Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Double Strollers

I've been researching double strollers lately - still haven't made up my mind yet - and there are sooo many options out there!  I know a few of my friends are looking for these too, so I thought I'd put on here what I've found and you can see how your needs compare to mine and which one will work best for you!  My daughter will be 18 months when new baby arrives so we need something that will accommodate both of them very well.

Needs:
2 reclining seats - I'm sure both of my lo's will be wanting to take naps at some point.  They don't have to completely recline but at least some sort of recline
Compatible with Chicco 30 carseat - already have this carseat from baby #1 so going to reuse & being due in October it could be pretty chilly here in Nebraska so I will probably leave baby in the carseat if I'm out and about
Tandem style - fits through doorways better, I'm just use to it because it's what my brother & sister-in-law had, the side-by-side feels uncomfortable & awkward to push to me
Cup holders/child tray - Need a place to put lo's snacks
Adjustable parent handlebars - my husband and I are both tall so we need to be able to put the bars up so it's comfortable for us but it would also be nice for the shorter grandma's to be able to push it comfortably too

Nice to have:
Parent tray with cup holders
Bigger basket underneath
Lightweight
Not super long - I don't want to be pushing around a bus

Here's a few I've been debating about and how they stack up.  



Needs:
2 reclining seats - full recline in rear
Compatible with Chicco 30 carseat - yes
Tandem style - yes
Cup holders/child tray - cup holders in front only or arm bar
Adjustable parent handlebars - yes

Nice to have:
Parent tray with cup holders: Yes
Bigger basket underneath: yes but hard to access with backseat reclined or infant seat clicked in
Lightweight: 34 lbs
Not super long: 47.25" x 23.5" x 45.5"

Other to consider:
Seat weight limits: up to 40 lbs each seat
Double leg rests:  yes-adjustable

NOTES: Might have to remove front canopy to fit in smaller vehicles.  I tried this in the store and it seemed really long but that was compared to the Graco Ready to Grow stroller which is smaller (rear seat always faces backwards in that stroller)  I love my Chicco Cortina single stroller - it rolls much better than any Graco I've ever used and I'm sad to give it up, so I'm hoping to love this one but, at the beginning of my research, it seems long...
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Graco Quattro Tour Duo  $230 at Babies R Us

Needs:
2 reclining seats - Yes, rear fully reclines
Compatible with Chicco 30 carseat - NO
Tandem style - yes
Cup holders/child tray - Yes both seats
Adjustable parent handlebars - I don't believe so - says multiple hand positions...

Nice to have:
Parent tray with cup holders: Yes
Bigger basket underneath: Yes 
Lightweight: 46.4 lbs
Not super long: 40 x 22.3 x 44

Other to consider:
Seat weight limits: front: 50 lbs, rear: 40 lbs
Double leg rests:  yes

NOTES: Says 20% smaller when folded as compared to Graco DuoGlider Stroller.  Listed as Best Tandem Style Double Stroller on consumersearch.com.
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Baby Trend Sit N Stand Double  $190 at Babies R Us

Needs:
2 reclining seats - Yes, rear seat removes to become sit n stand for older child
Compatible with Chicco 30 carseat - NO
Tandem style - yes
Cup holders/child tray - Yes both seats
Adjustable parent handlebars - NO

Nice to have:
Parent tray with cup holders: Yes
Bigger basket underneath: Yes 
Lightweight: 32.5 lbs
Not super long: 43.0 " H x 21.5 " W x 49.0 " D, collapsed: 43.5 " H x 17.0 " D

Other to consider:
Seat weight limits: front: 40 lbs, jumpseat: 2 1/2 to 40 lbs
Double leg rests:  yes

NOTES: Foot activated brake.  I like that this has the sit n stand feature for later on when your toddler wants to get out and about and be more independent.  
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Jeep Traveler Tandem  $210 at Babies R Us

Needs:
2 reclining seats - Yes - front can't recline with infant seat in back
Compatible with Chicco 30 carseat - Yes
Tandem style - yes
Cup holders/child tray - Yes both seats
Adjustable parent handlebars - Yes - 3 height positions

Nice to have:
Parent tray with cup holders: Just 1 cupholder - no tray
Bigger basket underneath: Yes 
Lightweight: 43.6 lbs
Not super long: 34.5 x 20.2 x 13.2

Other to consider:
Seat weight limits: both up to 40 lbs
Double leg rests:  yes - not adjustable

NOTES: Bright color is only color option.


Hopefully that helps you a little on what you might want to consider.  Here is a link to the Consumer Reports stroller buying guide for tips on what to look for when purchasing.  

Let me know what stroller you like or if you have a recommendation for me on one that isn't listed!  I'm still looking because nothing has fit the bill perfectly yet...  :)


I went to Babies R Us the other day and saw the Chicco and Sit-N-Stand in the store.


I thought the Chicco was a little bulkier than the Sit-N-Stand but it was probably a smoother ride for walks and such but the Sit-N-Stand seemed to maneuver a little better in the store (mostly since it was a little smaller I think)  


Here you can see how they compare side by side:

Sit-N-Stand on left, Chicco on right

Chicco on left, Sit-N-Stand on right

Chicco side
Shows bars in front of seats.  As you can see the front has 2 cups & the back only has a bar.  Apparently the child in the back doesn't get hungry or thirsty?!?!  BUT I know there are attachments you can buy that could probably solve the no snack tray issue - just not sure exactly what!




6 comments:

  1. I researched these same ones and I am coming across the same problem of my carseat (Graco) NOT fitting in the stroller, which is a must. What have you found with the sit and stands? I can't imagine Jadyn standing still long enough or even sitting in one like that (just from experience with the Target car shopping carts lol).

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    1. I think I really like the sit-n-stand but I agree that I wonder what it will be like with the older kid staying in their seat if they're not strapped in. My sister has a regular sit n stand (not the double) but her oldest is 3 and really tall, but I think it works well for her. I haven't actually tried putting my carseat in it to see if it will work but it's just not listed on there. I compared it to the Chicco at BRU the other day and the sit n stand looked a lot more compact actually. I took a pic I'll try to post it on here soon so you can see them compared side by side. I also heard something recently about a Contours double stroller that I'm going to look into...

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  2. My car seat doesn't technically fit our double, but with the snack tray, it sits fine and if I'm going somewhere bumpy I strap it with a bungy cord. :-) have you tried setting the seat in one of the gracos even though it doesn't technically say it fits?

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    1. Yeah I wondered about that...I'm definitely going to if I find one that fits all my other needs. Good idea!!

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  3. We love our City Select. It can be a double and single.

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    1. Yeah I'll have to check that one out. I think we looked at it when we had M but I don't exactly recall why we went the other way...

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