Pros/Cons of a Double Stroller

TA110980

Talk to me about the pros and cons of a double stroller.  If you love your double stroller, what brand is it and do the kids sit side-by-side or one in front of the other?

My son will be just shy of 2 when LO debuts in September.  In my experience, we didn't use our stroller at all once the weather cooled off, so this year we'd only "need" a double stroller for two months.  I know I can get by with my current stroller by wearing LO, but wonder if a double stroller is worth having the following summer (when they're 3 and 1 yo).

Irisheyes1247

My girls are 16 months apart. I really needed the double - between carrying a diaper bag, an infant and a small toddler, it was how I could feel comfortable taking both kids out to a place like the mall where there were not carts. I have a Joovy Scooter x2 and a Joovy Caboose Ultralite, which I got used around the time dd1 was 2. 

PROS - it is nice to have a place to secure two kids, if you need to go out and perhaps be trying on clothes or actually paying attention to what you are doing. They have a big basket that holds a ton of stuff (I hate carrying diaper bags lol) 

CONS - the scooter x2 did not have an adapter for a car seat, so we couldn't just move her bucket seat in there, but she was never a sleep-on-the-go kid, so no big loss there. Double strollers generally are huge and I did notice that all the kids stores I went to have these super tiny narrow aisles, so that was a bit difficult, but I never had a door I was unable to get in, even with the side by side

JulyMomma2U2

My two are 12 months apart and baby 3 will be 13-14mos apart.. I spent a shit ton on my double (BOB duallie).. Pros: pushes like a dream, I use it at the mall, aquarium, zoo, doctors offices, etc and have had zero issues with it being "too big".. Like PP said, when you need your kids contained it definitely does the trick! Cons: expensive.. And all the extra parts are sold separate.. We spent $700 by the time we got the car seat adapter and the snack tray adapter etc. it's a little heavy, but honestly not much heavier than my travel system stroller.. Same with bulkiness.. It takes up 3/4 of my trunk (mid size SUV).. I don't like that the seats don't sit all the way upright.. If DS1 wants to sit fully upright he essentially has to pull himself up on the snack tray and hold himself there.. A lot of strollers are like that.. Overall, for my spacing, it's been crucial and well worth the money (and I'm a huge baby wearing fan!!). But, for your spacing,, if you're only planning to use it a few months and then your older 1 will be three, I think I'd get a less expensive model.. One tht you wouldn't mind only using a handful of times.,

chusum

I haven't made the plunge on a double yet, but a friend of mine raves about her city mini double! It's side by side and the width is ADA standards so any doors or aisles that are handicapped accessible were wide enough for the stroller. Plus it is one of the lightest on the market and super easy to fold. She's the reason I bought their single (which I was able to fold with one hand!). The double does require two hands, but is still pretty light and fits easily in a trunk.

woahbabyno4

DS1 and DS2 were 26 months apart and I still felt that I needed a double. A sit and stand was just not going to work with my 2 year old, both due to lack of restraint and that he'd be facing backwards.

blue+skies

chusum said:

I haven't made the plunge on a double yet, but a friend of mine raves about her city mini double! It's side by side and the width is ADA standards so any doors or aisles that are handicapped accessible were wide enough for the stroller. Plus it is one of the lightest on the market and super easy to fold. She's the reason I bought their single (which I was able to fold with one hand!). The double does require two hands, but is still pretty light and fits easily in a trunk.

At the mall last week, I saw a mom with a City Select double that was front/back instead of side by side. It looked really nice, so I want to try to find one in a store and "test drive" it. Thought I'd throw that out there for all the "City" stroller lovers. I've heard they are great!

I want to check that one out, but I'm leaning towards a Bob. I have their single and run with it all the time. Although I hate the idea of running with a double, DH works on the road for weeks at a time, so often the stroller is my only way to get runs in.

Mine will be 26 months apart and I def want one. I know several ladies that still use their strollers for their 3 year olds....mostly as a way to constrain them in busy places, or a place for them to sit/sleep when tired.

mommiesandbabies

I love our double Bob, but only use it to run and walk to the park. It's not the kind of thing you want to haul in and out of the trunk. I can't even remember the last time I used a stroller inside for my twins (2.5) - we do carts, or they walk - so I wouldn't get a double for a 2 yr old and a NB unless I wanted a jogger. I'd look into a stand/ride along option to attach to my stroller though.

suitern

DS will be 2.5 when this LO is born. We go on alot of walks and plan to in the fall as well. We will certainly need a double stroller. I am planning to look into a Double BOB and the City Select.

TA110980

Thanks for all of your input, I really appreciate it!  Sounds like there are two main strollers to look into.  Other than furniture, this is the only big purchase we're considering, so it's nice to start looking (and saving) in advance.

