This review of the Maclaren Twin Techno was written by one of my dearest friends, Ella. She also wrote apartment life with newborn twins.
As the mother of 7.5-month old twins, I learned more about double strollers than I ever would have imagined. After my extensive research, we landed on two strollers. We have been using one of these, the Maclaren Twin Techno, for about four months now, and it has been a lifesaver. We love having it, for the following reasons:
- Small footprint. Whether open and in use, or folded, this is perhaps the most compact double stroller out there. I can’t stress enough the importance of this feature, particularly as we are urban parents: not only does it easily get through small doorways and make tight turns, but it also fits easily in the trunk.
- Easy to fold. Whatever the stroller you are considering, it is critical to evaluate whether you can manage both the stroller and your children on your own. Because the Maclaren is very easy to fold and fairly lightweight, I am able to maneuver trips with it easily ”“ not a small feat, given I’m not the strongest, or the tallest mom out there.
- Comfortable for the babies. I like that this double stroller allows for each seat to be adjusted independently, so that each baby can recline at the most comfortable position; ditto for the canopies. Our babies know their stroller well and always seem comfortable when we set out for an adventure. The straps and snaps ensure they are secure.
- Fantastic for indoor trips. If you are heading to the mall, or a doctor’s appointment, this is the stroller for you. Not only does it pack up in the car easily, but its wheels and overall dimensions make for an easy time maneuvering stores and small offices.
So, why do we have a second stroller, you may ask? There are a few downsides to having the Maclaren (or any umbrella stroller) as your sole means of transportation:
- Heavier and harder to maneuver than most all terrain strollers. Compared to our jogging stroller, this one is harder to push and harder to turn. There are two handle bars rather than one, so both hands are needed to navigate. This is noteworthy ”“ as the mother of twins, it’s not as dramatic, given our babies are of similar size, but if using for two children of different ages, I would imagine there would be a need to push each side at varying levels of strength.
- Wheels are geared toward indoors. While we use this stroller outside for short walks, its wheels are really geared toward use indoors, as compared to an all-terrain stroller. This can result in a bumpy ride for the babies at times, and a harder time when encountering curbs or cracks in the sidewalk. Because it is rather boxy, it also does not allow for great ease when walking outside.
- Few bells and whistles. In turn for being compact and easy to fold, this is a fairly bare-bones stroller. The canopies do not extend very far to shield from sun, the baskets underneath are not easy to access. Most notably, the babies must be strapped in at all times, or they will slip out of the narrow seats. I don’t believe this is an issue, as I’m happy to make the trade-off for the points above. But if it is your only and primary stroller, this is something to consider.
Overall, we have been very happy with our Maclaren Twin Techno and, as urban parents, find it the perfect umbrella stroller to use in conjunction with our all terrain stroller. For suburban parents or those who primarily drive, this could perhaps be sufficient on its own. Its ease of use and small footprint are invaluable ”“ if you’ve ever tried to navigate two children, you know exactly what I mean.
Thanks to Maclaren for providing the Twin Techno for testing and to Ella for sharing her experience!
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