Twin Strollers – Misleading Information You Need to Be Aware Of
May 1, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Twin strollers are among the highest selling products in the world today. There are so many options for the instep jogging stroller available that it can be difficult for a person to make the right choice. Every company that manufactures twin strollers claims that their products are the best; however, most of these turn out to be empty claims with no truth to it. In an effort to reach the targets set for them, salesmen tend to go overboard with their sales pitch and end up giving misleading information.
Misleading information #1: Twin strollers can be used for children right from their birth
Almost every company that has its brand of twin strollers in the market makes this claim. However, when you look a little deeper you will realize that this is only a move to increase their sales. Most of these trollers are fit for use only when the children are at least 6 months old. Using it for younger infants can be a threat to their safety. So, check well before you make your purchase.
Misleading information #2: Both seats fully recline
Though we would love this to be the truth, in case of most brands, it is not! Though all brands claim that these strollers have fully reclining seats, only a few are able to live up to it. In case of most brands, it is only one seat that completely reclines while the other stops midway. In a few others, though the seats fully recline they are not at the same level with each other.
Misleading information #3: Details provided are for a different model
Most people prefer buying their twin strollers from online stores. There are innumerable stores that sell twin strollers online. However, there is one thing that you will need to be very careful about. A lot of times, the details provided for the strollers are incorrect. They substitute the features of one model for the other, in order to increase the sales. Hence, it is imperative that you look up multiple websites and find out more before you end up paying for the stroller.
Misleading information #4: Fits through most standard doors
Innumerable people fell for this sales pitch and ended up buying twin strollers that could not get past their door! When the salesman says “standard” doors, make sure you ask for their definition of “standard”. Make sure you keep the width of the doors of your house in mind while purchasing twin strollers if you want to put them to good use.
Got Twins?
February 24, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
If you have twins you know that everything is more expensive for two. Not to mention more cumbersome, heavier, bulkier and generally more inconvenient. That is why it is so important to put in the time to research before buying a double stroller for your twins. The stroller you chose will either make life easier on you or all around more frustrating. There are many variables that you must consider when shopping for your stroller and there is a stroller to meet every persons needs.
The first thing you must consider when shopping for a twin stroller is durability. You are going to rely on this stroller for the next three years. You don’t want to waste your money buying a cheap stroller with plastic joints that will warp and break. Save yourself the headache and the money of replacing the stroller by buying a more expensive quality double stroller the first time. This doesn’t mean that you have to break the bank, it just means that a $350 BOB jogging stroller is likely to last where as a $200 InStep may not (personal experience).
The next thing you want to consider is your lifestyle. Do you love to go on long walks every evening or will you need to weave in and out of racks at the mall? Maybe you are planning on jogging off the baby weight. Do you live in a big city where you will walk everywhere or will you need to fit your stroller in the trunk of your car most days? For most the answer will be yes to at least two of these questions so you will want to find a versatile stroller that can meet all of your needs or get two strollers, one for the mall and one for jogging, for example. A narrow jogging stroller with free moving front wheel will work for most situations. It will be comfortable on a long walk through the park, the zoo, and even the mall (although no side by side can fit through the racks of a small store). Some good quality, compact side-by-sides are, the Ditto Manhattan DLX and my favorite the Mountain Buggy Urban Elite Double Jogging Stroller.
The last things to consider are style and convenience. You want a double stroller you are comfortable pushing. Style is not all about superficial looks; it is about comfort and compatibility with your life. You may be more drawn to a front/ back tandem stroller or you may prefer a side by side jogging stroller. Whichever you prefer, you want to get one that you like. Remember, you will have to be attached to this stroller every time you leave the house. With that in mind convenience is a big issue with double strollers. You need a stroller with enough storage, and cup holders for you but you also want one that will give comfort to your children. A big canopy that is completely adjustable is great to keep the sun out of little eyes. Comfy padded seats will keep the kids happy and removable washable fabrics will keep you happy.
