Expecting twins: Out n About Nipper, Mountain Buggy or Baby Jogger?

[mandasand]

Help: which pram?! I'm 29+3 with twins so it feels like we really should decide. (Copied over from the multiples thread on suggestion of a kind MNetter!)

-- Ideally we only want to buy one pram to last till about 4yrs old.
-- We don't, at present, have a car so this will be our main mode of transport.
-- Budget is probably £600 max. (MiL paying and she spent £400 on a single buggy for another grandchild.)
-- Twin-parent friend has given us newborn inserts and winter muffler things so we won't have to buy all the expensive accessories as well.

I have zero experience with prams, but have been in various stores and pushed a lot of twin buggies around and these are my top three, listed in order of preference:

1. Out n About Nipper Double 360 V2 Twin
   
2. Mountain Buggy Duet Double
   
3. Baby Jogger City Mini Double GT 2012
   

The Nipper is top because it's light and turns really well. It also looks like it wouldn't object to being pushed along the (wide and well maintained) towpath with me jog-shuffling behind it (in due course!)

The Mountain Buggy feels more compact and the build quality and material more robust. But I'm not sure how you're supposed to get to the shopping basket which is tucked right underneath ... or at least with my bump I got stuck trying in John Lewis earlier this week!

Nipper seems to come out on top in reviews and amongst friends, but any other thoughts? Are there a.n.other prams we should be considering in the mix?

Thanks! smile

[gardenpixies32]

I have the City jogger Select double. I like it. Fits through doors and in my boot. Plenty of room for when the twins get bigger.

[anothercuppaplease]

I had a nipper for my two boys and I use (the newer version) for the children I look after (I'm a childminder) and it's really, really good. Easy to push, comfrtable, lots of storage, etc. But it is big, takes a lot of space in the house, and is a bit fiddly to fold/unfold. I want to GP yesterday and there was a family with twins and they had the Baby Jogger City Mini Double and it looked slimmer because the back wheels are tucked under the seats. It also looks much easier to fold.

[Ihateparties]

The city mini is wider than the newest nipper, just under 76 cm vs 72. i think if it were me, i don't have a car either, i would go with lightest easiest option- nipper.The city mini is good but air tyres for a lot of walking i find better. The gt option sounds good but is v expensive and apparently heavy to fold and lift. Apart from basket access on the newer one i've hardly ever heard a complaint about the nipper. Sure the duet is narrower but it's heavy and big folded, nothing special to push. Overall all your top 3 are good in different ways. Personal choice, they're all good options :-)

[misdee]

Fr anoverability, features, ease of lifting etc etc, the nipper comes out top.

I've had the nipper and yet. The duet wins on width but nipper beats it hands down.

Using it with an almost 2 year old and 4 year of of similar weights, and its still easy to push.

[BikeRunSki]

I can't comment on the double aspect of the pushchairs you've picked out, but I don't think you'll go wrong with any of them. FWIW, as a walker/jogger of two (single) babies, I have used a Nipper 360, a City Mini and a P&T Sport. The Nipper is brilliant to push, has suspension, easy to turn etc and is by far my favourite pushchair I've ever had (I've had a few). It would be perfect for jogging on your towpath. But the City Mini folds much more simply and easily, but does not have air tyres - not so good for towpath.

[milk]

Baby Jogger all the way!

[mandasand]

Some really helpful advice here, thank you! I think the Nipper is still coming up tops

[HDee]

I hated the Nipper. Really, really hated it.

You need to prioritise what you will be using it for. Walks off-road, MB is best. If its in and out of car, round shops etc then BJCMD will be better.

Best all-rounder probably bugaboo donkey but out of your price range. Worth considering though when you factor in resale costs.

ps the nipper is a hideous pushchair.

[Ihateparties]

that's a first, so many people rave about the nipper. just goes to show. can you go physically see, fold, push them etc.?

[misdee]

Hdee, I couldn't get on with the old style nipper, but love my v2.1 (narrow version 2).

[misdee]

Also, tbf I go off road a lot with the big muddy labradoodle.

And whilst te duet coped fine, it needed that little extra nudge to push it through the really rough stuff. The duet doesn't have the same suspension as the duo, and it does affect the push off road. Even my triple (yes triple) mb was easier to push over rough ground than the duet.

The nipper is fine off road, yes it's not the sleekest pushchair out there, but it pushes fine, and is lighter to lift in and out the house, fold and carry on the bus etc.

[notfarmingatthemo]

my friend has the nipper for her twins. They are 4 now and still easy to push. Get green slim to go in the tyres. It is very easy to push 1 handed when they are bigger and one needs to walk.

[Tiggywunkle]

I think that the Nipper is the lightest to push - definitely get the narrow 72cm Nipper if you do go that route. However I have lots of niggles with the Nipper for babies - there's mesh behind their heads where they sleep - fine when its warm (not often in the UK) but I really dislike it for winter - why put it right behind a sleeping child's head! The harnesses are absolutely MASSIVE even on a 4 year old. A harness is there for a reason ie safety of a child and massive harnesses are no good in my book. I would get a Nipper for two older children. The new V2 basket is a PITA to access - I had to post tins through individually which was annoying when shopping. The fold is several steps which means running round both sides but thats no real problem.

The Duet is better for twins than siblings. Its got a low handle and I ended up with back ache from pushing it. Its HUGE folded although it does freestand, but if you ever buy a car, you will need a big boot!!

My choice of these three for twins from birth to three would be the BJCMGT. Its much snugglier in winter with the huge hoods for summer. You can add carrycots if you wish or just use cocoons on the seats from newborn. The seats are massive. The handlebar makes it suitable for a range of heights. The basket is massive with better access. The handbrake, storage pockets etc are all good touches. I just dont think you could go wrong with it.

My other suggestions to have a look at are the TFK Twinner Twist Duo - fabulously padded seats, big baskets, tons of storage, adjustable footrests for little ones etc. and the Bumbleride Indie Twin - lovely fabrics, lift up footrests, good seating positions but difficult to fold.

[mandasand]

Thanks for this really great, advice. So valuable to have everyone's perspecctives. Thanks, too, for the further ideas, Tiggy!

Happy Christmas, everyone [fmsile]