Stroller suggestion

Kdonn15 · July 2011

Now that my second baby is here, I'm finding we need a double stroller ASAP! Originally I had been set on getting the Baby Jogger City Select but I'm wondering if that'd be a waste of money since I already have a Maclaren Quest to use when I know longer need a double (not sure if I'd use the CS as a single stroller) and I can't really tell how much longer my daughter will be willing to sit in a stroller.

Does anyone here have any experience with the Kolcraft Optima Tandem stroller? This seems to be a similar stroller to the CS with half the price tag so it's something I'm willing to consider right now.

AshleyNLove · July 2011

my two are exactly 2 years apart. they are now 3 and 1....and i just bought ANOTHER double stroller!

i use my singles when daddy is with us to hold the older's one's hand and sometimes i use it when i know he will stay right by me.

but i purchased the bumbleride indie twin for parks, walks, runs, adventures, outings, and i pretty much used it everywhere since it took a car seat for the baby.

now at 3 and 1, we just bought the maclaren twin techno.

Love them all....i have 5 stroller and i use 4 of them at least once a week!

go for the double, but don't go cheap- you'll regret it. ease of use is really important or you just wont use it bc it's a hassle!

Kdonn15 · July 2011

I see what you mean....we have the Combi Twin that I got for when I was babysitting, but it's not really a good stroller for longer trips like the boardwalk/beach, zoo or even mall shopping. I as well have four different strollers and hesitate to get rid of any of them.....my dh is gonna go nuts though if I bring another stroller into the house without getting rid of a couple we already have!

Mrs.Christie · July 2011

I considered the kolcraft contours tandem, which I guess is the older heavier version of the optima. It is l-o-n-g, but besides that it's pretty good IMO. Nice push, turns well, and a huge basket. The seats might be on the smaller side so you might want to chek that out.

I would only buy one used, as there's no way I'd want to spend almost $300 for a kolcraft when I paid just over $400 for my BJCS w/ the 2nd seat. Also, at one point I bought a BJ city mini double for $320 I think (ended up returning it). If you can find a baby jogger on sale or something you'd be better off b/c you can turn around and sell it for close to what you paid for it when DC1 outgrowns the need for a stroller.

StefB28 · July 2011

To me, weight is a huge consideration when it comes to buying a stroller. I was considering the Kolcraft Contours, but at 44 lbs, I decided against it and went with the Baby Jogger City Mini Double instead (22 lbs). The Optima is 36.6 lbs.

I had a Peg Perego Skate that weighed about 30lbs and I never used it with DS because it was such a pain to get in and out of the car, so I knew that weight was an important issue to me.

ETA: I'm a (mostly) SAHM, so I'm in and out of the car A LOT each day. If you only use your stroller occasionally, it might not be as big of a deal to you!

AshleyNLove · July 2011

my advice to you, find the brands you like, stay on top of the competitor prices, and then stalk craigslist!!!

bridgeybride · July 2011

I got a BJCS 2010 model from albeebaby.com as a single $317, and bought the brackets and infant seat adaptor and it all came to just under $400 with tax. I'm going to wait to buy a second seat to see if my DD will stay in a stroller at that point.. she's 19 months now and will be just over 2 when I expect to stop using the infant seat for this new LO. I'll decide whether or not to get a second seat then.

I just set up the BJCS the other night.. and am so excited to use it.. my DD climbed right in to the front seat.. and we wheeled around the living room.... maneuvers so well.. will practice folding it.. doesn't seem as easy as my city mini that I already have.