for those of you who have both tandem and side by side strollers

As some of you know, I have been looking for another stroller to switch off with my jogging stroller which is the only one I have now. I really wanted a side by side because I just feel like who ever sits in the back of a tandem has a shaded view of the world with the seat infront of them blocking the way. For this reason I haven't even considered the tandem but it seems many of you have them and love them. What do you think are the pros and cons to having the tandem vs. the side by side? Do you find the issue I mentioned to be a problem for you or for your twins? Thanks for your input.

 

We have both (we are very blessed with hand me downs). I love the side by side one for it's ease of folding and unfolding, and that the girls get to sit side by side. It is easier to steer than the tandem one. But if we are going anywhere shopping, crowded, so on, we take the tandem one. It's bulkier to fold, and although there is storage under both seats in both strollers, I can stow more stuff in the side by side stroller. I switch out who gets to sit in front in the tandem one so they hopefully don't get bored. They are actually pretty happy in either stroller. The steering and folding being easier on the side by side one makes that the one I end up using more often. (but I avoid shopping with it like the plague).

Good luck!
Emily

 

We started with a Snap-n-Go, so the girls were tandem in that and I loved it! Figured that would be the way to go due to issues with doors you could have with wider strollers. We were given a tandem stroller(Peg Perego) and we just didn't like it. It was so long and the girls fussed and the one in front would turn around to play with the other but couldnt't. It was hard to get around in clothing stores and tighter spaces. We bought a side by side Combi Twin Savvy upper model on eBay for a steal new in the box. I just love this stroller. My girls hold hands and play together happily while I shop. They both have a great view of everything. We haven't met a door we couldn't get through, though some have been harder than others. It is harder to get around in some stores-I just hate those displays that they put in the middle of aisles! I cannot imagine the frustration someone in a wheelchair has when he/she tries to go into a store and cannot because of the way the displays are set up! My stroller is the width of a wheelchair, so it should fit if ADA requirements are being met but so often they are not.

 

I love my side-by-side jog stroller for walks- but for shopping,etc. love the front/back one. I have an Eddie Bauer Stadium seat stroller and the front seat spins around so they can face each other. The boys touch toes and take stuff off each others tray- they love it and entertain each other. We can fit through tight spaces and manuever fairly easy- but it is a bit tough to load- not terrible- though as I manage fine by myself...
I do have another tandem- by Right start- I hate it for whomever gets the back seat- they have a view of the back of the seat in front of them ! I need to get rid of this one!!!

All mine were hand-me-downs/ garage sale finds as well..
Lanie

 

I love my sbs over my tandem. JMHO. It really depends on what you will use it for most...Mall shopping? Get the tandem.

 

The stroller that lives in my minivan, and that I use when I take boys shopping or on rides in the nieghborhood, is a runabout. I love this stroller. It is tandem set up with two bicycle type seats. Unfortunately, it doesn't fold down, so not for everybody. I find it easy to navigate up hills and through stores. Neither boy seems to mind sitting in back--we take turns. They can still see a lot.

We also have a maclaren twin traveller that lives in my DH's car and also is our take along stroller for travelling. I don't find it nearly as easy to push, but DH has always liked it.

 

I like my jogger for walks and going to the beach. But love my tandem for keeping in the car and shopping. The basket is huge and it fits through aisles better than a SBS would.

 

I love my SBS because it's easy to fold and is light. I have the Combi. But the big drawback for me is that my little ones are in the biting stage and they have each hauled off and bit the other!! So for this, I am going back to the tandum for a bit until the phase passes.

 

I love my SBS. But I was looking for a lightweight stroller that was easy to fold and go.

 

I prefer side by sides too. I find tandems too hard to maneuver in stores because none I have tried can handle turning or do corners well- especially in crowds! I'm always having to back up to get out of somewhere that I could have easily turned in with my side by side. It really stunk when I was having to back out and I had a big line of people behind me who wanted to move forward.

 

I love my SBS for many reasons. It is lightweight, folds flat, and both babies can see everything. We also have a tandem and the baby in the back is always leaning forward and pulling the other ones hair. I feel like I am pushing a semi through the store because it is so long and doesn't turn as easily as the SBS.

 

I really like my SBS (Combi) because it is very lightweight and easy to fold. Sometimes though when going through doorways and into tight office spaces for appts, I wish I had a tandem. The world is just not made for twinfants/ toddlers!

 

I had a Combi sbs..... also have a jogger and an Eddie Bauer with Stadium Seating..... I think it depends on your situation, what you can manage & what your car can handle. I drive Suburban, so anything fits. I received the EB as a gift when pg & it was GREAT when the babies were little ( it accomodated 2 bucket car seats) and as they grew I loved it. Then they got to be about 30 lbs & it all changed. I bought the Combi off Craigs list used. The idea is so good.... but my kids fight when they are side-by-side and there's not much cargo space & their feet can reach the front wheels. They were constantly hitting the locks on the front wheels & I couldn't turn the stroller. Really irritating.
I'm about to decide there it no perfect stroller out there. Oh, I have also used 2 umbrellas with the clips that attach. I thought it was bothersome.

 

I prefered a side x side, the tandem felt to long- I have a Zooper and it's been great.
good luck, P

 

I used a tandem for one year - then switched to side by side.

I liked how the tandem fit through store doorways. But once my girls were a year old, they were so heavy that the stroller was too hard to push.

I switched to the Combi side by side = and loved it.

 

We have the DuoGlider tandem stroller and love it. We alternate who gets the front view vs. back view. We also have 2 umbrella strollers and connectors so that we can push them side by side. We do not use this very often because it is a little awkward. The only advantage is that you have the option of not using the connectors and you can split them up if you need to.