Double Stroller Quandry: Which to get?

[AustinMama]

I have looked over the forums and gotten a lot of good information from them. However, I am torn between several options.

I have a 22 month old and my second is due in two months. They will be exactly 2 years (less 2 days) apart. I would like a stroller that I can use as a jogging stroller, roll in the park, and in the street/sidewalks. My initial thougth was that I would need to get a double SBS (BJCM) and a double jogging stroller (off Craigslist). I would keep my single umbrella and single jogger for when the oldest gets too big. But I would have to have 4 strollers in the house, when I would much rather simplify and stick with 1 - 2! Plus I could sell the singles on Craiglist to help with our purchase.

Then I discovered the City Select, Phil & Ted, and the Britax B-Ready. I really liked the City Select and its theatre seating. But it is pricier and I cannot use it at the park or on a jogging trail. Same with the Britax. I thought my DS would hate getting stuck in the back seat without a sunshade (ala P & T), but it seems like a good option overall. I would love to have one stroller and P & T seems to be everything we need, but I am also concerned about my 2 year old not enjoying sitting in the back.

My budget for both strollers is about $700. I figure I could get a used double jogging stroller off craigslist for less than $200. With the BJCM, my total cost would be around $600. But, again, I love the simplicity of 1 - 2 strollers and not having to remember to take the stroller out of my car if I only have one kid.

Based on this, what would you recommend?

[arivecchi]

Do you actually plan to jog or do you just want an all terrain stroller? Do you plan on taking the double in the car often?

[eno0609]

Then I discovered the City Select, Phil & Ted, and the Britax B-Ready. I really liked the City Select and its theatre seating. But it is pricier and I cannot use it at the park or on a jogging trail. Same with the Britax. I thought my DS would hate getting stuck in the back seat without a sunshade (ala P & T), but it seems like a good option overall. I would love to have one stroller and P & T seems to be everything we need, but I am also concerned about my 2 year old not enjoying sitting in the back.


I haven't heard of a kid that hated the back of the P&T. When your baby is born your DS can go in the double seat attached to the front, while your NB is lying flat in the main seat. Then when your NB is a bit older (4-5 months) he/she can go in the double seat in the back. Since the younger kid starts off in the back (after lying flat in NB mode) they become accustomed to it and and tend not to complain. Our DS is now 17 months and seems very comfy in the back seat, loves to nap there and since the double seat is closer to the parent he is able to just look up if he want to interact.

Phil & Ted's is also coming out this fall with an upgrade to their Sport model
http://philandteds.com/products/push/explorer
called the Explorer. They have apparently addressed the things that I didn't like about the Sport (added a plastic footwell, rotating sun canopy and better brake system) and most importantly added a sun canopy to the double seat which IMO should be standard on all models and strollers with a second seat.

We have a P&T Vibe and I'm now considering selling it and getting the Explorer if I like it when I try it IRL. Our DC's are 2.5 years apart but our DD at over 3.5yrs still loves to nap/ride on longer walks. So it seems like it would still be a good option.

[AustinMama]

Yes, I plan to use have it in my car a lot, which is a Honda CRV.

I don't necessariliy have to jog on a jogging trail with it, but I will use it a lot of the times for festivals, park (walking on grass/gravel), etc. We live in Austin and are outside a ton, so I need it to have at least one stroller that can accomodate that.

I am open to getting two new strollers (one of CL and one new). I love how light the BJCMD is, but I don't think I can use that over grass, at festivals, etc. My concern abou the BJCSelect is that if I am going to spend that much money, I might as well have an all-terrain one.

[roseyloxs]

How often do you use a stroller out of the car right now? Our separation between kiddos was 27 months and I never bothered with the "lightweight" double. In the newborn stage I like to use the moby wrap and a stroller. When they get a bit bigger I move on to the Beco or MeiTai + single. Now that my son is over 3 we use a board(specifically the valco hitchhiker) and a single. I also have a bumbleride indie twin for long outings when we want both in a stroller.

