Introduction
When it comes to choosing a travel system for your little one(s), the options can seem endless - and downright confusing. With loads of different models available, each one boasting its own unique features, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. What’s the difference between a 2-in-1 and a 3-in-1? What exactly is a tandem travel system? Are they easy to use? And how do you know which one is right for your family?
In this article, we'll cut through all the jargon and break down all the different types of travel systems available on the market. Whether you’re a first-time parent or looking to upgrade, our comprehensive guide will help you understand the ins and outs of baby travel systems, so you can make an informed decision that suits your lifestyle and needs.
Let’s start exploring!
What is a travel system?
A travel system is an all-in-one pushchair solution specifically designed with convenience in mind. It typically includes a stroller, seat unit, and a compatible infant car seat that will attach directly to the stroller frame via a system of adaptors. This allows you to choose the ideal configuration for you and your young family. Some also come with a carrycot for newborns.
Unlike a regular stroller, a travel system allows you to keep your child in their car seat and move them directly from the car to the pushchair without disturbing their sleep. This makes it an incredibly practical and seamless way to travel with your little one, from infancy and all the way through to toddlerhood.
Optional extras, such as ISOFIX car seat bases, rain covers, footmuffs, sunshades and parasols, adaptors and matching changing bags can be used in conjunction with a travel system to make it even more dynamic and multifunctional.
There are no fewer than six categories of travel systems; single, double, twin, tandem, 2-in-1, and 3-in-1, but a 2-in-1 and a 3-in-1 can be either a single or a double travel system. This sounds confusing at first, but the easiest way to understand it is the number refers to how many seats it comes with, while the category the pushchair falls under refers to how the seats are arranged on the frame.
Don’t worry, we’ll go into this in greater detail!
There are many different variations of pram and pushchair travel systems, so now we’ve got the basics out of the way, let’s look at what each one is, what they can do, and what problem they solve for you.
Let’s start with the simplest version: The single travel system.
Single Travel Systems
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What is a single travel system?
A single travel system combines an infant car seat, a stroller, and often a carrycot into one unit. This all-in-one approach simplifies the travel experience by eliminating the need to purchase multiple pieces of equipment separately. It takes virtually no time at all to change between the different configurations, which is why parents and guardians love them so much.
What problem does it solve?
As well as eliminating the need to take multiple pieces of equipment out and about with you, it saves a ton of space (both in the home and in the car) and it’s far more economical than buying a car seat, stroller, and carrycot separately. It also ensures compatibility between components, which can be an issue when mixing and matching different brands and models.
What configurations can you make in a single travel system?
Car seat and chassis: This setup allows you to move your baby from the car to the stroller without having to unbuckle and re-buckle them, providing uninterrupted sleep and comfort.
Chassis with carrycot: Many single travel systems include a carrycot option. This is perfect for newborns and young infants, offering a flat and safe sleeping space for longer walks or naps on the go. However, it’s worth noting that carrycots can only be used until your baby reaches 9kg (around 6-months old) - after that, you’ll need to use the seat unit provided.
Convertible seat: Most systems feature a pushchair seat that can easily be adjusted or converted as your child grows. Depending on the model you choose, the pushchair seat unit may be able to switch between parent-facing, world-facing, or both configurations.
In a nutshell
A single pushchair travel system offers a practical and efficient solution for modern parenting. By combining multiple functions into one cohesive unit, it saves time, space, and money, while ensuring your baby's comfort and safety during travel. A great choice for young families with a little one.
But what if you need something a bit bigger? Let’s take a look at some larger options, starting with…
Double Travel Systems
Explore our Double Travel Systems, tailored for parents with two little ones.
What is a double travel system?
A double travel system is the perfect solution if you have two young children, especially if you have twins or siblings close in age. The seats are positioned one behind the other, so they combine the functionality of a double stroller without the bulk. Double travel setups where the seats are positioned one behind the other are also known as tandem travel systems.
What’s the difference between a single travel system and a double travel system?
This system is designed to do everything a single travel system can do, but with the added advantage of being able to accommodate two children. The double system offers the flexibility to transport both children comfortably and efficiently, overcoming the logistical challenges of managing two children simultaneously.
What problem does it solve?
For parents managing two young children, a double travel system solves several key problems:
Convenience: Transporting two children can be challenging, especially when they’re of different ages or have different needs. A double travel system allows both children to be transported simultaneously without needing multiple separate strollers. Many models can be collapsed and put up again in a matter of seconds using just one hand – a key feature if you’ve got two little ones to look after.
Space efficiency: Double travel systems are designed to be compact and manoeuvrable, making them easier than two single strollers to navigate through crowded spaces and narrow doorways.
Storage: Because they’re bigger than a standard single travel system, they tend to have roomy shopping baskets and storage pockets – ideal for all the extra changing bags and other accessories you’ll be carrying with you.
Cost savings: Investing in a double travel system can be more cost-effective than purchasing two separate single travel systems, especially when you consider the added accessories and features you get included with them.
Coordinated care: A double travel system allows you to keep both children together, ensuring they’re always nearby and can easily be monitored all the time.
What configurations can a double travel system be set up in?
Double travel systems for infants can be set up in various configurations to suit different needs and preferences. Here are some common setups:
Tandem: In this setup, one child sits in front of the other. This design is often more compact, making it easier to navigate through narrow spaces like doorways and crowded areas.
