Let’s Talk Double Strollers

For many parents, buying a stroller is akin to buying a car. In the first place, strollers aren’t cheap. Purchasing a stroller is a serious investment, and this investment goes beyond the mere cost of the stroller.

It’s an investment in the time that you and your children will spend using the stroller. It’s an investment in the hassle that transporting your stroller could be. It’s an investment in something that you expect to last for the duration of your child’s infancy. And it’s an investment in something that will determine whether you can do the things with your kids that you’d like, depending on if the stroller is suitable.

If you’re considering a double stroller, such as the UPPAbaby Vista Double Seat Stroller, the Bumbleride Indie Twin, or the Baby Jogger City Select, there a number of questions you should be asking yourself before making such a pivotal decision. While an UPPAbaby double stroller or City Select might be the right choice for many parents, you should still do a fundamental evaluation of your lifestyle, stroller needs, family plans, and budget before making a final selection.

Considering Your Lifestyle and Stroller Needs

If this if your first baby (or babies), consider what your lifestyle will be like. Will you or someone else be caring for your child in your home, or will your child be attending daycare? Do you live in a climate that allows you to get outside ten months of the year, or will you be battling two feet of snow to take a walk? 

If this is your second stroller purchase, you have the benefit of knowing how a stroller realistically fits into your lifestyle – how often and for what purpose did you use your single stroller? Chances are, unless you’ve experienced a significant shift in home life, the way you use a double stroller won’t be all that different from the way you used a single.

Some questions to ask yourself…

• Will you use your stroller every day, once a week, or once every few weeks?

 If you use your stroller sparingly, spend your money on something you will use more often. If it’s used every day, it’s best to invest in a high-quality stroller with a beefy warranty that can withstand the test of time. 

• Where do you take your stroller?

If you intend to use your stroller for walks to the park or around the neighborhood, the width of your stroller may not matter as much to you. However, if you live in an area with tight sidewalks or plan to use your stroller for trips to the mall, the width of your stroller is important. Will it fit through doorways and clothing racks? Will it allow passersby enough room to walk? 

• What activities do you do with your children that require the use of a stroller?

If you intend to run with your stroller, go with a double specifically designed for jogging.  Will you push your stroller on uneven ground? Consider a stroller with excellent suspension. If your stroller will be used when traveling, make sure it fits in a travel bag. 

• What is your housing and car situation?

Do you live in a suburban house with a garage? Folding and storing a stroller is not quite as big of a deal if you wheel it into the corner of the garage and only fold it up when it’s going in the car. If your stroller frequently ends up folded in the trunk of your car or in a closet in your home, check the dimensions to make sure it will fit. Conversely, if you live in a two-story walkup, don’t have a garage, or take an elevator to your home, you’ll want to strongly consider the dimensions and weight of the stroller. 

Family Plans

If you are a first-time parent of one baby and are considering a single stroller that converts to a double, think about how far apart you plan to space your children. Do you want the flexibility to use your stroller as a single with one child, then a double, then a single again as your oldest child(ren) age out of strollers?

If you are a second (or third, or fourth) time parent, consider whether this is your last baby and the spacing of your current and future children. How many years do you expect your older children to use the stroller? The UPPAbaby Vista Double Stroller and Baby Jogger City Select can both be configured to comfortably fit as many as three children with the use of a piggyback, so your family plans could play a crucial role in helping you choose.

If you are a parent of multiples, you need a double (or maybe triple!) stroller. Choose one that best suits your lifestyle and budget.

Above all, remember that things don’t always go as planned.  You may plan for one child and end up with two, or two children and end up with three, or plan for two children two years apart and end up with two children three, four, or five years apart. Consider whether you will still be happy with your purchase if life takes a different turn.

Age of Children

Consider the age of the children who will be using the stroller as well as their personalities. How long do you expect your child to want to use a stroller? Some parents struggle to keep their child in a stroller past the age of two, while others ride comfortably until five or six.

A side-by-side double stroller is always going to be a double stroller. A front-to-back double stroller (such as the UPPAbaby Vista Double Seat Stroller 2017 or Baby Jogger City Select, which we highly recommend) has the flexibility to convert from a single to a double, and back again!

Budget

Double strollers are a big investment. How much do you want to spend on a double stroller? Do you have a single stroller you intend to keep or can you resell it to help offset the cost?

It’s also critical to consider that saving now may cost you later. If you intend to have multiple children in just a couple years, saving the money to buy a single stroller for the first baby will only result in spending more money when your next baby is due. The price tag on single strollers might be tempting now, but you could end up spending far more if you fail to think long-term.

The Peppy Parents Choice

While we don’t wish to give off the impression that no other double stroller can possibly compete, we do highly recommend both the UPPAbaby Vista Double Stroller and Baby Jogger City Select. Take a look at these strollers’ specs and see if either fits your lifestyle, stroller needs, family plan, and budget. If so, we encourage you to seriously consider making an investment in these durable, practical, stylish, and functional pieces of equipment.

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