Buying a Tandem Double Buggy
A tandem double buggy could be a fantastic option for twins or children who are close in age. They are narrower than side by side buggies, and are ideal for small spaces such as doors, public transport and rocky terrain.
Many transform into travel systems that use two carrycots or car seats. However, they can be heavier and longer than single pushchairs, and may feel less stable as they bump up the kerbs.
Convertible
There are a variety of options to add a second seat or converting a single stroller to double. The Vista V2 from UPPAbaby is spacious, gorgeous stroller that easily converts from a single stroller to a double by adding the rumble seating (available separately). It is more expensive and less maneuverable since the second seat is placed behind the first seat. double pram pushchair is a similar option with a wide range of seating options, but lacks under-seat storage when used in doubles mode.
Other alternatives include twin buggies with all-terrain wheels and joggers with fixed wheels that can accommodate two children. They tend to be more expensive, but they're made for long trips over rough terrain, and may have a higher resale value.
Independent seat recline
If you're looking for a double buggy that is able to transport children of various age groups, then you'll need a buggy that has an independent seat recline for both seats. This will allow your child's older to rest in the back while the baby is in the bassinet, and reverse.
You'll also need to think about the size of the pushchair as it will impact the ease of navigate through doors and on public transportation. If you have extremely narrow doors, it could be worthwhile to consider a side-by-side pushchair like the Mountain Buggy Duet which has the advantage of having a footprint comparable to a single buggy however, it is able to take 2 seats and car seat adaptors.
Tandem buggies are generally longer than side by side models, and therefore are more difficult to maneuver up and down kerbs. However, they can accommodate more combinations of seats/carrycots/car seats and can make an excellent choice for twins and siblings of different ages. They can also be more expensive than single-to double buggies, but are a good investment if you plan to keep it for years and will have a decent amount of resale value if you sell it on after your children have grown out of it.
Another important feature to look for is if the backs of the seats can recline independently from one another as this will let you put your child in the best position to nap or observe. This is particularly important if you have a child younger than in the rear seat who may be inclined to lie down and take a snooze while the more mature child wants to sit up and observe their surroundings.
A few brands have a unique seat design which allows the back seat to completely recline to an almost flat position, which is ideal for babies. For instance the iCandy Orange has raised stadium-style seating and can recline both the toddler seat included and the additional RumbleSeat to multiple positions, so that your children have a the option of deciding where they will sit, and also comes with an excellent UPF 50+ canopy with peekaboo windows.
Wider than twin buggies
They are perfect for siblings of different age groups, and they allow you to get around without worrying about your children touching. They are usually a little more spacious, with one seat behind the other. The seats can be reclined completely for newborns or in an upright position for toddlers.
A popular option is the Mountain Buggy Duet, which has the slimmest side-byside design available and features an identical footprint to a single buggy. It also comes with an adjustable handle, which makes it easier for parents of different heights to push, and an adjustable handbrake, which can be useful when you have to climb difficult terrains. It can be used from birth and is compatible with a range of car seats and carrycots, meaning it is a great travel system.
The iCandy Wave is another option. It folds in either mono or duo mode in a single click. Its innovative frame can be expanded to accommodate a second seat and it can be used with up to two car seats or carrycots making it a great option for older siblings that wish to sit together and enjoy the view. It's slightly longer than some other models but still feels easy to steer and has soft suspension that is able to handle the kerbs.
There are a lot of 3-wheeler tandems inline available Check out Phil and Teds' inline models or iCandy's Peach and Pear buggies, for instance - which offer stability and swift steering. Often these can be folded into the size of a single buggy which is useful when you have trouble storing it at home or have to transport it into and out of the car on public transportation.
Be aware that a double-wide buggy will be heavier and heavier than one that is compact. Be sure to know what you want prior to making a buy. It will be used on trains, buses and subways often, therefore it must be simple to manage and use. It is possible that you will need to move the car seat while taking your child to school or the nursery.
From birth, you're an ideal candidate
You'll need a pushchair for your entire family, regardless of whether you're expecting twins or if you have a child after you've had your first. Double buggies tend to be larger, heavier and more expensive than single strollers. However, they can also be easier to manoeuvre through narrower doors or around obstacles like curbs. Many are also compatible with piggyback ride-along boards (either from the manufacturer or via a separate accessory purchase) so you can transport three children at the same time.
Tandem pushchairs place one child ahead of the other. They are a good option if your children are of similar ages and get along well. But they're not completely safe Siblings in a side-by-side seat may punch or kick each other, and kids with different heights may argue over who sits higher. A tandem high-low model is able to solve this issue by elevating the seat to the rear, preventing your child's height from being sat on the bottom and not getting much of a view.
The iCandy Wave is a great alternative for parents who want an easy-to-use convertible double buggy that can accommodate a newborn in a carrycot as well as an older child in the main seat. It has a clever frame that expands widthways when you add the second seat and folds down flat for compact storage. The padded seats, straps and buckles are all of the highest quality we have seen in our testing. The canopies are large in size with UPF 50+ protection, and a windows that peek out. Both seats can be reclined independently.
The only drawback of the iCandy is that it's a bit on the expensive side however, a good tandem will last for a long time and will retain its resale value, which means you'll likely recoup some of the cost in the end. It also doesn't offer the same range of seating configurations as others of our top picks, but the iCandy is a great choice for families that don't want to spend a lot.