Mountain Buggy Duet Stroller Review

The Mountain Buggy Duet stroller continues to earn its reputation as one of the most innovative double strollers on the market today. With its remarkably narrow design and impressive maneuverability, this side-by-side double stroller offers a practical solution for parents of twins or children close in age. After thorough testing and analysis of recent user experiences, we’ve updated this comprehensive review to help you determine if the Mountain Buggy Duet is the right investment for your growing family.

Key Specifications

Pros and Cons

Design and Build Quality

The Mountain Buggy Duet immediately impresses with its exceptional build quality and thoughtful design. The frame is constructed from lightweight yet durable aluminum, providing a solid foundation that can withstand years of daily use. The stroller’s most remarkable feature is its narrow 25-inch width—the same as many single strollers—allowing it to navigate standard doorways and tight spaces with ease.

Frame and Materials

The premium materials used throughout the Duet reflect Mountain Buggy’s commitment to quality. The fabric is dense, durable, and easy to clean, while the stitching and finishes demonstrate excellent attention to detail. The Grid, Black, and Silver color options offer a sophisticated aesthetic that appeals to style-conscious parents. Recent users particularly praise the Grid design for its modern look that doesn’t show dirt as easily as solid colors.

Wheels and Suspension

The Duet features 10-inch air-filled tires with a quality suspension system that delivers a smooth ride across various terrains. From city sidewalks to park trails, the stroller maintains stability and comfort for its passengers. The front wheels can be locked for rougher terrain or left to swivel for enhanced maneuverability in tight spaces. Multiple users report that the suspension system effectively absorbs bumps, keeping sleeping babies undisturbed even on uneven surfaces.

Usability and Functionality

Maneuverability

One of the Duet’s standout features is its exceptional maneuverability. Despite accommodating two children, the stroller handles with the agility of a single stroller. Parents consistently praise how effortlessly it glides and turns, even with a full load. Recent reviews highlight that the precision engineering allows for one-handed steering in most situations, which is invaluable when you’re juggling multiple children. As one parent noted in a 2022 review, “The maneuverability is great” even when navigating crowded areas.

Folding Mechanism

The Duet offers a compact fold for a double stroller, though mastering the folding mechanism requires some practice. Recent user feedback suggests that while there is a learning curve, the fold becomes “super easy” with practice. Once folded, it fits reasonably well in most standard car trunks. While not the most compact double when folded, its space efficiency is impressive given its robust build and feature set.

Adjustable Handlebar

The telescoping handlebar adjusts to accommodate parents of different heights, a thoughtful feature that enhances pushing comfort. The handlebar is covered with a premium foam that provides a secure grip and doesn’t degrade quickly with regular use. This feature has received consistent praise in recent reviews, with parents of varying heights appreciating the customizable positioning.

Comfort and Safety Features

Seating and Recline

Each seat in the Duet reclines independently to a near-flat position, making it suitable for newborns (especially when paired with the carrycot option) and comfortable for napping toddlers. The seats are well-padded and feature a 5-point harness system that keeps children secure without causing discomfort. Parents particularly appreciate the independent recline functionality, allowing one child to nap while the other sits upright to observe the world.

Canopies

The extendable UPF 50+ canopies provide good sun protection, though some users note they could offer more coverage in extreme conditions. Each canopy operates independently and includes a peek-a-boo window, allowing parents to check on their children without disturbing them. The canopy fabric matches the quality of the rest of the stroller, with smooth operation and good durability reported by long-term users.

Storage Options

The under-seat basket offers generous storage capacity for diaper bags, shopping items, and other essentials. Recent user reviews confirm that the basket is indeed “big” as noted in a 2022 review, though access can be somewhat restricted when both seats are fully reclined. Additional mesh pockets on the back of each seat provide convenient storage for smaller items like phones, keys, or water bottles.

Versatility and Adaptability

From Birth Options

The Duet accommodates children from birth to toddlerhood through multiple configurations:

1. With the Mountain Buggy carrycots (sold separately), which are sleep-safe according to user reviews
2. Using car seat adapters compatible with major brands
3. With the seats fully reclined (though the carrycot is recommended for newborns)

This versatility makes the Duet a long-term investment that grows with your family. A 2022 review specifically mentioned that “the bassinets are safe for sleep, and our twins lived in them when they were little,” highlighting the practical benefit for parents of newborn twins.

Luxury Collection

The Duet Luxury Collection offers enhanced features, including premium fabrics and included carrycots. Parents of twins particularly appreciate the Luxury Collection’s sleep-safe bassinets, which provide a comfortable and secure environment for newborns. While the luxury version comes at a higher price point, many twin parents find the included bassinets justify the additional cost, as they serve as both stroller seats and safe sleep spaces.

Comparison with Competitors

The Mountain Buggy Duet stands out for its narrow width and excellent maneuverability in tight spaces. While the BOB Revolution excels for active parents who prioritize jogging capability, and the City Mini GT2 offers the easiest folding mechanism, the Duet provides the best balance of narrow design and all-terrain capability.

