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Two Under 2
MommaG123
member
Tandem or Side by Side double stroller?
MommaG123
member
in Two Under 2
Just looking for some opinions/perspectives on which is better.
Any experience or advice you have with either type of double stroller is appreciated.
Thanks
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Tandem or Side by Side double stroller?
We have a side by side and love it. I haven't had any issues at all. It definitely came in handy for the newborn months.
We are in the market for a sit and stand very soon (which is tandem) but that's not because the side by side wasn't working but more because my kids are getting older and my DD wants to walk 1/2 the time.
I've used both and think there are advantages to both.
Side by side: I had a simple umbrella side by side. It folded up to a modest size, but didn't have a basket underneath. It was easier to navigate in most situations due to not being as long, but could be a tight fit in doorways, especially without help. I liked that both my girls had an "equal" view, there was no squabbling over who gets the front seat, etc. The wider handles made it somewhat uncomfortable to use sometimes with how far I had to spread my arms, I also felt the heavier weight of my older daughter over time (that arm would get tired faster). The side by side would not have fit a carseat for a newborn, but I did easily set an infant (3 months or so) in snuggly and reclined so she could sit comfortably. I enjoyed having easy access to both kids without having to walk around. I could just flip the shade back and have instant access to either child while still walking.
Tandem: I have a sit n' stand, which I replaced my side by side with. It is larger to fold, but has a basket underneath and will fit a carseat for #3 in the front, plus it's wide enough in the back for my skinny girls to share the bench, or at least has enough room for them to both ride one way or another (so, I could potentially fit all 3 if necessary for a short time). The basket can be difficult to access, especially with the bench seat in use, but asking the older child to stand works. It fits through narrow spaces much easier. It can be bulky to get through doors when I'm on my own, but easier to fit through. I find navigation more difficult when my oldest is in the front, or if my youngest is in the front and the back is unoccupied, and there are many fights over who gets the front seat. Overall, I am pleased with the purchase though, but I also bought mine intending to add a 3rd to the mix in the near future (I bought it just under a year ago, before I got pregnant) and bought it with older children in mind (they were 2.5 & 3.5 at the time).
Tandems will usually not push as well as a SBS if that's important to you. I have heard that with 2 close together, the SBS is better. I pushed a City Select and didn't like it at all so I am going to SBS. For me, this is a more practical choice. We use it more for walks, out and about in our neighborhood, day trips, etc.
It's really about where you plan to use the stroller the most and what features are most important to you. My cousin LOVES her City Select but I hated it so you can't really use someone else's experiences to dictate what you should do.
I used to work at a daycare, and they had both a tandem and a side by side. The side by side was way easier to push and turn. There were really no pros to the tandem, but both strollers were like 10 years old at least.
I personally am going to either get a side by side, or none at all depending on if I get pregnant with LO2 before DS is 1. If DS is 1.5 when i actually get pregnant, I probably will just get a single umbrella stroller for DS and keep the travel system I have already.