot help with the maneuvering but you can vastly improve the storage of your "sit and Stand" with Kiddie Kangaroo pocket storage system. AND SAVE MONEY! Gives the little ones access to their stuff leaving the below storage for your use! You would need one stroller version and one car seat version for the Sit and Stand passengers! Go to www.kiddiekangaroo.com to order or watch HSN's Today Show Monday Jan. 12th 8am EST (5a.m.PST) for a television debut of this great product.

Hi S.. We have a 3.5 yr old and a 22 month old and they love their Phil & Ted's double stroller. The older one sits in front and the younger one sits in the back. She often falls asleep back there. Sometimes, they'd fight to sit in the back! When we only have one of the girls out with us, we take out the back seat and it become just one. I've taken this stroller out on jogs and it's so easy and maneuverable. We love it!

for be honest, use something that is confy for you, that is very recommend to you.
maybe...proof the pros if isn't easy to move with it, use the cons. If the two are easy to move for you, check what if the two are more easy for you

I'm not really sure...i'm very sorry

We loved our Combi delux (side by side with snack tray). It's light and easy to handle. The side by side really worked for my kids. Since my oldest one has outgrown a stroller, I am interested in selling the stroller to another mom at a very low price. Mine is in excellent condition, and we bought it new less than 2 yrs ago. email me if you are interested:
____@____.com

My sister was pushing her 4 year old and 10 month old all over the mall in her McLaren last week when I was visiting. And she was using the same stroller when she visited me in LA two years ago, for her then-4 year old and then-2 year old, so it lasts.

I have a 3 month old and a 3 1/2 yeard old and have the Peg Perego Aria Twin stroller. I got it from Babies R Us. It's side by side, has a great basket below, SUPER lightweight, easy to open, both seats fully recline and I've had no trouble manuevering it even when I'm only using one hand. It's a thumbs up for me!

-M