What to Look For in a Compact Double Buggy
Kerry says that this side-by-side is small enough to pass through most doors and can accommodate two car seats or carrycots. It folds up self-standing and a handy carry strap to make it easy to schlep.
It's also extremely easy to move up/down stairs. The canopies have generously sized windows as well as peekaboo openings.
Size
Double buggy features that you must look for include the large shopping basket, front and rear suspension and an incredibly sturdy frame. You may consider if it's a travel system or if an infant car seat or a carrycot is possible to add. These are important considerations when you're planning to bring your little ones along in public transport or on longer journeys.
Take a look at the Leclerc Kooper X2 if you are looking for a compact double buggy that you can use right from birth. This model is a side by side buggy with frames that can be expanded widthways in order to accommodate two children. The seats have a recline option and can be placed independently, which gives you the option of one child leaning back enjoying a nap while the other looks out at the surrounding. You also get a large UPF 50+ canopy and an option to peek inside.
Mountain Buggy Duet is another great alternative for twins. It is the tiniest side-by-side twin pushchair available and is only 63cm wide, so should fit through most doorways. It can accommodate two car seats or a carrycot and has lay-flat seats that are suitable from birth.
Tandem double buggies, which feature the children sitting in a row, are a popular choice for twins, or parents of a baby and toddler. However, they do tend to have a larger space than single-seaters and may be difficult to manoeuvre on narrow streets or through doors.
The iCandy Orange tandem buggy is a well-loved tandem that will grow with your family. It has 30 different seating configurations. It can be used with twins, a baby and toddler or three kids when you add iCandy's "PiggyBack" board (which you can purchase separately). It is equipped with an easy suspension system that makes kerbs easier to navigate. It can be used in mono or double mode. It is also possible to connect a single stroller to the top of the unit for additional storage space.
Weight
A good double buggy is lightweight and easy to push. It should also have nice-sized shopping baskets, a rear and front suspension to make it easier to get around rough terrains and, in the ideal case it should be suitable for twins or siblings of various age groups.
A majority of compact double buggies come with frames designed to take infant car seats and come with adaptors with branded brands to match the popular models from Cybex, BeSafe and Maxi-Cosi. These are great choices if you want to avoid using separate strollers for your younger children with medical issues.
They are typically larger than buggies that are side-by-side and are more difficult to fit into doorways and on public transportation. Look over the product's specifications for alternatives if this is important to your family.
Mountain Buggy Duet is the smallest double stroller on the market. It's the slimmest side-by-side available that measures just 63cm in width. It is able to transport twins or a baby and a toddler. It is built to last and offers high-quality performance with air-filled tyres, which are all-terrain but just as happy nipping around the town.
Another option is the UPPAbaby Vista 2, which can accommodate twins with one baby and one toddler or two kids with piggy backboards (which you must purchase separately). It comes with a self-standing fold and carry strap to make it super-easy to schlep, and comes with rear and front suspension to help you deal with rougher terrain. It's a little heavier than the Joie Evalite Duo but still lighter than the majority of tri-fold buggies. It's also an excellent value for older kids.
Folding
A good double stroller needs to be slimline for storage, and a suitable option is the Baby Jogger City Select 2. This side-byside model has a smooth fold, and the frame's clever design expands in width when folded so that it's smaller than the standard stroller. This makes it easy to get around doorways and on public transport. It also means that you don't require an additional vehicle to transport the buggy around.
It's a great choice for parents with twins since it can be used with two seats, and car seat adaptors. It can also accommodate another child on the 'piggybackboard' of the buggy. It also offers a wide range of configurations including elevated stadium-style seats that give both kids the view of their surroundings. There's even a handbrake built into the handlebar that can be adjusted, making it easier to push up and down hills.
Mountain Buggy Duet is another good alternative. It has the smallest footprint side-by-side available measuring just 63cm. This makes it a great choice for parents who are worried about fitting a double-doorway on public transport. However, it can also handle rough terrain like a true off-roader. It can carry twins, a baby and toddler or two children with the same age, and each seat can recline independently to make sure the kids are comfortable.
The iCandy Peach is a good option. It can be used in tandem or mono mode, and it can fit 2 car seats/seats, or a carrycot that has the option of a toddler seat. It's a bit longer than other doubles, however it is extremely maneuverable, especially on smooth surfaces. This is an excellent choice for those looking for an elegant and practical buggy.
If you're on a tight budget there are plenty of affordable double buggies available such as the UPPAbaby Vista 2. This small side-by-side can accommodate a newborn in the carrycot and a toddler in the seat, or three children if you include a PiggyBack ride on board branded with the pizazz. It has a simple, self-standing fold and a nice large canopy that offers the kids some protection and also has a peekaboo window. It's also fairly light for a double stroller, and comes with a large undercarriage basket that can be used to store your shopping.