Your mini guide to find best sit-and-stand stroller
You got kids but they are not twins?
Yes, you are looking for a stroller but a double stroller does not necessarily cut out for what you actually need. What to do then. The answer is sit and stand strollers or better known as Standing strollers.
These are in-line strollers also known as tandems that have a regular seat in the front, and a standing platform or a small bench seat in the back for an older child who wants to casually ride along – or stand! Hence, they are perfect for kids who are 3-5 years apart, which is a somewhat difficult age gap in the double stroller world.
Sit-and-stand strollers tend to be narrow, lightweight(ish), and fairly easy to heave in and out of the car compared to other doubles. Best of all, your toddlers who are big enough to move on their own but don’t want to be strapped on can taste a little sense of independence. Thus, they’re ideal for an older child who could walk on his own but may also want the option to hop on when he tires or starts falling behind.
1. Baby Trend Sit N’ Stand Ultra
Price: ~ $139
Weight: 30.6 lbs
Dimensions: 21.5″ W X 49″ L X 43″ H
On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Trend-Stand-Stroller-Millennium/dp/B00KQ1C0HO/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2A87E94KLT8VF&dchild=1&keywords=baby+trend+sit+and+stand+double+stroller&qid=1610594970&sprefix=baby+trend+si%2Caps%2C681&sr=8-2
If Sit N’ Stand is an art, Baby Trend is the artist. Baby Trend was the first to introduce the world to the concept of the Sit N’ Stand years ago. It has continued with it and also produces many different models.
Their Ultra stroller can accommodate either two children seated or one child sitting and the other standing. It’s our favorite because it offers a weight limit of 50-lb, both front, and back. It can also hold an infant car seat in the front or the rear which is parent-facing, and the front seat has a tray. The accompanying child tray acts as a car seat adapter. And this all is with some decent suspension.
Unlike the other sit and stand strollers in the market, the Sit ‘N’ Stand Ultra has relatively good suspension and offers a smooth ride.
This stroller is a great setup for kids who are closer in age say – a newborn and a 1.5 or 2-year-old, for example.
Then, once your oldest is ready to use the sit and stand feature, your infant can go in the front, either in her car seat or in the regular seat. A switcheroo.
Yes, it is nice to be able to choose between these two modes and use the stroller with kids who are closer in age. It also permits your older child to be comfortably seated during the period you’re using the infant seat for your baby.
THE GOOD
Safety Features:
Safety is a major and in Baby Trend, you can strap your child to their safety. The front stroller seat has a five-point harness and the rear bench seat a three-point harness.
There is a foot-operated rear brake, making it easy to stop at the edge of a sidewalk.
Convenience Feature:
Children can lead your day haywire, and having two of them means more trouble. The said stroller has features to make your life easier. Baby Trend is relatively lightweight and inexpensive, has lots of storage space, and the front seat reclines. This large storage area is beneath the seat and a parent tray with cup holders and a covered compartment for a phone or keys is also present which is a plus.
The child’s tray has a snack area and cup holders. It is also a swing-away design, making it easy to get your little one in and out of the stroller seat.
Compact:
Although the stroller is longer than the likes of the Graco RoomFor2 and the Joovy Caboose Graphite, it’s quite easy to fold with one hand. It happens with convenience.
For a double stroller, this one is compact when folded. This makes it great for storage or travel.
THE BAD
Seat Doesn’t Recline Flat:
The front seat reclines only partially to accommodate a napper. The front seat doesn’t recline much though meaning your small one is probably napping upright. On the other hand, with the caveat that it eats into the space of the child sitting in the back means your other child has no more or less room on the padded bench seat in the rear.
Also, a point to notice is that it can get squishy when used with a car seat.
Small Sun Canopy:
Canopies are supposed to provide shade and it’s disappointing when the purpose is not served. The adjustable sun canopy that this stroller comes with does not seem to provide much cover from either the sun or the rain. Let alone you might also have to remove the canopy altogether when using an infant car seat.
Hard to Steer and Maneuver:
this stroller is longer (49 inches) and heavier on the front than the Joovy Caboose, and therefore, a bit harder to steer and maneuver, especially with your heavier child or elder one up in the front.