Car seat and stroller seat: This configuration allows for one child to sit in a stroller seat while the other remains in a car seat that attaches to the stroller frame. It's ideal for families with a newborn and an older toddler. The 0+ age car seats are suitable for babies up to 12 months old. The toddler seats are usually suitable for little ones up to 15kg (approx. 3 years), but again, this will depend on the model you choose, so always check the age/weight tolerances before you buy.
Double car seat: Some double systems can accommodate two car seats. Where this is the case, both car seats can attach to the stroller frame via some easy-to-clip-in adaptors (Depending on which system you choose, these adaptors may be included or sold separately). This setup is perfect for newborns and twins, and it makes moving them from the car to the stroller and vice versa an absolute breeze.
Single: Some double travel systems are convertible, meaning they can switch between single and double configurations, giving you flexibility as the family's needs change over time.
Modular: These allow for various combinations of seats, carrycots, and car seats, offering maximum versatility.
In a nutshell
A double travel system is a game-changer for parents of two young children. With various configurations available, families can find a setup that best fits their lifestyle and needs. Whether navigating city streets or travelling by car, a double travel system makes managing two children more straightforward and stress-free.
Twin Travel Systems
Confused about the difference between a double travel system, a twin travel system, and a tandem travel system? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Here’s a quick explanation.
What’s the difference between a double travel system and a tandem travel system?
A double travel system is a general term for pushchairs designed to accommodate two children. A tandem travel system carries two children, so technically you could call it a double system, but the tandem name specifically refers to the seating arrangement where one seat is positioned in front of the other in a single-file line. This design is narrower, making it easier to navigate through tight spaces and crowds. And you can easily convert it to a single-seat configuration if you need to.
What’s the difference between a double travel system and a twin travel system?
While they’re both technically double pushchair systems, a double travel system is designed to accommodate two children of different ages or twins and offers various seating configurations. A twin pram travel system, on the other hand, specifically caters to the needs of twins, typically featuring side-by-side seating to ensure both children have equal space and a similar view. This setup provides a balanced experience for both infants, but some twin travel systems, such as the Puggle Memphis Duo, have a tandem seating arrangement.
The problem it solves
Parents of twins or two children close in age will know that this means logistical challenges when it comes to outings. Traditional prams are inadequate for two children, and managing two separate strollers can be a pain, to say the least. Twin or tandem travel systems address this problem by providing:
Efficiency: One device to transport two children, reducing the hassle of manoeuvring multiple strollers. A twin travel system with 2 car seats will also save a lot of messing around transferring two little ones from the stroller to the car and vice versa.
Convenience: They transition from seated to sleeping positions in a matter of seconds, ideal when you’re trying to deal with two children at once. And, like double travel systems, many models can be collapsed and put up again in just a few seconds using only one hand.
Practicality: Even though it can accommodate two children, a twin stroller travel system is incredibly light, easy to fold down, assemble, and pick up and carry. They also fold down to a compact size, meaning they’ll take up a minimum amount of space at home and in the car.
Configurations of a twin or tandem travel system
Twins and tandem travel systems can be set up in a variety of different combinations of fully reclined, car seat, and forward seating, depending on what you need them to do. These are easily swapped out using different adaptors (which may be included or sold separately) for as many as a dozen different configurations.
In a nutshell
Whether you prefer a side-by-side setup for better sibling interaction or an inline configuration for easier navigation, a twin or tandem travel system is an essential investment for parents with two young children. They simplify things so much, making them an indispensable part of going out and about with a young family.
2-in-1 Vs 3-in-1 Travel Systems
For parents wanting more versatility and additional comfort options for their baby, then a 2-in1 or a 3-in-1 travel system might be the answer. But what’s the difference between them?
Both include a pushchair and an infant car seat, and both use a series of adaptors to switch between their various configurations.
But the big difference between a 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 travel systems is the 2-in-1 has a carrycot that converts into a seat unit so you only get 2 items (convertible carrycot/seat unit and car seat), whereas the 3-in-1 comes with a separate carrycot, a separate seat unit and a separate car seat.
If you don’t have much storage space in your home, then here’s something else to consider; with the 2-in-1 travel system, you only have two items to store, whereas the seat in the 3-in1 can only be used from 6 months old, so you’ll have to find somewhere to store it until it’s ready to be used.
At a Glance
- Single Travel System: Interchangeable seating options for one child
- Double Travel System: For two children, seating can be side-by-side or tandem
- Twin Travel System: Specifically for twins, seating is often side-by-side but can also be tandem
- Tandem Travel System: For two children, seats are arranged front and back
- 2-in-1 Travel System: Using adaptors, mix and match combinations of convertible carrycot/seat unit and separate car seat
- 3-in-1 Travel System: Using adaptors, interchange between separate car seat, carrycot and reversible seating pushchair options
Final Thoughts
The best travel system for you will depend on your individual family needs. There’s a lot to consider: the number of children you have, their ages, whether you want them both to be front-facing, if you need a car seat, whether you need more than one car seat…
But don’t be overwhelmed by it all. Whichever travel system you choose, it’s a sound investment. It’ll save you a lot of money compared to buying individual components, it’ll grow and adapt with your family, and it’ll streamline your 'going out and about with kids' routine, saving you valuable time, so it’s always a win/win situation.
Take your time, and if you have any questions or need advice on the best system for you, our customer services team is always happy to help.
