Tandem vs. Side by Side

MommyMar2010

DH and I def want a double stroller (kids are 21 mos apart) but we are going back and forth on tandem vs. side by side.  I see the pros/cons of each, but if you have one or the other, can you tell me why you chose it over the other kind?

I worry with the tandem when my youngest is older, the kids are going to fight over who gets to sit "in front" etc.  And with the side by side, I worry I really won't be able to realistically go shopping and fit through isles etc, unless I'm a place like target, etc.

Help us figure out which style!  Thanks!

NCMichelle

No help here because I have both.  I use the tandem (BJ City Select) for the mall, stores, etc.  Things indoors.

I also have a BOB that I use for outdoor activities - jogging, walks, etc.

Look on Craigslist - it's amazing what you can find! 

Daisy22

I have both the city select and BOB too. Have you looked at the city select? Both kids can see when facing out. Plus it's nice to have a single and double stroller in one. The one downside for the city select is that my son is 2.5 now and tall for his age. He doesn't quite fit very well in the seat anymore. He did ride in it yesterday for two hours while we took ds2 to the ENT and for X-rays through. 

12bailey18

We love our city mini double. We take it everywhere. Wherever our single went our double is able to go. I tested out a few tandem ones and found them really hard to steer. I also didn't want one to have to sit in the back. Love our side by side!

marielovestimothy03

I have a Phil & Teds, that's tandem and I LOVE it. We were between that and the Bob Dualie (side by side) but thought the tandem would be more practical since we do a lot of indoor walking in the winter and such. It hasn't been an issue at all. My girls are 2.5 and almost 15 months and are fine switching between front and back seats. In fact, they both seem to prefer sitting in the back seat. With the P&T you have to put the lighter kid (when the weight difference is significant at least) on the bottom anyway so for awhile you'll have to have your little one down there.

They both have their pros and cons but I find I can maneuver places a lot easier with the tandem and I also love the flexibility of the stroller because the bottom seat detaches so we can use it as a single too. 

Ruby_Soho

We have a Mountain Buggy +one which is a tandem and so far it's great. DS#2 goes in the back in a cocoon and when he's bigger and sitting up he'll sit in the front seat and DS#1 will sit in the back seat where he can see out the front over DS#1's head. Perfect.

If you like the idea of the side by side check out the Mountain Buggy Duet, it's a side by side and is no wider than a single buggy. Really cool! Even their Duo is fairly narrow.

I'm not working for MB, they're just the only brand I considered buying since we live in an alpine town and need a great buggy with good suspension etc.