- Chicco BravoFor2 Standing/Sitting Double Stroller
Price: $299
Weight: 26.5 lbs
Dimensions: 23.25″ W X 45″ L X 42″ H
On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Chicco-BravoFor2-Standing-Sitting-Stroller/dp/B07K12FS2R/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=chicco+bravofor2&qid=1610706056&sr=8-3
The next stroller on the list of strollers with the standing platform is the BravoFor2 Standing/Sitting double stroller. Its quality build is a set up from the likes of Graco and Joovy, this reflects on the price too. In terms of style, quality, and very sturdy build, BravoFor2 is currently the best sit and stand stroller offered by the top stroller brand – Chicco. Chicco’s BravoFor2 is a high-end sit and stand stroller that maneuvers almost as well as a single stroller. With attention to detail, Chicco solved many of the issues affecting other sit and stand strollers, such as lack of room in the rear seat when a car seat is placed in the front, or the front seat is reclined.
Using this stroller, the smaller child sits in the front stroller seat, while the older child either stands or sits at the rear of the stroller. The big downside with this stroller is the front seat — it works great with a baby in an infant KeyFit car seat, but once that child outgrows the seat, you should know that it barely reclines.
The fold of this stroller is superior to the strollers mentioned above. It simply collapses down into place and stands on its own.
It is more pricey – around $300 than most of the above strollers, it is built to be very sturdy with high-quality material and features that make it worth every cent.
THE GOOD
Comfort in the Rear:
Often overlooked in this style of the stroller, Chicco has taken the rear passenger comfort into account. The standing platform is wide and sturdy. Unlike most sit and stand strollers, your toddler/older kid has the option to either stand or sit at the rear seat. The seat includes a seat belt that can be used to keep your kid strapped in.
Once onboard, there are comfortable handles to hold and a backrest for support.
When it’s time to sit, the bench seat is padded and has a three-point harness for safety. This seat folds away when not in use. The sun canopy can be extended to cover the rear seat.
Quick-Fold:
In a quick fold battle, the chances are this stroller will win hands down. Just activate from the integrated handle and lift slightly. The wheels are placed in the right position to enable self-standing and give a compact fold.
Easy To Maneuver:
The stroller has rubber tires and suspension on all four wheels which help absorb bumps from uneven surfaces.
When it comes to steering, the front wheels swivel making turns easy, and one-touch brakes hold it in place when stationary.
Parent Comforts:
A padded plush handle is comfortable to hold when pushing this stroller. There is also a parent tray with two cup holders, great for your coffee on the go, plus it has extra pockets to keep the toys.
The lower storage basket is roomy and can be accessed from the front or rear.
THE BAD
Pricey:
This stroller isn’t the cheapest, and it’s not compatible with many car seats. It’s also not the most lightweight sit and stand on the market. Worse, this stroller has the lowest weight limit of all – just 40 lbs per seat – and the front seat is relatively small.
Only Chicco Infant Car Seats Fit:
This stroller can be converted to a travel system attaching a car infant seat, but only those made by Chicco are compatible.
Though some find other brands of car seats will fit, they do not click into place correctly, so their use is not advisable.
Front Seat Does Not Recline:
The back-to-back seating design of this stroller means the front seat reclines only slightly. If the baby falls asleep, you won’t be able to lie them down and they might not be comfortable.
Cup holders are not deep enough:
It feels like the stroller makes a statement by having cup holders. However, these cup holders are not deep enough.
3. Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite
Price: MSRP $249, on sale $219
Weight: 22.5 lbs
Dimensions: 45.5” folded length
On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Joovy-Caboose-Ultralight-Graphite-Stroller/dp/B01BMAW0M2/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=17VQRXAMMY905&dchild=1&keywords=joovy+caboose+ultralight+graphite+stroller&qid=1610706151&sprefix=joovy+caboose%2Caps%2C546&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyV0VVTURBMjBMR0xHJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTMyMjYzMTM4UzdYQkFPWEZPSCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTEwOTg0UDRaVjRVQ0pBNzFNJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
Joovy Caboose and Joovy Caboose Too are all but the same the only difference is that the latter doesn’t come with a rear seat, you have to buy it separately.