With so much to consider and the wide range of brands available it can seem overwhelming to shop for a double stroller for your twins. Buying a stroller should be a fun experience though. There are so many styles, colors, shapes and sizes to choose from that you can find a fit for just about any personality.
Joovy Caboose stroller
February 24, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
If you have two children who are about the same age, two children who will benefit from a really cool stroller, and if you are looking for a stroller that will make your strolls quite enjoyable… then you should take a close look at the Joovy Caboose stroller.
I just got back from vacation with my seven year old daughter. While on vacation I drove my daughter nuts because I kept stopping parents to ask them about their strollers. I was intrigued with the latest stroller designs and features… What will they think of next?
One stroller in particular caught my eye – the Joovy Caboose, sit and stand, stroller. I was already familiar with Joovy, the stroller manufacturer from Texas who is known for their high quality and innovative designs – but I’ve never seen the Caboose stroller in action – until now.
The Caboose is what I would call a stroller and a half. It’s not as big, bulky or heavy as double strollers – it’s ideal for parents who have two stroller-aged children, i.e., a two year old and a four year old.
The Caboose has the capability to accommodate a wide variety of infant car seats. The list of compatible infant car seats is actually quite impressive. And the rear seat, a jump seat, is quite innovative – it folds down to accommodate a child or a toddler who is tired of walking or standing. If your child wants to get a better view while ridding on their ‘chariot’ or if your child is simply tired of facing backwards, the jump-seat folds up and out of the way so he or she can stand on the Caboose footboard / platform. The Joovy Caboose has handles, a strong platform and a safety strap that ensures a safe ride for your standing child.
Oh how I wish I had this five years ago. My daughter would have absolutely loved to stand on the back of the Caboose. I can’t tell you how many times I pushed an empty stroller while carrying my fidgety daughter.
Okay, the stroller looks great, it’s lighter than conventional double strollers, one of your children can sit or stand and the front seat of the Caboose is ideal for either infants or children alike. So what? Why should you get excited about the Caboose stroller? Good question, let me tell you what I learned in my parent interviews.
The Joovy Caboose makes it easy for parents with multiple children to get out. That’s it. “Getting out to stroll, going shopping and running errands is no longer a burden” one mother told me. Another mother said that “The Caboose stroller keeps everyone happy and it’s easy to fold, pack, store and transport”. And finally, a proud dad told me “the Caboose stroller removes the fuss, my children and I look forward to our Caboose rides.”
Why should you buy this stroller?
You should buy this stroller if you have two children and you are looking for a practical alternative to big, clunky double strollers. You should buy this stroller if you find yourself carrying your four year old in one arm… while pushing your stroller with your free hand. And you should buy this stroller if your older child is too big to sit… but not big enough to go the distance.
Why should you ‘not’ buy this stroller?
If you have two infants or two toddlers and you need two full-featured seats – i.e., if you need to attach two infant car seats.
Other Strollers to consider
The Peg Perego Duette SW stroller – The Ferrari of strollers… The Duette holds two children and drives like a dream, it has large wheels, all-wheel suspension, rear brakes, adjustable, forward and / or rear facing, seats, and it includes a steering wheel for unprecedented maneuverability.
Graco Quattro Tour Duo – Is a tandem dual stroller has seats that accommodate 2 infant car seats. The seats can be adjusted to face forwards or backwards and the rear seat is elevated for a theater-like view for the rear passenger. And finally, the rear seat reclines for sleepy your child.
Joovy Big Caboose – Sports the same functionality as the Caboose, but the Big Caboose is for parents who have 3 stroller-aged children.
Joovy Kooper – A single, lightweight, stroller from Joovy. You get the same high quality and innovative design that Joovy delivers with the Caboose – in a single, lightweight form factor.
Side by Side Double Strollers vs Tandem Double Strollers
February 20, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
One of the first choices that you will need to make when choosing a double stroller is whether to purchase a tandem stroller or a side by side stroller. Each type does have its own advantages, as well as disadvantages.
