Strollers for twins: a review of the best models and tips on choosing

When a child appears in the family, it is not only a great joy for young parents, but also a mass of new troubles. If two children are born at once, then efforts will have to be made much more. In this case, any tricks that will help one of the parents to cope with both babies at once will be very useful, because one must work to ensure the financial well-being of the extended family. Stroller for twins - just the purchase, without which in such a situation can not do.

A stroller for twins is a rather loose concept, but in any case it provides the main thing that is necessary for the parents of two toddlers. There are just two places for children with one common chassis, which allows you to place them with proper comfort during a walk, and in some cases at home, using a pushchair instead of a cot.

At the same time, hundreds of companies from all over the world were involved in the issue of two-seater children's transport, having spent this decade, so differences are observed not only between individual models, but also between species, which will be discussed in more detail later.

Regardless of the specific type of construction in strollers for twins, you can highlight both advantages and disadvantages. Such products should be compared with two single wheelchairs, which, perhaps, are the only ones who compete in this situation. If we talk about the advantages of joint strollers for newborn twins compared to two single models, then the following points should be highlighted:

• a double carriage, like a single carriage, must be managed by one person, because a mother can easily walk two children at once, leaving no one unattended while the father earns money;
• the production of a double stroller consumes less material and effort, and therefore it costs much less than two separate ones - often the prices of a twin stroller are approximately comparable to the rates for a single transport;

• due to the fact that the two places seemed to have “grown together” among themselves, the double stroller for twins takes up much less space when stored in an apartment, and if folding is available, transporting it in the car is also much easier than two models for each individual child;
• if in the process of walking children, the mother wants to go to the supermarket, she does not have to worry about how to carry a bag with the purchased products - in the large frame of the double stroller usually leaves a special place for the necessary things;
• Some parents turn two single strollers into a single whole, using special metal or plastic fasteners, but because of this, the resulting construction loses in maneuverability and adds weight, and therefore much inferior to the ordinary model for two.

However, some parents who choose two single strollers instead of one large, in some cases, are guided by a completely logical logic. A large stroller for twins weighs appropriately - as a rule, the weight of the design itself is no less than 8 kg, and in fact the twins can easily double this figure.Add to this the necessary trivia or shopping, and the walk will be quite a challenge for one person, and going upstairs along the stairs will be an overwhelming work.

A man could cope with such a task, but women usually have to walk with children, and if there is a faithful assistant in the form of a grandmother, then it will be much easier to walk with two separate wheelchairs.

Two single strollers almost always cost the family budget more than one double, but this statement is true only if it is a new product. In this case, one single model may already be in the family available - it could remain from the previous child, it could be received as a gift or bought for a symbolic amount.

Buying another single will most likely be somewhat easier than buying a double, especially for small and remote settlements, where the choice of industrial products is not impressive.

Choosing a dual transport for kids, it is also necessary to focus on how they will be located in a wheelchair relative to each other. There are actually more options than an unknowing person would have thought:

• Side by side. One of the most obvious solutions is that it is characterized by increased stability, since it is rather difficult to knock over a wide structure, and the kids usually do not interfere with each other very much.
• One after another. A good solution in a situation where the main criterion for selection is the passage through narrow doors, but because of this, the stability of the stroller is lost, and one of the children can kick the other’s head through the wall. In the two cases described above, both children are turned in the same direction.

• Face to face children are put in carriages so that, looking at each other, they will more quickly develop an understanding of their kinship, of communion with each other. In addition, in this position, they can not hurt each other.
• Back to back - A rather rare arrangement, which is designed to minimize the influence of children on each other.

Not to mention the transformers - strollers of this type usually allow parents to change the arrangement of children depending on what the situation requires at the particular moment.

In addition to the placement of babies in relation to each other, strollers for twins are classified by numerous other characteristics. If we classify the children's transport for comparison, then it is worth starting with what was already mentioned - from the location of the little ones.

Strollers, where children sit side by side, are usually referred to as “canes” for convenience.Such a stroller is very good with high maneuverability and stability, the seats in it are usually quite spacious, however, the considerable width of the structure greatly hinders in case of a narrowing of the path. At the same time, the “cane” is formed in just one movement, thanks to which it is convenient to store and transport it in a private car, and if children can stand and stand for a while, it can also be done in an elevator.

Carriages, where the children are located one after the other, regardless of which way they are turned by the person, are called the "train". This type of children's transport in our country is much less popular - it is very problematic to place it in an elevator, and it’s just uncomfortable to walk the stairs with such a design.