If you are open to babywearing you may be able to forgo the lightweight double and put your money into a carrier and AT double. Just a thought.

[scriptkitten]

let me tell you… phil and teds is AWESOME!!!!

it was my 1st stroller and still, overall, my most useful and versatile.

my kids FIGHT over the back seat. everyone wants to sit there.

here are advantages for the back seat baby:
1. they can simply look up and see mommy.
2. you can look down and see them.
3. strangers don't bother the back seat baby
4. when back seat baby drops their sippy cup it ends up in the basket more often than on the ground.

[AustinMama]

Definitely open to baby wearing, which is one of the reasons why I like the ability to convert a stroller between a single and a double. I probably use my current stroller 1x per week - 3/x month(from the car) because it is so hot. With the weather finally cooling down, I can use using the stroller for many outings (at least 2x/week) to go the library, Zoo, Children's Museum.

[arivecchi]

Yes, I plan to use have it in my car a lot, which is a Honda CRV.

I don't necessariliy have to jog on a jogging trail with it, but I will use it a lot of the times for festivals, park (walking on grass/gravel), etc. We live in Austin and are outside a ton, so I need it to have at least one stroller that can accomodate that.

I am open to getting two new strollers (one of CL and one new). I love how light the BJCMD is, but I don't think I can use that over grass, at festivals, etc. My concern abou the BJCSelect is that if I am going to spend that much money, I might as well have an all-terrain one. Sounds like you are outdoors a lot, so I would recommend a SBS double with air tires. They are great for newborns because you can use the fully reclined seat and you can still have your older one fully restrained and comfy. The issue is that that SBS doubles are pretty hefty. I think WatchingThemGrow used her BJCED in a CRV. Jacksmoma says that Bobs are much lighter compared to other doubles. Maybe look into a Bob? I would forgo the BJCMD and have an AT double and a single stroller with baby carrier for the car/travel.

ETA: My kids are 25 months apart and we use an AT double, a single AT stroller with a Valco Hitch Hiker (although the HH is really useful after kids turn 3 IMO) and a single umbrella. The double is a must for us. We still use it a ton.

[roseyloxs]

Sounds like you are outdoors a lot, so I would recommend a SBS double with air tires. They are great for newborns because you can use the fully reclined seat and you can still have your older one fully restrained and comfy. The issue is that that SBS doubles are pretty hefty. I think WatchingThemGrow used her BJCED in a CRV. Jacksmoma says that Bobs are much lighter compared to other doubles. Maybe look into a Bob? I would forgo the BJCMD and have an AT double and a single stroller with baby carrier for the car/travel.

ETA: My kids are 25 months apart and we use an AT double, a single AT stroller with a Valco Hitch Hiker (although the HH is really useful after kids turn 3 IMO) and a single umbrella. The double is a must for us. We still use it a ton.

:yeahthat: My thoughts exactly. I prefer sbs, but that's just me. The convertible single/double is appealing but I am fine having a single and a double.. or in my case 2 singles(1 AT 1 umbrella) and a double(AT). I also have a CRV and we have yet to have a stroller that doesn't fit well so you shouldn't have to worry about trunk space. For trips to the library and children's museums I usually don't bring a stroller since I plan on my toddler running around and I am more mobile/faster wearing my baby on those occasions.

[jacksmoma]

ah the long asked question... a cool single that converts to a double or a true sbs double and a single...i still am not sure myself though i've only had the second combo :) my poor double bob does not get much use but i'm not too athletic, so much more tired and no time with two toddlers! if you do much outside walks, go with the sbs all terrian double- bob's are great, surprisingly light (i'm always surprised when i do lift it, it just looks much heavier!)...a good single will also be your best friend when you're loading/unloading two kiddos and all that stuff. so much more complicated when you need a double....i miss the single stroller days when a good ol' single bob and bjcm were perfect :) lol!