Monday, May 4, 2009

The Great Double Stroller Search

Let me start by saying I do NOT have expensive taste. I do not own pricey clothes, jewelry, handbags, shoes cars, etc. (OK my diaper bag was a little pricey but not really when you consider all the use it gets! ) Name brands mean nothing to me at all. However, I seem to have expensive taste in double strollers. Twice now I have been out and seen double strollers I LOVE. Later when I finally check the prices online my jaw hits the keyboard.

I have posted before about how much I dislike my Graco. I dislike 99% of the stroller they sell at Target, Babies R Us etc. I walk- A LOT! I need a stroller that can handle my walking. I also need soemthing that accomodates my 5'2 stature and my husband's much taller stature. I have zero intention of purchasing a stroller I dislike this time around. However, I just think these are overly expensive and I am getting so frustrated.

Here are the two double strollers I love- and their ridiculously high price tags.

Bumbleride Indie Twin $659

Phil and Ted's Double Sport Buggy $504.90




How much is too much for a stroller?

15 comments:

Tracy said...

If it is something you are going to use frequently for several years I think it is well worth spending the extra $$$. I went cheap on my double and hate it. As soon as I get a chance it is going on Craig's List. Question though... With the second stroller after baby #2 is older can you move the rear seat so he/she can see or does he/she just have to deal with staring at Eliza's bum? Stella would last all of about 2 minutes back there at only 9 months.

Vicky said...

I just got a double stroller made by "Zooper." We saw some people in a mall walking with it one day and when I looked it up I really liked all of the features. It can hold an infant seat on one side and the other kid on the other side. It has newborn attachments for newer babies and has plenty of room for both children to have their own space. If you're interested you can check it out at "zooper.com" It's also a little pricy but Tommy found it online brand new for $300 so you can find it other places.

PletcherFamily said...

the stroller on the bottom (the yellow one) is the BOMB. I have several friends who used it and they LOVE that think. And it pushes like a dream.
I would say that money in a stroller isn't a bad thing because you will use it a long time. I loved my double stroller - those things rock!

Unknown said...

I have a daycare so I have always used a double stroller for all of my kids. I hate the strollers where one child sits behind the other. I feel like a semitruck and I have to watch where I am going when I am making right (and left) turns.
The stroller I have used for years, literally daily for at least 8 years has been a Graco. This is the link http://www.meijer.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=82551&cmpid=canextag
At times, I have even had to put toddlers on the canopy to get to the bus stop and back. This stoller is AWESOME! ..and only about $120.

Marcy said...

I think a stroller is worth the price tag. As you said-- you walk a lot, you use it a lot. You have to be happy with it. You have to love it. otherwise, you will curse it every day you have to use it. And maybe it'll break and you'll have ti shell out more money for another one anyway.

The other day I took my friend's baby for a walk in her Bugaboo stroller. I have to say, that stroller is NICE. I think the price tag is more than just the name brand, it's the recognition and moms knowing that it's tough as nails. B/c if a pricey stroller couldn't pull its own weight? Moms wouldn't buy it.

You say your diaper bag is comparably inexpensive b/c of how often it gets used. I think the same logic applies even more so to a good stroller.

Marcy said...

PS- have you looked at the UPPA baby strollers? Seems a lot like the Phil & teds, don't know how it compares but seems pretty new to the market. A friend of mine just bought one.

Future Mom (Heather) said...

I think that a stroller is a piece of baby gear that is worth spending money on. We all know cheap strollers suck...you get what you pay for. This is something you are going to use everyday and a great stroller is well worth the money if you can afford it. I already have my stroller picked out (LOL) and it is over $400 but the way I see it, it is something you can't live without so why waste $100-$200 on some piece of crap. Keep in mind you can always sell it on ebay/craigslist when the kids grow out of it & get some of your money back. Most likely spending the money now will save you a lot of aggrivation and complaining down the road. Let us know what you decide!

Anonymous said...

Valco is another nice double, as is Mountain Buggy. I'm not a fan of the Phil and Ted's. Also keep in mind trunk space. And don't forget to test it out, how does it push with one hand, if you have a toddler who decides she wants to walk you'll need one hand for the stroller and one for her!

I actually own 3 doubles as I feel there is a stroller for every need! I have a Peg Aria Twin in my van for mall shopping, a big peg double (the older model) for summer walking and I mostly use my Chariot double. I never liked Chariots before but now I wonder how I lived without one! We bought it as a bike trailer but I started using it as a stroller and it's amazing. The wheels are giant so they go through all kinds of snow banks, the rain cover protects the kids from all kinds of bad weather. I had no worries about my girls in there during the winter. Most of the time I didn't even put coats on them, just hats and cozy blankets! For infants you can get a baby bivvy which lays flat, it's a bit like a sleeping bag with a firm bottom and it also lifts out. When baby is sitting up more you can get the sling. It's perfect! And it can be used as a stroller, jogging stroller, bike trailer, you can even get cross country skis for it! The re-sale value for it is good too. It is something I never thought I'd own and now I recommend it to everyone!

Good luck with your search and let us know what you decide!

(Ps. I once heard a dad comment that buying a stroller is a lot like buying a car!)

Christy said...

WOW! Those are EXPENSIVE. I spent about $200 on my double stroller. It is a Graco, but I love it. It also accommodated our infant carseat, so I could transfer my sleeping newborn effortlessly to the double stroller.

jasmine said...

Have you looked at the Baby Jogger City Mini Double stroller. After some extensive research, I've decided to get this double for my toddler and newborn to be. It's pricey but cheaper than both of the ones you like. I found it on amazon for $399.

The City Mini is lightweight, easy to fold, easy to steer, has lots of storage pockets and has lots of accessories that you can opt to purchase (baby bassinet, parent console with mini cooler, car seat adaptor, snack tray for kids, rain cover, etc.)

La Mama Naturale' said...

I really like both. I'm not sure what we're going to do. I know we're not going to pay that kind of $$ for a stroller right now. Seems worth it to get a good stroller you like and will use. We have a Peg Perego AT4 stroller and it's awesome. I love, love our Peggie. Wish it was a double. I don't like their double stroller selection tho'. We'll see what happens. Good luck on your search. :)

Anonymous said...

Those are both gorgeous!! I had really wanted a Joovy Caboose (much trimmer than the other sit n stands) but after more thought about it, I just decided to get a Chicco umbrella stroller (for one) b/c I'll be wearing the one who's not being pushed. But it would be nice to have the option of a double, but I don't want a big clunky one!

Anonymous said...

Oh yeah! I would check out CL for sure!

Damselfly said...

Oh, the strollers. I hear it's not uncommon for families with kids to buy several, for different types of activities and different combos of kids. It adds up! And they're not cheap.

I have a side-by-side stroller already, used, I can't even remember the brand. But it's not for a newborn. So when my second is born, I'm thinking about a sit 'n' stand-type stroller like the Joovy Caboose. It supposedly takes most baby car seats, and if my toddler absolutely has to be in the stroller, he can sit -- or stand!

I finally listed you on the Bustin' Out Babies list. Thanks for your patience! Congratulations on your baby.

Lukas said...

anyone considered this? www.buggypod.com. the tried and tested alternative to double strollers...