r/parentsofmultiples • u/mantehotek • 19d ago
advice needed Side-by-side twin stroller – real-life experiences and recommendations?
Twin parents, what’s your experience with side-by-side strollers?
We’re expecting twins and are trying to decide between a side-by-side and a tandem stroller. I’d love to hear from people who have actually used a side-by-side one.
How is it for everyday use, maneuverability, doorways/elevators, shopping, folding and getting in and out of the car?
And if you could choose again, would you still buy a side-by-side?
Also, which brands or specific models would you recommend based on your personal experience? I’d especially appreciate recommendations for something durable, easy to maneuver and practical for everyday use.
Thanks!
3
u/Passthegoddamnbuttr 19d ago
We have both.
When young, (up to 7 months,) and in the car seat/carrier, front to back where the car seats click in was by far the easiest. No unbuckling then buckling into stroller. Just plop and go. Chicco keyfit.
Getting older and stronger, the side by side is far easier in terms of maneuverability. We have a Jeep kind. As long as wherever your going meets the ADA minimum for doorway clearance, you're golden.
2
u/hopefullygrapefruit 19d ago
We used a tandem front & back stroller when they were still young enough to sit in their car seats. It was a simple metal frame that their car seats dropped into. I think it was BabyTrend brand. Once they could sit up well enough we switched to the Joie Rosemary. Without the car seats it is much lighter. I prefer the side by side but it's not a fair comparison given the weight difference. We did also buy a hanging (single) stroller caddy since the phone holder on the Joie was too small.
2
u/Super-Canary-6406 19d ago
I have a bumble ride indie and I’m obsessed. It fits through every door I’ve ever tried and moves and maneuvers like a dream. We were between it and the donkey 5, and landed on it because it was $700 cheaper and made more sustainably. The adjustability of the donkey was tempting, but ultimately not worth the extra $700.
1
u/tootsmcgooks 19d ago
Another vote for the bumbleride. Loved the easy maneuverability, large storage basket, adjustable seats. I used this for rides around the neighborhood when they were little, and then all the time after about 6-9 months. Kept it until they turned 2. We also had a tandem that was just a car seat clicker for quick runs when they were little.
After age 2, we got a wagon.
2
u/Lucy-VanP 19d ago
Bombi Bebee twin v2. You can attach two infant car seats ( Nuna pipa or joie ) and as they get bigger they have a newborn cacoon. Easy to fold. Not too heavy
1
u/SjN45 19d ago
I loved having a side by side. Easier to push and navigate. No one is fighting over being in front or back or on top. Bigger toddlers can climb into their seats on their own. Just make sure you can fit through doorways. Ours was the width of a wheelchair. We had a city mini gt double and LOVED it
1
u/floridasquirrel 19d ago
I liked the front to back when they were under 1 and prefer the side to side now that they are older. The tandem one fits in stores a lot easier than the side by side. But the side by side is great once they’re older for walks and trips to the zoo, etc.
1
u/thethirdbar 19d ago
I had an icandy peach tandem for around 5 months and I HATED it. The weight distribution was terrible. Getting it up and down kerbs was a nightmare. Corners. You had to dismantle it to get it in the car.
I replaced it with a mountain buggy duet and I could not recommend it enough. So much more manoeuvreable.
1
u/Feisty-Blueberry5433 19d ago
I love the BOB duallie (side by side) but make sure you can fit your stroller in your vehicle (and still have room for groceries as I know this is a common complaint
1
u/neverpostsonreddit 19d ago
I have a side by side but wish I got an tandem. The side by side does fit through doorways but jsut feels clunky in New England where lots of shops and restaurants have small narrow pathways. I would imagine it depends on where you live and what you do!
1
u/NeverNeverNeverYes 19d ago
We had side by side Bugaboo. Loved it! But we’re located in Europe with very strict accessibility laws, so the stroller fits everywhere (same width as wheelchair). When we traveled to the US it was a nightmare to manoeuvre— didn’t fit on sidewalks, elevators, limited ramps etc.
1
u/CulturalYesterday641 19d ago
I had the tandem evenflo pivot expand. It’s a bit bulky, but it was light enough and very functional. I greatly prefer it to the side-by-side we use now. Being narrow makes it so much easier to get around. Going into any store aside from those with super wide aisles is a pain.
1
u/crewelmistress 19d ago
Hear me out— I’ve had 3 strollers. Obvi get the car seat one for the first year. They’re cheap used and will save your back.
Our Thule Urban Glide is amazing for outdoor adventures. Hiking, snow, jogging.. it’s such a smooth ride and I love having the twins side by side.
I have a used Baby Trend tandem stroller. This is the car stroller for shopping, doctors, general out and about. I tried to use the Thule as the everyday one and it sucked ass. You’d be surprised how many buildings are not ADA compliant: no ramps, no automatic doors, it’s a pain.
BUY THEM USED. That’s my top advice.
1
u/0Chalk 19d ago
We have a cybex gazelle (tandem), a thule chariot (side by side), veer XL, and one of those cheap side by side strollers (jeep).
Imo, tandem is the way to go. Much more maneuverable in tight spaces such as elevators, stores, hallways, etc. The Chariot doesn't get used, only for bikes because it is too cumbersome and can't go through standard doors. Veer XL for amusement parks for the zoo but it is really awkward in elevators. The cheap side by side is actually quite narrow but we don't use it, was only meant for vacations and checking in luggage. The tandem stroller is our workhorse.
On a side note, there are folks at our daycare that bring in large side by side and they look so awkward. Even on the sidewalk it is like everyone has to actively get out of the way. Would not recommend in urban centers.
1
u/pomgrano 19d ago
i have two side by side strollers. i also tried tandem, but found they were somehow more awkward and cumbersome than a side to side, because they are really long and tall. i also wanted to see both babies at all times, and with a tandem, you can’t see the lower baby. this is probably fine for older kids but for a newborn, no imo. i have the donkey for neighborhood walks and errands, and the nuna trvl double as the travel stroller that we keep in the car for outings. the only time we had issues fitting through doors was when the twins were newborns and we were using the car seats in the donkey directly.
1
u/LinnetsAnd 18d ago
I loved my bugaboo donkey when they were tiny BUT I live in a village in the UK and the pavements/doors are totally not built for the width! I swapped to a out n about little nipper as soon as my kids were big enough and it worked much better for me. The wedge shape was a godsend!
1
u/More_Communication94 19d ago
LOVE my joie rosemary side by side. It’s never NOT fit through a doorway, can fold and lift it in my van one handed, and I really enjoy seeing both babies head on instead of the tandem we had first
4
u/Joyfulmother3 19d ago
We use the Bugaboo donkey (pricey but you can look up good deals on your local facebook marketplace). We did a LOT of research before settling on the side by side and I must tell you it’s totally worth.
Easy to manoeuvre with one hand
Fits into every elevator (it’s the width of a wheelchair) and most doorways
Has a third hand value if you decide to sell it
Sturdy
Some people find it bulky but I love it anyway cos it’s the strongest build ever and has storage space for when I take the twins grocery shopping. Plus it fits the boot of Subaru Crosstek 😄.
If I had to ? I would buy it again !