The small width of the wheelbase can also be dangerous if children think to swing the structure from side to side, but this stroller will pass practically at any door, because it is no wider than an ordinary single seat.

A transformer, as its name implies, must combine qualities from several different designs, and in this case, be at the same time both a "cane" and a "train". Such universal models are in demand due to the fact that they combine all the advantages of the two types of wheelchairs described above, but unfortunately it has not done without drawbacks.

As a rule, transformers are characterized by increased heaviness, in addition, various turning mechanisms, in contrast to fixed ones, tend to wear out quickly.

Another criterion by which any strollers are classified, and not just double, is their main purpose.

The cradle is a small bed for the baby, so it can be used literally from birth. Some parents even decide to use a double cradle instead of a stationary cradle, but the expediency of this decision is not so obvious - there is usually not much room in the stroller, and as the children grow, it becomes crowded there.

The cradle for two looks like no alternative for the first months of life, but in the future it is rather quickly abandoned - it is cumbersome, heavy, but still close. At the same time, such a construction can be divided into two separate parts for each child or, in the case of some “reeds,” offers one common bed.

The stroller, as its name implies, is designed exclusively for walking. Children for whom such a model is purchased must be at least six months old in order to be able to sit on their own, because the seats in such vehicles are exclusively sedentary. Even in the unfolded form, such a stroller takes up much less space than a cradle, but the requirements for durability to it increase - the children have grown up.

Universal 2 in 1 models are usually designed so that parents can turn the original cradle into a stroller over time. To do this, manufacturers produce individual seats, sold both complete with chassis and without it. Some companies leave it possible to install a car seat instead of a standard cradle or seat, chosen by parents at their own discretion - this can be convenient if the family already has one.

Double strollers are traditionally regarded as transport for twins, but parents sometimes want one common stroller for children of different ages. This is very important, for example, in the case when the difference between two children is about a year - it turns out that the elder is not yet ready to leave the carriage, and the younger one is already needed.

Some manufacturers considered it unwise to leave potential customers alone with such a misfortune, and therefore offer special strollers with one cradle for the younger child and one place for the older. A place for an older child may have different, sometimes even rather unexpected configurations - for example, it may not even be seated, but standing, although then the age difference should not be a year, but at least three.

Most often, models for two children of different ages are made in the form of a “train”, where both children are located with their backs to the lucky parent, while the eldest is located below and behind the cradle of the younger one. In some cases, places are located opposite each other - in this case, one of them is necessarily located above.

Many manufacturers understand that a winter-dressed child is not the same as the same child in a naked form, because a place that was even too spacious in the summer may suddenly become overly cramped and uncomfortable in the winter. As a result, many models of baby strollers suggest fairly reliable walls made of thick fabric that will protect not only from rain or bright sunlight, but also from weather disasters. Children's transport, respectively, is also classified by seasonal orientation.

The winter pram assumes a radical warming of the walls, its woven frame practically does not provide for any cracks. This does not mean that children who ride in such a wheelchair can not be worn at all, but their size will not double due to winter clothing alone, because once the chosen place, which has fit, will remain suitable for a long time.

Completely different requirements are being put forward for the summer carriage. In the summer, when there is an exhausting heat, the child will be able to sleep comfortably only if there is normal air circulation, and it would be foolish to go out for a walk with him if the inside of the pram is still stuffy.

However, both of the above described types of children's transport are quite rare, while the demi-season stroller is the predicted winner in this category - most of the models produced today belong to this type.

The manufacturer completes such a product with numerous bonuses in the form of a special blanket for legs, warmed hoods, thick walls, but all this can be both fixed and easy to remove. This solution enjoys easily predictable popularity for another reason - the removed parts from fabric can be easily washed and cleaned, maintaining the hygiene of children's places.

A somewhat unusual and yet not very common solution is a unique transformer that can turn an ordinary baby carriage into a symbiosis of a bicycle and, in fact, a carriage. When folded, this solution looks like an ordinary cradle and can roll with an ordinary handle, but in the process of unfolding the seat for the mother is removed from under the children's seats, and the cradle suddenly turns into typical sitting places of the stroller. This design solves several common problems at once:

• human legs are much stronger than hands, so it will be much easier to cope with the pram;
• mothers who were very fond of bicycles before giving birth, and now temporarily do not have time for their hobbies, may not wait for the children to grow up, and go on a bike ride with them right now;

• improved ease of movement allows you to move over considerable distances, making such a wheelchair at distances of several kilometers can be considered a full-fledged vehicle, replacing the car - to travel to visit her grandmother, the latter is no longer needed;
• thanks to the same ease of moving and shifting the main weight from hand to foot, mothers no longer have to choose, walk their babies or go to the store for shopping - she can combine these two classes;
• if necessary, such an unusual bike folds to the point where it can be shoved into the trunk of a car - in this case, the walk will be even more interesting;
• grown-up kids may like the fact that “in the bicycle mode” such a wheelchair moves much faster than the ordinary one.

