Double Stroller

[Mama2-4]

I was wondering if any of you Mamas could offer up some suggestions on double strollers.

I do wear my infant/baby as much as possible, but I also love to take really long walks (4 miles a day) and with 3 kids 5 and under I think I am going to need a double stroller. We have looked at jogging strollers, many of them are very pricey...we have also been looking at the Joovy ultralight caboose stroller, and have tried a few of the Graco models.

We are looking to spend between $150-250...any thoughts?

Thank you

[BinahYeteirah]

I am afraid I don't have any helpful thoughts in the $150-200 category. I'm looking for a double myself, but the ones I like are very expensive. I'm comforting myself with the fact that certain brands have very good resale value, so if a time comes when I feel I no longer need it, I can sell. I'm hoping to find a used Mountain Buggy or Adventure Buggy for a decent price. Maybe you should check out EBay or your local classifieds to get a better deal on the pram you want.

One thing I like about the Graco strollers is that they usually have very good baskets underneath.

[Justmee]

If you are not going to be going over rough terrain (like regular city sidewalks are fine, not dirt paths or over snow etc) a Maclaren Rally Twin is in that range. I don't know if that's the cheapest price, I just wanted to find a pic .

We have the more expensive version of it for my twins (well now for whoever, twins are 4 they mostly walk ) that came with boots & some other features, but I know people who have used the Rally and are very happy with it. I use my mac walking around regular city sidewalks (not the best ones but not awful) and you can push it on a dirt path for a bit (like there is a 2 block section by MIL house I need to push though) but it's really not an all terrain stroller. Regular suburban walking should be fine though, and it's great for the mall, zoo, etc IMO.

[BinahYeteirah]

I have single Maclaren. It's a good stroller. Some of the Maclarens don't recline all the way, though, so if you want that make sure whatever you get has it.

[milky_mama]

Visitng from the March ddc ....

We just got a Joovy Caboose! It's lightweight and compact. It's gotten great reviews online and comes highly recommended by a few friends. Good luck on your stroller search!

Here's the link to it on amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Joovy-Caboose-...1005336&sr=8-3

[Mama2-4]

Originally Posted by milky_mama

Visitng from the March ddc ....

We just got a Joovy Caboose! It's lightweight and compact. It's gotten great reviews online and comes highly recommended by a few friends. Good luck on your stroller search!

Here's the link to it on amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Joovy-Caboose-...1005336&sr=8-3

Thanks for that info MikyMama! Have you tried it with the infant carseat in it? We did look at it at Babies R Us and were concerned that if the carseat iis in it the 2 year old has to sit a little funny....but I have read the reviews and am leaning towards this one just b/c everyone seems so happy with it.

I was also looking at this one and wondering if there are any users out there....it has mixed reviews, but I really like how the seats can be rearranged

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...ductId=2646209

[kathywiehl]

I have used a friend's Joovy Caboose and I'm hooked! I want one too. I should probably get to buying one since I'll need it as soon as the weather is nice enough for the zoo!

[Mama2-4]

Just checking to see if anyone else has any thoughts! Thanks again...Kathy, I am also really considering the Joovy and I love the sage green one!

[mommy2nathan]

I've been watching this thread as I am also trying to figure out what kind of double stroller to get. It sure isn't easy to decide!

I was also reading up on the Joovy Ultralight Caboose and thought it sounded good (have not seen one in person yet) for my still stroller-friendly 3-year-old and the upcoming baby, since DS1 doesn't use the stroller that much except for long walks, trips to the zoo, etc., or at the airport. I was chatting with a friend who did her own extensive research on double strollers last year about that one or the Baby Trend Sit & Stand. Her response was that they weren't much smaller than the traditional tandem strollers (like Graco) and had the same steering problems that people often complain about with tandems. They are heavy and bulky when folded. And she also mentioned that she found that when an infant car seat was used, the older child was only able to stand, not sit in the "jump seat." I haven't researched the Joovy or the Baby Trend models that extensively yet myself, so I'm just going on what she says. But she does pretty thorough research on stuff, so these are all points worth considering in my book.

