A Tandem Stroller is Wrong for You !

[@BarnevognverkstedNo]

In order to keep our recommendations up to date, we maintain a 'Buyer's Guide' (with a wide spectrum of models, and a lot of technical and lifestyle-related information). Organizing our recommendations this way makes it easier to include good models that we haven't made review-videos for yet, as well as to remove models which have developed unforeseen wear-issues over time, or which have been weakened by the manufacturer in their current iterations. You can access the guide (in addition to our 4-part video series on Choosing the Right Stroller for your Lifestyle, and other helpful content), as well as contact us directly on Patreon: www.patreon.com/posts/stroller-buyers-37953864 These materials are also available via channel membership on KZbin: www.youtube.com/@BarnevognverkstedNo/membership , and BuyMeaCoffee: buymeacoffee.com/thestrollerworkshop

[@ChodTheWacko]

Although the title is a bit clickbaity, the overall idea is sound - don't rush into buying a tandem. Tandems by their very nature require compromises. We are happy owners of a Vista, but we still use a single from time to time when we don't need to shuttle two kids at a time.

[@amypeggs9606]

I think you're absolutely right! The other place I see this commonly with first-time expectant parents is the modular car seat systems. (EU) "It's future proofing!" promises the salesperson, as they sell you an expensive base that not only takes the insanely overpriced infant seat, it also takes a mid-to-high-priced toddler seat later on. Sounds great... except that you may not know as a first timer, that the only toddler seats that go onto bases are the ones compatible with these modular sets. Literally EVERY other toddler car seat installs baseless. You don't need the base since you're not moving the seat regularly. And most of them are cheaper than the base compatible ones. Lastly, if you use your base for the toddler seat, you'll have to buy another base (how about two, one for each car?) for the infant seat when the next baby comes along, or lose the convenience of the base, which is most valuable specifically when you have a toddler and newborn together. It's such a con and basically exists only to benefit the manufacturer.

[@BarnevognverkstedNo]

Absolutely agree.

[@beth4212]

I laughed at your comment about a bus because that’s exactly what I’ve been calling my vista in tandem mode. I love my vista and it was the right decision for us but the age gap between my two ended up being larger than I expected. I have thought about this, that I may have regretted my purchase if my lifestyle didn’t allow for full use of the basket etc and then I didn’t really need the double mode. We have always lived within 10 mins walk of a supermarket in all the places we’ve lived so loading up the pram with a full weeks of groceries and then being able to roll that out of the shop to home and into my kitchen was wonderful. But it is very big. I ended up buying a second hand minu when my son was one and I love it even more than the vista. Especially now that you can add the vista bassinet to it. I do feel like if you end up getting a big tandem stroller you will probably eventually find the need to get a travel stroller as well.

[@runningfromabear8354]

We bought a bugaboo donkey for our twins scheduled c-section Nov 3rd. We've double checked it fits our lifestyle (and doorways). I suppose technically it's a "future proof" stroller but we're not planning to have more. I wanted something that could take 2 car seats, has bassinets, toddler seats and doesn't required tools to switch from one to the other. And it needed a handle height tall enough for me and my husband (we're tall). I really think this is a good fit for everything we want/need now.

[@BarnevognverkstedNo]

I didn't deal with it in the video, but the Donkey is just about the only model that does work with this future-proofing concept. Buying it when you're having your first child (as opposed to the second) is also the best way to use it, since using the mono-mode for a longer period with an older child can make the chassis sag on the child side.

[@alexisg7644]

I completely agree. Also, stroller design has changed so much over the past 20 years. So as new options become available on the market, something better might be a better solution for two children after that initial purchase.

[@Merope4ever]

Future proofing definitely doesn't have to mean buying a single to double tandem stroller. But I do like thinking about the future. And I like the iCandy Lime in this context because the built in buggyboard doesn't take any extra space. There seems to be no compromise.

