Traveling with young children is an adventure, but navigating bustling airports, cobblestone streets, and public transport in a new city can quickly become challenging, especially with two little ones in tow. As a travel expert at travels.edu.vn, I understand the need for lightweight, compact, and efficient gear that simplifies family travel. For parents juggling two kids, a reliable stroller is not just a convenience; it’s essential. After extensive personal experience and research, I’ve found what I believe is the Best Travel Double Stroller solution that doesn’t involve a bulky, traditional double stroller: The Thule Shine Stroller paired with the Rider Board attachment.
This setup transformed our recent two-week family trip through Europe with our almost 2-year-old and almost 4-year-old. Traditional double strollers can be cumbersome and impractical for travel, particularly in historic European cities known for their narrow pathways and crowded spaces. The Thule Shine and Rider Board combination offers the perfect balance of compactness, maneuverability, and the capacity to comfortably transport two children. Let’s dive into why this stroller setup is a game-changer for traveling families.
Thule Shine stroller in use on European cobblestone streets
Top Features of the Thule Shine as a Travel Stroller for Two
1. Compact and Lightweight Design: Ideal for Navigating Tight Spaces
European cities are charming, but their infrastructure often isn’t designed for large, modern strollers. Think narrow sidewalks, crowded metro stations, and historic doorways. The Thule Shine stroller truly shines in these environments thanks to its compact design. It’s surprisingly easy to maneuver through tight corners, busy markets, and onto public transportation. We found it fit comfortably on metro trains and in smaller cafes, spaces where a traditional double stroller would have been a nightmare.
While it might not be the absolute lightest stroller on the market, the Thule Shine strikes an excellent balance between lightweight portability and robust features that are invaluable when traveling with two children.
Key Features for Double Stroller Use:
- Reversible Seat: The ability to switch the seat from forward-facing to parent-facing is incredibly useful, especially when interacting with your younger child while the older one is on the rider board.
- Adjustable Handlebar: This feature was a lifesaver for both my husband and me. The adjustable handlebar length ensures comfortable pushing for parents of different heights and, crucially, provides enough space to walk without stepping on the rider board.
- Spacious Storage Basket: Compared to other compact strollers, the Thule Shine boasts a larger storage basket. This extra space is essential for stashing diaper bags, snacks, souvenirs, and everything else you need for a day of exploring with kids.
We did notice that the stroller was just a tad too wide for the standard metro ticket gates. However, this was never a real problem. Every metro station we encountered had wider gates for strollers and wheelchairs. In Paris, a simple push of a button brought an attendant to open the gate. In New York, these wider gates are usually unlocked, and a sensor alarm sounds as you pass through – perfectly acceptable and designed for stroller access.
2. Effortless One-Hand Fold: A Must-Have for Travel
When you’re constantly on the move – hopping between trains, planes, and attractions – the ease of folding your stroller becomes paramount. The Thule Shine’s one-hand fold mechanism is a game-changer. Whether we were collapsing it for airplane boarding, navigating the Eiffel Tower elevators, or passing through security checkpoints, the quick and easy fold was incredibly convenient. It folds down to a compact, travel-friendly size that’s easy to carry or stow away.
The one-hand adjustable handlebar was another unexpected bonus. When boarding crowded buses and metros, quickly shortening the handlebar allowed me to maneuver the stroller in tight spaces and prevent it from bumping into other passengers.
3. Kid-Friendly Comfort: Happy Kids, Happy Travels
Travel days can be long and tiring for little ones. The Thule Shine prioritizes children’s comfort with its well-padded seat and multiple recline positions. The extendable sun canopy is fantastic, providing ample shade even when the seat is reclined. I also appreciated the peek-a-boo window, allowing me to easily check on my child without disturbing them.
The seat reclines smoothly with a simple handle on the back, going to a near-flat position perfect for naps. Both my children took comfortable, extended naps in the stroller throughout our trip. The adjustable footrest is another thoughtful touch that enhances comfort as kids grow.
