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 and accommodate two car seats or carrycots. It comes with a self-standing folding mechanism and convenient carry straps to make it easy to carry.
The canopies are also simple to move and lift up and down the stairs. The canopies are spaciously sized and have peekaboo windows.
Size
A large shopping basket as well as front and rear suspensions are the most important elements to look for in a double buggy. You may also want to consider whether it's a travel system, or the possibility of adding an infant car seat or carrycot. These are crucial considerations if you need to take your children on public transport or for long distance journeys.
If you're in search of a compact double buggy that you can use from birth take a look at the Leclerc Kooper X2. This model is a side-by-side buggy with a frame that can expand widthwise to accommodate two children. The seats come with an option to recline and can be set up independently, which gives you the option of having one child leaning back relaxing for a nap, while the other is looking out at the world around them. You will get a huge UPF 50+ canopy with a peekaboo window too.
Mountain Buggy Duet is another fantastic alternative for twins. It is the tiniest twin pushchair on the market. It measures just 63cm wide, so it should fit through the majority of doors. It can also be used with two car seats or a carrycot and has lie-flat seats that are suitable from birth.
Tandem double buggies, which feature the children sitting side by side, are a popular choice for twins or parents of a baby and a toddler. They have a bigger space than single-seaters, and are more difficult to maneuver through narrow doorways or on pavements.
double tandem pushchair is a popular tandem buggy and has been designed to grow with your family, with 30 different seating configurations. 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 features a soft suspension that makes light work of kerbs. It is used in mono or double mode. It is possible to attach one stroller on top for additional storage.
Weight
A good double buggy is lightweight and easy to push. It should come with a large shopping basket with front and back suspension to make it easier for the child to maneuver through rough terrain, and be suitable for twins and siblings of different ages.
A majority of compact double buggies have frames that are designed to fit infant car seats and come with branded adaptors to match the popular models from Cybex, BeSafe and Maxi-Cosi. These are great options for those who want to avoid using separate strollers for your younger children with medical issues.
However, they do tend to have a larger footprint than side-by-side buggies, and are more difficult to fit through doors and on public transportation. Look over the product's specifications for alternatives if this is important to you and your family.
Mountain Buggy Duet is the slimmest double stroller available on the market. It's the slimmest side-by-side available, measuring only 63cm in width. It can be used to carry twins, or an infant and a toddler. It's a sturdy design and superior functionality, with large air-filled tires that can be used on all terrains, but also happy to go about the city.
The UPPAbaby Vista 2 is another great alternative. It can carry twins, a baby and a toddler, or two kids with a piggyback board (which must be purchased separately). It has a self-standing fold and carry strap that makes it super-easy to schlep, and comes with rear and front suspension to help you cope with rough terrain. It's heavier than the Joie Evalite Duo, but less heavy than trifold buggies. This is a great choice for older children.
Folding
A good double buggy needs to be compact to store, and a good choice is the Baby Jogger City Select 2. This side-by-side model has an extremely smooth fold and the clever frame expands in width as you fold so that it's narrower than an individual stroller. This allows it to be more easily maneuvered through doorways and public transportation, while also eliminating the need for a second vehicle.
It's a good option for parents with twins, because it can be used in a mono or duo mode with two seats and car seat adaptors. It can also accommodate an additional passenger on the buggy's "piggyback board. It also offers many different configurations, including an elevated stadium-style seating to give each child a view of their surroundings. There's even a brake on the adjustable handlebar which makes it easier to push up and down hills.
Another good alternative is the Mountain Buggy Duet, which has the most compact side-by-side footprint available at 64cm. It is perfect for parents who are worried about fitting a double into the doorway or on public transport. However it is still able to tackle rough terrain and be a true off-roader. It can accommodate twins or a toddler and one or two children who are similar age. Each seat reclines independently, so the kids are comfortable.
One final good choice is the iCandy Peach, which can be used in mono or tandem mode, and can be used with a car seat/seats or a carrycot and toddler seat. It's a bit longer than some other doubles but it offers an excellent maneuverability, particularly on smooth surfaces and is an excellent option for those looking for an attractive but practical buggy.
If you're on a tight budget there are plenty of budget double buggies, such as the UPPAbaby Vista 2. This is a compact side-by-side that can fit a baby in a carrycot as well as a toddler in a seat, or even three kids when you add the brand-new pizazz PiggyBack ride-on board. It features 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 buggy and comes with a larger undercarriage basket for shopping.