What to Look For in a Double Travel Buggy

A side-by-side double that has small footprint (for narrow doorways and on public transport). Add seats or carrycots (with adaptors) to increase the frame's weight capacity for children up to 50 lbs.

A fantastic budget double with rear and front suspension to make light work of uneven surfaces, a large storage basket and a padded handlebar for parents with different heights.

Size

In general double twin pushchairs are larger than single models - especially when they're side by side buggies, like the Kolcraft Geo 3 and UPPAbaby Vista 2. This extra width allows them to accommodate larger children without straining their chassis. Other features make them stand out: large pop-out canopies that have SPF 50 protection and peekaboo windows, swivel-lock front wheels to aid in maneuvering tight spaces like shopping aisles, a cup holder for one parent and a smart fold mechanism that is one-handed. The 10-inch wheels are not built for rough terrain, but they can handle city streets and theme park rides well.

In terms of price tags these kinds of lightweight buggies, which are side-by-side, are surprisingly affordable.

Weight

The heavier the double buggy the more easy it is to lift and maneuver. The Joie Evalite Duo, which is the lightest of our Lab tests, is an excellent option if weight is an issue. It's got plenty of features including an enormous pop-out canopy that has SPF50 and a peekaboo windows, a quick-release folding system that can be stowed flat in seconds, four-wheel suspension for rough terrain and a swivel wheel on the front that makes it easy to maneuver narrow aisles of supermarkets and stores. It's also extremely affordable at more than PS1,000. It can also carry twins or a baby and toddler with the purchase of an additional'sidepack'.

Flexibility

A good Double Buggy Travel System buggy will provide a great deal of flexibility, no matter if you have twins or a baby and a toddler. Narrow tandem buggies are great to fit into tight spaces, while side-byside models ensure that your children are properly cared for and will help you keep your eyes on them as you go to the grocery store or park. They also come with a wide range of seat configurations which allows you to alter them as your children grow, and some even come with the option of adding an extra ride-on board or car seat.

The Joie Evalite duo is an excellent example. It can fit two seats or a car seat, and its adaptors for car seats let you change from single to double in seconds. It also comes with a large pop-out UPF 50+ sunshade that can be used as a canopy, adjustable leg rests and peekaboo windows in both seats; an easy standing fold that is quick and easy to do with one hand; and a high-quality suspension that can take care of rough terrain.

The iCandy Peach tri-fold buggy is another alternative. Their slim frames are perfect to navigate narrow doors and aisles, while they can easily hold twins or a baby and a big kid thanks to the addition of UPPAbaby's "PiggyBack' board (which you buy separately). The basket is spacious and comes with all the extras, such as raincovers and liner.

Tandem buggies are generally made with your kids sitting close to each other. This makes them more stable and easier to push on uneven surfaces, however they can be a challenge to maneuver around and over kerbs. They have a bigger footprint than a single-seater and may be too large to fit through doors.

Comfort

This is among the most comfortable lightweight doubles we've examined. It features stadium-style seating on both seats, so your children can take in the view. It also comes with an enormous UPF 50+ canopy that has a the peek-a-boo window, and a padded toddler seat with an additional RumbleSeat that comes with built-in adjustable foot and leg rests as well as cups holder for a single parent. Testers love how the seats recline by pushing the levers under each seat, and also say that the straps are easy to fasten and unfasten with one hand. The handle is simple to twist making it easy to fold. It also stores with the backrest raised for easy access.

This is the ideal choice for families who want to expand with their children. It comes in a variety of configurations, including 30. It can carry twins or a toddler, as well as a baby or three kids with an 'PiggyBack Board'. Its large shopping basket and soft suspension make it suitable on kerbs and in the city too. It's also a great value. BabyGearLab recommends it for kids between the ages of 6 and 6.