The Mountain Buggy Duet 2011 is definitely an extremely adaptable, twin travel system, which allows newborns to be carried side by side.
It measures 63cm in width and is currently the smallest pushchair of this style on the market, a very important requirement when space is at a premium with two infants! The buggy can accommodate two carrycots or car seats beside each other.
It is extremely versatile because it can let a combination of two babies, baby and toddler or two toddlers, with an approximate age limit of 4 years.
Buying a travel system such as this could possibly be an initial expense but in the long-term, it removes the need to make extra purchases for buggies and strollers for older toddlers/young children.
The buggy includes seats, carrycots and car seats and these can all be interchanged on a narrow frame which fits easily though a regular door.
There's nothing more frustrating that a double buggy which can't be brought into your home or flat and needs to be left inside the porch or garden forcing you to carry your two small children in from the rain! However when two car seats are placed side by side the width increases by approximately 15cm which then does make it too wide to fit through a door.
This would suggest that the best seating combination is for only one car seat to be used in a baby and toddler option.
The style of wheels make the buggy efficient when pushing off road on country trails and paths.
Smiliarly it is excellent to push around retailers and malls on smooth surfaces.
The Mountain Buggy would seem to not scrimp on additional, yet crucial attributes.
There are two big hoods for each seating area as opposed to a single large (and often too heavy) hood covering both seat compartments.
This then makes it possible for raincovers and suncovers to be fitted which you'd assume would be supplied with the travel system.
Unfortunately separate raincovers and suncovers aren't available when the travel system is being used for an older combination of small children, ie: infant and toddler or two toddlers.
Raincovers only appear to be available with the carrycot option, otherwise additional raincovers are an extra expense.
There is an adaptor on the buggy which needs to be taken off to change the system from using a car seat to just the seat.
This is a lengthy procedure as several aspects of the buggy need to be adjusted and refastened such as zips and buckles.
Therefore the buggy would be best to be kept as it is for one age of child until necessary to change it for an older toddler.
There is a big shopping and storage basket underneath the frame which you would assume with a double buggy but this allows room for further extras which include raincovers, suncovers and changing bags.
Baby safety is paramount to any travel system.
The Mountain Buggy Duet incorporates a safety bumper bar which is essential for any age of little one.
You can find excellent safety buckles and there is also an added safety buckle at shoulder height to ensure that the baby or kid can be removed quickly.
One characteristic which can be often overlooked when a travel system is considered could be the handle height.
It's easy to believe within the shop that the handle height is sufficient but it truly is not until the buggy is test driven (or even purchased) that it is realised that the handle height may not quite suit you.
A different factor which won't manifest until following purchase will be the carrying weight.
A double travel system still needs to be lifted and the Mountain Buggy Duet is quite heavy both for lifting and therefore even heavier for pushing older young children around.