The Double Stroller Tango

(Disclaimer:  No one is paying me for saying any of this, alas.)

Ah, two children under two.  That was me just about.... 12 months ago.  Baby number two made her debut, and baby number one was not quite two yet.  And still needed (and still needs!) a stroller.

Deciding on which gigantic chariot was for us, was quite the decision.  Like, I made spreadsheets comparing the pros the cons, the weights, the widths, the ease of fold and I read user reviews like a woman who was obviously nesting.  Considering that I needed something for BOTH children to ride in, and I wanted it to last for a while and accommodate a newborn and toddler easily, my choices were limited.  Oh, I should also admit: I am a stroller snob.  But to be fair to myself, I have been loyal to and pleased with my choices thus far.

With baby number one.  We chose the no longer available Bugaboo Gecko.  It was replaced by the Bugaboo BEE.  That's fine, I still love that Gecko, it has taken a beating and is FAB-U-LOUS.  I recommend it when people are asking about a fantastic all in one/travel system type and don't mind shelling out what amounts to a car payment.  So, when number two was baking, I thought hard.  How do you top the 'boo?  What double stroller could possibly be as fabulous in my eyes as my little green machine that would happily tote around both kiddos?  I figured I wanted something rugged-ish, for bumpy sidewalks, possible dirt and or mulch trails, a nice push and something that would sorta' kinda' be like a jogger but not really as I don't really jog at all, but I like to think that maybe I might.  I narrowed it down to the Phil & Teds Vibe and the  BOB Revolution Duallie.  Both seemed like excellent strollers, but I chose the Vibe.  Two reasons.  One - it is as narrow as a single and two - the second seat can come off so it can be used as a single.  So that was good, right?  The Phil & Ted's was great!  It totally did what I wanted it to do, which was carry both kids around!  There are some negatives, like the underbasket is barely accessible when the double seat is attached, and it is a heavy beast, but I like it a lot.

But, like all good things, there came a time when even the Phil & Ted's did not do everything...  It is not your easy peasy throw in the back of the car and take to the mall little buggy.  Oh no.  I have a larger capacity vehicle, and hoisting the P&T into the back was rather laborous.  So, my husband, upon experiencing the joy of pushing his sister (Kiki!!)'s fabulous Maclaren Twin Techno, decided that that would be the perfect go-between for us.  And it is.  It still fits through doorways, collapses and opens easily (and has the nice little protector bits so my kids don't lose any fingers) and serves us well.  All in all, good times.

So, there you have it.  My little foray into the world of double strollers.  A delicate dance between form and function, size, weight, width and usefulness.