[@BarnevognverkstedNo]

I agree. As long as the Lime otherwise fits one's needs. :)

[@ravlinn]

Thank you 😄

[@TheMostObliviousGirl]

Honestly after watching this video and my personal experience, if you want a tandem stroller, buy them used. So you don't have to break the bank. I purchased a used one and did not purchase a second seat; but I bought a piggy back board. I thought about buying it but it was only going to be used briefly due to the age gap of my kids. I personally found the side by side strollers are annoying because it takes up too much space of the walkway like you force others off of it and in stores it is even harder to maneuver because not all aisles are wide enough for it to pass through.

[@lisaalisa3945]

We were not thinking about second child at all, but.. now we have 2 under 2 with 14 months difference. On the last month of the pregnancy I was putting my older child in every possible double strollers that we have displayed in the Netherlands. The only one that fitted was Thule Sleek. I put my baby there and it's just it! Perfect ergonomic fit. We also had a possibility to put a 12kg dummy inside and tried different terrains in the shop. Gazelle and Donkey was too small 😅 now we are using Thule for a year. And it is the best purchase ever, I am so happy with everything. Before for our only baby we had Hartan Viva (Germany) - amazing driving capabilities, ultimate best stroller, but the seat is a bit too small for my kid(s).

[@khoury2]

We bought the Silver Cross Wave for the same purpose that you deplore, the future proof. It is indeed bulky and big. I'm not really complaining about it since it was a compromise that I accepted. Then my wife got pregnant. My first was about to be 2 years old and was now too big for the stroller. I told myself that I could never use the 2nd seat. Finally we were expecting twins. So in the end, I'm glad I bought the Wave. I am one of the lucky ones to use it to its full potential.

[@kakefyll]

I bought a Mountain buggy duet, just as narrow as a vista or city select but way better to drive

[@imaclover1428]

I tell people this all the time and 90% of them just blow me off, ugh. I will say that I picked up a double 2011 Britax B-Ready and absolutely love it for all-day shopping since the basket essentially gets taller with the second seat attached.

[@abbieg2052]

My first will be 20 months when baby #2 arrives and i'm so torn on what stroller to get. He's a runner so we definitely need a stroller during outings. We're a suburban family, and i'm 5'3 so maneuverability is important.

[@imaclover1428]

The bugaboo donkey or Strollair twinway are really good double options! So is the valco snap duo trend.

[@charleyashford559]

I love the cybex gazelle s2 and its got a high seat and huge basket to which I have nasty back problems and can't bend much. It's also lie flat which is what im after. I love nuna but don't like the mix next because the seat itself is soooo small and flimsy footrest so I'm stuck

[@ieyeispy1]

I see your point but don't you think there is value in being able to roll the car seat and stroller seat at the same time for added comfort? Especially when one is travelling? Thanks.

[@signediaz2469]

i like rear loaded tadems but definitely not stadium seating

[@imaclover1428]

Same, actually!

[@kakefyll]

No basket space though

[@signediaz2469]

@@kakefyll true, im usually able to fit a small bag in but typically am good enough with a handle organizer and sling bag on the front (i put the nuna sling bag on the front of the demi grow and it lays on the basket edge so well it looks like it belongs there) i definitely don’t bring a lot of stuff out with me though, just diapers, wipes, and disposable changing mats, and some small toys in the sling bag and pacifiers, a bottle or 2 and sunscreen/mittens depending on the weather in the organizer. and of course i keep my phone in the back zipper pocket on the seat and a coffee in my cup holder! im a nanny so ive prefected my use with all different types of strollers!