Joovy shaved 4 lbs off the regular Caboose by constructing this stroller of graphite-colored, lightweight, aircraft-grade aluminum. The Caboose Ultralight Graphite registers at just 22 lbs, making it a lightweight, versatile stroller for any parent of two.
Included is a car seat adapter to provide space for a newborn. Once your older child grows, you can remove the rear seat, leaving a bench seat and platform to sit on or ride standing.
The Caboose Ultralight Graphite comes standard with a parent organizer, a removable child tray, a universal car seat adapter, and a large, sturdy sun canopy.
It is car seat compatible with Baby Jogger, Baby Trend, Britax, Chicco, Combi, Cosco, Cybex, Eddie Bauer, Evenflo, GB, Graco, JJ Cole, Lamaze, Maxi-Cosi, Mothercare, Mountain Buggy, MUV, Nuna, Peg Perego, Recaro, Safety 1st and UPPAbaby, though the adapter is simply a holder that the seat is strapped into. Some say it doesn’t feel very secure.
For children who are closer in age, you can also purchase the optional “Rear Seat.” This option will give you two full-size, reclining seats (pictured below), although the rear seat does not recline as deeply as the front seat. While the folded size is pretty long, the Caboose Ultralight Graphite still fits into most trunks, even smaller ones like a Chevy Malibu or Toyota Prius. You can also remove the sun canopy to make it even more compact. Note that it can be folded with the seat adapter still connected, but it will add another 5 inches or so to the overall folded length.
THE GOOD
large basket and canopy:
The basket is large can be accessed from both front and rear. The sun canopy is also sturdy and big. It can cover both the front and rear seats – and the canopy’s rear section is removable and fits nicely into the included parent console.
Is lightweight to start with:
Joovy’s Caboose Ultralight is just at 22lbs, which is less than any other similar strollers. The compact tandem stroller intended to be lighter and more maneuverable than other sit and stand strollers is easy to fold, folds compactly.
comes with a parent console:
3-position recline:
The front seat reclines in three positions and also holds your infant car seat, while the rear is a sliding bench seat where your older child can sit in a 3-point harness or stand (facing either direction) while holding onto sturdy, metal handles.
THE BAD
Storage Basket Damages Easily:
It appears the storage basket on this stroller sits low to the floor. It can be damaged when pushed toward the ground by little feet in the rear seat or riding on the platform.
It can also be hard to access when the rear seat is in place or when the infant car seat is attached.
Infant Seat Compromises:
When an infant (car) seat is attached, the roominess of the rear stroller seat is considerably reduced. The other drawback of this is that the child in the rear seat or standing has no view to the front.
Reclining the front seat means less space for the rear seat:
Also, when the front seat is reclined it directly takes up the space of the rear seat. Then the older one seated in the rear will be uncomfortable.
Not suitable for longer duration:
without the Rear Seat, this stroller is not the one you bring on long excursions when you have a child in the infant seat (front position) and a child who needs to sit comfortably for a long period in the back. Without the Rear Seat, this is more of a hop-on/hop-off stroller.
can only use a car seat for babies under 3 months:
If your baby is any bigger than 3 months the car seat seems to feel less roomy and uncomfortable.
4. Graco RoomFor2 Stand & Ride
Price: MSRP $149 / On sale at Amazon ~ $119
Weight: 27.2 lbs
Dimensions: 20.9″ W X 34.6″ L X 40″ H
On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Graco-Roomfor2-Connect-Stroller-Gotham/dp/B00Y285QUA/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1C7UYABCOAPFA&dchild=1&keywords=graco+roomfor2+stand+and+ride+stroller&qid=1610706394&sprefix=graco+roomfor2%2Caps%2C430&sr=8-1
RoomFor2 is Graco’s entry-level sit and stand variant. It is very similar to the aforementioned Baby Trend stroller in weight, quality, and price.
The big difference is that the Graco RoomFor2 (and to some extent the Joovy Caboose) does not offer the ability to put the infant seat in the back, which narrows your riding options for kids closer in age. This meaning you can’t switch places for your kids like you could with Baby Trend.