Tandem Double Strollers
A tandem double stroller seats one child in front of the other child. The major advantage of using a tandem stroller over a side by side stroller is its narrow width. A tandem takes up no more width than a single stroller. If you spend most of your time in crowded areas or in narrow shopping aisles, then the tandem may be the one for you. But, there are some disadvantages for this stroller.
- Children are seated one behind the other This can cause problems with children fighting over which one gets that front seat. Most manufacturers recommend that the older child be placed in the front seat, with the younger, lighter child placed in the rear. If the children are of different ages, generally this works out for a while. But as the younger child grows older and wiser, he realizes that he, too, wants that front seat. If the children are twins, or siblings close in age, you can almost plan on arguments over who gets the coveted front seat.
- Tilting the tandem stroller to get on or off sidewalks can be a major problem Placing the older child in the forward seat places the heavier weight farther away from you. This makes it difficult, almost impossible, to lift the front of the stroller off the ground. The force needed to tilt a stroller back depends on the distance the child is from the fulcrum point. In this case the fulcrum point is the rear wheels. As the child is placed further and further away from the rear wheels, the force you need to tip the stroller becomes greater. If you are in the city and cross many streets, this is something to consider.
- Space is limited and confining Space in the rear seat can become confined and uncomfortable as the child grows bigger in size. Often the child in the rear tends to kick and annoy the child sitting in the forward seat.
Side by Side Double Strollers
Side by side double strollers seat the children side by side. The width of these strollers is wider than the tandem stroller and should be considered if most of your time is spent indoors such as shopping in space restricted areas. However, in most circumstances, the side by side strollers have many advantages.
- Both children have a front row seat and view Side by side double strollers eliminate the arguments over seating. The side by side double strollers also allow the children to interact with, and entertain each other, while on rides or when parked.
- Side by side double strollers are easier to tilt back when going over curbs Tilting is not a problem with most side by side double strollers. There is still the weight of two children, but the weight is located closer to the rear wheels, and this makes a big difference.
- There is plenty of leg room for children as they grow Provided the seats are roomy and comfortable, the side by side double stroller will accommodate both children all the way up to the maximum recommended stroller weight. In a side by side double stroller, there is always plenty of leg room out in front.
No matter what type of double stroller you decide to purchase, make sure that you also check out the frame and wheels. A double stroller holds about 100 pounds. That’s quite a bit of weight to maneuver in and around people, to cross streets, to tip going up and down sidewalks, etc. You want a sturdy frame to safely hold your precious cargo, and well designed wheels to push the stroller easily.
More on Double Strollers
February 20, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
The Double baby stroller is a extremely useful piece of hardware particularly when you have to transport around more than one baby at the same time. Not having a stroller or choosing a bad stroller can make moving about with children a difficult logistics experience. Seats are positioned one behind the other in a line or in a front/back pattern. The sitting down design is pertained to as stadium seating. The child seated at the rear seat will also have the identical view like the child in the front seat. This stroller is suitable for children of different age groups.
The child in the back seat is in a leaned back position thus providing more leg room for the child in the front seat. Such double baby strollers are easy to move around in crowded together places and can be fitted onto the car seat and closed up easily too. Cheap models are also available and this pushchair can be used for children of various age groups because the seats are located side by side therefore letting the kids to sit next to each other facing the same direction. These strollers serve up to help adults attend to both the infants at the same time and babies have adequate access to the stroller. These strollers are best suited for matching babies or for babies of equal weight.
In a double baby stroller, the manufacturer gets a chance to save on wheels and other elements of a baby stroller which could be a saving which should be passed to the adult. What is more since a double baby stroller prices less than 2 baby strollers, it could qualify the buyer for bigger discounts than they would get by purchasing the two baby strollers on an individual basis. Obviously two baby strollers need two individuals to push them but a double baby stroller can be pushed by a single person.
