Thursday, January 5, 2012

Anything Goes Thursday: The elusive Holy Grail double stroller still eludes me

I have two young children. Two children who are small and need to be in a stroller and will be in a stroller for awhile. I have different needs than mothers of twins. I need and want a lot of features.

In my mind, I know what my perfect stroller would include:
  • Light weight
  • Easy, no fail, one step opening and closing
  • Side-by-side seating
  • Universal car seat attachment
  • Easy mobility so you don't have to be perfectly lined up to get through a door
  • Snack trays
  • 5-point harness
  • Parent organization
  • HUGE easy-access under basket that can handle the weight of a 2-baby diaper bag plus extras
  • Fits easy in a car leaving space for groceries and whatever else I need back there
  • Cup holders that fit water bottles as well as coffee cups
  • Expandable handles for tall fathers
  • Sun shades that cover from head to toe of my little fair angels 
We walked a lot this August to get out of the house.

However, I have yet to find all those things in our price range. Or anything that just comes as is. Is it just me or are all the extra attachments becoming a joke in stroller world? So what do we have you wonder? We have a garage-sale find that we find suitable for our needs, but still misses the mark. We have a Peg Perego Aria 50/50. An oldy for sure.

I love how light weight it is. I can easily get it in and out of our car using one hand. You never know when you might be holding a child while doing it. We actually store ours in the car for two reasons: We don't have a better place and I use it a lot. It fits pretty nicely in the back of our Passat Wagon. I like the dual snack trays, but hate that there isn't a parent organization system or that the under basket can't carry anything of weight at all. It works great in our city living of side walks and malls, but by no means is it meant for off-roading. 

It is a pain in the butt to get going and maneuver in small spaces. Great on walks. If you aren't exactly lined-up to go through a door perfectly, a wheel catches and getting through the door without thinking a million curse words is impossible. I am pretty sure that it will not cut it in the snow. Unfortunately, there hasn't been any this year to test it out.

It technically is not car seat adaptable, but our Graco seat does fit snuggly in it that for sidewalk, easy walks, it works. The seats do recline however so it does work for a newborn.

It is so simple to open and close. I do need two hands to open, but it is so easy and simple. 

The sunshades are a joke. Not sure what they were thinking there. 

When I was pregnant I got a lot of suggestions and recommendations, and I searched and searched. I think I became too overwhelmed that when I saw the stroller at a neighbor's whose children are 17-months apart, we settled with it. 

I am sure at some point I will become a stroller hoarder with one for every situation because the perfect double stroller does not exist.

Or does it? Have you found it? Please share. Tell me what is the best.

2 comments:

  1. The Bob! They are expensive, but I found mine on ebay and when you go to sell them, you can get full value. Now I am searching for a way to travel with three...

    The Bob fits through doors and can go off on trails. I used to be embarrassed by it (because it is big) until I went to St. Louis and everyone seemed to be pushing one!

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  2. We got a Graco double strollers. Baby in the back and toddler in the front. Lots of room underneath and great cup holders for all. The seats were single filed which made it easier to shop.

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