We have two Baby Bunching moms who we have selected to let us help them pick out a double stroller. We will introduce each one in a separate post and take you through the buying process. Plus, check out our new double stroller guide.
Our first stroller buying Baby Buncher is Jessica from New Jersey. Here was the note we received:
I am currently in the market for a double stroller. My son just turned one and we will be welcoming a daughter in February, making our kids only 15 months apart. Right now we have a single Bob Revolution and a Maclaren Triumph. We love both strollers for their obvious differences. We plan on putting the Bob on Craigslist in the very near future. Originally I was planning on going with the Phil & Ted but now I'm thinking maybe a Baby Jogger City Mini would be better. Or maybe there is something out there I'm not aware of. My main concerns are that we do a lot of outdoor walking so all terrain tires would be great (Phil & Ted) but the side by side seating (Baby Jogger) may be better for the children????? And it's nice that the Phil & Ted can go back to a single stroller. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions. Your help and guidance would be much appreciated.
Jessica’s requirements: Jessica and her family live in the “urban” suburbs of New Jersey. They do a lot of walking outside on trails and since her neighborhood doesn’t have sidewalks they are on the street a lot. She needs a stroller that will work for the trails, the mall, walking the dog, running and traveling. She wants to find one stroller (“sort of like the triumph and revolution in one”) that can do it all since this is the last stroller they hope to purchase.
She has an SUV large enough to hold just about any stroller, but her storage options are an outdoor shed. She doesn’t want anything massive in size, but wants something comfortable for both kids.
Things to consider: The main thing here is the close spacing of Jessica’s soon-to-be ‘twiblings.’ A 15-month age difference, in terms of double strollers, means one important thing: long lifespan. If your kids are closer to two years apart, the stroller requirement changes—mom can wear a sling for a few months and by the time baby’s done in carrier, the oldest one is at a different “stroller development stage.” Kids this close together will both be in the stroller longer. So consider that when making your investment.
Her budget: $400
Our initial feedback: Her current thoughts on a Phil & Ted and City Mini are great places to start. These are within your price range and serve multiple purposes. A side-by-side or a tandem is really a personal preference. Linda’s kids could never sit happily next to each other without someone touching or leaning on the other one. Cara’s kids seemed to be more tame and happier as a side-by-side duo. So a lot may depend on your kids. We don’t think one is better for the kids than the other.
I have the Baby Jogger City Mini and I love it but there are a few drawbacks for me... My 23 month old only has about 2" to grow before he's too tall. The sun shade doesn't go all the way down so it makes walking outside in FL hard to do since at some point, the sun will get in from some angle. There isn't a cup holder or one for the kids (it can be purchased additionally). Also, when the kids are in the stroller, I find it hard to get things in and out of the basket underneath and there's not enough storage. It is a nice riding stroller though and I really like it but I wish those few things were different.
Posted by: Casey | Nov 21, 2008 at 01:33 PM
I have kids 16.5 months apart. They are now 3 and almost 2. We went with the phil and teds and were happy for these reasons: baby lays down and can be all bundled up without having to be strapped and unstrapped when the stroller is in the newborn/toddler position; Toddler cannot steal toys, pacifiers, blankets, etc. from baby; with some gerryrigging, it is possible to put the bug/sun cover on one child and not the other (my toddler wouldn't stand for the covering); it handles like a dream even in tight stores/cafes, etc.; by the time the oldest was fickle about riding in the stroller, the kids were close enough in weight for big kid to ride in the "back" seat - he loves the independence of climbing in and out of it and feels like it is his cozy little space - also by having him in the back his getting in and out didn't upset the balance for the younger child in front (yes, I realize this is not recommended positioning but with kids this close in age it works). There are some negatives. The stroller lacks storage space. (I have used one of those swivel stroller hooks to hang my diaper bag from the handle off to the side without issue.) The sunshade doesn't really cover much. It is heavy and takes up a lot of trunk space. Also, it doesn't lock closed. We ended up using a velcro zip tie attached to the handbar and run it through the front wheel to keep it closed which is okay. You would think that for this money they could engineer a locking mechanism to make it easier to deal with the weight of this stroller. We did hang onto our MacClaren single and use that sometimes with the other child in a hipster or walking or such.
Posted by: maggie | Nov 21, 2008 at 04:00 PM
We just got a Joovy Caboose, and it's amazing the difference it's made in our life. Before, our toddler had to walk everywhere, or be carried. Now she has her own seat in the back that she can hop on and off on her own. The baby has her seat in the front, and so far it's worked great! We have a 20-month old and a 9-month old baby.
Posted by: sarah | Nov 23, 2008 at 02:09 AM
I wonder why noone has mentioned ZOOPER. I have the Tango, twin stroller. I LOVE THIS STROLLER!!!!! It was high but not as high as others you mentioned.it cost 450.00 with shipping.The canopies unzip to become extra long, so the canopy can be pulled over all the way to the front bar, plus they unzip again, to expose a mesh screen for airflow on hot days. It has the single long bar on back for pushing,both seats recline fully, can hold one carseat,and holds to 90 lbs (45 each)The only downer I find with it I found in all buggies we looked at, underneath baskets are too small for much of anything!!Sooooo, as others have mentioned, we do the swivel hooks on back to carry bag. It comes with a rain poncho,and a UV shade for bieng out in less than desirable weather, and they fold into a carry bag that buttons to the handle. It does take up alot of room storage wise,though. I drive a suburban and folded it takes up most of the cargo area. But I would never leave home without it, and couldn't.my two youngest are 18 mo. apart, and they like bieng side by side to play and see each other.
Posted by: christie | Nov 26, 2008 at 05:16 PM
oh yeah..... i forgot to mention...... i have only once had an issue of not fitting in doorways, and that was in an older building that the door didn't swing open wide enough. I go to dr offices, stores, theaters, everywhere. they have a website for pics and specs and more info
www.zooper.com
Posted by: christie | Nov 26, 2008 at 05:25 PM
My daughters are 18 months apart and I also have a Zooper Tango. I really like it so far! Like the previous person mentioned, the underneath storage basket doesn't fit much, but we use a Skip Hop diaper bag that attached to the handlebars so we don't need to put much there anyway. I also with the stroller had a snack tray or cup holder for the kids, but other than those things it is great! It's relatively lightweight, drives like a dream, is easy to fold up and open, and fits our carseat (SnugRide) on one side. I bought mine off craigslist for much less than retail price.
Posted by: Alison Barjaktarovich | Nov 29, 2008 at 09:02 PM