Tandem Jogging Strollers – Picking the Best

When selecting and buying a baby jogging stroller, there are two basic styles you can purchase, the Tandem, also called inline Stroller with the seats one behind the other, or the Side By Side baby jogger which has the seats arranged one beside the other. The most commonly bought baby stroller is the side by side.

However, there are many great benefits in buying Tandem Strollers as they are usually smaller in size, weight, and can be more convenient to push, or fold for transportation and storage. Tandem or inline strollers allow two or three children to sit one behind the other, giving them separate space that prevents arguing or bickering common with kids when riding together on strollers.

Tandem jogging Strollers are much narrower than the Side by Side joggers, which makes it a lot more practical, and easy when going through normal size doorways, and walking on busy side-walks. For jogger moms and dads that keep fit and healthy by jogging, and enjoy spending time out doors with their children, Tandem Stroller is a good choice  with greater flexibility for you and your kids, and generally easier control and manoeuvrability when jogging or strolling with multiple kids aboard.

You may however wonder why side by side jogging strollers are far more to buy despite the advantages of Tandem strollers.

Most parents prefer the equal view of the surrounding areas that children get on a side by side stroller, and the rear seat on inline strollers are also often restricted with less leg space, and in some brands, the front seat recline is limited. The demand for side by side strollers quite simply outstrip that of tandem strollers, and manufacturers produce more of a product that is in more demand.

Double Tandem vs Triple Tandem Jogging Strollers

A Triple Tandem Stroller is just like the double, however, instead of just 2 seats one behind the other, there are three. This stroller is a convenient for parents with three children, allowing the whole family to go out together with mom and dad getting stressed with carrying the kids when they are tired.

The choices for parents looking to buy Double and Triple baby Tandem joggers are really limited. The InStep Safari Double Tandem was a popular choice, but it is not currently available and has not been for some time. I suspect it may be discontinued by Instep.

The Mountain Buggy Plus One is another tandem stroller that is also popular with parents. Though more expensive than the Instep, it has far more features and much more compact. With seven different ways to configure the Mountain Buggy +One, and ability to carry 1 or 2 kids from birth till they are up to 6 years, the +One is now one of the tandem stroller of choice for active parents caring for more than one kid.  It is worth checking out before you make your buying decision.

Brands of Triple Tandem jogging strollers available to to buy are not many, but for jogger parents caring for three kids, the Triple Trio Tandem Baby Jogger is an excellent choice that comes with great features, folds surprisingly easy, and sold with a free carrying bag that make it very convenient to store and transport.

UPDATE ==> The Triple Trio Tandem Baby Joggers and InStep Safari Double Tandem described below are currently unavailable on Amazon. Though Amazon is not sure when more Triple Trio  will arrive,  you may take a quick look at the site to check if new stocks have arrived. Other great alternatives are the Mountain Buggy Plus One, and Phil & Teds Navigator Buggy with  a Second Seat.

Red and Black Triple Trio Tandem Baby Jogger Stroller with Rain CanopyCheck Today’s Price on Amazon

InStep Safari Double Tandem Stroller -16-Inch Rear Wheel – Discontinued Check Today’s Price on Amazon

Blue and Black Triple Trio Tandem Baby Jogger Stroller with Rain CanopyCheck Today’s Price on Amazon

The Stand on Tandem Strollers

If you do not intend to jog with a Tandem baby stroller, there are far more choices available to you in the double and triple standard strollers, and the stand-on styles. The Stand on Tandem Strollers are designed to accommodate two children, one sits comfortable in the seat of the stroller and the other older child can stand on the platform located at the back of the stroller.

Stand on Tandems are also available in double and triple seat designs. Joovy is a big brand name that makes variety of stand on strollers – with the Joovy Caboose as the popular choice for parents. Bear in mind these are not jogging strollers. The stand-on styles are very convenient for parents with two or three kids of different ages because the older child is able to ride along standing without having to tire out by walking.

Car Seat Attachment for Tandem Strollers

For parents with newborn child and caring for an older child, some tandem strollers can be fitted with infant car seat that will allow you to start jogging with babies from an early age.

The narrow profile of tandem joggers is a big advantage over the side by side stroller, particularly when going through narrow doors, negotiating crowded shopping malls, and parks.