Double baby strollers are called by contrasting names, which include tandem stroller and duo stroller. A tandem stroller is a double stroller that places 2 young ones front-to-back. Characteristics that add to the appeal of a tandem stroller are that it delivers ease of closing, gives each baby their own individual canopy and also numerous times offers two leaning back seats. Double strollers are a excellent choice for households with twins, and even households with one baby and a toddler because this is a baby stroller that develops with the children.
Owning a dependable baby stroller is one thing, but for a day care center where there are lots of youngsters who need to go outside in the fresh air during the day, a double stroller can give you the power to take out two at a time for a ride around the neighborhood. With any baby stroller, there are affairs that a parent needs to take into consideration when buying. Enduringness is an essential factor when purchasing a baby stroller. Nobody enjoys the idea of going for a walk and feeling a wheel become loose due to poor building. Going with your baby for a walk is something that should bring relaxation and happiness to both of you, not tension. Another feature of a baby stroller that is important is comfort. Well cushioned seating are essential to both double strollers and jogging strollers for a pleasant ride for the baby.
Time to Choose a Double Stroller
February 20, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Whether you have twins or just two small children close in age, a double stroller can be a life saver. But with so many double stroller options on the market, it can be daunting trying to decide what to buy. This article serves as a guide to help you in making that decision. After all, this is not an inexpensive purchase. You want to be an informed shopper before you go out and purchase your double stroller.
First of all, understand that there are basically three kinds of double strollers: Tandem, Side by Side, and Sit and Stand. A tandem stroller has one seat behind the other seat. A side by side stroller has two seats next to each other. And a sit and stand stroller is just like a tandem except there is one seat and one area for an older child to stand behind the seat. Let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of each kind.
Tandem Strollers
A tandem stroller, with one seat behind the other, is often touted as your best option for getting through tight spaces like department stores or amusement parks or any other place you might have a hard time maneuvering a wider stroller. The good news is that you probably won’t have a hard time fitting through a door or other tight space. But the bad news is that it might be difficult to get a tandem stroller up over a curb or step or any raised area due to the weight and length of the stroller. With a tandem stroller, you also have to deal with the fact that one child, the child in the front seat, will be out of your reach. And the child sitting in the rear seat will be a bit more crowded and will not have a very good view. If you have one older and one younger child, this may not be an issue. The younger child can be put in the back closer to the parent and in the space that is a bit more crowded. But if you have twins or two children about the same size, this could be a problem.
Side by Side Strollers
A side by side stroller has two seats next to each other. As mentioned before, a side by side stroller can be quite wide which makes it difficult to maneuver through some tight spaces. However, unlike tandem strollers, each seat offers each child the same view and the same leg and arm room. Both children are within arm’s reach of the driver. And the children can easily see and talk to each other. Of course that last point can also be a negative. If your children are prone to fighting with each other, putting them inches from each other may be a nightmare. A tandem stroller would eliminate that issue.
Sit and Stand Strollers
Technically, the “Sit ‘n Stand” is the name of a stroller manufactured by Baby Trend Company. Other companies have copied the design and call it a variety of names including a Stand-On Stroller, or a Caboose. But the basic premise is the same. You take a regular single stroller and add an area on the back for a child to stand. Some of these standing areas have a fold down seat for a child to sit on. But this seat is just a bare bones seat, not a plush seat with all of the extras that the regular stroller seat offers. This type of stroller is best for a family with a baby who needs a stroller and an older child who usually walks but who may want an occasional ride. The Sit and Stand stroller is much smaller than a regular tandem stroller with 2 full seats, which makes it easier to travel with or even to take to the mall or grocery store.
With all of the double strollers on the market, it can be tough to decide which one is best for your family. We hope that this article gives you a starting point. As always, we recommend you try out a friend’s stroller before making your purchasing decision
Types of Double Strollers
February 19, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Parents of more than one stroller-age child, you’re in luck. Double strollers are built for more than one child. They come in many forms. As with most other stroller purchase, first decide what you are looking for. Read on to get an overview of the types available.
