Double Stroller Insight

Updated on February 23, 2010
A.H. asks from Ontario, CA
24 answers

I'm pregnant and have an 18mo old, so I'm in the market for a double stroller. DH seems to think a side-by-side one would be best, but it seems that might be difficult to maneuver thru doorways? Any of you have experience with double strollers, and do you think side-by-side is better, or front & back?

Thanks, Mamas!

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So What Happened?

Thank you so much for all the insight! It seems the side-by-side is most preferred. I actually received a tandem stroller from someone, and it won't even fit in my trunk! It's very large and cumbersome. We spend alot of time at the ball park since hubby and I both play softball. It has alot of storage room underneath, but I think for my sanity's sake, I have to get a side-by-side. Looking at the combi, and a couple others. I'll be trying them out before I spend all that money on it, though.

Thank you!

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M.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have a Combi side by side. It's awesome! I have never had any problem fitting through doorways. It's made to fit. I loved that my girls could both see everything and interact with each other.

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M.W.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi! I chose a side by side for my 21 and 6 month old because I wanted them to be able to see and interact with one another. It is a little cumbersome where doors and stores are concerned but, overall, I am happy with my choice. I went with the bob. Good luck!

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P.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have 18 mo. old twins and we have the side-by-side Combi stroller. We had decided on the side-by-side so the babies would be able to interact more. Also, it seems like with the tandem models the child in back cannot see as well. So far, we have not had too much problem with doors. I would say maybe only had trouble 10% of the time. It is also fairly light weight and easy to put up and down.

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M.K.

answers from Boston on

I would suggest putting your 18month old in the strollers and try to envision how it would work. I recently had a baby and have a two year old who is very small and the tandem strollers seemed small for her so I went with a side by side. My daughter still enjoys strolling and sitting and doesn't always listen well so I wanted to be able to buckle her in which is something the sit and stand variety doesn't always allow for. I have purchased an older style McClaren which is light and folds easily for the car- it has worked well and is easy to use- a bit wide at times in stores but usually I can manage just fine. I would just consider how your first child is still in a stroller and how long you think that they would be using it and go from there. I just didn't want to be chasing a two year old everywhere! Oh the Mcclarren doesn't have a spot for the infant seat to click into but it does have built in headrests and reclines so it was still appropriate for a newborn in that position. Also my older child seems to enjoy spending time next to the baby. Good luck!

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D.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

I did A LOT of research on this very topic last fall b/c I had a newborn and a 19 month old. I ended up going with the Baby Jogger City Classic Double. I am so glad I did! It is the best stroller! I have a Chicco single stroller that I thought was great, but after using the City Classic Double, I hate going back to the Chicco.

It fits through every door I have tried, including my front door. My (now 2) yr old son loves riding in it. He falls asleep when we go on long walks, and he NEVER did that in the other stroller. I use it at the mall, for walks around the neighborhood, at fairs...you name it. It is a little big, but I have a larger car and it fits fine.

It has a 50lb weight limit per seat, so I'll get many years of use. The seats recline individually of each other, as do the sun shades (which was very important for me). I tried the tandems in the store and found they were very difficult to push around. I understand they are more narrow than my side by side, but I don't think I would really be able to maneuver them any better than my stroller for narrow spaces.

I bought my stroller for cheaper than retail, by using coupons and waiting for sales. Craigslist is also a great place to find expensive strollers for cheaper.

Most double strollers are more expensive, so make sure you get one that you will be happy using! :) I love my double stroller and can't imagine not having it. ;)

Good Luck!

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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

It all depends on how you plan on using the stroller. I have a double stroller and I need it to tote two kids at the mall, through stores, at the zoo, and also for jogging. I went with a BOB Duallie and absolutely love it (it's a side by side)! It's so easy to steer, store, and maneuvers wonderfully.

I haven't had too many problems in stores, but surprisingly enough the worst were the childrens' clothing stores! Then again, our Gymboree and Children's Place were hard to negotiate when we only had a single stroller.

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K.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi! I just bought my double stroller after researching and talking to other moms. I bought the Double Baby Jogger City Mini. It's a side by side stroller and can fit through single doors pretty easily. I bought the side by side because my two boys (ages five months and two years old) love seeing and sitting next to each other. I also love how the seats recline individually and the sunshade covers very well. I also considered the Phil and Ted's Tandem stroller which I love, but when I placed my five month old in the seat behind he screamed his head off because he can't see around much. It's also a lot more expensive. The best thing is to try different double strollers with your little ones. It will make your decision easier. I know it did for me! I hope you find the best stroller!

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S.I.

answers from Los Angeles on

You could try before you buy. Check out http://www.octykes.com/ in San Clemente.

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L.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have the Maclaren side by side unbrella, a graco tandem, and the joovy ultralight caboose (a sit n stand). My kids are 21 months apart and I must say that I use the joovy ultralight the most. It is short for a tandem stroller, has suspension built into the wheels and just works the best for errands also it only weighs 21 pounds. Amazon.com sells it and it is much better than the baby trend sit n stand, don't waste your money on one of those. I also hate the graco tandem stroller. I use the maclaren for exercise or long walks and I also like it a lot. Good luck!

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T.B.

answers from Greenville on

I don't have experience perse`, but have seen the double one and dont see that they have any problems getting in and out of doors, but that is TOTALLY up to what YOU are comfy with. Personally, I'd have the other one, one in front of the other. Seems more logical to me-easier, if you will.
hugs

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J.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hello I have 2 kids that are 16 months apart, and I went with the front & back model which I was happy I did. There are many narrow places, and what a bummer if you have to abandon your stroller if it's too wide! Good luck to you.

