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On the Double

We pushed, schlepped, and folded to help you find a tandem stroller your kids can share and you can handle.

By Sarah Engler

Best Basic: Maclaren Twin Techno; $400, the Right Start; Maclaren, known for its lightweight single umbrella strollers, has created a smart "plus one" model. The removable, washable seat padding was among the plushest our testers tried, and the extendable leg rests kept kids of various sizes sitting comfortably. Just be sure to keep both hands on the wheel, as the double-joystick-like handle design makes one-hand maneuvering almost impossible.

testers said: Easy-access storage was one of the favorite features. One mom could easily hang (and access) her diaper bag from the double handles, and the roomy baskets underneath are high enough not to require midstride contortionist back-bending when she was quickly snagging an emergency pacifier or bottle.

weight: 26 pounds
width: 29 inches

Best Urban Ride

Phil&Teds Sport Buggy

$399, Regal+Lager

An upgrade of the company's original e3 model, the sport model has multiple stacking options to accommodate a baby or a toddler alone, a baby and a toddler together, or two toddlers with the attachable second seat (for an extra $90). In any permutation, it provides a comfortable (yet brilliantly compact) ride down crowded sidewalks and can be maneuvered almost effortlessly with just one hand. The new version has a curved, ratcheted handle that is easily adjusted.

testers said: This stroller was one of the lightest tested, and by far the narrowest; one set of parents reported that it was actually possible for two people to carry it up subway or bus stairs—with the kids still seated in it.

weight: 24 pounds
width: 24 inches

Best Suburban Ride

Peg Perego Aria Twin

$370, Peg Perego

Instead of grunting and cussing every time you heave the stroller in and out of the car, consider the Aria Twin. It pops open and folds shut in a single smooth motion, and it's so lightweight that you can toss it into the trunk one-handed. And don't think the bulk was eliminated at the expense of anyone's comfort.

testers said: One mom loved that she could take long strides without stubbing her toes on that awkward middle wheel most other side-by-sides have. She also raved about being able to simultaneously push and drink coffee while her twin 2-year-olds napped peacefully. (Now that's an endorsement.)

weight: 14 pounds
width: 30 inches

Best Jogger

Kelty Speedster Deuce

$410, Kelty

It has everything a runner (whether an around-the-blocker or a marathoner) could possibly want in a double jogger: an adjustable handlebar, so you can set it to the perfect height; a just-loud-enough bell on the handlebar to alert those ahead before you mow them down; and a hand brake, locking foot brake, and safety leash to prevent you from bearing down on them in the first place.

testers said: "The Kelty made me feel like the active mom I wish I was," said one tester. "It even inspired me to get out on a trail." Plus, the no-frills design folds to only about 12 inches thick—and at 34 inches across, the stroller is unobtrusive enough when open not to require a "Wide Load" sign (as most joggers seem to).

weight: 29 pounds
width: 34 inches