The Best Tandem Strollers for Urban Living

So doing stroller consultations and advising customers, I often get asked about tandem strollers that would work in narrow urban environments, hold two kids comfortably and still push nicely unlike some popular brands we’ve all heard of. . . .

Well, I have good news and bad news. The good news is that there are definitely a few great tandem double strollers on the market now, that don’t push like a bus, so you don’t have to worry about that! Not only that, but many have larger wheels and air tires that you will like for going over urban bumps and curbs, tree roots, gravel and other urban hazard you encounter routinely on the way to the playground. What’s the bad news? Well, most people find none of these all-terrain tandem doubles are “perfect,” so it’s a question of knowing what trade-offs you are willing to make.

There are two single all-terrain strollers (joggers with a front swivel wheel for easier maneuverability) that can take a toddler seat. The Phil and Ted’s E3 or the Valco Trimode. The Phil and Ted’s has a unique set-up where the toddler seat can go in front of a sleeping baby in the beginning and then behind the main seat later once the baby has good enough head control to be sitting up. The biggest pro of the Phil and Ted’s is that it is narrow (23” wheelbase) for shopping and errands. The con is that either one child is lying flat and the other upright (toddler-newborn mode) or in the second mode (toddler-toddler mode), neither child has any recline, thus making this not ideal for children that frequently nap in the stroller. The Valco Trimode has a toddler seat that is always in front of the main seat. The advantage to this is while the toddler seat has no recline, the baby can be put in any position from fully reclining to fully upright since the two seats are not as symbiotic as the Phil and Ted’s E3. The disadvantage is that the wheelbase of the Valco is wider (27”) and the fact that the toddler seat has only ¾ back (like a shopping card) so it is really impossible for kids to sleep in this toddler seat.

Lastly, there is an all-terrain tandem double that is newly out on the market, the Jane Powertwin. This is one of the best-selling double strollers in Europe and is finally available here. The Jane provides a rear seat that reclines fully and a front seat with a 45 degree recline. Both seats are plush with gorgeous fabric. The downside? The Jane seats tend to be small with lower canopies which works better for siblings that are close in age and/or siblings that aren’t too high on the growth charts. There are a couple of “fixes” to make the canopy taller, but these make the stroller harder to close up quickly which can be hard for urban parents who are in and out of their car a lot but easier for parents with more pedestrian lifestyles.

Not quite what you are looking for? Feel free to give us a shout and we’d be happy to help you find your perfect stroller.

–The Baby Gear Gurus and Let’s Go Strolling (www.letsgostrolling.com)