Graco’s RoomFor2 Stand and Ride stroller come with a padded jumpseat for your older child accompanied by a completely reclining seat for your baby. The front wheels of the RoomFor2 lock in place. Like other Graco strollers, this stroller has an easy one-hand fold.
Like the Baby Trend Sit N’ Stand, RoomFor2 also has a large storage basket, a parent tray, and a snack tray that acts as a car seat adapter for the Graco SnugRide Click Connect car seat.
THE GOOD
Fully Reclining Front Seat:
Graco’s RoomFor2 has a fully reclining front seat – perfect for newborns.
Safety first:
It comes with both hand brakes as well as foot brakes. The stroller also has harnesses for both seats (including an option to use either 3-points or 5-points for the front harness). Plus it has designated handles for your older child to hold onto while standing. There is also a padded rear jumpseat.
Large Storage Basket:
Graco has a large storage basket. It is large enough to store one’s travel essentials. Parent’s tray with 2 deep cup holders for on-the-go convenience. It also comes with Child’s tray with cup holder pivots for no-fuss stroller entry
Car Seat Compatible:
Graco’s RoomFor2 is car seat compatible.
THE BAD
No option to choose who sits where:
Like the Joovy Caboose Ultralight, this stroller doesn’t offer parents the option to choose where each child sits.
The rear seat gets squishy:
Reclining the front seat means less room in the rear seat. It gets squishy in the rear seat.
5. Joovy Caboose Graphite Stand on Stroller
Price: MSRP $139
Weight: 27.5 lbs
Dimensions: 34.6 x 19.7 x 13.8 inches
On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Joovy-Caboose-Graphite-Tandem-Stroller/dp/B01BMAW0L8/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Joovy+Caboose+Graphite+Stand+on+Stroller&qid=1610706499&sr=8-3
There are 2 versions of this stroller available in the market. The Joovy Caboose stroller is a sit-and-stand tandem stroller, giving your older toddler the ability to ride while standing or sitting on a small platform seat. If you opt for the Joovy Caboose too, you would still have the same sit-and-stand functionality of the Joovy Caboose, but with the bonus of a (removable) full second seat.
It comes with a universal car seat adapter, meaning this stroller should work with just about any infant car seat on the market. Since this stroller has an infant car seat adapter, you can have a double stroller travel system for just over $100!
The fabric used for the stroller is durable and the plastic feels tough as well, not cheap and flimsy. The standing board is of high quality and made to last.
THE GOOD
Basket size:
I think every stroller needs a basket, and this one has a basket that is reasonably sized.
Seat Capacity:
The stroller is approved to use with up to 90 pounds (45 pounds per seat), so it will last quite a while!
Recline:
The seats (front and To seat) on the Joovy Caboose are adjustable to give your child a good bit of recline if they need a nap while you are out.
Safety:
One of the best features is a linked braking system that makes keeping your little one safe easier. You can easily stop the stroller, even if your toddler is sitting or standing.
Footrest and Cup Holders:
The front seat also features an adjustable footrest, plus a tray for your child with built-in cup holders.
Maneuverability:
Joovy is easy to steer. It’s so easy to weave in and out of crowds. The front wheels can be locked. Each wheel has a built-in suspension system and ball bearings that reduce the bumps that your child feels when you are on the go.
You can swivel for maximum maneuverability.
THE BAD
No parent cup holder/tray/organizer:
The stroller doesn’t come with a tray or organizer in the back. You have to purchase a Joovy organizer separately to go with it or look for a universal cup holder to add as an accessory. There is however a tray with a cup holder for your front child, so you could always keep your drink up there if that child/baby wouldn’t spill it.
Small canopy:
The fact is, this canopy is not going to cover both children in the stroller at the same time. It is fully adjustable so you can move it to whatever location you’d like.
Lack of Padding:
This stroller does not have a lot of padding, so it is not ideal for parents who frequently go on lengthy outings with their kids.
Hard to Fold:
This is also slightly harder to fold than some other models. It is lightweight and compact, but you need to use a lot of pressure to fold it.
