Our testers rate double strollers that work for both parents and babes
Originally published May, 2008
By Robyn Naster
Photos by Donna Griffith
Price $796
Weight 35 lbs
Width 29 inches
Features Five-point harnesses, quick-release pneumatic wheels and shock absorbers, foot-operated brake and a swivelling, lockable front wheel for easy turning. An optional carrycot converts one side into a rear- facing pram. Padded seats fully recline.
Pros “It looks wide, but has fit through every doorway. The manoeuvrability and braking system is amazing; it turned smoothly, like a sports car, no matter how big the kids. The handle is so easy to adjust when changing over to Dad or going up a hill.”
Cons “It’s too heavy for me to load daily into our minivan and the sunshade isn’t large or secure enough. It also doesn’t have cup holders, and access to the basket can be a bit tight.”
Rating 8/10
Price $450 (accessory pack, $40, includes head rests and shoulder pads)
Weight 26 lbs
Width 35 inches
Features Lockable swivel wheels, rain cover, two independent hoods with sun visors and 99% UV protective viewing windows, large shopping baskets, and two bottle carriers. The plush seats fully recline and are removable, leg rests are extendable, and the whole thing folds down small.
Pros “We went all over town with it on un-shovelled sidewalks and had no issues at all. We didn’t have to stoop over to push it and weren’t kicking the back of it when taking a regular stride. The baskets hold a lot. I can easily lift the stroller off the ground and place it in our minivan with one hand, while holding the baby in the other. It feels very secure and is very solid going over curbs and such. The 5-point harness is awesome as well.”
Cons “It is very stiff to unfold and fold back up again, but it should get easier with each use. And the stroller could have better suspension.”
Rating 9.5/10
Price $300
Weight 39 lbs
Width 22 inches
Features It accepts select Graco car seats in either spot. The front seat partially reclines, while the elevated back seat fully reclines. There’s a cup holder for mom and each kid, as well as a sizeable basket. Our tester said, “Every time I’d go shopping, people would say ‘I can’t believe you fit all this down there.’”
Pros “The stroller was very easy to collapse with one hand and it manoeuvred well; I could hold a door open and push the stroller with one hand quite easily. The very solid frame is secure and steady and the suspension is stellar. My two-year-old also really liked it. I think having the cup holders on the sides, instead of a tray across the front, helped him from feeling confined.”
Cons “The stroller folds down small, but the large frame is hard to store it on its side. The lever to drop the basket down when the seat is fully reclined is very sticky and not very helpful. I lost a wheel—it popped off at the grocery store—so I have to order a replacement. And it’s very heavy.”
Rating 8/10
Price $849
Weight 34 lbs
Width 23.5 inches
Features Both fully reclining seats accept Peg Perego infant car seats, and can face front or back, with two footrest positions. Side handles make transporting easy—even with tots inside. Adjustable steering wheel provides custom height and angle options and the large wheels are shock absorbing. Includes a removable front bumper.
Pros “Fully assembled, this is a large stroller, but simple to lift and good for any parent who’s out and about often with two little kids. The latch to collapse the stroller is also very easy to manoeuvre and can be done with one hand. It’s very well padded, sturdy and felt secure; it was able to hold the weight of a very active toddler, infant and a full load of groceries.”
Cons “It’s like a high-end mini-van: very sturdy and well made, but also big and bulky, and not as sleek as others. The chaise folds up nicely, but it would be nice if the seats stacked, folded or fit into one another. The steering takes some time to get used to, especially reversing. And there’s no cup holders or snack trays for kids or parent.”
Rating 8/10
Price $400
Weight 28 lbs
Width 30 inches
Features One-hand operated backrests recline to flat, while leg rests are adjustable and front armrests remove. It’s compatible with select car seats and rolls when folded. Includes a rain cover, foot muff and UV sunshade.
Pros “It’s very easy to fold up and fits perfectly in our large sedan. The storage basket is definitely roomy, and in such a convenient spot that, even in the half-reclined seat position, I could access it easily. The simple-to-control, independently reclining seats work so well, as does the steering. Roomy seats each have removable armrest bars and full sunshades that come all the way down to the infant restraint bar. For the price you pay, comparably, you get really good value.”
Cons “This stroller was somewhat difficult to manoeuvre on walking trails and in snowy conditions. You can lock the front wheels, which makes it easier to go through snow, but then it lacks good handling. Because we like long walks, this stroller doesn’t work for us. It doesn’t handle stress very well, the suspension could be better and the handle isn’t height adjustable.”
Rating 7/10
Price $450, $90 for the attachable second seat
Weight 26.5 lbs
Width 24 inches
Features Single-action double-rear brake and quick-release wheels, multi-position adjustable handle and lockable, swivel front wheel. A fully reclining seat and a partially reclining seat can be arranged to accommodate a baby or a toddler alone, a baby and toddler together or two toddlers.
Pros “This is a very sturdy, dependable stroller without all the extra weight—the nicest I’ve ever used. I’m very impressed with how effortlessly it handles, especially in icy conditions. The big rubber tires turn on a dime and the suspension is so strong that my baby slept through rough terrain. It has awesome steering and the handle easily adjusts to four different heights. It’s also simple to collapse and travel with and my two-year-old liked how high his seat is.”
Cons “I don’t like the setting where the rear seat fully reclines and the toddler seat clips on the front on top—there isn’t much room underneath the toddler seat. The bottom of Bradyn’s seat almost touches Keely’s legs underneath. In order to fit her in the 5-point harness properly, since she’s a newborn, we had to position her all the way forward, directly under his seat. It would be better if the toddler seat was higher, or supported better, perhaps with a bar.”
Rating 9/10