TexasTwinMom

I have a double Bob and I love it. It's my everyday stroller (twins). I have had multiple double strollers and prefer side by side even though I swore I would hate it. If you won't use it too much, start looking for a deal in Craigslist for a used bob or city mini.

chusum

blue+skies said:

I haven't made the plunge on a double yet, but a friend of mine raves about her city mini double! It's side by side and the width is ADA standards so any doors or aisles that are handicapped accessible were wide enough for the stroller. Plus it is one of the lightest on the market and super easy to fold. She's the reason I bought their single (which I was able to fold with one hand!). The double does require two hands, but is still pretty light and fits easily in a trunk.

At the mall last week, I saw a mom with a City Select double that was front/back instead of side by side. It looked really nice, so I want to try to find one in a store and "test drive" it. Thought I'd throw that out there for all the "City" stroller lovers. I've heard they are great! I want to check that one out, but I'm leaning towards a Bob. I have their single and run with it all the time. Although I hate the idea of running with a double, DH works on the road for weeks at a time, so often the stroller is my only way to get runs in. Mine will be 26 months apart and I def want one. I know several ladies that still use their strollers for their 3 year olds....mostly as a way to constrain them in busy places, or a place for them to sit/sleep when tired.

The friend who turned me on to the City Mini side by side has a double Bob stroller as well and she said it is not an everyday take it to the mall stroller. She said it is far to big and bulky to do anything except run/walk/jog with it. It might just be that she's used to the city mini double and how less bulky it is. I do know city mini has a double jogger, and it's similarly priced as the Bob. Planning to check it out when I can to see if it's bulky like the Bob or sleek like the City mini.

JulyMomma2U2

chusum said:

blue+skies said:

I haven't made the plunge on a double yet, but a friend of mine raves about her city mini double! It's side by side and the width is ADA standards so any doors or aisles that are handicapped accessible were wide enough for the stroller. Plus it is one of the lightest on the market and super easy to fold. She's the reason I bought their single (which I was able to fold with one hand!). The double does require two hands, but is still pretty light and fits easily in a trunk.

At the mall last week, I saw a mom with a City Select double that was front/back instead of side by side. It looked really nice, so I want to try to find one in a store and "test drive" it. Thought I'd throw that out there for all the "City" stroller lovers. I've heard they are great! I want to check that one out, but I'm leaning towards a Bob. I have their single and run with it all the time. Although I hate the idea of running with a double, DH works on the road for weeks at a time, so often the stroller is my only way to get runs in. Mine will be 26 months apart and I def want one. I know several ladies that still use their strollers for their 3 year olds....mostly as a way to constrain them in busy places, or a place for them to sit/sleep when tired.

The friend who turned me on to the City Mini side by side has a double Bob stroller as well and she said it is not an everyday take it to the mall stroller. She said it is far to big and bulky to do anything except run/walk/jog with it. It might just be that she's used to the city mini double and how less bulky it is. I do know city mini has a double jogger, and it's similarly priced as the Bob. Planning to check it out when I can to see if it's bulky like the Bob or sleek like the City mini.

This is interesting.. I use my BOB everywhere.. I put it in and out of my SUV all the time.. it's a little heavy, but nothing crazy.. then again, I'm used to carrying 45+lbs of kid at the same time, so maybe I'm just used to lifting a lot?  It's a little bulky/big feeling, but fits perfectly fine through any doorway.  Aisles in a store can be tough, depending on the store.. but, that's with any side by side stroller.. a friend of mine has the City Mini double and the bumbleride indie twin, actually.. of the two, the bumbleride is, in my opinion and her opinion, easier/smoother to push.. what I really liked about the BOB as opposed to either of those was the single front wheel.. it makes steering and maneuverability so much easier than those with 2 front wheels..

lesleyn21

Ok so question. Ds will be 2.5 when baby is born. I for sure want a double jogger because we love walks and the zoo. Other then those two places he doesn't ride in a stroller. We use to use one at the mall but since my jogger tire went flat we have just been letting him walk. Should I still get a sit and stand type stroller or would it be a waste? Our mall is small but we have a few big malls around that he has to be in one because it's just wild in there. I know what jogger I want but am at a loss about a everyday double stroller.

Irisheyes1247

lesleyn21 said:

Ok so question. Ds will be 2.5 when baby is born. I for sure want a double jogger because we love walks and the zoo. Other then those two places he doesn't ride in a stroller. We use to use one at the mall but since my jogger tire went flat we have just been letting him walk. Should I still get a sit and stand type stroller or would it be a waste? Our mall is small but we have a few big malls around that he has to be in one because it's just wild in there. I know what jogger I want but am at a loss about a everyday double stroller.

Is he the kind of kid who would fall asleep if you were out someplace walking around for a while? If not, I would just look for a sit'n'stand type thing. I really love our Joovy Caboose Ultralite, and I found mine used for $100. Maybe you could keep an eye out on Craigslist for one, since you really don't need to make a decision right away.