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R.J.

answers from El Paso on

I would say it really depends on what you will be using it for the majority of time. If you'll be outside or in open areas, I would say a side by side. If you're going to be shopping alot, just for maneuver sake I would say one in front of the other.

We purchased a sit and stand and I have loved every moment of it! It's worked well for my family and though I have a 3 yr old, we got the one where he can choose to sit if he doesn't want to stand. Gives him the freedom to move around and the basket is big enough for a normal outing. It got pretty good ratings but having the ability to snap the car seat in and then somewhere for my older child to hang on to was great for me. Works well on outings too. No problems with getting through places and if so, then we just stay in the main aisle. Doesn't make a good running stroller though. Definitely a side by side stroller for exercise would be the best for that. HTH!

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K.C.

answers from Boston on

Hello there

I am too going to need a double stroller bc I have a 4yo and a new baby on the way due in June.
After researching lots of options I like the sound of the 'Baby Trend, Sit and stand'. it seems like it could fit well in a regular car and the older child could sit comfortably when sitting
hope this helps

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S.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

I have both GRACO tandem and a COMBI side by side. The tandem is very heavy and bulky and could not even fit in my trunk without taking off the front tray; not to mention very clumsy to maneouver around corners in a store.

The COMBI is excellent, it is lightweight, folds up nicely, comes in great colors and easy to maneover. The baskets on the bottom are small, but it is good enough for me because I don't even use them.

I give the COMBI five stars and wholeheartedly recommend checking them out.

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A.P.

answers from San Diego on

I've done both: front-back and side-by-side. My daughters prefer the side-by-side one b/c that way they can both see w/o having to maneuver around the other. We have the BOB, which is the same width as a wheelchair & therefore, legally, should fit through doorways, aisles, etc. Honestly, we've never had a problem. It's CLOSE, no doubt, but totally works & is WELL worth the moo-lah. Congrats on your 2nd & good luck w/your decision.

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D.A.

answers from Dallas on

I bought the tandem Graco and do NOT like it at all. Very bulky and heavy. Not to mention it is like driving a limo around corners. Not at all easy to me. I am in the market for a side by side umbrella type stroller. I only use the double if we are out shopping in the mall or going to the zoo and things of that nature. Short trips, single stroller for the 2 yr old. Hope that helps and good luck. I will be interested to see which side-by-side everyone likes that is lightweight and not too big.

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H.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

We have the Bumbleride Indie Twin - it's a side by side and it's amazing. It fits through doorways and fits in the back of my car... The tandems I tried were tough to turn and I didn't want either kid to sit in back and have nothing to see but the back of the seat. Good luck & have fun shopping! I think in the end each parent's needs are different and you have to go with what works for you - we do quite a bit of walking as well as malls and amusement parks, and it's nice & light compared to the BOB.

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K.B.

answers from Las Vegas on

I have twins so I'm using a Graco double stroller, I love it!

C.M.

answers from St. Louis on

I asked the same question in a different manner because I have both kinds of strollers. I think it depends on how often and where you will use the stroller.

If you go to the mall or other inside places, I think a tandem one would be best because it's not as wide. This also works best when the baby is too small to sit up by him/herself. *unless you get a side by side that can hold a pumpkin seat*

If you are going places like the zoo or for walks outside and want the kids to be able to enjoy what is going on around them together, I'd suggest a side by side.

Or do what I did and get them from Craigslist so for cheaper than 1 new stroller, you can get both and see for yourself!

I like the tandem one but I live in the country and feel that the side by side is too wide to walk the kids in because of how fast people drive on the country roads. I hardly ever take the kids to the mall or shopping with me so I can't speak to that but I would think a side by side would be better for our trips to the zoo this summer.

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K.W.

answers from Las Vegas on

fisher price stand and ride 2 in 1 duo stroller,

This stroller is awesome! It is the 2007 model, front to back.

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D.P.

answers from San Diego on

I have the easiest answer for you -- www.joggermom.com. This is a mom of 4 (a son and triplets) and she is the "in the know" person for strollers of every kind, for every need, for every budget.
My own personal experience, my need was for outside running and trails and the Mountain Buggy or Bob Revolution is the only way to go go! They are side by side but narrow enough to get through a standard door.
Seriously, give yourself 10 min. go to this site and if you have any questions, she is the one to help you.

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L.G.

answers from San Diego on

First, Congrats on your second child! Our two girls are 18 mos apart. We chose a side-by-side because I wanted them to see things equally and interact. We chose the Peg Perego Aria Twin 60-40 (different sized seat areas). I really like it. Lightweight, fits thru doorways, snack trays. One drawback - no parent compartment. There is only a detachable cup holder for me. We had the Peg Perego infant carseat, so that locked in the 60 part and my older child was in the 40. Now the younger is out of the carseat and in the 40 side and older in the 60 side. I love that my older can lean over and help my younger with food, or toys and they can experience everything at the same time. I haven't had much trouble with fitting through places. We did get another double stroller (Baby Trend Expedition) with larger wheels for exercising. Think about what you'll be doing with your two little ones and what you like about your single stroller and look for those features on a double one. It is hard to get them all!! Snack tray, cup holders, large basket, parent tray, fully reclined seats, etc. FYI, don't get rid of your single stroller... you'll use it more than you think!!! I was about to sell it and I am so glad we didn't.
Enjoy those two little ones!

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A.O.

answers from Sherman on

I have a combi side by side and LOVE it! It fits through every doorway I have every encountered and it very lightweight. It also trifolds so it doesn't take up a lot of space in the car.

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J.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Usually the side by sides are easier. Most are made now to go through a single door way.

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