I started looking at this Baby Jogger City Mini Double Stroller last night and think it looks interesting. The price is average for a double - I would prefer to spend a little less. But it seems fairly lightweight for a double and has an interesting closing feature. I wish I could find somewhere around here that carries it so I can see it in action in person. If anyone has experience with this one, I'd love to hear your reviews!

[RosieTook]

i'm not in you ddc, but i saw the thread and had to tell you how much we love our Joovy Caboose. it's light and smaller than a full double. my dd has no problems sitting even with the carseat installed. it folds up nicely too. plus, the handle is high enough to be comfortable. and it steers great! And Ipaid $200 for it, so it's a good price!

http://www.joovy.com/pages/pd_caboose.php

[True Blue]

Have you looked on ebay? We had the older version of the Joovy and quite honestly we hated it. It was not easy to push, and DS really wound up wanting a real seat (despite hardly ever wanting to ride in a stroller before DD's arrival). Our favorite is the Maclaren, we have the older techno twin. Personally, I'd look into something like that...search on ebay!! You can get some really, really good deals. Also Craig's List. I don't regret for a second buying that stroller, we have used it TONS. And it folds up really nice!

[Mama2-4]

It seems the Joovy Ultralight has really good reviews for being easy to maneuver, I just worry about my DS wanting a more comfy seat especially when we are out on a long walk.

TrueBlue do you find the Maclaren wide to handle in places like the mall etc? That is my fear with getting the wide stroller rather than the back to back seating. I just don't know! It is so hard to decide which one would be best and such a big investment if you are not happy with it!

[True Blue]

I don't find it too bad. Occasionally it can't get exactly where I want it in a store, but I don't find the front and back to be so much easier, really. The Maclaren is actually quite slim, and fits through standard doors no problem. I suggest going to BRU and testing them out...WITH the kids in them. They don't push the same without weight in them.

[ndigiorgio]

Have you thought about a used Phil and Ted's E3? I have one and you can remove the toddler seat at will. It's great---it has the profile of a single stroller and the steering is super easy as is the fold.

[mamatomax]

I've considered a lot of options concerning this matter. I was first interested in the P&T E3, but it's too heavy for me (I have a bad back). Then I was VERY interested in the Baby Jogger City Mini Double, but I have see where some Mamas were disappointed in the plastic wheels, cheap-feeling seats, and the inability to get a solid answer from the company regarding the weight capacity for each seat (some rep told a Mom on Strollerswap that each seat only held 35lbs.---DS 2 1/2 is already 35lbs).

What I have decided on it the Maclaren Twin Triumph. It is what has replaced the Twin Rally. It is lightweight for a double, and Macs push like a dream. I have 2 Macs already (a Quest and a Volo), and I love them. So, anyway, that's the way that I'm going. I've seen that they are for 3 months+, and I will use an insert, if needed (I'll probably wear him mostly until he is about that age anyway). And, it's totally within your budget!

[BinahYeteirah]

The Phil and Ted's is one of the ones I'd been considering. I think the newer model is called the Sport. I'm not sure how the prices of the Sport compare with the E3, though. The Sport looks like it's around $500 with the toddler seat. It is relatively easy to push, even when I had my 5-year-old and my 2-year-old in it. I probably would have gone with the Sport, but it has so little room for shopping. I would like to be able to walk to the store and do some food shopping, but there is really zero room for that once the toddler has his feet down in the basket.

Today I bid on and won an Adventure Buggy on EBay. I won't even tell you how much I paid! I will probably be able to write off part of the cost, since I do childcare at home. I wanted this one because it is one of the few doubles that take a toddler seat. I don't really need it for myself, but if I start doing some more childcare after giving birth, it would be nice to be able to have three in the stroller.

[Mama2-4]

Wow BinahYeteirah! That is quite a stroller! I just googed it b/c I had no ideas what it was, very fancy, I am sure you will get a lot of use out of it especially with having daycare children! I am not sure my DH would go for spending that kind of money on a stroller...but very nice. I was also looking at the Phil and Ted's, I had also never heard of this one, it is so neat, but again way out of our budget, and they do not sell it at babies r us. You see I have some gift cards that I am going to apply towards the purchase of the stroller!

Thanks for the input and ideas though...I am definately going to take a trip with the kids and try them in the stroller again before we buy.