[@maryharrell8486]

I bought a tandem stroller for our first with this mentality that we can use it in the future when we have more kids. It was great at first because I could just click the car seat right in. But months later, we are not clicking the car seat anymore and it's such a pain to get in and out of the car if I'm hopping between stores and it takes up my entire trunk so not conducive to shopping trips. I'm trying to figure out if I stick it out or get an easier to manage replacement until/if we need double in the future. The problem now is I am worried I'll end up with the wrong stroller again 🙃

[@BarnevognverkstedNo]

If I might humbly weigh in here. My recommendation (without, admittedly, having full knowledge of your situation) is to get what works for you best right now. Online second-hand markets mean that one can generally sell models that aren't working right for you (and possibly buy what will) without too much loss overall. :)

[@maryharrell8486]

@@BarnevognverkstedNo I'm trying to figure out exactly what would work best for us 😅

[@kamehaz]

Would love to see a video on the limo by vidiamo!

[@anyabrotnei7673]

I would say buy this one and then a second stroller that is compact and light weight , I have an uppababy vista double and an uppababy minu witch are soo worth it And for twins I would definitely get the babyjogger city mini tour 2 double

[@beth4212]

We have the exact same set of prams! I ended up getting a minu when my son was one and found myself reaching for it even more than the vista.

[@anyabrotnei7673]

@@beth4212 haha they are a super duper combo honestly , i know i did that too when my son was 1 but after having my second last year the vista was the way to go especially when shopping or now going to the nursery walking I walk much waster when I have them both in the stroller haha

[@labellavita992]

I got a city select for free on FB marketplace.. it’s super bulky for my Prius. Just glad I didn’t have to pay hundreds for it!

[@nicorodriguez4606]

Would you consider 650 dollars for a brand new bugaboo fox2 a good deal at this date? Wanted to know your thoughts.

[@rosamontseny9902]

Hi :) question: if looking to buy a tandem stroller for short periods of overlap (newborn and toddler, etc) would you prefer the uppababy vista or the joolz geo 3? I'm not sure abt losing the basket space, but rear-loading seems better for tipping the stroller, and here in europe i see a lot of joolz so i imagine it's quite good? any help appreciated, thanks!

[@BarnevognverkstedNo]

For the 2-child period specifically, I would much prefer the loss of basket space with the Geo to having to drive a front-loading tandem like the Vista (it really is quite miserable in my opinion). But that being said, in a 1-child configuration, the Vista is better in my opinion, sufficiently so that it's worth getting even if you never use it in the tandem configuration, even if you wind up needing to get an entirely different stroller (like a second-hand side-by-side model for example) for a 2-child period instead. :)

[@Tenina-d9t]

Totally true , I’m one of those victims 😂

[@renzcaballero2706]

Not really its just being happy with what you purchase and not all single to double strollers are heavy like our agio z4 is only 15 lbs and is a one fold super easy also the quality and saves you money on the long run.

[@letibonnin3937]

Just buy two and attach them?

[@imaclover1428]

That wouldn’t really be safe unless it’s one that’s meant to do so, namely the Bumprider.

[@Merope4ever]

@@imaclover1428 There are also connectors for the Leclerc Influencer. I wonder if they would work with other ultracompacts. But it should be safe enough if you have two influencers.

[@imaclover1428]

@@Merope4ever oh, that’s right. I’d stick to what the connectors were tested with though for fear of breaking!

[@Merope4ever]

@@imaclover1428 Yes, I think that's also the most practical. Because in order for third party connectors to fit on any stroller, I expect them to be more fiddly and/or time consuming to attach. And if it is not, than likely it's a solution that damages the strollers.

[@viviawaag863]

Thinking about another, while you're still pregnant sounds arrogant. 😂 You still don't know your child, how can you be SO sure that you can even handle another one? Some children are just clingy by nature, and children need so much attention. I have to say, I am excited for my second, but I want to spend time with my current child. 🥰 I love him to bits. Anywho, I've heard about the new Emmaljunga Kite. I am intrested in one, but they haven't made it to my country yet, and the all amazing Leclerc is not available at all. Hope you'll do a video of it. 😍

[@BarnevognverkstedNo]

We may cover the Kite in the future. I've seen it in stores and it's quite nice. :)

[@imaclover1428]

Not to mention the fact that you may not be able to have another kid after your first.