Of course, idealize such a model is also not worth it. First of all, it is not so easy to buy it - even single-seat options are not so often found yet, and the model for twins is the greatest rarity at all. Secondly, the creators did not add anything to the design, except for the bicycle seat, however, it adds weight, which a priori cannot be very small for a double stroller. Thirdly, as well as any other transformer, the bicycle wheelchair is subject to the increased wear of springs and other folding mechanisms.

There are no unambiguous standard sizes for double baby strollers, like doors or elevators, each manufacturer is repelled by their own considerations dictated by the thoughts about the comfort of each child or, which is also possible, to save. For this reason, each stroller is a certain compromise between the convenience of a child lying in the cradle and the convenience of parents who need to travel with such transport into any openings, as well as to store the stroller somewhere and somehow transport it folded.

As a rule, parents are more interested in narrow and compact models, therefore we will begin with them. The width of the wheelbase, and at the same time - the whole stroller, can even be quite modest 55 cm, but only on the condition that this is a “small train”, while placing children side by side implies a width of at least 75-80 cm.

The length, of course, is inversely proportional - from a modest 60-65 cm in some walking "canes" to an impressive 170 cm in "trains" with two cradles. The height, as a rule, is not directly dependent on the type of stroller and is about 90-110 cm.

Many mothers are also worried about issues related to the weight of the structure, because it will have to be carried up and down the stairs. It should be noted that there are also very light models that do not even reach 10 kg, but the question remains about the strength and reliability of such a wheelchair. At the opposite pole are located heavy double strollers, the weight of which in the worst case can reach almost 20 kg even without babies.

The rating of the best wheelchairs is an extremely controversial thing, because the constantly emerging new models make changes in consumer preferences, and every buyer will certainly have their own selection criteria, crossing out all the advantages of the most popular models. Nevertheless, many consumers today prefer not to study in detail the full range of available products, but simply to trust in what has been tested and highly appreciated by other parents.

For this reason, it is worth considering a few of the most popular and sought-after baby strollers for twins as of spring-summer 2018. For those who want to explore the entire range, such a description can be an excellent start and guide.

"Cybex Twinyx" is a product, though not cheap (about 30 thousand rubles), but it is popular. This model is a walking "cane", the key feature of which is completely isolated from each other regulation of conditions for each place. The twins do not have to be identical in nature, their opinions may differ, so the bumper, the hood and the back of each can be adjusted separately.

The manufacturer himself claims that his product can be used up to the age of five, and although it is not very clear why this may be necessary, the case can withstand a total load of up to 35 kg. The wheelchair itself is very light and compact, and therefore it is in stable demand among those parents who simply cannot sit still for a long time.

"Babycare Tandem" is considered one of the best solutions for those parents who are lucky to have the same age. The seats are located here "train" one after another, and the back though more spacious, better fit the youngest child - it can be adjusted to almost horizontal position of the backrest. Consumers like this model for its high maneuverability - almost all reviewers point it out. Consider the large shopping cart for various small things or purchases very appropriate.

Critics, however, also suffice - for example, many do not like the material and the way the wheelchair is designed (to protect against the sun, we have to buy protective covers, the upper fastening points of the belts are too low), and consumer discontent causes significant weight. Nevertheless, all this does not prevent the stroller from being in demand, although it is becoming more and more difficult to find it lately in stores.

“Bumbleride Indie Twin” is one of the best models of type 2 in 1 strollers. In almost all photos, it looks like an ordinary walking “cane”, but the kit comes with two independent warming cradles that can be used completely separate, for which they are equipped with special handles. by type of bag. The versatility of the model is further expanded due to the fact that instead of standard walking modules or cradles, you can install car seats from well-known third-party manufacturers, including Graco, Chicco and Peg Perego.

The final touch in addition to the idealistic picture is the ability to combine different types of modules on the same chassis, complementing the cradle with a walking module or car seat if the difference in age between two children is a year or more. The only, but a serious disadvantage of such a product can be called its exorbitant cost, which can reach 100 thousand rubles.

