Question about double strollers...

MrsChristmas

Do you prefer an inline or a side by side stroller? I'm trying to decide what kind of double stroller I want to get. I have a Chicco infant seat, and they make an inline that I could snap the seat into or a side by side that won't take an infant seat. The inline would be nice when the baby is still in the infant seat, but once the baby is sitting up, it seems like it would suck to have to stare at the back of the other seat.

What about sit and stand strollers?

I know a lot of people love their BOBs, but DH would never spend that kind of money, and I don't really need a jogging stroller because I can't jog or run with my terrible knees. Any other recs for double strollers you love that won't break the bank?

MrsBeckO

I used to nanny-share with a 1 & 2 year old, and then of course I had the twins for two years... IMO, the inline strollers are a PITA. To push. To travel with. All around PITA.

The nanny-share families pitched in and bought the Graco inline for me to use and I hated it. The only good thing was accommodating the infant seat for the short time the younger one was in the infant seat with me. Pushing one was difficult because in certain conditions (hills or driveways, corners, lifting up onto a sidewalk/curb), it would get front-heavy and be hard and awkward to maneuver. This very minute I have 2 strollers in my trunk - my Chicco travel system stroller and a Quinny. However, the one inline double did not fit in my trunk by itself. Not by a long shot. (I drive a 4dr sedan). Once the kiddos were old enough to both ride in the stroller sans carriers, the one in the back would kick the one in the front just about every day, no matter who it was riding in back. Good times. 

The twins had 2 side-by-sides. A Mountain Buggy jogger that I loooved but would never spend the money on and doesn't fold down at all. And they had a Macleran Twin Techno that I also loved, but not quite as much. The Macleran folds down pretty compactly for a double, the seats have individual recline (to almost laying flat, good for little babes) and individual canopies. Plenty of basket room underneath. Easy to steer, fits through doorways no problem - I think it was a great double. But it doesn't take an infant seat. 

lovemydog

MrsBeckO:

I used to nanny-share with a 1 & 2 year old, and then of course I had the twins for two years... IMO, the inline strollers are a PITA. To push. To travel with. All around PITA.

I've heard that the side by side ones are difficult because they are so wide - hard to get in and out of doors, etc.  Did you find that to be true?

lrb

I started with a side-by-side stroller (Peg Perego Aria) but I quickly realized that it was a baaad decision.  The difference in their weights caused me to not be able to push it correctly.  It would favor the side of the heavier child.  I would have gotten a sit-n-stand, but Jake wasn't really of the age that I thought he could handle that freedom.  So, we ended up buying a Baby trend Expedition double jogger ($190ish).  It's still side-by-side, but the one wheel up front allows for it to distribute the weight equally.  

Here's a link to the BT Expedition https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3792565

HTH!

Temp13436125005166

I don't have any double stroller advice since we don't have one... but I just thought I'd throw out the idea of waiting until later to get one, then you can try them out and see what works best for both kids and you.

We've gotten by w/o one because when I'm out with both kids and I need Megan in the stroller I just wear Ryan.  We used a stroller with Ryan like 2 or 3 times while he still needed to be in the infant seat, since I just mostly had him in the Moby.  We use it more now since he can just go in a regular stroller w/o the seat. When we walk to the park / in the neighborhood I usually start out the walk with Ryan in the stroller, Ergo under the stroller and Megan walking.  If Megan wants to ride, I put Ryan in the Ergo and Megan in the stroller.  And sometimes Megan wants to ride in the Ergo too...

lrb

The side-by-sides most all fit through a standard door.  They are pretty good about that and I never had a problem w/ either side-by-side I have owned.

PS- I will be inheriting a sit-n-stand this next go round.  I'm kind of looking forward to getting it and playing around with the boys in it. 

MrsBeckO

lovemydog:

MrsBeckO:

I used to nanny-share with a 1 & 2 year old, and then of course I had the twins for two years... IMO, the inline strollers are a PITA. To push. To travel with. All around PITA.

I've heard that the side by side ones are difficult because they are so wide - hard to get in and out of doors, etc.  Did you find that to be true?

I never had a problem with doors. We walked to a neighborhood coffee shop every day and I got in the door with it by myself each time, no issues.

But about what lrb said with weight distribution - I never had to think about that since the twins were (and still are) within a few ounces of each other. Definitely something to consider with siblings of diff ages vs twins!  

Kim777

I have both and since I bought used/cheap I only spent what one new stroller costs. I am so glad I had the inline initially. I would have hated pulling them out of the carrier when they were asleep. It's a pain to steer though, so now that they sleep less I prefer the side by side. I have only ever had trouble getting through one door with my side by side.

mrslaquinta

I am going tonight to pick up a Bumbleride Indie Twin (side-by-side), which will accomodate our infant seat (Maxi-Cosi) on one side.  I am super excited about it, and I will be happy to review it once I use it a few times.  I know mlf has one too, so maybe she will chime in...

I didn't even consider an inline because I know there is no way Kennedy would tolerate it.  She doesn't even like riding in a Bob with the bar thing in front of her because it obstructs her view.  But she's a little picky - obviously all kids are not like that.

ditzydi_2000

Holy Crap!  I have no suggestions for you but I totally missed your announcement that you were expecting #2!  CONGRATS!!!

FeistyFille

I have the Graco Duoglider (inline) and the Bob (side-by-side).  I'd been using the Duoglider mostly because it can accomodate both car seats.  But it is hard to steer & I felt like it was a tipping danger when walking around the neighborhood and on the sloping driveways.  Since I got the Bob, I've used that for neighborhood walks and still use the Duoglider for going out and about, but I think I'll switch to the Bob exclusively soon.  They're both hard to get through doorways unless someone is nice enough to hold the door for you.  With the inline, it's just awkward to get that lengthy thing through.  And with the side-by-side, it might be tight. 

With the inline, the boy in back always kicks the seat of the boy in front. They sell some inlines that allow you to flip the front seat so that the two seats are facing each other, which might eliminate the kicking problem and keep them more entertained.  I have one of these too but haven't used it yet. If you want, you can come over & push the boys around for a bit in both kinds.