How easy is it to fold and how heavy is it?
The Mountain Buggy Duet V3.2 has a one-handed folding mechanism, making it quick and easy to fold and unfold for a buggy of its size.
Both seats remain attached so you simply swivel the handlebar down (though you do need two hands for this part), engage the brake, turn the wheels and pull up the bar at the bottom of the seats. When folded, the pram automatically locks and is freestanding, making it simple to store.
The quick-fold mechanism is particularly handy for nursery runs, though it’s worth bearing in mind that it takes longer if you need to switch up the buggy’s configurations, such as unzipping a seat from the chassis and attaching a car seat or carrycot.
There’s a handle to help you carry it to the car or house, which can be done one-handed. But because it’s quite bulky, with a weight of 14kg, you wouldn’t want to carry it too far or up too many stairs. In fact, the pram took up the whole of Liz’s car boot – a medium hatchback – with room for just one shopping bag.
How big is the storage basket?
The storage on the Duet was one of the best we tested. The basket sits underneath both seats and can fit up to 10kg, which is more than enough for a day out – including a changing bag, a bag of shopping and the rain cover, though this can also be attached to the frame elsewhere.
The basket is very easy to access from all angles so there’s no concern about waking a sleeping child when rummaging for a coat or bag underneath. We also loved the zip pockets at the rear of the basket where you can store small items like a phone or keys.
Is the Mountain Buggy Duet easy to clean?
After outings on a variety of terrain during testing, in which the frame and wheels got splattered with mud, the buggy cleaned up well with a cloth and non-abrasive household cleaner.
While the fabrics unfortunately can’t be machine-washed, they can be sponge-cleaned with warm water and a mild natural soap. When orange juice was spilled on the fabric, it beaded well and didn’t soak in, which meant that the liquid wiped away without leaving a stain.
To get the best out of the Duet, Mountain Buggy recommends brushing dirt off the frame and wheels regularly, and removing sand and salt after going to the beach.
What’s the Mountain Buggy Duet like to look at?
With a black and silver chassis and chunky wheels, the Mountain Buggy Duet V3.2 may not stand out in a crowd but the three different designs – black, silver and grid (black and white) – look stylish and functional.
We tested the silver and, after a week covering around 10 miles, the wheels were still fully inflated and in good condition, and the rest of the pram looked as good as new.
Is the Mountain Buggy Duet V3 good value for money?
Double buggies range in price and many of the designs that can be adapted, like the Duet, do tend to be at the higher end of the market. While it’s cheaper than some of its competitors, the Duet is still a big investment, especially when you have to pay extra for a rain cover.
However, it’s up to you if or how you adapt the Duet. The fully reclining seats can be used from birth and, with the extra padding, they feel very supportive when in lie-flat mode.
Even though it’s one of the slimmest side-by-sides on the market, the Duet's seats can each take up to 18kg and are spacious enough to last up to age four. The frame and fabric feel high-quality and, with the brilliant handling of this pram on all terrain, we think you get what you pay for.
Final verdict
A double buggy that caters for all your family’s needs, the Mountain Buggy Duet V3.2 can easily nip around supermarket aisles and fit through doorways while still being spacious enough for your child to rest and grow comfortably.
Its versatility makes it suitable for both twins and siblings – and even a child on their own. Thanks to the robust frame and big inflatable wheels, the Duet can tackle busy town centres to muddy walks with ease. A sleek yet sturdy side-by-side, we think it’s the best all-round double buggy to buy right now.
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