Double or duo strollers com in side by side passenger models, tandem models, or one sitting and one standing models. If your children are the same age any of the models will do. If one child is younger than the other, you might be best considering the tandem or one sit one stand models as these would distribute the children’s weight more evenly and be easier to push. They also would have a better balance.
The side by side duo strollers offer interaction between the babies. Consider that interaction could translate into fighting. But the children do have the same view of their world.
Double or duo strollers come in every stroller type. Naturally, the umbrella strollers are the least expensive and lightest weight. Umbrella strollers are the sling seated strollers with the two curved handles. Many new Moms get an umbrella stroller for a shower gift. Let’s hope in your case it is a double stroller.
The trustworthy umbrella strollers have and do the basics. However, they lack storage space. It is either non-existent or at a premium. Double umbrella strollers fold up so small and are so light, you could almost put them in your tote bag. OK, maybe that would require a huge bag, but umbrella strollers fit easily in you car. The trunk, an unoccupied seat or even on the floor can offer an umbrella stroller room to ride. Their small size and portability make them a welcome stow-away in your car. Just tuck them in any unused corner, away you go, knowing that you will have your duo umbrella stroller at the ready when you arrive at your destination.
Double strollers come in the lightweight, mid- and full-sized models as well. This is type of stroller that will have the tandem seating or the one sit and one stand configurations. Of course these strollers are more expensive, but also are more durable than the umbrella duo strollers.
Parents often consider choosing a mid-sized or a full-sized double stroller because these stroller types are comfortable for both the baby and the person pushing. They have lots of storage for all the baby things. They are sturdy and can last through more than one child. Some even have a standing platform for the older child. While their features are similar, there are differences.
However, the full-sized double strollers’ bells and whistles can be well worth it as the seats can be fully adjustable. They have suspension that reduces the bumps from uneven ground. They have heavy-duty frames and wheels. Most full-sized duo strollers have adjustable handles that provide pushing ease for any size person. These full-sized double strollers offer wonderful comfort for the long shopping trip or the day at the zoo.
While the mid-sized duo stroller is not as luxurious as the full-sized double stroller, parents really like the mid-sized strollers for its ease of folding and compact size. Mid-sized duo strollers are perfect if you like to walk on hard surfaces, such as a side walk. They are lightweight but sturdy and easy to steer and push.
And then there are the double jogging strollers. Jogging double strollers are designed with bigger wheels, up to a 20 inch diameter, to minimize the bumps and shocks transferring from the street to the babies. They have sturdy handles so that the parent has a good grip to keep the stroller from rolling away, especially on the downhill.
Jogging duo strollers are designed with the type of activity they will be used for. What you intend for the double stroller to do, beside holding your precious babies, will make a difference on which jogging stroller to choose. How often and how far will you use this stroller? Does it need to double as your basic stroller for mall visits? Are you using it on sidewalks or cross country? Do you need it to hitch to your bike? How small do you need it to fold?
Congratulations to having at least two children. Now it is time to think about upgrading to a double stroller system.
Double Stroller Basics
February 14, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
The main point of utility of the double baby stroller is that it is possible to transport more than one baby at the same time. The positioning of the seats is made one after the other in a single line or in a front back alignment or side by side. The view of the child seated at the rear position of the seat will be of identical nature as the baby who is seated at the front seat. The child seated at the front seat is provided with more leg room simply because the child who is seated at the back seat is leaned in a backward position.
The main associated advantage of the double baby stroller is that it is possible to move the strollers in an efficient manner at the crowded places and they can effectively be fitted onto the seat of the car. As the location of the seats is in a side by side position, so it is possible to make children of various age groups seated together. The double baby stroller is an ideal one for the babies who are matching or the babies who are of equal weights.
