The Double Stroller Dilemma

I am now in the market for a double stroller, since in a few months we're awaiting an addition to our family. After obsessively researching all available options, I got as far as deciding on a side by side stroller rather than a tandem. Hopefully, the better weight distribution in a side by side stroller will make it easier for me to push and turn corners. As a side note on tandems, strollers where the back seat is bellow the front, practically under your feet, are my pet peeves. It may be comfortable for a parent to push (arguably), but there's so much dust and pollutants closer to the ground. Why would you want your baby sucking all that up? Plus, it's just not fair that one child always has to look at the other's behind.

Now that I've decided on a side by side stroller,  I'm stomped. After exploring all options, I can't say that I'm thrilled with any of them. Seriously, why can't someone just design a perfect stroller? How hard can it be? I'm probably asking for too much, but here's what I would ideally want out of a double stroller:

1. All terrain wheels
2. Relatively narrow (but not uncomfortably so) frame.
3. Not a heavy tank (after all, I might actually have to shove it into the car or take it down stairs)
4. Multi-position seat recline with flat option.
5. Reversible seats (very few brands offer this option, but it's great to be able to face the newborn, while having the toddler face the street)
6. Height adjustable handle
7. Adjustable leg rest -I'm a big believer in kids sleeping with legs outstretched, not hanging down.
8. Bumper bar (two individual bars would be ideal)
9. Large individual canopies 
10. Quality fabrics that are not sweat inducing (I've been very spoiled by Aprica's breathable 3D air mesh seats. All strollers should be made with those.)
11. Removable, washable seat pads
12. Attractive design and colors (no black strollers for me!)
13. Simple, convenient recline mechanism
14. Simple fold (Ha! An oxymoron on a twin stroller)
15. Adequate leg room between the edge of seat and foot rest (Should comfortably fit a child till age 4)
16. Car seat and bassinet compatible would be an added bonus but not a deal breaker for me.
17. The price of the stroller should not break the bank (ruling out all Bugaboos).

Phew! I think I covered it all. None of the strollers I've seen have all of the above features, which means I have to settle for something less than ideal, which means I will probably be agonizing over my choices till my toddler will grow out of strollers all together. There's a tiny little flint of hope that at the ABC Kids Expo in September, some stroller brand will surprise us with a new model that will be sheer perfection. But, what are the odds?

So here are my choices so far. If anyone can present me with more options that would fit the bill better, please do!

Bumbleride Indie Twin

What's lacking:

1. Wider and heavier than I'd like
2. Seats can't be reversed (though there's a bassinet option)
3. Canopy is inadequate (though they advertise it as being oversized, it's really average)
4. Fold is anything but simple
5. Not enough leg room (this has been remedied on Indie single stroller, but not on double)
6. Expensive!

 On a plus side, it does come in a variety of attractive colors, the fabrics are good quality, the handle, recline and foot rest are easily adjustable and there are individual bumper bars and all terrain wheels. A bassinet and car seat adapter can be purchased separately. This stroller is so close to perfect, it's just a shame that it stops short. If only Bumbleride updated the leg rest like on a single Indie, extended the canopies and made the stroller just slightly narrower, I'd overlook the annoying fold and the outrageous price.

Mountain Buggy Duet

What's Lacking:
1. Seats can't be reversed (there's a bassinet option)
2. Leg rest doesn't adjust
3. The seats are narrow and shallow.
4. Only one bumper bar
5. Only comes in 2 colors, neither one of which appeal to me. Looks way too utilitarian.

Redeeming qualities:
Width - only 25 inches! That's really awesome for navigating the urban jungle. Not sure how comfortable the narrow seats are for a growing toddler though. I would have to test drive it in the store to see.  Adjustable handle. Construction seems to be quite solid.
Please Mountain Buggy, for 2015 make this stroller in aqua or ocean blue with an adjustable leg rest!

Easywalker Duo

What's Lacking:

1. No adjustable leg rest

2. One solid bumper bar (I prefer two)

3. Very heavy! 

4. Though pretty average for a double, it's wider than I'd like

5. Seats can't be reversed but there's a bassinet option

6. Recline is achieved by zippers

7. Expensive and hard to find in USA (This stroller is made for UK market)

Redeeming Qualities:

Awesome suspension! While most strollers with air tires have a soft ride only due to the bounce of pneumatic wheels, this one has the added suspension springs in the back. All reviews state that this stroller is made to very high standards and pushes like a dream. I like the canopies with flip out mesh visors. It's also one of few side by side strollers that can accommodate two car seats (not a feature that I personally need). Though this stroller goes against my better judgement as it's a huge tank, I am a sucker for quality. It's a bummer that I can't find the ocean blue color, which is my favorite, anywhere in the US. 