4. Durable and Rugged Design: Built for Adventure
While the Thule Shine has a stylish and sleek aesthetic, it’s also built to withstand the rigors of travel. The all-wheel suspension is a standout feature, providing a smooth ride even on uneven surfaces. We put this stroller to the test, pushing it over countless cobblestone streets, grassy parks, dirt paths, and even some hills. It handled everything with ease, proving its durability and ruggedness.
Thule Shine stroller navigating cobblestone streets in Europe
Why a Double-Wide Stroller is Not Ideal for Travel
Before settling on the Thule Shine and Rider Board, I seriously considered traditional double-wide strollers. However, the thought of navigating Europe with one quickly dissuaded me. Double-wide strollers are simply not practical for travel, especially in Europe, for several key reasons:
- Narrow Streets and Sidewalks: Many European streets and sidewalks are incredibly narrow, making side-by-side double strollers difficult, if not impossible, to maneuver.
- Public Transportation Challenges: Getting a double-wide stroller onto buses, trains, and metros can be a major hassle, if it’s even possible at all.
- Limited Accessibility: Many shops, restaurants, and doorways, particularly in older buildings, are too narrow to accommodate a double-wide stroller.
The constant need to fold and unfold a bulky double stroller would quickly become more of a burden than a help. Knowing that my older child enjoys walking and would only need stroller rides intermittently, I sought a more flexible solution.
We also packed our Ergobaby soft carrier, providing an alternative if my older child wanted the stroller and the baby needed to be carried, or vice-versa. This combination of stroller and carrier offered maximum flexibility.
Thule Shine stroller with rider board and baby carrier illustrating versatile travel options
The Rider Board: Transforming a Single into a Travel Double Stroller
The Thule Rider Board is the genius accessory that transforms the Thule Shine single stroller into the best travel double stroller alternative. It clips onto the stroller frame easily and folds up neatly out of the way when not in use, secured by a provided elastic strap. My almost 4-year-old loved riding on the board, with a clear view over the stroller seat (despite being shorter for his age).
Beyond standing, we discovered that the rider board was surprisingly versatile. My toddler enjoyed sitting on it, resting his legs on the attachment bar or stretching them out into the under-seat basket. We even used our soft carrier or a jacket as a makeshift cushion for added comfort. He happily played with toys in his lap while riding.
One of the most unexpected benefits was when my older child was tired. He could lay down in the storage basket with his legs extended onto the rider board! This was perfect for moments when he was exhausted but the baby was already in the stroller seat. While I can’t confirm the exact weight limit of the under-seat storage, it handled my toddler’s weight without any issues (use this tip at your own discretion!).
It’s worth noting that I had tried rider boards with other strollers before and found them uncomfortable to push, often stepping on the board. However, the Thule Shine’s adjustable handlebar solves this problem. Extending the handlebar creates ample walking space, preventing you from stepping on the board. As someone who is 5’3”, I had no trouble pushing the stroller comfortably with my toddler on the rider board.
Thule Shine stroller with toddler riding on the rider board, demonstrating its double stroller functionality
The Verdict: Thule Shine – The Best Travel Double Stroller Solution
The Thule Shine single stroller, combined with the Rider Board, proved to be an invaluable piece of travel gear for our European adventure. Its adjustable features, compact design, and the added functionality of the rider board allowed us to effortlessly navigate the charming, yet challenging, streets of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands with two young children. If you’re seeking the best travel double stroller solution that prioritizes maneuverability, convenience, and your children’s comfort, I wholeheartedly recommend the Thule Shine and Rider Board combination.
For a closer look at what we packed in our stroller for our European days, check out this post: What We Keep In Our Travel Stroller For Europe.
Stay tuned for more travel tips and insights from our family trips! For more advice on traveling with kids, explore my other blog posts and my favorite Travel Essential products on my Amazon Storefront.
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