“ABC Design Zoom” is a German concept of comfort for kids and their parents, produced in the form of a recreational “train”. It is difficult to call this stroller a transformer, therefore a solution that allows you to turn the walking blocks at will is somewhat unusual - kids can sit either facing each other, or one after another even facing the mother, even with their backs.

This stroller does not offer any extraordinary amenities, in addition to a spacious basket for things, however, consumer reviews show ambiguously: the model is valued for its practicality, as well as for the perfect combination of price and quality.

The comments claim that the model confidently withstands a half to two years of operation and after that it can be easily sold, since it does not look worn. The design is easily disassembled to a compact size and is also easy to assemble, and it is easy to wash the fabric parts as they are removed. The only significant disadvantage is perhaps the weight that exceeds 18 kg.

"Phil and Teds Sport" can be considered a kind of revolution in the world of strollers, because the seats for kids here are arranged one after the other rather arbitrarily, but it is very similar to the fact that the manufacturer tried to place them in two tiers, one under the other.

Due to such an unusual solution, two goals are achieved at once - firstly, the length and width of the model remain quite compact, which is completely atypical for the “train”, and secondly, due to the weight concentrated at one point, it is much easier to roll the structure than many analogues.The hood here is also noticeably higher than that of other wheelchairs, so tall kids will be very comfortable walking.

The manufacturer understands the atypical nature of his idea, which someone might not like, because it allows for transformation with the installation of standard third-party pleasure blocks. The company estimates its offspring at about 50-52 thousand rubles.

"McCan M-11" can be called a kind of analogue of the previous model, only here everything is greatly simplified, and the price, respectively, reduced. Admittedly, the front seat here looks rather strange - it is too far ahead, and therefore, in the absence of a second baby, it can outweigh the whole structure, knocking it over.

The rest of the significant criticism is not observed - users write that it is a comfortable and lightweight stroller for walking, which is quite consistent with its price at the level of 15 thousand rubles.

After reading the impressive size of the recommendations on how to choose the right stroller, parents often get lost and forget all the useful information or concentrate only on global characteristics, forgetting about important details. The latter should be singled out separately so that a seemingly good model does not turn out to be a waste of money.

Even if children sit side by side in a stroller, each seat must be regulated separately - this also applies to protective visors and backrest. This will help create the ideal conditions for each baby, because even the twins' tastes may differ.

Light frame - an absolute plus for the stroller, but you need to understand what makes such lightness. Two children provide a significant load on the chassis, because it is unacceptable to choose a model with a frame of the albeit light, but not very durable material.

Depreciation is obligatory not only for adult vehicles, but also for children’s - in some regions of our country roads are such that shaking cannot be mitigated, and the pits can prevent children from sleeping peacefully. Full reliable spring on the stroller is not always set, but the inflatable rubber wheels are large, as opposed to plastic, will be an excellent choice not only for roads, but also for the steps in the stairwell.

Parents living in an ordinary apartment building of Soviet construction should take care of choosing a compact design. It is desirable that the stroller can be folded at any time with the release of a significant amount of free space, after all, in close flats, it can occupy a quarter of the room, which may be the only one.

In recent years, the popularity of one-handed models has greatly increased, and this is not at all an advertising slogan - such a design is really made compact with one movement, which is very convenient when traveling on an elevator.

In the "locomotives", in which children are located strictly one after another, children often do not sleep at the same time, but in turns. The back, which he sees only the front hood, quickly becomes boring, so he quickly falls asleep while the front looks at the surrounding views. By the time the front is already tired and wants to sleep, the back just has time to sleep.

“Locomotives” with two separate cradles usually turn out to be not very comfortable for kids - they really lack length.

Many inexperienced parents perceive “viewing windows” in hoods as a bonus for kids, but in fact this is a bonus specifically for parents who have the opportunity to better monitor the condition of the children.If the babies in the cradles are located with their backs to their parents, then such windows are very desirable if they are unprincipled with their faces.

Double strollers with two separate cradles are good if at least one of the babies is quite active and the rhythms of sleep and wakefulness in children do not coincide. The presence of its own "territory" allows each individual child to engage in any interesting activity there, without particularly disturbing his companion - he will wake up unless the first child literally burst into tears.

Twins are a relatively rare phenomenon, and special strollers for two children take up a lot of space and can stand on the display window for too long before purchasing, therefore in many stores such models initially do not exist at all. You can order them at any time, but then you have to wait for the delivery of the order, so it’s better to do it in advance.

A comparative review of strollers for twins, see the following video.