There are different names that are associated with the baby strollers such as duo stroller and the tandem stroller. Such tandem strollers are all the more beneficial simply because they provide flexibility of closing and are helpful in providing the babies with their own individual type of covering.
One of the most essential factors that have to be made sure of while making a purchase is the endurance. Apart from endurance the other thing that has to be made sure of is the level of comfort. It is essential that the seats are cushioned in an appropriate fashion so that the level of comfort can be enhanced greatly. An ideal type of baby stroller can make the ride an enjoyable experience.
Defining Your Needs
February 2, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Is baby number two on the way or are you expecting twins? Then you definitely need a double stroller. Before you begin your search among the countless models that are available, you need to determine what your stroller needs are for your particular lifestyle. For example, it doesn’t make sense to purchase the same stroller your best friend raves about if you’re an avid jogger and her favorite hobby is shopping. To help you narrow down the possibilities, answer the eight following questions.
1. What activities do you need a double stroller for?
Do you do most of your shopping in malls? Do you like to jog or take long walks around the neighborhood in all types of weather? Are you a frequent traveler? The activities you do most often will decide what type of double stroller you should choose, whether it be a regular double mall stroller, a lightweight (ex. umbrella) double stroller, a double jogging stroller or a double all-terrain stroller.
2. Which seating design would best suit your needs?
Double strollers come in two seating designs: tandem (one seat in front of the other) or side-by-side. Both designs have their advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important for you to think carefully about what your lifestyle will be like with twins or two children of different ages (although this is not easy to do before actually living through it!).
3. What are the ages and temperaments of your children?
Your stroller needs will be slightly different if you’re the parents of twins than if you have a baby and an older child. Some double strollers are true twin strollers, meaning they have features that are meant to accommodate two children of the same age, such as the ability to clip in two infant car seats. There are also double strollers that are designed so that a toddler can sit in the front seat where he can have a better view and more legroom while baby brother or sister sleeps comfortably in the fully reclining rear seat.
Many parents find that side-by-side double strollers help keep the peace between children because they prevent arguments about who gets to sit in the front seat. On the other hand, being side-by-side can also create other problems with the two children sitting in such close proximity.
4. How often are you going to use the double stroller?
If you’re only planning on using a stroller for quick errands to the mall a couple times a week, you don’t need to purchase a heavy-duty, high-end double stroller with all the bells and whistles. However, if you like going for walks or runs on a daily basis, or if you go out with your children often and for long periods of time, you should consider getting something that is comfortable and durable, since double strollers take twice the abuse of single strollers.
5. Who will be using the stroller?
Keep in mind the height and stride of the person or persons who will be using the double stroller the most, as well as their physical strength. It’s no fun pushing a stroller with a handle that is too low or too high for comfort and neither is folding and picking up one that is cumbersome. It’s true that double strollers are heavier and bulkier than single strollers due to their very nature, but there are models on the market that are easier to handle than others.
6. What features are you looking for?
Do you want a simple, no frills double stroller, or something with lots of comfort, durability and storage space? This brings us back to the types of activities you do most often. It’s very disappointing to purchase a stroller and then realize that its features don’t meet your needs as well as they could have.
7. How much space do you have for transporting and storing it?
With a few exceptions, double strollers take up a lot of room. The size of your vehicle may be a big deciding factor when choosing a double model. Make sure it fits! Also, take into account where you will store the stroller at home.
8. What can you afford?
This is probably the most important question of all. Think carefully of your present and future stroller needs with your two children. What is the minimum you are willing to live with? Can you afford to pay for a higher quality double stroller that will make your life easier in the long run, or are you willing to take your chances with a budget stroller that may break down before you’re done using it? For twins, a double universal car seat carrier (stroller frame) is an inexpensive alternative to buying an actual stroller during the infant stage if you’re yet not sure what you’ll need later on.
Once you’ve determined what you really need, then you can begin researching the various brands and models that are on the market. You will be able to quickly eliminate strollers that don’t fit your criteria, making the whole process a lot easier and less time-consuming.
