My goal of this review was to determine if the
Bumbleride Indie Twin Stroller was a good stroller option for twins. I want you to know that this was a particulary difficult item to review, as I fully understand how important this purchase can be. Let's face it, picking the right twin stroller is one of the biggest gear decisions a twin mommy must make. And with the economy the way it is, most families simply can't afford to make the wrong choice.
To aid in my decision, I literally stopped using any other strollers I owned on the spot and immediately only used this Bumbleride Indie Twin Stroller from the day it arrived. I took it everywhere, when weather was acceptable the twins and I walked to school to pick up the older kids. We went to muddy wet football games, grandma's house, countless stores, honestly you name it and this stroller was at it with us.
I feel we really utilized nearly every feature to the fullest too. We used the included rain hood to keep out the pouring rain, we used the two separate sun hoods to keep out the glaring sun. We tested the ease and usability of the single push button 5 pt. harness when siblings placed the twins in and took the twins out. We plopped it into and took it out of our two vehicles countless times, folding and unfolding it in the process.
So, what do I think?
The verdict is, this is a terrific stroller for twins. I'm a HUGE fan of the Bumbleride Indie Twin Stroller and my biggest regret is that I didn't find it sooner. In fact, I am listing my other strollers on Craigslist today.
When I was pregnant with the twins, I was very hung up on finding a stroller that could take two infant car seats, but failed to truly grasp that this need to place two infant car seats in a stroller is a very short lived need. My twins were way too heavy for me to manage in those seats by the time they were 6-7 months old. If you are a twin mommy who is counting this stroller out solely because it can only take one infant seat, you should take another look.
(As a side note, I'd highly suggest picking up one of those snap and go style frames for those first few months. Check Ebay, Craigslist, or your local twins group for a gently used one. You'll rarely find a need for a stroller that takes two seats beyond the Dr.'s office and an occasional quick trip to the store.)
Instead, you'll want to invest in a stroller that can go the long haul with you and your little ones. The Bumbleride Indie Twin can take your twins around the block and beyond from day 1 and will continue to be your "go to" stroller until your kids reach 45 lbs. each. I love how, unlike other double strollers in this category, the Bumbleride footrests can be adjusted to different heights, including being brought all the way up to keep an infant extra snug and safe.
Additionally, I felt the Bumbleride was much easier to fold then the stroller I previously used. Plus it has little clamps to hold it shut while you hoist it into the car by the provided handle. At 34 lbs., I wouldn't say it was "light" but after lugging around my two 17 month olds all the time, this stroller was completely manageable for me to place in the car with ease.
Worth noting is the fact that the Bumbleride Indie Twin stroller fit in the back of my Buick Enclave without me needing to fold down the third passenger row. This was crucial to me as I have 5 kids and need all 3 rows down for us to travel together. There was even room left over for other items. The Bumbleride Indie Twin stroller also fit in the back of my husband's Lincoln Navigator without any seat adjustments too.
Pushing this stroller was a total delight. It handles beautifully and has the option of allowing the wheels to move 360 degrees or locking the wheels inline. Twin moms should not forget how important it is to find a stroller that can handle a multitude of terrain. It was essential I find a stroller that allowed me to strap my adventuresome twosome in and push them over the traffic lined Chicago curbs and threw the mucky soccer fields with ease. Those tiny wheeled strollers may work fine in a ramped mall but forget about those things when your heading off to most of the places my crazy life takes me.
Shoppers can rejoice, the basket is generously sized too. And of course, in my opinion it looks like a million bucks in the Seagrass Green color I selected. It's also available in Lava (black), Ruby (red), Spice (orange) and Vita (pink).
Other fabulous features include a multi-adjustable handle that can extend from 32-45" high. Plus, it has a removable rear canopy panel. This feature provides air flow in the seat area for warmer days as well as allowing the canopy to pull forward more for added sun coverage which is awesome. The one step rear brake and easy slide backrest adjuster work wonderfully too.
Anything I didn't like? The cupholder was basically useless. It installs on the side which means it makes the stroller wider. The stroller fit any doorway without issue during my testing, until I put that silly thing on. My advice? Leave the cup holder in the box and buy one of those fabulous stroller add-on thingies to accommodate your drinks. I also felt the tiny pad by the bottom harness buckle came on and off too easy. It was falling off frequently when I folded the stroller, so we just took it off.
Is this stroller for twins only? Absolutely not! Anyone with two toddlers, a toddler and a baby, or even a baby and another on the way will LOVE this Bumbleride Indie Twin. Clearly I am not the only one who thinks this is a wonderful stroller either, the Bumbleride Indie Twins is a 2009 iParenting and Nappa Award Winner.
How awesome would this be to find under your tree? Here's a
link to help you find a local or online dealer, perhaps you can even find a holiday sale.
I want to thank the Bumbleride Company for allowing this mommy of 5, including now 17 month old twins, the opportunity to review their fantastic double stroller. I appreciate you not only sending it to me, but you allowing me to really take my time and get to know the "ins and outs" of the
Bumbleride Indie Twin before fully posting.