The Duet’s 25-inch width is a significant 5.5 inches narrower than the BOB Revolution Flex Duallie, making a substantial difference when navigating through doorways and crowded spaces. This unique selling point continues to be the primary reason many parents choose the Duet over other double strollers.

Real-World Performance

Urban Use

In urban environments, the Duet truly shines. Its narrow frame navigates through store aisles, crowded sidewalks, and public transportation with remarkable ease. Parents report confidently taking the stroller into spaces they would normally avoid with a double stroller, such as small cafés or boutiques. A 2023 review specifically mentioned that the stroller “glides smoothly, making it easy to navigate through tight spaces and crowded areas,” confirming its continued excellence in urban settings.

Off-Road Performance

The air-filled tires and quality suspension system ensure the Duet performs admirably on rougher terrain. While not specifically designed as an off-road stroller, it handles gravel paths, grass, and moderately uneven surfaces without difficulty. For families who enjoy outdoor activities, the Duet offers versatility that many city-focused doubles lack. The robust wheels provide stability and comfort even when venturing off paved surfaces.

User Ratings

Mixed User Feedback

While the majority of user feedback is positive, it’s important to note that some users have reported issues. A September 2023 review mentioned that while the concept is excellent, “the execution is terrible” in their experience. This highlights that individual experiences can vary, and some units may have quality control issues. However, this appears to be an outlier opinion, as most recent reviews continue to praise the stroller’s performance and quality.

The most common criticisms relate to:
1. The learning curve for the folding mechanism
2. The weight of the stroller when lifting it into a car trunk
3. The high price point, especially when adding accessories

These criticisms should be weighed against the stroller’s significant advantages and your specific family needs.

Who Should Buy the Mountain Buggy Duet?

Ideal For:

1. Parents of twins – The Duet’s ability to accommodate two infants from birth with carrycots or car seats makes it perfect for twin parents. Recent twin parent reviews specifically praise how their “twins lived in them when they were little.”

2. Urban families with limited space – The narrow width is a game-changer for city dwellers navigating tight spaces, doorways, and public transportation.

3. Parents who value maneuverability – If easy steering and handling are top priorities, the Duet delivers exceptional performance, consistently earning praise for how it “glides smoothly” even when fully loaded.

4. Families who need all-terrain capability – The robust wheels and suspension make this suitable for families with varied lifestyle needs who don’t want to be limited to smooth surfaces.

5. Parents planning for long-term use – The durability and adaptability from birth to toddlerhood provide excellent value over time, with many families reporting 3+ years of regular use.

Less Suitable For:

1. Budget-conscious parents – The premium price point may be prohibitive for those with tight budgets, especially when adding accessories.

2. Parents seeking the lightest option – At 34 pounds, the Duet isn’t the lightest double stroller available, which may be an issue if you frequently need to lift it in and out of a car.

3. Families who prioritize the smallest fold – While reasonably compact when folded, some in-line doubles fold smaller, which could be important for those with very limited storage space.

Value Assessment

The Mountain Buggy Duet represents a significant investment, with pricing at the higher end of the double stroller market. However, its exceptional build quality, versatility, and unique narrow design provide substantial value for the right family. Consider that many parents report using the stroller daily for 3+ years across multiple children, making the cost per use quite reasonable over time.

When factoring in the potential to use the stroller from birth through toddlerhood for two children simultaneously, the value proposition becomes even stronger. The durability means it often retains good resale value as well, further offsetting the initial investment.

For twin parents especially, the sleep-safe bassinets in the luxury collection provide additional value by serving dual purposes as both stroller seats and safe sleep spaces, potentially eliminating the need for separate bassinets.

Final Verdict

The Mountain Buggy Duet earns our strong recommendation for parents seeking a premium double stroller that doesn’t compromise on maneuverability or quality. Its standout narrow design truly sets it apart in the crowded double stroller market, offering a side-by-side experience without the typical side-by-side drawbacks.

While the higher price point and learning curve for some features may give some parents pause, the exceptional performance, versatility, and build quality make it a worthwhile investment for families with twins or siblings close in age. The stroller’s ability to navigate both urban environments and varied terrain with ease ensures it meets the needs of diverse family lifestyles.

Recent reviews from 2022 and 2023 confirm that the Duet continues to excel in its core strengths: exceptional maneuverability, quality construction, and unique narrow design. While occasional negative feedback exists, the overwhelming majority of current users remain highly satisfied with their purchase.

For parents who value maneuverability, durability, and versatility in a double stroller package, the Mountain Buggy Duet delivers impressive performance that justifies its premium positioning. Its thoughtful design reflects a deep understanding of the practical challenges parents face when transporting two young children, offering elegant solutions that make daily life significantly easier.

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

The Mountain Buggy Duet stands as an exceptional option in the double stroller category, combining innovative design with practical functionality to create a product that genuinely enhances the parenting experience for families with multiple young children.