If you’re a parent of twins or triplets, then purchasing a double stroller or triple stroller is a necessity of life. There are many different models available on the market, so doing some research beforehand is crucial to finding the best stroller for your own particular lifestyle. To help you narrow down the possibilities, think carefully about the following points before you go stroller shopping:

Your regular activities and their duration

There are many different types of double and triple strollers on the market: lightweight, standard, prams, jogging, and all-terrain. Will you be taking the children shopping in malls, for walks around the neighborhood, jogging, on off-road hikes or on long trips out of town? The activities you do most often will decide what type of stroller you should choose. You may even realize, like most parents eventually do, that you need more than one stroller because the perfect stroller that can do everything simply does not yet exist!

Also, how much time will your twins or triplets be spending in a stroller? Will you be taking them out on a daily basis or only a couple of times a week? Will they be in the stroller for long or short periods of time? The comfort and durability of the stroller you purchase should reflect the amount of use it will get.

Seating design

Double strollers and triple strollers come in two seating designs: tandem (one seat in front of the other) or side-by-side. They each have their advantages and disadvantages, although many parents of twins and triplets agree that, once at the toddler stage, having the children side-by-side is better for keeping the peace. Many double side-by-side strollers are now designed narrow enough to go through doorways, however this is not possible with triple models.

Height and weight

Strollers vary greatly in height and weight. The handle needs to be at the right height for the person pushing it and the base of the stroller should be a certain distance away from the body to permit a comfortable walking or running stride. Also make sure it folds up easily and isn’t too heavy to lift and put in your vehicle. Double strollers and triple strollers are heavier and bulkier than single strollers, but there are models that are easier to handle than others.

Features

Strollers can have a variety of different features. You can choose a double stroller or triple stroller that is simple with no frills, or one that has all the bells and whistles (parent and child trays, storage pockets, sun canopies, a rain shield, fully reclining seats, etc.), lots of comfort, durability and storage space. Go check out some strollers in stores or do research on the Internet and make a list of what features you absolutely want before making your final decision.

Space

Double and triple strollers take up a lot of room! The size of your vehicle may be a big deciding factor when choosing a stroller for your twins or triplets. Make sure it folds up quickly and easily and fits. And don’t forget to make sure you have space to store it in your house or garage if necessary.

Price

This is probably the most important point to ponder. Think carefully of your present and future stroller needs. Twins and triplets tend to spend more time in strollers than singletons. What is the minimum you are willing to live with? Is it maybe worth it to spend a little (or a lot!) more money on a comfortable, high quality double stroller or triple stroller that will last the two or three years you will need it rather than buy a budget stroller that is hard to handle and may break down after a few months? If you’d like more time to do some research, consider purchasing a double or triple universal car seat carrier (stroller frame) as an inexpensive and very convenient alternative for the first year of your children’s lives.

After having considered all these factors and made a list of your criteria, start seriously researching the various brands and models of double strollers and triple strollers that are on the market. The Internet and consumer review guides of baby gear are great places to quickly find the information you’re looking for. Next, if at all possible, go to stores and test drive the strollers that meet your criteria. If the double or triple stroller you want is not available in your area, consider purchasing it directly from the manufacturer or from an online store. Make sure that you can return the stroller for a full refund if you aren’t satisfied with your purchase.

Your life is already complicated by the arrival of twins or triplets. Having a reliable double stroller or triple stroller will make outings with your little ones go much smoother, so make sure you take the time to do some research and purchase the best stroller for your family’s lifestyle.