Are Tandem Double Buggy The Best There Ever Was?
Buying a Tandem Double Buggy
If you have twins or children close in age, a tandem double buggy is a great choice. twin pushchairs are a bit smaller than side by side buggies and are great for narrow spaces like doors, public transport, and rocky terrain.
Some can be converted to travel systems that use two carrycots or car seats for children. However, they can be heavier and longer than single pushchairs and may feel less stable as they bump up the kerbs.
Convertible
There are many options for adding a second seat or converting a single stroller to a double. The UPPAbaby is a large, beautiful stroller. It is easily changed from a single to a double by adding the seating area with a rumble. It is more expensive and less maneuverable because the second seat is positioned on top of the first seat. Nuna Demi Grow offers a similar option however, it doesn't have storage under the seat when used as a double stroller.
Other alternatives include all-terrain twin buggies and fixed-wheel joggers that can hold two children. These are more expensive, but they are designed for long-distance trips over rough terrain, and come with a higher resale price.
Independent seat recline
If you require a double buggy that can carry children of different ages, you'll need a buggy that has an recline independent for both seats. This allows your child of a higher age to rest while the baby is in a bassinet, and reverse.
Think about the width of your pushchair, as this will determine the ease of you to maneuver through doors and on public transport. If your doors are narrow, you may want to consider a side by side pushchair, such as the Mountain Buggy Duet. It has a footprint similar to a single stroller however can still accommodate two seats and car seat adaptors.
Tandem buggies generally are a little longer than side-by-side models, and aren't as difficult to maneuver around kerbs but they can accommodate a wider range of seat/carrycot/car seat combinations so can be a good option for twins or siblings of different ages. They also tend to be more expensive than single-to-double buggies, but are a worthwhile investment if you plan to keep it for many years and will retain a decent amount of resale value should you sell it on when your children have grown out of it.
Another crucial thing to look out for is if the seat backs are able to recline independently of each other since this will allow you to put your child in the ideal position for naps or watching. This is important if your child is in the back seat and wishes to take a nap while the more mature child prefers to sit up to observe the surrounding.
A few brands have an exclusive seat design that allows the back seat to completely recline into an almost flat position, which is ideal for newborns. For instance, the iCandy Orange has raised stadium-style seating that can recline both the toddler seat included and the additional RumbleSeat into multiple positions so that your children have a a choice of where to sit as well as providing an excellent UPF 50+ canopy with peekaboo windows.
Wider than twin buggies
They are ideal for siblings with different age groups, and you can move about without having to worry about your children touching. They're usually a bit larger with one seat placed behind the other and usually offering a fully-flat recline for newborns (or a more upright position for toddlers).
Mountain Buggy Duet is a popular option. It has the slimmest design that is side-by-side, and a footprint like the footprint of a single stroller. It comes with an adjustable handle that makes it easier for parents to push, and a handbrake that is useful on steep hills. It is suitable to use from birth and it can be combined with a variety of car seats and carrycots.
The iCandy Wave is another option. It folds in mono or duo mode in a single click. The frame's clever design expands widthways to accommodate a second seat and it can be used with up to two carrycots or car seats so it's an excellent option for older siblings that want to sit in a group and enjoy the view. It's a bit larger than other models, but it feels light and has soft suspension for curbs.
There are also a variety of 3-wheeler tandems inline available Check out Phil and Teds inline models, or iCandy's Peach and Pear buggies, for instance they offer stability and swift steering. They are often folded down to the size of one buggy which is useful for those who struggle with storage at home or frequently need to lug it in and out of the car on public transportation.
It's important to keep in mind that a wide double buggy will feel bulkier and heavier than a smaller single buggy, so make sure you're getting what you need before you purchase. It is likely to be utilized on buses, trains and subways often, so it should be easy to manage and use. You may also have 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 small spaces.
From your birth, you are an ideal candidate
If you're expecting twins or have another child after your first, you're going need to find a stroller that can accommodate the entire family. Double buggies are typically larger, heavier and cost more than single strollers. However, they are also more maneuverable through narrower doors or around obstacles such as 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 seat one child in front of the other, so they're usually a better option when you have two children that are close enough in age to get along well together. They're not 100% secure. Siblings sitting side-by-side can kick or punch each other and children with different heights could argue over who is sitting higher. A tandem high-low model can solve this issue by elevating the seat to the rear, which will prevent your child's height from sitting on the bottom and not having the best view.
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 features a clever frame that can be expanded in width when you add a second seat and folds down to flattish storage. The padded straps, buckles, and seats are all of the best quality we have seen in our testing. The canopies are large in size and UPF 50+ protection, and windows that peek out. Both seats can recline independently.
The only drawback to the iCandy tandem is that it is a bit expensive. But a high-quality tandem will last you for years and retain a high resale price, so at the end of the day, you'll likely recoup some of the cost. It also doesn't offer the same range of seating options as some of our other top choices, but the iCandy is a good option for families that don't want to spend a lot.