Should I buy a single or double stroller now?

doodlebug914 · January 2010

I am looking to buy a new stroller before we go to Florida. I have been looking for quite some time for something smaller with a compact fold plus a basket but hadn't found anything that I really liked overall, so we just bought a couple cheapie umbrella strollers. I don't really like pushing them because I feel like they're so short and that they tip over so easily. So, I was thinking of getting a Maclaren Quest, Graco Mosaic, or Britax Blink. I called Treehouse Kids to see if they carried any of them, and she recommended the Baby Jogger City Mini or City Micro. I haven't seen them in person but like what I've seen online You can buy a bar attachment for an infant seat also, and they are compatible with Graco pumpkin seats which we have (so I could use this for a new baby and Ethan).

If I like the City Mini or City Micro, would you get a single or a double? We are planning to ttc this year and have a new baby next spring/summer, so I would prob look at getting a double then. Would it be weird to use a double for just Ethan now (we're going to the beach and to Disney, and he'll be flying for the first time). The Mini Micro is 159.99 and the double is 299.99, the City Mini is 229.99 and it's double is 399.99. I would be more likely to get the Mini Micro Single or Double - I was looking to spend $150 or less, but was thinking it may be more economical to just go ahead and buy a double now if I like them.

Thanks for your thoughts

JenRose05 · January 2010

I love my Maclaren quest, its the perfect height, has a reclining seat, nice big basket and is ultralight. With the next one I'm probably going with the Kolcraft contours tandem stroller or the Joovy sit and stand... We haven't done too broad of a search but these are the ones I like the best. Maybe if you aren't sure about it, try investing in a sit and stand, the size is comparable to a regular stroller

Zoogy · January 2010

I not sure what advice I can give since I didn't get a double till DD #2 was born. I just wanted to say we have the City Mini Double and I LOVE the stroller. It is great for walks and it folds so easily and isn't too heavy to talk to shopping, etc. I really didn't want to have multiple strollers for walks and going out and about so I think it is a great stroller that meets all our needs. I haven't seen the mico mini so not sure how it compares. The only downside is that now Mya wants to walk most the time and won't really ride in a stroller when we go to the mall or grocery shopping. However it will still be nice to have for trips, walks, etc. When Mya wouldn't ride in the stroller, we had Sadie in there and used the empty seat for the diaper bag and other stuff so it wasn't too weird to only have 1 kid in there at all.

nire99 · January 2010

How far apart do you plan on having your kids? That would be a big deciding factor for me. I spent a ton on my double stroller and rarely used it after the first year. My kids are 3 years apart.

Klmorgan83 · January 2010

I definitely understand not wanting to buy a single now and a double later, so it makes sense to get some sort of double now. But I was a Treehouse Kids the other day looking at strollers and the side by side doubles are pretty wide! Depending on what you want to use a double for it may be hard to get around with it. Some of them didn't look like they'd fit through a regular door. And it looked like it would be hard to maneuver around while shopping. I know I got stuck with my Graco at Old Navy once, there's no way I could get a side by side through there. If you think you'll only use the double outdoors it would work, but we'll be getting a tandem when we need a double.

I posted the other day that I really liked the Baby Jogger City Select, it's really cool but really expensive!! It can go from a single to a double and back. I don't know if I would ever let myself spend that money though.

johnandkristin · January 2010

I think it'd be a good idea to go ahead and get a double stroller now. Especially if you're going to need one anyways within the next year. If you get one and take it to Disney, etc..you'll have more room to put your stuff:)

I tried the side-by-side doubles and the one we purchased we took back because it was a PITA for us. We got the Graco Quattro Tour Duo and love it!

Rose.9.6.03 · January 2010

Personally, I'd probably skip the double. By the time a second baby would arrive, your DS would be 3+. My own girls have barely used the stroller since they turned two and the only times I've used a stroller in the last six months are for the airport.

cops_wife · January 2010

We're hoping to have about 3 years between children and, to be honest, I don't plan to buy a double stroller at all. Considering the fact that there's just no way of knowing what will happen with TTC, I wouldn't buy a double now. It might never get used.

Also, just some advice about taking a stroller to Disney. Make sure you don't take anything there you can't afford to replace. I don't know how often it happens, but strollers do get stolen in Disney. We took our Chicco C5 and it was great.

alisonada · January 2010

Rose.9.6.03:
Personally, I'd probably skip the double. By the time a second baby would arrive, your DS would be 3+. My own girls have barely used the stroller since they turned two and the only times I've used a stroller in the last six months are for the airport.

This is kind of what I was thinking...we used our (side-by-side double, a Zooper Tango - which we loved) a ton when Kady was a newborn, but Piper was only 18 months old. We traded that for a Joovy Sit n' Stand a few months back because Piper stopped wanting to ride (or should I say, refused to ride) in a stroller, and although I really like it, most of the time she doesn't even want to sit on the bench on that. We use our regular old single stroller most often right now and Piper just walks. Even the best double strollers are bulkier and harder to handle than a good single, and I wouldn't bother with it if I didn't have to. If you do want something for the zoo, amusement parks, etc. when the 2nd kiddo comes along you can re-evaluate then and may want to get something cheaper just to use for those more rare occasions when you really do need a double.

Zoogy · January 2010

Yeah after thinking about it I have to agree with Alison and pp about the double stroller. It was great for walks this summer but now that Mya is older she won't sit in it either and we don't really use it now. Maybe this summer she will sit in it for walks again which will be nice. I was also thinking about getting a sit and stand too but who knows if Mya will even want to sit or stand on it.

sistrkate · January 2010

I'm very lucky in that Justin doesn't really fight me about riding in the stroller. I'm one of those mean moms that doesn't let him walk by himself when we go to the mall, or the zoo, or places like that.

That being said, he's 2.5 now, and I think he's getting to the point where he doesn't enjoy riding in it anymore. I can't see using the double once Tyler is out of his infant seat (another couple of months). My double looks brand new because it's only been used a handful of times. I'm with the others......I'd skip the double if you won't have a baby till next year. A sit 'n stand is probably the best idea if you think you'll really need one. A 3 year old won't want to be strapped in, that's for sure.

maybohsu · February 2014

Hey this is what we did to our single stroller to make it a double stroller! https://hubbardscupboard2010.com/2013/10/11/convert-a-single-stroller-to-double-stroller/

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