What to Look For in a Compact Double Buggy
Kerry says that the side-byside is small enough to pass through the majority of doors. It can accommodate two car seats or carrycots. It folds up self-standing and handy carry straps for easy schlepping.
It's also extremely easy to move up and down stairs. The canopies are large and have peekaboo windows.
Size
A good-sized shopping basket and rear and front suspension are the most important features to look out for in a double buggy. You might want to look at whether it is a travel system or whether an infant car seat or a carrycot is possible to add. These are crucial considerations if you need to take your children on public transport or on longer journeys.
If you're looking for a compact double buggy that you can use from the beginning, consider the Leclerc Kooper X2. This clever model is a side-by-side buggy that has a frame that can expand widthwise to accommodate two children. The seats come with an option to recline and can be set up independently, giving you the choice of one child leaning back and enjoying a nap while the other is looking out at the surrounding. The seat comes with a large UPF 50+ canopy that has a peekaboo window too.
Another great option for infant twins is the Mountain Buggy Duet. It is the tiniest twin pushchair on the market. It is only 63cm in width which means it can be able to pass through most doors. It can take two car seats or a carrycot, and has lie-flat seats suitable from birth.
Tandem double buggies are popular with parents of twins, or parents who have a child and a toddler. They do have a larger footprint than single-seaters and are more difficult to maneuver through narrow doors or on pavements.
The iCandy Orange is a popular tandem buggy that has been designed to grow with your family, offering 30 different seating options. The iCandy Orange tandem buggy can be used for twins or a child and a toddler or even three kids when you add the iCandy "PiggyBack" board (available separately). It comes with a soft suspension system that makes kerbs easy to navigate. It can be used in mono or double mode. You can attach a single stroller on top for additional storage.
Weight
A good double buggy should be light and easy to push. It should also have nice-sized shopping baskets, a rear and front suspension to make it easier to navigate rougher surfaces and, ideally it should be suitable for twins or siblings of different age groups.
A majority of compact double buggies come with frames that are designed to fit infant car seats and come with branded adaptors to match the most popular models from Cybex, BeSafe and Maxi-Cosi. These are excellent options for those who want to avoid having separate strollers for your younger children who have medical needs.
They are generally larger than side-byside buggies and are difficult to squeeze into doorways and on public transport. Review the product's details for alternatives in case this is important to you and your family.
If you're looking to find the tiniest double pushchair on the market, check out the Mountain Buggy Duet. This is the slimmest side-by-side on the market at just 53cm in width and can be used for newborn twins or one toddler and one baby. It offers robust engineering and superior performance thanks to its large air-filled tyres that are all-terrain but equally comfortable cruising around the city.
The UPPAbaby Vista 2 is another excellent alternative. It can carry twins, a baby and a toddler or two children with a piggyback board (which must be purchased separately). It comes with a self-standing fold and carry strap, making it a breeze to transport and it has both rear and front suspension to help you cope with rougher terrain. It's heavier than the Joie Evalite Duo, but lighter than most trifold buggies. This is a great option for older children.
Folding
A good double buggy needs to be slim for storage. A good choice is the Baby Jogger City Select 2. This model is a side-byside and has a smooth fold. The frame expands as you fold, so it's smaller than one stroller. This makes it much easier to navigate through doorways and public transport. It also means that you don't require a second car for schlepping the buggy around.
It's an excellent option for parents of twins because it can be used with two seats, and car seat adaptors. It can accommodate a third child on the 'piggybackboard' of the buggy. It also has a wide range of configurations, including elevated stadium-style seats to give both kids the view of their surroundings. There's even a handbrake on the adjustable handlebar, making it easier to push it up and down hills.
Mountain Buggy Duet is another great option. It has the most compact footprint side-by-side on the market measuring just 63cm. It is perfect for parents who are worried about fitting a double inside the doorway or on public transport. However it is able to handle rough terrain as a true off-roader. It can be used for twins or a toddler and an infant, or two children who are similar age. Each seat reclines independently, so children are comfortable.
The iCandy Peach is a good alternative. It can be used in mono or tandem mode, and it can fit 2 car seats/seats, or a carrycot and the option of a toddler seat. It's a little longer than some other doubles but it offers an excellent maneuverability, particularly on smooth surfaces. It's an excellent option for those who are looking for an elegant but practical buggy.
There are numerous budget double buggies, such as the UPPAbaby Vista 2. all terrain double buggy -byside can fit infants in a carrycot and a toddler in the seat or even three children if you add a PiggyBack ride on board branded with the pizazz. It has an auto-standing fold, a huge canopy that offers protection for children as well as an option to peekaboo. It is also relatively lightweight for a double stroller, and has a large undercarriage basket to store shopping.