Do you really need a double stroller? – A Retrospective
We have recently jumped on the Uppababy bandwagon and became the proud owner of a new Cruz v2 stroller (Link to our three-month review). With the brand being one of the top choices for many new parents, one might wonder, why now? Why, after three years, are we choosing to forgo our existing double strollers and go back on a single?
Like many starting a new family, when we had our first child, we were also considering the possibility of a second. But after three years of trying without success, with our toddler daughter increasing desire for independence, our need for our the beloved double stroller is fast becoming obsolete. With a few other catalysts in life, we started to look into an alternative.
Our considerations
– Bigger seat – our Phil & Teds Voyager 2019+ had been wonderful, but the seat was on the small side. Our not-quite-three-years-old has already outgrown it.
– Consolidate and downsize – Small urban living did not allow much storage. Having an ultra compact Baby Jogger City Tour 2 for travel has been so easy. However, the pandemic year had limited its use greatly. We can find something in-between in size to use as both daily driver and travel.
– Equipment Upgrade – A double stroller, no matter how well-designed, is still a mammoth to push around. With the advance in stroller design in the past few years, we could get something lighter and with better suspensions in a more affordable price.
– Resell for funding – Being only two years old, our Voyager and Tour 2 are both still in great condition. We could sell them to fund the upgrade.
What stroller should we go for?
After some research, we came down to two final candidates;
Pros:
– Lighter of the two
– More affordable
– Three-wheel design can handle various terrains
Cons:
– Storage basket only holds 10lb
– Proprietary buggy board does not work well with this stroller model
Pros:
– Storage basket holds 30lb
– Good quality and usable buggy board
– Updated more recently, model might stay current for longer.
Cons:
– More expensive
– 5lb heavier
Both of these strollers are highly regarded by care givers; they are excellent in their built quality and after-sell services. They both have great all-wheel suspensions and superior manoeuvrability, as well as a generous seat with high weight capacity. In the end, the Uppababy Cruz v2 won out with its hauling ability; the large storage basket that would enable us to go grocery shopping, and the quality of its buggy board. If we are ever lucky enough to have a second child, the increased hauling power would make this stroller more usable. With the right discount and promotion at Buybuy Baby, we were also able to narrow the price difference between the two models to just under $100, making the Cruz v2 much more attractive economically.
Read our post on Strategic Shopping for Parents
Read our post on Uppababy Cruz v2 – Three Month Review
The Hard Questions
Did we regret getting a double stroller?
No. If our plan had worked out, the double stroller would have been very useful. Our Phil & Ted Voyager was a delight to use even as a single stroller. We have taken it everywhere every day, from grocery shopping in the city to snow in the backcountry, it had handled great. Could it have been better in some of its design? Absolutely! But given our perimeters at the time, it was the best stroller we could have chosen.
What would I have done differently, if I was to do it all over again?
For new parents living in the city, I would go straight for a Baby Jogger City Mini GT2. We started with an ultra-compact stroller for the first six months, then found it difficult to maneuver the broken sidewalks of the city, then moved from a walk-up apartment to a townhouse and bought a full-size double, then realised we don’t need it anymore and downsize to a single. If we have started with a more sturdy but still affordable stroller like the GT2, it would have ridden out all of the above scenarios and then some. It is heavier than an ultra-compact but is still light enough to use as a travel/urban stroller. It is also very sturdy and maneuverable as an everyday ride. With some well-timed shopping strategy, one can pick up a new GT2 at a very affordable price, making it easier to let go when a double stroller is actually needed. With care, a good condition GT2 will also have a decent resell value.
What I have learned after procuring and using four strollers?
– “If you are buying a double stroller, make sure you love it as a single”. Said Eli from Magic Bean, Boston. I heeded to this advice and it was such an important thing. Unless you have twins, lugging around a stroller too large and heavy for transporting a singleton is no fun at all.
– Don’t rule any stroller out because it is out of your price range. Research ALL of the stroller in the class you’re interested in. If a more expensive one is a better fit for you, scope them out early and wait for sales seasons (Read our article for when to shop for baby gears!) Sign up for newsletter reminder for monthly or seasonal flash sales with major retailers, like Buybuy Baby, Albeebaby, Amazon, etc. For new parents, use your baby registry discounts! Also, check out previous models which are likely to have bigger price drop. And don’t forget to keep an eye on secondhand gears on Facebook marketplace, local children thrift store and community consignment expos.
Read more in our post on Strategic Shopping for Parents
– Plan for the future, but don’t overlook the opposite strategy. For example, if you are going to be a new parent and plan to have several more children, having heirloom-quality gears that last a few rounds of child-reading might sound logical. But the opposite can also work too. Technology improves and circumstances change over time. Some well-researched, cheaper alternative can sometimes suits better for those with economical and/or physical constrains.
What is your thought and experience with double strollers? Are you about to invest into one? Share and comment below!
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