Double stroller: tandem or side by side?

knichols1085 · April 2015

My DD2 will be 19 months when baby arrives. I'm looking to invest in a good double stroller but want opinions on whether to buy a tandem or side by side. I've done quite a bit of research on models but would like input of moms with kids that are closer in age. Thanks!

wedding crazed · April 2015

I have both kinds actually. I like the tandem at first as ours fits the infant car seat in it, newborn sleeps better without toddler able to touch it, and it fits through doors making shopping easier. Con with that one is that the storage at the bottom is much less. Side by side I love as it's my jogger and I'm a runner so couldn't live without it. It handles way better and is easier to maneuver. Cons: hard time fitting through doors, doesn't fit the infant seat in it. Definitely could not live without one of them at least with my kids close in age.

soberrysweet · April 2015

I have a a BumbleRide Indie Twin. My girls are close in age and I love it. I use it every day.

amh0411712 · April 2015

I'm really happy with my side by side, it navigates great and folds easily. The boys can see everything the other can and the "sitting up front argument" is null and void with it.

We have the BJCM GT

oliarnmom1517 · April 2015

The few kids I've watched that were close in age had a tandem and it was much easier for me personally to move around and much nice to fit through doors like another poster said...

never2late4happilyeverafter · April 2015

My cousin offered me her tandem & I'm politely declining. I want a tandem, but I want it to have 2 actual seats. The one my cousin used had 1 legit seat & 1 spot for the infant carrier to snap in which was also the "2nd seat" & standing spot.

What a pain in the @** that was whenever we went somewhere after her daughter was old enough to be out of the carrier. There's no strap for the "2nd seat" & the poor kid faced backward. She was constantly on her 3 1/2 yr old son at the time to "sit or stand", "get back in the stroller" & "you're sister can't sit in the back so be a good big brother & just get in"... Oh, I hate that stroller!!!

I've already got 3 strollers (jogger, umbrella & the "system" which came with my infant car seat), so I'm not pumped about spending more $ BUT if gonna deal with the hassle of a double stroller, I'm gonna make sure the 2 1/2 yr old can't get out!!!

I'm looking at babies r us baby trend model for about $160.

tugskenyonkel+1 · April 2015

I have a Jeep side by side umbrella stroller and it's the smoothest riding stroller I've ever used- especially being an umbrella stroller. It has multiple storage pouches and folds up easily and compactly. My only issue is you can't take it any place crowded or with narrow walks. I wonder myself if I could find another Jeep brand stroller and it move just as easily.

amh0411712 said:
I'm really happy with my side by side, it navigates great and folds easily. The boys can see everything the other can and the "sitting up front argument" is null and void with it.

We have the BJCM GT

Do you not have issues with it's width? Is it maybe slimmer than most side by sides? I've been looking at getting a new one because of that issue but don't want the "I want in the front" issue.

DrMommaDVM · April 2015

I would never get a side-by-side. I see people struggling to fit them through doorways and aisles all the time.... looks like a big hassle.
We like our tandem a lot. It's the joovy caboose. Pretty inexpensive and lightweight. Not much storage though.

Kanne0729 · April 2015

We had/have a tandem and I absolutely loved it. We have the Baby Jogger City Select and if I remember correctly for the second child we had to buy the car seat adapter and the second seat add on. It was amazing though. For some reason the side but sides just seemed to bulky for me and I just didn't like them. Here is the website https://www.babyjogger.com/product/city-select/
I would go to a store and check out the displays that they have and get a feel for what you're most comfortable with and once you choose that then it's just deciding which brand works best for you.

EtA: you can also add a third seat with the city select which I think is pretty awesome.

Noey80 · April 2015

I have a city select side by side. I love it. It's smooth to push and fits through all doors

amh0411712 · April 2015

tugskenyonkel+1 said:
I have a Jeep side by side umbrella stroller and it's the smoothest riding stroller I've ever used- especially being an umbrella stroller. It has multiple storage pouches and folds up easily and compactly. My only issue is you can't take it any place crowded or with narrow walks. I wonder myself if I could find another Jeep brand stroller and it move just as easily.
amh0411712 said:
I'm really happy with my side by side, it navigates great and folds easily. The boys can see everything the other can and the "sitting up front argument" is null and void with it.

We have the BJCM GT
Do you not have issues with it's width? Is it maybe slimmer than most side by sides? I've been looking at getting a new one because of that issue but don't want the "I want in the front" issue.

I dont. It is 31" wide. And It fits through every doorway we've gone through, and that includes numerous specialty doctors appointments. It's no wider than a wheelchair, and per federal regulations a wheelchair must fit through every door.

The only place I've had issues with is Kohls. But I have issues there without a stroller.

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Double stroller: tandem or side by side?

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