Suggestions on a GOOD double stroller???

[mamawhit322]

I desperately want (don't have, but want) the Kolcraft Contours Tandem double stroller. It can be for two toddlers, two infants, or an infant and a toddler. The seats recline (they don't lay down). You can have the kids back to back (when they're fighting), front to front (when they need to play with each other), both facing out, or both facing you. It's about $220 at Babies R Us.

[mrsjschultz]

Originally Posted by mamawhit322 I desperately want (don't have, but want) the Kolcraft Contours Tandem double stroller. It can be for two toddlers, two infants, or an infant and a toddler. The seats recline (they don't lay down). You can have the kids back to back (when they're fighting), front to front (when they need to play with each other), both facing out, or both facing you. It's about $220 at Babies R Us.

Oh, I'm so happy that someone posted about this! MIL is waiting for one to come back into stock to use her RC on at Shopko

Anyways, this is the stroller we are getting. After the sale and the store card it will be right around $180.00.

I LOVE that it can be used for both an infant AND a toddler!

I also own a babytrend double jogger. We did have a In-Step Double jogger that a friend gave us but the canvas seating was wearing out.

I second checking out Freecyle, Craigslist and garage sales! I bought our Babytrend double jogger at a garage sale for $50 like-new. Retails over $200!!

GL

[CoffeeMom]

Originally Posted by mnnice You might consider just using your existing stroller for your 18 month old and getting a sling for the new little one (especially at first). I found it much easier to carry DS2 in a sling and just hold DS1 hand for most outings the first summer I had multiple children (especially for the grocery store or a quick trip to the park). That being said DS1 was not much of a stroller rider as soon as he could walk and would spend most of his time trying to escape. I'm not a big fan of infant car seats (they just seem like such a PITA to get installed correctly) and switch to a rear facing convertable seat very early for DS2.

I agree! I have a 1 month old and a 14 month old and the umbrella stroller/sling is the easiest combo for quick outings. As for the double stroller, I have nothing negative to say about the Duo Glider.

[Sculpture Widow]

We purchased a Phil & Ted's (with double seat) after DS#2 came.
BEST investment EVER.
Plus it has great resale value!!!

I got a great deal by shopping around on-line. I needed a jogger, and not something with plastic wheels. It goes great EVERYWHERE.

[3libras]

Love our Graco Duoglider LXI. Bought it with 2 Safeseat carseats for my twins. Now using it with younger baby in carseat and one twin. Other one rides in the shopping cart. The rear seat reclines completely and can be made into a bassinet. Both seats have 5 pt harnesses. Steers nicely.

[amjurey]

we have the graco quattro duo and i love it. DD is pretty tall for her age (37" and not quite 2) and she fits great in the front or the back. she actually prefers the back because then she can make faces and play with her brother's feet when he is in the infant safe seat. it is pretty big but what double stroller isn't? it also handles like a dream.

i got mine at albeebaby.com for $160 and free shipping. they have most of the patterns greatly reduced over other stores and free shipping on orders over $100.

good luck!

[amjurey]

Originally Posted by Sculpture Widow We purchased a Phil & Ted's (with double seat) after DS#2 came. BEST investment EVER. Plus it has great resale value!!! I got a great deal by shopping around on-line. I needed a jogger, and not something with plastic wheels. It goes great EVERYWHERE.

amy - how old are your kids? i'm shopping for a double jogger and like the idea of this but has heard bad things about kids not liking being in the bottom seat and it being too close to the ground. one review i saw, the child's fingers got cut from the wheel. thanks in advance!

[MrsPinecone]

FYI: Phil & Ted's are not jogging strollers in the traditional sense. You can't use them if you are a runner. Walks around the neighborhood, fine and dandy, but the stride length it needs to run would bash into the back of P&T strollers of any kind.

I have a P&T E3 Twin side by side.

[amjurey]

Originally Posted by MrsPinecone FYI: Phil & Ted's are not jogging strollers in the traditional sense. You can't use them if you are a runner. Walks around the neighborhood, fine and dandy, but the stride length it needs to run would bash into the back of P&T strollers of any kind. I have a P&T E3 Twin side by side.

its definitely for neighborhood walks, zoo trips, etc. the graco one just doesn't seem up to the task for the rougher terrain.

so what made you decide on the p&t vs one of the other high end ones...bob, baby jogger, etc.

thanks for your help!

[editionk]

Originally Posted by mamawhit322 I desperately want (don't have, but want) the Kolcraft Contours Tandem double stroller. It can be for two toddlers, two infants, or an infant and a toddler. The seats recline (they don't lay down). You can have the kids back to back (when they're fighting), front to front (when they need to play with each other), both facing out, or both facing you. It's about $220 at Babies R Us.

I have the blue Contours SINGLE three-wheeler stroller.

I got it 3 years ago when DS was 6 mo. old. Prior to that I just had the Snap n Go for his infant bucket.

-I LOVE how easily it pushes. I can one-hand push and turn corners. It glides both outside on roads and indoors.
-I love the near-full recline.
-I love how the child can be front or rear-facing.
-Large basket that is easily accessible.
-Two cup holders + cubby for odds and ends.
-Love the leg rest that comes up and locks in place so the little legs can be falt out in front instead of dangling down.

But... DS was over 10 lbs at birth and stayed in the 95%+ and he quickly outgrew the stoller. DD was 9.5 lbs and we have the same problem with her.

The seat (at least on the original model from 3 years ago) is fairly small. It's both narrow and shallow. Doesn't compare in size at all to the large "squareish" seats of the Graco, etc. strollers. By 18 mo. I was squeezing the kids into the seat and their legs/feet were too long to use the foot rest.

Also, the cup holder cracked in half and DH had to use a metal band to piece it back together. It frequently comes off while we're folding the stoller up.

This is a heavy bugger of a stroller!

After a few months of use the stoller became hard to collapse and fold up. The latch would stick and several times I had to stowe the stroller half folded in my minivan.

I think the new RED DOUBLE Contours is cool-looking, but if your kids are at all above average in size, I'm not sure it's the best stroller out there.

Don't get me wrong - I'd get it again if only for the forward/rear facing changeable seat, but that dumb stoller sure gave me many moments of frustration!


ETA - I also love the one hand recling and the one foot break levers!