Stroll Air Duo

What's lacking:

1. Not all terrain, but a decent push with front and back suspension. 

2. Not crazy about any of the color options.

3. Doesn't seem to be very durable. Disturbing amount of negative reviews in regards to quality.

4. Expensive

This stroller seems to have everything I'm looking for: Independently reversible seats, two flip-open bumper bars, flat recline, adjustable leg rest and handle. Canopies are awesome with a flip out visors and mesh insert in the back. You also get a lot of extras with this stroller that other companies sell separately: rain cover, mosquito nets, two foot muffs and a matching diaper bag. The stroller can accommodate two car seats or bassinets. Everything sounds amazing, but the quality glitches make me very nervous. 

Valco Zee Two

What's Lacking:

1. Seats don't reverse

2. Not all-terrain (pneumatic back wheels can be purchased separately)

3. Though I haven't seen this stroller in person yet, I have a feeling the quality of fabrics may not be up to my standards.

Redeeming Qualities: 

At 28 lb, this stroller is much lighter than my other choices. I love the fact that the leg rest is adjustable without sacrificing leg room. The foot rest is way down there, leaving plenty of room for growth. Individual bumper bars and adjustable handle. The stroller can also be rolled like luggage when folded. 

Wish it had all air tires and better fabric.

Air Buggy Coco Double

Another amazing stroller in desperate need of a redesign.
What's lacking:
1. Seats are not reversible
2. Foot rest not adjustable
3. Handle is not adjustable, though the high happens to be just right for me.
4. Single bumper bar
5. Only 2 backrest positions - sitting up or reclining. What is this, 1970's Russia?
6. Small sun canopies. The single Coco stroller is equipped with a huge, gorgeous canopy, I don't understand why the double can't have the same.
7. Short distance between the seat edge and footrest.
8. Currently this stroller is only available in Japan and Hawaii. However, there's some hope that perhaps in 2015, Air Buggy will make it to US mainland.

Though this stroller is seriously lacking in many areas, it does have some extremely redeeming qualities. At 28lb it's one of the lightest all-terrain double strollers that I've seen. The Zee Two is also 28lb, but it has many more plastic parts and lacks pneumatic wheels. Air Buggy is made solid and is known for a super smooth ride.  It's slightly narrower (28 inches) than all other options with the exception of Mountain Buggy Duet. The fabrics are high quality and the stroller is easy to fold. If only Air Buggy would update the canopies and bring the recline options and mechanism into the 21st century, I would overlook all of it's other minuses and this would be my stroller of choice.

Some of you may wonder why Baby Jogger City Mini GT is not one of my choices. After all, it closely resembles Air Buggy Coco Double, only with larger canopies, an adjustable handle and more leg room. Sadly, despite the immense popularity of Baby Jogger, it is not up to my standards. Too many plastic parts and the stroller doesn't actually provided a smooth ride. Strangely, despite the air filled tires, the GT is seriously lacking in suspension. I test-drove my friend's stroller and noticed a very stark difference over my Bumbleride Indie single. You may argue that the  difference in wheel size give Indie an advantage, but Air Buggy disproves this theory, providing a perfectly smooth glide over any surface on it's 8 inch wheels. Also, at 32 lb and 30 inches wide, the GT really has no advantages over Indie Twin, which is only 2 lbs heavier. Another thing I dislike about the Baby Jogger are the fabrics. Perhaps some parents appreciate that the seat is hard-wearing and easy to wipe clean, but I would feel bad making my child sit on that stiff, squeaky, stifling nylon with zero breathability factor. Once again, I was spoiled by the absolute luxurious fabrics on my mini Aprica stroller and there's just no going back. True, better fabrics may take a little more maintenance, but I have no problem removing the seats and popping them into a washing machine when necessary.

I also did not mention any of the numerous stroller brands that make double strollers with three wheels instead of four. Tipping over a double stroller when coming down a curb is not something I ever want to experience. Hence, I stick with four wheels.

So, dear readers, if you have any experience with any of the above strollers, or can suggest another option, do chirp in!