Life
/ November 2018

7 Key Things to Consider Choosing a Double Stroller

This three kid gig is brand new to me. We are still figuring out the ropes. Getting out the door used to be as simple as grabbing my coat and bag. Now it is quite a lengthy ordeal. One thing that makes it unquestionably easier for me is having a good double stroller! I had a hard time choosing one, and actually have been through several double strollers before settling on the perfect one. Here are some things I learned along the way.

7 Key Things to Consider When Buying a Double Stroller

I have dealt with double strollers too wide to fit through doors, too bulky to fit in the trunk and too heavy for me to lift. Finally I found the perfect one for my busy and active lifestyle, with three kids in tow. Here are the things I considered before buying the Pivot Xpand double stroller from Evenflo.

1. How Active is Your Lifestyle

Chances are if you are looking at choosing a double stroller you are fairly active and on the go! But how do you spend most of your time out with the kids? If you jog every day you may want a jogging stroller on hand. Most of my outings are errand or activity related. So rather than a jogging stroller that is wide and bulky, difficult to put in the trunk, and hard to maneuver through doors, I wanted a stroller that was more sleek and convenient for malls, museums, grocery stores, etc. I keep my double jogging stroller in the garage and my Pivot Xpand double stroller in the trunk at all times!

2. Ages & Weights of Your Kids is Important

Before buying a double stroller you should definitely check the age and weight limit! With three kids, ranging from newborn to 5 years old, I wanted something that was versatile enough to accommodate them all. Usually my 5 year old doesn’t ride in the double stroller. But for the times she does I can pop on the second seat expansion for the Pivot Xpand. Most the time I use it with one seat and the rear facing baby carseat, but as my youngest grows I can transition to using two seats all the time.

3. Think of the Width

This is really important to consider, and I kind of mentioned it in tip 1. Always consider the width when purchasing a double stroller! Measure a few doorways you commonly go through. Will you be able to bring your double stroller to dentist visits, swim lessons, church, etc.? Width is a big factor for me, especially during the winter when we do lots of indoor activities. That is another reason the Pivot Xpand was such an easy choice. It fits through any standard door, no issues!

4. Make Maneuverability a Priority

Just because a double stroller doesn’t look bulky, does not mean it will be easy to maneuver! Before you buy any stroller, give it a try in person. Pay specific attention to how easily it turns sharp corners. If you can’t try it yourself, read as many reviews online as you can.

I have learned this the hard way. I have single strollers that are more difficult to turn around corners than my Pivot Xpand double stroller! Kris was slightly embarrassed when I took the floor model of the Pivot Xpand joy riding around Target, testing sharp corners and u-turns, but he is grateful now that we are able to push it anywhere we go with ease! Whether it be large crowds, or cramped store isles, it is easy to maneuver.

5. The Size of Your Trunk

This is probably obvious! Since a double stroller can be pricey, make sure you are choosing one that will fit in your trunk. We made this mistake with our jogging stroller! Before we got our mini van we could only fit the jogging stroller in one out of our two vehicles… My least favorite one to drive. So anytime we wanted to use it, we had to take that car! Look up your folded stroller dimensions, and measure your trunk just to double check before purchasing.

6. Ability to Transition

Will the double stroller you are looking at choosing grow with your child? They will not be a newborn forever, and as they get older you will want a stroller that transitions with them. I love how easy the Pivot Xpand makes it to reconfigure the seats. You can fit each attachment with a seat or an infant carseat. They each can face either forwards or backwards. The seat itself transitions from all the way sitting, to completely reclined. You can even unclip a strap at the bottom, transitioning the seat into more of a flat laying, bassinet form. There are over 22 configurations to fit a wide combination of kids ages and weights!

7. What Bonus Features do You Want?

The most essential ‘bonus’ feature when you are choosing a double stroller (for me) is storage! Extra storage underneath makes all the difference when you are lugging around lots of baby gear. The Pivot Xpand has so much storage underneath, my five year old can fit in the basket down there! I discovered this by accident when she thought it was a seat and climbed in…. This is definitely not the recommended use. But I was so impressed by the size of the space! I can fit toys, snacks, blankets, coats, my purse and more.

I also love having a cupholder on my stroller, although it isn’t as essential as storage space. I actually use the cupholder on the Pivot Xpand for my keys, phone, or the baby’s bottle more often than for an actual cup! It is super convenient, but not something you can’t live without.

I absolutely love that I was able to find a stroller that fits so well into my lifestyle. I am not going to pretend that going out with three kids 5 and under is a breeze, but my Pivot Xpand sure makes it a whole lot easier. It makes me feel like this mom of three thing is totally manageable!