What to Look For in a Double Travel Buggy
A compact side-byside with an extremely small footprint (for use in public transport and narrow doorways). Add cheap double pushchair or carrycots (with adaptors) to increase the frame's weight capacity for children up to 50 lbs.
Budget double with back and front suspension for uneven surfaces. Large storage basket, padded handlebars and large storage basket.
Size
In general double pushchairs are larger than single models - especially when they're side-by-side buggies, like the Kolcraft Geo 3 and UPPAbaby Vista 2. This extra width lets them to carry heavier children without straining their chassis. Other features make them stand out: large pop-out canopies that have SPF 50 protection and large peekaboo windows and swivel-lock front wheels that aid in maneuvering tight spaces like shopping aisles as well as a cup holder that can be used by one parent and a clever fold mechanism that operates with one hand. The 10-inch wheels aren't built for rough terrain, but they can handle city streets and theme park rides well.
These lightweight side-by-side buggies have surprisingly low price tags.
Weight
The lighter a double-buggy is, the easier it will be to move and lift. The Joie Evalite Duo is a good choice if you need to be cognizant of weight. It's the lightest in our Lab tests but still offers plenty of features, including large pop-out canopies with SPF 50 and windows that peek out as well as a quick-release fold which can be folded flat in a matter of minutes; four-wheel suspension to handle rough terrain and a swivel front wheel that makes maneuvering narrow aisles in supermarkets and shops easy. It's priced at just over $1000, it's also a super-affordable stroller. It can also carry twins or a baby and toddler with the purchase of an additional'sidepack'.
Flexibility
A well-designed double buggy will offer a huge amount of flexibility, regardless if you have twins or a baby and a toddler. Buggies with narrow tandems are ideal to fit into tight spaces, while side-by-side models will keep your children well-cared for and allow you to keep an eye on them while you navigate the supermarket or park. Many have a variety of seats so that you can modify the seat as your child grows. Some even allow you to add a car seat or ride-on board.
The Joie Evalite duo is a perfect illustration. It can be used to support two seats, or even a car seat. The adaptors allow you to convert one seat to a double seat in a matter of minutes. It comes with a huge pop-out canopy sunshade that has UPF 50+ protection, adjustable legrests, and a peekaboo window in both seats. A standing fold is simple to perform and fast.
The iCandy Peach tri-fold buggy is another option. They are great to navigate narrow doors and aisles. They are also able to accommodate twins and a big kid with the addition of UPPAbaby’s"PiggyBack" board (which is available separately). The basket is large and includes all the accessories like raincovers and liners.
Tandem buggies are generally made with your kids sitting close to each other. This can make them more stable and easier to push on uneven surfaces, but they can be difficult to maneuver over and up kerbs. They usually have a wider footprint than a single-seater pushchair and can be a bit long to pass through doorways.
Comfort
One of the more comfortable, lightweight doubles we've tested, this buggy features raised stadium-style seating for both seats so that your children can have a great view. It also has nice-sized UPF 50+ canopy with peekaboo windows; padded toddler seat and add-on RumbleSeat that has adjustable legs and foot rests; and an individual cup holder for parents. The seats recline independently by pressing a lever beneath each seat. Testers also love how the straps can be fastened or removed with just one hand. The handle is simple to turn, making it simple to fold. It can also be put away with the backrest up for easy access.
This is the ideal choice for families who want to expand with their children. It is available in 30 different configurations. It can carry twins with a toddler as well as a baby or three kids with a 'PiggyBack board'. Its spacious shopping basket as well as soft suspension makes it ideal on streets and in cities too. It's also reasonably priced. BabyGearLab recommends it for children between the ages of 6 and 6.