subject: Battle of the 3 Wheel Double Buggies! [print this page] Battle of the 3 Wheel Double Buggies! Battle of the 3 Wheel Double Buggies!
If you need an off-road double buggy then you've probably come across the Out n About Nipper Double and the Mountain Buggy twin. Both of these double buggies come from well respected brands, known for their sturdy and well designed all terrain pushchairs, but can they stand up the best to the added stresses and strains and demands of two babies and which one offers the best value for money?
The Mountain Buggy double is certainly the more versatile of the two. It can be used as a pram, pushchair, or travel system, for both or one of your babies. To convert the pushchair to a pram you simply attach the carrycot unit choosing from either one or two carrycot units, or even their super-cute double carrycot. Or you can just recline the seat units to a lie-flat position - giving you great flexibility, which the Nipper Double can't match, with only reclining seat units; although you can add a newborn cocoon to keep little babies snug. However, this versatility doesn't come without a price. The carrycot units need to be purchased separately and for two newborns this does add to the cost considerably, particularly as the Mountain Buggy is already the more expensive of the two.
When it comes to practical features, it's hard to choose between the Out n About Nipper 360 Double and the Mountain Buggy twin. Most importantly for a double buggy, both are narrow enough to comfortably fit through a standard doorway. Both have durable and sturdy aluminium chassis although there is a considerable weight difference between them - at 10kg the Nipper Double is very light for a twin pushchair and more than 6kg lighter than the Mountain Buggy; ideal if you need to carry your pushchair upstairs, or on an off public transport.
In terms of their off road abilities the two models are well matched - despite the lighter weight of the Out n About Nipper Double. Strong rear wheel suspension, large pneumatic wheels and their three wheel design give a smooth ride even over very rough ground, although the Mountain Buggy Duo does feel a little more substantial and it is worth noting that the Nipper Double comes with flat tyres and without a pump, which is a little inconvenient. However, with the front wheels in swivel mode you also get good manoeuvrability as well, making it easy to negotiate small spaces with both models.
All in all it's hard to pick between the two; both have great features and great off-road handling. But if you're planning to use your pushchair a lot, for long periods of time then it may well be worth investing in the Mountain Buggy Double, which offers more flexible modes and can be used right up to 5 years - giving you everything you need right from birth.