Many jogging strollers do not come fitted with hocks and slots for infant car seat, so you may need a compatible car seat adapter that usually fit a range of brands and models of car seat.

Check the manufacturer’s list of suitable car seats when buying an adapter for your Tandem baby jogger. Manufacturers of any jogging stroller carry a warning that parents should not jog with newborns until they are old enough to to hold their head upright without support, which is why you need the infant car seat in a Tandem baby jogger of your choice. Infant car seats are built with shock absorbing cushions and excellent head and neck support to keep your baby safe in a stroller.

My Top Tandem Strollers and Baby Joggers

This list a a mix Tandem strollers jogger parents can use to exercise with their babies, but I have also added a selection of my top Tandems in normal strollers that moms and dads that keep fit in other ways, may consider using for strolling and brisk walks around their neighbourhood, parks, shopping malls, and running daily errands.

InStep Safari Double Tandem Stroller

Instep Safari Double Tandem jogging stroller has been discontinued. I will recommend the Mountain Buggy Plus One as a very close alternative.

This can be used for jogging, and is very good value at 1/3 the price of the Baby Jogger City Select which cannot be used for jogging. The Instep Safari Tandem double stroller includes a flip open child tray with dual cup holders. It comes with car seat adapter that allows parents to use the jogger for newborns, till they are infants.

You can get a universal step-on attachment for the Instep Safari, converting it to a Stand-on Tandem that can carry three kids.  Other features of the Instep Double Tandem include:

• Large front and rear wheel pneumatic tires for all terrains
• Child and parent trays with cup holders with easy reach for convenience
• A dual trigger folding mechanism that collapses that stroller into a small size for storage and transportation
• Car seat adapter bar that can be used with most brands of infant car seats

Triple Trio Tandem Baby Jogger by Stroller Safe Technology

This is a Triple Tandem that come with a bonus matching carrying bag. It has ample space for storage in the under carriage basket. Made of lightweight aluminum, the Triple Trio can carry a total weight of 200 lbs, and is surprising light weight with a frame that folds to compact size. The two front 12″ wheels swivels 360 degrees for great handling and easy turning at tight corners.

The adjustable canopy will keep your babies well shielded from sun, and windy conditions. All the seats can be adjusted to varying degrees on the Foundations Triple Trio stroller, and this is a feature you will not find on many tandem strollers where only either the front seat or the rear is adjustable.

Baby Jogger City Select Stroller with 2nd Seat

For parents looking to buy a Tandem style stroller for regular daily use, if budget is not an issue in
your buying decision, this is a stroller you should seriously consider. My recommendation is not only because it is made by one of the favorite brands in stroller design, it has the Baby Jogger quick fold technology that allows parents to collapse any of their strollers with one hand – while holding a baby with the other.  You should however note that you cannot jog with the City Select with 2rd seat.

Other features are benefit of the City Select inline stroller are: 

• Seating positions can be arranged in 16 unique combinations of rear and forward facing to suite parents and babies.
• Seats are detachable
• Nimble swivel 8 inch wheel and 12 inch rear wheels with forever-air foam filled tires that do not go flat, ever.
• The seats in Baby Jogger City Select can be reclined in multiple positions, which is great for those baby nap times.
• A front wheel suspensions provide adequate shock absorption for babies when pushing over bumps.

All good things come at a price, and if you can afford over $600 and do not plan to jog with it, the City Select is a stroller you and your baby will enjoy.

Contours Options Elite Tandem Stroller

This is a light Stroller that weighs only 33.8 pounds when both seats are attached. It includes staggered style seating that allow occupants to enjoy rides on the stroller with a good view of the surroundings. Each seat accommodates baby weights of 40 pounds, with a total weight capacity of 80 lbs.

It is available in two colors-Crimson red & Valencia gold. Also includes reclining seats with leg rests and height adjustable seat belt , and soft headrest so your child can ride in comfort.

The Contour Option Elite Tandem stroller is a close contender to the Baby Jogger City Select in quality features that parents and their babies will benefit. Parents will find the Contours Elite Tandem even a more attractive option at a price that is half of the Baby Jogger, and even cheaper on Amazon regular online promo. If you are caring for for two kids or more, and will not be using a stroller for jogging, be sure to give the Contours Options serious consideration before you buy.