What to Look For in a Double Travel Buggy
A side-byside double with small footprint (for narrow doorways and public transport). Add seats or a carrycot (with adaptors) to increase the size of 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 generally wider 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 take on heavier children without straining their chassis. Other features make them stand out: large pop-out umbrellas that have SPF 50 protection and peekaboo windows and swivel-lock front wheels that help navigate tight spaces like shopping aisles, a cup holder for one parent and a smart fold mechanism that is one-handed. The 10-inch wheels aren't designed for rough terrain, but they can handle city streets and theme park rides quite well.
These side-by-side buggies are light and have surprisingly low price tags.
Weight
The lighter a double buggy is the more easy it will be to lift and maneuver. The Joie Evalite Duo is a good choice if you need to be aware of weight. It's the lightest of our Lab tests but still offers plenty of features, including large pop-out canopies with SPF 50 and windows that peek out and a quick-release fold that stows flat within minutes; four-wheel suspension to take on rough terrain and a swivel front wheel that makes navigating narrow aisles in supermarkets and shops 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 a great option for parents with twins, or even a baby and toddler. Buggies that are narrow are a great way to squeeze through small spaces. Side-by-side models let you to keep the eye on your children and keep them safe when you're out at the grocery store or in the park. Many also have a wide range of seat configurations, so you can adapt the seat as your children grow. Some come with the option of adding an extra ride-on board or car seat.
The Joie Evalite Duo is a perfect example. It can hold two seats or a car seat, and its adaptors for car seats let you change from a single seat to a double in seconds. It comes with a large pop-out canopy sunshade that has UPF 50+ protection, adjustable legrests, and a peekaboo window in both seats. A standing fold is easy to do and quick.
Tri-fold buggies like the iCandy Peach are another versatile option. Their slim frames are ideal for negotiating narrow doors and aisles, while they can easily hold twins or even a baby and a big kid thanks to the addition of UPPAbaby's "PiggyBack' board (which is available separately). The basket is large and comes with all the extras including raincovers and liners.
Tandem buggies are usually made with your kids sitting close to each other. This makes them more stable and easier to push on uneven surfaces, but they can be difficult to maneuver up and over kerbs. They have a larger footprint than a one-seater and can be too large to fit through doorways.
Comfort
This is one of the most comfortable, lightweight doubles we've examined. It has stadium-style seating on both seats, which means your children can take in the view. It also features a large UPF 50+ canopy that has a peekaboo window, a cushioned toddler seat that includes an additional RumbleSeat that comes with built-in, adjustable foot and leg rests as well as an integrated cup holder for one parent. Pushchairs & Prams love how the seats recline individually by squeezing the levers under each seat, and say that the straps are easy to unfasten and fasten using just one hand. It's also a doddle to fold, thanks to a twist mechanism on the handle, making it as simple as possible and can be stored with the backrest up to make it easy to access.
With 30 different configurations (it'll accommodate twins as well as a toddler and baby or three kids if you add the option of a "PiggyBack" board) this is a fantastic choice for families who are looking to expand with their child. Its large shopping basket and soft suspension mean it's good on roads and in cities too. It's also affordable. BabyGearLab recommends this product for children up to the age of six.