Double stroller recs for city lifestyle

I've just realized (with the help of DH) that we might need a double stroller.

The kids recently moved from in-home childcare to going to a center about 2 blocks away from the house. We walk them to and from each day. I travel some for work so my husband will at some point in the near future have to take both kids to/from school daily (plus their 2 bags) alone, so I figure a double stroller would be handy.

Related question: how long do kids usually still use the stroller? I know my oldest, age 2, is plum tuckered out (as we used to say in MO) by the time we pick them up from school, so even though she could walk, she usually asks to be carried.

We live an urban lifestyle and do walk quite a bit.

I've been researching like crazy (I'm one of THOSE people) and can't decide what is better - side by side or tandem. What I DO know is that the blasted thing MUST fit through doors. If it's too wide for doorways it is not going to work.

Here are my requirements so far:

must fit 2 kids, ages 1 and 2, both weigh around 25-30lbs right now but rapidly growing (so no 35 lb weight limit)
must fit through doorways
must go over uneven surfaces well - our walk is only 2 blocks but the sidewalks are broken and uneven in many places
I'd like to set a price limit but I'm hoping I can find one secondhand when I'm back in the US in a few weeks, so for now, all price ranges are fair game

If there are any moms that can offer advice / tips & tricks / specific model recommendations, it would be great.

Thanks!
abc

12 years ago

Sara L.

Veteran

We had a BOB double jogging stroller that we used to take the kids to day care. However, although I live in the middle of the City there is a network of irrigation ditches in my area. We walked along the ditches to get to the day care so needed the big wheels of the jogging stroller. Our kids used the stroller until sometime between 2 and 3 years old for normal activities. But my little one was around 4 and still so tired when he got picked up from day care that he wanted to sit in the stroller.

RoseandJoan

As a student I worked in a pram shop and I can safely say there is no perfect twin pushchair, each model has it's advantages and disadvantages.

When it came to having my own children (17 month age gap) I opted for the Jane Powertwin Pro mainly to accommodate the narrow alley I had to push the pram through and the larger seat, compared to other models, for my oldest daughter.

I found the pram to be heavy but maneuverable, I was concerned the 360 degree swivel wheel would make the buggy unsteady but unless I was on a very steep hill which also sloped off to the side my fears were unfounded. The main disadvantage was actually the cost given that I only used the pram for about 9 months (I did recoup about a quarter of the cost selling on ebay) and the limited view for my youngest as she started to get curious.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Ariadne

With those ages of kids, I'd say you'll be using one for at least two solid years. We only stopped using ours when my oldest was 4 and was able to ride a bike everywhere. The most popular choice in my area is the side by side double Mountain Buggy. It's narrower than the BOB and will fit through standard doors. It's relatively lightweight and very easy to maneuver.

If you want an inline double, I'd suggest one of the Phil&Ted's options because the second seat comes off, allowing the stroller to function as both a single or a double. That's actually what we had. It was OK. It was heavier and harder to maneuver than the Mountain Buggy, and I was happy when we could go back to our trusty single BOB! We only used it for a year and a half but we were so thankful to have it for that time.

Glory

You have some excellent recommendations here already. I think to decide between side or tandem you have to determine how many doors, narrow spots you will be in. Either one will certainly work. I believe you have a couple more years of strollering ahead of you. We used ours until 4 - when we wanted to go somewhere and knew our youngest would be too tired at the end to walk anymore.

elpgal

Have you considered a 'sit and stand'? The advantage is that it does not obstruct the view for the little one and the big kid can have a bit more independence.

Anonymous

We had a BabyJogger City Elite with the extra seat add-on and adored it. I have lent it to a friend and she adores it too.

abc

Thank you all very much. I really appreciate the input and suggestions.

After a bit more research, I think we have decided to go with the Baby Jogger City Select with a 2nd seat. Seems to fit our needs (and some I realized after making this post and reading the feedback).

Thanks again!

Doh -- yes that I what I meant in my post. I forgot it was the Select and not the Elite It is just as good a single stroller as a double, which was the giant selling feature for me.

Category