Weight

A double buggy will be considerably heavier that a single buggy. Depending on your situation, spending a little extra for a lighter buggy can make a noticeable difference when loading and unloading your car, getting on a bus and so on.

Size when in use

Consider the size of the double buggy when in use. Bear in mind that if it won’t fit through your front door, you’ll be loading and unloading on your doorstep. Also the use of some lifts may become an issue.

Size when collapsed

The size of your double buggy when collapsed is important and something that many overlook. Remember that you’ll need to put your double buggy in the boot of your car (as well as everything else). Storing the buggy at home is also a consideration. As with weight, spending a little more money can often save space as there are some ingenious mechanisms on more expensive models.

Type of use

Where will you be going with your double buggy? To the shops, long walks or maybe even off road? Your double buggy will have to fit in with your lifestyle and be comfortable for your children at the same time, so depending on your requirements, consider whether the buggy has:

• Solid or inflatable tyres
• The level effectiveness of weather proofing
• Ease of steering
• Type and effectiveness of brakes
• Suspension
• Sufficient storage space for shopping or equipment
• Robust enough to handle what you expect of it.

Car seats

Unlike single buggies, double buggy packs do not frequently come with car seats. For convenience, you might like to establish whether your chosen double buggy has a compatible car seat.

Adjustable for the user

Of course your children should be comfortable in the double buggy however, bear in mind the people who are likely to use it and ensure that the buggy is adjustable for them as well. The main point to look for here is the bar or handles where it is pushed – ensure it’s height is adjustable. Other areas to look for is the seating height.

So, lets start with the basics and then we’ll see what options are available. The biggest single thing that will make your life easy when pushing a buggy in the country is the wheels. Make sure that what ever you buy has large pneumatic wheels, both front and back. Swivelling front wheels will help negotiating lumps and bumps and the ability to lock them in position will help when pushing across inclines. Suspension is another factor that will not only make your life easier, but increase the comfort for your child.

There are a number of products that are designed to help you get outdoors with your kids and these include Mountain Buggy, Jane, Out’n'about, and Phil & Teds. Be aware that none of them are particularly cheap, however each are very well made and will withstand most of what you can throw at them, so in this case you do get what you pay for.

Which product to buy comes down to your budget and preference.

For use around the local shopping centre, you’ll find that there isn’t much call for a hand brake on your buggy, but if you live in an area where there are hills and even slight inclines, or you find yourself spending time in the country and venturing off-road, the hand brake on your buggy will no doubt get it’s fair share of use.

As your child grows, you’ll find that your buggy will naturally get heavier and feel slightly more cumbersome. Obviously with a double buggy, this extra weight is multiplied by two. Getting up those hills and navigating awkward terrain will become ever more demanding and this is where the hand brake will help.

You’ll find that the handbrake will help you to keep the buggy under control and when going down a hill, the hand brake will slow the buggy allowing you to walk naturally rather than continually counteracting the weight of the buggy pulling you down the slope. Obviously a slip in this situation wouldn’t bear thinking about.

So, a hand brake on a double buggy certainly isn’t for everyone, but there are particular situations where you shouldn’t be without.