What to Look For in a Double Travel Buggy


A side-byside double with a compact footprint (for narrow doors and public transport). Add double running buggy or a carrycot (with adaptors) to grow the frame for kids up to 50 pounds per seat.

Budget double with front and back suspension for uneven surfaces. Large storage basket, padded handlebars and large storage basket.

Size

In general, double pushchairs are wider than single models - particularly when they're side-by-side buggies like the Kolcraft Geo 3 and UPPAbaby Vista 2. The good news is that this extra width enables them to carry heavier kids without straining the chassis. Other features that make them stand out: large pop-out canopy that come with SPF 50 protection and peekaboo windows with swivel lock front wheels to help navigate tight spaces like shopping aisles, a cup holder for one parent, and a clever fold mechanism that operates with one hand. The 10-inch wheels aren't designed for rough terrain, but they are able to handle city streets and theme park rides quite well.

These buggies that are lightweight come with surprisingly low prices.

Weight

The heavier a double buggy is, the easier it is to lift and manoeuvre. The Joie Evalite Duo is a good choice if you need to be aware of weight, as it's the lightest in our Lab tests. However, it offers a wide range of features, including nice-sized pop-out canopy with SPF 50 and peekaboo windows as well as a quick-release fold which stows flat within seconds; four-wheel suspension that can take on rough terrain and an adjustable front wheel that makes navigating tight shops and supermarket aisles easy. It's also super-affordable at just over PS1,000. It can also carry twins or a baby and toddler with the purchase of an additional'sidepack'.

Flexibility

A double buggy is an excellent option for parents with twins, or even a baby and toddler. The narrow tandem buggies are a great way to squeeze through small spaces. Side-by-side models enable you to keep the eye on your children and ensure their safety when you're out at the grocery store or in the park. A lot of buggies come with a variety seating configurations, so you can alter them as your child grows. Some permit the addition of the option of a car seat or ride-on board.

The Joie Evalite Duo is a perfect example. It can be used to support two seats, or even a car seat. The adaptors let you convert one seat to a double seat in a matter of seconds. It has a large 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 alternative. They are ideal for narrow doors and aisles. They also can easily accommodate twins and a larger child with the addition of UPPAbaby’s ‘PiggyBack’ board (which is sold separately). They provide a spacious basket, and come with all the accessories you could need, including rain covers and liners.

Tandem buggies are generally designed with your children seated close to each other. This makes them easier and more stable to push on uneven surfaces, but they can be difficult to maneuver around and over kerbs. They typically have a bigger footprint than a single-seater stroller and can be a bit long to pass through doors.

Comfort

One of the more comfortable lightweight doubles we've tested the buggy has seats that are elevated to the level of stadium seats so that your children can enjoy the view; large UPF 50+ canopy with peekaboo windows; a padded toddler seat, as well as an add-on RumbleSeat, which has an adjustable leg and foot rests, as well as an individual cup holder for parents. The seats recline independently by pressing a lever under each seat. Testers also love how the straps can be secured and removed with just one hand. It's also a doddle to fold, thanks to a twist mechanism on the handle that makes it as easy as could be and can be stored with the backrest up to make it easy to access.

With 30 different configurations (it'll carry twins as well as a toddler and baby or three kids if you add the option of a 'PiggyBack' Board) this is a fantastic option for families who want to be able to grow with their child. Its spacious shopping basket as well as soft suspension makes it ideal on roads and in cities too. It is also very affordable. BabyGearLab recommends this for children up to the age of six.