Buying a Tandem Double Buggy
A tandem double buggy could be a great option when you have twins or children who are close in age. They are smaller than side by side buggies, and are great for narrow spaces like doors, public transport, and rough terrain.
Many also convert into travel systems to include two carrycots or car seats. They are typically heavier, longer and less stable than a single pushchair.
Convertible
Whether you're looking for a convertible stroller that converts from single to double or to add a second seat to an existing one, there's a variety of options available. The UPPAbaby V2 is large, beautiful stroller. It can easily be transformed from a single stroller to a double by adding the rumble seat. However, it's pricey and less mobile than other double strollers due to the fact that the second seat is located to the left of the front seat. The Nuna Demi Grow is a comparable model with great seating versatility but lacks under-seat storage when used in doubles mode.
Other alternatives include twin buggies with all-terrain wheels and joggers with fixed wheels that can be used to carry two children. They tend to be more expensive, but they're made for long-distance trips over rough terrain, and may have greater resales value.
Reclining the seat independently
If you're looking for a double buggy that can transport children of different ages then you're going to require a model with an recline that is independent for both seats. This will allow your older child to relax while the baby is in a bassinet and vice versa.
Take into consideration the width of your stroller to determine the ease of you to navigate through doors and public transportation. If your doorways are very narrow, you might want to consider a side-by-side pushchair such as the Mountain Buggy Duet. It has a footprint that is similar to a single stroller but can still fit two seats and car seat adaptors.
Tandem buggies are typically longer than side by side models, making them more difficult to maneuver up and down kerbs. However they can be able to accommodate more combinations of car seats/car seats/seats and are a great option for twins and siblings of various ages. They can also be more expensive than single-to-double buggies, but are worth the purchase if you plan to keep it for a long time and will retain a decent amount of resale value should you decide to sell it when your children have grown out of it.
This feature will allow you to put your child in a comfortable position for naps or to observe. This is particularly important if you have a younger child in the rear seat who may be inclined to lie down and take a snooze while the older child wants to sit up and observe their surroundings.
A few brands have a unique design for their seats that allows the back seat to completely recline into a nearly flat position which is perfect for infants. For example, the iCandy Orange has raised stadium-style seating and can recline the toddler seat included and the additional RumbleSeat to multiple positions, so that your children have a the option of deciding where to sit, as well as providing an excellent UPF 50+ canopy that has windows that can be seen from afar.
Wider than twin buggies
There's no need to have twins in order to benefit from a wider double buggy. They're great for siblings of various age groups. They allow you to move around without having to worry about your children touching each other. They're usually a bit longer too with one seat placed behind the other and with a fully-flat recline option for newborns (or a more upright position for toddlers).
Mountain Buggy Duet is a popular choice. It has the slimmest design of the two-in-ones on the market, and a footprint that is like one stroller. It also comes with an adjustable handle, making it easier for parents of various heights to push as well as an adjustable handbrake, which can be useful when you have to climb difficult terrains. It can be used from birth and is compatible with a range of car seats and carrycots, which means it is a great travel system.
The iCandy Wave is another option. It folds in duo or mono mode in a single click. The frame's clever design expands widthways to allow for a second seat and it can be used with up to two car seats or carrycots so it's an excellent option for older siblings that wish to sit together and enjoy the view. It's a little longer than other models, but it feels light and has soft suspension for kerbs.
There are many 3-wheeler tandems that have inline wheels that provide stability and fast steering. Check out Phil and Teds inline models or iCandy Peach and Pear buggies. Often these can be folded down to the size of one buggy which is useful if you struggle with storage at home or have to lug it in and out of your car on public transportation.
Be aware that a two-wheeled buggy will be more heavy and more bulkier than one compact buggy. Be double pram and pushchair know what you want prior to making a purchase. It will be used on buses, trains, and subways frequently so it must be easy to use and manage. You may also need to juggle it onto and off the car seat when you take your children to nursery or school so you'll need to know it can be easily manoeuvred in tight spaces.
From birth, you are a good candidate
There will be a need for a pushchair for the whole family, regardless of whether you're expecting twins or you have another child after you've had your first. Double buggies are generally heavier and bulkier as well as more expensive than single strollers. However they are also more maneuverable in narrower doorways, or around obstacles like curbs. They are also compatible with piggyback ride-along boards (either from the manufacturer or as an accessory purchase) so you can transport three children at a time.
Tandem pushchairs place one child ahead of the other. They're a good option if your children are of similar ages and are able to get along. They're not 100% secure. Siblings seated side-by-side may punch or kick one another, and children of different heights can fight over who sits taller. This issue can be resolved by a tandem high-low model that elevates the seat to the back. Your older child will not be sitting at the lower part of the car, and won't have much of an opportunity to see.
The iCandy Wave is a good option for parents who are looking for a convertible double buggy that includes a carrycot that can fit both infants and an older child. It has an intelligent frame that can be expanded in size when you add a second child seat. It can also fold flat for storage that is compact. The padded straps, buckles, and seats are all of the highest quality we have encountered in our testing. Both seats can recline independently and the canopy is big and spacious with UPF 50+ protection and peekaboo windows.
The only downside of the iCandy is that it's a little on the expensive side however, a good tandem will last for years and maintain its resale value. So you'll probably recoup some of the cost in the long run. The iCandy doesn't come with the same seating configurations as our other top picks. It's nevertheless an excellent choice for families that don't want spend lots of money.