So what is the best version of Phil and Teds? DC2 coming soon and I am stressed!

[MidnightinMoscow]

Right!

I need some expert pushchair advice.

I am 34 weeks with DC2, but might be coming as soon as this week for various reasons. I have organised nothing.

DS is 2.2 now. He is a bolter, boisterous type and I often need to strap him in the buggy when out and about so I think I need a double.

Looking to buy on ebay, but am confused all the models. I was given some great advice on another thread that the Dash should be avoided at all costs. Main concerns were that the toddler seat is too small.

So which P&T will allow me to get DS in the seat comfortably, be able to use a raincover that doesn't touch his face, and gives you somewhere to put a baby!

Oh, I also need to hang a changing bag on it too, have to take loads of medications and food with me for DS due to allergies.

Please help a desperate woman.

TIA

[morecoffeepleaseholdthecake]

Vibe. We had one it was fab. I'm selling ours on eBay next week

I could hang a bag on the hand rail without it touching Ds.also had a drinks holder attachment! Double raincover was fine .we also had a single raincover as well. also,it was easy to wash and clean seat pads etc.

Would highly recommend.

[HypatiaTheProcrastinator]

Is it only P&Ts you're interested in? It sounds like something with a half decent sized basket would be necessary for you if you need to carry a lot around.

[Tiggywunkle]

The storage on a P&Ts is lacking but you could add panniers but that's extra width and cost. Something like a B-Dual would give the children more room, a better basket and have a smaller footprint. The Mountain Buggy +One could work well for you as well if your eldest doesn't nap.

[FessaEst]

My p&t is really old, so newer versions may have for better, but mine is really short of storage. Hanging the bag off the handle doesn't really work if the bottom seat is on. It's fine for short trips out but I much prefer our double nipper for most journeys. Not really sure why p&t are so popular & your needs sound like you may need to look around.

[Tiggywunkle]

I think the older versions are better for storage than the new ones!
I think P&Ts sell a) because they are in Mothercare and it's the ubiquitous pushchair (like the Buzz is as a single) that they sell to parents to be who dont ever look anywhere else and b) it does look good. The B-Dual in essence is similar to a P&Ts but offers so much more!

[MidnightinMoscow]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

With the B-Dual, can you use one of those mini coccoon things that I have seen people use with the P&T where you slide it in under the buggy and then can carry it (with the baby in it) by the handles?

[cairnterrier]

Not sure how much you want to pay but P+T have just brought out a new model - the Promenade. Looks good on first sight but haven't yet got my mits on one to play with.

I'm going to Kiddicare over the next few weeks to look at the B-Dual and the Promenade, will report back once I've been - or would be really interested to hear other's opinions.

[HypatiaTheProcrastinator]

It doesn't work quite the same in that the seats are competely seperate. But you can get a soft carrycot that can be placed on either seat and has handles.

One nice seating option is to have the baby in the lower seat inside a soft carrycot and the older child facing you in the top seat. As the youngest starts to sit up, you'll need to put the top footrest upright to keep feet out of the baby's face. This is only really useable until the baby is 10-12 months but the older child will be voming out of it then.

It's a really lovely pushchair to push, the basket is massive, the seats are a good size with nice big hoods, it's also pretty good going offroad a bit. I mean mud, grass, gravel, etc rather than tree roots and rocks.

If you can afford the extra cost, I would go for the 2012 version if you find a goid deal. It has slightly better wheels, more durable fabrics and the harness is easier to put a footmuff on.

[HypatiaTheProcrastinator]

cairn, there's a first impression review of the Promenade here.

[seaweedhead]

I have a B-dual with soft carrycot for baby in bottom and 2.4 year old ds on top seat - it works really well, not too heavy and decent storage space.

[cairnterrier]

thanks Hypatia, have just checked out that link, am even more impatient to get hands on now!

[Tiggywunkle]

ihateparties is the one to ask about the Promenade. It seems a lot of money for what it is though. Plus the baby is just on the lie flat seat unit. You can put a P&T cocoon inside the seats though.

[morecoffeepleaseholdthecake]

Just to add.... before you spend your money,consider how long you will use it as a double for?

We chose our p&t because
-it fitted our needs as a double for the time we needed it as double. It was then a nice sized single pushchair and didn't look like it was once a double.

-good sell on ability

-we looked at a lot of different makes and models and retailers,but the p&t was the best value as we bought it online with a 50% off voucher code

My advice would be to visit some different stores and try them out. And then buy them half price on line!

[buttonmoon78]

morecoffee where does one find 50% discount vouchers? Please?

[morecoffeepleaseholdthecake]

It was a VERY long search, but if you google and spend endless nights searching check as many sites as possible you may find one. When I got mine, there were also 30% and 40% codes aswell. However, it was in January so could have possibly been due to January sales in some way... it was 4 years ago. I remember I told my sis about it as she wanted a pushchair for her ds who was due a few months later, but they had taken the code down the following day.

A friend has managed to use 2 different codes for online purchases before and got a massive discount (35% I think), again, it was a HUGE task and took weeks of searching, but she had a pushchair and cot to buy.

[thejaffacakesareonme]

If you are looking at older models I can recommend the sport. We bought one for DS1 and 2. It was great as a double and has also been used as a single for a couple of years. DS2 has now outgrown it but I'll be using it when DC3 is born in a few weeks time. The storage isn't brilliant, but the panniers hold a lot and are pretty easy to fit. THey are not expensive either.